An IT Support Contract is an agreement between you (the client) and a managed service provider (MSP). An MSP provides technical support or other IT related services such as cloud data backup for an agreed monthly fee. Most IT support companies will charge for a set amount of support hours which will be depleted as your IT issues are logged and resolved. SysFix IT Support Ltd as an example provides unlimited IT support for a fixed monthly fee. Taking the advice of an IT professional as either a new start-up business or as a well-established company can save you lots of headaches and ill-advised purchases which in turn can lead to costly mistakes and serious problems later down the line.
Why Do I Need An IT Support Contract?
Information technology is the backbone of any business and without it, most businesses simply cannot function. The most important aspect for many businesses is that their IT systems simply work. It’s hard to imagine life without technology and when things don’t quite work as they should, processes start to fail and this, in turn, will lead to a negative impact on your business.
Many business owners simply fail to recognise the importance of backing up their data, maintaining system updates and applying security patches, after all, IT support is an expense which can sometimes be seen with little or no return on investment.
However, with that said, poorly maintained systems and a lack of investment in IT security can be disastrous, leaving your business a prime target. It seems quite a bold statement to make but considering that most businesses fail shortly after experiencing data loss, it’s an area that should not be overlooked. Cybercrime is big news at the moment and as internet-based criminal activity increases, so does the risk to your business. Some IT maintenance agreements will incorporate managed antivirus and network security as part of their service offering which takes away some of the potential risks.
IT Support For New Start-Up Businesses
Instead of tackling your own IT issues, outsourcing allows you to concentrate on growing your business. At this critical stage, it’s important to focus your valuable time on obtaining new clients, projects or products. Launching your business with inadequate IT infrastructure and support will hinder your businesses growth, after all, where are we without technology these days.
IT companies also assist with purchasing the right equipment that can scale to your businesses needs. Most start-ups would find it extremely difficult to gain their customers trust if they’re constantly battling with IT issues. How many of us have been on a call only to hear “sorry my computer has frozen, I need to reboot, Sorry about this. Sorry, it’s taking a while… Nearly there…” or similar.
When purchasing IT equipment, it needs to be fit for purpose. It’s all too easy to be bamboozled by those bank holiday specials on new computers selling for less that £300, but are these really a good investment? Will they be obsolete in a years time or have they been sat in the retailer’s warehouse for the last 3 years. Your IT provider will take care of IT procurement and ensure that based on the needs of your business and your available budget, the right equipment is purchased.
IT Support for Established Businesses
Established businesses may already have their own in-house IT support function but often find that it’s more cost-effective to outsource this aspect of their business to a managed service provider. Businesses looking for a more flexible, cost-effective IT solution often find that they gain not only cost advantages but an increased technical skillset, less internal administration and a greater level of service.
A small business that employs its own in-house IT staff does have the advantage of internal company knowledge and structure but would lack the greater technical knowledge and expertise of an outsourced IT team. An MSP generally has a wider skill set incomparable to an internal team as they deal with many clients with varying infrastructure on a daily basis, have the budgets for regular IT training and often their staff has a passion for all things tech.
