Picking the Right IT Support Plan for Your Business

In today’s digital age, having a dependable IT support plan is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for businesses of all sizes, online or otherwise. As an IT support business based in Melbourne, we have seen firsthand the importance of selecting the right IT support plan to keep down IT support costs. So let’s uncover the key factors to consider when choosing the perfect IT support plan for your business. 

This will mean aligning with your specific needs, scaling with resources (and budget), providing ongoing support, keeping up-to-date with cybersecurity, and scaling technologies effectively. The cost of IT services is always a concern, but once you know what to look for, picking the right IT support plan means you will be spending the right amount, exactly where it’s needed. 

Why Do You Need an IT Support Plan?

Before we dive into the digital nitty-gritty, let’s establish why having an IT support plan is crucial for your business: 

The Benefits

The benefits of having a robust IT support plan are as follows; firstly, it enhances productivity by minimising downtime spent setting up office-wide software systems. Secondly, it offers peace of mind, knowing that an IT consultant is close by, whether on-site (same-day calls) or working remotely. Lastly, and most importantly, it ensures your business remains competitive in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Types of Businesses an IT Plan Supports

Our tier plans at Setup4 show a customisable IT support plan in action and which features should be included to offer comprehensive support: 

Monitoring

This includes surveillance of your IT infrastructure and network, access to a 24/7 help desk, monitoring of devices and database backup, either to physical servers or a cloud service.

Remote Care

This includes unlimited remote support (within business hours), discounted on-site rates, third-party liaising, critical OS and patch management, device maintenance, strategic IT consults, and user and data management.

Total Care

This includes a range of features that are part of regularly scheduled visits, such as; 24/7 network and infrastructure monitoring, backup restorations, IT strategic consultations, future IT growth consultations, annual security audits, IT procedure guides, storage monitoring, and comprehensive monthly reports.

What Makes a Good IT Support Plan?

Now that we understand the needs and features of an IT support plan, let’s go over the key attributes that make such a plan truly effective.

Cost Effective

A good IT support plan should be cost-effective, providing value for your investment in its IT services. It should strike a balance between the level of support you need and scale your growth without bloating costs. 

Customisable

Businesses vary in their IT needs, all the way from meeting Australian cybersecurity standards, down to staff communication channels. This means an ideal IT support plan should be customisable, allowing you to tailor the services to your specific business requirements.

Response Time

Response time is a critical factor in resolving IT issues promptly. It can vary depending on whether you require on-site (a few hours) or off-site support (immediately within business hours). 

Onsite Support

On-site support is invaluable when a physical presence is necessary for communication on an IT issue resolution. A good IT support plan should offer a rapid on-site response, ensuring an IT technician is dispatched promptly (and with a fast car of course) to address your concerns. 

Offsite Support

For issues that can be resolved remotely, off-site support can be cost-effective and efficient, reducing downtime. A responsive off-site support team ensures that your IT problems are tackled swiftly and from anywhere. 

How Much Should an IT Support Plan Cost?

The cost of an IT support plan can vary significantly based on several factors such as: 

• The size of your business,
• The level of support required,
• And the services included you require most. 

It’s crucial to find a plan that aligns with your budget while meeting your business’s IT needs as it continues to grow in Melbourne and Australia. 

Choosing the Right Plan for You

Now that we’ve covered the essential elements of an IT support plan, it’s important to see what factors decide the right plan for your business. 

Tick off this handy list to find your perfect cost-efficient IT services plan: 

• Does it allow for customisation?
• Is there price scaling? 
• Are the fees fixed?
• What are the IT consultant fees vs in-house fees? 
• What is their experience?
• What qualifications do they have?
• What are the reviews like? 

In conclusion, selecting the right IT support plan for your business is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your operations and bottom line. If you’re after a reliable IT support plan, get in touch with us. We offer complimentary IT audits at Setup4 so you can better select the plan that works for your business.