For most 20–60 employee businesses in Manly, managed IT services are typically more cost-effective and lower risk than hiring internal IT. A full-time internal IT employee often costs $100,000–$130,000+ per year once salary, superannuation, leave, and training are included. In comparison, managed IT services usually cost $150–$220 per user per month, providing Manly businesses with access to a full team of specialists, built-in cybersecurity, and predictable monthly costs without relying on a single internal hire.
1. Cost Comparison: Internal IT vs Managed IT for Manly Businesses
Hiring internal IT involves more than just salary. In addition to wages, Manly businesses must account for superannuation, leave, recruitment costs, and ongoing training. Managed IT services spread these costs across a team of engineers and security specialists, offering predictable per-user pricing. For many Manly SMBs, this makes managed IT easier to budget for and less risky than employing a single internal resource.
2. Skill Coverage and Availability
An internal IT hire is typically a generalist, responsible for support, infrastructure, security, and vendor management. Managed IT services provide Manly businesses with access to a broader skill set, including cybersecurity, cloud, and compliance expertise. This also ensures continuous coverage during leave, illness, or after hours, reducing downtime caused by relying on one person.
3. Cybersecurity Risk and Responsibility
With internal IT, cybersecurity often competes with day-to-day support tasks, increasing the risk that threats go unnoticed. Managed IT services usually include proactive monitoring, endpoint protection, email security, and backups as part of the service. For Manly businesses, this shifts cybersecurity responsibility from a single individual to a dedicated team, significantly reducing the likelihood and impact of cyber incidents.
4. Scalability as the Business Grows
As Manly businesses grow from 20 to 60 employees, IT needs change quickly. Hiring additional internal IT staff often lags behind growth and increases overhead. Managed IT services scale immediately as staff numbers increase, allowing businesses to add users, devices, and security coverage without recruitment delays or sudden cost spikes. This flexibility is especially valuable for growing local teams.
5. When Internal IT Actually Makes Sense
Internal IT can make sense for businesses with 100+ employees, complex in-house systems, or dedicated development teams that require constant on-site support. For many Manly SMBs, a hybrid model works well — such as having an internal IT coordinator supported by a managed IT provider for cybersecurity, infrastructure, and escalation support. The right approach depends on complexity, risk, and growth speed.
Example: Manly-Based 15–20 Employee Business
A Manly-based professional services business with 18 employees considered hiring a junior internal IT resource as their first dedicated IT hire. Once salary, superannuation, leave, and training were factored in, the estimated annual cost exceeded $90,000, with limited coverage and no specialist cybersecurity support.
Instead, the business chose a managed IT service priced at $195 per user per month, resulting in a predictable monthly cost of approximately $3,510 per month (18 × $195). This provided access to a full support team, proactive monitoring, and built-in cybersecurity. As a result, IT issues were resolved faster, security controls were standardised, and the business avoided the risk of relying on a single internal hire as it continued to grow.
Why Manly SMBs Choose TECHD Group
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Cybersecurity-first managed IT services
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Experience supporting 20–60 employee businesses
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Fast, local Sydney support
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Single point of contact for IT, security, and cloud services
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Clear, transparent per-user pricing