The IT Battle: Staff Augmentation Vs Managed Services

It feels like running a marathon wearing a backpack full of rocks, trying to scale your business without the right team. That makes it somewhat intuitive when it comes to scaling your IT team, businesses are often confused between Staff Augmentation Vs Manages Services.

These 2 outsourcing models have different approaches. It can be very confusing to choose that model which suits your business. Whether you are looking to streamline your IT operations or expand your team with specialized skills, this blog post will tell you just that.

Staff Augmentation: Brief Introduction

If you need extra hands to meet your deadlines without the hassle of full-time commitment, staff augmentation is your solution.

With IT staff augmentation services, you temporarily hire experts from an external vendor. The good thing is that you will still have full control over your projects, while the external team will help your in-house team with projects.

But, is it the right solution for your business? That depends on your project requirements and the challenges you’re facing.

Managed Services: Brief Introduction

Managed IT Services is the opposite of staff augmentation. You provide the third party with the entire project. You delegate the responsibilities to them instead of hiring more people on the team.

In this model, you pay them for the outcome and not for the total hours worked. The vendor is only accountable for the task they’re assigned for. This frees up the time for your in-house team and allows them to focus on other important tasks.

With this model, you get access to -

i) Expertise on demand, without any overhead costs.
ii) Pay a fixed price for the service.
iii) Stay stress free since they handle everything from end to end.

But then again, it may or may not be the ideal solution for you. Let’s compare the models to see how these 2 solutions shine.

Staff Augmentation Vs Managed Services: Key Differences

When selecting between the two methods, it all comes down to your particular business needs. However, here is a step-by-step comparison to help you understand the differences:

Staff Augmentation Benefits

1) Access to Specialized Talent

With IT staff augmentation services, you can quickly onboard experts with niche skills, without wasting time on recruitment.

2) Affordability

You only have to pay the experts on a monthly, hourly, or project basis. As a result, this saves you the overhead costs.

3) Control Over Projects

Unlike managed IT services, you have full control over the processes and the deliverables of the project.

4) Reduce Hiring Risks

If you need additional support fast, then staff augmentation is your solution. You can temporarily fill the gaps to complete the project and get additional help.

Managed Services Benefits

1) End to End Management

Thanks to managed IT services, you remain stress free, as the project’s responsibility is in good hands.

2) Proactive Problem Solving

Instead of complaining about the IT issues, this approach can monitor your infrastructure closely and fix bugs before they arise.

3) 24/7 Support and Monitoring

They usually provide round-the-clock monitoring and support, even after the project is completed.

4) Expert Guidance

Managed services have a team of experienced IT consultants who can provide expert knowledge, tailored for your business.

Staff Augmentation Vs Managed: When to Select the Right Approach

Go for IT Staff augmentation if you’ve got -

i) Smaller projects to work on
ii) Need specialized skill sets your project needs
iii) You prioritize control over the project
iv) You have budget constraints and you don’t wish to hire full time employees.

However, managed IT services become your solution if -

i) You want to delegate the project’s responsibility to a vendor.
ii) You want to outsource complex tasks, and you want to focus on core projects
iii) Prefer consistent and transparent payment structure.
iv) Managed services work best for longer projects that need 24/7 consistent monitoring.

Hire Developers in India for a Smarter Move

Whether you choose staff augmentation or managed services, one thing is for sure: Getting the right talent at the right rate is important. Many businesses now hire developers in India to benefit from a highly skilled workforce at competitive costs.

India has a large IT talent pool, and outsourcing here reduces cost whilst delivering access to some of the best minds in the tech world.

Conclusion

Choosing between staff augmentation vs managed services doesn’t have to be stressful. If you need experts swiftly, IT staff augmentation services will be your safest bet. But if you need an approach with a clear payment structure, managed IT services is your solution.

Still unsure? Connect with OrangeMantra. With 23 years of work experience, they can help your business grow faster and ensure your workflow isn’t hampered. Connect with them to build your dream team today!