Given the size of your company, you probably outsource the support functions that fall outside your area of expertise, which is running your small business. And unless you’re running an IT business, you should probably be outsourcing IT support along with other specialized functions like HR, payroll, and legal.

I’ve found that the IT needs of small businesses fall into four categories. First are the daily hassles that can derail business unless they’re addressed promptly and effectively: “I can’t print.” “I lost my password.” “The system is slow.” “What does this error message mean?” “Should I open this email attachment?”

The second is the need for someone who can address these daily issues, an expert who can have conversations with your other IT vendors who handle your internet connectivity, core software and the like, and who will help you plan and budget for the future.…