While technology augmentation is becoming an increasingly common strategy for companies looking to enhance their IT capabilities, many IT leaders find hiring to be a time-consuming hassle, especially in today’s labor market.

Do you need staff in-house or should you just outsource? Should you even bother to staff up for just a short-term need? Can you even afford technology augmentation? Whether it’s a need for specialized skills, certification requirements, project ROI optimization or merely lightening the workload for in-house employees, there are compelling reasons why more and more companies are turning to IT consultants to bolster their internal teams.

Let’s dive into technology augmentation and explore why it can make a big impact on businesses.

Project ROI: Maximizing Returns

IT departments often find themselves juggling a mix of tasks and projects. Some are high-priority, while others may be sitting in the backlog, waiting for attention. In some cases, these projects may not offer a high enough return on investment (ROI) to warrant diverting the focus of full-time employees.

In these types of scenarios, outsourcing IT becomes a cost-effective solution. It ensures that in-house employees can concentrate on tasks that truly demand their expertise, while less critical projects are handled by external IT consultants.

Unraveling Technical Variance

The IT field encompasses a broad spectrum of technical disciplines, some of which are exceptionally rare. For example, finding a technical product owner who can bridge the gap between software developers and a product team, while also possessing an in-depth understanding of business operations and various programming languages, can be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

These highly versatile skill sets are both scarce and challenging to retain in-house. An IT consultant, equipped with access to a diverse talent pool, can swiftly provide the right expertise to meet unique technical requirements.

Certifications: Meeting Compliance Demands

In certain industries, adherence to certifications and regulations is non-negotiable. For instance, a healthcare company’s enterprise security leader might be on the lookout for an Azure AD expert with a solid track record in Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance. Finding a candidate who checks both these boxes can be a herculean task.

IT consulting agencies specialize in connecting companies with professionals who possess the exact certifications and compliance knowledge needed to navigate these complex regulatory waters.

Relieving the Technical Muscle

The workload in IT departments can sometimes become overwhelming. The last thing you want is for your in-house team to be stretched to their limits, leading to burnout and decreased productivity.

By bringing in consultants to share the load, you ensure that your employees remain motivated, productive and focused on high-impact tasks. Augmenting your IT team with extra hands when necessary is a smart way to ensure efficiency and job satisfaction.

Adapting to Market Dynamics With Technology Augmentation

The IT job market can be a volatile arena. Talented professionals often receive tempting offers from competing companies, making certain positions within IT feel like revolving doors. For example, a junior cybersecurity analyst might be earning $55,000 at one job but could be promised $85,000 at the next. This volatility in employment can be disruptive to business continuity.

For roles with high turnover, partnering with a consulting agency can provide a more stable and reliable solution. At Afidence, we work hard to help our clients fill the gaps of hard-to-find or hard-to-retain employees with our highly versatile, and emotionally intelligent, full-time IT consultants. Contact us today to meet your goals with short-term or ongoing technical assistance.