Struggling to Hire IT Talent? Compare the Cost of Hiring vs. Managed IT Services

Finding qualified IT professionals remains a challenge for Canadian businesses. And while the job market continues to evolve, specialized expertise in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence can be particularly difficult to recruit.

According to a 2026 Robert Half study, 50% of Canadian IT leaders say finding skilled professionals is more difficult than it was a year ago.

Recruitment can also be time-consuming. According to the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), it took an average of 51.8 days to fill a vacant position in Canada's digital economy during the second quarter of 2026.

For SMBs, these challenges can have real consequences: increased workloads, delayed projects, gaps in cybersecurity, and greater dependence on a single IT employee.

Meanwhile, technology demands continue to grow. Businesses need reliable IT support, stronger cybersecurity, Microsoft 365 management, cloud infrastructure, and increasingly, guidance on AI and automation.

This raises an important question: Is hiring more internal IT staff always the best solution, or is there a better way to meet your technology needs?

The Hidden Challenges of Relying on Internal IT Resources

Having an internal IT professional offers clear advantages. They understand your business, employees, and day-to-day operations.

But for many SMBs, one IT employee is expected to wear too many hats.

On any given day, they might be troubleshooting computer issues, managing Microsoft 365 accounts, responding to security alerts, coordinating with vendors, updating systems, and planning infrastructure improvements.

When urgent support requests take priority, important projects and preventive maintenance can fall behind.

There is also the issue of availability. What happens when your IT employee goes on vacation, takes sick leave, or leaves the company altogether?

For businesses that rely heavily on a single IT resource, the loss of that employee can create significant operational risks.

And even the most experienced IT generalist cannot be an expert in every area of modern technology.

The Real Cost of Hiring an IT Employee vs. Managed IT Services

Beyond recruitment challenges, there's another important consideration: cost.

Let's look at a hypothetical example of a Quebec business with 75 employees that needs reliable IT support, cybersecurity, and ongoing technology management.

The company is considering hiring a full-time IT professional at an annual salary of $85,000.

However, salary is only part of the actual cost of employment.

Option 1: Hiring an Internal IT Employee

That's an estimated $108,000 for one full-time employee, who may still need external assistance for specialized cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, or major technology projects.

Option 2: Partnering with a Managed IT Services Provider

Now consider the same company outsourcing its IT management to a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

For a company with 75 employees, a comprehensive managed IT services plan that includes cybersecurity could cost approximately $4,400 to $5,300 per month, depending on its technology environment and security requirements.

*Costs are illustrative and may vary based on IT needs, service coverage, and licensing. Additional fees may apply, and the two options may not offer identical services.

Compared with the estimated $108,000 first-year cost of hiring an internal IT employee, this represents a potential annual cost difference of $44,400 to $55,200, or approximately 41% to 51%.

But the financial comparison tells only part of the story.

Rather than relying on a single individual, the company gains access to a team of IT professionals with expertise across multiple technologies.

Depending on the agreement, managed services can include technical support, proactive monitoring, maintenance, cybersecurity management, and IT planning.

The result is broader expertise, more consistent support, and fewer operational dependencies.

Managed IT Services: More Than Just Outsourcing IT Support

Managed IT services are sometimes misunderstood as simply outsourcing a help desk.

In reality, a proactive MSP takes a much broader approach.

Instead of waiting for something to break, a managed services provider continuously monitors and maintains your IT environment, identifies potential issues, implements preventive measures, and helps plan for future technology needs.

Businesses can benefit from:

• Access to specialized expertise: Technical support, Microsoft 365, networking, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and strategic IT guidance.
• Proactive monitoring and maintenance: Identifying and addressing potential issues before they disrupt operations.
• Greater business continuity: Structured documentation, established processes, and support that doesn't depend on one employee.
• Stronger cybersecurity: Ongoing attention to security updates, access controls, endpoint protection, and evolving threats.
• Predictable IT expenses: A recurring service agreement that makes it easier to budget for ongoing IT management.
• Scalability: The flexibility to adapt IT support as the business grows or its needs change.

Most importantly, the right MSP becomes a long-term technology partner, helping businesses make informed decisions rather than simply reacting to problems.

Already Have an IT Employee? Consider Co-Managed IT Services

Choosing managed IT services doesn't necessarily mean replacing your internal IT team.

For businesses with an existing IT employee or small department, co-managed IT services can offer the best of both worlds.

Your internal resource retains their knowledge of the organization and its business priorities, while an MSP provides additional capacity, specialized expertise, tools, and support.

For example, your internal IT employee might focus on business applications, employee needs, and strategic projects, while the MSP handles day-to-day support, monitoring, patch management, and cybersecurity.

This approach reduces pressure on internal staff while ensuring they have access to the resources needed to manage an increasingly complex IT environment.

It also gives your business greater flexibility without the need to recruit specialists for every area of technology.

How Do You Know If Managed IT Services Are Right for Your Business?

Managed IT services can be particularly valuable when your organization is experiencing one or more of the following challenges:

• You're struggling to recruit or retain qualified IT employees.
• Your existing IT resource is overwhelmed by daily support requests.
• Important IT projects are constantly being delayed.
• You're concerned about cybersecurity but lack dedicated expertise.
• Your company relies heavily on one person to manage critical IT systems.
• You want greater predictability in your IT costs.
• Your business is growing, and your technology needs are becoming more complex.

If any of these situations sound familiar, it may be time to reconsider how your IT services are delivered.

A Smarter Approach to IT Management

Hiring additional IT staff isn't always the most practical or cost-effective solution. Managed or co-managed IT services give businesses access to broader expertise, proactive support, and greater continuity, often at a lower cost.

Your IT shouldn't depend on finding one person who can do it all.

For over 35 years, Present has helped Quebec businesses simplify IT management, strengthen security, and keep operations running smoothly.

Contact us to discover how managed or co-managed IT services can benefit your business.