With so many IT Support companies out there, it can be tricky to decide which one will best suit your business needs. From different packages and skill-sets to service level agreements and industry accreditations, there are many things that may be top of your consideration list.
At Net Technical Solutions, we believe that there are a number of key things you should consider when making your choice:
- Dedicated account managers
Perhaps one of the most important things to think about is whether you will have a dedicated account manager that is contactable 24/7. You should have one or two main points of contact who know your business and your plans and work with you to ensure your IT infrastructure accommodates those. There is nothing more annoying than having a problem with your IT systems, only to be passed from pillar to post for hours on end. Having an account manager on hand that you know and trust can go a long way in resolving issues quickly and without fuss, resulting in less downtime and lost profit.
- Testimonials and case studies
A company can say virtually anything that they like, but having testimonials and case studies to back up their claims is a great way of verifying if what they say is true. Ask if you can have a couple of references that may give you more confidence and trust.
- Different levels of support
When choosing your IT provider, you want to work with someone that understands your business and offers appropriate support. It may be that you need to completely outsource your IT department, or just need some on-call support. Whatever it is, your IT provider should be able to accommodate your needs and come up with a bespoke plan, rather than trying to sell you services that you don’t need.
- Good relationships with other IT companies
Your IT provider should have positive relationships with other professional IT companies that specialise in related fields, like telecoms, web design and cabling. They can liaise with relevant service providers like BT and manage those relationships on an ongoing basis. In addition, it is better if they are honest when they cannot do something – and that they point you in the direction of a trusted partner that can.
- A clear support proposal and contract
While it might be tempting to just go with the cheapest quote, we always encourage people to look at a support proposal or contract in close detail. It is important to know what type of support is and is not included, and how you are going to be billed for support activity. When IT providers are not clear in their terms, for example by not outlining that some levels of service are not included in the service level agreement, complicated disputes can arise.
At Net Technical Solutions, we can work with you to offer you a bespoke IT Support plan that fits your companies needs and aligns with your budget. If you wish to find out more about procuring IT Support and the options available, we have produced a comprehensive and impartial IT Support Buyers Guide available on request from one of our Account Managers on 01252 235 235 or sales@ntsols.com.
