IT stands for information technology, and broadly it means the use of computational devices to transmit, store, and/or manipulate data and information. In a more casual sense, IT is often used to refer to anything related to computers in the workplace. It’s important to note that because of this casual use when you’re speaking to team members about IT, it’s usually a good idea to get clear on what they mean by the term.
The following will explore some of the reasons you might want to hire an IT support service. There are several things that people don’t often think about until they find themselves with a massive tech problem on their hands.
Jobs Are Increasingly Specialized
Once upon a time, people had a pretty good grasp on all areas of the business they worked in. The guy who made the chair knew how to choose the best trees, cut them down, hew them, construct the chair, and deliver it in a way that it didn’t get messed up. Today, our jobs are getting more and more complicated (sometimes by the minute, it seems), and we find ourselves focusing and specializing more intensely because so much needs to be understood for each step of the process.
Because of this trend, more often than not, the person working on the computer or saving data into the cloud storage system doesn’t have a deep and thorough understanding of the computer or the coding behind the programs she’s using. It took four-plus years of study for her to have the knowledge necessary for her primary position—she didn’t also learn how to build a computer at that time.
Because of this specialization and lack of technological knowledge (coupled with a dependency on this technology for most jobs) means that many businesses need to contact IT professionals when something with their computers goes awry. Simply put, rarely does someone on-site know how to fix the technical problem, and in the few situations where they do, it takes them longer than it would take a professional, and the company is losing precious work time.
Incorporating New Technologies
In addition to helping you fix the things that aren’t working, IT support services can also help you include new technologies into your workflow.
You might be wanting to make the leap to cloud storage, for example, but have no idea how to transfer everything and what sort of package you need, or what type of security. Furthermore, managed IT services can help you filter through all the new options, determine which products or services could help your business, and set up the new systems, including sorting out new office cabling, installing new software, as well as downloading and uploading the things you need to make the best use of your new tech. They can also help with relocating networks, workstations, servers, and other devices.
Addressing Security Concerns
No matter how big or small your business, how many staff members you have or don’t have, and how many clients you work with, if you’re using the internet or computers for your work, you need to be thinking about data security. Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common, typically targeting valuable personal data belonging to businesses, clients, or employees—something you think isn’t worth anything to a hacker might be worth millions if it’s coupled with other stolen data. As people begin to wake up to the reality of cybercrime, more employees and customers are going to be wary of where their personal information is going.
Even giving out an email address for a discount could end up producing trouble later on down the road. An IT management service can audit the tech you’re currently using, the tech you want to incorporate, and how you and your staff work with devices to find areas that are in drastic need of improvement to help keep everyone safe. If you’re collecting any information about other people, phone numbers, addresses, purchasing histories, etc., it is your responsibility to make sure that you’re protecting this information.
Financial Benefits
It might seem strange to suggest that you’d save money by hiring an IT support team, but more often than not, this is how it works out. If you have someone you can call the moment things go wrong; you can bet that issues will be resolved faster and less working time will be wasted. As well, hiring a team or individual for a flat rate can end up costing you a lot less in the long run than hiring someone each time an issue pops up—flat fees work out to far less per hour or per day than one-off fees. As a rule of thumb, you should hire people who have taken different IT courses to ensure their effectiveness in addressing IT problems.
The above information has hopefully opened your eyes to the potential benefits of hiring IT support for your business. Of course, every industry is different, and so their technical needs vary. When searching for IT management services, it’s a good idea to ask what type of technologies they have worked on within the past and select someone who has experience in your industry.
