13 Jul Does Small Business Need the Services of IT Support?
As a small business or start-up, every cent needs to be turned over when faced with balancing a small budget. Unlike larger businesses that work with big budgets and large teams, small businesses cannot afford that opportunity and can quickly become overwhelmed when starting out, especially when it comes to what is an important spend and what is not.
More often than not, IT services is seen as a luxury, when in fact it is the first thing that every small business should implement from the outset. In today’s digital world, no business can survive without technology and therefore, no business can go without IT support – whether large or small. What does this mean for small business? Outsourcing. A far better and more cost-effective business IT support solution, a strategy not only being adopted by companies around the world, but also here in Sydney.
Managed IT Services – what is it?
Managed IT Services is an outsourced IT Support, and IT Service team, who takes care of all the technical issues that arise in your business, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the day-to-day. Managed IT services deliver a holistic, ongoing range of services, primarily off-premises, which use their own tools, systems, and expert personnel. These services typically come at a flat monthly fee and may include anything from 24-hour network monitoring to system maintenance, helpdesk support and general IT admin.
Break Fix VS Managed IT Service
Break fix services are reactive in that they only interact with businesses when an IT problem strikes. In most cases, break fix vendors will send a technician to fix the problem and businesses are only charged for services rendered. Generally, an ad hoc approach to IT services, you only use them when needed and may pay for a call-out fee over and above an hourly rate. Break fix services typically include network and hardware repairs, updates and installations, software set up and security for business, not excluding IT training for staff.
The Most Common Questions asked about IT services.
1. Do all types of businesses need IT support?
Not necessarily. All businesses are different and partnering with an IT solutions company will depend on the specific needs and requirements those businesses have. It is important to do a thorough evaluation of your business and identify where help is needed, then enlist the services of an experienced, IT solutions company based on the fit. Ask for a free consultation and have a clear picture of what your requirements are. Small businesses get the most benefit from IT solutions companies for a number of reasons, especially when it comes to managing small budgets, where in-house IT is not an affordable option. The more technology a small business uses, the more likely it is that you are going to need IT support.
2. Is it just for big businesses?
Whether it is a large business or a small one, every company needs IT support and will at some point enlist the services of a business IT solutions company. Every business who uses technology, will run into problems, and therefore need to have a strategy in place to iron these out. IT solutions companies are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to effectively manage problems, as and when they arise.
3. How to consider if a business needs IT Support?
Depending on the type of business and its needs, certain start-ups and small businesses require minimum IT support, but need a fully functional and operational IT infrastructure in place. In addition to this, it is essential that they also have an email, backup, and security solution. This is not to say that larger businesses don’t have a need to outsource. More often than not, their larger budgets allow for a specialist in-house team of IT experts to deal with the day-to-day.
4. How Does IT Services Work?
Utilising managed IT services will depend largely on the needs and requirements of your business, as well as the terms of your contract with the service provider you have chosen to partner with. The service provider is there to ensure the implementation of network monitoring, all software installations, general IT admin and more. Usually, things like software, system changes and upgrades are done remotely, with a 24/7 help desk on standby to troubleshoot and answer all your team’s queries.
5. Which Model Works Best?
Ultimately, when it comes to break fix vs. managed IT systems, there is no hard and fast answer to this question. Each business must determine which is best suited to its operations and staff. Both come with advantages and disadvantages, so weighing up the pros and cons, and evaluating these against your business’ requirements and needs, will most certainly be a step in the right direction to assist in making the right decision for your business in the long run.
6 Tips to Hire IT Solutions For Small Businesses
1. Strategise your business resolutions
A reputable IT support company’s sole function should be to provide personalised solutions, where exceptional service quality is a priority when it comes to your business needs. With the help of their expertise and experience, an IT support company should be capable of delivering different strategic resolutions to address and resolve specific IT problems encountered in your day-to-day business dealings, and let’s face it, this can range from a few, to many! The difference between a GOOD business IT solutions company vs. a bad one, is the quick an efficient way in which issues are detected and dealt with – that is, immediately with little, to no margin for delay or error.
2. Expertise
When choosing an IT support company for your small business IT solutions, expertise and knowledge with a proven track record of deliverables and desirable results, is key. In addition to this, it’s important that the company of your choosing not only has industry knowledge and experience in their field, but also in yours, in that, should specific situations arise, they will be more than equipped to deal with it efficiently and effectively, especially when under pressure. Another aspect to consider, is whether they are familiar with your software and hardware so do ask the question. If not, choose a company that is prepared to get on board with learning the ropes.
3. The short list
Searching for reputable and credible business IT support companies is like walking through a mine field at the best of times and this is where research is so vitally important. Put a comprehensive list together. Go through every credential and ask around. Word of mouth is a powerful tool when it comes to creating a short list. Once you have a list of at least three companies you’d like to approach, ensure they are potentially a good fit. In most instances, you can request a free consultation, or receive complimentary one.
4. Ask for credentials and client testimonials
Finding the right small business IT solutions partner to handle all your Information Technology needs, will help you focus on the bigger picture, without having to worry about the day-to-day running of the IT processes of your business. Following your short list and during your subsequent interview process, remember to ask the right questions and request details of previous client work, deliverables and results. Past experiences and a proven track record will stand you in good stead when it comes down to the final decision of which company to work with, before finalising any long-term contract.
5. Infrastructure development
The prospective IT tech support firm should possess advanced network management skills related to server management, organising backup and data storage, wireless internet setup and network connectivity.
6. Start with a short-term or trial term agreement
When it comes to hiring a business IT solutions firm, opt for a trial or short-term agreement, which most will agree to, and following the trial period, you can assess and decide to move forward on a more permanent basis, or terminate services should your business needs and requirements not be met. The trial period gives you the opportunity to identify any potential issues early on in the process, and if you need to change providers, you can.
With so many factors to consider when it comes to hiring a small business IT solutions company, these 6 tips will certainly go a long way in helping you find the right IT solutions partner for your business. Remember, choose a partner that is strategic in their approach, can perform under pressure, has a proven track record and is both an expert in their field, as well as yours. Don’t settle. Your business is only as strong as the infrastructure behind it, which goes without saying when it comes to ensuring the right fit in hiring the best small business IT solutions company.