Start with the work, not the job title
List the work your business needs each month. Separate recurring support, specialist changes and one-off projects. Record the skills, response windows and decision-making responsibilities. A full-time role and a shared service solve different capacity needs.
Shared ICT capacity
Hourly ICT can suit intermittent or varied work: a workplace configuration, a recovery test or an automation project. Scope the work, rates, access and handover. Confirm response arrangements separately. Buying hours does not by itself reserve continuous availability.
A dedicated remote employee
A dedicated hire can suit continuous work that needs business knowledge, regular collaboration and day-to-day direction. Your budget needs salary, employer costs, service fees, equipment and management time. An EOR service fee alone is not a full employment cost.
Compare the full scope
Compare the expected monthly workload, skills coverage, continuity, ownership and total cost. Use the ICT calculator for labour planning and the EOR calculator for service fees. Then use the workforce budget worksheet to add your own salary and employer-cost assumptions.
When the workload remains uncertain, start with discovery and a documented scope. A clear service boundary makes the next decision easier.
Official reading
Prepared for operational planning · Reviewed 7 November 2026. Check official guidance for changes and requirements that apply to your circumstances. Checklist progress stays on this page until you leave or reload.