The number of business processes that can be done online is increasing at a rapid pace. The way entire industries are operated has been transformed by the transition to an online model. The medical industry is a prime example of how much technology can change things. You can now make appointments, send questions to your doctor, pay bills, look at test results, and get prescription refills all online. This is a huge difference from the days when all of your medical information was kept on paper in a file at the doctor’s office.

Many other industries have experienced a similar level of change thanks to technology. As more and more business processes move online, tech support has become an essential part of keeping a business running smoothly. But, hiring an entire new department for your business can be an expensive and cumbersome task. If you are not in a place where you can or want to bring on an entire department for your business then you need to look into other options for tech support. You can get the necessary support for your business by utilizing current employees who are tech-savvy, hiring freelance support as needed, or by working with an outsourcing company.

Tech-savvy employee

If the business you run is relatively small then you may be able to depend on one of your current employees for the support you need. Is there someone currently working in your business that people tend to go to with tech-related questions or problems? Do you have an employee that currently works on technology-related projects? You may find that the person or people who fit into these categories have the skills needed to handle minor issues that come up. If the issues you experience are few and far between then it may be enough to simply ask that person for help when issues arise.

However, if issues are more common then you need to consider how that will impact the employee. It could take them away from other tasks that need to be completed as a part of their regular job. In addition, if the problems are frequent you should think about how you will compensate your employee for their help. Using a current employee to help with tech support can work in the short term but is not a good long-term plan. This should be looked at as a temporary solution that you can use until the business grows to a point where it can afford to hire a person or agency that is dedicated to the specific job.

Freelance tech support

If your needs for tech support are intermittent, then freelance help is a possible option. You could hire and use freelance employees on an as-needed basis. This means that you only pay for the amount of help you need when you need it. When you only need intermittent help freelancers are a cost-effective option. The downside to using them is that you may have trouble finding and keeping reliable help. Just about anyone can advertise themselves as an expert, capable of running a support department, regardless of their skill level or training. It can be difficult to sort through all the applicants to find someone who knows what they are doing and will get the work done in a timely and reliable fashion. In order to find reliable freelance workers, you have to be willing to put in the time to search through the choices.

Outsourced tech support

Outsourcing your tech support has many of the same benefits of having an in-house department and working with freelancers. It is similar to having your own department because you will have a team of people dedicated to helping your company when issues arise. You will work with the outsourcing company to develop a plan to meet your tech support needs. The outsourcing company will then put a team of trained people together that meet your standards and requirements.

Outsourcing has the same cost advantages as using freelancers. This is because you only pay for the amount and level of work you need from the outsourcing company. The combination of a team approach and paying only for the services you need makes outsourcing a good method for all types of businesses. Another advantage of using an outsourcing company is that you can verify the training and skill level of the people who will work on your projects. You can talk to the outsourcing company about their hiring requirements and standards to ensure that there are top notch people working on your project.

There are a number of options for getting support without going to the expense of hiring an in-house department. Tech support is not an issue you can put on the back burner because, in most companies, a major tech issue can have an immediate and significant impact on the ability to conduct business. Do not take a risk by waiting to make a decision about support until after an issue arises. Look into the options discussed here and find the one that is the best fit for the needs of your business.

Infinit-O is the trusted customer-centric and sustainable leader in Business Process Optimization to Small and Medium businesses in the Financial Services, Healthcare and Technology sectors by delivering continuous improvement through technology, data and people.