Running a business in the digital age requires a digital-first approach, which in turn means effective IT processes.
However, not every company has the ability to pay or maintain an in-house IT support team, and it can sometimes feel as if some companies won’t be able to offer the specialised assistance needed by a more local operation. That’s where choosing local IT support can come in handy.
This article will explore the benefits of choosing alocalised service from a reputable and experienced IT business. It’s worth noting that some larger brands make their IT support local with many offices and teams throughout the UK, ensuring clients all over the country get the focused attention that they need.
Local IT companies can offer support faster
Company downtime means lost money, whatever way you look at it. It’s not just about literal lost sales during the down period, it’s also about a loss of reputation and the potential for would-be loyal customers to be discouraged. Larger brands without local branches might not be able to offer the kind of paced support that you may need on site, with their operatives based in a headquarters miles from where you work. Local IT services will be able to offer you that crucial, on-site support faster, ensuring you can be assisted in the face of:
- Hardware failures
- Network infrastructure issues
- New equipment installations
Faster service equals less downtime, which means you can better protect your company’s revenue.
Personalised services & long-term IT relationships
Picking a local IT company or service provider sets you and them up for a better working relationship. The local nature means you can trust that your IT support provider will be committed to building a partnership with you, understanding the team and business more comprehensively. You’re less likely to just be a name or a number on their call sheet, with their team members more profoundly aware of your business’s specific requirements and nuances.
Customised solutions
In the same vein, these personalised relationships will generally result in more customised solutions, ensuring your business is supported in the way it needs to be. Companies with no local focus whatsoever might provide you with a one-size-fits-all solution, rather than truly honing in on what your company needs in a local context. A monolithic, headquarters-based company could very easily end up providing you support with a one-size-fits-all approach. Local IT support solutions are more likely to be bespoke, with a stronger understanding of your company’s technological integrations and requirements.
Local IT support offers local expertise
Companies with a better understanding of the local area will be able to offer a more regionally-specific standard of solutions. The UK’s regional business identities are variable, which is why larger, less localised services can lack awareness of how area economies can differ. The business landscape of Bristol is going to differ from the business landscape of Manchester, which will impact the kind of local IT consultancy services and support that companies need.
And hand in hand with this, going local is a good practice to follow in general. Consider it your way of working with the community and economy around you, rather than sending everything up the flagpole. You’ll be interacting and supporting the working population of your area, which is something you can be proud of.
Choosing the right local IT provider
Finding the right local IT provider isn’t necessarily going to be easy. The reason people go to the bigger brands is because they have name recognition, along with a wealth of reviews and testimonials for you to browse. You can of course find a good super local company through word of mouth, however, it’s also worth noting that some larger brands offer their own localised services. This balance is worth looking for, as it allows you to get service with national/international regard, along with the benefits of localised service.
