What to expect from your IT support

With the frequency of cyber attacks at an all-time high, and the average cost of downtime for small businesses reaching over $10,000 an hour, it’s never been more important for companies to have reliable IT support on their side. Below, we take a look at exactly why you need IT support or access to an IT helpdesk, and the five main benefits that partnering with an IT services provider can bring. 

Why IT support matters

With the right IT support, you can focus on what you do best: running your business. Unsurprisingly, then, there’s a growing trend towards adopting IT services across various industries. In a recent study, 37 percent of SMBs surveyed already outsource their IT support, and more than half of SMBs plan on outsourcing further services in the future. 

What’s more, by partnering with an IT support provider, you no longer need to worry about employing an in-house IT team. You can direct all your IT queries to your support provider, saving you time, resources, and expenses. 

5 things to expect from your IT support provider

For many SMBs, there are two issues: identifying if they need IT support and actually choosing the right provider. So, to help you decide if IT support is right for you, here are five key services you can expect from a good IT provider or helpdesk.

1: Live answer support

A great IT services provider should have a live-answer helpdesk available to support your business immediately – ready for you to call as soon as you have an issue. They should be able to monitor your network, upgrade your infrastructure, or address system vulnerabilities as soon as possible.

2: Responsiveness and communication

Your IT support provider should outline their estimated response times and stick to them. And, since some IT issues take a while to fix, they should remain in contact with you every step of the way and be ready to answer your questions if you have any. If your support provider makes you feel like you can’t ask questions, they’re not the right support team for you.

3: Network security support

Network security monitoring is critical. With a reliable IT support provider, you can relax knowing that they’re monitoring your network and IT infrastructure, all while keeping your data safe from costly data breaches. 

4: Knowledgeable staff

The best IT support company understands your industry and the unique challenges your company faces. And remember, by outsourcing your IT needs to an offsite helpdesk, you don’t just benefit from their IT expertise. You also gain access to their advanced IT infrastructure without increasing your own capital expenses. 

5: Customized support options

For 87 percent of SMBs, cost-cutting is a key factor driving IT outsourcing. IT support providers offer customized support packages tailor-made to your own needs, meaning you only pay for the precise services you need when you need them. You can scale your package, too, meaning you can cost-effectively increase your IT support as your company grows.

Choose the right one

A great IT provider or IT helpdesk offers you the right amount of support you need, exactly when you need it. You should only pay for the services you require, and you should know you can rely on your support provider to increase your uptime, protect your IT infrastructure from cyber attack, and streamline your operations. For more information on IT support and helpdesk services, contact us today.