A black and green logo for kaizen with a green circle in the middle.

Breaking Point: 8 Signs Your Scale-Up Needs Professional IT Support

Steve Timmiss • January 28, 2025

A practical guide to recognising when your growing business is ready to outsource its IT management and optimisation.

As your business moves beyond the start-up phase and is focused upon growth, scaling operations and optimising processes, IT will no doubt play a key role.


Understanding when to transition from in-house IT to a managed service provider (MSP) depends on several factors related to your business's size, growth trajectory, and technology needs. Here are some key indicators that it might be the right time:

1. Rapid Business Growth

As your business grows, your IT needs become more complex. Scaling in-house IT support to meet these demands can be costly and inefficient.



  • Increasing number of employees and devices to manage.
  • Expanding operations to multiple locations or remote work setups.
  • Struggling to maintain service quality with current IT resources.


2. Limited In-House Expertise

Technology evolves rapidly, and in-house teams may lack the specialised skills needed for cybersecurity, cloud computing, or advanced networking.



  • Difficulty implementing or managing modern IT solutions.
  • Frequent reliance on external consultants for specialised tasks.
  • Security incidents or compliance challenges due to outdated practices.


3. High IT Costs

Maintaining an in-house IT team requires significant investment in salaries, training, and equipment.



  • Rising IT expenses with diminishing returns.
  • Difficulty justifying the cost of hiring and retaining qualified IT staff.
  • Unpredictable costs due to equipment failures or emergency fixes.

4. Increased Downtime or Service Interruptions

Unreliable IT systems can harm productivity and customer satisfaction.



  • Frequent system outages or slow resolution times.
  • Employees frustrated by IT inefficiencies.
  • Missed business opportunities due to technology limitations.


5. Need for Proactive Support

MSPs offer proactive monitoring and maintenance, reducing the risk of downtime and ensuring systems are always optimised.


  • Existing IT team is reactive rather than proactive.
  • Lack of regular updates, backups, or system optimisations.
  • Difficulty staying ahead of cybersecurity threats.

6. Regulatory or Compliance Requirements

MSPs often have expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring your IT systems meet necessary standards.


  • Entering industries with strict compliance requirements (e.g., healthcare, finance).
  • Struggling to keep up with data privacy laws like GDPR.


7. Strategic IT Needs

MSPs can help align IT strategy with business goals, enabling innovation and growth.



  • Need for advanced solutions like cloud migration, automation, or data analytics.
  • Inability to dedicate time to IT strategy due to day-to-day troubleshooting.
  • Desire to focus on core business functions rather than IT management.

8. 24/7 IT Support Requirements

Many MSPs provide round-the-clock support, which is difficult to achieve with a small in-house team.


  • Employees or customers require after-hours support.
  • Downtime outside regular business hours is causing disruptions.

Benefits of Transitioning to an MSP

  • Cost Predictability: Fixed monthly fees for comprehensive services.
  • Scalability: Services can grow with your business.
  • Access to Expertise: MSPs employ specialists across various IT domains.
  • Focus on Core Business: Free up internal resources to focus on growth and innovation.



If your business aligns with several of these indicators, it may be time to consider moving to an MSP. The transition can help you streamline operations, enhance security, and position your business for long-term success.

Kaizen has 20 years' experience working with start-up and scale-up businesses.

Since 2004, we have been delivering best in class IT managed services including

helpdesk, on-site support and consultancy. Our service portfolio includes:


  • Full helpdesk services available 7am – 7pm Monday to Friday.
  • 24/7 Emergency support and US Hours helpdesk.
  • On-site response and regular remote or on-site technical resources.
  • Strategic IT roadmap planning.
  • On-boarding and off-boarding users.
  • Asset & stock management.
  • Proactive account management.
  • Mac and Windows fully managed Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform.
  • Cloud infrastructure services.
  • Comprehensive cyber security services.
  • Apple and Windows product supply.
  • Microsoft, Google and Adobe licensing subscriptions.


From our offices in Sheffield and central London, we support businesses across the UK and beyond. Kaizen is ISO9001, ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials certified and we hold key partnerships with major IT hardware and software vendors.


Share by: