What Is Remote IT Support?

The digital landscape has transformed the role of technology in both a professional and personal capacity. With cloud-centric platforms already set to be a catalyst for the emergence of new models and processes, technology is without a doubt shaping the future of businesses and their daily operations.

One of the ways we are already seeing the impact of cloud technology is the end of the traditional office. In the last few years, we have borne witness to a significant move away from centralised workspaces to remote working. In a similar fashion, the role of IT management has also changed. These days, more and more businesses are choosing remote IT solutions to support their ever-growing list of digital needs and demands, as well as support hybrid working environments.

Why is remote IT support important?

Remote IT support is playing an increasingly important role in the digital era. It can offer…

• Improved accessibility. Remote IT support allows you to access technical support from wherever you are, as along as you an internet connection. This means that businesses can receive immediate assistance without having to wait for a technician to physically travel to their location. It also means that IT support can be provided as soon as problems occur.
• More efficiency. Remote IT support makes it possible to quickly diagnose and resolve technical issues without having to physically access the device or system in question. This can save a significant amount of time and resources, allowing businesses to get back to normal operations faster.
• Lower costs. Without the time and fuel required to physically travel, remote IT support is often more cost-effective than on-site support since there is no need to pay for travel expenses or for a technician to be on-site for an extended period of time. These time savings can be passed onto the business.

The benefits of remote support.

Remote support is an increasingly popular way of receiving IT support as it offers a range of benefits for businesses. It can give your organisation access to an entire team of specialists for a fraction of the cost. This is often paid monthly and can be easily factored into the overhead budget of small and large businesses alike.

By using cloud-centric technology, a managed IT company can also access your IT infrastructure securely from anywhere. This allows for proactive monitoring and quick resolution of any issues, often without the need for long response times.

For most issues, remote IT support is often the most efficient and effective solution. By having a mix of remote and in-house support, businesses can minimise disruptions in their operations and ensure continuity day-to-day. Remote support can also be utilised to resolve problems within your network before they escalate and cause major disruptions. This kind of preventative maintenance can be hugely beneficial in the long run because it’s a lot less time-consuming, costly and disruptive.

The three major benefits of remote IT support for businesses are:

• Time
• Overhead costs
• Peace of mind

Time.

By employing an IT support company to look after your technology remotely, you’ll be able to focus on growing your business. You also won’t lose time when something goes wrong, or when an employee is struggling with a problem.

Slow response times can have an enormous impact on the productivity of your business. For example, if you employ ten people, losing one of them to an IT issue is 10% of your workforce – and if you don’t have remote IT support, resolving the issue could require the assistance of another colleague. At this point, you’ve lost 20% of your staff to a challenge that could have been resolved by an IT support company with little impact on your operational continuity.

Overhead Costs.

For a business, keeping a track of outgoing costs and making sure the books are balanced is of the utmost importance. Enlisting the services of an IT support company may seem costly at face value. However, the reality of using the services of an IT support provider is a drastic decrease in overhead costs. This is because it’s cheaper to outsource the management of your IT infrastructure to a professional company than to pay the salary and training of an internal employee.

By employing the assistance of an IT support service you and your team get the security of consistent and practical digital solutions for a fixed monthly rate. Depending on the company you employ, you’ll be able to factor your IT service into your budget without having to worry about surprise fees.

Your business will also benefit from the assistance of multiple IT engineers, all of whom will have different areas of expertise and experience. Being able to utilise this expertise means your business will get back on its feet quicker and for a significantly lower cost.

Peace of Mind.

The addition of remote IT support can provide you and your business with peace of mind. A good IT company should work proactively to ensure your digital infrastructure and assets are kept up to speed and running smoothly. They should also help to mitigate potential issues before they escalate and disrupt your day. This can in turn increase productivity and ease tension within your team.

For ultimate peace of mind, it is vital to employ a service that offers proactive solutions. There’s nothing worse than paying a fixed monthly rate for an IT service that doesn’t use preventative measures. A proactive IT management service will offer solutions that nip issues in the bud before they escalate – this proactive approach will save you time and money in the long term.

Why should I choose remote IT support?

Remote IT support is a smart choice for businesses looking to optimise their IT operations and safeguard their critical data. It offers a cost-effective and accessible solution to managing your company’s digital needs – no matter where you’re located.

By partnering with a remote IT support provider, your business will gain access to a range of bespoke solutions, including network monitoring, security solutions, data backup and disaster recovery, software installation and patch management services. You’ll also receive immediate assistance with any issues that arise, which helps to minimise downtime and maximise productivity. As a result, remote support is ideal for businesses of all shapes and sizes, from legal firms to financial institutions.

Questions to ask your IT support company about remote support.

How do you provide remote technical support?

Your IT support company should be able to talk you and your business through the process of remote IT support, including the software they use and their response times as outlined in your service level agreement – also known as an SLA.

Remote technical support is often provided by Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) software. This software allows IT engineers to access a computer, laptop or server remotely without the need to visit your office or place of work. With a few clicks, they should be able to control and use your device and remedy any issues as if they were sitting right there in your office.

This type of remote technical support will often be combined with a ticketing system that keeps the user and business up-to-date with progress and informs them of a resolution. This ticketing system also allows your IT support company to track the type of issues you may be experiencing. In doing so, trends can be identified, meaning long-term solutions can be put in place, reducing the likelihood of similar work being required in the future.

At Acronyms, we use Datto RMM. If also aim to respond to your issue within four hours of your business raising a support ticket as outlined in our SLA.

What happens if my IT issue cannot be fixed remotely?

In this day and age, the bulk of IT issues can be fixed swiftly by a remote technician. With that being said, you should always ask your IT company about the process they adhere to in the event the issue cannot be resolved over the phone or the internet.

Not all IT issues can be fixed remotely. You might require the assistance of onsite IT support from time to time. This is also why it’s important to choose an IT support company local to your own business. It’s all well and good receiving remote support from the other end of the country, but what happens to your business that one time you need someone onsite? Choosing an IT support company close to your centralised office or workspace will ensure any technical issues are resolved as quickly as possible – even when your business is facing more complex issues.

Remote IT support services from Acronyms.

As the digital landscape morphs and evolves, remote IT support has given businesses and organisations the opportunity to take advantage of cloud-centric technology, streamline their digital assets and infrastructure and boost productivity. By leveraging modern technology, proactive monitoring, and quick issue resolution, providers can prevent disruptions and ensure business continuity. While onsite support may still be necessary for physical issues, a mix of remote and in-house support is all a business needs to keep their technology running smoothly.

Since 2003, the team at Acronyms have delivered professional IT support to businesses and organisations across the South West. From internet connectivity issues to keeping your IT infrastructure up-to-date, our team of technicians, engineers and consultants boast a wealth of knowledge and expertise your business needs to thrive, flourish and achieve your long-term objectives.

If you need assistance with your technology or are ready for your initial consultation with our team, get in touch with Acronyms today.

Alternatively, here are a number of resources you might find useful:

Our IT Support Services
Cattewater Harbour Commissioner’s Case Study