Use These 3 Tips to Work More Effectively with Your IT Provider

It can be tricky to speak to your managed service provider about problems with your technology. However, you can make it easier by following some simple strategies. Today, we want to share some tips that have helped our clients communicate their issues and resolve problems as quickly as possible.

To be fair, many of these tips might also be useful for more general communications, not just with your IT support team.

Be Ready with Details

It can be disheartening for both parties involved when you go to your provider expecting to resolve an issue, but are unprepared to list out specific details or concerns you have. It helps to do this legwork before you contact IT, so take some time to document error messages, symptoms, and recent changes for use during your conversation with IT. You’ll be able to provide enough information and context to help IT resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Otherwise, it’s entirely possible that the issue could be misdiagnosed, leading IT in circles and lengthening the time to resolve the problem.

Practice Patience and Collaboration

Naturally, communication will be remarkably important in any conversations with your IT provider. You should take some time to carefully listen to what they have to say and follow instructions as intended during the troubleshooting and resolution phases. Do not skip steps or withhold information from your technician. Let your IT technician lead the conversation with questions, and ask your own questions. You’ll learn more about the issue at hand and foster trust and collaboration with your IT department this way.

Keep Track of the Outcomes with Documentation

Your IT provider will likely be taking notes throughout the process, but it never hurts to keep track of things yourself, particularly if the troubleshooting steps you use might be useful later on down the road. You can also use any notes in future conversations or if the problem resurfaces. With notes, you can also provide better feedback to your provider, letting them know just how great of a job they did.

Let’s Discuss Your IT Challenges

Finding a good IT provider means finding those that are good at communicating with your business and addressing your needs. Zinc can do both in spades. We’ll work with your business to improve its operations and address any IT challenges you might have. Find out more by calling us today at (713) 979-2090.