There is some middle ground in the professional IT/ DIY discussion.
I agree fully that someone in the owner's circle should have a full handle on all aspects of their system. IT people are just one more potential failure point, and someone has to be able to bridge until they could be replaced.
That does not mean, IMHO, that that person should spend be the one actually dealing with each issue. I know how to vacuum the floors, but I make more money if I let my janitorial service actually do it while I do medicine. But, if they go on strike, I can vacuum.
There are plenty of IT services around that are not "corporate IT departments", but typically a couple of guys who rent themselves by the hour. We also have a fairly knowledgeable staff member ( actually the wife of one of the IT guys ) who can help with a lower level issues. If something breaks during the day, my staff member has a go; if she can't fix it quickly one of our IT guys logs on. Failing that, he swings by. All the while, I keep doing my job. Total cost even for more complex issue was $100. And it was done to current professional standards. And I didn't tear my hair out. And my partner and PA' s were not yelling at me to drop everything and fix their problem. I can play with the computers all I want then in evenings and on the weekend, and feel technologically fulfilled without disrupting business.
We each spent in excess of $200,000 getting to where we are. $100 spent to let me bill $400 just seems like common sense
