What to Expect from Your IT Services Provider

Technology is vital for every business. With increasing reliance on reliable and relevant technology, many organisations choose to outsource their IT support. A Managed IT Service provider should ensure your technology is current, compliant and secure, as well as add value to your business. However, not all providers are equal.

What should you expect from your IT services provider?

• Responsiveness. It’s crucial that your IT services provider offers fast resolution of IT issues, minimising business impact. There should be an efficient and effective process for reporting issues, with progress updates provided.
• Clear communication. All communication should be clear and jargon-free. You should receive regular updates.
• Proactive expertise. Experienced IT professionals should proactively monitor your systems, inform you of potential issues and handle them accordingly. Proactively applying expert knowledge is especially vital when identifying IT threats and opportunities. Any unexpected downtime needs to be resolved fast!
• Reliability. With increasing operational dependency upon technology, it’s essential that your IT Support provider is reliable, offering prompt expert action and/or advice.
• Flexible contracts. It’s important to be able to move on swiftly should the service or working relationship with your IT services provider become unsatisfactory. It’s unnecessary and unhelpful to have long contractual obligations.
• Scalability. Your IT services provision should grow with you, aligning services and support to your changing business needs.

What IT services should they provide?

Your current operational requirement dictates the initial range of Managed IT services you need. However, it’s important to think ahead regarding both organisational growth and IT developments. Typically, businesses should consider:

• Cyber security. This is an increasingly critical service. Your IT services provider must offer and implement current and compliant cyber security measures, proactively managing new risks. A full range of cyber security support should be available, from Cyber Essentials training for your team to effective infrastructure options and proactive reduction of human cyber risk – effective cyber security is essential.
• Technical support. Desktop help for both on-site and remote users should be available, plus support for server management, both on-premises and remotely.
• Data and user management. From access control to endpoint security (especially for remote workers) and digital signatures, your IT services provider should keep your business technology running smoothly and efficiently.
• Cloud computing services. Options should include security, storage, hosting and backup for maximum efficiency and minimum disruption (read more).
• Strategic advice. How can technology further benefit your business? A quality IT services provider should offer ideas and advice as well as manage day-to-day technology-based issues.

Are you tempted to work with an IT services provider? There are several factors to consider and lots of advantages to gain (read more). Ultimately, a proven track record shows how they deliver the services available.

EMH Technology is proud to have been providing proactive IT solutions for 20 years. Established in 2005, we’re delighted to still be working with our first client and to have long term, successful working relationships with many others. We believe it’s how we work, not just what we offer, that makes a difference. For us, it’s all about nurturing a successful working partnership with clients.

Find out more. Contact us for an initial discussion without obligation or jargon. We’d love to explore how technology can empower your business.