Major corporations and established businesses generally have well-supplied in-house IT departments to help them manage the technology underlying their daily operations. For small businesses, however, in-house IT support may not be an option. So, how are small businesses to choose the hardware, software, and services that the company will use, install it, integrate it, and keep it maintained and in good repair?
Strategy 1: The Enthusiast Approach
A common, if risky, strategy involves placing a regular employee with some interest or experience with computers in the role of IT manager. This strategy has its advantages: it can be accomplished immediately, it clearly delineates responsibility, and it’s better than nothing. Unfortunately, success largely depends on the employee’s ability to make it up as they go and mistakes in terms of security, downtime, and missed opportunities are common. The extra responsibility may also cut into regular duties, costing the company money in lost productivity.
Strategy 2: The Added Value Re-seller
Added Value Re-sellers are local technology sources or computer repair companies who are hired to come on-site and handle routine maintenance, repairs, outages, sales, or basic consulting. Payments may be made per visit, per issue, or by retainer, and costs are usually less than $50 / month. This approach, while easy to implement and relatively affordable, can also cause problems when the re-sellers are busy, resulting in long service delays, and when their knowledge of a company’s internal systems and technology needs is limited, resulting in lost opportunity or sub-par performance.
Strategy 3: In House IT
Growing small businesses may also consider hiring a full or part-time IT professional to work in house—or possibly sharing the services of one with a related or neighboring business. This decision depends on the available funds, space concerns (IT professionals often require a larger work space), and the relative complexity of the technology involved. Costs for this option are around $55,000 for a full-time entry level worker, and selecting the right individual with the correct skill set can be difficult. Responsibilities would most likely include technology planning, acquisition, implementation, integration of services, routine maintenance, emergency response, and training.
Strategy 4: Managed Service Providers
Managed service providers such as Grundig IT offer various outsourced IT services to support small business technology with the professionalism and access of an in-house IT team, though at a much lower monthly cost. Thanks to remote access over the internet, managed service providers can perform software patches, backups, troubleshooting, even educational services remotely. And, when new technology or hands-on service is needed, providers visit the office in person to perform required tasks. Emergency services are, of course, included as well to respond to crises and minimize downtime. Advantages include a smaller cost structure, more consistent level of service, and professional-level expertise.
If you would like to learn more about managed IT services in the East Bay Area provided by Grundig IT, please contact us at 925-528-9081 or info@grundigit.com.
