The £65,000 Question: In-House IT Staff vs. an MSP Partner for Your North East Business?

As your North East business grows, you’ll reach a critical crossroads. The ad-hoc IT support that worked when you were a one-person startup—rebooting the router, calling a friend, or spending your own valuable time on tech headaches—simply won’t cut it anymore. You know you need professional, reliable support, but what’s the right move?

For most growing businesses, this decision boils down to two main paths: hiring a dedicated, in-house IT manager or partnering with an external expert, known as a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

Let’s break down the real-world pros and cons of each approach.

Option 1: Hiring a Full-Time, In-House IT Manager

This often feels like the most traditional step. You hire a dedicated person who is 100% focused on your business.

The “Real” Cost: The first thing to consider is the cost. A quick look at job sites shows that an experienced IT Manager in the UK commands a salary of £45,000 – £55,000. When you add National Insurance, pension contributions, holiday pay, training costs, and sick leave, the true annual cost to your business is easily upwards of £65,000.

• Pros of an In-House Hire:
  • A Dedicated Resource: You have one person on-site who is completely focused on your systems and your team.
  • Deep Company Knowledge: Over time, they will develop an intimate understanding of your specific business processes and needs.
• Cons of an In-House Hire:
  • The ‘Single Point of Failure’: What happens when your one IT expert goes on holiday, is off sick, or resigns? Your entire IT operation can grind to a halt.
  • Limited Breadth of Expertise: You are reliant on one person’s skillset. While they may be great at day-to-day support, do they also have deep expertise in advanced cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and process automation? It’s rare to find one person who is a master of all trades.
  • High Fixed Cost: The £65,000+ is a fixed overhead, regardless of whether you have a quiet month or a busy one.

Option 2: Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP)

An MSP is an external company that acts as your outsourced IT department. For a predictable monthly fee, they proactively manage, monitor, and support your entire IT infrastructure.

• Pros of an MSP Partner:
  • Access to a Full Team of Experts: For a fraction of the cost of a single salary, you get access to a whole team of specialists—cybersecurity experts, cloud engineers, support technicians, and strategic advisors.
  • Cost-Effective & Scalable: You pay a predictable monthly fee, often on a per-user basis, which makes budgeting simple. This cost scales up or down with your business.
  • Proactive, Not Just Reactive: A good MSP’s goal is to prevent problems before they happen. They use sophisticated monitoring tools to ensure your systems are secure and optimized, rather than just waiting for something to break.
  • No Holiday Gaps: An MSP provides continuous support. You’re never left uncovered because someone is on leave.
• Cons of an MSP Partner:
  • Not Physically On-Site: While most issues can be solved remotely, an MSP is not physically sitting in your office every day.
  • Can Feel Impersonal: Some larger MSPs can feel impersonal, and you might speak to a different technician every time you call.

The HDP IT Services Approach

At HDP IT Services, we bridge this gap. We provide all the benefits of a proactive, expert MSP, but with the personal touch of a dedicated consultant. As the founder, I work directly with my clients to provide the senior-level strategic advice that helps their businesses thrive, ensuring you always have a trusted partner you can rely on.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

Every business is different, and the right choice depends on your specific goals, budget, and complexity.

If you’re at this crossroads and would like some expert, no-obligation advice on which path is right for you, please get in touch. We can review your needs as part of a free IT strategy consultation.