Supporting SME Growth with Custom IT Solutions

It is no secret that small- to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) form the backbone of the South African economy. Worldwide, it is the “small guys” and agile entrepreneurs who keep the cogs of the global economic engine turning. Yet these businesses tend to receive little support from government and private sector service providers who target the bigger fish in search of bigger returns. Fortunately, in the critical realm of IT support, South African SMEs can turn to Dial a Nerd for affordable services. In today’s fast-paced business ecosystem staying connected is equivalent to staying alive.

Here’s how Dial a Nerd is keeping local SMEs online, profitable and productive:

Staying connected all week long with remote tech support

While remote working is a well-known practice, remote support is a less familiar concept. Remote technology support involves an IT professional logging on to your computer from anywhere in the world to fix technical issues. These professionals can also provide remote training in the same way. Understandably, business owners might feel uncomfortable about trusting a stranger, operating from another location, with their valuable technology and data. Yet remote support provides a quick and cost-effective way to tackle persistent IT issues that are sometimes easily solvable. So, who better to trust than the Nerds who’ve been around for 20 years? With remote support and qualified IT consultants on hand Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, we remove the headaches often associated with technology so that you can focus on growing your business.

Harnessing outsourced IT solutions to boost efficiency

With profit margins under pressure, coupled with strict time constraints, outsourcing key IT functions is becoming a “must-have” for savvy SMEs. Instead of trying to manage in-house IT teams and expensive hardware, we ensure that SMEs are harnessing smart and efficient cloud computing solutions and streamlining hardware requirements. Essentially, outsourced IT means that we handle the details of tech maintenance for you – from personal PC clean-ups (we don’t ask for browser history), to software updates and finding the best connectivity solution for the business.

Ensuring data security in a high-risk environment

The 2019 Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR) reveals that small businesses account for 43 per cent of all data breaches around the world. The report noted that the absence of “foundation-level and layered security controls, internal security discipline, and general security awareness” are some of the common denominators in the data breach dilemma.

SMEs are a major target with threat levels higher than they have ever been. Today’s cyber threats include ransomware, common phishing attacks, social engineering, and even “sextortion”. However, by outsourcing IT, leveraging cloud computing and working with professional consultants, companies can mitigate these threats. Dial a Nerd takes care of key upgrades and ensures that businesses have all the necessary security measures in place.

About Dial a Nerd 

Colin Thornton founded Dial a Nerd in 1998 as a consumer IT support company. The business-focused division was founded in 2002.  The company’s prime focus is on supporting SMEs, home users and schools.  In 2017, Dial a Nerd merged with Turrito Networks, which o provides niche internet services outside of the local network.  Colin Thornton is managing director of Turrito, and his brother Aaron, who has been a shareholder since 2000, is the managing director of Dial a Nerd

Aaron’s skill set lies in building and maintaining relationships with clients, suppliers and employees alike. In keeping with the entrepreneurial spirit of Dial a Nerd, Aaron has managed branches, handled HR, procurement, and sales and all the other things that come with running a company. In the last 24 months, Dial a Nerd has undergone major changes, including joining offices with Turrito Networks in 2015 and finally concluding the merger of the businesses in 2017.

www.dialanerd.co.za

(image © istock – Urupong)