Everything You Need To Know About IT Services

Today’s businesses rely heavily on information technology, or IT, services and support to complete everyday tasks and execute important business efforts. In order to make the right decisions for your business’s IT management, you’ll need to know what IT entails. So, when we talk about IT services what exactly are we discussing? And what is the best way to manage IT so your business can be as successful as possible?

Let’s go over what is considered IT as it pertains to business and how to choose the best IT recruiters for your business’s needs.

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Types of IT Services

For modern businesses, IT plays a part in nearly every aspect of daily operations and long-term goals. From something as simple as internet connectivity to more complex IT needs like cybersecurity protection, IT services run the gamut. Of course, the role IT will play in your business is dependent on a variety of factors, including how large or small your business is, how you incorporate technology into your business, and what industry your business falls into. Before determining if you’ll manage your IT needs in-house or if you’ll choose to outsource to an IT provider, you’ll need to assess what kind of IT services, tools, and equipment you’ll need.

Some of the most popular IT services include:

Server & Desktop Monitoring
Exchange/Active Directory/SharePoint Solutions
Backup & Disaster Recovery Solutions (BDR, Cloud, etc.)
Colocation & Data Center Solutions
IT Helpdesk Services
Cloud Services – Virtual servers, private servers, hosted systems (ERP, CRM, Accounting)
On-site & Remote Technical Support
Website Design & Graphic Development
Mobile Application Development (Android, Windows, iOS)
Remote Server and Network Monitoring
Software & Business App Development

Factors to Consider When Looking for IT Providers

Once you’ve determined what IT services your business needs, you can see which are okay to handle on your own with an IT staff and what might be best handled by a managed services provider, or MSP. MSPs are teams of experienced IT professionals that business outsource their IT management to. They offer a wide range of benefits to business owners, including lower IT management costs, increased productivity, and 24/7 service and support.

The key to optimizing your success with outsourced IT is finding the right provider. Here are the top five factors to consider before choosing an MSP.

1. Ensure MSP Offerings Match Your Needs

You don’t want to spend valuable time interviewing potential IT providers only to find out they can’t accommodate your business’s needs. Check the MSP’s website to identify their main offerings and what they are most successful at before comparing those services to your needs. A great MSP will have the basic IT services most businesses need in addition to a specialized selection of offerings such as web development.

2. Evaluate Experience and Reputation

Research your potential MSP’s history in the field, client experience, and overall reputation. Look for positive reviews from former and current clients. Evaluate the MSP’s portfolio to see what types of businesses they’re used to supporting. Understanding what the MSP is experienced in will help you find the one that’s right for your business.

3. Evaluate Skills and Certifications

Experience is just one aspect that can help you understand an MSPs abilities. Technical skillsets and certifications are also key. Check with potential MSPs on the level of IT support they offer, what specific qualifications their staff members have, and check any certifications or trainings they have.

4. Check Availability Regarding Support

IT emergencies don’t occur on a schedule. There is no way of knowing when your business might need the assistant of your MSP. When looking for providers, determine when they are available to offer their services and support. Often, businesses like MSPs who offer 24/7 support all year long. If this is something you’d like, be sure to check that your MSP can accommodate that need.

5. Assess the Possibility of a Long-term Business Partnership

IT is an essential aspect of businesses today. That said, whoever you choose as your managed services provider will potentially be a long-term partner in business, helping to shape the future of your company. Be sure that the culture, approach to IT, and location of the provider matches your vision.