5 Benefits of a Third Party IT Assessment

Every year businesses spend millions of dollars upgrading, repairing, and optimizing their IT systems. Businesses need an IT system that supports their needs in an effective and cost-effective way. However, this spending can be misdirected without a proper assessment. While it's possible for an organization to perform its own IT assessment, working with a third party provides a more objective, 360° view of current operations. 

Here are 5 Benefits of Using a Third Party IT Assessment:

1. Written Evaluation and Analysis

Generally, an IT assessment is a comprehensive review and analysis of all technologies in use, the computing environment, and how this IT supports organizational goals. An IT assessment should be thorough and have several distinct areas including network performance, system performance, audits of software and licensing, and security and risk management procedures. Serious problems could be uncovered in your assessment, but your third party reviewer can also identify areas of improvement. While internal staff can take this on, it's a timely process. If your internal team is already strapped for time, a third party IT company can carry out the assessment while your staff maintains routine operations. The third party also sidesteps complications from existing IT team dynamics, which may impact the rigor of an internally conducted assessment.

2. Objectively Assess Systems and Processes

When in-house staff members conduct assessments, they may fail to recognize their own technical blindspots. Hiring an outside assessment team from an IT solution provider can help businesses overcome this problem. This team won't have a preconceived bias for or against existing operating systems, instead evaluating their efficacy and necessity. Since outsourced providers work with a wide range of businesses and industries, they can offer a deep bench of experience across operating systems, technical stacks, and compliance frameworks. 

3. Avoid Overt Bias 

If an internal assessment identifies numerous areas for improvement, your in-house IT Team may be reluctant to share these findings or make executive recommendations. Even if the in-house assessment team conducted a highly detailed IT assessment, they may not enjoy giving their manager or company owner bad news. However, sometimes that bad news is just what a manager needs to hear in order to prevent long-term problems. An outsourced IT assessment team will not hesitate to outline serious concerns, as it is their job to report these findings.

4. Remain Compliant

Compliance requirements are far-reaching and ever-changing. Outside IT assessors can often identify compliance issues more readily than in-house staff because they work within a variety of compliance frameworks. Since the job of an outsourced IT assessment team is to know the laws and regulations inside and out, and the penalties for non-compliance are so severe, it is critical to hire expert compliance assessors. This would allow the organizations to achieve full compliance in the most efficient way possible. 

5. Looking to the Future

Independent IT assessments allow businesses to tap into a deep reservoir of knowledge about what is new and developing in the field of IT. Receiving expert advice about new solutions can help businesses adapt and avoid expensive mistakes. Since technology is constantly evolving, entire systems can become outdated in a short amount of time, which could hurt your business if you are not aware. Using an outside IT company can also keep your business informed with the progress of key business technologies and can offer guidance and advice as part of an IT assessment. If your business is looking for an IT assessment contact us at iCorps or schedule a free IT consultation.