Information technology (IT) has become crucial in every organization, with many business transactions relying on technology. You can hire an in-house IT team to look after your technology infrastructure. However, IT can be a broad area of operation and can overwhelm the team. Additionally, there are various branches of IT in which your in-house team may not specialize in.
Even though you can hire more team members, it can only increase your salaries and benefits costs further. Thus, getting an IT support provider can be a good option. An IT support provider reduces your in-house team’s workload. Additionally, outsourcing some of your IT services can help increase productivity and translate to cost savings.
It would be necessary to do a thorough vetting to ensure you get the right IT support provider. The factors enumerated below can help you find the best one to hire for your small business.
Table of Contents
Industry Knowledge And Experience
Each industry has its software and hardware requirements to help run smooth operations. Therefore, it’d be best if the IT support provider knows about your business’s software and hardware needs. Furthermore, the provider should have a track record of working in the same industry you’re in.
Knowledge and experience in the industry can be fundamental to proactively recommending software and hardware upgrades for your business. Such a move is essential to help you stay abreast of technological advances within your line of operation, thus, putting you in line with or ahead of your competition.
In addition, an IT service provider in your industry would understand the requirements and regulations you’re required to meet as a business. For instance, if you’re in the health sector, the IT support provider should know about compliance with the health insurance portability and accountability act (HIPAA). Knowledge of other regulations, such as payment card industry data security standards (PCI-DSS), is also vital.
Reputation And Reviews
Some IT support providers can boast of vast experience and excellent service provision. However, they should back this up with feedback from past and present clients. Therefore, requesting contacts with whom you can perform a reference check won’t hurt. Additionally, you can go through their website and other review sites to see feedback from their customers.
Furthermore, check how long the company has been in the market and if they have achievements and certifications to go with it. Other background checks can include aspects such as compliance with regulations and licenses.
Support System
Technology is a complicated infrastructure that can malfunction at any moment. It would, therefore, be crucial if the IT support provider is available for necessary support on a 24-hour basis. Check if they have a dedicated emergency line and team.
The support system available is also vital. Some issues may require the physical presence of the support team, while others might need remote troubleshooting. Whichever the case, the provider should adequately handle both. For instance, if you want the team on your premises, it’d be best to know the provider’s response time. The faster it takes, the better.
Additionally, inquire if you’ll have a dedicated account manager for your contacts with the IT support provider. Getting an account manager can mean that the provider is keen on building a close relationship with you, as well as on understanding your goals and needs.
It’d also help if the support provider could offer training sessions to your team. Such sessions can enhance your team’s morale. This would also strengthen their knowledge of various tech sectors necessary to improve their production and cybersecurity awareness.
Location
As mentioned earlier, an IT support provider within your industry can be a great asset. It can be more advantageous if you can also get one within your geographical region.
A provider with knowledge of local laws and regulations is essential. You can continue your operations knowing that you don’t need to follow up and check if your support provider is within the local legal limits.
For instance, you might be in the European Union (EU) region. Thus, it’d be best to hire a a company within this region, who understands the legislation under general data protection regulation (GDPR).
Data Security And Backup
The reliance on technology has also increased the risk of cyber threats. Therefore, protecting your data is essential. This is a factor that the IT support provider should be able to prioritize. You can inquire about such steps as firewall provision and network monitoring procedures and solutions.
Additionally, the provider should have data backup plans and have frequent backup uploads. It’d also help if the provider offers off-site and cloud backup solutions. Other security features, such as multi-factor authentication and data encryption protocols, should also come into play.
Conclusion
While there are a lot of companies that can provide you with the IT support you need, not all of them can perfectly cater to your business’s requirements. The above factors can help you streamline your selection process and find the right IT support provider for your small business.
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