Client portal
Tech insights
videos
Time For A New IT Company In Philadelphia?
Regardless of where you are in your business development, technology will always be a core element in your operation. As hardware and software become more complex, you may have a difficult time keeping up with the demands of maintaining your IT network, operating on the cloud platform, securing your company from hackers, or managing your business on the same level as your competitors.
For this reason, it is essential that you partner with an experienced and capable IT provider that can manage your technology infrastructure so that you can run your business. Whether you are working with an IT company in Philadelphia for the first time or making the switch to a new provider, below are ten questions that will help you select an IT expert that is right for you.
IT security threats are at an all-time high. What does your IT company do to protect our company from security risks?
An IT provider must be able to implement preemptive strategies to prevent hackers from gatecrashing your network. Some strategies II specialists implement to protect your company may include:
- Cyber-security assessment
- Cyber-security remediation
- Endpoint security
- Wi-Fi security
- Firewall management
- Mobile device security
- Antivirus protection
- Email protocols & encryption
- Data backup
- 24/7 monitoring
2. IT customer service is crucial for our company. How can we know that you will be there when we need you most?
Any reputable IT company offers a 24/7 help desk service. The service is specifically designed to handle any issues that range from quick questions to the worst case scenarios. Once you contact an IT company in Philadelphia, the company must be able to respond and provide solutions.
You should look for the following characteristics in an IT company:
- Quick response time
- Automated email, text, or call
- The ability to provide practical answers and solutions
- Service ticket generation & processing
- Follow-up email or phone call to confirm problem resolution
- Preventative measures to mitigate potential IT problems before they occur
- Regular updates on system performance
3. We’re tired of technology failure disrupting our workflow. How can your IT service ensure business continuity?
IT providers must move beyond the mere maintenance mindset and see their role as integral to your company’s overall productivity, growth, and profit. Therefore, they need to create an IT infrastructure that virtually eliminates any issues that disrupt business continuity.
Look for a company that offers proactive IT solutions that minimize downtime and foster a seamless working environment. Any provider should be able to lock down user endpoints, backup essential data, protect your digital assets, secure your network, and help you monitor your IT environment.
4. How do your IT services help us meet our corporate objectives and goals?
A trustworthy IT company should be able to provide reliable consultation that is relevant to your business objectives and goals. A specialist should discover areas where technology adds value to your organizational processes. IT infrastructure should be scalable to allow your business to grow fluidly.
All IT solutions should be business-focused and impact your profitability. Make sure you work with a company that offers on-site consultation and infrastructure assessment. A consultant can help you coordinate your technology upgrades, work within your operating budget, and help you create a strategy for digital transformation where needed.
5. Does your company offer cloud infrastructure capabilities?
Cloud platforms have become the core tool that companies now use for collaboration, storage, file-sharing, and project creation. An IT company should be able to provide a cloud service that is flexible, cost-effective, fully-manageable, and scalable.
Cloud services that you may want to ask about include:
- System and file backup
- Office 365 Support
- Patch management
- Remote monitoring
- Event log tracking
- Technical support
By working with the right IT company in Philadelphia, you can use a cloud service to leverage your business and compete in your industry.
6. Do you provide a dedicated IT manager for our company?
The hallmark of any reputable IT company is its ability to connect with and respond to its clients in a way that feels personal.
Therefore, when selecting a new IT company in Philadelphia, take a look at its customer service model. Does the company assign a single dedicated IT professional to handle the needs of a client? Will you work one-on-one with the same technician or will you be shuffled around from team member to team member?
7. How do you deliver data backup?
Data backup serves two main purposes. First, it allows you to retrieve data that is lost due to a security breach, natural disaster, or any unforeseen event. Second, it helps you maintain business continuity.
An IT company in Philadelphia should be able to help you prepare for any scenarios that can occur in a major metropolitan area. When you are interviewing an IT company, ask about the following types of backup systems, protocols, or processes:
- Onsite
- Offsite
- Automatic
- Monitored and reported
- Encrypted
- Data and system recovery
8. Our company deals with international data transfers. Can you keep our company GDPR compliant?
If your company is like other companies in the Philadelphia area, you may conduct business with other companies internationally. If so, you may be subject to GDPR compliance regulations. Therefore, you should only work with an IT provider that understands GDPR regulations and can help keep your company compliant.
An IT company can help you take adequate measures to ensure that the personal information of your EU clients is secure and that you avoid penalties and fines for non-compliance.
9. What services do you provide that keep our company at the forefront of technology?
Technology is inescapable. It permeates nearly every facet of your organization. As technology evolves and improves, it is vital that your company adapt to new IT hardware and software changes to stay competitive in your industry. The challenge that your company may be facing is that you may not know what new technology is available or how to apply it.
A capable IT provider can stay current with new IT technology developments and trends. A specialist should be able to make recommendations on the most suitable technology for your company and help you put together a strategy for implementing and using the technology as it becomes available.
10. What is your pricing structure and fees?
The two most important things to look for in any pricing structure is transparency and clarity.
- What does the company charge?
- How do they break down the pricing?
- Are there any additional fees? If so, what for?
- Does the company charge a flat fee or an hourly/project fee?
- Do you have a clear understanding of precisely what you are paying for and why?
With all the products and services that an IT company provides, it can be difficult to understand its pricing structure. Make sure that you know where your investment is going.
Menark Technologies offers managed IT services for businesses in Delaware, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. We offer a wide range of services that provide continual maintenance and operational support for your entire network infrastructure.
To find out more about our IT services Philadelphia provider, contact us at (866) 339-0959 or send us a message at info@menark.com.
Menark’s approach to outsourced IT services is focused on supporting the success of your organization in the same way that we foster the successes of our team. Every step in the Menark process has been developed by our team with the productivity, profit, and growth of your organization in mind.
