Who’s going to support your business’s IT systems? If you don’t have people on staff, or if your existing staff can’t cover all your needs, you may choose to work with an MSP (managed IT services provider). This type of company offers comprehensive, flexible IT support for businesses of all sizes.
But what does IT support look like in real life—for real businesses?
In this article, we’ll give you 17 examples of real-life IT support. Many of our examples feature the stories of real people who’ve helped their organizations (and advanced their careers) by engaging the right IT support resources.
Let’s dive in!
1. IT consulting/vCIO support
2. Co-managed IT support services
3. End user IT support services
4. Mobile device support
5. Business network IT support
6. Support for Microsoft 365 and Active Directory
7. Backup and recovery support services
8. Cloud migration IT support
9. Cloud managed data center services
1. IT consulting/vCIO support
For most businesses, IT support means more than just helpdesk tickets and network logs. You need a C-level perspective that takes the business’s high-level strategic goals and translates them into strategic technology initiatives.
If you don’t have a CIO (chief information officer) on staff, you’ll benefit greatly from a vCIO (virtual CIO). This is an experienced IT leader who serves on a fractional-time basis—usually as part of your service package from your IT support provider.
Even if you have a CIO—or if you are one—a vCIO offers an insightful outside perspective. Sometimes you just need to collaborate with an expert, especially if you’ve been banging your head against a wall.
So what kind of impact can a vCIO have?
Just ask Carl Young, who works for our client, ATC Development.
“The thing I appreciate most about Jared, my vCIO, is that we can work directly and honestly together.”
—Carl Young, CIO
See Carl’s story here: How ATC Development Established a Technology Strategy That Puts Residents First.
2. Co-managed IT support services
Not every business needs to hand over their entire IT support program to an outsourced partner. Many midmarket companies have some IT experts on staff—they just need help filling in their gaps. These gaps often take two specific forms:
- Gaps in expertise
- Gaps in shift availability
You need specialized expertise to manage the rise of hybrid cloud complexity and the evolution of cybersecurity threats. IT generalists may not be able to help here—especially if they have their hands full with day-to-day duties like desktop and network support.
Likewise, some businesses may not be able to staff their teams for full 24/7/365 IT support—even though they need that constant availability.
In both cases, co-managed IT support can help. Under this arrangement, an IT support company provides the necessary resources to fill your gaps—but they don’t take over your entire IT department. Rather, they collaborate with your existing team to provide the comprehensive support you need.
What does this look like in real life?
Just ask Greg Sopcak with Southern Michigan Bank and Trust.
“Corsica didn’t come in and say, here’s what we can do for you, we can get rid of your IT dept. No, they want to work hand in hand with you and be a partner. It fits our model to a T.”
—Greg Sopcak, 1st VP of IT
See Greg’s story here: How Southern Michigan Bank Filled IT Resource Gaps and Refocused on Their Core Business.
3. End user IT support services
Your business can grind to a halt if your users are having problems with computer hardware or software. End user IT support solves this problem with expert, responsive services to keep your team working and being productive.
End user support varies widely depending on your business’s IT needs. However, here are some common components of this type of service.
- Workstation support. If your team needs help with their physical computers, your MSP can assist—either through remote-access software or in-person.
- Application support. Your MSP may be able to help with challenges related to specific end user applications.
- Printer support. Printers are far from obsolete in the internet age, and they still give people trouble. Your MSP may be able to help with IT support for printers and copiers.
- Mobile device support. How will your business handle personal devices accessing your network? We cover this critical type of IT support below.
End user support can cover the “small stuff” all the way up to business-critical outages. Here’s how the Corsica team helped our clients with one of the biggest workstation issues in recent memory: What The CrowdStrike Windows Outage Tells Us About Disaster Preparedness.
4. Mobile device support
Today’s hybrid workforce creates unique challenges for IT support. How do you give your employees the business access they need on personal mobile devices—while still protecting your data and your network?
There are two types of software that can help with this challenge.
- MDM (mobile device management)
- MAM (mobile application management)
While these sound similar, they’re actually quite different. Each one is right for certain use cases—and not right for others. If you’re looking for business IT support, make sure you ask about mobile devices as you evaluate different providers. Learn more here: MDM vs. MAM.
5. Business network IT support
The larger your business, the more complex your IT support becomes in terms of your network. Users, firewalls, devices, monitoring and logs—it’s a lot to handle.
