The Difference in Value Between an IT Guy and a Strategic Help Desk

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As a business owner, you understand that time is money. Waiting around for your IT support provider is not the best use of your time – especially if you have impatient customers and clients waiting.

The problem is, when you enlist the help of what we’ll call an “IT guy” (or girl), you can’t expect they are capable of handling every IT issue you may encounter. A strategic IT helpdesk, however, has many IT specialists with a wide breadth of knowledge. And while the former approach may be totally sufficient for your home setup, in the fast-paced business world, reliable support is critical.

Let’s take a look at the four big differences between an “IT guy” and a strategic IT helpdesk.

1. Availability of support

You can’t be in two places at once, and singular IT support providers can only assist one customer at a time. All you can do is leave a voicemail message and wait for them to call you back.

With an IT helpdesk, however, your call can be serviced almost instantly – within a few minutes. Industry-leading IT helpdesks utilize the latest in remote connectivity applications to solve frustrating tech issues, minimize downtime, and ensure maximum productivity.

2. Dynamic, specialized IT expertise

Tech support is a broad, diverse, and ever-changing industry. You cannot expect one individual to be an expert – or even proficient – in all the areas that impact your business. For more specialized fields, you might have to call in an outside subcontractor, potentially upping your support costs.

A well-staffed helpdesk will include a multi-disciplinary team of specialists covering all areas of business IT – cybersecurity, hardware issues, disaster recovery, data backup, network monitoring, and more. This gives your business access to an impressive pool of information. With help from your IT team, you can take advantage of the latest innovations and remain competitive in your marketplace.

3. Fast disaster response

Did you know that 40 percent of small businesses don’t recover following a disaster? Pretty shocking, huh?

If your business is in the midst of a disaster – whether a security breach, natural disaster, hardware failure, or human error – time is of the essence. You cannot afford to wait around. You need professional help, and you need it fast.

With an IT helpdesk, you have someone to reach out to who has a wealth of experience in solving exactly your problems. 

Remember, IT guys have responsibilities outside of their work: they’ve got dishes to do, vacations to take, kids to drive to school. If you want always-on coverage, you need a team.

4. Commitment to business continuity and growth

IT guys can certainly be skilled, competent, and professional individuals with plenty of knowledge and expertise to offer. But there are only so many hours in a day, and implementing the latest tech solutions and streamlining your business operations may not be their top priority.

With a helpdesk on your side, you have the support you need to not only survive but thrive. 

Technology can be a significant growth driver, and here’s how:

  • Makes your employees’ lives easier so they can spend more time and energy doing what they do best
  • Safeguards your reputation by securing your customers’ data
  • Improves your customers’ experiences with your product or service
  • Expands your company’s offerings
  • Keeps you one step ahead of your competition
  • Delivers valuable insights and key growth metrics so you can make strategic, informed decisions

“Businesses that invest in the right technologies are assuring future growth and success.” – Forbes

Contracting an IT helpdesk may be pricier, but…

It will repay your business in dividends. Ask yourself this: can your business provide all the benefits of a helpdesk on its own? How much would it cost to recover all your data without professional support? Are you confident your current tech solutions are the best on the market? What would happen if a competitor introduced a new service, additional security, or an improved UX?

If these questions resonate with you, contact our IT helpdesk today.