How to Create and Manage a Company's IT Department

In today's digital age, establishing and managing an effective IT department is essential for businesses of all sizes to thrive. However, the complexity and cost associated with creating an in-house IT department can be daunting, especially for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Many businesses turn to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) or IT service providers for support, only to find that these vendors often prioritize selling vendor systems for profit rather than understanding and addressing the unique needs of the business. At iSectra, we offer a compelling alternative—a comprehensive outsourced IT department that covers all essential roles, tailored to support businesses efficiently and cost-effectively.

The Challenge of Building an In-House IT Department

High Costs

Creating an in-house IT department requires significant investment:

• Salaries – IT professionals command competitive salaries ($60K-$150K+ per role)
• Benefits – Health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off
• Training – Ongoing education and certifications
• Tools – Monitoring software, security tools, help desk systems
• Office Space – Workstations, equipment, facilities

Reality Check: A basic 3-person IT team can cost $250K-$400K annually before accounting for tools and infrastructure.

Multiple Specialized Roles Required

A complete IT department needs diverse expertise:

• CIO/IT Director – Strategic planning and leadership
• Systems Administrator – Server and network management
• Help Desk Support – User support and troubleshooting
• Security Specialist – Cybersecurity and compliance
• Network Engineer – Infrastructure design and maintenance
• Database Administrator – Data management and backups

Most SMBs can't afford to hire all these roles individually.

The MSP Problem

Many businesses turn to MSPs as a solution, but often encounter issues:

• Product Pushing – Selling unnecessary vendor solutions for commissions
• Lack of Customization – One-size-fits-all approaches
• Ticket-Based Support – Treating clients as numbers, not partners
• Hidden Costs – Unexpected fees for services that should be included
• Slow Response Times – Low priority given to smaller clients

The iSectra Alternative: Your Outsourced IT Department

Complete IT Coverage

iSectra provides all the roles of a full IT department:

• Virtual CIO – Strategic technology planning and guidance
• Systems Administration – Server, network, and infrastructure management
• Help Desk Support – Responsive user support for your team
• Security Management – Cybersecurity monitoring and compliance
• Project Management – Technology implementations and upgrades
• Vendor Management – Coordinating with third-party providers

Cost-Effective Solution

Typical investment for iSectra services: $2,000-$5,000/month for a complete virtual IT department—a fraction of the cost of hiring even one full-time IT employee.

Key Components of Managing an IT Department

1. IT Strategy and Planning

• Aligning technology with business goals
• Creating a technology roadmap
• Budgeting and cost forecasting
• Evaluating new technologies

2. Infrastructure Management

• Server and network administration
• Cloud services management
• Hardware and software procurement
• System monitoring and maintenance

3. User Support

• Help desk services
• Onboarding and offboarding
• User training
• Password resets and access management

4. Security and Compliance

• Cybersecurity monitoring
• Regulatory compliance (HIPAA, SOX, etc.)
• Data backup and disaster recovery
• Security awareness training

5. Project Management

• Technology implementations
• Office moves and expansions
• System upgrades
• Vendor coordination

Why Choose iSectra?

We're Not an MSP

iSectra operates as your virtual IT department, not a vendor-focused MSP:

• No commissions on product sales
• Vendor-agnostic recommendations
• Transparent pricing
• Your success is our priority

Proactive, Not Reactive

• 24/7 monitoring prevents issues before they occur
• Regular maintenance keeps systems running smoothly
• Strategic planning ensures you're always prepared

Industry Expertise

• Specialized experience in pharmaceutical companies
• Understanding of compliance requirements
• Knowledge of industry-specific software and systems

Scalable Solutions

• Services grow with your business
• No need to hire additional staff as you expand
• Flexible support levels

Real-World Success

iSectra has supported businesses through:

• Startup phases (3 employees to 50+)
• IPO preparations and SOX compliance
• Multi-site expansions
• Office relocations
• System migrations
• FDA audits

Our track record: We've never lost a customer to a competitor because we earn your trust every day.

Getting Started

Step 1: Assessment

We evaluate your current IT environment and identify gaps and opportunities.

Step 2: Planning

We develop a customized IT strategy aligned with your business goals.

Step 3: Implementation

We establish monitoring, support systems, and security measures.

Step 4: Ongoing Management

We provide continuous support, monitoring, and strategic guidance.

Conclusion

Creating and managing an IT department doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. With iSectra as your outsourced IT department, you get comprehensive coverage, expert guidance, and proactive support—all at a fraction of the cost of building an in-house team.

Stop settling for product-pushing MSPs. Partner with iSectra and experience what a true virtual IT department can do for your business.

Ready to transform your IT support? Contact iSectra today for a free consultation and discover how we can serve as your complete IT department.