Choosing a Small Business IT Support Company

For many small business owners, IT support can seem like an irrelevant service. Many feel like they can’t afford IT support, or that they can handle everything in-house. Besides, only large companies have to worry about IT support, right?

Not so fast. With the ever-increasing reliance on the Internet and other technologies to do business, making sure your IT functions the way it should is more vital than ever, especially for small businesses that have small profit margins.

IT support is a broad topic that covers a wide range of services like phone systems, computer set-ups, and surveillance systems. No matter what kind of company you own, IT support is an essential component of any good business.

Types of Small Business IT Support

When looking for small business IT support, you may be overwhelmed at all of the available services, but it can help to first understand the difference between in-house support and outsourced support.

In-House IT Support

In-house IT support involves hiring an employee to deal directly with your IT needs from within the company. In other words, in-house small business IT support is like setting up a new IT department in your company.

This kind of support allows your IT team to deal with issues hands-on as they arise. While this option might sound like an absolute win on paper, it comes with its own set of positives and negatives.

Price
In some cases, hiring a new employee or training an employee to handle your IT needs can be cheaper than outsourcing your IT support. However, you may not want to add another person to your company’s payroll if you don’t have a need for constant IT support.

Knowledge
Internal IT departments are excellent at providing support for everyday issues and often keep your business running smoothly. However, IT support is an evolving field, and some issues may be too complicated for your IT department to handle on their own. In that situation, you may still need to hire someone to provide additional support.

Priorities
One of the perks of having an internal IT department is their ability to provide support based on the services that are most important to your business. An employee will understand the intricacies of your business better than an external team, so they can tailor their support to fit your needs.

Bandwidth
A single or multi-person IT team can only handle so much work. If you need to upgrade systems or start special projects, an in-house IT person might not have the time or resources to complete all of the necessary tasks in addition to their daily responsibilities. That’s where an outsourced IT support service can be an effective addition.

Outsourced IT Support

If you don’t want to create an in-house IT department, then outsourcing your IT support might be a better option for your business. Like in-house IT support, outsourcing is a great option for some businesses, but it comes with a few positives and negatives that you should consider.

Price
The cost of small business IT support can vary greatly depending on your company’s size and the services that you need. While this pricing method may work for companies that are well-established, companies with only a handful of employees and limited resources can find the price restrictive. It’s important for small businesses to work with companies that offer customizable IT support plans, so you are only paying for what you need.

Availability
While in-house employees will have a limited number of hours per week, outsourcing your IT needs provides access to 24/7 support, so you can address problems without worrying about your employee’s hours. However, depending on your business, you may not need access to 24/7 support, so it may feel like you’re paying for a service that you’re not using to its full potential.

Convenience
A major benefit of outsourcing your IT support is the convenience that it offers. You don’t have to worry about hiring new employees or training employees to handle your IT needs. You’ll have 24/7 access to an IT support team, so you’ll never need to worry about IT problems affecting your business.

How to Choose a Service for Your Small Business IT Support

Understanding the benefits of outsourcing and in-house IT support is important, but how should you choose the kind of support that’s best for your business? For most small businesses, the biggest priorities when choosing an IT support service include the cost, the quality of service, and a potential for growth.

Cost
Finding the best price for an IT company can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t understand all of the services being offered. When comparing prices, only consider the services that you actually need so you don’t pay for extra features that you don’t use. When you limit your search to match your company’s needs, it’ll be much easier to find a reasonably priced IT service.

Quality of Service
Regardless of your needs, it’s important to find an IT company that offers the quality services that you deserve. There are plenty of new IT companies that promote their knowledge of the newest technologies, but most small businesses will only use basic features anyway. When looking for IT support, try to find a company that’s been around for a few years and has a full understanding of the services that your business needs.

Potential for Growth
Your business may only need basic IT services for now, but how much do you want to grow in the future? The more your company grows, the more services you’ll need from your IT company. When searching for an IT company, make sure they can handle your current and future needs.

The Best Small Business IT Support Option

Savvy owners and managers understand that it is important to utilize small business IT support to keep your business running effortlessly. While IT companies will offer different versions of outsourced IT support, Tie National offers a 24/7 support network that is always available for your needs.

Some of the must-have, state-of-the-art options available when you choose small business IT support services from Tie National include:

• Help Desk Support
• Telephone Systems
• Cloud Video Surveillance
• Uninterruptible Power Source
• Business Network Solutions
• Digital Signage
• Sound Masking
• And much more!

With over 15 years of experience, Tie National specializes in small business IT support. No matter what kind of business you own, Tie National is here to provide IT support that will fit your business needs. Tie National also offers national IT management, so we’re available to provide support regardless of your location. If you’re interested in our services or want to receive a free consultation, get in touch today!