While having 24/7 IT support can be an added expense for any enterprise, the cost savings and goodwill – from internal teams and external customers – is often more than worth the money put toward the resources.
IT support can be handled in-house, or it can be outsourced – or a combination of both. Regardless of how it is executed, continual IT support is a proven method for providing valuable customer service.
Statistics Prove the Value of 24/7 IT Support
Here are some statistics of the impact 24/7 IT support has on business:
- Increased customer satisfaction: A study by Gartner found that 73% of customers are willing to pay more for products and services from companies that offer excellent customer service. 24/7 IT support can help to improve customer satisfaction by ensuring that customers can get help when they need it, no matter what time of day or night.
- Reduced IT costs: A study by Aberdeen Group found that companies with 24/7 IT support experience 11% lower IT costs than those without. 24/7 IT support can help prevent problems from occurring, which can save money in the long run.
- Improved employee productivity: A study by ServiceNow found that employees who receive timely IT support are 2.5 times more productive than those who do not. It helps employees resolve technical problems quickly, so they can get back to work.
- Reduced risk of data loss: A study by IBM found that the average cost of a data breach is $3.92 million. 24/7 IT support can help reduce the risk of data loss by monitoring for and responding to security threats.
- Improved compliance: A study by Ponemon Institute found that companies with 24/7 IT support are more likely to be compliant with industry regulations. 24/7 IT support can help to implement and monitor the necessary controls.
24/7 IT support can have a significant positive impact on businesses of all sizes. By providing timely and reliable support, 24/7 IT support can help organizations improve their customer satisfaction, reduce IT costs, improve employee productivity, reduce the risk of data loss, and improve compliance
Here are some additional statistics that support the positive impact of 24/7 IT support:
- 89% of customers are more likely to do business with a company that offers 24/7 IT support. (Zendesk)
- Companies with 24/7 IT support experience 19% fewer IT outages. (Gartner)
- Companies with 24/7 IT support experience 30% less downtime. (ServiceNow)
- Companies with 24/7 IT support have a 45% lower risk of data breaches. (IBM)
24/7 IT Support Defined
IT System support is a broad term that encompasses the services provided by an IT department or third-party IT provider to keep an organization’s IT systems running smoothly and efficiently. These services can include:
- Troubleshooting and resolving technical problems
- Providing training and support to users
- Installing and configuring new software and hardware
- Maintaining security and compliance
- Backing up data and recovering from disasters
24/7 IT support is a type of IT support that is available to users 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This type of support is often important for businesses that operate around the clock or that need to be able to respond to IT problems quickly.
The purpose of IT system support is to ensure that an organization’s IT systems are available and reliable, so that employees can do their jobs and customers can be served. IT system support can also help to improve an organization’s security and compliance posture, and to reduce the risk of data loss or downtime.
The Pros and Cons of 24/7 IT Support
With any budgetary line item, there are pros and cons to the expense, weighing the cost of resources vs. the value that line item brings in.
Pros of 24/7 IT Support:
- Immediate Issue Resolution: With round-the-clock IT support, technical issues can be addressed as soon as they arise, minimizing downtime and keeping systems operational.
- Global Accessibility: Businesses that operate in different time zones or have employees working unconventional hours can benefit from IT support that’s available at any time.
- Enhanced Productivity: Continuous IT support ensures that employees can work without interruption, leading to increased productivity and fewer disruptions.
- Critical System Monitoring: IT teams can monitor critical systems and infrastructure constantly, enabling them to identify potential problems early and prevent major issues from occurring.
- Disaster Recovery: In case of a cyberattack, system failure, or data breach, 24/7 IT support can help with immediate response and recovery, reducing the potential impact on the business.
- Customer Satisfaction: If your business provides services to customers around the clock, having IT support available at all times can ensure smooth customer experiences and prompt issue resolution.
Cons of 24/7 IT Support:
- Cost: Providing 24/7 IT support can be expensive due to the need for additional staffing, higher salaries for night shifts, and infrastructure costs to maintain constant availability. Outsourcing is a great alternative to combatting the costs.
- Staff Burnout: IT professionals working in shifts, especially during nighttime hours, may experience burnout due to disrupted sleep patterns and personal life imbalances.
- Resource Allocation: Allocating resources to maintain round-the-clock support might take away from other IT initiatives, potentially impacting projects and innovations.
- Availability of Experts: Finding experienced IT professionals who are willing to work night shifts or during weekends might be challenging, leading to potential skill gaps during those times.
- Reduced Work-Life Balance: Employees working night shifts or during non-standard hours might face challenges in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, impacting their job satisfaction.
- Downtime for Maintenance: Scheduling maintenance tasks or updates can become more complicated with 24/7 support, as there might be no ideal time for downtime when systems are least active.
- False Alarms: Continuous monitoring can sometimes lead to false alarms, causing IT teams to respond unnecessarily to non-issues, which can be both frustrating and time-consuming.
24/7 IT support ensures uninterrupted assistance to businesses and their customers, round the clock, 365 days a year. In a globalized world with diverse time zones, customers expect impeccable customer service regardless of the hour. For business owners, maintaining a 24/7 IT support team – whether in-house or outsources – is crucial to meet these expectations and uphold their customer base. Swift response times, provided by the dedicated support services, enhance customer experiences and contribute to optimal business functioning. This clock support system not only addresses technical issues but also aligns with the modern customer-centric approach, making 24/7 IT service an indispensable asset in today’s dynamic landscape.
