Why Do Small Businesses Need IT Support?
These days, even small businesses rely heavily on technology. Even the most basic business tasks now require a degree of connectivity. Technology is used on a daily basis to improve efficiency, stay competitive, and meet customer expectations. From communication and collaboration tools to data management and e-commerce platforms, knowing your IT base is secure and running smoothly is key.
Although the threat of cyber security attacks is always present – and should be addressed – having IT support is not just about having someone to call when there’s a major security problem. Relatively minor issues with your technology can cause significant disruption. Slow networks, servers going down, software issues: they can all create or lead to major problems. Reduced productivity, frustrated employees, and dissatisfied customers all take their toll.
While IT support is as necessary for smaller businesses as for larger ones, having the right kind of support is what really matters. Smaller businesses need fast, effective, and responsive support. They need a company they can trust that really understands their business – and how important it is to keep it running.
What do small businesses need from IT support?
- Direct access and fast response times
Direct access means the ability to speak directly to a real person and support expert. So many companies hide behind chatbots or give you endless options on a phone menu to choose from. With direct, personalised access, you get a better service, and any advice or diagnosis is based on the right questions being asked from the start.
Ensuring issues are dealt with as quickly as possible should mean less downtime, risk, or money lost. If your email goes down, for example, important communications can disappear and lead to frustration and missed opportunities. Software issues can be disruptive and lead to a lack of confidence as well as lost hours.
Security and data protection
Businesses are obliged by law to keep their clients’ data safe and secure. Breaches of system security can be costly. They can lead to loss of business or money – and they can also be punishable by fines and even legal action. This can all lead to reputational repercussions and loss of confidence, which can also be very damaging.Proactive maintenance
IT support is not just about reacting to problems. It’s also about proactively managing and maintaining your technology. Whether it’s making sure your systems are regularly monitored, your software is updated when necessary, or performing routine checks, proactive IT support will help ensure your infrastructure is running smoothly and efficiently.
By doing this, we can help minimise any downtime you experience due to IT issues. It also helps identify potential vulnerabilities early, and this means you are more likely to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats and possible technical failures.
- Cost-effectiveness
While there is a cost associated with IT support, the costs of not having it can be far higher. Choosing the right company, that has everything you need but without the high costs many IT support companies charge, is key. When companies start working with Dark Knight, we perform an audit of their IT systems and how secure they are. We then bring it all up to scratch organically, and this is included in the price of our support contract.
If you need help bringing your systems up to the government's Cyber Essentials benchmark for businesses, we can work with you to fix any problems. There are plenty of reasons to get Cyber Essentials certification and we will help you with this.
- Clear communication and advice you can trust
A good IT support company will keep you updated on what’s happening and why. You need to know what’s going on, how long it’s likely to take, and that everything possible is being done to sort out the problem. A lack of clear communication leads to frustration and makes it difficult to plan for necessary eventualities. Just knowing that things are ‘in hand’ is not enough. You need to know timelines and what the implications might be.
You need to know your IT support company has your best interests at heart and can be trusted to deliver what is needed and expected.
- Support that allows for future growth
It’s no good installing IT solutions that are not scalable, with no eye to the future. As you are not the experts, you are unlikely to know what is necessary when, and what the future implications are for any IT systems or procedures you’re using. Your IT support company should get to know your company and advise you accordingly, rather than operating a one-size-fits-all approach as one of many faceless accounts.
It’s vital you know you are installing and maintaining IT systems that can be scaled as your business grows. Your IT should be a strategic asset for your company, not just something you spend money on.
IT support your business can depend on
At Dark Knight, we understand how important keeping your technology running properly is. We work directly with our clients to build a personal relationship that means you get the best of our experience and expertise. Our fast reaction times mean you don’t get left hanging around when there’s an emergency. And we help you avoid them in the first place with our proactive advice and support.
Having the right IT support in place can give you a competitive advantage, not just a relatively fuss-free technological experience. Is your IT support doing what it should be doing? Or is it time to reassess? We’re based in Newbury, Berkshire, but we work with companies throughout the UK.
Why not get in touch today to see how we can help you get your IT support into shape?