How Do You Choose a Managed IT Service?
Most small and medium-sized businesses have a very modest IT team that might only comprise 1-3 people. This can create a lot of challenges. For example, your employees might not be experts in every field related to technology. What’s more, your customers might have to wait for a reply if they have a question out-of-hours. A way around this problem is to hire managed IT services.
A managed IT department is external, so it comes at the fraction of the cost of an in-house team. Since there are various companies out there, you’ll have to select the best provider. So, how can you make sure that your chosen IT specialists are a good fit for your business? In today’s post, we will have a closer look at the factors you should consider when outsourcing your IT department.
How Do You Choose a Managed IT Service?
In the US, there are many managed IT companies, but not all of them provide the same level of service. To find someone who suits your needs, you’ll have to first browse through the websites online and then book a strategy session with a company that fits your requirements. When speaking to the IT professionals, try to find out how their services are organized, what the monthly cost is, and what kind of cybersecurity features they offer.
Select Someone with Good Customer Service
There are two reasons why good customer service needs to be at the top of your list of priorities when considering an IT service. Firstly, you will have to work together with the IT company on a daily basis, so you need to know that communication will be excellent. You should be able to ask your IT specialists anything, and they should get back to you in a timely manner. Secondly, your managed IT department is likely to have direct contact with your customers.
While you handle the more complex inquiries related to your product or service, the IT company will deal with general or technical queries. To enhance your reputation and keep your customers happy, you need to select an IT company with excellent customer service. Here at Cyber Command, we train all our employees in communication strategies, and we offer a 24/7/365 service.
Have a Look at the Company’s Experience
Another factor to consider is the IT company’s level of experience. Have they worked with firms similar to yours before, and are their current customers satisfied with the level of service provided? Most IT businesses’ websites will have an “Industries” section, where you can find more information about the kinds of companies they collaborate with. Browse this carefully to see whether the IT specialists are able to provide the service you require.
Another way to see whether a company will be able to meet your needs is to check their list of employees. If there are many people with very specialized jobs, it’s likely that the company is doing well and providing a good service. Once you’ve found a suitable IT business, you should speak to the experts directly. Ask them about their level of experience and the credentials of their staff. You could even ask for the contact details of current customers.
Check That the Coverage Is Nationwide
If you currently only work in one state, you might be tempted to go with a company that operates in your area. But this could be a problem later on. Even if you don’t have any plans to expand your business to another part of the country right now, you might change your mind as the business grows. For this reason, you should make sure that your managed IT department is able to cover you, wherever you go.
That way, you won’t have to deal with hiring a new company when you decide to set up offices or branches in a new location. Instead, you’ll simply upgrade your plan and keep working with a good IT team that already knows your business.
Schedule a Session and Speak to the Representatives
When you’re first browsing for a managed IT department, you’ll compare the websites of potential companies. An IT business’s online presence can tell you a lot about them, including what they do, what industries they favor, how comprehensive their service is, and how much experience they have. However, you won’t get the full picture until you speak to them one-on-one.
Once you’ve found a company that seems suitable, request a technology strategy session. During this meeting, your IT experts will analyze your company’s current situation and let you know how they would help you improve your IT solutions, both for your employees and your customers. This meeting won’t cost much, and it will allow you to get to know the people you’ll be working with. That way, you can assess whether they will fit with the rest of your company.
Check That the Price Matches Your Budget
A managed IT department is a great solution for businesses that want to improve and upgrade their tech solutions without breaking the bank. You’ll gain access to professionals who can troubleshoot problems, integrate new ideas, and work with your customers 24/7 without having to open an entire IT department and hire a lot of employees.
Because a managed IT service is mainly used by small and medium-sized businesses, the cost is kept low. During your strategy meeting, you should ask your IT specialists for a quote. That way, you can determine whether the service they offer is good value and whether it fits your current budget.
Ask About the Security of the System
No matter how careful you are, moving your services online always comes with a certain level of risk. There are thousands of cyber criminals out there, and they are developing new ways of hacking into businesses’ computers all the time. For this reason, you should speak to IT experts about cybersecurity before you hire them.
Here at Cyber Command, we provide you with several layers of security, so the risk is minimized. We can install software that blocks malicious attacks, upgrade all your security systems on a regular basis, and generate reports that show us where we still need to put in more effort. Because we have plenty of experience working with various businesses, we know what the weak points are, and we can protect you from dangerous attacks.
Are Managed IT Services Right for You?
Countless companies benefit greatly from a managed IT service. If you have no IT team, or you only have a few employees and you’d like to expand the services you offer, this could be the perfect solution for you. A good IT department can improve your customers’ experience and lead to greater long-term success. It’s also worth remembering that managed IT services are scalable, so you can keep using the same team even if you expand your company.
Your IT Team Is Overwhelmed
Unless you have virtually unlimited financial resources, you have to take measures to keep your business costs low. One of them is hiring only those employees you really need. This usually means that small businesses have one to three IT professionals on staff. As the company grows, this might not be enough. A managed IT department can take pressure off your employees and help you improve your customer service.
You Have No IT Support
While most of the companies we work with have at least one IT expert on staff, we occasionally get requests from businesses that have no technological solutions in place. They might have been too small in the past to hire an extra employee, or they might not have prioritized getting the business online. In this case, hiring outside help is even more important because the company doesn’t have the internal resources to set up a successful IT strategy.
Your Customers Aren’t Getting the Service They Deserve
One of the main reasons why people contact us is because they want to improve the service they provide their customers. Because we can help your customers 24/7/365, they will no longer have to wait. Even if your IT employees are out of the office, your customers will get help immediately. This improves your reputation and gives you an edge over your competition.
You Are Looking to Expand in the Future
Right now, your IT employees might be able to help your customers and your other workers with their questions and concerns. But what happens when your company grows? Will an in-house team still be the best solution? When you hire a managed IT service that provides a nationwide service, you can grow your company without worrying about technological solutions. You can simply adjust your plan to include new offices or branches.
For small and medium-sized businesses that can’t afford to hire a comprehensive IT team, managed IT services are a great solution. When hiring a company, you should consider the customer service, the level of experience, the extent of the coverage, the price, and the security systems. Schedule a technology strategy session at Cyber Command to speak to one of our experts. We will be happy to show you how we can improve your IT experience.
