IT Staff Augmentation vs Managed Services

IT Staff Augmentation vs Managed Services: Key Differences

Blogs | IT Infrastructure | Software Development

Staff augmentation vs managed services – if you’re looking to scale your IT capabilities but are stuck at a crossroads, unsure whether to augment your staff or opt for managed services, you’re not alone. As an IT company and a contemporary business, we understand how challenging making this decision can be! On paper, both seem similar. However, when you scratch beneath the surface, you will discover something new and astonishing. By this, we intend to highlight and emphasize that both these approaches are different, although they aim to resolve IT challenges. So, which one do you choose between both? Right now, it will be too early to decide. Thus, let’s look at IT staff augmentation vs managed services to make an informed decision.

What is IT Staff Augmentation?

IT staff augmentation is a technique or an approach where you hire external talent on a temporary or project basis in your in-house team. You can hire as many people for any position you may need. For instance, you can hire system engineers, developers, QA testers, etc., who work with your in-house team and under your guidance, following your processes, systems, policies and objectives. In other words, augmented resources are an extension of your existing IT team.

What are IT Managed Services?

Now, what do we mean by IT managed services? These refer to handing over the wheel to someone, an expert who can simplify the job for you while allowing you to focus on other core responsibilities. Technically speaking, managed IT services involve outsourcing an entire function or process, cloud management, application support, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, etc., to an external vendor or a third-party service provider. The team, based on your project needs and defined scope of work, handles aspects like strategy, planning, implementation, monitoring, technical support, and maintenance. So, the basic concept and difference is clear. Let’s delve into some more aspects and understand the differences between IT staff augmentation vs managed services.

Staff Augmentation vs Managed Services – Differences You Must Know!

Both are customer-centric approaches and endeavor to streamline IT operations. However, they do so in their own unique fashion. Let’s understand it through these key differences.

Aspect IT Staff Augmentation IT Managed Services
Control Over the Team Since the team is an entrant in your in-house setup, you control the team, their working patterns, and workflows. As you outsource the work to a third-party provider, usually, you have little control over operations and delivery. Every provider has their unique way of handling IT operations. They act accordingly and deliver the expected results.
Flexibility You enjoy high flexibility in terms of scaling the team up and down. Thus, you can add resources when you need and minus them when you don’t. The flexibility is moderate. It depends on contract-based changes.
Pricing Model Resource providers usually charge companies per resource per hour. The cost model for IT managed services is often a fixed monthly or annual service fee.
Hiring Team This is quick. Resource partners leverage their access to resources and provide faster human resource solutions to their clients. As the model involves outsourcing, the project requires extensive planning and discussions. Thus, planning resources and onboarding them can take time.
Management You handle daily task and activity management. Your project managers can delegate and manage routine assignments. The third-party service provider usually handles every task and various other management aspects and outcomes within their purview.

IT Staff Augmentation vs Managed Services – What to Choose?

The situation of every company and therefore its decision may vary, depending on the circumstances and specific needs. However, here’s what to consider in general.

IT Staff Augmentation Services

  • You have an existing team and need temporary support or special skills
  • You prefer managing routine tasks, activities, and integration
  • You need specific expertise for a particular period
  • You want someone to contribute their expertise and help you manage things better

IT Managed Services

  • You don’t have a strong IT team or do not have the budget for in-house hiring
  • You want the bandwidth to focus on internal functions and core business functions
  • You need predictable IT costs to manage your budget better
  • You prioritize proactive maintenance and want to reduce downtime
  • You need well-defined SLAs with proper performance metrics

While Making the Right Choice – Here’s What to Consider!

Making a choice between IT staff augmentation and managed services isn’t as straightforward or objective. It involves a comprehensive analysis and understanding of the current situation. So, before finalizing your choice, here are some factors to consider.

  • Existing IT capabilities and gaps
  • Short-term and long-term IT goals
  • The extent of control you wish to have over your IT resources
  • Your existing financial muscle
  • The need for specialized skills for specific projects, needs and objectives

In some cases, you might as well want to adopt a hybrid approach. Thus, while you hire external specialists for a part of your IT ecosystem, you outsource the rest.

Have More Questions? Consult Fidel!

We hope the above clarifies things on a generic level. However, you may still need some support and help to seek answers to your specific questions. In that case, consult Fidel. We are specialist IT consultants, providers of the best IT staff augmentation services and IT managed services. Our experts analyze your situation, understand it, and help you make the right choice between the services we offer. We consider your objectives, needs, vision, and RoI expectations while helping you make the right choice.

Email us at sales@fidelsoftech.com to connect with our experts and schedule a consultation appointment to discuss things in person.

Ref. No – FB08251102

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