IT Tasks Ideal for Outsourcing: Maximizing Efficiency and Expertise

Outsourcing IT tasks has become a key strategy for businesses of all sizes, from startups to major corporations. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the demand for specialized IT services grows, making outsourcing a practical solution for staying competitive, cutting costs, and focusing on core business functions. However, not all IT tasks are equally suitable for outsourcing. Here’s a look at the most commonly outsourced IT tasks and why they are a perfect fit for external suppliers.

Software Development

Software development remains one of the most frequently outsourced IT functions. Companies often look to global talent pools to minimize costs and accelerate their time-to-market. According to Computer Economics, 64% of organizations outsourced at least part of their app development in 2023, an 8% increase from 2019. Moreover, 46% of these companies reported increasing their outsourcing activity.  Even US tech giant like IBM began outsourcing many tech jobs to India in the early 2000s, a move that significantly lowered costs whilst maintaining product quality.

IT Support and Helpdesk Services

Outsourcing IT support and helpdesk services can significantly reduce operational costs while providing round-the-clock support. It allows businesses to focus on their core operations without worrying about the day-to-day technical issues.

The Deloitte’s 2023 Global Outsourcing Survey revealed that 70% of companies outsource their IT support functions driven by cost savings, round-the-clock service, and access to specialized technical expertise. Microsoft is a notable example of a company that successfully outsourced a large portion of its IT support services, allowing it to offer consistent, high-quality customer support globally without the burden of in-house support overhead.

Cybersecurity Services

Cybersecurity is a critical area where businesses cannot afford to compromise. Outsourcing cybersecurity services provides access to top-tier security experts and the latest technologies, which are often too expensive to maintain in-house.

According to a Deloitte survey, 81% of companies outsource some aspect of cybersecurity to protect themselves against ever-evolving digital threats.  A famous case is Target Corporation, which experienced a significant data breach in 2013. Afterward, they outsourced their cybersecurity to a third-party firm to mitigate the attack and strengthen their defence against future breaches.

Cloud Services and Infrastructure Management

Managing cloud infrastructure requires highly specialized knowledge and tools, making it another commonly outsourced IT task.  Outsourcing allows companies to scale their IT resources according to their needs while avoiding the capital expenditure of maintaining their own infrastructure.

According to Flexera’s 2023 State of the Cloud Report, 90% of organizations use outsourced cloud services. The flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of cloud outsourcing are major drivers behind this trend.  Netflix, for instance, leverages Amazon Web Services (AWS) to manage its global cloud infrastructure, allowing it to scale effectively during high-demand periods, such as major content releases.

IT Training

In the rapidly evolving field of information technology, staying current with the latest skills and knowledge is essential for maintaining a competitive edge and ensuring operational efficiency. One increasingly popular approach to achieve this is outsourcing IT training. For instance, the University of Sussex brought in a London-based software services company earlier in 2024 to conduct co-coding workshops, aimed at upskilling their engineering team in DevOps best practices as part of their automation journey.

Outsourcing IT tasks has become an integral part of modern business strategies. By outsourcing appropriate functions, companies can focus on their core competencies, reduce costs, and access specialized expertise that might otherwise be out of reach. When chosen thoughtfully and executed strategically with a solid project management plan, outsourcing can be a powerful tool for businesses looking to optimize their IT operations and drive growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. Contact us if you’d like to explore the many advantages.

Eileen O’Mahony
General Manager, WM Promus