Did you know that experts project global IT spending to reach $4.6 trillion this 2023? If that forecast comes to pass, it will represent a 5.5% increase from 2022’s spending! And of that $4.6 trillion, over $1.36 will go toward IT services alone. IT support is one of the most common types of IT services. It helps prevent and resolve IT problems and outages. That makes it invaluable to your business and operations.
But how do you select an IT support company in the first place?
We’ve shared our top tips below, so read on.
Check the Support Services Provided
Before comparing options for IT support companies, determine what services you need first. Depending on your business, the following may apply:
- Preventive IT maintenance
- 24/7 hardware and software monitoring
- Round-the-clock cybersecurity monitoring
- Help desk and tech support
- Break-fix services for common IT issues
Once you decide on the services you need, look for IT support providers offering them. Fortunately, many reputable companies offer all of them in a single, pay-as-you-use package.
Confirm Industry-Specific Specializations
Does your company handle sensitive data like medical or patient information? Then you should choose an IT support company specializing in securing such data. According to https://www.p1it.com.au, these include medical IT systems and software.
Choosing an IT company with specialization also means they have legal industry knowledge. A perfect example is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Failure to comply with this law can result in your firm getting slapped with fines of up to €20 million ($21.5 million).
Other laws that may apply to your firm include the following:
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS)
- Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act
An IT support company serving your industry can help you navigate such laws.
Verify IT Certifications for Specializations
IT certifications are designations proving competency in specific branches of information technology. IT professionals usually have to complete training and pass tests to get certified. They must also verify their education and experience before taking the exams.
Those stringent prerequisites make IT certifications viable evidence of an IT professional’s competency.
However, taking a company’s word about their certifications isn’t enough. You must verify their word’s validity by checking with their certificate provider.
Some IT certificate providers that offer certification verification methods include:
- CompTIA
- Microsoft
- Cisco Systems
- ISC2
Each of those providers has a web page offering credential verification. You only have to input the certificate number given to you by the IT support companies. The results should tell you if they’re valid and authentic.
Read Detailed Online Reviews
Reading online reviews is now a habit of 99.9% of online shoppers. Of these consumers, 96% specifically look for negative reviews.
You should apply the same tactics before selecting an IT company to give you an idea of its reputation. However, don’t base your perception on the first “it’s the best” or “it’s the worst” reviews.
Instead, look for detailed statements that usually contain both pros and cons. These can help you decide if their advantages outweigh their disadvantages.
Select an IT Support Company Today
Regardless of how impressive an IT support provider is, it won’t do you any good if it doesn’t provide what you need. That’s why you must confirm specializations before you select an IT support company. This involves checking what exactly they offer and verifying their certifications.
As a final reminder, read and trust only honest, unbiased, and detailed online reviews.
Ready for more IT-related guides like this? Then check out our post on how to secure your apps and data!
