If you’re looking to expand your IT team, you might be considering two popular options: staff augmentation vs managed services.
Both offer distinct advantages and can help you achieve your IT goals, but they differ significantly in their approach and scope of service.
In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between staff augmentation vs managed services, and the benefits of each outsourcing model help you determine which solution is right for your organization!
Staff Augmentation: Bringing in Extra Hands
Staff augmentation is a popular approach to IT staffing that involves hiring additional staff to work alongside your existing in-house team.
This can be done in a variety of ways, from short-term contract hires to long-term placements.
As a common solution, it is estimated that global staffing supports $490 billion in spending annually on staff augmentation.
With staff augmentation, you maintain control over the day-to-day work of the team, and the added staff work under your direct supervision.
To augment your staff accordingly, it’s best to:
- Identify your problems/IT goals
- Analyze different staff augmentation models
- Compare managed services and staff augmentation
- Narrow down your choices for providers
- Review SLA agreements
What are the benefits of staff augmentation?
1. Flexibility
The primary benefit of staff augmentation is flexibility.
When you hire additional staff, you can quickly and easily scale up your IT team to meet changing demands.
This can be particularly useful during periods of growth, when you need to rapidly expand your team to support new initiatives or processes during the projects you’re already working on.
Additionally, because the added staff work under your direct supervision, you can ensure that they are aligned with your company culture and values.
2. Cost Effectiveness
Another benefit of staff augmentation is cost-effectiveness.
Rather than hiring full-time employees, you can bring in additional staff on a project-by-project basis, saving you money on benefits and other employee-related costs.
Additionally, because the added staff work under your direct supervision, you can ensure that they are focused on the tasks and responsibilities that are most important to your business.
Managed IT Services: Outsourcing Your IT
Managed IT services are another popular approach to IT staffing that involves outsourcing your IT needs to a managed service provider (MSP).
The Global Managed Services Market Size was valued at USD $239.71 Billion in 2021 and is projected to hit USD $680.08 Billion by 2030 – with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Image Credit: Grandview Research
With managed IT services, the MSP provider takes on responsibility for the day-to-day management of your IT infrastructure, applications, and services which saves time and money when it comes to managing your IT operations.
This can include everything from network management and cyber security to help desk support and application development.
What are the benefits of managed IT services?
1. Access to Diverse Expertise
The primary benefit of managed IT services is access to a more diverse range of expertise.
When you partner with an MSP, you gain access to a team of IT experts who are dedicated to keeping your systems running smoothly.
These experts have experience with a wide range of IT systems and technologies, and can bring their knowledge and expertise to bear on your specific IT challenges.
2. Cost Savings
Similar to staff augmentation, another benefit of managed IT services is cost-effectiveness.
Rather than hiring and maintaining your own IT staff, you pay a monthly fee to a managed IT services provider, who takes on responsibility for all aspects of your IT infrastructure.
This can save you money on salaries, benefits, and other employee-related costs, as well as on hardware, software, and other IT expenses.
3. Scalability
Finally, managed IT services offer easier scalability for your business as your internal processes grow with your business.
Because the provider is responsible for all aspects of your IT infrastructure, you can easily scale up or down as your needs change with different managed services models.
This can be particularly useful during periods of growth or downsizing, when you need to adjust your IT resources to match your business needs.
Learn more about the benefits of managed IT with these additional resources! |
Managed Services vs Staff Augmentation: Choosing the Right Approach
When it comes to choosing between managed services vs staff augmentation, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and each has their own pros and cons.
The approach you choose will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- Your specific IT needs
- Your budget
- Your overall business goals
If you need additional staff to support specific projects or initiatives, staff augmentation may be the right choice for you.
With staff augmentation, you can quickly and easily bring in additional staff to support your team, without having to worry about the day-to-day management of your IT infrastructure.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive long-term IT solution, managed IT services may be the better choice.
With managed IT services, you gain access to a team of IT experts and project managers who can take on responsibility for all aspects of your IT infrastructure, from network management and security to help desk support and application development.
Managed Services vs. Staff Augmentation: Which Is Right For You?
Why Choose Tenecom?
Ultimately, the decision between staff augmentation and managed services will depend on the unique needs of your organization — but whatever one you select, be sure to choose an MSP who can benefit you in the long run.
With 35+ years experience in IT management, you are sure to find a trusted IT provider in Tenecom.
And if you’re still unsure about the choice between managed services vs staff augmentation, let us help point you in the best direction for your company. Book your free consultation today to get started on your path to success!