How to Make the Most Out of Your IT Support Provider

It’s finally done – you have already chosen the IT support that you need for your business. Granted, it may have taken plenty of consideration and negotiation, but now you can finally say that you have chosen a partner for IT support wisely. But it doesn’t end there. Fostering a good relationship with your IT support provider is important, not only for your overall peace of mind but also for the growth and continued success of your business.

If you are operating a business in Oxford and would like nothing more than to have a solid, reliable IT network, then the responsibility not only lies on your IT support provider – it also relies on you as well. You can do your part in making the most out of this outsourced service in different ways.

Let them know your objectives, goals, and expectations

When you enlist the services of an IT support provider, you will most likely be given a primary contact person or two, an account manager, and several engineers who will be in charge of your account. Your job is to let them know more about your enterprise and your needs – not just your technological needs, but your overall objectives as well. Give them an understanding of your company’s operations. It would also be a good idea to give the IT support personnel a contact person in your company, someone whom they can regularly communicate with, ensuring better communication all around.

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Establish a support process

It can be tempting for the people in your company to contact support all the time without an established protocol. This is where you can step in and establish a support process that is not only effective, but less time-consuming. And the process need not be complicated, either – in fact, the simpler, the better. Simply set down guidelines on what your people should do to get support and assistance. This process should also include requests sent through your primary contact in the company so you can eliminate wasted time spent on problems that could easily be dealt with on your end.

If you are unsure of how to go about establishing a process, ask for recommendations from your IT support provider, who will have more experience laying down support protocol. It is also wise for you to log all your requests for support and note down the response time of the provider as well as their resolution to the issue. This way, you can better assess the effectiveness of the provider you have chosen.

Do regular reviews

Make it a point to do regular reviews of the service, preferably every three or six months. Ask your staff for feedback and whether they feel that the support they receive is adequate or needs improvement. If any issue comes up with your IT support provider, it is always best to be direct and honest with them. This will help them strive to give better service and enhance their relationship with you.

In establishing a solid relationship with your provider for IT support in Oxford, think of them as an extension of your company. With this, you can rest assured that you are making the most out of the service to benefit your company in the long term.