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Small Business IT Services & Support | Technowand
October 9, 2020
Your business is growing and you need proper IT support. But at what cost? Here is exactly what you need to know about the decision-making process behind outsourcing your IT support. Cost is the area that most business owners focus upon – but should it be? What else is at stake and how could an IT support investment impact your bottom line? Weighing up the pros and cons when it comes to securing an IT support service can be daunting so it is important to understand what’s on the table before you proceed.
Whether you are looking for inhouse IT support or an outsourced managed services model, there are a number of choices available for your business. It truly is a case of selecting the best option that is tailor made for your requirements. It is imperative that you take some time to weigh up the pros and cons that are presented to you and don’t merely focus on cost. Choosing a cheaper option might save you some pennies in the short term, but it could end up costing your business a lot more in the long run.
Are you running a Small Business? Read about how the right IT Services can help you here.
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Why Do You Need IT Support?
You must, first and foremost, protect your business. Whether you are a relative newcomer or a seasoned professional, your IT security, data and systems should be of the utmost importance when it comes to protection. IT Support is vital in terms of protecting what is most important – your data and your IT systems. Your people, your intellectual property and your privacy are paramount.
Professional IT support, regardless of cost, will save you time, money, and the stress that comes with an unprotected system. Having professional support staff on hand who have ‘been there and done that’ when it comes to any issues relating to running IT support across a variety of businesses is a safeguard against threats and a guarantee of the protection of everything you value.
What types of IT support can you choose from?
There are several ways you can approach your IT support from the perspectives of both cost and potential benefits to your business.
Inhouse Self-Managed IT Support
This will involve you hiring someone ‘inhouse’ to secure your systems and proactively manage and protect your data. The benefit here is that you’ll have an expert on site but you’ll also have to factor in the cost of a yearly pay rate (which can vary). You’ll need to hire a professional, which could really blow out your budget when it comes to the cost of IT support for your business.
That is not to say that inhouse IT support is without its charms. You’ll have the benefit of having a constant support officer in place who can put out fires whenever it’s required and engage in proactive monitoring and management. It is just that you’ll need to take into consideration the cost of that inhouse day-to-day, year round support when it comes to your bottom line.
Remote Managed IT Support
This may be a more cost-effective solution than hiring a new employee specifically to provide IT support. Technicians can come to your location, provide backup and support, and assess your needs (rather than creating a “one size fits all” solution), ensuring that the service you receive is perfectly suited to your needs. Outsourcing your IT support means dealing with a professional company that has seen it all, which is an advantage over having just one person focus their efforts on protecting and securing your systems.
The cost of managed IT support will also include a ‘on call’ remote monitoring system, which means you will have support available as needed around the clock. This will protect against attacks and possible data loss. You will be replacing that yearly wage with month-to-month fees that reflect how your business is moving and changing. This means no’surprise’ invoices while also reaping the benefits of reduced downtime and increased productivity. Your managed IT support provider will be knowledgeable about desktop needs, as well as any emergency action plans that need to be put in place, and will be able to work with your staff to improve their own online safety.
Your managed services IT support team will bring a wealth of knowledge and skills that can remotely service your workplace. This includes familiarity with systems, cloud management, hardware expertise, network security know-how, infrastructure management and a solid understanding of software applications. They will also be able to provide you with a variety of other services such as email marketing and social media management. There is untapped business potential here!
Read a detailed article on the three models of IT Support here.
We would love to help you decide what’s best for you. Get in touch
Outsourcing Your IT Support – Cost and Other Factors
Cost is a consideration that any astute business owner must consider before making a decision. IT support costs, especially ongoing professional assistance and management, must be viewed as a means to an end. Investing in appropriate IT support simplifies the complex day-to-day organisation of systems and data management. Imagine the time (and stress) that you put into your self-managed business IT support as it currently stands. Now imagine the ways that those efforts could be better spent on growing your business.
It is of vital importance to have preventative plans in place for any business. Imagine, for a moment, that your system becomes compromised. The loss of data, corrupted systems and potential downtime would have a catastrophic impact on your bottom line. Choosing the right IT support for you, regardless of cost, will mean that you can sleep safe in the knowledge that your systems are in safe hands. And that is what we mean when we talk ‘cost’. Monthly managed IT support plans will ensure your needs are met.
Find out what Managed IT Services we offer here.
Please get in touch if you would like to talk to us about any of our services.
Don’t just take our word for it have a read of some other great articles about Managed IT Services:
5 Reasons To Make The Move To Managed Services – MSP Insights
The Magic of Moving to Managed Services – Bright Ideas
Managed Service Provider (MSP) – TechTarget
How To Determine If Managed IT Services Are Right For Your Business – Forbes
Eddie Vedder
Eddie looks after marketing campaigns for Ironclad. In his pre-tech life, he worked as a journalist on the San Francisco Peninsula. Off hours, he dreams of England.