As technology continues to evolve at a rapid rate, businesses of all shapes and sizes need to remain aware of the newest trends and breakthroughs. Your IT infrastructure plays a vital part in your operations from boosting your productivity with cloud-centric solutions to fortifying your cyber security defences. As a result, one of the most important decisions you will make as a business owner is choosing the right IT support – whether that’s in-house, outsourced or a combination of the two.
The company you select should not be a decision taken lightly. The managed IT support company you choose to partner with will have a big influence on your business and how well it performs. It may also have an impact on how quickly you can resolve any technical issues so it’s important to consider how much downtime you and your employees can endure. This is because long-term success for your business will be dependent on having competent IT support to maintain your systems effectively.
Do I need IT support?
The right IT support company can help you expand your business and nurture growth, increase productivity and efficiency inside your organisation and of course, ensure you can provide the best service possible for your end-users and customers.
In a nutshell, IT support is an essential part of your business because…
- Your business will be more efficient and productive
- You and your employees will spend less time resolving technical issues.
- IT support will keep your network up to date with the latest security measures
- You’ll be able to cut overhead costs because you won’t need to hire in-house IT staff
Five signs you need IT support
When it comes to your IT infrastructure, it’s all too easy to lose focus and fall back on your old habits. Perhaps your business has expanded so quickly that your IT hasn’t kept up. As a result, it can be challenging to identify some of the warning signals that your network may not be operating at its best.
Your business is ready for IT support if…
You’ve been hit by a cyber security attack
If you’ve been hit by a data breach or any other kind of cyber attack, it may be one of the first indications that you need IT support. This is because the tools and techniques used by cyber criminals to compromise weak corporate systems, infect them with malware and steal data are constantly improving. If you’ve been hit by a cyber attack, it could mean your network needs an update and the security of your data has been compromised.
To contend with these increasingly sophisticated attacks, you may need the assistance of a professional IT support company. Your IT partner will be able to implement an effective patch management strategy that ensures your system is kept up-to-date and secure.
Your network is slow
Modern technology moves fast. New systems and software are constantly being introduced to the market, while outdated networks, devices and hardware struggle to keep up with modern processes such as the cloud, offsite backups and VoIP. It may be an indication that you need to upgrade if your systems or gadgets are operating slower than normal – especially if the speed of your network is impacting how you and your staff operate.
The right IT support company will proactively work to keep your network and software up to date with the latest versions. They’ll also let you know when your hardware is reaching the end of its life and recommend solutions that futureproof your operational continuity. This will not only help your workforce get through their tasks with more efficiency and productivity but can also help reduce cyber attacks and unnecessary downtime.
You’re experiencing unexpected downtime
Another giveaway that your business may need IT support is regular downtime. From outdated infrastructure to software which hasn’t been patched, a lack of routine maintenance can slow your business down and even bring operations grinding to a halt. This can result in frustration among your staff as well as your customers and end users.
An IT support company will be able to proactively identify where the issues lie and recommend the right solutions for your business. This means your staff will spend less time waiting for your business network to reboot and more time focusing on their day-to-day tasks.
Your employees are frustrated
If your network isn’t working as effectively as it should, your staff may become dissatisfied and frustrated. Although this might not be an issue in the short term, over time you may struggle to retain your team if they don’t have the tools and support they need to do their jobs effectively.
If you’ve noticed a sudden increase in the number of employees complaining about IT-related problems, it’s important to listen and pull your head out of the sand. It might also be time to reconsider hiring an IT support company.
You’re not getting value for money
There is no escaping the reality that investing in IT infrastructure can be a costly endeavour. As a result, you’ll want to make sure you’re receiving the most value for your money.
If expansion is a goal of yours, you’ll need to have faith that your network can grow with your company rather than inhibit it. Hiring an IT support company will result in a more flexible, scalable network, which will prevent you from having to continually invest in brand-new systems every few years.
How do I find an IT support company?
The IT support company you decide to partner with will depend on the long-term objectives of your business as well as any specific needs or demands unique to you and your employees.
To kick things off, you should always start with a simple search on your preferred search engine, such as Google, Yahoo or Bing. For example, you might try searching for ‘IT Support Bristol’ or ‘IT Support Plymouth’. From there, it should be simple enough to find the right IT partner for you, that aligns with the values, goals and demands of your organisation.
Final thoughts
Outsourcing the management of your IT infrastructure to a specialist provider is a cost-effective way of managing your business network. It can help you focus on what you do best – growing your business. Meanwhile, your IT partner will ensure your IT infrastructure and network is serving your organisation in the best way possible by proactively managing any issues or challenges you may be facing. It’s a surefire way of staying ahead of the tech curve, boosting productivity and ultimately nurturing growth.
Interesting Related Article: “The Future of IT Systems Integration and What it Means for Businesses“