Attention CEOs: What Is Your Internal IT Department Not Telling You?

When was the last time you looked into your Atlanta company’s IT department and asked some tough questions?

Is your IT budget being used efficiently and in the best manner for your company? IT can often be the most essential part of a company, even though it’s not your core business. Or maybe it comes in second after the sales or production department. But if like most companies yours relies on IT for programs, file storage and administration for every department, computer downtime or a security breach can be devastating for your entire business. Companies increasingly depend on their computer networks as technology continues to improve. Are you missing out on profits because of issues in your IT department?

Maybe it’s time to take another look at outsourcing your IT to a dedicated IT company in Atlanta.

Outsourcing IT Repair and Maintenance In Atlanta

Like all equipment you use in your business, the cost of maintenance and repair on your computer network varies depending on the age of your system, updating needs, the number of devices and what exactly needs to be done. To learn whether you should outsource your IT, you need to perform a cost-benefit analysis. Before you begin, getting a better understanding of how service agreements work for IT companies in Atlanta is helpful. Most companies work with one or more of these three models:

Break-Fix Service

How much do you use computers/devices in your business? Does your industry use computers for all aspects of your work including design, manufacturing, logistics and administration? Or are computers primarily used for administration and your core business uses other processes? In this day and age, the majority of companies use a computer network for file storage, proprietary information, HR files and taxes. If that is all your business uses a computer network for, you may find that a “Break-Fix” agreement is the best fit. A Break-Fix agreement is similar to a standard repair service call. When you call for service, a technician comes out, assesses the problem and fixes it. Then they hand you a bill. Each visit is billed separately, and you pay on the spot or within the contracted amount of time. The most significant drawbacks to this type of agreement are the potential for unexpected high costs and too much downtime.

Per Device Service

If you don’t have a lot of devices used regularly in your company, you may prefer a “Per Device” service agreement. IT companies in Atlanta offer this type of agreement to clients who want to pay a monthly fee for each device they own. These fees are usually in the range of $100 per month. You can set your budget to control the costs and the support provided will stay within your budgeted amount. Fees for repair and maintenance services are charged “a la carte” just like ordering from a restaurant menu. The most significant drawback to this service is difficulty keeping up with regular computer maintenance and necessary updates.

Per User Service

The most commonly recommended service model is a “Per User Service.” It is popular because it is the most flexible, and will fluctuate based on active users instead of quantity of devices. For instance, seasonal changes in staff would be reflected in the number of users billed. If this contract is the best fit for you, you can make changes as your company changes. You will have regular maintenance and repair on each user’s devices at all times including updates. Timely updates reduce security risk, incompatible files and downtime. Costs are based on industry standards, type of devices, your location, tasks contracted and other factors. These services tend to range approximately $100 to $200 per user each month.

Gaining an Experienced Atlanta IT Services Team

Outsourcing your IT services to an IT company in Atlanta gives you the significant advantage of working with an experienced team. You receive expert-level service on all of your network issues 24/7. Team experience shortens downtime and reduces the number of issues with a wealth of knowledge and skill. Your computer issues are resolved efficiently and effectively to keep your business up and to run. Global companies can access service any time they need without impacting their international work outside of standard office hours. There is always help available if you need it. Additionally, a dedicated team stays updated on changes and problems in the IT industry, and any other time-sensitive issues. Since the IT support industry changes often, it is difficult for non-specialists to stay updated consistently.

What Does IT Support Encompass?

An IT company in Atlanta can free up your employees’ time by taking over a long list of tasks. You can save money and labor hours by outsourcing these tasks, and use it to focus more on your core business. Here is a partial list of functions that you can outsource:

• Adding and deleting users
• Network monitoring
• Data backup
• Email archiving and filtering
• IT support for employees
• Maintaining a firewall
• Protection from viruses
• Software management
• Equipment purchasing or leasing
• Server and equipment maintenance
• Mobile device management
• Compliance management
• Application management

You can discuss specific needs with IT companies that you interview as well as your list of programs and brand of equipment to ensure a good match.

Making The Decision: Choosing The Best IT Company In Atlanta

Ultimately, the decision to outsource to an IT company in Atlanta is yours. You know your company better than anyone, and can determine whether the cost of outsourcing your IT is worth it. But consider the benefits of handing off your IT to an expert team that is on call 24/7 for your network repair and maintenance needs. Focus your time and money on your core business and let the experts keep your computer network in top-notch form. Contact us for more information.