The modern workplace relies heavily on the use of technology. Whether you’re in sales, e-commerce or financial services, a stable IT environment is the backbone of how you do business. So, when a problem emerges, the time spent waiting around for your IT provider can really add up. Finding a partner with a great track record of fast response and problem-solving times is essential for keeping the servers running, the Internet connected and your data secure.
IT providers make a lot of promises in regard to meeting your company’s needs, yet many don’t have the systems in place to deliver service when you need it most. Here are 3 reasons why some providers take so long to respond:
- Organizational roles aren’t clearly defined – there’s no set process for how to move through issues quickly and accurately. For example, a provider might not have a designated person on hand to answer the phone, or online requests are treated differently than phone calls. There’s also the risk of different people scheduling overlapping appointments, resulting in double or over booking.
- No proven process to distinguish calls – is there a defined system for handling quick calls versus diagnostic visits? For some IT companies, the answer is no. What about a service manager in the office all day specifically assigned to service issues? If there is no accountability system in place to work through more complicated issues quickly, that could lead to a delayed response.
- Managed service vs. time and materials – be aware of response time priority for managed service clients vs. break fix clients. Sometimes, the latter solution provides no guaranteed priority, no matter what the issue. Managed service clients should ask about a specific guarantee, with the possibility of a refund of monthly fees if the guarantee isn’t met.
So, What Are Some Solutions?
Well, we think we have a couple. Here’s a look at why Cards Technology is dedicated to such a low response time:
- Team structure – Cards Technology has a dedicated service dispatcher that operates as the communication “hub” between the clients and the company. From submitting tickets to managing schedules, this type of structure ensures requests are turned around in a timely manner.
- Two-tiered help desk – Smaller, quick turnaround requests are immediately assigned to T1 technicians, while more complicated issues are sent to the more seasoned and knowledgeable T2 technicians. This system provides quicker resolution times with the appropriate level of skill.
Common complaints heard about other providers: “if you don’t call before 9am, you won’t get a call same day” or “electronic tickets get lost in cyberspace and won’t get help quickly.”
Instead, we base our work tickets on priority and age, using calculations to figure out where in the pipeline an issue belongs. Then, we work on a solution, so you don’t have to contend with antsy employees, lost revenue and frustrated clients.
We know you can’t afford to have your employees sitting around while systems are down. If limiting downtime is a priority, look toward a provider that has a documented process and a proven record of low response times. Contact Cards Technology today, and we’ll walk you through our process – from ticket origination to the final solution.