You may be asking yourself, “What are the types of IT support services?” If this sounds like something your business could benefit from, then you might want to continue reading. When it comes down to it, there are a handful of types of IT support services that you can choose from to optimize your business, computer networks, and systems. This article will provide a general overview for understanding the different types of business IT support services.
Full-Service Solution
When you sign up for a full-service solution, the service provider will take care of everything from your computer systems and networks to your phone system and security services. You can find companies that offer full-service solutions for computer networks, servers, and cloud services; data security and recovery; phone systems; VoIP (voice over internet protocol) systems; and much more. The team behind EC-MSP explained that these companies will provide you with a full-service solution that you will have access to a wide range of technologies and services. That way, you won’t have to spend time researching different types of services or trying to find a provider who can handle the variety of them all.
Full-service solution providers offer a great deal of expertise and knowledge because they can draw from all aspects of their field. When you sign up for a full-service solution, make sure to ask the provider what types of certifications its staff has earned to gauge how knowledgeable they are in their respective fields. Other questions you might want to ask are what types of technologies they offer, how much experience they have in the field, and whether or not their employees are full-time. Full-service solution providers also often provide installation services for many of the technologies that are under their purview. This means that if you need a new server or phone system, the provider can also install it for you.
Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM)
This type of IT supports service involves a suite of software tools that provide computer network system administrators the ability to discover potential problems with client computers before they cause a major interruption in service. Administrators can manage and troubleshoot client computers/networks remotely from their computer or smartphone, allowing them to be more productive and reduce the amount of time that is wasted traveling back and forth to client site(s) to solve simple problems.
RMM tools also provide support staff with real-time alerts that allow them to resolve minor issues before they become major problems, which can save clients money by preventing expensive computer repairs or replacements. RMM tools also allow administrators to manage and control client updates, patches, software installs, upgrades, configurations & more. Some common features are tracking antivirus software installations & schedules or setting up automatic backups for business data. Remote management tools are divided into two categories.
Remote monitoring tools use computer networks to log events that occur on client computers and send that information back to the IT support company’s main servers. Remote management tools use computer networks to take control of a client’s computer or network from a remote location for troubleshooting purposes, as well as monitoring purposes.
Onsite Service
This type of IT supports service provides business owners with an onsite IT staff member who will maintain and troubleshoot your company’s computer networks and systems. The computer network/systems administrator is onsite at your business location, providing the help that you need when you need it. Onsite service is usually the most expensive of all IT support service options, but it can provide your business with the quickest solutions to technical issues. Onsite support typically involves a one-hour response time and 24/7 availability.
Your company will benefit from the onsite computer services that are delivered by an onsite service technician if you experience issues with your network or systems regularly. This type of service typically provides monthly management of networks, hardware support for PCs/servers, software maintenance and support, security protection, disaster recovery capabilities, and ongoing upgrades. The onsite systems administrator hires and supervises staff, performs project management, and may handle customer support.
Cloud-Based Service
With cloud-based services, a remote team of experts provides business owners with all the support that they need to run their business’ computer networks and systems. The team creates a custom, cloud-based solution according to your business’s unique needs and then implements that solution. You will gain access to a single, streamlined dashboard that gives you the ability to manage and monitor your entire network from anywhere with an internet connection. There are usually no upfront costs, so you only pay as you go, making this an affordable IT support service option.
The advantages to using cloud-based services are that your business will have access to IT experts who monitor and maintain computer networks for other companies, which allows them to be more knowledgeable about what they’re doing. Businesses can scale up or down quickly depending on the amount of support that they need at their company. In addition, cloud-based services allow your business to lower costs associated with hiring and managing an in-house IT staff.
Self-Managed Service
If you choose a self-managed IT support service, it means that you will be responsible for managing your business’ network and systems with the help of a pre-selected, in-house IT expert. In some cases, you may have access to a remote team for support if needed. If you choose this type of service, make sure that your selected expert is highly qualified and up-to-date on all of the latest technology and systems management software, services & devices. You will also want to make sure that they have extensive experience in providing the type of support that you need.
Self-managed IT support services are typically less expensive than any other option. However, if your company is small with limited staff members, it may be difficult for you to monitor your business’ network/systems and ensure that all of your computers and servers are running smoothly.
Coverage-Based Service
When you sign up for a coverage-based service, the company will provide your business with an IT expert who will be available to address any system issues that come up. They’ll handle everything from responding to computer network emergencies to providing continuous support across all of your systems and devices. With this type of service, you’ll be able to focus on running your business while the company’s expert handles all of your IT needs.
With this type of service, your expert will usually be available via phone or email within one hour for urgent issues. You’ll also get full access to the company’s support team so that you can keep your business running by having them take care of all problems with your IT systems. This option typically includes a four-hour maximum response time and an all-inclusive monthly service fee.
Break/Fix Service
The break/fix IT support service is the most typical type of technical support service. With this type of service, your expert will fix any problems that you are having with your network and systems as they arise, typically during a “break” in business operations, but they won’t do preventative maintenance on your network or systems before problems occur. This type of service typically includes monthly performance reports and a response time of four hours or less. If you choose this option, make sure that your expert is skilled in the management and troubleshooting of all PC/Server hardware as well as software applications.
Different small business owners may choose different types of IT support services that best fit their unique needs. For example, a company owner who prefers to manage all aspects of their network on their own might choose a self-managed service, while another business owner may prefer to have an expert manage everything for them; similarly, some business owners may opt for different types of support services depending on the time that they need support.
