All over the world markets, shopping centers, and public areas are gradually re-opening, with routine life slowly returning to normalcy. After a period of strict lockdowns, businesses are also re-starting their operations – however, most aren’t functioning quite in the same way as they were before the lockdown.
Many businesses must now operate almost entirely – or completely — virtually, and many office jobs have become full-time remote working jobs. For the majority of small business owners, implementing digital solutions is a big step into unchartered territory. In order to employ them efficiently in their business, it would be worthwhile to consider utilizing the assistance of an experienced IT support team.
How to Select the Best IT Support for Your Startup Company | Computers In The City is a useful guide with information on how to go about finding the right IT support team for startups.
Today, employers are not only looking for people who can work, but for people who have a specialized set of skills that can be useful to their organization and improve business performance. After the Covid-19 crisis, the majority of people who have been successful in keeping their jobs are those who have a set of skills which are critical for the organization they are a part of.
On the other hand, people who have jobs that can be performed remotely have been able to shift their work from their office to their home, and have ultimately been saved from unemployment. The average office employee who performs less important and often easy-to-learn tasks has unfortunately either 1) been replaced with technology or 2) the employer has devised a method to make do without that position in the hierarchy.
The current situation has forced many business owners to review different solutions to get their tasks done, and outsourcing in particular has gained a lot of attention. Other than the fact that outsourced work is delivered remotely, there are other benefits to delegating work in this manner. These make it very possible that outsourcing will be used more frequently by small business owners in the future.
Furthermore, the majority of today’s global workforce consists of millennials. This generation prefers digital work, as it gives them the freedom to work from wherever they want to without being confined to an office, plus they’re able to choose what their work routine will look like.
This generation is different in that they cannot be managed like previous generations, and they work better when dealt with in a manner that accommodates their unique traits. The millennial generation has grown up using technology and digital devices, and they are the best choice for employers who will use a digital infrastructure to run their business.
With the right employees and the right IT support team, businesses will have no problem coping with this digital transition and will be in a position to enjoy continued growth and development of their business.
Price
This is often a very important factor for business owners when choosing an IT support provider; however, it shouldn’t be the only consideration. IT support services can be customized and tailored according to business needs, and costs will vary according to the services rendered. Some service providers have a fixed monthly subscription with fixed offered services. Others have an hourly rate and, in some cases, they may also have ad-hoc charges for out-of-the-ordinary problems. IT support services also vary depending on the IT system in place, and it is a good idea to discuss pricing for the kind of support that might be needed considering future business expansion.
Location
Having an IT support provider located in the same city as you can come in handy when on-site support is required for the initial setup phase, hardware-related problems, or hands-on training. A system breakdown could mean that a virtual connection isn’t possible and physical assistance is the only way to get things running again. Businesses with multiple outlets can have physical IT support for the main data center and virtual support for branches. A locally based IT support provider is also aware of the local physical situation of a business, and can create catered solutions that are easy to implement.
Nature of Support
Most IT support providers only come in to play when the client is facing a difficulty or equipment has malfunctioned. Some companies are more proactive in their approach and are always monitoring the client’s system to look for discrepancies so they can manage the situation before it causes a breakdown. It’s also important to evaluate how easy it is to get in touch with the IT support provider, what kind of communication channels they offer, and whether or not they have 24-hour availability. Getting better support availability is well worth the money in a time of crisis.
Expertise
Some IT support providers offer an entire range of support services, whereas others are specialists for particular niches such as hardware support or network support. Similarly, some IT support teams are focused on a specific industry and only cater to clients from that industry, whereas others cater to all types of clients.
These specialist teams can be costlier, but they are more knowledgeable about their line of work and can provide tailored services. For small businesses and startups, a more generalized support provider can be a better option, as their support requirements often aren’t that complex and a general support provider can cover all their needs.
Field Of Work
Some support providers work with certain developers and can only manage systems that are based on a particular technology. These companies don’t provide support for custom made software and may not be able to manage a system that falls outside of their field of work. Therefore, it’s best to go with a support provider who has a history of working with similar platforms and applications.
Conclusion
When looking for an external IT support team for your SME, the top five features you should consider are how much each service or provider will cost, the location of the company in relation to your business, the nature of the support offered, the company’s expertise, and if they specialize in a particular field of work. Once these are determined, you’ll be able to choose the best IT support team for your SME.