Finding the right company for your IT needs is critical. With more and more commerce, communication, and change happening digitally, finding the right answer when you Google “managed IT services near me” has only become more essential.
Below, read about how to evaluate IT service companies. Consider how each of the ten criteria below applies to your organization to make the best choice for your needs.
Experience and Knowledge
Hiring an IT company that doesn’t know what it’s doing will cause you more headaches. Find a company that not only knows its field but has the longevity to prove it can successfully run a business and engage professionally. TAG Solutions has you covered when it comes to experience and knowledge in the Albany, New York area. We’d be happy to help you with your managed service needs.
Budgeting and Affordability
While hiring competent and reliable IT services near you is critically important, it won’t matter if you can’t afford them. Talk to the companies you’re considering to see if they can work within your means for the best service possible.
Keep in mind, also, that a proactive managed service provider can help you anticipate technology costs so you can properly budget for them. In addition, they can work with you to put best practices in place to avoid a cyber breach or a network outage. This can actually save you a significant amount of money overall.
Availability and Prompt Support
If your business operates 24/7, will your IT company be able to support you at 3 AM? Ask yourself these kinds of questions as they pertain to your operations. In addition, find out how quickly your potential IT company will address issues when they arise. If you really need a provider that can help at any time of the day or night, plus on weekends, don’t settle for anything less than just that.
Repairs and On-Site Assistance
When things break, you need to be able to rely on your IT servicer to fix it. This is one of the most significant benefits of hiring a local company since they can usually be on-site, in-person, and much faster.
Proactive Maintenance
You need to rely on your IT solutions provider to anticipate issues and guide you through routine maintenance of your hardware and software. Ask potential IT companies how they handle things like software updates. In addition, inquire as to how they handle new cybersecurity threats. They should be working ahead to keep you safe, not rushing to fix problems after they arise.
Attention to Security
Cybersecurity should be a top priority for you and your IT team. Read about the different cybersecurity threats and how to respond to them, or ask your managed services provider to help you identify the ones you think are most pertinent to you. Then, talk about how your IT servicer will help prevent them. In addition, get their input on what they think you should watch out for, too.
Versatility
Where do you see your business in one year, five years, or even ten years? The chances are good that you’re anticipating and working toward changes of some kind, and you need your IT company to be able to adapt with you. Also, your IT provider should understand your goals and suggest ways their services can help get you there sooner.
Reputation and Company Culture
You want to work with the best managed IT solutions near you so you can stay with them long-term and have a healthy working relationship. For that to be possible, you also should ensure that your general philosophies and company cultures align.
If you have a fast-paced, high-pressure workplace, you won’t necessarily work efficiently with an IT company with a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere. You can avoid many future conflicts by clearing that up ahead of time and being sure your companies are well-suited to do business together.
Experts in Different Areas
As you can imagine, the field of IT is broad. No individual can know the ins and outs of all processes and infrastructure. For that reason, your IT company must employ people with a wide range of specialties. TAG Solutions prides itself on having experts in every area of service we offer, so you can always rest assured you are in excellent and capable hands.
Local Knowledge for Managed IT Solutions: Albany, NY
Hiring a local IT service provider has many advantages. First, they can be on-site regularly for maintenance and to address issues. They can better collaborate on training your employees and providing expertise.
If you’re looking for IT services Albany, NY, then consider TAG Solutions. We understand the unique environment of the Capital District and how that impacts the IT world.