What to Look for When Shopping for IT Services

Featured article by Calvin Paige, Independent Technology Author

The best businesses know when they are out of their depth. They also know the importance of outsourcing work to reputable companies. Hiring IT services is one of the most important steps that any company will take—whether this is in-house or outsourced doesn’t matter. You need talent. You need dedication. You need a solution that works proactively to prevent issues instead of just dousing fires.

Not every outsourced IT option is right for you, either, which is why when shopping for IT services, there are a few points that you will want to consider.

Affordability

The quality of the IT service is useless to you if you cannot afford it, and expect to afford it every day into the future. That is why opting for a service that promises a flat fee and total transparency in your invoicing is a must.

You don’t need a company that provides vague invoicing details that don’t actually tell you where your money is going. You absolutely do not need a company that charges you every time the service is rendered. Having a flat rate means that you can actually budget your IT services into your overheads.

Longevity

A lot of IT services can look good on paper, but they haven’t been around for very long and don’t have the history or personnel to properly manage your company. That is why, when looking for managed IT services, it is best to opt for a company that has been around for a decade or more, as they have successfully surpassed the common lifespan of most new businesses.

24/7 Service

If you have a problem, you need help right at that moment, not later in the day when the offices open up again. 24/7 IT services are a total must for your peace of mind and for the future of your company.

Guarantees

This is certainly one of those nice-to-have features when it comes to a managed IT service. If they offer guarantees they are confident in their service. One of the best guarantees to look for is ransom-back. This means that if a ransomware virus hurts your business while you are using their managed IT services and security suggestions, they pay the ransom for you.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Every system and business will have their own security needs. An IT service that attempts to just create a blanket solution is not one that you want for your business. You need someone to come in and provide expert consultation and solutions so that your business isn’t just protected—it has a security solution created specifically for it.

A blanket solution could result in security gaps, which are one of the biggest cyber threats in 2020.

Your business needs I.T services and security protection the moment it goes live. Without these features you are at risk of being one of the victims of a cyber-crime. Never forget that 43% of all cyber-attacks target small businesses because they are usually easy pickings. By investing in the right IT service for your company you can avoid disaster and focus on growing.