As of 2022, there are 1,017,000 IT, software and computer services employees in the UK, making it an extremely competitive field; and therefore, an expectedly difficult decision finding the right IT support.
When choosing an IT support company based near your company in Reading itself, across Berkshire or throughout the Thames Valley; you need to find the right partner that’s aligned with your business. With such a large professional field, finding the perfect fit for your business requires careful consideration. To ensure the best experience and expertise, it is imperative to narrow down your options. Without narrowing the field, you may find yourself grappling with the overwhelming choices available, making it difficult to identify the ideal IT support partner for your unique needs.
Finding a trusted IT Company in Reading can increase your productivity and customer satisfaction. To help you make an informed decision, here are six questions you should consider asking your next IT support provider before signing that contract:
Do You Have the Right Experience and Expertise?
It is important to find an IT support company with specific and necessary experience and expertise that your business requires. Established businesses that have operated for several years often prove to be valuable choices as they are likely to have testimonials and reviews that you can assess to determine their suitability. Do they have experience working with businesses like yours? It’s important to find a team with sufficient experience and expertise. This way, you can be confident that they’ll be able to handle any issue that comes up. Ensure the company is properly licensed and qualified, giving you peace of mind in their capabilities and professionalism.
Do You Provide the Right Services for Me?
When evaluating IT support companies, it is essential to ensure that they offer the specific services that align with your business needs. Each company may have a different focus, so it’s crucial to enquire as to whether the services they provide will meet your requirements both now and in the future. In addition to offering the right services, a reputable support company should invest time in understanding your business and its unique requirements. This personalised approach allows them to create a tailored plan that aligns with your desires and objectives. By selecting an IT support company that not only offers the right services but also takes the time to understand your business, you can be assured of customised solutions that address the problems you face and encourage growth.
How Much…?
It’s advisable to research the market before committing to a contract with a provider. Don’t let budgeting overshadow the potential benefits. Look beyond cost to find value, quality, and long-term advantages. Finding the right IT support partner that’s commercially aware and competitive, but still provides the appropriate level of service that you need is more important than finding a cheaper alternative who will likely let you down.
Do You Offer Different Levels of Support?
Many IT companies offer different tiered support depending on your businesses size. This approach could help build a service that’s tailored to your individual budget and requirements. To effectively filter out companies and identify the right fit, it is recommended to create a list of your goals and objectives. Engage in discussions with companies, exploring how they can assist you in accomplishing these goals. By evaluating their capabilities and understanding how they can contribute to your success, you can make an informed decision and select an IT support provider that is equipped to meet your unique needs.
Do You Have a Strong Reputation?
Before choosing an IT Support company, check reviews, testimonials and references to see what similar companies have said. Evaluating feedback from others can provide valuable insights into the company’s reputation and reliability. When speaking with referees, inquire about services, response times, budgeting, and other relevant factors. By considering testimonials and references, you can make an informed decision and choose an IT support company with a proven track record of delivering quality service and support to businesses in your industry.
What Are Your Response Times?
Prior to choosing an IT support team, it’s a good idea to ask them about their average response time to customer issues. A reasonable response time is expected for addressing issues with your IT network. However, it’s important to understand that a “guaranteed response time” ensures they won’t ignore your problem but doesn’t guarantee an immediate resolution. Companies that promise to resolve problems within a set timeframe, may take longer to investigate and resolve than initially anticipated. While a prompt response is crucial, it’s also important to recognise that thorough investigation and diagnosis may take time for certain problems. Ask your potential supplier if they can show live stats on response times for their current clients.
Conclusion
In a highly saturated field of over a million just in the UK, it’s important to assess multiple options so you can choose the IT support provider that’s best suited to the needs of your business. Experience, services, price, support, reputation and response times are all key when considering which IT support company to partner with. SolCo offers comprehensive services to small-to-medium businesses across Reading, Berkshire and the wider-Thames Valley. Partner with SolCo for a seamless, hassle-free and efficient IT experience.
SolCo IT Support Reading
Based in Reading, Solution Consultants provides IT Support, Telecoms, and Cloud solutions for SMEs across the Thames Valley. We get to know your business, challenges, and goals and deploy scalable and agile technology solutions that make a real difference.
We specialise in simplifying IT, making valuable technology more accessible than ever before. We believe technology has the power to transform your business and open access to new markets. Find out more about how we help businesses in Reading, here.