When looking for a new IT provider, do you look for a national or more local provider? Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages.
WEBIT Services has provided IT strategy, service, and support to the greater Chicago area for over 25 years. In that time, it has served hundreds of satisfied clients.
We realize that, as a localized IT provider, WEBIT has its own bias toward what kinds of providers make good IT partners. However, we recognize that a local (or "near-sourced") provider is not a good match for every business.
You know your business and its needs best. We hope this article helps you make an educated decision for your IT needs.
By reading this article, you will learn the advantages and disadvantages of both national and near-sourced IT providers.
Advantages of National IT Providers
Expertise and Reach
National IT providers are organizations that span the United States. They often have a wide range of expertise and experience.
In addition, national IT providers have sophisticated systems and a deep pool of resources.
Around the Clock Support
Another advantage of a national MSP is the availability of around-the-clock support. National MSPs often operate on a larger scale, with multiple teams and locations across the country and overseas. This means they can provide 24/7 monitoring and support.
Local Presence and On-Site Support
While they may not have a physical presence in your specific location, national IT providers often have partnerships or local resources that can be deployed for on-site support. Although the response time may not be as immediate as with a nearby MSP, the national MSP can still provide on-site support when required.
Disadvantages of a National IT Provider
Lack of Personalization
National IT providers are large companies with large client lists. As such, they often lack the personalization of a local or near-sourced IT provider.
It's very much like choosing a major internet provider or mobile carrier. When you call the helpline, you won't have a relationship with the technician on the other end. They will only know the information you share on that call or what's noted in your account.
Potential for Sales Over Strategy
Because of the lack of personalization, national IT providers' strategy offerings may lean more toward sales than IT planning and advice. There is often more of a push toward upselling technology and services regardless of how it benefits their clients' IT goals.
After Hours Fees
While national IT providers offer around-the-clock support, many often charge an additional fee for any projects performed after hours.
For example, if you need to shut down a server for maintenance, this is ideally performed while no one needs access to the server (after everyone has gone home).
With a national provider, you will be given a choice: perform maintenance during business hours (halting productivity until the server is back online) or pay an additional fee to do so after business hours.
Limited Tools
With a national provider, you are limited to the tools and partnerships that the provider utilizes. They often use specific brands or tools for all client systems regardless of individual preferences or setups.
For example, if your national provider uses a different brand of firewall than the one you currently have, you will need to pay to convert to the provider's preferred brand.
Advantages of Near-Sourcing an IT Provider
"Near-sourcing" an IT provider means the provider is physically nearby or is "near" you in the sense of shared values and business outlook.
Partnership and Personalization
Near-sourced IT providers often offer a closer partnership and personalization. You develop a more intimate working relationship in a local collaboration, as the provider can better understand your business objectives and IT challenges.
This close connection can lead to more tailored solutions and better alignment with your needs.
Local Expertise
One of the advantages of near-sourcing an IT provider is the availability of local expertise and immediate response. Being nearby allows the provider to address issues quickly.
If there is a critical situation, they can be on-site promptly, minimizing downtime and potential disruptions to your operations.
A local provider can provide timely assistance if hardware installations, upgrades, or maintenance tasks require an on-site presence.
They can also conduct regular site visits to assess your IT infrastructure, identify potential vulnerabilities, and make necessary adjustments. This physical presence and hands-on support can be a significant advantage, especially for businesses that rely heavily on their IT infrastructure.
Flexibility
Unlike national providers, local providers often present more flexibility in their tools, systems, and vendors. A quality local provider's priority will be finding the technology that best suits individual clients.
For instance, a near-sourced IT provider may not require you to change your firewall to suit their preferences or packages. Instead, they will see how well your current firewall serves your system. Can it be improved? Or is it meeting your needs?
Individualized Strategy
The IT strategy offerings of a local provider are often tailored to your business and built through a growing relationship with your vCIO.
A quality IT provider will help you build an IT roadmap and be familiar with your long-term IT and business goals.
While the vCIO may recommend technology purchases or upgrades based on your roadmap, they will focus on your business growth instead of making a commission.
Disadvantages of Local IT Providers
Smaller Operations
Local IT providers are exactly that—localized services. Most, if not all, will not have offices across the country to serve various locations.
If your business has multiple locations across the state or country, a local provider may be available to service the office within their area, but not all of them.
Of course, part of this will rely on your needs and level of comfort. More and more IT maintenance and work can be completed remotely.
However, if your location is outside a local provider's service range and requires "IT boots on the ground," a local provider may not meet your needs.
Next Steps for Choosing Your IT Provider
Both national IT providers and near-sourcing options have their own merits and drawbacks.
A national provider offers specialized expertise and around-the-clock support.
On the other hand, near-sourcing a provider provides a closer partnership, local expertise, enhanced physical support, and greater personalization.
Consider your business requirements, geographical factors, and the level of personalization and support you seek when making this decision.
By carefully evaluating these pros and cons, you can select the MSP option that best fits your business needs and helps drive your IT operations toward success.
When interviewing a potential IT provider, ask them how they would partner with your existing internal IT expert. This is an important factor in building your partnership.
For over 25 years, WEBIT Services has served hundreds of satisfied clients in the greater Chicago area.
If you are looking for a new IT provider, schedule a free 30-minute consultation to see how WEBIT Services can help.
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