This is why many businesses choose to outsource this type of IT support. Working with a trusted partner like Corsica, you get expert help with:
- Network design
- Network implementation
- Network management
- Network security
- Troubleshooting and support
- Network upgrades
Here at Corsica, our comprehensive network support covers all kinds of devices connected to the network.
- Modems
- Firewalls
- Routers
- Switches
- Wireless access points (known as WAPs or APs)
There’s a lot to know about network services. Read more here: Managed Network Services 101.
6. Support for Microsoft 365 and Active Directory
Microsoft 365 isn’t a “set it and forget it” system. Neither is Active Directory. Both systems require IT support services to keep businesses running smoothly. These services may include:
- Adding and configuring new users and their permissions
- Removing old users to prevent cybersecurity vulnerabilities
- Synchronizing Microsoft 365 and Active Directory
- Cleansing data to prepare for Microsoft Copilot
- Migrating and/or consolidating SharePoint data
Here at Corsica, our flagship service package, Corsica Secure, includes full IT support for Microsoft 365 and Active Directory.
7. Backup and recovery support services
What are you going to do if a critical server gets wiped? Do you have processes and systems in place to restore a backup?
How resilient is your business? Are you prepared to bounce back and keep functioning during a data loss crisis?
These are huge questions that every business should ask as they evaluate their IT support options. The worst thing in the world is to lose critical data—with no way to restore it or keep your business functioning.
Here at Corsica, we address this risk through backup and disaster recovery services. We provide the processes, systems, and personnel to ensure you’re ready when the unthinkable happens. Learn more here: Backup and Disaster Recovery Services 101.
8. Cloud migration IT support
Cloud migrations can get pretty complicated. The more complex the business’s on-premises IT systems, the more risk there is of choosing the wrong cloud migration strategy.
When you add regulatory compliance on top of this, things get really challenging!
The key here is to engage a business IT support provider who really knows what they’re doing. Their expertise matters in two specific ways.
- They should be experts in your industry and the relevant regulation.
- They should be experts in cloud systems, able to advise on the right path.
What does this look like in real life?
Just ask Dana McConnell, who works for the Center for Developmental Services in Greenville, SC.
“HIPAA compliance was very complex… [now] people say, ‘Wow, you you've got a really robust IT system.’ We just smile and say, yeah, we have people. And y’all are our people.”
—Dana McConnell, Executive Director
Check out Dana’s story here: HIPAA Compliance and Cloud Migration.
9. Cloud managed data center services
For many businesses, the on-premises data center is a thing of the past. Essential systems are hosted in the cloud, not locally—which means they need their own kind of IT support services.
Yet midmarket companies don’t always have the resources to hire cloud experts on staff. If they have an IT support team, they’re already stretched thin supporting the business—while other companies may have no IT staff at all.
In both scenarios, outsourcing to a partner makes sense. Here at Corsica, we manage cloud systems and data centers with a full team of experts. Learn more here: Cloud Managed Data Center Services.
10. Managed VoIP support
Is your old phone system holding you back? If so, you’re not alone. Older business telephony leaves a lot to be desired. You may encounter lackluster call quality, difficult dialing rules, physical phones that are hard to move around the office, and infrastructure that’s expensive to maintain or upgrade. Your IT support partner may or may not be able to help you, which means you’ll need another service provider to support your business.
Luckily, you can give your employees and customers the effortless calling they deserve. The key is a managed VoIP solution.
VoIP (voice over internet protocol) is a next-generation technology that transmits phone calls over the internet. VoIP solves some of the challenges associated with older technology, providing greater flexibility and reliability—plus user-friendly features.
Businesses are turning to VoIP because the benefits are so simple and easy to realize. VoIP is:
- More affordable
- Runs on network hardware that you already have
- Managed by experts
Learn more here: Corsica’s Managed VoIP Solutions.
11. Custom business software support
If you’re using legacy processes, you may be suffering from inefficiencies. This is especially true if you’re using legacy technology to support these older processes.
There’s a reactive component to business IT support, in which your provider responds to issues. But what about the proactive component? What if your provider zoomed out and looked at the high-level challenges you face, then advised on the best way to solve these challenges with new technology?
That’s what we did for Michael Thena, Tech Coordinator for the Honor Flight Network. Michael put it this way:
“We’d been running off an Excel file and paperwork, and it was completely time-consuming… [Corsica’s custom solution] has completely transformed how we do what we do.”
