When the job calls for a skilled worker, only someone with those skills will do. While the layman might think there’s an overlap between, say, an architect and an engineer, the fact is that you can’t generalize in this type of work. Shouldn’t the same logic apply to the IT company in Chicago you choose? A general IT company won’t do.
There are a lot of IT companies in Chicago. How can you tell which one you should work with? What sets one apart from another? Rates? Products? Or skillsets?
Every trade has its role.
Glaziers cut and install the glass; electricians handle the wiring and electrical components; concrete finishers lay the concrete, etc. You wouldn’t expect one to fulfill the role of another, right?
This kind of strategy shouldn’t end with your network of tradesmen either; you should apply it to everything you do, and to the IT company in Chicago that you work with.
Just as you wouldn’t expect an ironworker to operate a crane, you shouldn’t expect anyone other than the industry-recognized expert to handle your firm’s IT.
Unfortunately, that seems to be where the industry is headed…
The bad news is that there’s a major lack of skilled cybersecurity and general IT professionals.
When it comes to Chicago technology companies, and those elsewhere in the US and around the world, there seem to be fewer and fewer skilled professionals.
“The shortage of skilled security professionals has been a perennial problem that consistently results in failed security technology deployments. The number of unfilled cybersecurity roles is expected to grow from 1 million in 2018 to 1.5 million by the end of 2020.”
Furthermore, recent polling performed on behalf of Tripwire found even more troubling evidence:
“The skills gap issue continues to worsen,” said David Meltzer, chief technology officer at Tripwire, “which is troubling, since cybersecurity threats only continue to grow. Additionally, security teams are in search of new skillsets to deal with evolving attacks and more complex attack surfaces as they include a mix of physical, virtual, cloud, DevOps and operational technology environments. It’s becoming more difficult to maintain critical security controls, and there are fewer people available to do it.”
Put simply, experience and skill can’t be bought or faked. The only way to get it is to put in the work and take the time.
While technology is certainly our stock and trade, we’ve been around long enough to learn that at its core (and like nearly any industry), the quality of our offering comes down to customer service.
Want to know a secret?
Delivering IT solutions isn’t rocket science. Sure, it takes knowledge and a skillset, perhaps gained via a certification, technical college course, or computer programming degree; but all of this is to say it’s only one part of the process.
Beyond making sure servers are configured right, and Wi-Fi signals are strong, a Chicago technology company should know how important it is to pay attention to the people using that technology. That’s the foundation of effective IT support.
As vital as knowledge of IT is to the services we deliver, business acumen is just as important.
Understanding, from firsthand experience, what your needs are, and the challenges it puts up with every day, will allow the IT companies in Chicago that you work with to better match the right solutions to your obstacles.
Above we talked about how it’s important for an IT services company to capitalize on trends for their clients’ benefits. Frankly, that’s an oversimplification.
The truth is that the IT industry is rife with new developments, each of which could be a real, beneficial trend to invest in; but it’s more likely to be a gimmick that won’t achieve much in the end.
Telling the difference can be difficult, but it gets easier with time. The right IT company in Chicago will have seen countless IT fads come and go. Not everything is the “next cloud.” Those with the right history and skills will know the difference.
You need to discuss the technologies you use every day, and ensure the IT services company knows how to support them.The key is in finding the IT support company that can offer industry-specific expertise and unique service that can’t be found anywhere else.
This means finding a support company that offers services specifically designed to work with the software and file types that your staff uses every day, such as:
In addition to understanding the technology you use, they should also understand and actively apply the potential of new technologies such as the cloud to help you improve the way you work.
You don’t want to miss out on the latest and greatest in IT innovations.
The right Chicago technology company will be able to give you the advantages that come with the most recent applications of the solutions you already rely on. Specific applications and services, when properly implemented and supported, will allow you to do what you need to in a more productive and efficient manner.
An important part of any IT service is proper digital security. To make sure you are safe from cybercriminals, IT companies in Chicago should offer a comprehensive cybersecurity skillset in:
The fact is that there’s a huge difference between the unskilled, one-size-fits-all IT companies in Chicago, and the ones that really understand the technologies you rely on, and the way you use them.
Be sure to only invest in one with the skills to help you.
Like this article? Check out Our Blog to learn more about selecting an IT company in Chicago.
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Infiniwiz is an IT Support and IT Consulting company based in Chicagoland, Illinois. We provide Managed IT services across the Chicago Area. Cities we serve include City of Chicago, Schaumburg, Rosemont, Rolling Meadows.
