Every business today needs computers. When something goes wrong with the computer systems being used, it will have an effect on the operations and bottom line of a venture. This is applicable to any size of business as long as there is at least one task that is reliant on a computer. The problem is that many small businesses make mistakes when it comes to the IT side of the operations. One of the biggest mistakes is not having adequate small business computer support.
Insufficient technical support is highlighted by TechRepublic as one of the mistakes made by small businesses. Think about it: who does a small business usually turn to for IT support? Some go to an employee who has relatively more knowledge of computers than everyone in the office, maybe a computer game enthusiast or internet-savvy person who knows how to use symbols in Google search. And sometimes, people go to an acquaintance of an employee who is “good with computers."
Some business owners or managers are smarter than this and instead dial up the support line of hardware manufacturers. What mostly happens, though, is that the solution provided is reinstallation, which results into loss of data.
The above may work in some cases, but overall, these are not cost-effective options. The results are uncertain, and information from amateur sources are almost always not reliable. You need at least one knowledgeable and experienced IT person who is actually qualified and gets himself updated with the latest technologies. However, hiring IT staff is a really expensive proposition: Small Business Computing noted that the salary range of a lower-level in-house IT staff is $50,000 to $80,000—an amount that is probably outside the capabilities of a small business.
There is an option, however, that can give sufficient IT support for Minneapolis small businesses which can be catered to various levels of need. Through the services of companies dedicated to IT support like RB’s Computer Service, small businesses can get diagnostics and repair, networking, software configuration, and other services without having an in-house IT staff. Thus, such firms represent a more cost-effective solution for small businesses in the long run.
Sources:
10 tech mistakes small businesses make (and how IT consultants can help clients avoid them), TechRepublic, Feb. 17, 2009
The Ultimate Guide to Tech Support for Small Business, Small Business Computing, Aug. 7, 2014