Network Support Services: The What, the Why, and the How

What are the different types of network support services, and how can they help businesses grow in today's digital age? Find out in this article.

The business landscape is evolving with technological advancement. Companies are now running on computer networks that enable seamless and fast communication and transactions between employees, increase productivity, and keep up with the competition.

With network systems' increasing importance and sophistication, however, companies might need help to look after theirs. They need network support services to ensure their systems run smoothly and are protected.

But what exactly are network support, its importance, and the type of services businesses can benefit from?

Network Support Services in Essence

Imagine having a faulty internet connection or slow computer networks at your workplace, and you must do everything manually. It will not only disrupt the business operation but can also stress the employees and affect their productivity. Avoiding this scenario is one of the reasons network support is crucial to a company. Its goal is to maintain an organization's cyberspace through remote monitoring, troubleshooting, diagnostics, network connectivity, antivirus updates, operating system upgrades, and application patches. As a result, your business's network should always be at its peak performance, and network support services can do wonders.

Devise a standardized system

System compatibility across a network is essential for easy file sharing and fast connectivity. If you don't have a network installation plan and employees can set up their systems, your network will consist of different versions that might not work together. With network support, you will get a standardized system that can accommodate new solutions without redesigning individual systems. This avoids network crashes and allows your employees to communicate better and work on a single system.

Enhance security

Cyberattacks incur huge losses due to business disruption and reputational damage they cause to an organization. Around 6% of businesses admit they pay a ransom to regain control of their systems from hackers. Especially now that cyberattacks are becoming more advanced with technological innovation, companies need network support experts to improve security and protect vital information.

Set up computers

A new employee needs a computer set up according to the network settings. It will involve computer setup, software installations, and access to specific areas in the network. Such a task should be handled by someone who knows the network's ins and outs to ensure that it meets company standards and policies. Otherwise, a regular employee tasked to help the new hire with the setup could do more damage than good.

Enhance productivity

Network downtime affects productivity by preventing employees from doing tasks on their computers. Also, it takes too much time to address network problems, especially when they need to learn more about it.

On the other hand, network support services are tailored to the company's needs, so employees can focus on their actual job and keep the relationship with clients going despite the technical difficulties.

Troubleshoot

Network issues are bound to happen from time to time, but the risk is minimized with proper precautions. Daily troubleshooting is critical to keeping the network working, but if someone experiences connection problems, a network support team has the tools, skills, and knowledge to find the solution.

Address larger network problems

The more upgraded your system becomes, the more significant network problems you may encounter that require expertise. Transitioning to a newer technology means adjustments for your team, but when done right, the transformation could result in minimal work disruptions.

Minimize downtime

System downtime costs time and money. When your employees spend their time fixing their computers and connection instead of doing the job they're hired to do, that will incur losses. Think of downtime as a pause in your business operations. The more frequently it happens, the longer your business is at a standstill. However, one preventive measure is having a well-maintained network system monitored by a team of experts.

With minimal downtime comes lower operations costs. For example, a company with ten employees earning $35,000 a year each could lose $12,000 a year due to network slowdowns. Sure, you will have to spend on network support, but the amount of money and time you'll save by minimizing downtime is a good investment.

Keep up with the trends

Technology advances fast. There are updates and new versions almost every day, and keeping up with all the changes can take time and effort for someone with other things to do. A network support service can help your company stay updated on industry standards and innovations and make the necessary adjustments to your network.

Meet hardware needs

It's easy to purchase computers, but the question is, are you buying the proper hardware for your business needs? Unfortunately, the market has a wide range of computers, devices, and hardware, and the specifications can confuse a regular individual. However, investing your money in the proper hardware will help you make the most of it.

Now that we've outlined the importance of network support, it's time to learn the different types of services you may want to consider for your business.

5 Types of Network Support Services

Network support comes in various forms, and providers usually design the solutions based on your needs. Moreover, they have different tools, techniques, strategies, and resources, and specialties in creating a comprehensive network. However, below are some services that could benefit any business.

  1. Network Installation
    The installation of a reliable and secure network requires IT knowledge and skills, so getting a managed service provider is advisable if you don't have an in-house team since doing it yourself may only create problems. Network installation services usually include network security, computer cabling, wireless network, mobile device support, network integration, and software and hardware installation. You may also work with your network support team to design and configure the system according to your specific needs.


  2. Virtual Phone Systems

To give your employees the ability to stay connected wherever they are, a virtual phone system (VPS) is the service you're looking for. A cloud-based phone system, VPS, provides the flexibility to use mobile phones, laptops, or other internet-enabled devices to make or receive calls from any location. The calls' quality is clear, and the lines are as secure as modern web applications. VPS is a cost-effective way to give employees easy access to their team members even when they're physically apart.

