Businesses today need technology. In today’s digital age, it plays an essential role in any organisation, big or small. Technology is often one of the most significant investments a business will make, so ensuring it’s taken care of properly is essential.
This is where professional IT support comes in. If your technology fails, the effects on your business can be catastrophic, affecting your company’s internal operations and day-to-day running. IT support service is important as it takes into consideration prevention and compliance, as well as managing issues with computers and internal systems when they arise.
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the issues small businesses can face with poor IT. For many, moving to remote working was easy; they had the technology and plans in place. But for others, it was almost impossible and has even caused some companies to go out of business.
In this article, we will talk about some of the benefits, the reasons professional IT support is vital to your business and How IT support works. Let’s take a closer look.
Protection Against Cyber Crime.
Whilst attacks on large companies such as Boots and Facebook make the news, the latest Government Security Breaches Survey found that a third of businesses (31%) and a quarter of charities (26%) report having cyber security breaches or attacks in the last 12 months.
You may have anti-virus software and a certain amount of knowledge. But do you know how to detect and avoid the full spectrum of malware and viruses? An IT support team can help defend your company’s data landscape and IT infrastructure against digital threats as it becomes increasingly important in preventing cybercrime.
Effective Solutions to Tricky Problems.
You might know how to work your company’s systems. But if something goes badly wrong, do you know what to do? (turning it off and back on again doesn’t always work!) How long can you afford to be without your systems before it starts to affect your customer satisfaction and your business long-term?
In 2021, internet downtime was estimated to cost UK businesses £11bn. Yet, technical support over the phone can fix most connectivity problems quickly. Many issues even be prevented before they occur with proactive monitoring and an effective data management strategy.
Even if you are using software that comes with customer support services, it can help to have a dedicated IT Support team on hand. They may be able to fix the issue for you quickly and efficiently rather than wait for your software provider’s IT team to pick up the phone.
A professional IT team can analyse most technical troubles and deliver highly skilled solutions.
Data Storage, Management and Security.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force in May 2018, a major tightening of UK data protection regulations.
Undoubtedly, the most significant change was an increase in how regulators can fine companies that do not comply with the legislation. Fines can be up to 4% of their global turnover or 20m euros (£15.8m), whichever is greater. The biggest fines issued under GDPR so far in the UK went to British Airways (£20m) and Marriot International (£18.4m). But SMEs have been fined significant sums too.
The charitable organisation The Bible Society, with a turnover of approximately half a million, was also fined £100,000. It stored personal data on an insufficiently secure internal network and was deemed by the ICO to grant inappropriate remote access rights, as it was accessible via an ‘easy-to-guess’ password. The Bible Society is not the only charity with hefty fines for data breaches. The RSPCA has been fined £25,000 and the British Heart Foundation £18,000.
Life at Parliament View Ltd, a London-based Estate Agent, was fined £80,000 for exposing 18,610 customers’ personal data for almost two years.
So, it’s time to start taking data protection very seriously.
An IT Support system’s role is to ensure your valuable data is stored in a secure environment. They make sure it is easily accessible but only to the people that are allowed to view it.
Without the support of a software provider’s support team or in-house, you could end up storing data in a vulnerable location and have data storage and management issues or give access to somebody without the right permissions. This can be a big issue concerning data protection and affects your brand reputation.
What To Look For in Great IT Support Services
Follow these tips to ensure you end up with reliable and competent individuals who can help transform the business needs of your IT team.
Responsiveness –
When you’re reliant on a system and it goes wrong, you need it fixed quickly. Look for a service that gives you a guaranteed response time and several ways to make contact. If your internet is down, you don’t want a provider who’s only contactable by email or online chat!
Cost –
Cost shouldn’t be your top priority, but your budget will play a part. Get more than one quote and meet with someone from the IT department. We’d recommend visiting the provider so that way you can meet the people who will be looking after you. Not just the Salesperson.
Make sure the quotes all include the same things. If the price is very low, you might have to pay extra for additional services, such as onsite support. You can save money by looking out for providers who add many extra services you don’t need or understand.
Knowledge –
Ask the provider to show you what qualifies them to keep your computer systems well running. Look for experience and ask about engineers’ qualifications and continuing professional development. The world of IT is constantly changing. Do they have a reliable and competent team that stays up to date?
Flexibility –
It should be easy to alter your contract—things in business change. Look for an IT support provider that can change with you. Long contracts often mean inflexibility; if the service is up to scratch, they will be confident you’ll keep using them.
Your IT systems are vital to your business; ensure you get the right support and resources to look after them.
Any Questions?
Our MD has been in the business world for over a decade and in IT for much longer. (Though he might not like us saying that last bit!)
If you’d like a chat with him about IT, cyber security or how we might be able to help your business, then please book some time in his diary.
Importance of IT Support FAQs:
Here are a few of the most common questions we get asked about the importance of IT support services by service companies, alongside our answers.
What is the purpose of IT services and support?
IT support services exist to ensure that businesses can get the most out of their technology. These teams help businesses avoid costly downtime and disruptions by keeping systems running smoothly and efficiently. In today’s competitive environment, a business cannot afford to have its technology systems down for even a short period of time. This is where an IT team comes in. These teams are responsible for keeping businesses’ technology systems up and running by providing support and maintenance and troubleshooting any issues that may arise. In addition, they also work to improve and update systems on a regular basis, ensuring that they are always up-to-date.
Why does a company need an IT support provider?
Simply put, a company needs IT support services to keep its technology running smoothly. Technology is becoming increasingly integral to the smooth operation of businesses, and IT support helps ensure that everything stays up and running. There are many moving parts when it comes to technology, which helps keep all of those parts working together harmoniously. If one piece of the technology puzzle isn’t working correctly, it can throw everything else off balance. IT support helps prevent these kinds of problems, keeps businesses’ operations running smoothly, and ensures improved customer support in times of technical difficulty.
How Do I Choose a Reliable and Competent IT Support Team
Anybody can set themselves up offering IT support services in Leicester and across the Midlands. However, you can look for some things to ensure you’re choosing a reputable provider. Look at who they partner with and are accredited by; Microsoft doesn’t just partner with anyone, for example!
Also, look for a cyber security accreditation such as Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO27001. Other good indicators are lots of reviews on the website and Google – check if these are from businesses, not just individuals. Some businesses get lots of reviews from friends and family to boost their Google rating.
Carry out accurate market research, and you’ll find an outsourced IT support team that will help increase productivity through more streamlined operations and security measures that protect your important data from online threats and help you reach your business goals.
Related Article: Why Outsource IT Support?