With many permanent staff members taking time off over the festive period, there is a need to address substantial gaps. Gaps that, if left unattended, could compromise an organisation’s critical IT systems.
Contract IT Support roles can afford hiring managers some peace of mind when it comes to the maintenance of their IT systems and the provision of support for their end-users. Here are some of the main advantages to hiring contract IT Support:
It’s a cost-effective solution - leverage specialised skills without any long-term commitment.
It’s scalable – offering the flexibility to scale up or down according to business needs.
It provides on-demand expertise – tap into an agile talent pool that offers unique expertise and experience.
It requires less management – simply provide a brief and a deadline, and contractors can generally get on with the task at hand.
It protects business continuity – safeguarding the operation of systems during the crucial December-January period.
Sam says that while staff take holidays, IT issues certainly do not. “Things like troubleshooting or system outages don’t stop for Christmas. Having access to immediately available IT support contractors can be a true lifesaver for addressing IT issues. Taking the time to hire contractors will pay dividends in the long run, ensuring that all IT tasks are covered while permanent staff are on leave,” says Sam.
What factors should I consider when choosing a reliable IT Support?
There are a range of factors to consider when choosing reliable IT support. Be sure to consider the following:
Technical expertise and certifications
Range of services
Availability, rates and cost-effectiveness
Scalability
Reputation and client testimonials
Security protocols
How do I determine if I need contract IT Support?
Signs that you may need to engage contract IT Support include:
A lack of suitable permanent candidates for a vacant role.
A heavy and unmanageable team workload.
A need for temporary niche skills.
High levels of annual leave in your team.
Digital transformation projects that need support.
A need for resources with a limited budget.
Are there potential risks of hiring contract IT Support?
Whilst there are numerous advantages when hiring a contractor, there are also some disadvantages to consider:
You may have less company loyalty – contractors may have multiple clients and multiple priorities at any given time.
You have less authority over contractors – although you can set guidelines, requirements and deadlines, contractors work autonomously.