Information technology (IT) teams play a vital role in today’s business world by providing technical support and ensuring that computer systems and networks run smoothly. Yet, even the most skilled IT teams can face challenges and become overwhelmed without proper support. In this guide, we uncover the telltale signs that your IT team needs help from a third-party provider.
How Many People Should Be in Your IT Department?
The number of people needed in an IT department depends on various factors, such as the size of the company, the complexity of the systems used, the level of support required, and the industry itself. Generally, a small business may only need one or two IT staff members, while a larger corporation may require a whole team of IT professionals.
Generally, the smaller the IT team is, the more reactive they are instead of proactive. Using total employee count as the main factor, Gartner reports that organizations with less than 2,500 employees should have a ratio of 1:70 to 1:100. Larger organizations with employee counts between 2,500 and 7,500 should have a ratio of 1:30 to 1:75.
According to a survey published by StaffReport on Workforce, organizations with 500 or fewer employees have an IT staff-to-employee ratio of 1:18, and organizations with 10,000 plus employees have a ratio of 1:40. However, the typical ratio among the companies included in the survey is 1:27. With no one-size-fits-all answer to a golden ratio, looking at your IT department independently is essential.
Here are some signs that your IT team may need additional support:
1. High Turnover Rates and Burnout:
If your IT team is experiencing high turnover rates, it could be a sign that they feel unsupported and burnt out. High turnover rates can cause a lack of continuity and knowledge transfer, resulting in lower productivity, increased costs, and more significant problems.
IT teams work in high-pressure situations and deal with complex systems and software. Over time, this can lead to burnout, impacting the performance and morale of team members. If your IT team is frequently overworked and stressed, consider additional support.
2. Slow Response Times:
If your IT team takes too long to respond to requests, it could be a sign that they are understaffed or overburdened. Slow response times can lead to frustration among employees, lost productivity, and potentially even lost revenue.
3. Inadequate Infrastructure and Innovation:
IT teams are critical for driving innovation within a company. Introducing new systems and security ensures that organizations work efficiently and remain competitive by improving the overall productivity and performance of the employees.
Adequate IT infrastructure should include clear data backup processes, disaster recovery, and monitoring. If these systems are a mystery, it may be time for your IT team to undergo additional training and receive support to stay up-to-date.
Another indicator of inadequate infrastructure will be if security breaches are becoming a common issue within your organization. Cybersecurity is an ongoing project for organizations of any size that requires constant tests/monitoring by your IT team. If a vulnerable system cannot be patched, consider outsourcing IT support.
4. Growing Company
A growing company is an excellent problem to have. But, as a company grows, so does the demand for IT services and support. It’s important to grow your IT department as your company grows to keep up with these demands. This will help ensure business operations run smoothly and the company can stay ahead of the competition.
Work with a Third-Party IT Service Provider
Properly supporting your IT team is crucial for their optimal performance. Recognizing the signs of insufficient support can help you take steps to ensure they have what they need to succeed. A third-party IT service provider, such as IP Pathways, can be the solution. A third-party provider can partner with you on the tactical day-to-day tasks and, in the long run, support your IT team’s vision and strategy.
At IP Pathways, we understand the importance of reliable and efficient IT support. We offer a consultant-led experience to overcome all your organization’s IT challenges. Our experienced engineers will work with you to understand your goals and provide custom technology solutions that cater to your unique needs. We offer a wide range of services, including security and risk management, help desk as a service, backup as a service, 24x7x365 engineering support, and much more. Check out our complete list of services here, and contact us today!
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At IP Pathways, we understand how difficult it is to scale on your own. But what if you could move past the issues currently holding you back? Good news–you can! We identify opportunities in your organization to leverage technology to spark greater growth starting now. Our tailored solutions turn IT into a strategic investment rather than a cost center. With the right tech, you can move faster, innovate, and gain a competitive edge.
Our engineers have deep technical expertise and experience. They architect, implement, monitor, support, and manage custom technology solutions for organizations using only the highest-quality and best-in-class systems. As a result, projects are completed on time and within budget, ready to deliver the results you need to fuel your organization forward. Contact Us