How Does an IT Support Solution Help WFH Employees?

Since the pandemic began, millions of people have been working from home. On the one hand, it’s great having the freedom to roll out of bed at 8.55 AM and enjoy a fairly relaxed day before logging off at 5 PM and not suffering a long commute. However, while working from home, you may not have the support of an IT department on hand. 

One solution to the problem is using an IT support solution. But is it worth the cost and can it help?

Having a service agreement with an IT support provider can be beneficial for small to mid-sized companies. Unlike large corporations, they don’t usually have a dedicated IT support department. Employees working from home then have access to support when things go wrong, as they are apt to do from time to time.

Remote IT Support Available 24/7

Whereas an on-site IT department will typically work set hours, i.e., 9-5, a remote IT support service is usually available 24/7. Since not all WFH employees work set hours, this has a lot of advantages. For example, if an employee is working late at night and their computer crashes for no apparent reason, they have a point of contact, someone who can troubleshoot the issue. It could be a lifesaver if the employee has an important presentation for clients early the following day and their PowerPoint file has disappeared into a virtual abyss. 

Cybersecurity Support

Another advantage of using an IT support service for WFH employees is that there is support for cybersecurity issues. Cybercrime is growing year on year. Experts predict cybercrime will cost US businesses over $5 trillion in the next five years. Worryingly, SMEs are far more likely to be targeted as they have fewer defenses. Using an IT support service can help protect employees working from home, who might be logging in via insecure routers or using older, less secure devices. 

An IT support provider can implement a security management strategy that will likely include installing virus protection, security patches, and backing up critical data. If an employee’s device is hacked or there is some other security breach on a remote device, the IT support service is on hand to deal with the problem and prevent any costly data loss.

Software Installation and Training

One of the biggest problems of hiring new employees for a remote work position is that it takes longer to onboard them. After all, it’s not as if you can bring them in for a half-day training session on how to use the company’s bespoke software system. 

IT support providers can help set up remote employees with software systems. They will configure new devices and install software as needed. It takes the burden away from other employees who might not have the right level of IT experience. 

When you have employees working from home permanently, they must have the right level of IT support. Otherwise, minor problems can easily snowball and lead to a catastrophic drop in work productivity.