Questions You Should Ask When Hiring IT Support

Technology is an integral part of almost all businesses these days. However, many organizations do not find it feasible to have an in-house IT team. For those that do, many are unable to manage all the aspects of IT by themselves. That’s why many companies choose to outsource their IT needs. Hiring the right IT support can be one of the most challenging and important decisions you can make for your company. A quick Google search for “managed IT services” will show that there are countless outsourced IT companies out there. So, how can you pick the right one for your needs? We’ve put together some questions you should ask before hiring IT support.

What levels of support do they offer?

Different companies have different IT needs. Does the IT company offer a choice of service levels to suit different budgets and requirements? These services may include:

• Pay-as-you-go support, where you pay an hourly rate, or a set price is charged whenever you need support for any IT needs. This is usually the more expensive option in the long run
• Break-fix support, where issues are managed as they rise and the business is charged an hourly fee or offered on a fixed-price contract, like an insurance policy
• Managed service support, where the IT company actively manages your systems to reduce the chance of things going wrong. They are also available to provide real-time support and troubleshooting. This usually involves signing an annual contract

What kind of experience do they have with clients from your industry?

Your IT support must have experience working in your industry. For example, a small retailer will have different requirements than a financial company. When you hire a managed service provider familiar with the unique challenges of your business, you can expect them to take a proactive approach toward maximizing the benefits you get from their IT services. During negotiations, you’ll need to ask about the team that will handle the day-to-day IT management of your business. What qualifications and certifications do they have, and would it be possible to speak to any of their current clients before making a decision? 

Do they offer remote monitoring and management?

Having IT support that remotely monitors and manages your systems is extremely valuable. At GTS, we can watch for developing problems and security issues and proactively take action to avoid and prevent problems from becoming major issues for your business. Remote management can also reduce the time it takes to fix things and minimize travel costs. If you find an IT support company that doesn’t insist on this, beware.  

How do they handle data security?

Cybercriminals are constantly developing new techniques to trick users into downloading malware or releasing confidential information and credentials. That’s why the business IT support you hire must provide up-to-date cybersecurity solutions to protect your computers and network from unauthorized access, malware, phishing, viruses, and other forms of cybercrime.

Are their services scalable?

As you grow, your business will become more reliant on people, technology, and data to drive sales, and you may quickly build a need for greater technology to support those team members and the increased data. That’s why it’s important to ask potential managed IT services providers how they will meet the scaling requirements. 

If you’re on the hunt for a reliable IT support company, we can help! Let Grand Technology Solutions show you exactly what a reliable managed service provider can do for your business. Give us a call at (904) 606-6011 or email info@helpgts.com today.