Outsourced IT Services vs Internal Team:How to Make the Right Choice?

IT infrastructure management is a critical issue for businesses, from the smallest to the largest.

According to Deloitte's 2024 Global Outsourcing Survey, 77% of companies that choose outsourcing entrust third parties with services such as IT infrastructure management and cybersecurity. And for those that do not use managed services, more than 70% report a planned increase in investment in outsourced services.

Source: 2024 Global Outsourcing Survey

However, choosing between an IT outsourcing service vs and internal IT is complex, as your decision must be based on criteria specific to your business.

This article will help you gain a clearer understanding by defining each of these business models, their advantages, and the key criteria to consider in order to make an informed decision.

What Are Your Options for IT Services?

Building Your Internal IT Team

Your first option is to set up your own IT team. An internal IT department provides you with complete control over your IT systems, along with all the advantages and disadvantages that this entails.

You are entirely responsible for IT management. This includes technical support, cybersecurity, IT projects, digital transformation and all related aspects of information technology.

Collaborating With a Managed Service Provider

Managed IT services give you greater flexibility to ensure highly efficient IT asset management. Why? Because you have access to powerful tools at a lower cost, expertise to optimize their use, and maximized automation.

A managed IT service provider can handle all or part of your IT needs, depending on your requirements. This allows your teams to focus on higher value-added tasks.

Did You Know

92% of G2000 companies (Forbes, Accenture) use IT outsourcing.

Source: 47 New Outsourcing Statistics (2025-2027)

What Criteria Should Be Considered to Make the Best Decision?

The choice between managed IT services vs. internal IT depends on many factors.

Size and Growth of Your Business

Developing an internal IT team tailored to your specific needs is complex, especially when considering the industry’s labor shortage. Companies often need IT expertise to:

Manage complex IT infrastructures

Support or execute lstrategic projects, such as system migration, a switch to a new telephony system, the deployment of a backup and recovery solution or the implementation of best security practices

Assist your internal team as it grows, during extended absences or when 24/7 support is required, or supplement it with monitoring or validation services (NOC, SOC)

57% of IT executives believe that it is difficult to recruit talent due to the skills shortage.

Source: State of IT Report: 2025 Technology Trends for B2B

Depending on your size, growth and long term business objectives, it is often simpler and more flexible to opt for managed IT services.

IT Budget

A comprehensive assessment of the total cost of ownership (TCO) of each IT solution will help you choose the most cost-effective solution for your business. Here’s how to calculate it.

First, analyze setup costs and hardware purchases.

Add recurring costs, such as subscriptions, maintenance, and human resources, whether for IT outsourcing or your internal team.

Don’t forget opportunity costs, such as lost productivity or delays in innovation.

Even if cost reduction is not your top priority, your budget is still a determining factor in choosing between external and internal IT services.

Specific Needs

If you have specific needs, such as development, an in-house team is ideal. No one knows your business better than you do — however, you still need to ensure that your internal resources have the capacity to handle everything.

In 2020, approximately 70% of companies reported that cost reduction was their primary motivation for outsourcing. Four years later, the primary focus is on enhancing access to talent and meeting the growing needs of customers.

Source: 2024 Global Outsourcing Survey

By entrusting the management of certain IT aspects to a partner, you free up valuable time for your team; time that they can now devote to your specific needs and those of your customers.

Outsourced IT vs. In-House IT: The Concrete Benefits of These IT Management Models

Expertise and Flexibility with Managed IT Services

Thanks to a qualified external team that is proficient in the latest technologies, you benefit from customized support tailored to your needs. A managed services provider like ited can help you:

Migrate to the cloud for a high-performance, secure infrastructure

Secure your network with tailored solutions

Optimize your productivity with the right collaboration tools

Manage your IT equipment and update your operating systems (Windows, Apple, etc.)

And much more

Avoiding Single Source Dependency

Another advantage that is often overlooked is the fact that it limits your risk of monodependency. What is monodependency? In IT, it is when your IT management relies entirely on a single entity, whether internal or external.

Having an internal team is good, but collaborating with experts paves the way for innovation. A good managed services provider helps you anticipate IT issues, reduce your operating costs and focus on your long-term goals in an evolving technological environment.

88% of companies that adopt managed services report that their satisfaction levels with outsourced services have been met or exceeded.

Source: 2024 Global Outsourcing Survey

Have You Determined Whether Outsourced IT or Internal IT Is the Best Choice for Your Business?

By carefully reviewing the criteria mentioned in this article, you will be able to make an informed decision to support your company’s technology strategy. Otherwise, our IT management experts will be happy to assist you in making this choice.

For personalized advice or to take advantage of our managed services, contact our experts today!

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