What is the difference between IT staff augmentation and outsourcing?

The IT industry has seen a rapid increase in the need for both IT staff augmentation and outsourcing. With the ever-changing technology landscape and the need for specialized expertise, companies are turning to external providers to fill the gaps in their IT departments. But what is the difference between these two services?

IT staff augmentation is the process of supplementing a company’s IT staff with additional resources from an external provider. This can include bringing in a specialist for a short-term project or having a third-party provider provide support for a company’s in-house IT staff.

Outsourcing, however, is when a business contracts out an entire IT department or specific services to an external provider. Companies may outsource the entire IT department, such as the hardware and software maintenance, or certain tasks like application development, database administration, and security.

IT staff augmentation can provide a company with many advantages, such as access to specialized expertise, cost savings, and flexibility. Outsourcing IT services can also offer businesses cost savings, scalability, and access to resources not available in-house.

Both IT staff augmentation and outsourcing are popular options for companies looking to supplement their IT departments. By understanding the differences between the two services, companies can make the best decision for their IT needs.