Carroll County Times Articles
IT Support for the Small Business Owner
by Dee Raley – September 2008
Maybe you have half a dozen employees. Maybe more, maybe less; but you get the idea. You've read one or two books about how things work. Ok, you occasionally have to ask a friend a question or two, but you're beating the system, because you don't need to pay for computer (IT) support. Congratulations!
However, trouble is going to find you... eventually. It's only a matter of time, because you are connected to the Internet, and the Internet is like an elementary school with one kid showing up with the stomach flu. Next thing you know, everybody is sick. Your time and energy should be focused on your company, not troubleshooting the latest virus or computing RAM and CPU. You can change the burned out light bulb over the desk, but do you actually climb into the ceiling and re-wire the outlet because it blew? No, you call a professional, because these things happen. So go ahead and click that virus scan button and download your updated versions. But when the chips are down, call an IT professional.
The challenge for today's small business owner is choosing the right technology to fit their needs. Finding that solution and managing it is the job of the IT professional. There are a lot of options available. The right option is the one that fits best with your needs, not the one that makes you conform to its protocol. The most important thing to remember is to get that warranty! Even if you are the "I don't need a warranty" person, you need this one. The cost is justifiable, and the need is critical. Three years is the minimum.
Choosing among the many IT professionals can be overwhelming. First look to the CTC on the www.carrolltechcouncil.org website. Next, ask questions and don't be hesitant. Find out the experience level of the tech who will be working on your system. A competent tech (not just the company) will have a familiarity with your system after one or two visits. After that, the learning curve drops and you'll get quick results which reduces your labor costs. Monitor the labor hours. If you get effective results on the small things, you'll be more likely to trust him when those big labor and hardware bills loom in your future. Look to experience. The needs of the small and medium sized business are different from Big Brother. If you don't need it, it shouldn't be recommended. Ask for referrals. A happy customer is more than willing to gloat!
About the Author
CTCO System, Service & Support, 443-876-0003, is a local Carroll County company with experience in managing small and medium sized - business and offering custom solutions. Dee Raley is a member of the Carroll Technology Council.
