What Business Executives Need to Know about Outsourcing to a Nashville IT Support Company

Are you a Nashville business executive considering outsourcing IT support for your company? Using an IT company in Nashville to outsource your support will reduce the stress and workload of your own staff.

Finding a Nashville IT services company that you can trust with your important computer network and proprietary data management is the key to narrowing your selection. Several factors can influence your decision of which Nashville IT support company to hire including expertise, experience, and cost.

Profitability requires keeping costs within budgetary restraints. Delegating labor hours to an outside IT company can save money since it frees up your own employees to work on your core business. Here are several need-to-know items to look over before outsourcing IT support.

IT Maintenance and Repair Agreements

Similar to any other equipment you own or rent, repair and maintenance on your computer network depends on what’s wrong, how old your system is, what needs to be updated and how many devices you own or rent. Since businesses look to reduce costs and improve profitability, it is critical to weigh the cost-benefit analysis when choosing an IT company in Nashville. It’s helpful to understand how the IT support industry operates before interviewing companies. The following models are the most commonly used for IT services:

Break-Fix Service

Part of choosing the right IT support company is fully understanding how much computers/devices are embedded in your business. Does your industry rely on computers for every step of business such as design, manufacturing, logistics, and administration? Or do you use other processes for your core business and just use your computer network for administration? At a minimum, most businesses depend on their networks for storing records, including private HR information, proprietary files, and taxes. If your company uses your network sparingly, you may find that a “Break-Fix” service agreement is your best fit. This model is primarily similar to standard repair services. When you need service or your computer requires updating, you call the support company. Each call is billed separately as they come. You may save money using this type of service, but the biggest drawback is the potential for sudden costly repairs and/or significant downtime.

Per Device Service

If you prefer a monthly contract with your Nashville IT company, you may want to use a “Per Device” agreement. This model includes a monthly or quarterly fee for each device, generally up to $100 per month. These fees are charged in an “a la carte” fashion similar to ordering from a restaurant menu. You set the budget, determining the level of support or service for each device during the payment period. If your company has a low number of devices, this model may be the best fit. The biggest drawback is difficulty keeping up with routine maintenance and updates.

Per User Service

For businesses that have a lot of devices and users, or that fluctuate in users, a “Per User” support agreement model may be the best fit. This model can change as your company grows or changes while continuing to keep each user’s devices up and running. Updates and maintenance are usually included in this agreement, so you don’t have to worry about incompatible programs, security risks or downtime. Costs can vary depending on several factors such as your industry, type of devices, location, tasks needed and other factors. Computer services tend to run approximately $100 to $200 per user per month.

What Computer Tasks Do You Want to Outsource To A Nashville IT Company?

Nashville IT services can perform many tasks in order to free up your employees’ time. Some businesses prefer to keep some IT work in-house, while other companies want to outsource everything. Your IT support company can do any of the tasks listed below and more based on what you require for your business:

  • Adding and deleting users
  • Network monitoring
  • Data backup
  • Email archiving and filtering
  • IT support for employees
  • Maintaining a firewall
  • Protection from viruses
  • Software management
  • Equipment purchasing or leasing
  • Server and equipment maintenance
  • Mobile device management
  • Compliance management
  • Application management

When you interview prospective IT companies, you can discuss your specific needs, programs and equipment to ensure that your needs match up to the IT expertise offered.

Working with an Experienced Nashville IT Services Team

Outsourcing your IT support means that you have the advantage of working with an experienced team. This dedicated team offers expert-level support on all computer network issues no matter what time of day they occur. Their experience will shorten downtime, and reduce the number of problems due to high-quality maintenance and product knowledge. They should be able to resolve any issues you have in a timely manner. You should expect your Nashville IT services firm to be available 24/7 so that you can do global business outside of standard office hours. IT support teams should be training on a periodic basis to stay updated on changes in the industry, and other time-sensitive issues. IT support is an industry that changes rapidly and you can’t be expected to know everything all the time.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

It is up to you to decide whether outsourcing to an IT company in Nashville is worth the cost. You know your company better than anyone and whether outsourcing support will benefit your business. But, you must consider the stress as well as the money when figuring out the cost. Having Sunriver IT as your Nashville IT services company and on-call 24/7 to maintain and repair your can allow your business to grow and stay competitive even during your busiest time of year. Contact us for more information.