Managed Services vs In-House: Which for Business?

14 April 2023

Microsoft 365 is a powerful suite of tools that can help businesses increase productivity, collaboration, and communication. However, when it comes to managing Microsoft 365, businesses have two options: using managed services or handling it in-house. While both options have their advantages and disadvantages, this article will argue that Microsoft 365 Managed Services is the better choice for most businesses.

First, let’s define what we mean by “Microsoft 365 Managed Services” and “In-House” management. Managed Microsoft 365 refers to outsourcing the management of your Microsoft 365 environment to a third-party provider. This provider will handle tasks such as configuration, maintenance, security, and user support. In-House management, on the other hand, means that your IT team will manage your Microsoft 365. This includes handling all of the tasks that a managed services provider would handle.

Now let’s look at the advantages of Microsoft 365 Managed Services over In-House management

Expertise and Experience

When you outsource your Microsoft 365 to a third-party provider, you gain access to a team of experts with years of experience managing Microsoft 365. These experts are dedicated to keeping up with the latest updates, patches, and best practices to ensure your environment is secure and running smoothly. In contrast, your in-house IT team may not have the same level of expertise or experience with Microsoft 365. They may be responsible for managing a wide range of systems and applications, making it difficult to keep up with the latest developments in M365.

Cost Savings

While it may seem counterintuitive, outsourcing your Microsoft 365 can save your business money. When you handle Microsoft 365 in-house, you need to hire and train staff to manage it. This can be a significant expense, especially if you need to hire multiple staff members to cover all of the necessary tasks. In contrast, a managed services provider can offer a cost-effective solution that is tailored to your business needs. They can provide a range of services at a lower cost than hiring and training your staff.

Scalability

As your business grows, your M365 will need to scale to accommodate your increasing needs. When you manage Microsoft 365 in-house, this can be a challenge. You may need to hire additional staff or invest in new infrastructure to keep up with the demands of your growing business. In contrast, an MSP can easily scale its services to meet your needs. They can add new users, expand storage, and provide additional services as needed.

Reliability and Availability

When you outsource your Microsoft 365 services to an MSP, you can benefit from their expertise in maintaining high levels of reliability and availability. Managed services providers have robust backup and disaster recovery systems in place to ensure that your data is always available, even in the event of a disaster. They also have the expertise to quickly resolve any issues that may arise, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Security

Security is a major concern for businesses of all sizes. When you handle Microsoft 365 management in-house, you are responsible for ensuring that your environment is secure. This can be a daunting task, especially given the ever-increasing number of cyber threats that businesses face. In contrast, a managed services provider can offer a range of security services that are specifically designed to protect your Microsoft 365 environment. They can provide security assessments, implement security policies, and monitor your environment for any signs of suspicious activity.

Conclusion

Managed Microsoft 365 Services is the better choice for most businesses. It offers a range of advantages over In-House management, including expertise and experience, cost savings, scalability, reliability and availability, and security. By outsourcing your Microsoft 365 management to a third-party provider, you can ensure that your environment is secure, reliable, and running smoothly, without the need to invest in additional staff or infrastructure.

At Star Knowledge, we offer comprehensive Microsoft 365 services to businesses of all sizes. Our team of experts has years of experience managing Microsoft 365 environments and can provide customized solutions tailored to your business needs.

Our Managed services include everything from initial setup and configuration to ongoing maintenance, security, and user support. We can also assist with migration from legacy systems, as well as ongoing training and education to ensure that your team is making the most of the tools available to them. Contact us for more information.