Every business needs an IT management plan to ensure the smooth running of its IT systems.

For any business, an IT failure at a critical moment can have far-reaching consequences. Telling your customers and suppliers, ‘Sorry, our system is down’ will do little to enhance either your balance sheet or reputation.

But what options are available to the owner of a small or medium sized business working to a tight budget? One that is worth investigating is outsourcing your IT to a specialist IT support company. How do you decide if outsourcing your IT is right for your business? When weighing up the costs and benefits, you could start by asking the following questions:

1. What do you do if there is an IT problem?
   Do you, or one of your staff, have to stop work to sort it out? Do you call someone in? Do they come straight away?
2. If your whole system was out-of-action for a day, how much would it cost you:
• To have it repaired?
• In lost orders?
• In wages paid to staff who cannot do their work?
3. Have you ever allowed someone who knows all about PC to fix a problem – only to have it made worse?
   
4. How much time do you spend doing routine maintenance tasks?
   
5. How often have you neglected to carry out those important but time-consuming computer checks and updates?
   
6. Are you sure you are using your existing system in the most efficient and cost-effective way?
   
7. Are you able to keep up-to-date with, and take advantage of, all the latest IT innovations?

If you want to know more about how outsourcing works, contact a reputable IT support company in your area. Look for one that is qualified to manage all types of IT systems and understands the needs and concerns of business owners like you.

Many will offer a free, no obligation consultation that includes an audit of your IT system and suggestions for a range of services that can be tailored to your exact requirements. You can choose to outsource only the more complicated tasks, or you might prefer to opt for a full network maintenance contract that takes complete care of your whole system.

Whatever you decide, you will discover that handing responsibility for your IT over to a reliable specialist service can save money, headaches, and valuable time that you and your staff can put to better use in growing your business.