IT services can be the heart of a company nowadays. It does not matter what industry you work in, there is a strong chance that you will have a lot of work stored on your computer. Even a retail store will keep track of their stock using a computer system so you really cannot afford for it to go down. Luckily, there are many tools out there that can help you tackle your IT services correctly. Here are some of the things you should look for when introducing these to your small business.
Choose a Suite
Chances are, you will need this software you have chosen to perform multiple functions. There are many parts to a business, and you cannot neglect one part of it simply because you cannot find the right program for your needs.
So for an active directory migration for example, you must consider the following:
- Integration with other software programs and systems. For example, if you are migrating an active directory from an old server to a new one, you will need to make sure that the migration is compatible with any other applications or databases on your network.
- Security protocols should also be taken into consideration. Any data you migrate must be secure so that it cannot be accessed or stolen by anyone other than those with permission to do so.
- You should also consider the ease of use of the software and how quickly you can get up and running on it. This will not only save you time in the setup process, but it will also make the transfer of data easier and faster.
- Lastly, it is important to consider the cost of the software. There are many solutions out there, but some may be too expensive for your budget. Make sure you find a solution that fits your needs and budget before making any decisions.
Many such programs available for small companies consist of a core program and various add-ons that can be used to build a final product that is unique to your company. After all, a pair of businesses can appear to offer the same products or service on the surface, only to be run exceptionally differently when you get down to the inner workings of the company.
By opting for a service that allows you to construct the package you need, you will get something customisable to your company that can be changed as and when you need it. Whether you are adding or removing tools, it is all handled incredibly smoothly.
Find a Company with Outreach Support
As a smaller company, it is unlikely that you will be able to take on a fulltime IT technician unless you have a tech company. As a result, you may be relying on a third-party for support if a problem does arise with your machines.
The issue here is that you are not guaranteed immediate support as you may not be the only client on the company’s books. However, there are some added benefits to this. For starters, you know that help will be on its way. If the company uses a ticketing system like that offered by SysAid, you will have a place in the system and the knowledge that progress is being made towards your case.
Such a company may even be able to provide you with a program to follow in the event of errors. This will guide your staff through some of the simpler checks they could make, potentially even resulting in them fixing the problem themselves. With so many common and easy mistakes popping up on computers, it pays to know how to fix them yourselves. Even someone who is not the most technologically confident should be able to follow well-written instructions to prepare a device.
Train Employees in the Basics
You obviously cannot expect your employees to be computer whizzes if you do not work in this sector. Nevertheless, there are some things you can train them to watch out for that could mean the difference between a functioning computer and one that needs debugging.
Try to come up with a list of simple tasks that everyone should be able to complete when it comes to maintaining the health of a terminal. There are so many easy programs out there that your employees could study and it could teach them a lot about their computers and how to correctly use them.
Make sure they are also always following the correct guidelines. Simple things like password safety and regular scans for viruses can truly make all the difference. Whether you are handling sensitive information in your company or not, you need to make sure that you are always fully equipped to handling it. Putting it in the hands of employees is going to be key here and it could save you time and resources when it comes to fixing issues further down the road.
Include Out of Office Support
No matter what size of the company you may have, be it a large corporation or a smaller business with just a few of you, there is always the chance that you may have to work from home. The issue here is that many home systems do not have the same capabilities as terminals in the office. Whether you are worried about data leaks or something more serious, the matter is the same, you cannot expect an employee at home to perform the same way they would in the office if you as an employer have not provided them with the right equipment to do so.
If you do decide to invest in laptops or other devices for your employees at home, you need to make sure that they are covered by the same protection as those in the office. If you have undertaken some sort of IT management contract, make sure that any laptop or mobile devices come under this contract.
In addition to this, you need to make sure that employees fully understand what is expected of them when working from home. If they need to remotely access their work desktop from home, you don’t want to find out at the last moment that they have no idea how to access it. Taking a small amount of time, even just an hour, to coach employees on how to use their software from home will make all the difference to their productivity and ability to work.
Planning is Key
No matter what size of business you have, you need to ensure that all aspects are correctly addressed. If IT is not a big part of your business, it is understandable why you might neglect your computers. However, you need to be responsible for any systems you have in your company. You will most likely have to rely on these computers more than you think.
The right support will be incredibly important for making sure your systems remain fully functioning and online at all times. Take the steps to ensure that your computers are well-cared for, and set up a concrete IT service plan for your small business today.
