One thing to think about in the new year is what you can do to improve your business efficiency and productivity.
How well your technology is being managed has one of the biggest impacts on company profitability. In a study by MITSloan, it was found that a $1 increase in IT expenditures per employee could result in a $12.22 increasein sales.
However, that money has to be well spent and technology needs to be well maintained to produce the productivity impacts your Gonzales, LA business expects.
Are you being held back by your current IT provider? Are they living up to expectations? Are you getting what you are paying for?
You don’t have to be an IT expert yourself to identify when a managed services provider (MSP) isn’t delivering.
Whether it’s in networking, cybersecurity or ongoing computer repairs and maintenance, it’s important that the professional managing your systems not only knows what they’re doing, but also provides proactive and responsive service.
How do you know if you should fire your current IT provider? Here are several telltale signs that you need to start shopping around.
You Have Regular Unexpected Downtime
Of course, even the best IT provider can’t anticipate and prevent every unexpected breakdown or software problem, but we can stop a majority of them.
If you’re experiencing repeated and regular unexpected downtime due to technology problems, it’s a red flag that your provider isn’t maintaining your IT as they should.
For example, a good IT provider will know the warning signs of hard drive failure and take appropriate steps well in advance to prevent a crash. One purpose of having a monthly MSP plan is to minimize unexpected downtime.
Downtime costs small businesses over $10,000 an hour.
They Have Slow Response Times
While everyone can get busy now and then, it’s vital that an MSP provide fast, responsive service when you need them. Good IT service providers have enough coverage so that their customers aren’t left waiting hours for help.
If you find yourself having to wait hours or even days before you can get help for an urgent issue, this is a sign that either your provider is taking on too much and hasn’t hired enough staff, or that they don’t have very good customer support.
They Try to Sell Instead of Offer Guidance
One important service that Louisiana businesses often rely on from their IT professional is guidance on things like hardware, software, and business process integration.
It’s important that you get advice on the best systems for you, NOT the systems that give a provider the best commission.
If their business technology “guidance” is more of a sales pitch than anything else, it’s time to look for another IT professional that can truly put your best interests first.
You Often Pay More Than Expected
A good IT provider will be completely transparent about pricing up front, so you know exactly what to expect and can budget accordingly.
You may want to consider firing your MSP if you often see mysterious and unexpected charges showing up on your invoices. Another red flag is when IT providers can’t give you a straight answer about an expected price for a service.
They Have Bad Customer Service
Bad customer service can take many forms. It can mean an unfriendly and dismissive agent answering when you call with a question. It can also mean there is no follow up after a project to ensure all is going well.
Good MSPs will go the extra mile for customers, offer friendly and prompt service, and will often have reviews stating they are “great to work with.”
Don’t you and your team deserve to have friendly and attentive support?
You Keep Running Into “We Don’t Do That”
If you ask your IT provider for help with a technology issue that’s outside your normal services, a good one will be able to help. Robust IT companies will have expertise in multiple areas and be a “one stop shop” for just about all your technology needs.
If you keep hearing, “We don’t do that” from your IT provider, this is a sign that their skills are very limited, and they aren’t growing as your business is and won’t be able to fully support you.
For both price efficiency and a fully integrated technology infrastructure, it’s better to work with an IT provider that can handle all your technology needs.
Looking for Friendly, Efficient, and Professional IT Support?
Carl’s Computer Care has expert technicians that can help your business with a wide range of technology needs. We pride ourselves on responsive and high-quality support. Our main goal is to make your business better through efficient use of IT.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation! Call 225-315-3498 or reach us online.