Outsourcing (definition) : Understanding IT management for hosting and websites

by our Web Agency Optimize 360

In the age of the Internet, having a website has become essential for any company looking to develop its online presence and customer base.

The term outsourcing comes into play, designating a range of services for optimising the management of IT equipment and services.accommodation data linked to websites.

In this article, we'll look at the definition, the different types of outsourcing available and the advantages and disadvantages of this IT solution.

What is outsourcing?

L'outsourcing involves entrusting the management, monitoring and maintenance of all or part of a company's information system to an external service provider specialising in this area.

This outsourcing enables you to delegate the tasks associated with the creation, smooth running and security of the networks, servers, infrastructure and IT applications used by your company, including its website and web hosting.

Operation and process

Once the company's needs have been precisely determined, the outsourcing expert undertakes to take charge of the deployment, installation, operation, security and maintenance of the IT tools in accordance with a level of service defined with the client company. This level of service, known as the "service contract" or "SLA" (Service Level Agreement), details the commitments made by the service provider in terms of quality of service, availability and responsiveness for all the outsourcing tasks for which it is responsible.

The different types of outsourcing

There are several types ofoutsourcingWe offer a wide range of services, depending on the specific needs of each company with regard to their website and hosting:

1. Global outsourcing : This package includes all the tasks involved in managing the company's IT, including website creation and maintenance, server and network administration, data and e-mail management, and security against IT risks.
2. Partial outsourcing : This type of outsourcing concerns only certain activities, depending on the company's choices. Examples include server administration, website security monitoring or supervision of data flows and bandwidth used.
3. Application outsourcing : In this case, the outsourcing expert only takes responsibility for the management, maintenance and development of one or more of the company's specific business applications, such as its sales management system or its enterprise resource planning (ERP) package.
4. Hosting outsourcing : concerns the hosting of the company's website alone, and can include the provision of a dedicated server, management of storage space and backups, and monitoring of the network infrastructure and associated services.

The advantages and disadvantages of outsourced hosting and websites

There are several advantages to entrusting the IT management of your website and its hosting to a specialist service provider:

• Advanced skills : the use of a expert in facilities management means you can benefit from solid expertise in hosting and website management. These professionals generally have multidisciplinary skills to provide a comprehensive service tailored to the specific needs of each company.
• Access to the latest technologies: Companies specialising in outsourcing are constantly on the lookout for new technologies to help them stand out from the crowd. By calling on this type of service provider, you can be sure of benefiting from the latest innovations in terms of tools and software solutions.
• Monitoring and maintenance : aoutsourcing This generally includes regular maintenance of the IT equipment used for hosting, programming software updates and ongoing technology monitoring. In addition experts can also offer tips and advice on how to optimise website performance and reduce the risks associated with hacking.
• Save time and money: By outsourcing IT management, companies are freed from technical constraints and can concentrate on their core business. What's more, outsourcing often enables significant savings to be made on the budget allocated to in-house IT services.

However, there are a few disadvantages to consider before choosing this solution:

• Cost : according to theoutsourcing chosen and the level of service required, the cost of outsourcing can vary considerably. It is therefore essential to compare the offers available on the market and to assess your needs accurately before committing to an external service provider.
• Loss of control : By outsourcing some or all of its IT management to a third party, a company loses a degree of internal control over its IT infrastructure and data. This can give rise to concerns about confidentiality and security, especially if the outsourcing contract does not offer sufficient guarantees in these areas.
• Dependency : Entrusting the IT management and hosting of your website to an external company means becoming dependent on your service provider. The service provider then becomes responsible for the performance of the information system, and the quality of the service provided may vary according to the skills and efficiency of the service provider.

Outsourcing, tailored to your company's specific needs

In short, theoutsourcing offers interesting prospects for companies wishing to optimise their IT management, particularly with regard to their website and its hosting. This option offers a number of significant advantages, including access to cutting-edge expertise, savings in terms of time and money, and regular, personalised monitoring.

However, it is important to weigh up the disadvantages carefully, in particular the cost, the loss of internal control and the dependence on the service provider.

It is therefore important to assess your needs carefully and choose the right type of outsourcing for your situation, as well as the external partner offering the best guarantees in terms of security, availability and performance.