What is IT Support? Everything Berkeley Businesses Need to Know

Your business’s tech assets are incredibly important. Technology is an integral part of all business operations these days – for even the most menial tasks. So, it is no wonder that enterprise spending on IT support has increased significantly over the past decade. It is even predicted to peak at just under $1.2 trillion in 2022.

However, many smaller businesses are still holding back from getting the IT support they need. Since they cannot fund a full-time internal IT team or only need help from time to time, SMBs often rely on a few tech-savvy employees to get the job done.

But IT support is crucial for businesses of any size to succeed for countless reasons. What business owners often fail to realize is that IT support companies provide far more services than just trouble-shooting internet connection issues.

Here’s everything you need to know about what outsourced IT support in Berkeley can do for your local business.

Why is Outsourced IT Support Important for SMBs?

First, let’s clarify what an IT support company is.

IT support services are often called Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Companies can outsource whatever IT services your business needs through them.

IT support companies are there to help with all internal technology-related systems your business uses. This usually includes (but is not limited to):

• Networks
• Phone systems
• Computers and company phones
• Firewalls
• Employee tech training
• Cloud-based systems

Having outsourced IT support means you can contact a team of experts for IT issues, troubleshooting assistance, or help with any technical matters.

So, why is this important for small businesses?

Reduce Technical Downtime

Technical issues can slow your business down big time. If your computers aren’t connecting to the internet or your servers are malfunctioning, your business will be losing money. Not only are you missing out on sales and revenue potential, but there is also the lost productivity and repair costs.

It is estimated that IT downtime costs businesses $1.55 million every single year – and about 545 hours of employee productivity is lost as well. For a small business, this number is quite staggering.

Having an IT support team available to step in and fix an issue quickly is a huge advantage. Further, they can help to prevent future problems by monitoring your network and keeping systems updated to avoid common problems.

Increase Cybersecurity

Small businesses are at an unfortunately high risk of cyberattacks. Hackers often target smaller companies specifically because they tend to have less protection on their digital assets. A data breach or hack can be devastating for an SMB. Around 60% of small companies shut down permanently within six months of a cyberattack.

IT support teams help increase your company’s digital security through several approaches. First, they will install firewalls and antivirus software. They will also offer employee training to help them learn the signs of common cyberattacks, such as phishing scams.

Finally, MSPs are responsible for monitoring your entire network to prevent cyberattacks. Hackers will use all kinds of approaches to infiltrate internal databases. Your business needs IT experts on its side to stop them.

Improve Internal Operations

Communication and productivity tend to go hand-in-hand in a business. When employees struggle to share crucial data or contact each other, it makes everything far more difficult. IT support teams can help by providing better, faster systems for digital communication.

One way they do this is through software and hardware upgrades. Outdated tools and technology can hamper productivity immensely. IT teams can help you find better solutions, such as more efficient resources for internal and external processes.

Some IT support companies even offer communication and connectivity solutions to integrate the latest technology. This involves designing a customized plan to increase network speeds and create more effective communication systems.

Cost-Effective IT

Hiring internal IT support is not often an option for many small businesses. First, this requires adding another full-time employee to the roster, which some companies cannot afford. Second, not all companies really need to have an IT team at the office at all times.

Outsourcing IT support through an MSP is far more affordable for SMBs. Many IT support companies offer scalable service-level agreements. This allows you to choose the level of service your company needs to be based on your size, goals, and budget. You still have access to 24/7 support and you can add on more services as needed.

Disaster Recovery and Backup

Finally, having an IT support team can give you peace of mind that all of your company’s data is protected. Say that your office is flooded or ruined in a fire. If all of your information is kept on internal servers, it could be lost forever. MSPs offer disaster recovery and data backup to ensure that all your data is securely stored in off-site locations.

What Does IT Support Include?

Managed IT support is designed to cover the full range of services companies need to operate and grow. These can be customized based on your business’s specific needs, but MSPs typically include the following services with IT support:

Support Desk

IT issues don’t always occur during typical business hours. Thankfully, MSPs are available around the clock to step in and address any troubles quickly. Your employees can contact the support desk for help over the phone or through virtual communication tools to resolve any end-user issues.

Strategic IT

Smaller businesses are not necessarily known for using the latest technology. Upgrading to cutting-edge tech can be quite intimidating – but IT support teams can help. MSPs will offer scalable services to find new, better solutions that align with your company’s goals and objectives.

IT Security

As mentioned before, SMBs are quite vulnerable to cyberattacks which can destroy their company. IT support teams offer 24/7 monitoring and will implement security solutions to reduce these risks.

Professional IT Support

With an MSP, your company has access to true IT experts at all times. This gives you an incredible advantage. IT professionals will help you implement new programs and integrate IT infrastructure to help your business thrive.

Do I Need IT Consulting Services?

Berkeley is home to some of the fastest-growing technology companies in the country. Some even are predicting that this city will be the next Silicon Valley, thanks to the numerous tech startups launching in the area.

So, to keep up with competitors in your area, you must use the latest information technology. IT consulting services from MSPs can help your company find specific solutions to take your business to the next level.

IT consultants will work with your company to pinpoint current weaknesses and optimize solutions. These often include:

• Improving IT security systems
• Cloud computing migration
• Integrating better tools and technology
• Creating multi-level security for databases
• Designing data backup systems
• Server and software updates
• Business continuity solutions

Should I Find IT Support in Berkeley?

There are many remote IT support providers around the country – but is it best to go local? The answer here is yes. While MSPs do offer support virtually and can handle most IT services remotely, it is best to work with IT Support in the Berkeley area for several reasons.

First, you may need in-house assistance for some services. For example, say that you decide to upgrade to new computers and programs. The IT support team will coordinate with local technology partners to deliver and set up these services for you. So, you’ll want to work with a company in the area to connect you with trustworthy, reliable experts.

Cybersecurity and IT issues can be location-based, too. Say that your area is hit with a bad storm that knocks out network connections in the entire city. You’ll want to know that your IT support in Berkeley is aware of the situation and is doing all they can to resolve your issue.

Another possibility is a localized cyberattack. A recent report published by UC Berkeley explained that smart cities that utilize more technology are at a high risk of location-based cyberattacks. This research was published around the same time that the university was the victim of a targeted attack where thousands of employee’s data got leaked.

Working with a local IT support company is advantageous as their team is more aware of location-based attacks that could threaten your business. They also understand your needs far better than an IT group located in another city, state, or country ever could.

What Should I Do Next?

IT support services are important for every business, no matter the industry or its size. The type of services you receive can also be customized based on what your company requires so you have the support you need to grow your business.

Be sure you are hiring an MSP that will give you the exact support and services you need – not more, not less. When searching for an IT support partner, be sure to ask:

• If they have experience with your industry
• What their average response time is (ideally an hour or less)
• About their data security policy
• If they offer consulting services and/or customized solutions

If you’re ready to see how IT support can benefit your Berkeley business, please connect with Precision IT Consulting to learn more.

Goal of post: This post will build credibility, answers all of the big questions on the topic, then ends with a call to action. It is aimed at business owners in the Berkeley area to educate them and list the benefits of IT support.