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Originally Posted On: https://www.biztek-solutions.com/resources/how-to-choose-it-service-providers-everything-you-need-to-know/
Summary
Finding the right people to help with your IT needs requires knowing your options. Here is everything to know about how to choose IT service providers.
Ah, the search for an IT provider. It can be daunting for even the most patient of small business owners, 57% of whom are increasing their budget to update their IT infrastructure.
When updating your infrastructure or learning how to choose IT service providers, what do you look for? What questions should you be asking? Are there any secrets when it comes to finding a reliable, long-term IT partner?
We know these are some tough questions. But by taking some time to assess your needs and doing your research, you can find yourself a reliable partner. They’ll be able to keep your data secure, help optimize workflows, and ensure that malfunctions don’t disrupt business operations.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through all the factors you should consider when picking an IT service provider. By the end, you’ll be able to make an informed choice — one that helps your business reach its goals now while also preparing for future growth.
6 Common IT Issues & Signs It’s Time For Managed IT Services
Not sure if managed IT services are right for you?
Regardless of what they are, computer issues and general IT issues can be time-consuming to deal with and often require technical expertise to resolve. All businesses should consider managed IT services if they encounter any of the following problems.
1. You’re Worried About Cybersecurity
Malicious cyber threats are constantly evolving, making it hard to stay ahead of the game and secure your data and networks.
This is why keeping your key information safe requires constant vigilance. It also often requires a combination of:
- Technology
- Policies
- Education
- Good proactive management practices
However, have you noticed that keeping up with cybersecurity has become too much of a burden on your business? If so, then it may be time to look into managed IT services.
With advanced services like managed detection and response services, it pays to have a specialist on hand. They’ll understand the technicalities of cybersecurity. Through their services, you’ll be able to stay afloat as new threats continue to emerge. In the end, this gives you peace of mind knowing that your business’s digital assets are secure.
2. You Need To Update Your Infrastructure
Whether it’s a clunky old machine, an outdated operating system, or a lack of security and maintenance, the signs that you need to update your IT infrastructure are increasingly becoming glaringly obvious.
You likely already know that when something isn’t quite right with your tech setup, managed IT services will come to the rescue and provide solutions quickly and efficiently.
Embracing new technology, setting up preventive maintenance plans, and ensuring cybersecurity are all important components of strengthening your IT infrastructure. Doing so can keep you safe from common IT issues.
You don’t have to be a tech genius to know that replacing aging equipment with newer options is one of the quickest solutions for minimizing disruption in times of technical difficulty. However, working with experienced professionals is the key to getting it done right.
3. You Have Performance Issues
You may have started small without an IT resource, but your business has grown in complexity and resources. If you’ve scaled significantly and have outgrown your current IT resources then you need to address those issues quickly.
How do you know if this is the case? You’re likely experiencing customer or employee complaints, loss of productivity, and need to rely on backups because of frequent system crashes or slowed functionality.
If this is familiar to you, it’s time to look into an integrated IT solution. Make sure your systems are up-to-date so all that all data is secure and running properly. You don’t want these performances issues to worsen any further.
4. You’re Scaling Quickly & Adding More Employees
If your business is growing fast, it can be a thrilling time but also a stressful one. You know your systems need to grow with you so you and your new employees can all stay productive.
You could be seeing common IT issues due to your increased usage. Or, you might be having difficulty managing the new employees’ accounts. Both are major signs that it’s time to bring in managed IT services.
IT specialists can easily identify problems that are beyond the scope of your in-house staff, provide solutions quickly, and smoothly transition you onto a system tailored for businesses that are scaling quickly.
You don’t have to feel overwhelmed when it comes to adding new employees or expanding your offerings or locations. An expert IT team will take care of everything and make sure everything runs smoothly from day one.
5. You Lack A Disaster Recovery Plan
Businesses that don’t have a disaster recovery plan in place risk losing important data. They also risk corrupting their whole operating system if there’s an outage or system failure.
You don’t want to put yourself at risk of having to pay to recover lost crucial information and start from scratch. Working with managed IT services can provide you with a reliable recovery plan, so it’s a smart move for your business when you lack a disaster recovery plan.
You can rest assured knowing your data is backed up, secure, and ready to go in case of any unexpected downtime. You’ll save yourself time and money by being proactive with your disaster recovery rather than waiting until there’s a problem.
6. Your IT Costs Are Unstainable
Your company’s IT expenses should fit within your budget without causing strain. If they don’t, then it might be time to consider managed IT services as an option.
Managed IT services can help reduce costs over time by providing access to professional technicians who can help deal with developing problems before they turn into costly issues.
In addition to saving money on in-house techs, many managed IT services companies offer competitive flat-rate pricing structures. This type of pricing will allow you to maintain control over your budget while still getting the protection and support your business needs.
