“Our company only has a few dozen people. Keeping a full-time IT person on staff doesn’t pay off, yet computers, network and servers throw up small problems every day — and leaving them unattended isn’t an option either. So what do we actually do?” This is the dilemma many small and medium business owners wrestle with. Today we lay out the 3 common approaches when you have no dedicated IT person, the cost and pitfalls of each, and how to choose the most cost-effective one.
Without a Dedicated IT Person, Which Pitfalls Will Your Company Hit
- Small problems turn into big ones: a printer, network or mailbox gets stuck and no one fixes it, everyone sits waiting and work hours are wasted
- No one owns security: no patching, no backups — one ransomware attack or a failed hard drive and all your data is gone
- Ad-hoc help offers no guarantees: calling someone in only when something breaks means slow arrival, unfamiliarity with your environment, and paying again and again
- Getting burned on procurement: without industry knowledge, you easily overpay on equipment, broadband and software renewals
Comparing the 3 Approaches
| Option | Annual Cost (Reference) | Best For | Main Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hire a full-time IT person | RMB 100,000–180,000+ | 100+ people / heavy workload | One person can’t cover everything; gaps during leave |
| Call someone in per incident | Depends on frequency, unpredictable | Very small companies with minimal needs | Slow response, no one accountable |
| IT Operations Outsourcing (all-in-one) | RMB 15,000–60,000 | The mainstream choice for 10–200 people | Poor experience if you pick the wrong provider |
For companies with 10–200 people that don’t need a dedicated hire, a full-package outsourcing plan is usually the most cost-effective: one contract covers day-to-day operations + network equipment + security + response, costs less than hiring a single person, and won’t grind to a halt just because that person takes leave.
What Outsourcing Can Manage for You
- ✅ Day-to-day support tickets for computers, printers, mailboxes and software — 15-minute response on WeChat, on-site visit within 2 hours in the city
- ✅ Network equipment (firewall/router/switch/AP): planning, configuration and free use throughout the contract term
- ✅ Servers and data backup: regular inspections, patching, ransomware protection
- ✅ Secure access for remote work and branch connectivity (zero trust available)
- ✅ Procurement oversight — no overpaying for or mis-buying equipment and broadband
How to Choose a Reliable Outsourcing Provider
Keep these few points in mind and you’re unlikely to get burned: check whether they hold proper credentials (ISO/ISP), whether it’s a team rather than a single person, whether response times are written into the contract, whether equipment is included in the contract, whether local on-site visits are available, and whether support requests are capped. If all of these check out, you’re almost certainly on solid ground.
FAQ
Q: We already have an IT administrator. Do we still need outsourcing?
A: You can use it as outside backup. It’s hard for one person to master desktops, networking, security and servers all at once; outsourcing fills the gaps, covers holidays and takes on major projects — it doesn’t replace them, it stops them from carrying everything alone.
Q: Will an outsourcing provider be careless, or unreachable when something goes wrong?
A: It comes down to the contract. Write the response times (15 minutes on WeChat, 30 minutes remotely, 2 hours on-site) and unlimited support requests into the contract, and choose a local provider that can visit on-site — then you’re covered.
Q: What size of company is outsourcing suitable for?
A: 10–200 people is the most typical. Below 10 people with few issues, start on an on-demand basis; above 200, combine outsourcing with one internal point of contact.
No dedicated IT person, but want someone on call to back you up?
Siwenlide — 14 years, 1,000+ clients — covers operations, networking and security all in one contract. Get a free on-site IT health check; call 400-686-2011 or visit siwenlide.com.
