Technology is the backbone of your business – but it’s also increasingly complex. From cloud vendors through to AI tools, many businesses lack the knowledge to fully support their internal IT systems, and to manage vendor relations.
That’s why companies turn to a group of internal and external experts to help them keep their IT in tip top shape.
Breaking down IT support needs
Every business looking for IT support Lond-, from a budding startup to a well-established enterprise, has unique IT needs, but nonetheless there are a few similarities, and these server as a guide to the type of support a company will need. Here's a breakdown of IT support London based business require:
- Day-to-day support: Here, you really want an IT guy (or team) that can handle everyday issues your users encounter. That goes from computer problems like broken keyboards or loose cables, to assisting users with software, and of course everyday cybersecurity tasks such as perimeter security and patching.
- Network management: Every company needs an internet connection, but to a degree management of that is up to the ISP. That connection links to an internal network though, even for companies mostly dependent on the cloud. Companies therefore need help maintaining a secure and optimized network infrastructure which ensure connectivity but also makes sure outside threats are kept at bay.
- Cybersecurity: Day to day cybersecurity matters but companies also need help to organise expert advice to protect against breaches and malware. That includes robust security measures and help with deep vulnerability assessments. For some organisations an understanding of compliance regulations also matters.
- Cloud computing: The complexity of cloud computing also demands precise, expert advice over and above help with day to day operations. It includes look at the financial aspects, ensuring cloud operations do not lead to excess bills.
Finally, for larger businesses data management is also something to consider. That includes database administration and regular backups – alongside disaster recovery planning to prevent data loss and ensure business continuity.
Putting your ecosystem together
Now that you understand the different types of IT support, how does it break down into an ecosystem? We’d suggest there are three core parts of IT support London based companies need:
- The in-house IT guy: for medium to larger businesses, an in-house IT team can help deal more efficiently with IT issues. However, the cost of the in-house team must be weighed up against the benefits – particularly given that most companies no longer have extensive on-site server equipment.
- Managed IT Services: An alternative to an in-house team, managed services have IT engineers who can take care of most core computing problems remotely – with the odd on-site visit in the few instances where a desktop PC goes wrong. It can save your business a substantial amount of money, as retainers tend to be more affordable than salaries – and most companies will run up modest call-out fees.
- Specialised expertise: For some companies, specialised services are also required. Take compliance for example: businesses subject to PCI-DSS would need expert advice to ensure that they stay on the right side of compliance requirements.
Again as we said every business is different, but a combination of all three of these – even if it’s a clued-up IT guy sitting in the office, for example – would help businesses put together an IT ecosystem that helps them make the most out of their IT.
What You Get from A Strong IT Ecosystem
Investing in a robust IT support ecosystem with qualified IT engineers can bring significant benefits to your London business. These are the benefits of proactive IT support London based businesses can enjoy.
First, fewer IT issues mean less downtime and more time for your employees to focus on their work. When you get swift resolution of IT problems minimizes disruptions and keeps your business operations running smoothly.
Arguably more important, a good IT ecosystem helps ensure good cybersecurity posture. And as we know, strong security measures protect your valuable data and your business's reputation. Cybersecurity is one of those IT and business investments that’s worth doing proactively, as acting after the fact may simply be too late.
And that leads us to the biggest benefit of ensuring your business has a good ecosystem for supporting its IT systems – and doing so well ahead of any serious problems.
It’s About Pro-Active Support
It’s not uncommon to see businesses wait too long before ensuring they have a good level of IT support. Sometimes it takes an IT crisis before support is made a priority. These crisis can be very costly – whether it’s the result of downtime, or something like a ransomware attack.
Proactive IT support through an established IT ecosystem – whether internal, managed or a mix thereof – will prevent costly downtime and data loss.
Your IT support ecosystem also helps , and optimized IT infrastructure can lead to greater efficiency and reduced operational costs. First, fixing problems after the fact is almost always more expensive then preventing these problems in the first instance.
IT support can also help plan things like upgrade rounds, ensuring companies make the most of technology advancements without overpaying or being left behind by their competitors. Your support ecosystem will also help your company keep a keen eye on costs and redundant services, so you don’t end up paying for vendors and software licenses you don’t need.
Taking the Next Step
Don't wait for an IT crisis to strike: pro-actively setting up a comprehensive IT support ecosystem is simply a much better idea. Take the time to assess your business's IT needs and build a support ecosystem that can keep your technology running smoothly.
Whether you need an IT guy for day-to-day support, a managed IT services provider for comprehensive coverage, or specialized experts for specific projects, making the right choices will ensure your business thrives in London's competitive landscape.