Is network support a business essential?

You don't tend to notice how important IT networks are until they fail.

Imagine trying to function without interconnected laptops, PCs, servers, printers, backups and e-mail. Any business that employs a number of IT users depends heavily on this technology, and failures are often met with something approaching a state of panic.

Naturally, it follows that reliable IT network support is a business essential. Or does it?

Do you need support for something that… just works?

Of course, IT networks are built for reliability. Manufacturers know that their customers expect uninterrupted network performance, and a lot of the time you will be quite happy that your network "just works".

Compare it to motoring: drivers have been demanding greater reliability and most of the time, they get it. They no longer have a working knowledge of roadside repairs. Nowadays cars go wrong infrequently - but when they do, it's frequently complicated.

Keeping motorists in mind, the question of whether network support is essential for your business is similar to the following two dilemmas…

Is AA membership cover essential for car owners?

The cost of AA, RAC or any other breakdown cover is easily avoided if you just opt out of membership. Chances are you will happily motor in peace for a good while, saving the annual charge.

However, not many motorists opt out. They know that a single breakdown without cover in place could bring significant disruption, as well as costing much more than the outlay for membership in the first place.

Similarly, the cost of an ongoing network support contract pays for itself when it saves your business from just one day's IT downtime, as well as the cost of network technicians' call-out charges for exceptional repairs.

Is travel insurance essential for holidaymakers?

Again, there's nothing to stop you going on holiday with no insurance cover whatsoever. If flights and connections run on time, your holiday money stays in your wallet and you don't get ill, that's another expense saved.

However, if you speak to anybody who's experienced any of the above disruptions, ask whether they considered their premium good value after all!

Network support provides similar value: an IT network can have as many potential mishaps as a holiday, and the peace of mind you receive from knowing you have a contingency plan for network disasters is valuable even when things are running smoothly.

Learn more about fixed-price IT support

To find out how much monthly fixed price support would be for a business between 30 and 300 seats, contact our Bristol IT support team.