Most business owners and managers realise the importance of having access to reliable IT support services, but how much should you be paying for IT support in London?
Frustratingly, there’s no universal figure when it comes to the average cost of IT support services in London. This is because the costs associated with IT support services vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size of your business, the scope of the services you require, and the nature of your tech infrastructure.
A small business with 15 workstations that requests IT Helpdesk support will inevitably pay less than a large-scale enterprise with hundreds of employees that relies on end-to-end managed IT services, for example.
However, knowing which factors affect the cost of IT support services in London will help you to determine what you can expect to pay. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how IT support services in London are categorised and which options prove to be the most cost-effective.
Cost of break/fix IT support services in London
As the name suggests, break/fix IT services allow you to access technical support when things go wrong. If something breaks, you call an IT support service company to fix the issue. Usually, companies are charged an hourly rate, so the cost of break/fix IT support services vary depending on the complexity of the problem and the time it takes for it to be resolved.
Are break/fix IT support services cost-efficient?
At first glance, ad hoc break/fix IT support can seem like a cost-effective way to access IT support services in London. However, you’ll typically pay a higher hourly rate for this type of service than you would if you had an ongoing arrangement with an IT support provider, such as a service level agreement (SLA).
In addition to this, you’ll need to consider the financial implications that a break/fix approach can have on your business. With no proactive monitoring, maintenance, or management, issues may be more likely to occur, which can increase company downtime. Furthermore, the speed of a fix can be dependent on the availability of an IT professional when something happens to go wrong, which can mean longer waiting times and extended operational disruption.
Due to this, break/fix IT support services are rarely the most cost-efficient option for businesses, particularly if your operations are heavily reliant on your IT infrastructure.
Cost of specific IT support services in London
The nature of your business may mean you want to select specific IT services to facilitate your operations, rather than a full end-to-end support service. For example, you might commission an IT support service provider to undertake an IT audit or request consultancy services to help you determine which IT services are right for your business.
Depending on the services you require, this may involve a one-off fee or an ongoing service legal agreement (SLA). The flexibility of this approach can be beneficial for businesses, especially if you want to stay in control of your IT management or you simply want to supplement an in-house IT team with additional support or expertise.
Are specific IT support services cost-efficient?
It depends. Choosing a range of specific IT support services can be cost-efficient, providing you choose the right services for your business and the best support provider!
A one-off IT audit can be a valuable investment, for example, but only if you implement the recommended actions based on the outcome. Similarly, paying for data backup can be advantageous but overlooking the importance of network protection could be a costly mistake.
If you’re looking for advice regarding a specific IT issue or you want to bolster an in-house IT support team, then paying for specific IT support services from an external provider can be a cost-efficient solution but it’s important to be aware of the pitfalls of this approach, particularly if you don’t have additional support available from an in-house team.
Cost of managed IT support services in London
Managed IT services are the most comprehensive level of support available, which means businesses benefit from a variety of technical support. Sometimes known as end-to-end IT services, these packages can incorporate numerous aspects of IT support, such as:
- Online, email and phone support
- 24/7 Helpdesk
- Cybersecurity
- Tech procurement
- On-site support
However, it’s important to remember that managed IT services vary from one provider to another. In fact, you might find that a single provider offers different levels of packages of managed IT services, so be sure to consider all of the options when deciding what type of IT support is right for your business.
Is Managed IT Support Services in London Cost-Efficient?
The cost of managed IT support services can be calculated in different ways. Some companies may charge based on the number of devices or workstations you have, for example, whereas others may offer a fixed monthly fee with usage limits.
Similarly, some IT service providers don’t incorporate on-site support into their managed IT service bundles and guaranteed response and resolution times can vary. However, comparing providers and packages will give you the opportunity to find the most cost-efficient and effective solution for your business.
Despite this, managed IT support services are often one of the most cost-efficient ways for businesses to access the critical technical support they need. By making sure that proactive IT services, such as network monitoring or cyber threat management, are incorporated into your managed IT services bundle, for example, you can reduce the risk of downtime causing operational disruption.
In addition to this, having ongoing support and guidance from your managed IT support service provider means you can seek procurement advice when you’re investing in new IT solutions. This, in itself, can enable your company to considerably reduce its tech spend and maximise its ROI – so you could find that your managed IT support services end up paying for themselves!
What type of IT support service is right for your business?
IT support might be essential for your business, but this doesn’t mean you have to spend over the odds to access professional and reliable support. By comparing the options available and determining how important IT functionality is to your business, you can soon determine what type of IT support is best suited to your company.
At totality tervices, we’re committed to providing bespoke and flexible IT support services to London businesses. From on-site visits as part of our IT support package to ad hoc services and consultancy, we’re on hand to provide the custom IT solutions you need.
To find out more, contact our friendly team now on 020 3744 3105 or message us here.