13 January 2023

The need for IT outsourcing solutions is higher than ever among businesses. If you have a project with limited time or huge growth, finding and hiring an In-house IT team can be time-consuming, difficult, and expensive. Team Augmentation and Managed Services are two common approaches that businesses use to meet their IT needs. While they may seem similar at first glance, they have some key differences that make them better suited for different types of businesses and situations. In this article, we will explore the differences between IT staff augmentation and managed services and discuss when it might make sense for a business to use one approach over the other.

Staff Augmentation vs Managed Services Model: What Do They Mean?

Staff augmentation refers to the practice of bringing in temporary IT professionals to supplement a business’s existing IT staff. This can be done on a short-term basis, such as when a business needs additional help to complete a specific project, or on a long-term basis, such as when a business needs to fill a gap in its IT staff due to an employee leaving or an increase in workload.

Managed services, on the other hand, refer to the practice of outsourcing the management and maintenance of a business’s IT infrastructure to a third-party provider. This provider is responsible for monitoring and managing the IT systems, as well as providing support and troubleshooting when issues arise.

Staff Augmentation vs Managed Services: what’s the difference?

Both can be useful strategies for organizations to access specialized expertise or to ensure that their IT systems are being properly maintained and supported. However, there are some key differences between the two approaches that can help organizations decide which one is best for them.

Level of control

One of the main differences between both models is the level of control that a business has over its IT staff and systems. With team augmentation, the business maintains full control and is responsible for managing and directing the work of the temporary IT professionals. With managed services, the business outsources the management and maintenance of its IT systems to a third-party provider, which means that the provider has more control over the IT systems and staff.

Level of customization

Using team augmentation, a business can tailor the work of temporary IT professionals to meet its specific needs and goals. This can be particularly useful for businesses that have unique IT requirements or that need to complete specialized projects. Managed services, on the other hand, are generally more standardized and may not offer as much customization.

Cost predictability

With IT staff augmentation, the business only pays for the temporary IT professionals when they are needed, which can help to reduce costs when compared to hiring full-time employees. However, the cost of team augmentation can vary significantly depending on the skills and experience of the temporary IT professionals, and it can be difficult for businesses to predict their IT costs in advance. Managed services, generally offer more predictable costs, as the business pays a fixed monthly fee for the management and maintenance of its IT systems.

Scope of work

The main difference between staff augmentation and managed services is the scope of work that is being performed. augmentation involves hiring external IT professionals to work on specific projects or provide additional support for an organization’s IT needs. This can be done on a short-term or long-term basis, and the external IT professionals are typically integrated into the organization’s existing IT team.

Managed services involve outsourcing the ongoing maintenance and management of an organization’s IT infrastructure and systems to a third-party provider. The provider is responsible for ensuring that the organization’s IT systems are running smoothly and efficiently, and they typically provide a range of services such as monitoring and maintaining servers, providing support to end users, and managing backups and disaster recovery.

Level of flexibility

Staff augmentation can be more flexible, as the organization can bring in external IT professionals on a project-by-project basis or hire them on a longer-term basis to provide additional support as needed. Managed services, on the other hand, typically involve a longer-term contract with the provider, and the organization may have less flexibility to adjust the scope of work being done.

So, when might it make sense for a business to use IT staff augmentation vs managed services? 

The size of the business and the complexity of its IT systems can be important considerations. Smaller businesses with relatively simple IT systems may find that IT staff augmentation is a more cost-effective option, as they may not need the full-time management and maintenance that managed services provider. On the other hand, may find that managed services are a more efficient and cost-effective option, as they can provide the comprehensive support and maintenance that these businesses need.

The business’s IT needs and goals should also be taken into account. If a business has specific IT projects or goals that require specialized skills or expertise, augmentation may be the best option. This allows the business to bring in temporary IT professionals with the specific skills and experience that it needs to complete the project or achieve its goals.

Conclusion

It is difficult to say definitively whether IT staff augmentation or managed services is the best option, as it will depend on the specific needs and goals of the company. Both options can be effective in different situations and have their unique benefits and drawbacks.

Team augmentation may be a good option for companies that need specific technical expertise on a short-term or project-based basis and want more control over the individuals completing the work. Managed services may be a more cost-effective solution for ongoing IT support and maintenance but may involve less customization and control for the company.

Ultimately, the decision between IT staff augmentation vs managed services should be based on a careful evaluation of the company’s needs and goals, as well as a thorough understanding of the pros and cons of each option. In general, it may be helpful to speak with an IT professional or consulting firm to determine the best solution.

Although outsourcing is growing in popularity, it might be difficult to recruit an outside, specialized development team. It might be challenging to pick from the many businesses that provide their services, especially if you have never worked together in this way before.

We at Star Knowledge assist other businesses in completing various tasks within given deadlines. The best solutions for your case will be proposed by our team of experts. Contact us to learn more.

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