What You Need From Your Business Computer Support Services (It Might Surprise You)
When you think of computer support services, you probably envision a geeky looking guy showing up at your business doorstep to fix a problem when you call.
This approach – waiting until a problem arises to reach out for help – might seem like the least expensive option but in the long run, it could cost you thousands of dollars more in money. It could also cost you hours more in downtime. And it might even cost you your business if you’re not careful.
I don’t say this to scare you but rather to shed light on a common misconception. Computer support services don’t have to be (and shouldn’t be) something you employ as soon as a problem arises. Here’s what you should look for when finding a company to help you repair any computer issues now and keep them running smoothly in the long run.
On-Site and Off Site Support
On-site computer support is what’s traditionally thought of when business owners think about what this service looks like. Although many problems can be remedied by having someone come out to repair the damage when it happens, especially hardware issues, such as with printers or copiers, on-site support is only one facet of a strong IT plan.
Having trouble with a website? Struggling to get access to your company’s VPN? There are many IT problems that arise throughout the day that do not require an in-person visit. For those, having a trusted computer support service on hand to call for remote support is ideal.
Depending on the circumstance, the company you have on speed dial to help with your IT concerns can login remotely and resolve an issue faster for you than driving to your Tucson office.
Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance
Support for IT concerns as they arise is only one part of the type of IT support your business needs. The goal of employing any IT company is to stop issues before they arise. This requires behind-the-scenes ongoing maintenance of your current systems.
Ongoing maintenance takes shape in a variety of ways. Much of it is done remotely, logging into your current configurations to ensure everything’s running smoothly. This includes:
Making regular updates to the backend of your system;
Monitoring to ensure your computer security software is running and effectively stopping threats;
Ensuring the data backup services your business relies on are working properly;
And more.
This proactive stance helps stop serious problems before the arise. If anything happens to your business after hours, such as a ransomware attack or a server shutdown, you’ll be notified and know that someone is working to restore your business as quickly as possible, so you minimize downtime.
This is the gold in computer support services. It’s also the piece that saves you the most amount of money because it stops problems before they arise.
Having proactive monitoring and maintenance also stops you or your employees from trying to repairing a small computer problem with a temporary fix. This approach often causes further damage in the long run, so it is less than ideal.
Ongoing Cost Analysis
In addition to saving you money on larger technology issues, some computer support services also do an ongoing cost analysis. This analysis lets you sleep better at night knowing you’re not overspending on programs or software that are not needed for your business.
Are You Getting Enough Out of Your Business Computer Support Services?
If not, it might be time to make a switch. Without proactive monitoring and maintenance, you’ll continue to pour money toward fixing problems. Stopping issues before they arise is far less expensive in the long run. And with a regular cost analysis performed for your business, you can be sure you’re getting the best protection for the lowest price.
Want to learn more about what this costs and looks like for your business? We’d love to give you a quote. Reach out and we’ll go through all of your business’s unique needs to find the best option to save you money over the long run.
How to Get Back More Time and Money With Business IT Support in Tucson
When you think of business IT support in Tucson, what do you think of? Occasional computer repairs to keep your old machines working as long as possible? Setup of security software to keep your data safe? A phone number to call in case of an emergency? Although those services are available to you when you outsource your IT support, there’s so much more.
As a robust local technology support firm, we’ve had a myriad of requests come into our office. As we start getting to know more about the needs of the SMBs we work with and proposing solutions we tend to be met with a look of surprise and the phrase, “wow, I didn’t know you did that!”
Businesses around Tucson need support but often, when it comes to something as complex as technology, they aren’t sure what that support looks like. We’re here to demystify it for you and fill you in on the core services we provide. Because if you don’t know it’s available, you can’t get the help your business needs to get productive without increasing your costs.
Managed IT Services
Perhaps the most important service we offer, and the most utilized, are our managed IT services.
Managed IT services is a fancy term for saying we monitor, manage, update, and streamline all of the technology in your business, from your point-of-sale computers to the guest Internet connection you offer in your lobby, and so much more.
Why is this so important? Because it takes the place of hiring a full-time IT department to keep all of your IT solutions up-to-date and optimized. For small and medium sized businesses that need technology to operate at the highest level, but don’t have the need or resources to bring in a full-time team, having this type of ongoing IT support is an essential offering.
Network Cabling Infrastructure Including Wireless Systems
Is your Internet in need of a boost so you can stay more productive? Do you need to add in new phone lines? Or does your business need a new data center to keep your most valuable information safe from outside threats? No matter what type of upgrade you need, when it comes to running cables and installing up-to-date, high-speed hardware, we’re the local partner you need.
Most of this work happens after hours. But, if you’re like most business owners, the last thing you want to do after hours is mess with a jumble of cables and wires, while you try to learn and install complex new networks. That’s where we come in.
When you need to upgrade your system, we have the expertise to give you a fast, efficient infrastructure without you having to experience any downtime in your business, or any interruption to your customer. You’ll arrive the next day to a more efficient, streamlined office with technology that works. And you won’t be left alone to figure the implementation out alone. We’ll come back and walk you through everything, so you know exactly how much better your business is for the upgrade you just gave it.
Computer Support
Whether you’re trying to figure out the best new hardware for your business, or you need support for the hardware you already have, we can help.
