One of our friends (also a fellow IT service provider in Toronto), was recently featured in a report. Andre is known for his matter of fact wording. Typical of this, he has common names for fly-by-night IT service providers like "Linksys Larry" or "Tommy the Trunkslammer." We also hear it refered to it as "Cousin IT" or "Bubba IT." This is often a part-timer who "knows computers." In the article he has an easy comparison to bring computer repairs into scope.
Small business users, Mr. Vittorio says, have to remember that purchasing technology isn't like buying a refrigerator. “You can't just plug it in and let it run. You need to maintain, upgrade and manage it.”
It brings a chuckle, but the point is valid. Another IT service provider added:
“Traditionally small businesses didn't view technology as something that could help the business,” Mr. Edwards says. “But that attitude is changing.”
We see the same with our clients. More and more small business owners/manager "get it." They are starting to realize that technology can bring tools that can create competitive advantages. The article goes on to talk about the rise in profile of the SMB market and specifically managed IT services.
“Customers have increasingly required that businesses will be accessible all the time and technology enables that accessibility. But if you allow technology to get obsolete, that can lead to business losses.”
Which could help explain why the fastest growing product being bought by small business owners is managed service, Mr. McBain says. It involves paying a monthly fee, usually about $100, to have someone remotely watch over your system, ensure it's running smoothly and be available to fix problems as they arise, either remotely or in-person. “You're buying a piece of an IT staff and you can write it off as an operating expense,” says Mr. McBain, adding that about 11 per cent of small businesses have managed service.
For the complete article, check here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/business-planning/computer-makers-selling-hype-or-help/article1486503/
For more information about how AgniTEK Managed IT Services can help your organization, please Antonio or Brandon at sales@agnitek.com.
Have a great weekend and happy computing.