  1. Server Maintenance

Care of components like CPUs, hard drives, motherboards, and memory falls under server maintenance. It's a powerful network support system since faulty servers could lead to data loss, expensive downtime, and network failure. Proper server maintenance is necessary to prevent a technological disaster that could disrupt your entire business.

  1. Structured Cabling

A telecommunication infrastructure consists of cables, wires, and other hardware that bring communication systems together into a single unit. What structured cabling does is make this unit flexible, organized, and streamlined to spot system errors and bugs efficiently.

Structured cabling is complicated as different types are used, such as fiber optic cables, CAT6, and CAT6A cables. In addition, depending on your specific needs, you can choose from various structure cabling services, including business cable installation, testing, and certification.

  1. Commercial Wi-Fi Installation

People always look for wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) internet connection wherever building they are because being connected all the time is necessary for many. Even employees need internet access on whichever device they are on - whether a laptop or a mobile phone. Given this, almost every business now has a Wi-Fi connection, and they want it fast and reliable to avoid downtime and satisfy both employees and customers.

These are only some of the network support services in Orlando, but how do you get them? You can seek help from managed service providers who deliver network, infrastructure, application, and security services. They implement solutions on customers' premises or either in their own or a third-party data center.

How to Choose the Right Managed Service Provider

Your business success can rely on data and network management, so the service quality of your managed service provider (MSP) can make or break your operations. So how do you compare MSPs in your area? What factors should you consider? The simple answer to these is that it all depends on your specific needs and goals, but there's a set of criteria you may want to follow when choosing an MSP.

Skills

If you have an internal IT team, then your MSP should have the skills that your staff still need to gain. They should add value to your existing team, and you can determine this by identifying the skills gap and finding the MSP who can bridge it.

Experience

Experience working in different industries is a plus, meaning the MSP has learned from various settings and applications. Check their references to see how far they have reached.

Methodology

You would want an MSP with a proactive instead of a reactive approach. Using proactive methodologies allows MSPs to prevent problems by conducting data analytics and root cause analysis. Prevention is better than cure in this case.

Communication Style

Find an MSP who knows how to answer your questions and explain matters in a way you understand. If they can't provide a clear and specific response to your questions and concerns, it could signify that they need more knowledge of the issue.

Responsive Service Agreements (SLAs)

An MSP's quality of standards is shown in its SLAs. It should outline your project's ideal quality, scope, responsibilities, and timeline. Also, SLAs must be responsive to your changing needs to enhance your network continually.

Accessibility

Is the MSP easy to reach? Does it respond timely? Can it smoothly integrate with your organization? Checking these off means you're on the right track to finding the best MSP.

Holistic Approach

Network support is about more than just computers, hardware, internet connection, and other technical matters. It also considers the humans behind the technology. An excellent MSP knows its way with people. It understands how technology, people, and processes connect to build a comprehensive, user-friendly system.

Industry Practices

Industry standards are set to ensure high-quality network systems. Therefore, find an MSP that implements industry standards and practices in its strategies, designs, and operations.

Scalability

Installing a network system is just the first step to advancing your business. As the industry changes and your company expands, you will require more network support. These expectations will guide you in choosing an MSP to help you scale and grow.

Network-Specific Service

Looking into an MSP’s specialization will show whether it matches to your circumstances. MSPs with hundreds of big clients such as Fortune 500 companies may have a suite of tools and equipment available worldwide. Meanwhile, there are MSPs who focus on specific network systems in regional organizations. Given this difference, you may want to lean more towards the provider that has the time, resources, and specialty working on a project like yours. 

Scrutinizing candidate MSPs from their skills to specializations can be rigorous and time-consuming, but it's worth it in the end, when you managed to find an MSP partner who can be with you every step of the way, from beginning to establish a network system to upgrading to keep up with dynamic industry standards and practices. 

Final Thoughts

There's no stopping technological advancement. All businesses can do is swim with it, especially in the post-pandemic era when people have been forced to adjust to a more virtual world. Remote work environments are the new normal, while consumers look for contactless transactions for health and safety reasons. Businesses who can move with a paradigm shift will get reap growth opportunities.

While the amount of work to do to establish and maintain a robust network system can be drowning for businesses, network support services in Orlando are lifesavers. They help save time, money, and energy on building a secure, reliable, and efficient network infrastructure that allows businesses to thrive in a competitive technological market by keeping its team productive and connected. The key is never stopping to evaluate the MSPs that come your way until you find your perfect match. 

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