We have done the research and chosen to partner with several local and national businesses to offer Tucson businesses the best IT solutions on the market today. Better yet, we’ve also gone to great lengths to learn these systems inside and out, so when you have a question or need to troubleshoot something, we are at your beckon call to help get the job done right.
Computers are our thing and we’ve seen just about everything go wrong with them. We’ve also fixed just about every problem, so even if you’re using a computer that isn’t from one of our trusted business partners, we can fix it. We geek out over this stuff so you don’t have to. Give us your broken machines and we’ll return to you a computer that functions as close to new as possible.
Security Cameras
What happens when you leave your office for the night? Who’s lurking outside your facility? If something goes wrong, having video tape from inside and/or outside your building is essential to catching the wrong doers and getting your business back up and running as quickly as possible.
We will help you find the top of the line security cameras within your budget and install them, so you can rest easier at night knowing your facility is under surveillance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Commercial Audio and Video
How much happier would people be at your business if you offered them some type of entertainment? If you’re a restaurant, keep your patrons in their chairs ordering food and beverages for longer by having televisions up for every big game. If you’re a medical office, keep your patients happy while in your waiting room by having a television show to distract them from the wait times.
Audio/Visual equipment in your facility can have a dramatic impact on your revenues and reviews. We will install it for you, giving the people you serve a better experience in your business.
Domains, Hosting and Email Services
Need a new website domain? Or a more reliable host for your website and email? We’re your one stop shop.
We’ve partnered with GoDaddy and other local businesses to give you access to domain names, email services, and other solutions for your business. Then, we host your website on our local servers to make your website run quickly without downtime. We also partner with local businesses to provide SEO services based here in Tucson. So, no matter what you need to get your business found online, we have a proven, easy-to-use solution for you.
Need a little extra help? Just ask. We’re here to make getting your website, hosting, and email services setup and running efficiently for you.
Security Software
Keeping your business’s data safe and secure is paramount. That’s why we offer a variety of security software options for you. From anti-virus software from TrendMicro to data backup software from Carbonite, we will connect, install, and manage your security software to keep your business as safe from harm as possible. And, if an attack does sneak through, we’ll get you back up and running as quickly as possible.
Having Business IT Support in Tucson Help You
There’s so much more to business IT support in Tucson than meets the eye. At Harrington Technologies, we offer a variety of services and products so that your business can run as smoothly as possible. The end goal of all of the work we do is to save you time from lagging computer systems, and money from poor technology that’s costing your business and putting it at risk.
We want to help you too. Contact us to learn more about any of these services, or to get started.
Technology is an integral part of every business, and while technology brings effectiveness and efficiency, managing your company’s tech needs can be a challenge. Experts estimate there are significant technological advances as little as every 28 days.
Although these advancements are beneficial to your company’s growth, staying on top of these developments can be overwhelming and often impossible unless you employ a full-time IT specialist. However, bringing on a full-time professional is a huge financial investment and that is not always necessary. Many companies are turning to managed IT services to outsource their technology needs.
So what is the best solution for your company’s technological needs? Here are few things to consider regarding business IT support.
Growth and Future Plans
Before making any decisions, it is important to assess your company’s current and projected size.
Are you currently growing?
How many employees do you have?
Do you have a complex technology needs?
The size and technological bandwidth of your company is a determining factor in IT support. Smaller companies most likely don’t have the financial capital to invest in a full-time IT professional. However, if you are outsourcing, it is important to find a managed services group you trust to grow with your company and help avoid unforeseen technological challenges.
On the contrary, larger companies are more likely to have the funds to invest in an in-house IT professional. As companies grow, so do their servers, data, and need for security. With more people depending on services, larger companies can’t afford large technological glitches. By bringing on an in-house expert, technology issues can be resolved much more efficiently, and your employees are more productive when time isn’t spent troubleshooting technology issues.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
As remote work becomes increasingly more popular, companies are investing in Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to allow employees to securely access company email, files and databases from anywhere in the world. Companies can either purchase and manage VPN networks internally, or outsource the work to a managed service provider.
With more and more employees working outside the traditional office setting, it is critical you take precautions from others in public networks having access to sensitive information. If your company chooses to utilize a VPN, it is best to outsource management to a third party to ensure utmost security.
Internal Servers
Setting up and maintaining an internal server can be a larger undertaking. If your company decides to invest in an internal server, it is important to understand everything that goes into the securing and maintaining the server.
Security mechanisms, such as firewall and proxy servers, need to be in place to protect your network from external threats. System availability, backups, data and service redundancy, hardware architecture and disaster recovery procedures all need to included and managed when you have an internal service. For this reason, companies with internal server will benefit from utilizing a managed service provider to oversee technological needs.
Budget
As with most aspects of business, the budget is often a major deciding factor when determining the business IT support you need. Knowing your bottom line will help guide you towards the best fit business IT support options. As you are setting your company’s technology budget, consider some of these following questions:
How much are you currently spending on IT support?
How often do you require IT support? – Will calling a technician every time you have a problem end up to be more costly than investing in a managed IT service?
Are you successful with the amount of support you have now?
How time sensitive are your technology needs?
Determining the Business IT Support You Need
So what’s the answer? In the end, managed business IT support can save your company time and money by freeing up your employee’s time and foreseeing problems before they arise. If you’re ready to look at options, check out our services, then get in touch!