The Difference Between Good IT and Great Technical Support
Business owners and CEOs spend a lot of time trying to avoid below-average IT firms while staying on the lookout for the best ones that can help their companies grow and become more profitable. But while terrible work is usually easy to spot even if you aren’t that familiar with technology, how do you know the difference between good IT and great technical support?
Here’s a hint: The answer probably isn’t where you would think to look.
If you ask the average business owner what makes great IT, he or she would probably answer that it has something to do with the knowledge of different hardware or software systems. That’s not a bad answer, but it’s only half-correct. Knowing what kind of technology a business needs to operate, and making sure it’s all working well, is just part of an IT provider’s job; it’s what we have to do just to stay in business.
Other things that might categorize a good IT and computer consulting provider would be responsiveness, affordability and clear billing practices, a team that does what it’s supposed to, and even courteous service. So what’s left? A great IT provider is all of those things as well, but the key difference is that they are proactive in solving your company’s technology problems before they become bigger, more expensive issues.
That might seem like a small distinction, but the day-to-day difference is enormous. Would you rather have an employee who did everything you asked them to, professionally and right on time, or one who can’t anticipate the need and take care of it before it ever comes across your desk? With technology, that ability and commitment to service is even more important, since the average client can’t tell us exactly what they need us to do – they need us to analyze their business and technology and then make the right determination for them.
Productivity is a word that gets thrown around a lot in business circles, and nearly everyone realizes that it’s an important skill when it comes to getting ahead in your career. On the IT side of things, however, it’s even bigger than that. Great IT companies are proactive – they can help you turn technology into something that works for your business, instead of against it. Without a proactive mindset, they can never be more than a really good vendor.
Which one do you want serving your company?
About VC Solutions:
Peter Marsack is the Vice President of Business Development for Vision Computer Solutions – a leading Michigan IT firm. Vision specializes in Michigan IT support and outsource IT for legal, manufacturing, property management and healthcare companies.
Processing your request, Please wait....
