Do you manage your own IT? Or depend on one-time fixes when problems arise? What if I told you that an IT consultant would be a million times better for your business? Here are nine reasons.
1. No downtime
Having an IT consultant means that any issues will be taken care of immediately, and you will not must wait hours for your system to come back. That means your staff can at all times do their job, and you can still run your business. If downtime means your business cannot run and your team cannot work, you must spend money. The longer the downtime lasts, the more it will cost you. No downtime means no money wasted for you. It also means less frustration, and you can avoid customer complaints.
2. More efficient staff
With your computers running properly, your staff is free to get on with their work. Sluggish computers and technology-related bugs make your team unhappy and stressed. In a bad frame of mind, they won’t function properly. If you give them the best and most efficient tools to do their jobs, they will be much happier and therefore, much more efficient. This is particularly important if you run a commission or merit based program in your office.
3. Predictable costs
Regular IT consultants offer you consistent rates, so your IT problems can be solved by an expert who is paid according to your current monthly fee. Otherwise, you may must pay an unexpectedly higher amount for a one-time repair. Having a regular IT consultant working on your devices and connections is much cheaper, and you will also avoid costly calls.
4. Well maintained network
Having a well-maintained system is crucial for your business. An inefficient network means an unorganized business. An IT consultant keeps things running smoothly and will help support your day-to-day business, so you can take your business to the fullest. This also allows for faster communication between you and your staff so you can get on with your work. If you have instant messaging or e-mail support for clients or customers, this should still work fine.
5. Less stress
If you know an expert manages your IT, there’s not much you need to worry about. In addition, you’ll avoid all the stressful problems, such as data loss, downtime, and unhappy staff, which can be caused by an improperly managed network. When there’s a problem, the situation will be resolved quickly and professionally, minimizing stress for you.
6. Better skills
Using companies like IT consulting means you have skilled experts working on your network, which should be better than figuring it out yourself or asking a tech geek in the office to have a look. A professional service will more than pay for itself, as they will save you hours of downtime, solve problems much faster than you can, and maintain your system regularly. They’re also much less likely to break anything while working on them, and if they do, you will be covered by their insurance, so you will not must claim yourself.
7. Network
Utilizing an IT consultant is a terrific opportunity to network and mingle with other local business owners. If you are in marketing, accounting or something similar, you have a service you can sell as an IT consultant. If your business is not targeting IT consultants, you can still split the price of a networking event or split the price of an office party. Also, maybe an IT consultant will give your business card or flyer to their client. They possibly know the local business circuit well — absolutely something you should take advantage of.
8. Quick solution
A regular IT consultant will get everything back up and running in no time. They will have all the tools and skills available, and if you use them regularly, they will even be familiar with your system, so things can be fixed much faster.
9. Runs smoother
Every business owner wants his business to be the best efficient it can, and a well-maintained computer network is crucial. If your system is slow, bugged, or inefficient, it will impact your business. IT consultants can identify where your system needs improvement and offer advice and suggestions on how to improve it.
With an IT consultant managing your technology, your business can run smoothly all day long, so why not consider it?