When PTI Group experienced a sudden turnover of its internal IT team, company leadership faced an urgent challenge: maintaining business continuity without a dedicated IT department. Hiring replacements proved difficult due to a tight labor market and the specialized knowledge of the outgoing staff.
“We tried to backfill internally, but the reality was that finding someone who checked all the boxes was impossible. Temporary staffing wasn’t delivering the level of quality we needed, and building an internal IT team from scratch would be significantly more expensive than we could handle as a smaller company during COVID,” shared a PTI executive..
Realizing PTI needed an immediate solution, leadership turned to Arakyta. Within 48 hours, their team was on-site, assessing PTI’s needs and implementing a plan.
Building a Strong IT Foundation
Arakyta’s approach focused on two key priorities: stabilizing PTI’s IT operations and strengthening cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity was a key expectation of our IT partnership. We introduced phishing simulations, and now we run them monthly. If someone fails, they’re required to complete additional training—and if they don’t, I personally follow up. The awareness across our company has improved significantly,” leadership shared.
Over time, PTI and Arakyta refined their working relationship, creating structured playbooks and accountability measures to keep IT initiatives on track.
“We put together a detailed playbook with 25+ initiatives and clear expectations. It wasn’t perfect, but we pushed harder for more time allocation and strategic input. The partnership has evolved in a way that has benefited both sides,” the executive noted.
Strengthening Cybersecurity & IT Infrastructure
With Arakyta’s guidance, PTI made significant strides in securing its systems and improving IT operations:
Cybersecurity Training & Phishing Simulations – Employees now participate in monthly phishing tests, improving company-wide security awareness.
Implementation of Cyber Insurance – PTI introduced cyber insurance, even influencing its Italian parent company to consider it.
Penetration Testing & IT Policy Enhancements – Regular security testing and updated policies formalize IT governance.
IT Infrastructure Upgrades – Servers, networks, and end-user devices were systematically upgraded to improve performance and reliability.
“We now have a structured approach to IT. We know who has what devices, when they need to be replaced, and what policies govern IT purchases. These things seem small, but they make a big difference in maintaining efficiency.”
A True IT Partnership
Shifting from an internal IT team to an outsourced IT model wasn’t without challenges. Some employees struggled with the change, expecting an in-person IT presence.
“For years, if something went wrong, people would just walk down the hall and ask IT for help. Moving to a help desk model required a mindset shift. We had to set expectations, educate our team, and reinforce how to properly use the IT services available to them.”
Despite the learning curve, PTI embraced Arakyta as a long-term IT partner.
“Over time, we’ve both evolved. Arakyta has matured in how they run their business, and we’ve grown in how we manage IT expectations internally. The key is communication and continuous improvement.”
Advice for Other CFOs Evaluating IT Partnerships
Based on PTI’s experience, here’s advice for organizations considering outsourced IT:
Pick the right partner. Responsiveness and expertise are critical in IT.
Negotiate a fair agreement. Clearly define expectations and service levels.
Manage internal change effectively. Employees need guidance when transitioning to outsourced IT support.
Ensure accountability. Set up structured feedback loops to track IT performance.
Prioritize cybersecurity. A proactive security approach prevents costly issues later.
Through Arakyta’s support, PTI Group successfully transitioned from an in-house IT model to a structured, outsourced IT partnership. With enhanced security, streamlined IT operations, and a long-term strategic approach, PTI is now positioned for continued success.