New Year, New IT Provider?
The Christmas decs are down and we’ve all fumbled our way back into our routines, grieving the endless opportunities to eat mince pies at any time of the day. 2023 is underway!
We all tend to do a bit of a business inventory at this time of year to check if we’ve got the best solutions at hand. And you might be tempted to opt for cheaper options… especially in today’s climate. But is a better deal actually a better deal?
We’re here to look at the facts of what IT should cost to make sure you get the level of service and quality that your business needs.
What should IT cost?
As with everything, there’s a range when it comes to IT costs. And, of course, budget has to come into it. But the fatal mistake some businesses make is spending less just because they think it’s a good deal. What they end up with is a lower level of IT support than they really need, leaving themselves open to risk.
So the first step is to assess what you actually need:
Basic remote support – if all you need is someone at the end of the phone if something goes wrong, then you can go for a lower cost option – usually £15-20 per user. Responses won’t be quick, and you‘ll have to pay for any extras, but this can work where IT isn’t central to what your business does. This option can also typically be offered on a Pay As You Go (PAYG) basis, charged at an hourly rate basis, which comes in anywhere between £20 and £100 per hour.
General all-round support – for £20-30 per user, you can get a lot more that will ensure your business keeps running. Quicker response times, fewer extra charges and remote support that can fix any issues before you even realise they’ve happened. Here, you are entering Managed Service Provider territory.
Support with bells on (fully managed) – spend £30+ per user and you get a true fully managed IT Service – basically, an outsourced IT department. Experts that have the correct knowledge, tools and machines make sure everything is tip-top. And, in the event that an issue does crop up, they are on it straight away. This level of support also comes with advice on what type of technology and updates you need to make your business as productive as possible. You will often find IT companies fall into this category as ‘Managed IT Service Providers’ (MSPs for short). Of course, even the level of services offered by different MSPs will also vary, so do your homework.
The key to deciding which of these camps you fall into is being honest with yourself. Yes, you may need to spend more money than you originally wanted to, but cutting costs will only ever lead to you not having enough support or protection. In the long run, it could cost you a lot more.
Somerbys IT provides support with bells on!
Here at Somerbys IT, we like to work with clients who need a higher level of support. We have the knowledge and expertise to do this and feel like we’re only doing half a job if we don’t. Yes, this leads to more cost, but here are five reasons why our clients don’t mind paying that bit extra:
Dedicated IT support and service with a human touch – we work closely with each of our clients and take time to listen to what they need before implementing the right solutions. We know all of our clients on first-name terms and regularly check in with them. And we’re always at the end of the phone when they need us, no matter what. From being worried about cyber security and bigger concerns, to more everyday IT issues like the printer not connecting properly… we’re there.
A range of products and services – IT support isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. We look at your business – its size, what it does, who your clients are – and then recommend the products and services that you need.
Everything you need under one IT roof – sure, you could have a range of IT service providers, but that means lots of different contracts, payment agreements, reviews and renewals. It may work out cheaper, but it’s a pain and a drain on your time. With Somerbys IT, we do all that for you.
We won’t sell you things you don’t need – we look at what you need and provide just that… no point in bigger or better if that’s not what you need.
We keep you safe – the crux of the matter is, IT and cyber security support keep your business running. If you’re compromising on quality or not using the correct level of support, you could be leaving vulnerabilities that cyber criminals will just love to take advantage of. Paying that little bit extra will ensure you, your business and your clients are safe. And it’ll be a fraction of the cost of a cyber breach or your systems breaking down.
If a high level of IT support with a human touch is what your business needs, then we’d love to talk to you more about it. Feel free to get in touch with our friendly team to find out more.
