Regardless of size, businesses today require technology to store data that needs to be maintained, connected and protected. With so much that needs to be covered, more companies are moving away from traditional in-house provision to outsourcing their IT support. This has a number of benefits, particularly for small business, including helping to reduce running costs and allowing a tailored approach that fits perfectly with current needs.

Types of IT Support

The type of support a business requires will vary depending on size, industry and systems used. When selecting your service plan, an IT provider will combine various types of support to suit your organisations’ needs. The plan will change as the company grows.

  • Email and phone support – Available as standard on most service plans during working business hours. In most cases 90% of issues can be resolved remotely. For more complex problems, an engineer will visit you on site.
  • Central IT Management – Key to effective IT support for small business is central management where all your devices are connected and managed from one central computer. This enables you to access all the computing power you need and effectively handle any problems that arise. Your IT support company will generally be able to deal with issues remotely using central management, saving time and money
  • Cloud Email – More of us nowadays are using the cloud to increase productivity and work away from our desks while still staying connected. Cloud email management can be handled effectively for any small business through a good IT support partner who can also provide protection for accounts and passwords.
  • Windows Desktop and Server Support – If you operate a Microsoft Windows desktop your IT partner can assist with updates to ensure they install properly.
  • Business Continuity – All businesses need to have a good back up and disaster recovery process in place in case of a network failure, ensuring systems are restored quickly and reducing potential downtime.
  • Virus Protection – Essential for all businesses and you will probably already have antivirus software installed. A good IT support system goes a good step further, monitoring for new viruses and dealing with them quickly as well as making sure all systems are protected.
  • Security – Your IT partner will be on top of all of your security needs, including putting in place software permissions and making sure that valuable data is protected from theft and loss.
  • Hardware Repair – In the unlikely event that a hardware problem occurs, your IT company can also provide hardware support, sending out specialist technicians to undertake any repairs.