When you’re looking for I.T. services in Tulsa, OK, it’s important to make sure you have the right provider before you place your data security and network management into their hands. Unless you’re an I.T. expert yourself, though, it’s hard to know what to ask. Here are some questions that will help you find out what you need to know.
1. What Does the I.T. Provider Know about My Business?
The type of business you’re in has a bearing on what types of I.T. services you need. Large retail, transportation, and food production businesses already thrive in this city. What’s more, Tulsa, OK was named as the third top city in the country for new startup businesses.
Maybe you’re a new startup needing comprehensive I.T. infrastructure from the ground up. Or, you may be a long-established company needing help with mobile device management. You may provide products, services, or both. Whatever you do, you need an I.T. services provider that customizes your services to you.
2. Are They Familiar with My Area?
Tulsa, OK residents have a lot to be proud of. The city, set in a gorgeous natural environment, is a premier destination for cyclists and hikers from near and far. It’s also an exciting location to do business.
You need an I.T. provider that understands what makes your business tick. A part of that is knowing what is happening in the local area and community. The right I.T. provider for your business is familiar with the unique challenges of doing business at your Arkansas location.
3. What Services Do They Offer to Keep My Data Secure?
Data security needs to be one of your top priorities as you look for I.T. services. Larger companies tend to be hyperaware of security issues. The truth is that every business, no matter how large or how small, needs strong security to keep their data safe. Otherwise, you can lose time, customers, and money.
Quiz each provider about what security services they offer for companies like yours. The best managed services providers offer:
- Virus and spam protection
- Intrusion detection and prevention
- Beefed-up security for servers, routers, and firewalls
- Security practices reviews
- Data encryption
- Security training
4. Do They Offer Cloud Computing Services?
Cloud computing is the way of the future. When you do your work on the cloud, you increase your employees’ ability to collaborate and stay productive no matter where they are.
Cloud-based computing gives you more flexibility and the power to scale up or down as needed. And, yes, the cloud is a great place to store and backup your data. That is, it’s great if you have an I.T. team that can set up your cloud system for the ultimate in security, reliability, and security.
5. Can They Help Me Manage My Network?
Even if yours is a small or fledgling business, you need a reliable and secure network. Yet, the costs of running and managing your network can weigh heavily in the budget of a small business. When you speak with any I.T. provider, ask them how they can help you with outsourced I.T. network management services.
Ask more detailed questions about network management. When you use their services, will cutting-edge, high-quality infrastructure be within your reach? Will you receive outsourced network support that’s there when you need it? Will the provider help with compliance audits to ensure you’re following government regulations for your industry?
6. Do They Offer Help Desk Support?
Staffing for help desk support is a challenge that’s easy to ignore–until you need it. You may use an I.T. freelancer from time to time, but can you honestly say they’re always available when you need them. You need more than one I.T. expert for your business.
Instead, you need a reliable, knowledgeable team of full-time I.T. pros who are available to your business every hour of every day. When you have help desk at your beck and call, you avoid frustration, lost time, and lost data. Your business runs more smoothly and efficiently. In addition, your employees are happier in their work, because they have the answers they need when they need them to succeed in their jobs.
7. What Can They Do to Keep Our Mobile Devices Safe?
Mobile device management is essential in the current business environment. Your employees may need to be away from the office from time to time. Beyond that, in certain businesses, working at a remote location is a part of the job. Here are some of the mobile device services you need to keep your data safe while employees are on the go:
- Enrolling new mobile devices
- Security for lost or stolen devices
- Data security controls
- Managing access to company data
- Ensuring compliance
8. What Will They Do If a Data Breach Happens?
No matter how reliable and knowledgeable your managed I.T. services provider might be, trouble can still come along unexpectedly. Whether due to cyber-attacks, natural disasters, or human errors, each situation must be dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Prompt action at the first hint of trouble is the only way to keep your data safe and your systems secure. When you work with the right I.T. provider, you’ll have not only the plans for business continuity and disaster recovery. You’ll also have the I.T. support to carry out those plans.
Ask the right questions when you interview I.T. companies to serve your business. Find out what they know about your business and community. Request information about how they keep data secure, manage mobile devices, and respond when cyber-threats happen. Ask them to list the details of their services for cloud computing, network management, help desk support, and data backup and security.
Are you ready to find out how managed I.T. services can help you run a safer, more secure, more efficient, and more profitable business? If so, contact us by calling 844-44-JMARK, via email at [email protected], or through the Contact Us page of this website. JMARK is an I.T. managed services provider based in Springfield, Missouri, with offices in Tulsa, OK.
