Business Advice

Getting The Most Out Of Your IT - Seven Questions You Should Ask Your IT Service Provider

21/01/10

By Ray Barber, Kaseya

Never before has technology been so integral to the way we do business, providing the machines, tools, applications and services that we all need to run a successful company.

Small to medium-sized businesses in particular are keen to take advantage of the latest technology trends, new applications and delivery models such as software-as-a-service - after all, these promise the ability to compete on a global scale and drive efficiencies and profitability.

But although you may well understand the critical role that IT is playing in your company, it's likely you don't have an internal IT department or...

...dedicated resource to support, maintain and manage your increasingly complex networks, devices and infrastructure.

You need your IT to work - all the time - and using an outsourced IT service can give small to medium-sized businesses like yours the enterprise-level IT capabilities needed to help achieve business growth, reduce costs and maximise profitability.

Finding the right IT service provider for your business can be a tricky undertaking though, with numerous companies to chose from, seemingly offering the same type of service. Here are my tips on seven key questions you should ask to make sure you choose an IT service provider that will allow you to focus on what you know best: your business.

1. What level of customer service do they provide?

Having competent IT specialists working for your business is important, but how much help will they be if they aren't accessible or are unable to explain your IT challenges in plain speak? Decent customer service can make your experience dealing with an IT services provider much more pleasant - and significantly more useful for your business. Ask the IT service provider about their service level agreements and whether they offer 24/7 support.

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