Information technology can provide the antidote to many operational headaches. But occasionally it is the headache.

From phones to computers, websites to networks, many organizations lack the time and expertise to tackle every tech issue, every time. Even with in-house staff, a company can benefit from having outside IT partnerships.

Outsourcing all or various components of infrastructure and application management can help an organization cope with increasingly challenging IT environments.

Whether you want help with all your needs or just some, frequently or periodically, here are 12 signs that your organization could benefit from outside professional help.

1. Your company has developed a key business strategy in which success depends on cutting-edge technology and support.
   
   
2. Growth over time has created a complicated and cobbled-together IT environment that the organization can no longer maintain or effectively manage.
   
   
3. There’s a companywide direction to dedicate more focus on strategic projects and more attention to core competencies.
   
   
4. The costs, efficiencies, and ROI of outsourcing are more advantageous than in-house IT management.
   
   
5. You need to establish a stronger, more secure network to meet customer expectations and protect your data.
   
   
6. Your organization is shopping for specialized technology and you’d like a formal evaluation from a knowledgeable, objective resource.
   
   
7. Your new technology implementation requires a fast ramp-up along with thorough employee training.
   
   
8. The company is launching or leveraging e-commerce capabilities.
   
   
9. You don’t have centralized data management or a good backup routines and it’s time to put some best practices and guidelines in place.
   
   
10. You suspect that less than half of your current technology capabilities are being tapped.
    
    
11. It’s been well over a year since a risk assessment has been conducted or since the network has been tested for possible vulnerability issues.
    
    
12. You’d like to develop a technology plan that supports your long-term business objectives.

It takes a lot to manage IT. It takes even more to leverage technology in order to maximize its benefits and optimize overall value for your organization. By hiring levels of expertise that are difficult or impractical to maintain in-house, you can make better technology decisions that support your company’s ultimate success.