As technology continues to change, many businesses are finding it worthwhile to outsource their IT services. It’s important to choose the right IT company for your specific needs, short and long-term goals, and budget. By now, you may have experienced downtime, unexpected connectivity issues, or diminished employee performance due to the lack of quality IT support. Now it’s time to hire a professional. Several factors must be considered when deciding on an IT service provider, so we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips to assist you in the decision-making process.
1. Quick Response Times
For any business, time is the most valuable resource. When it comes to getting IT services, you’ll want to look for a company that delivers quick response times. If you hire an IT company and they can’t address and solve issues promptly, it will be hard for your employees to stay productive. Ask them how long it takes for them to respond to a request. For example, if a computer crashes or a threat is detected, how quickly can someone fix the problem without it significantly impacting daily operations?
2. Team of Certified IT Professionals
Modern IT business environments require expertise in cyber security, network management, cloud computing, system administration, etc. You must choose a company that has enough qualified experts with varying specialties to handle whatever may come their way. This will prevent you from wasting time and money on a company that isn’t trained to deal with the full scope of IT issues. Ask about certifications and ongoing education – providing that their teams are highly trained, you shouldn’t have a problem working with them.Â
3. Repairs and Advising
You may think that an IT company is solely responsible for repairs, however, many of them also offer advising services for small businesses that don’t have an internal IT department. It’s best to find a company that provides both repairs and advising. This way, you’ll be better prepared when implementing new technology in the future. The IT company should inform your employees about how they can deal with minor issues, and recommend the best tools and equipment for what you’re trying to accomplish.
4. Industry-Specific Knowledge
When you work with an IT provider that knows the ins and outs of your industry, you’ll notice a huge difference in the delivery of service. You should hire a company that knows your industry’s compliance regulations, the common issues you face, how you make money, and what types of technology can work to your advantage. For example, if you’re in the DOD supply chain, you need an IT provider with a deep understanding of NIST and CMMC compliance standards. Find out if they service any other companies in your industry to determine if they will be comfortable handling any problem you might have.
5. 24/7 Availability
No matter what kind of business you run, having an IT support team that’s available 24/7 is crucial. This is especially important for businesses that operate at all hours of the day because a technology problem can arise at any moment. You need someone that can monitor your network 24/7 to ensure things are working properly.
6. High Security
One of the core services that a managed IT company should provide all its clients is cyber security. From the very beginning, you should notice a major shift in the way your network, systems, and applications can be accessed. A good IT company will implement stronger passwords, multi-factor authentication for logins, firewalls, AV software, and more. They’ll also help you safeguard your sensitive documents, files, and other information using access and identity management. With higher security, it’ll be much harder for someone to breach your company’s data.
7. Good Reputation
A good reputation goes a long way. If you want the best IT services, you need to hire a company with a proven track record of success. The more experience an IT company has in providing a specific service, the better equipped they are to deliver that service to your business. Check online customer reviews or ask the company for references so that you can reach out to their previous clients. Find out about what services the IT company offered and how much the client paid so you can determine whether they’ll fit your budget.
8. Documented Onboarding Process
Relationships can be tough to navigate, particularly in the beginning stages. There will be a learning curve as you and your new IT company get to know each other. Ideally, they should have a documented onboarding process to quickly get the information needed to effectively support your organization. You should also discuss your immediate IT support needs upfront with your provider and ask about their plan to address them. Knowing the onboarding process and timeline beforehand will help you set clear goals and expectations moving forward.
Leading IT Support at Mindcore
Mindcore proudly works with companies in New Jersey and Florida to provide a wide range of managed IT and consulting services, from cyber security to cloud migration. After conducting a thorough assessment of your current IT infrastructure, our team will work closely with you to create a customized solution that best suits your organization’s unique needs. Contact us for more information or schedule a consultation with one of our highly skilled IT specialists today!
