7 Warning Signs Your IT Support Provider Is Holding Your Business Back
When your business enlists the help of an IT support provider, it is usually done with the aim of improving business efficiency, reducing delays and minimising downtime across your IT systems. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, and your IT support provider can actually be holding you back.
Reduced productivity, holes in your security, and your business growth being hampered in general are signs your IT support provider isn’t holding up their end of the bargain. In this blog, we will outline 7 signs your IT support provider is holding your business back and what proper support looks like.
1. Your IT Issues Keep Coming Back
Repeated software failures are the bane of many business IT operations. Recurring issues with connectivity that are only temporarily fixed can cost employees valuable working time while they wait for their providers to paper over the cracks. A good IT support provider will establish the root cause and carry out proactive maintenance to stop recurring issues.
2. Slow Response Times Are Affecting Productivity
Extended waiting times for responses from IT support and unresolved tickets can have a real impact on business operations. It can cause employees to miss deadlines, having a knock-on effect on future deals. Having clear escalation procedures and agreed response expectations ensures your staff know when to expect their IT issue to be resolved.
3. Cyber Security Is Not Being Prioritised
Cyber security should be a high priority for any business IT support provider. Insufficient security updates, weak access controls, untested backups and limited threat monitoring can cause SMEs in the UK a world of problems if not taken seriously. Proactive cyber security is the solution and should come as standard in any managed IT support package.
4. Your IT Provider Only Acts When Something Breaks
IT support providers that are holding you back tend to make reactive changes and fixes, whereas a good provider proactively supports your business IT. System monitoring, planned maintenance and regular tech review are signs of a good provider. If these are absent from your current support, your provider is holding you back.
5. Your IT Support Costs Are Unclear
As an SME, budgets and spending are high up on your list of things to monitor. Unexpected charges, unclear invoices and confusing service agreements are all signs of a poor IT support provider. Understanding which services are included in your business’s agreement helps you better understand what you can expect.
6. Your IT Setup Cannot Keep Pace With Business Growth
When your business is growing, you don’t want to be limited by your current software and IT infrastructure. As you welcome new employees and acquire new devices and software, your IT systems need to be able to keep up. If your IT support provider isn’t capable of scaling with your business, they’re not right for you. A good provider will help you prepare for expansion rather than merely reacting to changing requirements.
7. You Are Not Receiving Strategic IT Advice
When it comes to IT, forward planning and technology recommendations are where IT support providers make some of their biggest differences. A good provider will understand where your business is heading and make recommendations based on your goals. Here at VCI Systems, we support businesses with our partnership-led approach, supporting you through every stage of your business.
What Should You Do If Your IT Support Provider Is Falling Short?
If you think your IT support provider is falling short, there are few things you should do before switching. We recommend documenting the recurring problems, response times and the disruption it is currently causing.
Before you cut ties, it is worth discussing with your current provider your expectations and a potential improvement plan. Should your problems remain unresolved, this is the time to begin comparing alternative outsourced IT services for your SME.
Be sure to check your current contract terms, data access, and determine the practicalities of switching providers.
Looking for an IT Support Provider You Can Rely On?
If you think your IT support provider is holding your business back, why not switch to VCI Systems? We help SMEs across Berkshire with their IT systems through transparent communication, responsive support and long-term partnerships that grow with your business.
If you wish to find out what working with VCI Systems would be like, get in touch with the team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore some of the most frequently asked questions about IT support providers.
Can You Change IT Support Providers Without Disrupting Your Business?
With careful planning, documented access and a managed handover, switching IT support providers can be done with reduced disruption.
Should Small Businesses Choose Managed or Outsourced IT Support?
They are effectively the same thing. Managed support is commonly delivered through an outsourced provider and may include ongoing monitoring, maintenance and advice.
