It can be difficult to determine what level of IT assistance and support you require for your business.
Is it worth it to hire a full time IT employee, or should I hire a professional IT solutions company when necessary?
An IT company can offer a more flexible solution, with access to a wide range of expertise, business strategies, and advanced technological tools.
For businesses in Oakville and the GTA, Networkfix is an IT solution and service company that can manage all your information technology requirements.
A lot of businesses have questions before hiring an IT company, and here are some of the most common.
FAQs about IT Companies
Any business that is serious about optimizing operations while minimizing expenses can benefit from the extensive services of an experienced IT company.
Does the IT company have a professional-looking website?
This may be the biggest indicator of an IT company’s professionalism and competency.
After all, if an IT company doesn’t have a solid online presence, how are they going to help you with yours?
A professional looking website will be visually pleasing and easy to navigate. It should offer information about the company itself, how long they have been in business and a list of services they provide.
It should also offer a means of easy and convenient contact, that ideally includes online support, a phone number to call, and a location to visit if necessary.
The website should be well maintained and frequently updated.
On the other hand, if the company website is cheap looking, clunky, and not very intuitive, it does not make a very strong impression, and that company should likely be avoided.
Does the company have a physical office?
Serious IT companies will have a physical office that their teams work out of. Even companies that offer on-site IT services brought to your location, should have a commercial location if they are reputable.
IT companies operating out of someone’s garage, or out of the back of a truck, are probably not the most legitimate resources.
What kind of experience does the IT company have?
While new IT companies can certainly be effective, it can be hit or miss when you enlist the services of a company with limited experience.
IT companies that have been providing technological solutions for businesses similar to yours for a long time are easier to trust.
Putting faith in a company without experience or reviews can end up costing you more by providing inefficient service that may not be the most effective solution.
Companies with more than a decade of experience providing IT solutions shows they have staying power and the ability to solve problems effectively while offering exceptional customer service.
For example, Networkfix has almost 2 decades of experience servicing customers and businesses in the GTA by catering IT services to a company’s specific needs and preferences.
What kind of credentials and certifications do their technicians have?
This is another important factor to consider. Technology is in a constant state of change, so an effective IT company will have a team of qualified technicians that cover a wide range of knowledge and expertise.
IT technicians should be continuous training and upgrading their credentials to be able to offer the most effective solutions.
Some relevant IT credentials that technicians should hold may include:
- MSCE – Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
- MCP – Microsoft Certified Professional
- MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional
- MCTS – Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
- ACMT – Apple Certified Macintosh Technician
- ACSP – Apple Certified Support Professional
- CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate
- Network +
- Comp TIA A+
These are just a few examples of useful IT certifications; it is a good idea to inquire about employee credentials.
Is the company incorporated?
If an IT company has taken the time and effort to become incorporated, it shows they are serious about legitimacy and longevity.
For example, Networkfix Inc.
What range of services does the IT Company offer?
The services offered will also be a critical factor in your end decision, as you will want to make sure they are offering the services you are looking for.
An effective IT company will provide a diverse range of services to accommodate a variety of IT business needs.
Some vital IT services to inquire about, might include:
- Infrastructure setup and support
- Hardware implementation, maintenance, and repair
- Software installation and troubleshooting
- Network security
- Server virtualization
- Cloud migration
- Email migration
- Data backups
- Data recovery
- User device maintenance and repair
- VoIP services
- IT consulting
- Web development