What Are Ad Hoc IT Services?
Ad hoc IT Services describe a case-by-case engagement with an independent contractor or an IT Support Company. On the surface, it appears to be a viable option for IT support for your Atlanta GA company, . However, it is the most dangerous way to support an IT environment upon closer examination.
Dangers of Ad Hoc IT Support
Imagine for a moment you are a doctor, and a patient comes in with bad back pains. As a first step, you want to do a cat scan or MRI. However, the patient wants you to treat them without any tests. At this point, you can only diagnose based on the symptoms. So, you give them painkillers.
As a result, this relieves the symptoms for a while, but their pain comes back. Now, the patient claims you didn’t diagnose them correctly the first time, and therefore, they should not have to pay for subsequent visits. Consequently, both the provider and the client suffer. That is how ad hoc often works!
The risk to the IT Support Provider
When a company performs ad hoc services, they assume all risks. For example, they risk not knowing how a fix can affect other things on the network. They do not know how it is set up, what it’s connected to, or historical issues. Therefore, they will always get blamed if it causes more problems, leading to reputation loss.
Many clients will use ad hoc as a litmus test to see if the IT support company is good enough to support their environment full-time. However, in the end, it is a roulette game. For example, if the provider can fix the problem, they will win the business. If they can’t, they will lose it. Unfortunately, they lose their reputation along with it. Therefore, many providers avoid ad hoc altogether.
The Client Bares the Cost
Clients have it worse. First of all, ad hoc does not offer any monitoring or updates. This lack of insight makes it easier for viruses and hackers to creep into the system. Second, there is no documentation on the environment. This means the engineer can only approach the issues based on the symptoms. A lack of understanding of the root cause can lead to multiple breaks in the system and expensive repeat visits. Last, you are at the mercy of the provider’s schedules as they cannot know when multiple ad hoc calls will come in and cannot staff appropriately. When that does happen, their recurring revenue clients will come first.
Most important, the client bears the cost. Since you pay by the hour, you must also pay for additional virus cleanup, breaks, fixes, and multiple attempts. Trust me when I say that this adds up! If you depend on your computers to do business, you would be much better off with a monthly contract.
The Two Exceptions to Using Ad Hoc IT Services
There are two exceptions to the rule of using ad hoc IT services. First, internal IT departments sometimes need additional resources temporarily. Examples include projects, seasonal, or advanced issues.
The second reason is if a company needs less than one-fourth of an hour of IT support per month. This is because they are not heavily dependent on their network. Consequently, ad hoc can be appropriate when minimal changes are made in the environment – as long as it is set up correctly.
Why Companies Choose Ad Hoc
Many small- and medium-sized businesses use ad hoc IT services to save money and control costs. Many independent contractors charge as little as $50 per hour for their services. While this appears great on the surface, it is actually quite dangerous.
Companies that use ad hoc IT services are at a high risk of viruses, failures, and hacks. In addition, the lack of documentation results in repeat visits and multiple breaks in the system. Therefore, the combination of downtime and excess hours far exceeds the monthly contract costs with a reputable Managed Service Provider (MSP.) This makes for a very sick network.
A Better Alternative
A better alternative to “Ad Hoc” IT services is INSI’s Managed Services if you don’t have an IT department or INSI’s signature Customized IT™if you have an internal IT department. INSI’s unique model offers substantial savings on helpdesk issues without sacrificing quality. This is because we charge entry-level rates for entry-level tickets, which constitute 80% of the IT support tickets. Further, we can manage the entire environment, fill in the gaps for an internal IT team, or break out the services to the client’s exact needs. Finally, we can do all this for a fixed fee.
Do You Want To Learn More About The Difference Between Ad Hoc and INSI’s Managed or Customized IT™ Contracts?
Contact INSI, 770-387-2424, option 2 to see the various types of IT support, their pros and cons, and great questions to ask the provider on each one.
About INSI: The Best MSP in Atlanta!
Innovative Network Systems, Inc. has a unique approach to integrating IT support and cybersecurity. Our month-to-month programs range from basic support to proactive support, managed support, and customized support. Each program is tailored to the client’s needs and internal IT strengths.
For more information about cybersecurity dangers and the preventative measures for your company, connect with the top MSP in Atlanta; Contact INSI: 770-387-2424, option 2 or click the link below. In addition, we offer 16 different cybersecurity programs to protect you and your data.
About the Author
Deborah Frazier is the author of IT Outsourcing Secrets – A Small Business Guide to Compare IT Support Companies. With nearly 20 years of experience consulting small and medium-sized businesses on their IT support needs, she brings a wealth of knowledge to INSI as Head of Marketing and Sales. If you like this article and want to be notified when a new article is posted, click here.
