IT problems can bring your company grinding to a halt. Without the proper IT support, anything from rogue emails to a computer error message could prevent your team from meeting deadlines - or even spell complete disaster!
But which type of IT support is right for you?
On the one hand, you might feel on-site IT support would fit your business structure. On the other hand, remote support can be more flexible.
With IT playing such a huge role in the productivity of your business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by this important decision.
But don’t worry, we’re here to walk you through the benefits and downsides of both remote and on-site support.
Benefits Of On-Site Support
On-site support means having an engineer or consultant - or even a team of IT personnel - on your physical premises. We’re talking specifically about outsourced on-site support, not internally hired support as that can function very differently.
On-site technical assistance is best suited to companies that only require IT help during specific hours and within a small site area. Smaller companies will likely find on-site support the most useful, as their IT expert will be on-hand and able to deal with queries as they arise.
One of the most obvious benefits of having on-site support is the human aspect.
Sometimes you just need someone there in person to be able to explain what the problem is! If you’ve found it difficult to define your IT problems in the past, then an on-site technician may be best.
Finally, the most obvious bonus to having your support on your premises is that they can fix hardware issues. Remote support can always deploy other measures to help with hardware issues, but an on-site engineer will already be there ready to help.
Benefits Of Remote Support
Now you know when on-site support could work for you, let’s take a look at remote support.
This could look like an individual or a team of IT experts who help with your technical issues in a remote format only. They would provide support through telephone calls, instant messaging, video calls or dedicated software.
Remote support like this is ideal for large companies with more than one premises. If your business has employees in multiple locations, working remotely or in other countries, then remote help will be right for you.
The biggest benefit to remote IT assistance is that you often get more for your money. When it comes to affordability, a remote team will often cost you less than an on-site IT technician.
Downsides To On-Site Support
On-site support has its plus points, but it also has a few drawbacks that are worth noting.
One of the biggest culprits is that paying someone to be there on your premises in person will undoubtedly cost more than even a full team of remote IT specialists. This is because they’ll need to account for their travel costs and ensure they have all the equipment they need on-site.
Along with that comes the issue of availability. Having someone on-site to help during peak office hours may work fine, but for companies that operate around the clock or in different time zones, an in-person technician can only be on your property for so many hours of a day.
Another thing to think about is where your team is based. If your employees aren’t office-based, then it doesn’t make sense to hire someone to stay on-site when you require remote support.
Downsides To Remote Support
Remote IT services are invaluable to modern businesses, but there are two sides to tech support.
While we can swiftly take control of your computer, mouse and keyboard on a call, remote support can’t be there in person for hardware issues.
Luckily, if you discovered a problem with a physical device, such as a laptop being dropped and broken, we can help you get the right replacement ordered or arrange a repair. Our experts can even use instant messaging or video calls to guide you in fixing simple hardware issues yourself.
Many businesses opt for remote IT support, with ad hoc in-person support as and when it’s needed as this gives the best of both worlds.
Which Is Right For You?
The right IT support for you will depend on multiple factors, but whatever your needs Data Innovations can help. Our expert team can help you to get the IT support that’s right for your needs and budget.
As a small company, you’ll get to know us so we’ll end up feeling like part of your team too. The longer we work with you, the more we’ll know about your processes and systems - making our job of managing your IT all the quicker.
Ready to find out more about our remote support service? Then contact us to get your IT support in place.
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