It can be challenging for a business to maintain, protect, and stay up to date with IT all on its own.  Technology requirements are often time-consuming, and they distract from other responsibilities and goals. 

This is where outsourced IT services can help.

An outsourced IT company removes the stress of internal technology needs by providing advanced technical services, like security, compliance help, maintenance, etc. This gives businesses additional time to focus on more important things, such as growth and long-term success.

There are many creative businesses in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that could benefit from outsourced IT services. Winston-Salem is home to one of the fastest-growing urban districts for start-ups and creative businesses in the United States. Creative brands, such as ad agencies and design firms, need expert IT security services, as well as comprehensive support for both Apple and Microsoft products.

An IT support company like ours can provide that. Our services ensure that your business has everything it needs to create, sell, and thrive.

Does your creative business need a little help managing technology? Here’s what you need to know about outsourced IT services for Winston-Salem businesses.  

What Are Outsourced IT Services? 

Before you can find the right IT company in Winston-Salem, you need to understand exactly what outsourced IT services are.

Outsourced IT services come from a third-party company that acts remotely as a full or supportive IT department. An IT provider gives your business access to a team of expert IT technicians who manage and help your technology and users. These services can include (but are not limited to):

• Managed IT support
• Cybersecurity
• Compliance management
• Consulting
• VOIP systems

In short, you can hire a third-party company to maintain and support your technology, rather than hiring an in-house IT support team or handling it all on your own.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT Needs in Winston-Salem

Now that you have a better understanding of what outsourced IT services are, let’s discuss how they could specifically benefit your creative business.

1) Improved Data Management and Security 

Creative businesses can easily fall victim to a cyberattack, data breach, or virus. It’s important for companies of all sizes to have secure networks, and that’s a service you can certainly outsource.

It can be incredibly expensive to recover from an online attack or data breach. In fact, cyberattacks cost medium-to-small-sized businesses in the United States an average of $22 million a year. The expense of fully recovering from a cyberattack or data breach is well beyond what most businesses can afford. For many, it results in bankruptcy or closures.

Outsourced IT services will minimize the risk of cybercrime interfering with your creative business. A team of trained professionals will take a multi-level approach to secure your network, which makes it difficult for cybercriminals to breakthrough.

Once an IT provider sets up your business with network security, they will run frequent penetration tests and updates to ensure it’s bullet-proofed from the latest threats.

Many local IT service providers also offer specialized security that matches geographical needs. Businesses in Winston-Salem may need different network security or compliance approaches than a business in Florida, based on the common threats in the region.

2) Expert IT Help for Less 

You could hire an in-house IT department to access important services, but it’s typically more expensive than outsourcing your IT needs. You will need to pay full-time salaries and benefits, and those add up. Furthermore, in-house IT employees are usually only available during normal business hours, so you might have to wait to have your IT issues resolved.

On the other hand, outsourced IT services provide your business with a full team of expert technicians for one monthly fee. Most IT companies are available 24/7 and can resolve IT issues at a moment’s notice. They’re fast, efficient, and affordable.

Additionally, most IT service companies are scalable. This means that they will work with your business to develop a service plan that matches your business needs and fits your budget.

3) Increased Productivity   

Advanced technology is essential to a productive workflow. Creative businesses often fall behind their competition when they use outdated tools and technology that slow their internal operations. 

Great outsourced IT services in Winton-Salem will offer your business cost-effective IT solutions that meet industry standards and boost productivity. A worthwhile IT company will only offer new tools and technology if they support long-term business success.

4) Peace of Mind 

Our last reason to hire an external IT provider is for your own peace of mind.

An IT provider removes the stress and responsibility of IT security and other needs from your internal operations. A quality IT company will monitor and protect your business infrastructure 24/7 and will be available the moment your creative business runs into an IT-related issue.

As a result, your employees can stop worrying about keeping up with advanced technology and network security. Instead, they can focus on business goals and better serve your valuable customers.

Ultimately, an IT service provider enables your employees to focus fully on what matters. Your creative business likely uses technology every day, but it shouldn’t be a bottleneck.

What Should Your Creative Agency Look for in Outsourced IT Services?  

Now that you know how your business will benefit from outsourced IT services, let’s talk about what you really need from a superb service provider.

Remote and On-Site Services

If your business suffers a system failure or cyberattack, it needs to be dealt with quickly – no matter the time of day.

Your creative business needs an IT service provider that grants access to expert technicians any time of the day, even on weekends and holidays. With 24/7 remote IT services, you will always have experts on standby to assist with major and minor technology issues.

Some IT problems are too complex to resolve online or over the phone. As a result, you should look for outsourced IT services in Winston-Salem that offer both remote AND on-site support (when necessary). With on-site IT services, your business can schedule a technician to visit your workplace and resolve technical issues.

Quick Response Times

Even if a company offers 24/7 IT services, they can be slow to respond. Slow response times can result in prolonged operational downtime, profit loss, and cost recovery for your creative business.

The sooner you can get help, the faster you can resume normal operations with minimal damage and losses. Look for an IT service provider that guarantees fast response times when you need them.

Proactive Strategies

An IT company shouldn’t just work to resolve your current IT-related issues. They should also prevent problems from reoccurring in the future. An IT provider that operates with proactive tactics will identify the reasons behind IT disruptions or cyberattacks, then take the necessary steps to prevent future issues.

Additionally, a proactive IT company will listen to your business needs to help you find the best tools to boost your productivity in the long run. In contrast, IT providers that operate under reactive strategies will simply resolve issues as they arise and offer generic solutions that don’t really prevent future concerns.

In Conclusion

Hopefully, this post gave you a little more insight into what IT services are, how they can benefit your business, and what to look for in a great Winston-Salem IT company.

Do you need outsourced IT services in Winston-Salem? Get in touch to find out how your business will benefit from Creative IT’s services.