You’ve got more than 10 employees but less than a few hundred. You’re not a tech giant, but neither a two-person startup nor mom-and-pop shop. You’re right in the sweet spot—agile enough to pivot when needed and sizable enough to make a substantial impact. This unique position calls for a specialized approach to IT support for small businesses—one that aligns with your size, goals, and constraints.
Let’s explore several key things you should always look for when choosing an IT support provider so that the provider can not only ensure seamless operations but also bolster your company’s ability to grow and adapt in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Cybersecurity Should Always Be the Bedrock of IT Support for Small Businesses
In an age where technology is intertwined with almost every facet of your business operations, ignoring cybersecurity is a risk you can’t afford to take even if you’re just a small business.
That’s because a staggering 43 percent of cyber attacks are aimed at small businesses, according to Verizon’s 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report.
Therefore, when seeking IT support for your small business, it’s vital to collaborate with a partner who understands the landscape of cybersecurity and can ensure that all solutions provided won’t lead to the compromise of the data you store and the digital resources you rely on.
A cybersecurity-aware IT support provider will:
- Help you understand your unique cyber risks and provide tailored strategies to mitigate them.
- Keep your systems, data, and networks adequately protected against potential threats.
- Provide regular training and updates to your team about the latest cybersecurity trends and threat prevention techniques.
- Assist in creating a disaster recovery plan, ensuring your business can bounce back quickly in the event of a breach.
In other words, effective IT support for small businesses shouldn’t be just about technology itself—it should be about creating a secure environment in which that technology (and your business) can thrive.
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IT Support for Small Businesses Needs to Be as Agile as SMBs Themselves
Agility isn’t just a desirable trait—it’s a necessity. This rings particularly true for small businesses, which often need to pivot quickly to stay competitive. Agile IT solutions are like clay because they can be molded to fit your business needs as they change over time.
That’s why when it comes to IT support, SMBs should prioritize providers who understand the power of agility and can implement solutions that can accommodate business growth instead of stifling it.
More specifically, it’s a good idea to focus on providers of IT support for small businesses that prioritize the use of cloud-based solutions like Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) over on-premises infrastructure whenever possible.
Cloud-based solutions support business agility in multiple ways, including:
- Easy scalability: Cloud solutions can be easily scaled up or down as your business needs change, ensuring you only pay for what you need.
- Quick deployment: Implementing new software or services in the cloud can be done in minutes, not weeks, allowing you to adapt rapidly to new challenges or opportunities.
- Global accessibility: With cloud-based solutions, your team can access critical data and applications from anywhere in the world, giving you the flexibility to work from different locations or even hire remote employees.
- Streamlined collaboration: Cloud services often come with robust collaboration features that make it easy for team members to work together.
- Pay-as-you-go pricing: Cloud solutions typically operate on a pay-as-you-go pricing model. This means you only pay for the services and resources you actually use, helping you better manage and predict your IT costs.
By embracing the agility of cloud-based solutions, small businesses can ensure they have the IT support they need to adapt and thrive in a constantly changing business landscape.
Local Presence Is a Huge Advantage When It Comes to Small Business IT Support
Now that remote work has become the norm, it’s easy to overlook the value of having a local presence. However, when it comes to IT support for small businesses, having a partner right in your backyard can make all the difference. Here’s why:
- On-site support: While many IT issues can be resolved remotely, there are instances where on-site assistance is invaluable. A local IT provider can be at your premises quickly when necessary, delivering hands-on support that gets you back on track in no time.
- Understanding of the local market: A provider operating from the same location as you will have a deep understanding of the area’s business climate, regulatory environment, and potential risks—knowledge that can help tailor your IT strategies.
- Sharing the same time zone: This ensures that support is available during your business hours, and you don’t have to adjust your schedule to account for differences in operating hours.
- Established relationships with local vendors: A local IT partner likely has connections with other local vendors, facilitating collaboration and potential partnerships that can benefit your business.
This local touch is exactly what we at OSIbeyond have been offering to small businesses in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC areas since 2004. Thanks to a combination of local presence, world-class customer experience, and high technical competence, OSIbeyond offers:
- Hands-on IT support on-site, complemented by remote assistance via phone, chat, and email, solving problems efficiently and effectively.
- Boasts a wealth of industry certifications and expertise, ensuring we deliver nothing but the best.
- Comprehensive portfolio of Managed IT Services, from day-to-day technical support to advanced cybersecurity and compliance services, and technology strategy consulting.
Interested in learning more about how we can tailor our services to your needs? Contact us today to discuss how we can help your business thrive.
Conclusion
Choosing the right IT support for your small business is no small task, but it’s one that can make or break your success in today’s digital era. By prioritizing cybersecurity, embracing agility with cloud-based solutions, and leveraging the advantage of a local presence, you can ensure that your IT support isn’t just a necessity—it’s a strategic asset that drives your business forward. And remember, we at OSIbeyond are always ready to lend our expertise and passion for technology to help your business thrive.