3 Types of IT Support Services Explained
Typically IT support services are classified into three categories: proactive, fix/proactive, and managed service provider. These all offer varying levels of service and often reflect this in pricing. Of course, the various levels appeal to differing types of organizations. Proactive IT support is typically for smaller companies who need IT help as soon as possible. Fix/Proactive IT support is more appropriate for medium-sized companies that find themselves in IT hot water more frequently.
Managed IT support services are typically purchased by larger organizations who seek a management company with expertise in every aspect of IT support. These businesses typically go for full management services, but many also choose to work with a certified engineer on an on-site basis for specific tasks. Certified engineers are professional technicians who have completed specialized training and are licensed by their state to carry out specific job functions. An MSP is a contracted specialist with the largest technology companies. While there are pros and cons to every management company, the pros of going with a MSP far outweigh the cons.
IT support from a MSP is less expensive because they have many employees to a small or medium-sized IT company may only have one or two. Each employee is then responsible for scheduling time on his or her own, making it difficult for larger organizations to schedule a weekly time for onsite IT assistance. A managed service provider, however, can guarantee a timely solution to a problem, providing relief from the stress of trying to work out a problem yourself. Because every business is unique, there are no fixed hours for IT support around the clock. This can provide relief for those businesses who are always on the road, but it can also save valuable data from becoming lost.
The advantages of IT support services provided by MSPs is that they can provide long-term services that will not need to be replaced in the future. MSPs do not provide a short-term contract, meaning a business can be assured that the program will continue to be functional for quite some time. For companies looking for an IT professional with a proven track record, choosing to use a third-party is the more financially sensible option.
There are various ways in which the Internet can bring up issues for businesses, especially those that are not aware of the different types of information technology. When a computer system becomes infected with a virus, for example, those who do not know the virus will have difficulty in removing it from the system. This could create a very serious issue for the business of information technology support services were not used to remove the virus once it had made its way into the server. If those involved in IT did not have the knowledge and expertise to remove the virus, they could end up losing valuable data.
In addition to this, a business may want to have the IT professionals take care of the different types of threats that are being made against it. There are many companies out there that specialize in various different types of threat protection. IT support services should be used by business owners in order to stay one step ahead of their competitors. Not only will it keep them from having to implement different types of security solutions, it could also prevent them from incurring certain expenses associated with these solutions. Businesses that do not know what a threat is can end up incurring a great deal of money while only knowing that they were victims of a particular type of Internet threat.
For those who are still confused as to whether or not IT support services may include any type of security solution, it would be a good idea to research the topic further. Each type of security solution has its pros and cons. The best way for a business owner to determine what each security solution is and whether or not it is a viable option would be to research each type of threat and learn about how each type of threat affects a business. Once a business learns about the threats they may be up against, then they can make an informed decision about which type of solution they would prefer to use.
IT support services should include everything, even if some of it may seem unnecessary. When a business owns and manages its own network, it can be difficult for them to change the software license because it is tied to the hardware that was used when the business first started up. If a business does not want to change the licenses on their hardware, then they may want to consider using the cloud instead. As long as the IT service provider can ensure that the servers that the business uses are secure, then the business will have everything they need in order to be as efficient as possible.
