There are so many options to choose from when considering getting computer support of some kind.  There’s your local Geek Squad at Best Buy and many other computer/IT companies in your area.

There’s also the DIY (Do It Yourself) approach to computer support.  Many individual users who are a bit more tech-savvy have ventured down this avenue, with some success.

There are different levels of computer support, however.  There’s the basic break-fix support of “hey my home computer is broke, can you fix it?” There’s another level above that of a small office support.  Here, you require someone to come in on occasion to assess and troubleshoot more than just a computer problem.  This level is a bit more involved, as we start to get into networking devices. 

The next level above that is a more sophisticated office network and operations that require a bit more TLC.  At this level, companies are looking to outsource their IT support to a third party on an ongoing basis, and provide them with what’s known as managed service (a bit more on this later).

Which one of these levels is right for you?

To get a clear answer, let’s explore each level to get a better understanding.  

Break-Fix Support

This is your most basic of computer support.  You call your local tech company and explain your “tech” problems. You’re provided with some information on how your issue will be solved, and you’re quoted on the cost.  Depending on the company you decide to work with, you’ll either drop off your computer to their location, and pick it up once they’re done, or they’ll come out to you and service your computer at your location.    

As an ordinary break-fix user, you typically fall into the home user category.  Even if you’re running a small business with just one computer, you still would qualify as a home user.  The reason for this is, as an individual user, your tech issues aren’t as complex.  Not that they’re not important, just not as complex.  It’s usually isolated to either a hardware issue (i.e. hard drive, memory, power supply, etc) or software, where the issue is with the Operating System or a particular application you’re running. 

You can expect to pay a flat fee to fix most computer problems as a home user. 

If you’re a bit more frugal and think the price for computer support is too high, followed by thoughts like “I can probably do this myself”.  You can in fact turn your computer problems into your own DIY project.

Many have ventured down this path… 

There are a ton of information out there on how to fix computer problems.  So you will not be short of information should you decide to venture down “DIY avenue”.

However, keep in mind that as you’re traveling down this avenue, you’ll likely be spending more time trying to figure it out yourself, and may not even get the issue resolved.  The time investment and complexity to resolve a computer problem is a compelling enough reasons why most decide to pay a professional to get it done.

So research your local area, and see what tech companies service home users.

Small Office Support

If you run a small business with a few more computers in your office and have a small network, then a little more attention is required at this level.  There are more things going on other than just an isolated computer issue.  With an internal network, there are other devices that now have to be considered as a part of the troubleshooting process.  

Devices such as modems, routers/switches, firewalls, etc, to name a few.  This requires more time and a different skill set than that of the general computer break-fix technician.  As such, a more premium price is charged at this level as well.

Things can become quite complicated relatively fast at this level.  Not only are you troubleshooting computers, but also their connectivity and security associated with the network that they’re on.  There’s also configuration and maintenance of the networking devices mentioned earlier.  Appropriate IP addresses and Wi-Fi connection has to be established to maintain communication among the various devices.

Needless to say, there are very few DIY attempts at this level.  The risks are simply too much.

Most IT companies will charge an hourly rate at this level.  There are occasions when there’s a charge based on the project.  It does come down to the individual company you decide to hire. 

Ensure that the company that you do decide to work with, works with small businesses (most of them do) and choose the one that best suits your business.

Managed Service Support

As mentioned before, this level of computer support requires a bit more TLC.  Here, you are looking for more than just an ordinary computer technician to fix your computer problem.  You’re now looking for a consultant who will come and assess what’s going on with your company from an IT standpoint, and take your company in the direction it needs to go in.  In addition, continue to monitor and maintain proper operation over a period of time.

This is the overall description of managed services.

A managed service provider is a fancy term for computer and network management for your company.  They use special management software that allows the the tech to see your entire network at a glance and ensure all systems are running well on a 24/7 basis.

The idea behind managed service to be pro-active rather than re-active in handing providing computer support. Features of managed services include:

• • Remote access to every computer that’s being managed,
  • Patch management (ensuring all computers receives the appropriate updates)
  • Managed anti-virus
  • 24/7 Cloud backup

These features are arsenals for ongoing computer support.  What this does is set your company up for success, from an IT standpoint.  A larger investment is needed to receive managed services.  You can expect to pay monthly.  Managed service is a much more involved process for computer support.

To qualify for managed services your office needs to have a certain amount of computers to support.

What Support Do You Need?

Getting computer support does depend on the type of user you are.  So when searching for the right tech company to solve your issue, first understand what level of support you need.  From there, you’ll know what to look for in a computer or IT support company.  You’ll also know what types of questions to ask based on the issues you’re having. 

Not all IT companies work with all types of users.

For instance, an IT company that focuses primarily on managed service would not be a good fit for regular home users.  The premium fees charged at that level would be too much for a home user.  Just the same as an IT company that primarily focuses on home users and small one-man businesses would not be a good fit to a business that has a more sophisticated network and is looking to outsource their IT support.