Imagine you run a startup company. You get to work one morning, turn on your computer, and get ready to work. But as soon as you open the document you need, you realize that it is merely a combination of meaningless symbols and characters.
Then it hits you; your computer has a virus. What do you do? Do you call an IT support and services company or your in-house team?
If you are like most managers, your first resort is to your IT person. But, if the problem exceeds their expertise or resources, you may end up wasting a lot of time and money on the crisis.
A better tactic is to have a relationship with a reliable IT Managed Services Provider. Keep reading to find out why outsourcing your IT needs is a brilliant move for a small business owner.
Essential IT Support and Services You Should Know About
If you are looking to outsource your business’ IT needs, you want to find a company that offers the following core IT services:
- Cyber security
- Network Design
- Disaster recovery
- App development
- IT support
- Server solutions
When you outsource the right services, it will save you time and trouble that may arise when you settle for services that do not cover what you need.
How to Make the Most of Outsourced IT Support and Services
Not all IT support companies are equal; some are markedly better than others. So your experience with IT services will depend mainly on the company that you choose.
Here are a few things you should clarify with your IT support company before committing.
What IT Services Will They Offer?
It would help if you were clear about the extent of IT support you will receive from the company. This should, of course, be informed by your IT needs.
The last thing you want is to call your managed IT services company for a problem, only to find out that they cannot help you. It can throw you off balance and force you to incur extra costs.
To avoid this, have a list of the services you can expect from the company. Know what you are paying for, and have that in writing.
Secondly, choose a managed service provider company that specializes in your IT needs. For example, if you run an e-commerce business, find an IT support company with expertise in that area. Ensure that not only can they create the platform for you, but that they can also offer consistent IT support for your business.
Communicate Your Expectations
It would be best to have an explicit agreement on the response timelines from your IT company. For example, how long should you wait after raising concern for the company to address it?
Are there special response times for emergencies? Will you incur extra costs for services beyond the usual work hours?
You also need to agree with the company on who your contact person in the company is. Also, who else can you reach if your primary contact person is unavailable? Finally, what communication methods will you use; email, phone calls, or service tickets?
Being clear about your expectations from the IT support company will save you a lot of headaches. Additionally, you will run your business more effectively.
Agree on the Work Standards
Another tip for a fruitful relationship with your IT support company is to agree on the work standards you expect from the company. It is best to work with a company that follows the best practice standards.
Consider also working with a company that offers monitoring services. Consistent monitoring will allow them to be proactive in responding to common IT issues. This prevents minor issues from snowballing into a disaster that causes you untold worry.
A company that also offers regular system maintenance is excellent because it reduces instances of system malfunctions.
What are The Benefits of Working with an IT Support Company?
Contracting IT support and services from an MSP entails numerous benefits for every organization. You want your operations to run smoothly without any hitches at the end of the day.
Reliable Services
In today’s fast-paced world, delays of any kind can be costly to your business. An in-house IT team may not always prioritize your unexpected needs, but a dedicated IT support and services company certainly will.
Not only will you be dealing with IT experts when you outsource your IT needs, but you also get access to their superior resources. For a small business with strained resources, this is certainly a benefit that you cannot downplay.
Additionally, outsourcing your IT needs means you have someone to rely on, even with minor issues. For example, instead of spending ten minutes every other day troubleshooting your computer to try and resolve an issue, you can call your IT expert and have them help you with the problem instantly.
Ultimately, this gives you more time to focus on running your company than dealing with trivial IT problems.
It Can Be A Cheaper Option
Contracting IT support and services from an MSP can make more economic sense than having an entire IT team in your company. This will, however, depend heavily on your IT needs.
For most small companies with less than 20 employees, having an internal IT department may not be the best move. This is especially true if you only need occasional help with your tech needs during busy seasons or for maintenance purposes.
Outsourcing your IT needs also reduces the opportunity cost of running your business. This is because your employees won’t have to perform menial IT tasks instead of focusing on their core tasks. This can save you a lot of money over the long haul
IT Support and Services; The Verdict
On the whole, working with a Managed IT Services Provider is highly beneficial to a small business. Not only can it lower your operational costs, but it also offers you access to expert services.
If you are looking to outsource your IT needs, communicate your expectations clearly to your partners. Know what services you can expect them to provide and their delivery timeline.
If you are looking for a reliable IT Support and Services company, be sure to contact us. We are ready and happy to offer you excellent tech support for your business.
