How Outsourced IT Support Can Save Your Business Money
Running a business means keeping costs under control while maintaining smooth operations. One area where many companies struggle to find this balance is IT support. The constant need for technical assistance, system maintenance, and emergency fixes can quickly drain resources—but there’s a smarter approach.
Outsourcing IT support can reduce your technology costs by 25-40% compared to maintaining an in-house team, while providing access to specialist expertise and 24/7 coverage that most businesses can’t afford internally.
Whether you’re a school dealing with network issues, a healthcare facility managing sensitive data, or a growing business looking to scale efficiently, understanding the financial benefits of outsourced IT support could transform how you approach technology costs.

Quick Summary: Outsourced IT Support Savings
Cost Factor | In-House IT | Outsourced IT | Potential Savings |
---|---|---|---|
Small Business (20-50 employees) | £50,000+ annually | £24,000-£48,000 annually | £2,000-£26,000 |
Medium Business (50-150 employees) | £120,000-£180,000 annually | £60,000-£96,000 annually | £24,000-£120,000 |
Expertise Access | Limited to 1-2 specialists | Full team of experts | Significant skill upgrade |
Response Time | During office hours only | 24/7 coverage available | Reduced downtime costs |
Training & Development | £5,000-£15,000 per person annually | Included in service | 100% savings on training |
Equipment & Software | Full purchase costs | Shared across clients | 60-90% reduction |
Costs of In-House IT Support
When calculating IT costs, many businesses only consider the obvious expenses—salaries, equipment, and software licences. But the real picture is far more complex.
Staff Costs Go Beyond Salaries
A qualified IT support technician in the UK typically earns between £25,000-£45,000 annually according to PayScale UK salary data. However, the total employment cost is significantly higher when you factor in:
For a mid-level IT support role with a £35,000 salary, the true annual cost often exceeds £50,000.
The Skills Gap Challenge
Technology moves fast. Your in-house IT person might excel at network troubleshooting but struggle with cloud migrations or cybersecurity threats. Keeping internal staff trained across all areas requires significant investment in courses, certifications, and time away from their primary duties.
Understanding what IT support actually includes helps highlight this challenge—modern IT support encompasses everything from basic helpdesk services to complex security management and strategic planning.
Many businesses find themselves paying premium rates for specialist contractors when their internal team encounters unfamiliar problems—exactly the scenario that structured IT infrastructure planning is designed to prevent.
How Outsourced IT Support Cuts Costs
Predictable Monthly Expenses
Outsourced IT support typically operates on a fixed monthly fee structure. This transforms unpredictable IT costs into a manageable budget line, making financial planning far easier. No more surprise bills for emergency callouts or unexpected hardware failures.
Access to Specialist Expertise
Instead of paying for one generalist, you gain access to a team of specialists. Need help with network security? You'll speak to a cybersecurity expert. Struggling with server performance? A systems specialist handles it. This depth of expertise would cost hundreds of thousands annually if hired internally.
Reduced Downtime Costs
System failures are expensive. Research by Gartner suggests the average cost of IT downtime is £4,200 per minute for medium-sized businesses. Outsourced IT providers offer faster response times and often prevent issues before they cause disruptions.
Ready to see how much your business could save? Get in touch for a free IT assessment and we'll calculate your potential savings.
The Scale Economy Advantage
Managed IT service providers spread their operational costs across multiple clients. According to research by CompTIA, this shared economy model allows businesses to access enterprise-level capabilities at significantly reduced costs. The result? You benefit from enterprise-level tools, monitoring systems, and expertise at a fraction of what it would cost to implement independently.
Consider network monitoring software. A comprehensive solution might cost £10,000 annually for a single business. An IT service provider spreading this cost across 50 clients can offer the same monitoring for £200 per client—a 95% saving.
Real-World Savings Examples
Small Business (20-50 employees)
Medium Business (50-150 employees)
Beyond Direct Cost Savings
Improved Focus on Core Business
When IT problems aren't disrupting your day, you and your team can focus on what actually grows your business. The productivity gains from reliable IT support often outweigh the direct cost savings.
Better Security and Compliance
Data breaches cost UK businesses an average of £3.2 million according to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023. Outsourced IT providers invest heavily in security training and tools that most small businesses can't justify independently.
For organisations handling sensitive data, professional IT infrastructure services ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR, potentially avoiding costly fines and reputational damage.
Making the Transition
Switching to outsourced IT support doesn't happen overnight, but the process is straightforward when handled properly. The key is finding a provider who understands your industry and can offer the right balance of proactive maintenance and responsive support.
Considering making the switch? Book a consultation to discuss how outsourced IT support could work for your specific business needs.
How Nortech Network Services Can Help Your Business Save Money
At Nortech Network Services, we understand that every business has unique IT requirements and budget constraints. Based in Northampton, we've been helping businesses across the Midlands reduce their technology costs while improving their IT performance for over a decade.
Our comprehensive IT support services include:
We work with businesses of all sizes—from small local companies to large educational institutions and healthcare facilities. Whether you need complete IT infrastructure services or targeted business IT services, we tailor our approach to your specific needs and budget.