subject: Choosing Outsourced IT Support in London [print this page] Choosing Outsourced IT Support in London Choosing Outsourced IT Support in London
Choosing Outsourced IT Support in London.
IT Support services in London have never been more aplenty then they are now. I have worked in the IT Support industry for the past 5 years and during that time I have been amazed at how many new companies have sprung into life from nowhere and it is a good job that there is enough work for everyone, otherwise we would all be out of business by now.
Choosing an IT Support company can be a painful task. With so many companies to choose from it can be very difficult to pick one, especially in the capital. Here are some tips that might help you on your way..
Company history.
With many "so called" Outsourced IT Support companies out there it is worth looking at the history of the company and how long they have been established. Many new IT companies are born from IT engineers that have decided to "go it alone" and form their own business. But using a company like this comes with a degree of risk as they have no financial background and no proven track record. While I am not tainting everyone with the same brush, there have been many companies in the past that haven't realised just how competitive the marketplace is and before they know it, they are out of business, leaving you with no IT Support.
I would advise choosing a company that has been established for at least 10 years.
Certifications.
ALWAYS insist that the company you use is Microsoft Gold Certified. This is not an award that you can just pay for (believe me, they are out there) but an award you have to earn. It shows that the company has reached a high standard to earn the accreditation and when it comes to Microsoft technologies, they know what they are talking about.
Other awards to look out for are ones that are based around technology, a Cisco accreditation for example.
Service level agreements.
SLAs are SO important and many office mangers in the past have overlooked this when choosing a company. It's no good having a company that are around the corner when they have an SLA response time of 12 hours!!!!
Take a long hard look at that small print. Make sure that an SLA agreement has been set out in the terms and conditions that you are happy with and if you are not happy when look elsewhere. No matter how well they come across, if they cannot provide support quick enough then they are not worth bothering with.
I hope that these tips will help you on your way. There are other things to consider such as referrals and the type of support you receive, but that is down to your exact requirements to be honest.
