Should we employ a full time Business Analyst or hire an external one

Dear All,

Should we as a company employ a full-time business analyst (BA) or hire an external one?

This has been argued vehemently as the topics for hiring a full time analyst were such like: cheaper than external BA; internal BA might have knowledge of how the company functions/activities works etc, hence develop Functional specifications quicker. The topics against having a full-time BA were like the BA might lack/not employ the best design interface or even lack innovative design skills for system design etc.,

The external BA might bring vast experience.

I really want to see you views. It seems that my colleagues tried to argue that the functional specification should be written by the external software house who "must have the experience and best knowledge".

PLEASE ADVICE

Regards,

Carmel