The three different types of IT Support Explained

IT failure can be extremely costly for any business, not only in terms of lost orders and productivity but also in damage to reputation. So what can a business owner do to minimise the chances of such a disaster happening?

Prevention is always the best option, so your first line of defence should be regular maintenance and monitoring of your network. This will keep everything running smoothly and highlight any potential weak spots before they grow into problems. If, in spite of your best efforts, something does go wrong you will also need to be able to get help quickly from a reliable specialist.

Unless you employ your own qualified IT engineers, the simplest solution is to have a maintenance agreement with a reputable IT Support Company. Look for one in your area that has a proactive rather than reactive approach to IT support. A UK help desk staffed by people who can answer your questions is another plus point, and if you have more than one branch make sure that any agreement you make will cover all your premises.

For maximum flexibility choose a company that offers the following three different levels of IT support so you can opt for the package that is best suited to your needs.

Full Network Maintenance Contract
· What you should get: Unlimited telephone support, secure remote access or site visits to solve any malfunctions or breakdowns in your system. Expert advice on all IT issues. A 24-hour server monitoring service to detect potential problems. A guaranteed response time.
· What you will pay: A fixed monthly fee with no callout charges.

Pre-Paid Maintenance
· What you should get: Help and advice on a range of IT issues that you choose. If you are confident of handling routine maintenance yourself you might only want to ask for help with the more complex tasks.
· What you will pay: An hourly rate – the more hours you pay for in advance, the cheaper the rate.

Pay as you Go Maintenance
· What you should get: The simplest arrangement where you only pay as and when you use any of the support company’s services.
· What you will pay: A fixed hourly rate plus a callout fee if a site visit is necessary.

Every business is unique, and no one knows yours better than you, so before you sign up to any IT support agreement, explain what you want and ask questions so you can be sure of making the best decision. Above all, work with a company that is as committed as you to getting the best out of your IT system.

Lean IT makes life easier, saves money and increases profits

Businesses are being shown that it is possible to realise savings of up to 30% on ongoing IT costs, something all of them needs in this economic climate.

Lean IT will have major impact on business profit margins

The IT landscape is changing fast. Traditional methods of running IT systems dating back to the easy credit pre-recession days are now far too expensive, over burdensome and out of date. Smaller businesses can work more efficiently, save money, increase flexibility and reduce risk, and this will have a major impact on profit margins.

Businesses will benefit from a reduction in the complexity of their networks to make them leaner, using the following initiatives:

Virtual, Consolidated Servers: Seriously reduce space, power and maintenance costs

‘Thin Client’ Computing: Save 50% on running costs, power consumption and maintenance by replacing traditional PCs with Thin Clients: computers that don’t do their own processing but rely on a central, often remote processor.Utilise Manufacturer Warranties: Maintain high end servers economically by utilising manufacturers’ warranties.

Remote only Support: Using remote support, IT issues can be rectified without the need for site visits, therefore driving down the cost of support cover.

Flexible licensing: Reduced licensing costs are possible by renting software applications rather than purchasing them.

VOIP and Least Cost Routing: If you pay BT directly for your phone calls then you could save over 70% on call charges by using Voice Over IP (VOIP) or Least Cost Routing.

If you want to make considerable savings on IT and increase your profits as a result, there are many things that can be done. Contact your IT support company without delay to find out more about a leaner form of IT.