One
of the most difficult parts of keeping your business computers and
computer network running properly is making sure that the small business computer support
you choose covers all the important elements. Unfortunately, many
business owners aren’t computer or IT experts – they’re experts in their
own business. IT support, backup technology, disaster planning and
Exchange email servers are, at best, vague concepts that are important –
but most depend on their IT department or small business computer
support company to ensure that everything is protected the way it should
be.
If
you’re looking for a small business computer support provider, though,
it’s important to know what’s important and what you can do without.
Unless you understand the basics, you could end up with a support
contract that’s inadequate for your needs, or one that’s far more
extensive and expensive than you require. These elements should be
included in any small business computer support program or contract.
IT Support
IT
support encompasses all the basics of installing and managing your
information and technology assets. Depending on the type of support plan
you choose, you may have 24/7 access to an online knowledge base for
self-diagnosis and repair as well as telephone access to computer
experts who can help you diagnose problems or walk you through basic
tasks. The most advanced IT support may include scheduled backups and
offsite storage for the backups, as well as installation and upgrading
of computer programs.
Routine Maintenance
Most
car owners religiously follow the repair and maintenance schedule set
out by their car manufacturer, but few computers come with instructions
on routine maintenance. At most, the manufacturer may recommend running a
daily virus scan with a virus removal tool. In fact, when your
computers and network are the backbone of your business, routine
maintenance can head off problems and keep everything running smoothly. A
good small business computer support program will include regularly
scheduled “checkups” to make sure that all of your hardware is operating
at optimal levels, replace components that need upgrading and upgrade
software as needed.
Consultation
Consultation
is a wide term, and deliberately so. Whether you’re trying to decide on
the best machine to choose as a server or figuring out where you should
place your printer in relation to your network machines, an IT support
specialist can help you make the best decisions. Your support contract
should allow you to consult the experts on software and hardware decisions, and specify prices for doing so.
Virus Removal
Virus
infection is a fact of life in today’s connected world, and every IT
support program should include regularly scheduled, automated virus
scans and virus removal, with the option for manual removal by an expert
in more complicated cases.
Emergency Computer Repair and Recovery
This
is the one element of a small business computer support contract that
nearly every business owner expects. Your contract should specify onsite
and offsite options for repair, as well as the types of repair that are
covered.
A
small business computer support contract is an essential if your
business relies on computers for record-keeping, operations or in any
way whatsoever. Make sure you understand what your contract covers so
that you know whether it’s adequate for your needs.
