Outsourcing IT: Beyond the Unicorn Myth
Imagine you’ve decided to build your dream mansion from scratch. Pretty exciting, right?
You’re ready to dive headfirst into this passion project. But it doesn’t take long for reality to hit—you need to be an architect, a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber – and maybe even a psychic to foresee all the issues bound to pop up.
It’s a lot like trying to manage your business's technology needs yourself. You are comfortable with technology but quickly find out you need a system architect, developer, business analyst, data scientist, project manager, and QA resource to get the job done. Even Bob the Builder had his limits.
The smart move here is NOT to attempt to build that mansion single-handedly.
Similarly, outsourcing the configuration, development, and optimization of your Microsoft Dynamics 365 business applications to a managed services provider for small and midsize businesses can save you from the IT equivalent of a crooked chimney or a flooded basement.
You need an “IT unicorn” – the ideal but often elusive all-in-one expert. Working with such a seasoned partner can provide you with a much-needed blueprint for success.
In this blog, we’ll explore outsourcing your Microsoft Dynamics 365 or Power Platform business application development and optimization as a viable alternative to hiring multiple full-time resources.
The Challenge for SMBs
Typical IT needs for SMBs can range from cybersecurity, network maintenance, and other IT infrastructure tasks to software development, system configuration, data management, and business process optimization.
The problem lies in finding a single individual who can handle all these diverse IT and development tasks effectively and efficiently.
Many businesses hire multiple full-time IT and software development staff, but too often, this solution is expensive, both financially and operationally.
The financial burden is fairly straightforward—hiring full-time staff is costly once you consider high salaries, benefits, and necessary tech equipment, which often surpass the budgets of many SMBs.
The operational costs can be more complex - an in-house team adds layers of management and can divert resources from core business activities. The result can complicate operations and limit scalability.
Outsourcing – A Strategic Approach
In the SMB world, managing finances and operations efficiently is as essential as the services or products you offer.
When it comes to the configuration, development, and optimization of your business applications, the decision to outsource can be transformational.
Maintaining in-house resources means shouldering hefty expenses—from competitive salaries and benefits to the latest tech tools.
These costs can quickly exceed the financial grasp of many SMBs, squeezing budgets.
Then there’s the operational dance of managing a full-time technical staff, which involves more than just overseeing their day-to-day activities.
It entails diverting significant resources that could otherwise fuel core business areas such as product development or customer engagement, ultimately complicating operations and stifling growth.
Working with an external, strategic partner can provide a streamlined, scalable solution so your business can focus on expansion and innovation without the managerial nuisance and financial weight of an internal team.
Outsourcing also provides access to a team of specialists with a broader array of skills - like swapping a single screwdriver for a multi-tool.
You may not think you’ll need every option the multi-tool offers, but you never know! Outsourcing your business application management functions can provide a diverse team with multiple skill sets to cover all business application development areas.
In addition, an external partnership provides a scalable and flexible alternative to building or maintaining an in-house team, reducing financial burdens and managerial complexities.
This allows businesses to focus on core growth areas with access to a broad spectrum of specialized skills, ensuring all your technology needs are comprehensively addressed.
Microsoft Dynamics 365: Internal vs External Staffing
Choosing between internal and external resources for support and development of your Microsoft Dynamics 365 or Power Platform business applications can be a challenging decision, especially for SMBs.
Internal technical resources are great for companies with larger budgets that need full-time oversight, deep integration with daily operations, and direct control over projects.
Businesses with highly specific, constantly evolving technology needs that require close, ongoing management are excellent candidates for an internal team.
However, external resources (outsourcing) are often the better choice for SMBs. Why? Think of it as tapping into a gourmet buffet of tech expertise without the overhead of a full kitchen.
Outsourcing allows the flexibility to scale your services up or down based on your needs, with access to a broader range of skills than you might be able to afford internally, including continuous improvement and strategic enhancements.
It also simplifies budgeting with predictable costs, making it ideal for SMBs looking to grow without the burden of building and managing a team of technical resources from scratch.
The Optrua Care Plan
The Optrua Care Plan is an all-encompassing Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business system support, development, and optimization solution designed specifically for SMBs.
Through a holistic approach, this plan allows businesses to access an entire team of technology specialists for the cost of one resource, simplifying IT operations and budgeting through a flat fee structure.
Optrua Care Plan Key Services:
Vision, Strategy, & Planning: To help businesses align their IT strategies with broader business objectives, ensuring that your business systems are both effective in the present and scalable for the future.
Rapid Development: For quick turnaround on custom software solutions, enabling businesses to adapt swiftly to changing market demands or internal needs.
Support & Maintenance Services: Ongoing upkeep and real-time support to ensure that your business systems remain reliable, secure, and up to date.
Optrua Care Plan Main Benefits:
Cost-effectiveness: Full team support for less than the cost of one resource.
Expertise: Access to specialists in various technical domains.
Resources: Relief from the painful process of hiring, training, and retaining expensive technical/development resources
Flexibility: Scale up or scale down to match the unique needs of your business
Focus: Businesses can concentrate on growth and customer relationships without being bogged down by IT management issues.
Chasing that elusive IT unicorn can lead to more headaches than solutions, while DIY efforts may find you watching YouTube troubleshooting videos at 3 a.m.
The Optrua Care Plan offers a sleep-friendly alternative for all your Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform support, development, and enhancement needs, boosting operational efficiency and allowing you to focus on core business growth.
Let's talk about how outsourcing with Optrua can bring you peace of mind with a full team handling all of your business application needs for the cost of one resource at a flat monthly fee. Your team of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform experts are waiting!
About the Author
Optrua specializes in Dynamics 365 CRM and Microsoft Power Apps to enhance customer experience and employee engagement.
With agile methods and continuous improvement, we're your partner in thriving amidst change. From CRM to analytics, we offer tailored solutions for staying ahead.
