Finding the right IT support partner and the 5 mistakes to avoid!

Businesses in Ipswich and the surrounding Suffolk area typically spend a lot of time trying to find the right IT support partner for them, this is costly, time consuming and can cause some very real pain points if they make the wrong choice.

The right IT Support company will allow you to outsource all your IT requirements including: procurement of hardware and software, managed Cloud Services and Cyber Security, through to having a documented IT roadmap that aligns with your goals.

There are many IT support and service providers to choose from within Ipswich, Colchester, Felixstowe and the surrounding areas. Making the wrong decision can cause a huge array of issues- such as reoccurring security issues, un-tested back-ups and the nemesis of all infrastructures-downtime!

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This blog details the 5 mistakes you will want to avoid:

Mistake Number 1 in finding the right IT support partner – Overlooking the security aspect

IT Security is the single biggest threat to your IT Infrastructure.  An IT support partner who does not take this aspect seriously increases your risk of a cyber-attack and leaves your business and infrastructure vulnerable. To avoid this, look for a dedicated IT support partner that can protect you from the latest threats and prioritise protecting your company data.

When it comes to specific security considerations, your IT support company should be raising with you all the aspects of preventing data intrusion from phishing attack simulations, perimeter security, DNS security, endpoint protection and dark web protection.

Mistake Number 2 – Forgetting the importance of your IT Budget

The potential budget required for innovation should be understood fully by you both.  From one-off expenditure through to reoccurring- quite often there can be cost savings involved when all aspects are taken into account.

Once your goals are understood, your IT support provider should work with you to help you plan for the budget required to ensure your projects are successful. These costs can form part of your technology roadmap enabling you to feel really clear on the total cost of ownership of your new environment as the key deliverables of your project complete.

Mistake Number 3 – Insisting on the newest technology

Some IT support partners want you to believe that the latest tech will resolve all your issues.  The key question to ask yourself is- is it right for your business?  The newest virtualisation and cloud offerings can really help boost your efficiencies – but they may not be suitable for your business. Through a consultative approach this can be established. With IT strategy consulting your IT support partner can understand your aims for any potential project establishing the priorities and, most importantly, that your budget enables you to implement solutions with seamless integration.

Mistake Number 4 – Picking a provider that offers a reactive service

This is one of the most important partnerships to your business. From the initial engagement it’s imperative you choose a provider that is engaging, timely and one that takes the time to understand your business- both the challenges and opportunities. Most importantly their standard offering must include proactive elements, whether it be the managed elements of keeping you secure or the importance they put on the relationship between you.

In addition, constant monitoring can help you detect IT issues early. Part of avoiding these issues is picking a IT support partner that administers regular patches and updates to safeguard against disasters. This includes regular meetings to ensure you are on track, and that your team are trained on how to make the most from your technology is paramount.

And finally, Mistake Number 5 in finding the right IT support partner – Not determining scalability

One of the biggest obstacles to growing your company is choosing an IT Provider with poor scalability.

In contrast, by picking an IT support and services provider that offers access to their team on a scalable basis and continues to add to and extend their services to accommodate your goals, even if these change, is really important.

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Find the Right Fit for you

None of us want to be working with a poor IT Partner that can’t help you reach your goals, one that leaves your company vulnerable to cyber-attacks and one that doesn’t help you make the most of your IT investment. Ipswich IT support experts, Corbel can show you the right way.

Let’s arrange a quick, 10-15 minute no obligation chat.  We can discuss how you can maximise your investment.

Give us a call on 01473 241515 or click here