For small businesses in Yorkshire and across the UK, making the decision to partner with a new Managed IT provider can leave you with a lot of questions. Whether your business has grown you’ve decided you’re ready for IT support, you’re moving from an in-house IT department to outsourced support, or you’ve decided to make the switch from a less-than reliable provider, we’ve put a quick guide together to answer the frequently asked questions when it comes to IT support for small businesses.
Read on to find out more!
How much does IT support typically cost for a small business?
The simple answer is that the cost of IT support for small businesses depends on a lot of factors – number of users, level of service, and services included, to name a few.
Instead of leaving it at that, let’s break it down so you can understand what type of IT support your business needs, and what costs might be associated with each.
- Level of service: if you’re looking for an IT provider to look after your tech infrastructure (device management, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365 support, etc.) and be on hand for tech support, you’re looking for a managed IT agreement. If it’s a one-off fix – an IT installation, a server upgrade, or anything else, then you’ll want ad-hoc support.
- Services included: With managed IT, many providers offer tiers of support. This might include remote-only, onsite support, upgraded cybersecurity, IT consultancy and more. Before jumping into an agreement, it’s worth comparing packages and deciding what IT services your small business can benefit from?
- Number of users: with many managed IT packages, costs can typically be based on the number of people in your business the IT support will apply to – much like a subscription service.
Ultimately, it’s worth looking beyond the headline price when comparing providers. Consider what is actually included, how quickly you can access support, whether onsite assistance is available and whether all your needs are covered.
The cheapest option isn't necessarily the best value if you're left waiting when something goes wrong.
Is outsourced IT support cheaper than hiring an IT employee?
Managed IT support for small businesses is usually considerably cheaper than a full-time, in-house IT technician with a base salary, pension scheme, holiday allowance, national insurance, and other expenses.
Here’s the break down. Let’s say you’re a small business with 15 employees. You’re average IT provider might charge you around £60 per month, per user. If our maths in correct (and we’ve checked with a calculator), you’ll be paying £900 per month for full cybersecurity, helpdesk, phone system, and IT support, with access to a full team of knowledgeable technicians. To hire one mid-level technician at £30,000 annually, your monthly cost of their salary alone would be £2500. We’re not trying to take away from the value that in-house support can provide, but from a cost standpoint alone, managed IT is typically substantially cheaper.
Does a small business really need IT support?
Small businesses don’t necessarily need a full-time IT department, but access to IT support is essential for business growth, business continuity, and day-to-day operations.
Cybersecurity measures such as digital and hardware firewalls, endpoint security and protection, and remote back-up and disaster recovery protects your business in the event of a cyber attack that could significantly damage your business if successful. According to a survey conducted by South Yorkshire’s Chambers of Commerce, “20% of businesses in South Yorkshire have experienced a cyber security breach within the last 12 months”. It really is worth taking cybersecurity seriously.
For modern small businesses, technology can be a critical tool for growth, with the likes of AI and automation, efficiencies in operations, and collaborative tools all harnessing the ability to keep operational costs lower and output higher. A managed IT provider can advise, implement, manage, and continually scale these tools to help your business grow.
And finally, as incredible as technology can be, there will always be days where things don’t work as they should – emails won’t send, printers won’t print, software won’t work. A managed IT provider will be on hand to not only prevent these issues but fix them when they do become an issue.
What is the best IT solution for a small business?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all single IT solution for SMEs, but more a collection of device management, cybersecurity implementation, cloud services, and automation solutions.
To get the balance right, and to integrate solutions that work with how your business operates, your budget, and to a level you actually need, working with an IT provider like Flyford could be a valuable partner for your business. A good IT provider will take the time to understand your business before recommending solutions, helping you decide where technology can improve productivity, security and efficiency while avoiding unnecessary expense.
Can you give me some examples of IT support services?
IT support covers much more than fixing computers. Depending on the provider, services can include:
· Helpdesk and remote technical support
· Onsite IT support
· Microsoft 365 management
· Computer and laptop setup
· User and device management
· Cybersecurity and endpoint protection
· Cyber Essentials support
· IT infrastructure planning
· Network and Wi-Fi management
And many more. Get in touch with our team to find out more about what services could be right for your business or take a look through Flyford’s service guide here.
How can I protect my small business from cyberattacks?
SMEs can be attractive targets because they often hold valuable data without typically having the security resources of a larger organisation. Keeping small businesses protected from cyberattacks doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does take collaboration across your team, as well as the right infrastructure in place. We’d recommend Cyber Essentials for small businesses as a minimum, an audit and implementation process that ensures a minimum safety level through firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, antivirus and endpoint protection, and security update management.
In combination with phishing awareness training, this is a great starting point for small businesses that take cybersecurity seriously. At Flyford, we can guide you through (and audit your business) the Cyber Essentials process with our in-house Cyber-Advisor, as well as provide phishing training for your team.
Can an IT support company help us plan our IT infrastructure?
Absolutely – in fact, IT infrastructure strategy through consultancy is something managed IT providers do best. When you partner with an IT provider, they’ll work with you to figure out your requirements and goals for your infrastructure. If you're taking on more staff, opening another site, moving offices or introducing new software for example, your IT infrastructure needs to be able to support those changes.
They’ll then conduct a detailed audit to assess your current posture, and provide a detailed plan, timeline and breakdown of what technology needs to be implemented to meet those goals. Ultimately, a good managed IT provider won’t just recommend new technologies, they’ll take time to understand your business to assist you in your growth.
How do I know if my current IT provider is doing a good job?
One of the simplest ways to judge your IT provider is to look at how effective your IT provider is holistically, rather just on a ticket-by-ticket basis.
Consider:
· Can you easily get hold of someone when you need help?
· Do you know who is responsible for supporting your business?
· Are problems resolved properly, rather than repeatedly coming back?
· Does your provider proactively suggest improvements?
· Do they understand your business and how your team works?
· Are your cybersecurity measures regularly reviewed?
· Do they help you plan future IT investment?
· Do you receive clear communication about issues and recommendations?
· Would you feel confident relying on them during a major IT problem?
A good IT provider should feel more like a technology partner than a number to call for quick computer fixes.
And if your provider is difficult to reach through call back systems, reactive to problems rather than proactively improving your IT posture, or unable to explain what they're doing and why, it may be worth reviewing whether you're getting the level of service your business needs.
How difficult is it to switch IT support providers?
Changing IT support providers should be simple, with good incoming provider being able to manage much of the transition for you.The process will usually involve reviewing your existing IT environment, documenting systems and infrastructure, transferring relevant information and accounts, and agreeing on a plan for taking over support.
The complexity depends on how your current IT is set up and how well documented it is. Some businesses have a straightforward transition, while others may need more preparation if information, passwords, licences or network documentation aren't readily available.
You shouldn't feel trapped with an IT provider simply because you've been with them for years.
If your business has outgrown its current provider or you're no longer getting the service you need, get in touch with our team to see how we can help your small business.
