IT infrastructure outsourcing vs. IT partnership
It may seem like we are just playing with words but the difference in these approaches can be the difference between efficiency and unnecessary waste, productivity and unnecessary problems, safety and an easy target.
In the days when IT was just becoming part of the operations of companies and attackers had viruses as a hobby, it was not absolutely necessary to form closer relationships with suppliers. It was just about delivering the equipment.
But today the situation is different. Technologies for the operation of company IT have advanced by leaps and bounds – both in capabilities and diversity. In addition, the online ecosystem has also changed and attackers are lurking around every corner – no longer DIYers, but seasoned criminals who will stop at nothing.
Despite these changes, however, many companies still approach IT infrastructure providers as mere suppliers. Why might this be a problem? We will look at this question from the perspective of productivity, efficiency and security.
📊 Definition of outsourcing and partnership
But first, we need to define what I mean when I talk about outsourcing and partnership in the context of the impact on the key areas of business operations.
- Outsourcing is a type of division of labor where an activity is taken and transferred to someone else. You may know this from your IT. We want a service, so we ask the company and they will provide it to us.
- Partnership is a kind of cooperation. It’s not just about delivering a service or product, it’s about finding together the best equipment to fit the needs. It includes communication and joint activity.
🚀 Impact on efficiency
Let’s start from what efficiency is – how well you can use resources for a task. Which resources you ask?
- Computing resources
- Finances
- Time
Progress in IT means that only specialists who are constantly in IT can ensure orientation in the field. And most companies do not have the opportunity to employ these experts, let alone for a long time. So if a company needs to select or evaluate IT infrastructure and where to go with it, then it has to turn to external entities.
But if they turn to a company that provides a certain type of service, then they are actually using a supplier and the result can be inefficiency. The basic problem is that the given service may not meet the needs.
For example, if you go to request IT infrastructure from a public cloud provider, then you will naturally get a public cloud. But what if the needs of your company correspond more with a hybrid cloud? Then the purchased computing resources and the finances spent on them are not efficiently used.
On the other hand, a partner will sit down with you and even if you know what you want, he will discuss your needs with you and recommend what will really efficiently cover your operations. Even if it doesn’t match your idea. An outsourcing supplier will deliver its service to you, an IT partner will help you find the best solution.
| CAPEX | -60% |
| OPEX | -30% |
| Time to manage stock | -90% |
| Availability | 24/7 |
| Ticket time savings | 65% |
IT partnership
📈 Impact on productivity
Each business has activities it needs to do. But some are more “beneficial” than others – because, for example, they directly affect the services provided or the impact on the customer.
For example, if I have one hour in front of me as a technician, will I spend it doing activities that move our service and customer care forward or will I spend it annoyed about the problems that arise from not having the help from the supplier that I need.
When a company finds a partner in IT, it receives treatment that goes beyond the delivered product or service. And, of course, when the company has a solid support, then this quality of partnership has a very positive effect on its customers as well.
- taikun.cloud: “We simplify and improve the lives of developers around the world.”
- Eviden: “We perceive a positive impact on our customers, who benefit from greater dynamics and more efficient implementation of their projects.”
This is what it looks like when a company finds an IT partner and not just an outsourced solution provider.
🔒 Impact on security
In one word, I could distinguish between an outsourcing supplier and an IT partner in this area – interest. Yes, it’s true that the cybersecurity of your infrastructure is your responsibility, but that doesn’t mean your infrastructure vendor can’t help.
Some time ago, when my colleagues and I were doing some market research regarding virtual private servers, we came across a scary thing. The VPS we tested all had their ports open to the Internet. Apart from one example where the documentation was well done, the servers were a security hole in progress.
And due to the fact that VPS do not really require any special technical knowledge, they are purchased by, for example, small companies, which are then easy targets, because the security of such an infrastructure already requires technical knowledge.
🔄 Paradigm shift
Just as we need tax and financial advisors, insurance advisors, we have moved to the time when companies need IT advisors, not just outsourcing or solution providers.
And don’t forget to have a realistic view of the limitations that providers may have. For example, a large provider is untouchable, so you’re not really in a very good position to negotiate and get help.
Each approach has its own merits, but if you want to achieve maximum efficiency, productivity and security with regard to your IT infrastructure, then you know which approach to choose.
