Finding the Right IT Services Provider

by Jon Simms, President of TeamLogic IT of Mountain View, CA

Dependability is Key in IT Service

When it comes to evaluating computer and network support options for your business, dependability is typically one of the top factors. The first measure of IT service quality is determining if your provider shows up when needed—and on time. With advancements in remote support services, providers are now able to proactively monitor your systems, which minimizes the need for expensive onsite visits and alters the dependability equation. Despite those developments, selecting an advisor for your computers, network, and support is still a matter of trust.

Finding a Qualified IT Professional

As technology continues to increase in complexity and your organizational needs escalate (along with a greater number of regulatory requirements), relying on a qualified IT professional is more important than ever. I’m not referring to individuals who can only repair computers when they break down, but skilled consultants who can effectively assess the needs of your business and suggest the best ways to address them. They should know how to implement, service, and repair your company’s current systems, and should be able to adapt (or upgrade) that technology to meet future growth goals.

A trusted adviser is a technology consultant who comprehends and executes best practices for organizations of all kinds. These individuals (and their organizations) should be capable of addressing the unique needs, goals, and opportunities of your company, realizing that no two businesses are the same. While the basic technology doesn’t differ significantly among organizations—laptops, desktop computers, servers, networks, email programs, and office applications—the way it's employed and the corresponding tools may differ significantly.

The Difference is a Trusted IT Adviser

For example, a financial firm and a large news organization might have similar computer systems, but a trusted adviser wouldn’t assume their technology was deployed the same way. He would spend time assessing the business goals of each company, using a professional protocol to determine the unique needs and goals of each. The financial firm may be planning to open a second office, which would require network enhancements to securely link each facility. The newspaper business, on the other hand, may need to minimize their computer costs to offset declining subscriber revenue. Proposing similar infrastructure enhancements for each company would not be in the best interest of either of these clients and the success of each, in part, depends on their ability to effectively leverage new technologies.

If you want to find a “trusted IT adviser”, you’ll be hard pressed to find a national or state-wide list using that term. There are association and regional directories for IT service providers, but discovering one with the knowledge and consulting skills that match your specific business needs will require some additional investigation. The methods required to find and validate qualified candidates may differ between industries and geographic areas, but the best way is to spend time with some top prospects and discuss how they will address your business needs.

Portfolio of Service

The first step when researching technology providers is to determine the specific services these companies offer, such as whether they provide proactive support and services. This is a determining factor for many businesses, helping them ensure system downtime is minimized and that the health of the technology infrastructure is maintained at acceptable levels at all times. While it’s not a deal breaker, a managed IT service (proactive support) allows the technical adviser to map your network-connected computer systems and provide specific performance details before suggesting any changes. It’s quite similar to the diagnostics a car repair shop uses to identify precise problems with your engine, rather than replacing parts until the knocking stops. In addition to computer assessment, managed services can monitor network and device performance on a continuous basis, allowing a provider to fix issues before they become serious enough to disrupt your business operations.

Building the Right Strategy for Your Business

The complete list of IT and business consultation services is too large to include here, but the following are several common areas to consider when evaluating an IT provider’s portfolio.

• Managed IT (proactive monitoring, remote remediation and support)
• Network (design, integration, optimization)
• Hardware (procurement, installation, support)
• Business systems (software consulting, selection, process improvements)
• Software applications (installation, patch management, removal)
• Security (assessments, firewall, desktop, network, email)
• Email management (servers, security)
• Disaster recovery (remote and on-site backup, restoration)
• IT support (help desk, warranty repair, printer repair) 

Due to unique industry or particular business needs, you may require a technical team with a specific expertise, such as a hospital needing someone to implement a medical records system, or a bank requiring support for its electronic checking solutions. Ask prospective IT partners to describe their expertise and understanding of your line of business, and be sure to ask for client references that back that up!

TeamLogic IT of Mountain View, CA is part of a nationwide network of computer consultation and managed services businesses providing outsourced IT services. Small- to medium-sized businesses rely on TeamLogic IT to handle a broad range of services from urgent computer repair and proactive maintenance to the installation of entire networks and more. For more information, contact Jon Simms at  MountainViewCA@TeamLogicIT.com or visit  www.teamlogicit.com/MountainViewCA.