FINDING THE RIGHT SUPPORT: HOW TO CHOOSE AN IT SUPPORT COMPANY IN CHICAGO Keeping your business up and running requires you to get network support and other services. Hiring the help of a credible IT support company in Chicago is just what you need. But how do you find the right IT support for your business? We’ve got you covered. Consider these tips to get the assistance that you need. 1. FIND OUT WHAT IT SERVICES THEY SPECIALIZE IN Every IT company is different, so it’s important to get clear on what these professionals offer. Some companies offer packages that involve helping you on a daily basis, while others help on more of a retainer basis. Ask to see a copy of their contracts in order to know what sort of agreement you are signing up for. 2. ASK ABOUT REFERENCES AND PRIOR WORK The more highly touted an IT support company is, the better. Ask them for references so that you can see how they’ve been helpful to others. Rather than just taking the references at face value, call them up yourself for verification. You should also check the reviews that other companies have written on the IT support company you are thinking about hiring. When you see a litany of happy customers, it will give you peace of mind that they’ll be able to help you too. Look through their portfolio and have them explain their prior work to you so you can choose a company that is seasoned and experienced. 3. LEARN HOW BIG THEIR COMPANY IS AND WHO WILL BE HELPING YOU When shopping for IT support, make sure you get a feel for which professionals will be assisting you. Some companies are large and will send out a different technician for each call, while others are boutique shops that will give your company personal attention. The size of the company depends on your preference, but you should always find out in advance. Make sure that you also ask them how they see their business growing so you can gauge whether they will still be a good fit 5 years from now. An IT company that has a plan to scale their business will be more equipped and able to help you as you scale yours. 4. GET A BREAKDOWN OF THEIR RATES You will need to see how much IT professionals charge to make sure you can afford the rates they are offering. This helps you fit their services into your overhead costs, and also decide how much you are willing to pay. There are many IT companies that will give you a personalized estimate, so let them know in advance what you need since it dictates how much you will pay. 5. SEE HOW THEY HANDLE UPGRADES Upgrading is half the battle when it comes to your IT needs. You will always want the newest and best hardware and software and need to continuously fine-tune your current setup. In many cases, subscribing to an IT service plan means that consistent upgrades are included. Find out what the subscription gets you and you’ll be in a position to always have the latest tech. 6. ASSESS THE OVERALL NEEDS OF YOUR COMPANY You are better able to address your IT needs when you have your finger on the pulse. While certain services might be impressive, you should only pay for those that you need. A small business might not have the same needs as a major corporation, and vice versa. Whether you need data backup, technician troubleshooting, or hardware upgrades, it’s important to get clear on your IT needs. The right IT company can help you choose the best software, hardware, web hosting, and more. 7. ASK ABOUT GUARANTEES AND UPTIME Anytime your systems are down you are at risk for losing serious business, and your company is at risk of taking a reputation hit. Because of this, you should ask if the IT company offers any guarantees on uptime. You need your systems to remain up for as close to 100 percent of the time as possible. Be sure to also ask them about any guarantees they have on the performance of your hardware and software. Make sure that any guarantees are also put into writing. 8. LEARN ABOUT HOW THEY HANDLE CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND TROUBLESHOOTING Reliability is the most important characteristic of any IT company that you are planning to do business with. When you have a feel for how they handle each and every support issue, you can count on them to take action when you need it. You should also see if they offer remote troubleshooting so that you can get help around the clock. Because these professionals are responsible for your systems staying up to par and up to date, never hire a company that doesn’t have excellent customer support. HIRE THE RIGHT IT SUPPORT COMPANY These tips are important to keep in mind when you’re shopping for an IT support company. Whenever you have the help of IT contractors that can handle your issues, it provides you with a strong foundation for your business. It gives you a leg up on your competition and makes sure that you can communicate with your customers in an effective way. They will address all of your hardware and software needs and will provide you with ongoing service in that regard. Use these tips to get the help that you need from a stellar IT company in your area. If you are in need of Chicago IT work, contact us today. RETURN TO BLOG PAGE MORE ARTICLES TO EXPLORE 5 WAYS TO TELL YOUR COMPANY NEEDS COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES IT OUTSOURCING: 8 REASONS TO OUTSOURCE YOUR TECH SUPPORT 9 REASONS WHY AN IT CONSULTING COMPANY CAN HELP YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS YES, YOU CAN! HOW TO AFFORD SMALL BUSINESS IT SERVICES (EVEN ON A BUDGET) © 2021 Nectel Technologies 2150 S Canalport Ave, Chicago Il 60608