If you run a small business, then you will be familiar with the problems that computers and IT can bring. For businesses that are smaller, the likelihood is that your IT needs will be dealt with by the most competent person on the team. However, in the long run, this won’t work, as the person in the group who ends up fixing all of the issues is removing them from their core activity, and may not have the skills or time to be able to learn, let alone, keep up with new developments in IT. If you own or run a small business, then you ideally want your entire team to focus on growing and expanding your enterprise. Instead, they waste energy by dealing with technological problems again and again. From data migrations, to IT security solutions, to Windows 10 issues, how your business functions is increasingly dependent on the mastery of technology.

You can fix computing and technology headaches by hiring outside help. Utilising the support of a specialist IT consultancy has many benefits. An experienced IT support team with years of experience will have the infrastructure an expertise to assist you as a client. They will be able to correctly identify and fix any problems which may arise in your small business. Even more importantly they will be able to audit and monitor your equipment 24/7 to prevent issues arising. This takes some of the pressure off of your staff, so they can focus on what’s essential to your business, and ensure that productivity does not drop due to IT issues.

If you are a small business owner or manager and are thinking about hiring and IT support partner then fear not. In this short guide we are going to help you with what to look for when outsourcing to an IT support provider in London.

Some agencies only come to the rescue whenever there is a problem. You give them a ring; they give you a ticket number, you wait until they get round to sorting whatever problem you’re having.

Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with this kind of support (in fact most IT companies will spend the majority of their time doing this anyway), there are better methods of supporting a customer. A good IT consultancy can help reduce the number of complications by being one step ahead when it comes to managing your business. They should monitor your network 24/7 for any difficulties, and be able to tell you if something is going to malfunction. At 360ict we have invested heavily in network monitoring software and our expert engineers will be in touch with you if they spot anything, helping to avert disaster.

In a smaller business, it’s likely that everyone knows one another and it’s essential to have the same sense of camaraderie with your IT support technician too. If they get to know everyone and how everyone works, they will understand your business requirements better and deliver a hugher standard of customer care. Being prepared doesn’t just mean sorting problems before they happen, and sending you the occasional email.

For most SME’s cash-flow is king. Income may not be steady month-to-month. Pay-As-You-Go pricing allows you to have the very best IT solutions on hand when you want them. In some cases signing up to a long-term contract with an IT partner may mean that you’re wasting money some months when you should be putting the budget in other places.

Don’t be afraid to ask what kind of experience your chosen IT services provider has in managing and helping small businesses. Look for customer testimonials. Have they worked with customers in your sector? Can they demonstrate that they have worked with enterprises who have grown? Ask questions – it’s your chance to find out if they can handle a business like yours. At 360ict Ltd we have over twenty pages of testimonials and customer case studies on this website.

Having relevant and proper qualifications is crucial. Because technology changes so fast, it’s important to see that the IT support staff are getting regular training and are updated on the different changes. This is for your peace of mind so you know that you are getting the best help that you can get. Don’t be afraid to ask for qualifications, training, certificates and anything else that can prove how efficient and adept they are at getting the job done.

If you are a small business, you will understand the value of getting things done efficiently. You spend too long on something, struggling with Microsoft updates, backups and keeping information secure. The same ethos should apply to your chosen IT support partners. If your network goes down or you have a cloud computing issue, and the IT support techs take hours to get back to you and then hours to sort it out – that can end up as a whole day wasted because of poor response times, or lack of remote support.

Having a team behind you that can get the job done correctly is super important because it will mean you can get back to work sooner and aren’t losing any valuable hours sitting around doing nothing. A good IT firm should be able to respect this, offer stellar customer service, and provide the assistance you require as quickly as they can.

At 360ict IT Support London, our priority response for a critical issue is 15 minutes.

Having a team that understands the importance of data security is essential. I you’re a running a growing business, you can end up being more vulnerable to cyber-attacks and breaches, making backup and recovery a vital component of your disaster planning. Making sure your IT support company is looking out for you in this respect is crucial. There is no point in having a great network and well-running computers when they could be hacked at any moment. Make sure the partners that you have chosen have the training and expertise to deal with your cyber security.

Whether you’re an established firm, a small business, charity or a growing SME, you rely on your information technology to perform without letting you down. IT failures such as screens freezing, documents failing to upload or data backup disasters can be frustrating, costing you precious time and money.

Poor cybersecurity can be even more costly if viruses infect your infrastucture, or when cybercriminals get hold of your data leaving you vulnerable to theft and reputation damage.

Getting an IT support service for your business activities is a natural step. Don’t wait until things go wrong. We can assess your systems and make sure they are running efficiently and securely. Make it part of your business strategy to pay more attention to your information and communications technology before problems turn into expensive emergencies.

Businesses will vary in the type of IT support they need according to their size, sector and the skills available among existing staff. That’s why we have flexible IT support solutions ready to help you in the way that you want, when you need it. Our IT support contracts are understandable and our IT support packages are designed to offer flexibility and peace of mind.

We understand that in-house IT teams sometimes need extra help. You may need additional IT support for increased day-to-day activities, meeting crucial deadlines or to help bed in that special new project. We are experienced in working with existing IT staff to boost to your IT function, just when and how you need it. It may be a helpdesk support service, holiday cover or special projects such new business system integrations – our IT technicians can collaborate with your staff to give you seamless IT support.

Some firms prefer to concentrate on what they do best and leave all of their IT to professionals. They’re not alone – SMEs are increasingly outsourcing their IT needs to reliable IT partners as a way of increasing efficiency and productivity. You can avoid the headache and complexity of dealing with your IT by letting us handle your IT management. Take advantage of our comprehensive range of managed IT services with our All Inclusive Pay Per Desk Managed Service.

Our IT specialists and technicians are trained to provide the best IT solutions for the particular needs of your business. The right IT support can make a real difference to your business. You can be freed to focus on what you do best with the extra reassurance about our level of expertise and service. Whether it’s responding to your alerts about an IT problem or our being proactive about optimising your managed IT infrastructure, we take a pride in helping clients achieve their best.

360ict Ltd is a reliable and trustworthy IT support company with many years of experience in providing excellent IT support, IT services and IT security for our clients. Whether it’s for London-based small businesses or for firms elsewhere in the UK, 360ict can help make your IT work more efficiently and securely.

One final thing – if an IT company is hesitant or outright refuses to provide you with evidence for any of the above then don’t bother. Reputable companies should have no problem providing this information, they only reason they won’t is if they have something to hide.

However you found us – by word-of-mouth recommendation, or searching for “IT company London” or “IT support near me”, get in touch on 0208 663 4000 and discover the difference 360ict IT Support London can make to your business.