Technology is an irreplaceable part of our lives and our work, but the super-techy details aren't everyone's area of expertise. Recruiting external small business IT support can help your company stay current and protected, but how do you know what services are worth the time and investment?
Needs vary from business to business, but there are a few IT services no organization should be without. Let's take a look at the solutions you'll want to be sure to include in your IT plans.
Managed IT Services
Managed IT services involve outsourcing your company's IT management and support to a specialized third-party provider, ensuring consistent performance, security, and expert troubleshooting. These services are customizable, so you'll pick and pay for only the things you need.
When you choose to outsource your small business IT support, you save significant time and money that would otherwise be spent on maintaining an in-house team. You'll also have access to the wealth of expertise and tools that IT professionals bring. And, best of all, you won't have to deal with IT headaches all day—you can spend your time and resources on your core operations.
Some of the most common managed IT services include:
- Network monitoring, optimization, and maintenance
- Proactive protection against threats
- Help desk support
- Application management and maintenance
- Data storage and protection
Why It Matters
Managed IT services help you create a smooth infrastructure of software and hardware, promoting productivity and keeping you safe from cyber threats and prolonged downtime.
Cybersecurity Services
The effects of a cyberattack can be staggering—some estimate financial losses of around $3 million, not to mention downtime, low staff morale, and hits to your reputation. That's why it is absolutely essential to include cybersecurity in your small business IT support to protect sensitive data, maintain customer trust, and prevent costly breaches.
Ask your IT team about these indispensable cybersecurity services to make sure your business is staying safe:
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Employee training and disaster drills
- Data encryption
- Software installation
- Multi-factor authentication setup
- Network security, including endpoint detection (EDR) and managed detection and response (MDR)
Why It Matters
With robust security measures, you can protect sensitive data, stay within compliance regulations, avoid huge losses, and maintain the trust of your clients and staff—all of which will help your business thrive for years to come.
Cloud Services
Cloud computing offers unparalleled flexibility and scalability, as you can easily make adjustments to meet your needs. By adopting cloud services, you can significantly reduce IT infrastructure costs, increase collaboration, and improve data backup and disaster recovery.
The cloud gives you access to a wealth of resources, and it facilitates remote work by allowing team members to access necessary information and platforms from anywhere. Different types of cloud services can expand your workplace tools and improve your team's productivity:
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) offers virtual computing resources, giving businesses complete control over their IT infrastructure.
- Platforms-as-a-Service (PaaS) provides a platform that allows clients to develop, run, and manage applications without dealing with the underlying complexities.
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) delivers software applications over the internet so users can access the software from any device.
Specific cloud services included with small business IT support can be things like support for applications (Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Google Workplace, etc.), cloud desktop management, and cloud migration services.
Why It Matters
The business world is fast-paced, workplace expectations are ever-changing, and growth and agility are key for your business's success. Cloud computing gives you the ability to make changes, evolve, and support remote work—benefits you can't afford to miss out on.
Data Backup and Disaster Recovery
These services are crucial for maintaining business continuity in the face of unforeseen events like cyberattacks, hardware failures, or natural disasters.
Without proper data backup, you risk losing the sensitive data crucial to running your business. This can lead to prolonged downtimes, as well as significant financial and reputational losses—66% of consumers reported they wouldn't trust a company after they had experienced a data breach. Small business IT support can help you avoid these devastating consequences.
These services will help your business keep running seamlessly, even after unexpected situations:
- Regular automated backups (both on-site and off)
- Data encryption
- Disaster recovery/business continuity planning
- Disaster drills and recovery plan tests
Why It Matters
You can't plan when disaster will strike, but if you're prepared with a plan for how to react, you can mitigate its negative effects. Solid data backup and disaster recovery measures ensure business continuity during incidents, minimizing data loss, reducing downtime, and protecting your company's reputation.
Put Velocity IT at the Top of Your List
Planning small business IT support is no small task, and our team at Velocity IT is ready to make your life easier. We offer a wide range of IT services, and we're dedicated to finding just the right ones for your organization. Our techs are friendly, fast, knowledgeable, and invested in your success—we can't wait to work with you!
So if you're making an IT checklist, put calling Velocity IT at the top.
