For businesses, computer systems simplify tasks, connect employees, collect essential data and facilitate transactions\u2026 as long as they function properly!<\/p>\n
To ensure the proper functioning of their technological equipment, many SMEs choose IT maintenance. But do you know what it is?<\/p>\n
In this article, our IT infrastructure management specialists<\/a> will not only explain what IT maintenance is but also outline its many benefits for businesses. Plus, you’ll learn how to choose the right IT maintenance provider!<\/p>\n IT maintenance is a set of actions to ensure that a computer system remains secure and operational, whether on personal computers or company servers.<\/p>\n Within an SME, IT maintenance can be carried out by computer technicians working for the company or by an external firm offering IT outsourcing services.<\/p>\n Note that the maintenance services can be performed on-site or remotely (this is called remote maintenance).<\/p>\n The definition of IT maintenance is rather broad and can cover a lot of different actions. Companies offering this service will often divide it into three categories or “types of IT maintenance”.<\/p>\n Preventive IT maintenance<\/a> is probably the best known.\u00a0 As the name suggests, it aims to prevent IT problems before they even occur.<\/p>\n This type of maintenance includes the company’s assets assessment, followed by recommendations on what IT equipment should be replaced or upgraded.<\/p>\n Despite careful preventive maintenance, it is almost impossible to avoid all computer-related problems. That’s why corrective maintenance is required. Its purpose is to correct problems whenever they appear, through repairs or troubleshooting.<\/p>\n Whereas repairs extend the life of IT tools and devices, troubleshooting is more of a temporary solution allowing the use of damaged equipment until it is fixed or replaced.<\/p>\n Evolutionary maintenance, unlike the other two types of maintenance, is not about preventing or fixing problems but letting companies’ IT systems advance to outperform their competition.<\/p>\n Evolutionary maintenance may consist of purchasing advanced computer equipment, or upgrading or migrating software to boost productivity.<\/p>\n When an SME signs an IT maintenance contract with an IT management service provider, there should be several actions to be carried out at different times. These regular operations will vary depending on the computer equipment used by the SME.<\/p>\n These usually include:<\/p>\n While it’s interesting to know what an IT maintenance package includes, business executives may be more interested in the benefits of subscribing to this service.<\/p>\n Here are the two most important ones.<\/p>\n Although computer hardware has evolved significantly over the past few decades, it can still suffer breakdowns. These can result in significant downtime and affect company productivity.<\/p>\n IT maintenance helps prevent computer crashes while offering strategic IT services and plans for rapid resumption of operations in case of a computer system glitch. This service can also include the development of applications and software to facilitate certain tasks, corporate technical support, and the teaching of the best practices for computer resource use.<\/p>\n Moreover, IT maintenance specialists can increase equipment performance by eliminating duplicate files, unnecessary folders and outdated programs.<\/p>\n Companies can be the target of cyberattacks that threaten not only the proper functioning of their computer equipment, but also confidential information about their operations, business partners and customers. Efficient IT maintenance will quickly detect any security flaws that cybercriminals could exploit and ensure that protections (antivirus, firewalls, etc.) are up to date and effective.<\/p>\n More and more countries and organizations are requiring companies to adopt high security standards to protect the personal data of their customers kept on their systems. Relying on experts who are familiar with the regulations and the actions necessary to comply with them is therefore important.<\/p>\nWhat is IT maintenance?<\/h2>\n
Different types of IT maintenance<\/h3>\n
1 – Preventive IT maintenance<\/h4>\n
2 – Corrective IT maintenance<\/h4>\n
3 – Evolutionary IT maintenance<\/h4>\n
Examples of actions included in an IT maintenance plan<\/h3>\n
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Benefits of IT maintenance<\/h2>\n
Increased productivity<\/h3>\n
Improved IT security<\/h3>\n