Having the right kind of IT support is crucial to operating your business successfully in 2021. Support covers everything from emergency fixes to ensure your systems are optimized at all times.
Without it, you’re running the risk of losing your data and losing money. But in the constant debate between remote support and onsite IT support, which is better for your company?
We’re going to compare both of these approaches, with a quick definition of each. Then we’ll go into detail on their pros and cons, with some examples. That way, you should be better placed to answer this question after reading through this post.
What Are Remote IT Support and Onsite IT Support?
The secret difference between these two types of IT support lies in their names. Remote IT support is a form of IT support that is handled 100% remotely.
That means that a company will oversee your IT systems from an alternative location. This will usually be their own office, where they also handle other remote support solutions.
You’ll then usually communicate with these companies through remote communication, such as phone or messaging.
Onsite IT support, as you might imagine, is the opposite of this approach. This concerns IT support where you have an outsourced IT support staff member working with your company.
This is still usually handled through an IT support company. The main difference is that they will send an employee to you, rather than committing one from a remote location.
Outside of this key difference, they function in a similar way. Your IT support provider will still usually provide the same level of support whether you choose remote or onsite support.
But there are key benefits to each option. Let’s now delve into the argument of onsite vs remote IT support.
Comparing Onsite vs. Remote IT Support: Accessibility
First, we’ll compare these options in regards to how accessible the actual support is for you. If you’re paying to outsource IT support, you’ll want it to be as accessible as possible at all times.
This is one of the core benefits of onsite IT support. If you have someone working with your company on your IT support, at your location, you can talk to them anytime.
This makes it a better option if you’re concerned about emergency fixes or problems with your IT. Having someone on-site means they can drop everything they’re doing to take a look at it right away.
Whilst your remote provider will always aim to prioritize emergency situations, they may not be able to react as quickly.
Another benefit is that an onsite IT support individual is able to dedicate all of their time to your company. If they’re working remotely, chances are they’re helping with several companies at any one time.
But onsite support can optimize your company IT structure better as a result of this focus.
Comparing Onsite vs. Remote IT Support: Level of Expertise and Support
This point is a bit tougher to compare, as it will depend on what company you work with to reach your IT support goals.
As a general rule, it will be easier for you to work closely with an onsite IT support individual. This is due to the fact that you will be in close proximity with them during every working day.
But you will typically only rely on their sole expertise unless there are situations where they must call their office. This means that you need to ensure you’re working with a company that provides experienced IT support staff at all times.
Otherwise, you run the risk of having someone inexperienced managing your whole IT infrastructure.
An experienced company may send an IT manager, so you know that they have the background you need to fulfill their duties.
This is less of a concern when hiring remote IT support, as you know a whole team is on hand to help when needed.
You need to factor in how important this collaboration aspect is for you. If you want to collaborate with your IT support staff yourself, an onsite option might be preferable for you.
You should also note that, though the support is closer, remote support can sometimes provide 24-hour contact. This means that it can cover more hours of the day if you have any specific IT questions that need answering.
Comparing Onsite vs. Remote IT Support: The Expected Cost
Finally, let’s go into the cost of each of these two options. If you’re going with an onsite solution, you usually need to cover the wages of the employee in question.
Again, this depends entirely on who you’re working with to receive your IT support.
This does mean that onsite support can be a more expensive option for companies in the long run. You need to see this as a way in which you’re paying for a comprehensive support package, though.
This is because, with remote support, you’ll usually only pay for certain levels of support. This makes it a good way to customize if you only need certain IT support at any one time.
But it does mean that you may be caught out if you don’t have any emergency support in place. You must always check what services a company provides as standard, or what they recommend.
To find out which option is the best value for money for your company, you must assess your own business needs. Look at how much support you require, and how much you want to get involved as a manager.
If you’re looking in the Calgary area, take a look at an example of an experienced IT support provider of onsite and remote support here.
Where Can I Find Out More?
You should now know a lot more about onsite IT support and remote IT support offerings.
If you’re still interested in finding out more about tech or IT support for your business, make sure to look through some previous posts on our website.
My name is Tom William a expert content creator and SEO expert having Proven record of excellent writing demonstrated in a professional portfolio Impeccable grasp of the English language, including press releases and current trends in slang and details.
