In the digital era that we live in, we cannot overemphasize the significance of an IT provider for the different aspects of your business. It is impossible to start or operate a business without relying partly on IT services and support. It is a challenge to stay competitive in your industry if you do not have a trusted IT person or managed services provider by your side.
Ways of Getting IT Support
There are different ways to get the IT support you need for your business. Each method has its pros and cons, and the choice will depend on your business. And the particular needs of your operations.
Having an Internal IT Guy
Some companies hire an IT expert as a regular employee, which seems convenient as there will always be someone to rely on if any technical issues arise. However, this is a limited strategy since you will only benefit from the skills of a single individual. And they will not be available on weekends, holidays, vacation days, or when they're sick.
Break-Fix Method
Many small businesses use this method, which means they will only hire an IT professional whenever the situation calls for it. When something breaks, they will contact an IT professional to fix it. This approach appears to be the most cost-efficient, but when emergencies happen, especially outside business hours, it might not be easy to find help.
Managed Service Provider
Contracting an MSP is the most reliable way of getting IT support for your business. Working with an MSP gives you access to top-quality support and other services you may need. They will not only fix your problems but can also help you set up, manage your network, improve your data security, and even grow your business.
Choosing Your IT Provider
As in any other industry, there are some problems that you might encounter with hiring an IT expert. Some providers might not have the right skills you need. Consequently, certain individuals may impose unreasonable prices. Some do not communicate well or respond too slowly when you need them. To avoid these problems, be meticulous when selecting your MSP.
Interviewing a Potential IT Service Provider
The interview is the first and possibly the only time that you will get up close and personal with a potential IT provider. So you need to take this opportunity to ask the right questions. There might be dozens of things that you want to know. But given the limited time of an interview, it is best to stick to the most important topics. Ask them about the IT services they will provide for network upkeep, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity insurance. Ask about the level of expertise they possess and gauge whether this will be sufficient for the needs of your business. It is also worth asking about their guarantees for task completion before deadlines and within the budget. We have compiled a list of 21 crucial questions that you should ask a potential IT provider before hiring them. Click here to check out the list.
Knowing When to Replace Your IT Guy
Despite your intense scrutiny during the interview, you may still hire someone who is not the best fit for your business. For this reason, you must consider the first few days or weeks of a new IT provider to be a period of observation. Watch out for signs that show that you might have made the wrong choice. For starters, if they are consistently late or do not show any sense of urgency when you call in an emergency issue, then it would be best to replace them immediately. The same is true if you find out they bill you with extra charges not mentioned in the initial quote you've received. Or if they make the initial problem worse or more complicated because they could not deal with it properly.
Conclusion
IT services are crucial for your business, but you should not just get them from anyone. You must have the right IT service provider to ensure smooth operation and the ultimate success of your business. We have prepared an on-demand webinar that illustrates what could happen if you do not have a MSP. When you partner with us as your Managed Service Provider, you will get superior technical support and reliable customer service. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss how we can help take your business to the next level!
