How to Pick an IT Support Provider: Everything You Need to Know
There are currently over 456,900 IT consulting companies in the US. As the industry continues to grow, you could find it more difficult to find an IT provider for your company. Learning how to pick an IT support provider shouldn’t feel stressful.
Instead, use these simple tips to streamline the process. With these tips, you can choose a provider based on your needs.
Finding a company that can support your business long-term will ensure your company’s growth. Read on to review your options for IT companies today.
Before using the rest of these tips, take a moment to outline your needs and expectations.
First, consider where you’ve experienced bottlenecks in your operations. Talk to your department heads to determine where they’ve experienced problems, too.
For example, you might need to upgrade your security services or move your team over to cloud computing.
Then, make a list of the IT services you’ll need to improve your operations and infrastructure. If you’re unsure of what support you need, consider requesting IT support from Integrisit. They can help you develop a customized plan based on your needs and goals.
Request References and Reviews
Build a list of reliable IT companies by gathering references from other business owners in your professional network. You can also begin your search online to build a list. Once you have a few options for IT companies to choose from, look for online reviews.
Reading online reviews can help you find a reputable, reliable company.
Look for any comments about response times. You don’t want to wait hours for the IT help you need. Instead, find a company that has a glowing reputation from a number of clients.
These companies will want to keep their well-earned reputations by offering the best possible services to every client.
Look for Years of Experience
Determine how long each IT provider on your list has provided services. Look for a company that has years of experience in the industry. If you need help with a specific service, consider how long they’ve offered that service as well.
Finding an IT company with the experience you need can help you feel more confident in your choice.
If you need a range of services, ask the company if you’ll work with specific technicians based on your needs.
Explore Services
Determine what IT services each company offers. Make sure their services align with your goals.
For example, you might need:
Comprehensive IT services
Managed IT services
Cybersecurity
IT consulting
Cloud services
Network services
Audiovisual services
Physical security systems
Look for a company that offers all the services you need in the same place. Otherwise, you might need to split your IT needs between providers.
Consider Their Process
Learn as much as you can about the company’s ticketing process.
For example, will you submit a support ticket using an online booking system, via email, or after calling the company? Determine if you’ll work with a dedicated technician each time, too. Working with the same person for each support ticket might simplify the process.
You won’t have to discuss the problems you experienced in the past. The technician won’t have to take time to learn about your system, either.
Developing a long-term relationship with a dedicated technician could give you peace of mind. You can feel confident knowing exactly who to call and that they were able to help in the past.
Ask the company about their plans to help your business long-term as well. First, the company should take the time to learn about your needs and goals. Next, they should determine where you’re experiencing bottlenecks with your current infrastructure.
Then, they should use a proactive approach to remove those bottlenecks before you continue experiencing problems. A proactive company will save you time, money, and stress in the future.
Otherwise, you might continue following the break-fix model, waiting for problems to arise before making an effort to fix the problem. Each time something breaks down, productivity will drop as you try to find a solution. Your employees and customers might get frustrated each time there’s an outage.
A proactive approach can benefit your team’s productivity, brand reputation, and ROI. You can boost productivity and your output to generate more sales.
If the company doesn’t consider your goals or fails to take a proactive approach, keep searching.
Compare Prices
Ask more than one IT support company for an itemized list of all their services (even the services you don’t currently need). Get quotes from three different companies on your list. Comparing IT support costs between companies can help you identify the industry average.
If one company’s pricing is extremely higher than the rest, consider it a red flag.
If the company’s pricing is much lower, it’s possible the company is desperate for clients.
Don’t choose an IT provider based solely on the quotes you receive. Instead, review your notes. Choose a company that’s capable of meeting your needs and accomplishing your goals.
If the company doesn’t meet your specifications, you’ll waste time and money. Choosing a company that can meet your goals will benefit your company and ROI long-term.
Pick an IT Support Provider for Your Company Today
Don’t choose the first IT company you encounter online. Instead, pick an IT support provider using these tips. Using these tips will help you find a reliable, experienced company with the services you need.
With their help, you can ensure your company’s growth for years to come.
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