Options For IT Services
Now that you know whether or not these types of IT solutions are right for your business, it’s time to consider your options.
After all, with technology becoming more and more pervasive in our day-to-day lives, it’s important to have options for IT services available to support your business.
Not only that but understanding your options for IT services is critical in ensuring you choose the right IT service provider. Here are a few of the most common IT services you can expect to find in California.
Data Backup & Disaster Recovery
Data loss can spell doom for an enterprise, and protecting your company’s data and systems is critical no matter how large or small the organization is.
The remedy to the catastrophic issue? Look into data backup and disaster recovery services.
Through these services, IT specialists offer secure recovery methods so business won’t suffer due to an unfortunate disaster like a fire, cyber-attack, or theft. They do this through offsite and onsite backups while also providing easy restoration options in the case of disruptions.
IT Project Management
IT project management can provide valuable insights into the complex IT challenges that businesses face today. From building a new IT infrastructure to streamlining current workflows, these services are great for scaling brands looking for a little help with everything.
All in all, IT project management is a broad field that covers everything from IT strategy and planning through project completion. Regardless, the ultimate goal is delivering IT solutions that add value to an organization.
The key to success in IT projects is making sure you have the right people for the job, though (which we’ll dive into below).
However, that’s where IT project managers come in. Their ensures that everything from data entry to software upgrades runs smoothly.
Cloud Solutions
Cloud solution services have become incredibly popular in recent years, especially cloud-hosted desktops that allow you to access applications and content from any internet-connected device.
While cloud solutions may be cost-prohibitive for some companies, it’s possible to just move a portion of your IT infrastructure to the cloud. For instance, cloud-hosted email platforms such as Office365 offer organizations the ability to move their current Exchange service into the cloud.
Another example is cloud hosting only a single software application such as QuickBooks. This way, you can rest assured knowing both your data and applications are backed up and secure on cloud-hosted desktops.
How To Choose IT Services Providers
So, you’re all caught up on the signs that your business needs managed IT solutions. You’re also caught up on what kinds of services are available for you. Now, it’s time to choose IT Service providers.
Choosing the right IT service providers is a critical part of any business and it can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. To ensure you find the right service provider for your unique needs, consider the following factors.
Look At Their IT Management Experience
When evaluating potential providers, it’s important to make sure they have the necessary experience and qualifications to offer the services you need. Look carefully at their IT management experience.
- Has the provider worked with companies of a similar size as yours before?
- Have they managed projects that are comparable to what you require?
- How have they evolved over the years as new technology emerges?
Looking through portfolios or case studies of previous work can help you decide if an IT service provider is the right fit for your company.
Read Online Reviews
Reading online reviews allows you to obtain an honest appraisal from both current and past customers of the providers.
It’s also worth acknowledging that not all reviews are true. Some companies pay for reviews. Thus, it’s important to read multiple sources to make sure you’re weighing all options and selecting the best option that works for your needs.
Think About Their Data Storage Capacity
Think about how much data your company generates and then confirm that the provider you are looking at can handle it all.
After all, you don’t want to be in a situation where you potentially have to look for another provider once your existing one can no longer accommodate your needs.
Make sure that the provider has the flexibility and scalability necessary to meet your current requirements. The goal here is to ensure that they can accommodate any potential future growth.
Consider Your IT Service Budget
Depending on the size of your business and what type of services you need, it’s important to do some research before making any decisions so that you can find a provider that meets your requirements without breaking the bank.
Consider the different types of services available within your budget range. Additionally, always ask questions upfront before committing to anything. Ask about hidden fees or additional costs that might come up.
Factor In Future Scalability
Are you planning on growing any time soon? If so, you’ll want to ensure they are geared up to adapt and grow with you. It’s important then that you have a provider who can adjust their services and offerings to meet the demands of your developing business needs.
They need to be able to scale with you and provide the necessary support if any complexities arise, like coming up with new integrations or additional software requirements down the road.
Focus On Local IT Companies
One thing to always consider is local IT companies. Their geographic proximity saves everyone time and money. Oftentimes, they have even more expertise than the big-name companies because they have such specialized ties to the local community.
Most local providers understand the complexities of IT integration in ways that national companies may not be able to since they aren’t as familiar with specific needs in the area.
For example, did you know that we offer IT services in Anaheim? We also offer IT services for businesses in cities like Temecula, Irvine, Palm Springs, and other local areas.
Get IT Services From Biztek Solutions
When you’re looking to choose IT service providers in the Southern California area, choose Biztek Solutions.
With our emphasis on partnering with our clients as they strive to achieve their business objectives and success, we have solidified a reputation for delivering solutions after carefully assessing their needs.
This includes increasing efficiency and communication, strengthening collaboration, and protecting growing businesses with cybersecurity best practices so that cyber threats don’t become an issue.
Get in touch today for a FREE Discovery Call. See how we can help your business reach new heights!