—Michael Thena, Tech Coordinator
Check out Michael’s story: How The Honor Flight Network Eliminated Spreadsheets and Refocused on Veterans.
12. Cybersecurity risk assessments
IT support isn’t complete if it doesn’t include cybersecurity. This can take numerous forms, but for many businesses, the first step—or a recurring step—is to get a cybersecurity risk assessment.
Going through this process provides several benefits. You get:
- Enterprise-level knowledge of risk
- A methodology for defining the threshold of acceptable risk
- A clear plan for mitigating risks to acceptable levels
- A clear plan for implementing “just enough” security so you don’t bog down your operations
As you evaluate your options in business IT support, don’t neglect cybersecurity risk. Learn more here: The Nuts and Bolts of Cybersecurity Risk Assessments.
13. Cybersecurity awareness training
Many businesses don’t realize where their biggest cybersecurity risk lies.
Certainly, unsecured IT systems and lack of cybersecurity support are important factors. But the biggest risk is actually much closer to home.
It’s employees who haven’t been fully trained on cybersecurity awareness.
Not every IT support partner can help your business with this awareness. But here at Corsica, we take cybersecurity training seriously. It’s a core part of our offering to every client. Learn more here: Cybersecurity Awareness Training Services.
14. Managed cyber security services
Who’s taking care of your cyber security?
This is a crucial question in today’s modern threat landscape. Businesses face more dangers than ever, and not every IT support company is up to the challenge of managing cyber security. Some companies will outsource it to a third party, which leads to lack of coordination and service integration.
The solution?
Treat IT support and cybersecurity as the same discipline. After all, every IT responsibility is also a cybersecurity responsibility. You really need an integrated team of experts taking a holistic approach. Here’s what this looks like at Corsica: Managed Cyber Security Services.
15. Cybersecurity incident remediation services
Are you prepared for a devastating cybersecurity incident?
Do you have the cash reserves to hire cybersecurity experts to clean up a disaster?
Most businesses don’t. And their IT support partners will be happy to bill at a premium when the unthinkable happens.
What’s the alternative?
A cybersecurity service guarantee. Here at Corsica, that means we cover the cost of our services to remediate a devastating cybersecurity incident, with limitations. Learn more here: Our Cybersecurity Service Guarantee.
16. Data integration support
Unfortunately, most IT support providers can’t help you with data integration. You’ll need a specialized provider for that.
Yet data integration is the lifeblood of your business, and the more IT providers you work with, the more complicated things get. How can you get the support you need without acting as a referee between multiple vendors?
Here at Corsica, we are a one-stop-shop for all your support needs—including data integration, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and traditional IT.
What does this look like in real life?
Just ask Dana McConnell, Executive Director at the Center for Developmental Services in Greenville, SC.
“Having six different entities all integrating their networks, our phone systems, the security systems, medical records and HIPAA compliance was very complex. We don’t have an internal IT person on staff.”
—Dana McConnell, Executive Director
Learn how Corsica delivered: How CDS Integrated Six Critical Systems.
17. AI training and support
AI tools like Microsoft Copilot offer incredible capabilities. But you can’t just turn on Copilot and expect your team to get the most out of it. Like any other kind of IT support, you need to lay a strong foundation, so your business gets the maximum value.
Specifically, your IT support partner should help you with:
- Data structure and governance
- Cybersecurity
- Generative AI policy
- Team onboarding, training, and adoption
Learn more here: Microsoft Copilot Training and Consulting.
The takeaway: Get the IT support your business needs
IT support is getting more and more complex every day. Global enterprises can afford to hire their own IT department to cover every single need. For the rest of us, IT support is more complicated. Whether you have some resources on staff, or none at all, Corsica delivers the full support services you need. Contact us today to start solving your IT challenges.
Moving forward with business IT support
Here at Corsica, we take a unique approach to IT support. You get:
- A one-stop-shop for IT, cybersecurity, EDI, data integration, and digital transformation, delivered by an integrated team of experts.
- Experienced, C-level perspective from a seasoned vCIO (virtual CIO).
- A 3-year technology roadmap to help you achieve your business goals with the right IT support and technology investments.
- The service bundle you need for one predictable monthly price (i.e. no surprise billing).
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to start your transformation.
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