How To Manage IT Support During Holiday Periods
When it comes to ensuring that company IT services run smoothly, having effective IT support management is crucial. IT support doesn't just involve the implementation of new computer hardware and software, but also the maintenance of current systems and handling any issues that arise with them.
Management of IT support is usually centred around resolving such issues, as well as taking preventative measures. With IT support management being so important for a robust IT infrastructure, it is vital that disruptions to support and management are minimised. Here are some guidelines on how to successfully manage IT support during holiday periods.
Higher priority jobs can be added to the beginning of the queue, thus superseding less urgent problems. This can be a great way to maintain the integrity of IT systems during holiday periods, when fewer IT support staff may be available. By prioritising correctly, a reduced workforce of support staff doesn't have to compromise computer maintenance.
IT issues should be prioritised according to severity
Essentially, by ensuring that old components and software are either updated or replaced on a regular basis, a robust IT infrastructure can be maintained with minimal time and effort. This can be invaluable in helping the management of IT support during those holiday periods.
Aside from the physical aspects of network maintenance, such as keeping network switches and routers in working condition, securing against external threats should be prioritised. Having a secure network is one of the best ways to achieve a high level of network reliability.
By taking measures such as the installation of firewalls and other pieces of security software, unauthorised access to company networks can be defended against. External threats such as hacking and the deployment of malicious software can wreak havoc with network reliability, so securing against these threats is extremely important.
Network security is a vital aspect of managing IT support
A great way for companies to ease the workload with regards to IT support during holiday periods is through establishing an internal knowledge base. Whereas some IT problems will certainly require trained IT support personal to be resolved, a lot of minor issues can be fixed by non-expert employees with the right information to hand. By creating easily understandable troubleshooting documentation, IT support won't be needed for as many issues.
Management of IT support is usually centred around resolving such issues, as well as taking preventative measures. With IT support management being so important for a robust IT infrastructure, it is vital that disruptions to support and management are minimised. Here are some guidelines on how to successfully manage IT support during holiday periods.
Prioritise issues
In order to maintain effective IT support, computer issues need to be prioritised according to their severity and urgency. A common method of prioritisation is to assign IT issues with a “ticket number” when they occur. Once an IT support request has been received for a specific problem, and the ticket number assigned, the job can be added to a queue.
Higher priority jobs can be added to the beginning of the queue, thus superseding less urgent problems. This can be a great way to maintain the integrity of IT systems during holiday periods, when fewer IT support staff may be available. By prioritising correctly, a reduced workforce of support staff doesn't have to compromise computer maintenance.IT issues should be prioritised according to severity
Preventative measures
One of the best ways to keep IT systems up and running during holiday periods is with preventative measures. By taking such steps, system failures can be minimised or avoided entirely, even when a full IT support complement isn't available. One of the ways in which to implement preventative support is via replacement cycles.Essentially, by ensuring that old components and software are either updated or replaced on a regular basis, a robust IT infrastructure can be maintained with minimal time and effort. This can be invaluable in helping the management of IT support during those holiday periods.
Securing networks
One of the main battles when it comes to managing IT support, is trying to make company computer networks as reliable as possible. Because IT networks are the backbone for many company operations, unreliability in this area can be extremely detrimental to productivity and services.Aside from the physical aspects of network maintenance, such as keeping network switches and routers in working condition, securing against external threats should be prioritised. Having a secure network is one of the best ways to achieve a high level of network reliability.
By taking measures such as the installation of firewalls and other pieces of security software, unauthorised access to company networks can be defended against. External threats such as hacking and the deployment of malicious software can wreak havoc with network reliability, so securing against these threats is extremely important.
Network security is a vital aspect of managing IT support
