IT is at the crux of most businesses, whether they’re small family-run enterprises or massive global conglomerates. Successful businesses usually realize something that the others don’t, though: IT needs to be maintained and looked after constantly, and it doesn’t simply work in the background, never requiring a second thought.
The more successful businesses also realize this: keeping an IT system in tip-top shape isn’t something that just anyone can do – it needs to be done by a professional company, with the experience needed to remedy problems or, even better, prevent the problems from occurring at all.
There are loads of IT support companies out there, and they all say they’ll be the best choice for your company. And who can blame them for making that assertion? It’s your job to sift through them and choose the one that’s right for you though, and here are a few tips on how to go about that job…
Services
IT has a vast array of different facets, and the majority of them will be very important to your company. This means that you need an IT support company with the ability to deal with problems in many different areas, ranging from virus removal all the way through to sorting hardware problems. The more services a company offers, the more use they are going to be in the long term, as you never know what issue will pop up next.
This extensive range of services is even more critical if you are entering into a subscription with an IT support company, as you are going to be working with them for an extended period. If you are just looking for a one-off fix though, the range of services isn’t as important.
Price
Price has to be mentioned, as every successful company needs to keep a close eye on their bottom line. The thing is this, though: you get what you pay for, so going for the very cheapest option usually means that you’re going to get the very worst service. Of course, there’s no need to opt for the company charging twice the amount than average, but don’t simply make a decision based on price.
So, when looking at companies, ask them what they’ll give you for the money you’re spending. How comprehensive is their support? What guarantees do they offer? How much experience do they have in the field of IT support? Only once you have the full picture will you be able to work out how good a quote is.
Other Devices
If you think about your IT system, you’ll probably just think about the computer sitting at your desk. In reality, though, you need to maintain loads of other devices, from printers all the way through to mobile phones and tablets. Wouldn’t it be great if your IT support company could also help with these instead of only offering help with your computer? Well, that’s exactly what the best companies will do, providing an all-in-one solution for you.
What’s more, you should also satisfy yourself that the company you’re choosing has their finger on the pulse and can help with the newest technological developments. So, it could be an idea to ask them about new technology and whether they can help, even if you don’t actually have that technology in place.
Support Options
The range of support options offered by an IT support company should be comprehensive, and it should also be available 24 hours a day. You should certainly be able to call them, and it’s also beneficial if you can speak with them via live chat. Of course, fast email support should also be provided.
Moreover, they should offer both remote and on-site assistance, so that problems are diagnosed and fixed as quickly as possible. Any remote assistance will usually necessitate you downloading software, which they should be able to supply. All of these support options, plus many more, are provided by Couno.
Interest
This might seem like a strange one, but you should only use an IT support company that takes an active interest in your business as a whole. You want to employ someone who cares about you and your company, and not someone who simply swoops in, fixes a problem, then flies out again, ready to move on to the next job.
So, when looking for your new IT support company, pay attention to how interested they seem in you, and how many questions they ask about your business. That way, you can work out if they simply want your money or want to work alongside you.
If you follow the simple steps above, you should have absolutely no problems finding a great IT support company. Make no mistake: IT support companies are vital to your business, so finding a good one is significant!