4 Tips for Outsourcing IT Support
Restaurants, supermarkets, assisted living facilities, saloons; what business doesn’t need IT support these days? From the very real threat of data breaches to the rise of spam and phishing emails, there are plenty of reasons to have a reliable IT support person in your corner. But what if you don’t have the in-house resources to handle all of your tech needs? That’s where outsourcing comes in.
Outsourcing IT support can be a great way to get the help you need without breaking the bank. But it’s not simply a matter of hiring the first person you find. Here are four tips to help you make the right choice for your business.
Define Your Needs
The first step in outsourcing IT support is to take a close look at your business’s current IT needs. Is your primary concern customer data protection? Do you need help managing a complex network?
Once you have a clear understanding of what your organization needs, you can start to look for a support person that specializes in those areas. Information technology is a broad industry and one person can hardly be an expert in every single aspect.
Do Your Research
Once needs are clearly defined, it’s time to start your search for the right person.
You can either ask for recommendations from other businesses in your industry or search online yourself on Linkedin and job boards. Once you have a few potential candidates, be sure to check out not just their CVs but also their websites and social media profiles to get a better sense of what they do.
For example, if you’re looking for help with data protection, a person that has client testimonials on their website from businesses who are happy with data protection work done for them would be a good choice.
Get a Trial Period
Before you commit to working with any IT support person, it’s important to make sure that they’re the right fit for your business. Besides expertise, things like having good communication and collaborative skills should not be underrated.
The best way to gauge this is to get a trial period, even if it’s just for a week or two. This way you can see firsthand how well they work with other employees and whether or not they’re a good fit for your business.
Get Everything in Writing
Last but not least, once you’ve found the right person, be sure to get everything in writing. This includes not just the scope of work and deliverables but also things like payment terms, turnaround times, and contact information.
Business relationships can be tricky and misunderstandings can have consequences like extra charges, delayed projects, and even expensive lawsuits, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Outsourcing IT support can be a great way to get the help you need without breaking the bank. But it’s not a decision to be made lightly. With these four tips in mind, you can be sure to find the right help.