You need excellent I.T. services to run your transportation company efficiently. For that, you need a great managed I.T. provider. What makes an I.T. provider great? Here are eight qualities of the best I.T. managed services providers.
1. Knowledgeable
An I.T. provider can’t be very great if they don’t know what they’re doing. Knowledge should come from a mixture of I.T. education, on-the-job training, and experience. You can gauge their knowledge in many ways. The most telling sign of a knowledgeable I.T. provider is that they have ready, workable solutions to common I.T. problems.
They don’t just need knowledge of information technology, though. They also need to know the unique challenges of providing I.T. to transportation businesses. For example, they need to know how to handle security issues related to the mobile devices that truckers use on-the-go, every day.
2. Reliable
When their I.T. systems fail, transportation companies are at an extreme disadvantage. They count on their networks, servers, and devices to manage drivers, their routes, and their loads. Without a reliable I.T. provider, their systems aren’t reliable, either.
What are the hallmarks of a reliable provider? Here are a few to consider:
- They come when you call without fail.
- They don’t miss consultations or meetings.
- They respond promptly.
- They stay focused on fulfilling your I.T. needs.
3. Well-Equipped
The I.T. company, just like your transportation company, needs resources to do their job for you. They need to be set up to deliver software, cloud services, and a wide range of technology solutions to help you handle your data, devices, and communications.
They also need to have adequate staff to handle network and server management, helpdesk support, backup management, and especially, disaster recovery. A fledgling I.T. company may have all the knowledge they need, but they can’t do the work properly without the right resources. When you choose a great managed I.T. provider with a proven track record, all the resources are there to give you superior service for all your I.T. needs.
4. Proactive
A so-so I.T. company might answer your requests and come when you call. A great one will always stay ahead of the curve, solving issues before they become problems. They’ll identify security risks instead of waiting for a cyberattack. They’ll maintain your software and hardware in peak condition.
By being proactive, they’ll make sure everything is backed up properly. At the same time, they take care of repair issues before they lead to data loss, server crashes, or hardware failure. As they work to keep your I.T. systems running well, you avoid downtime for both your office staff and your drivers.
5. Certified
Knowledge is certainly important. Certifications show that your I.T. team has the required knowledge for handling all the software, hardware, and cloud computing solutions they offer. An average I.T. provider may have the knowledge. They may even have a few certifications. A great provider, on the other hand, has certifications for all the services they offer.
6. Reputable
It’s crucial to work with an I.T. provider that has a great reputation. What would happen if you put all your data, inventory, and device security in the hands of a fly-by-night I.T. company? You’d be putting your transportation business at a terrible risk!
When you’re considering a managed I.T. provider, it pays to know what others think of them. Check out their reviews to find out what companies have to say. Notice whether the I.T. company is doing business with reputable and prominent companies. You can know a lot about their reputation by the company they keep.
7. Attentive
An ordinary I.T. provider will respond when you notice something is wrong. A phenomenal one will pay attention themselves. Most of the time, they’ll find the problems before you’re even aware of them. With their eyes open and their minds on task, they don’t let the small but important details slip by unnoticed.
The best I.T. companies are attentive to your needs as well. When you have a question or a problem, they listen carefully before they act. Whether you are a small transportation company or a major trucking corporation, they give you the attention you need to keep your systems secure, efficient, and updated.
8. Available
The final piece of the puzzle is availability. It doesn’t help you very much to have all the other important qualities in your I.T. provider if they can’t respond to your needs immediately. Look for an I.T. provider that is available 24/7 for I.T. emergencies. They need to be able to connect with office employees and truckers whenever and wherever the need arises. They also need to make time for you when you need a consultation.
Finding a great managed I.T. services provider is essential to any transportation business that wants to stay ahead of their competition. The best providers have the knowledge to do the job and the certifications to back it up. They have the resources they need. They’re reliable and always available to handle questions and concerns. A solid reputation sets them apart from I.T. companies that haven’t yet proven themselves or have mishandled clients’ needs. They pay attention all the time. Most of all, they’re proactive in dealing with risks before they become problems.
Knowing which managed I.T. provider will provide great services isn’t always easy. Some are better at selling their services than providing them. Once you learn how to gauge the quality of any I.T. company, you can make a choice that will serve you well now and in the future. You can learn more about what those qualities are and how to identify them by connecting with JMARK. Just send an email to us at JMARKIT@JMARK.com or call 844-44-JMARK. You can use our Contact Us form to leave a message if you prefer. JMARK is a managed I.T. services provider with all the qualities you need to keep your transportation business information technology systems rolling along smoothly, securely, and efficiently.
