Outsourcing for all - removing IT from the fear of threat
A company's IT infrastructure is an absolutely vital component of any business' DNA and contingency plans must be in place to recover from a catastrophic failure. As threats from physical, digital and human attack have increased, the attraction of outsourcing IT Infrastructure has become more compelling
However, until recently IT Infrastructure Outsourcing was viewed as the sole domain of large and enterprise-sized organisations. But recent developments in cheaper, faster and more resilient connectivity coupled with more affordable services have seen a rise in demand from the neglected SME sector.
The Bunker Secure Hosting has recently launched an IT Outsourcing package specifically designed for companies with as few as 100 employees. With data centres housed in ex-MOD Nuclear Attack Bunkers outside the high-risk London area, Peregrine Newton explains how The Bunker Secure Hosting removes the worry and pain of preparing your IT function for the worst.
The largest companies have benefited from outsourcing all or part of their IT function off-site for many years. However, threats to smaller companies are just as real and their data just as vital to their business function and IT outsourcing offers much more than the peace of mind of physically securing your IT functionality. Reduced and predictable costs, a level of service agreed in a contract, data security, expert support on hand 24/7/365 and the ability to add features and functionality as and when required are additional benefits. This approach allows companies to concentrate on their core business without the worry of vulnerabilities in their back-office IT functions. Other companies not quite as large have looked on enviously and hoped that they avoid the many threats to this vital business function on a daily basis.
The Bunker observed that companies of around 100 staff were being ignored by some of the bigger outsourcing providers and our recently launched IT Outsourcing service has been specifically designed for them. IT Outsourcing offers 24/7/365 support from cross-platform experts that are a phone-call away. Also, up-scaling and adding functionality is simple and the costs predictable. This level of service goes way beyond the traditional "support" function typical of SMEs, that usually means on-site9-5 support and in-house technology experts being "on call" from home the rest of the time.
Companies stand to benefit from both a staffing and infrastructure perspective. Precious human resources are freed up to concentrate on driving the business forward while the need for a dedicated server room, that drains resources both in terms of power and finance as well as providing little physical protection to data, is no longer required. However, it isn't just the physical housing of servers and hosting of back-end applications that IT Outsourcing handles; as well as the highest levels of data security and service from dedicated staff. This truly is an all-encompassing IT service, offering much more than the traditional view of IT "support". Quite simply, the SME that wants to concentrate more on its core competencies will benefit from relinquishing its IT function.
Developments in technology have meant more reliable connections to bigger storage supported by faster communications. This enables the hosting of applications and services remotely and essentially allows IT services to be hosted anywhere, rather than in a dedicated server room in the depths of a company's offices.
In parallel, the amount of data that even a relatively small company stores (and legally has to keep) has exploded – as the threat to this data from physical, digital and human attack has increased. The biggest threat to data is from within, with either malicious attacks or human error. External attacks can be direct, such as hacking attacks or indirect from flood, fire, power brownouts or blackouts as well as a higher threat from terrorist strikes. When the recent rapid growth in smart mobile devices is added to the equation, this inevitable move towards remote, hosted services becomes even more compelling – a company's executives can be anywhere in the world with wireless access to laptop and smartphone. The days of being grateful to be able to access even part of your company's digital assets while "on the road" are gone – the modern worker demands access to every piece of digital data in a company, past and present, now and fast.
In addition to these permanent changes in business, where the IT function has almost "merged" with the modern executive, the recent economic dip has prompted many SMEs to look at their IT spend and how to make its investment work harder. An obvious benefit to companies is converting IT spend from a capital expense (CAPEX) to an operational expense (OPEX) – conserving cash and removing depreciating assets from the balance sheet while replacing them with a reliable and predictable monthly spend.
It is common for companies to outsource many functions and rent everything from office space to particular expertise – so the desire to "rent" IT is a natural step. The capital expenditure associated with hosting IT functions in-house are multiple – aside from server room space, technology equipment, air conditioning and power costs are all unpredictable spends, adding to the "out of control" feeling. The fixed setup and monthly operational cost of outsourcing removes this ongoing worry while allowing for up-scaling at short notice.
For all the reasons I have outlined above, IT outsourcing really needs to be a crucial addition to your company's Business Continuity Plan. If the worst happens, your IT function will be protected and as long as broadband links are maintained, access to your vital data should be a straightforward procedure. IT Outsourcing frees-up the SME to achieve more while providing the flexibility, scalability, predictability and security that today's industrial landscape demands. By centralising IT infrastructure, a company can regain control not only of its ever growing infrastructure, but more importantly their most expensive and most profitable business functions. That's why it is an option that no company can afford to ignore.
