Technology has made superb leaps and bounds over the last decade or so. ESD, or Early Service Desks, otherwise known as Computer Helpdesks are one of the earliest forms of IT. Today,managed IT is at the backbone of every respectable business or startup. Here’s a look back in history and at what has happened in the more recent years.
Desktop Dominance
The earliest working PCs were the size of a whole room, cost a whole lot of money and were prone to breaking down. Windows dominated the landscape, and there was the DOS interface to work with. In the mid-80s and 90s, x86 architecture was the go-to platform on both business and casual computers. The software of choice was WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3. IT support was largely dependent on a professional’s ability to understand the components and configurations.
IT Support Then And Now
Connection protocols were super-complicated and quite difficult to install. Moreover, it relied on hardware changes to work properly. Any breakdown required a visit from a qualified technician. On the software side, users had to become familiar with the MS-DOS interface and the various commands to get to where they need to go. Employees had to rely on desktop support professionals to assist and fix PC problems.
It’s hard to imagine how you’d fix your computer without the internet. Users normally had to back up files via floppy disks that could only carry up to 1.44mb. Major upgrades required dozens of floppy disks in a tedious switch-and-copy work. IT support in the old days was task, time and location-bound.
The 90s
The dotcom brought the world many great things, including the internet. Users now had more experience with hardware as it became more widespread. Computers were acquired in almost every household, which paved the way for more user-friendly operating systems and software. Tech support evolved on how it could improve or restore services that people relied on, instead of teaching them how to run their computers.
The Y2K
In the turn of the century, networks were considered necessities instead of optional. Office workers had to have internet access as they worked, whether emailing clients, taking in calls or writing documents and presentations. The tech support industry exploded at this point. Demand rose as users grew, which paved the way for outsourcing and call centers to be set up. Along the way, apps became more and more popular, and dozens of startups emerged by the day.
Recent Years
Traditional desktops are now considered heavy and cumbersome. Companies made computing devices that were smaller, lighter and even more powerful. It’s now possible to work on a smart phone the size of a soap bar, tablets and thin 2-in-1 laptops.
Desktop support professionals now had to learn not only different software and operating systems but also the makes and models of the most popular devices. Newer tools and networks allowed remote support via local connections within the organization or through the world wide web. Updates are now streamed in the background and applied at your own leisure.
With managed IT, the whole IT infrastructure becomes dependable and 100% reliable. Outsourcing your IT ensures you’ll have a team of professionals ready to resolve any and all concerns quickly and efficiently. You can maximize your company’s IT budget and free up resources for business growth and development.
What’s more, managed IT services can handle problem resolution, 24-hour monitoring and system checks within a corporation or even a startup. When your security solutions is working non-stop day in and day out, you won’t have to worry about data breaches, exposure of private or sensitive information, vulnerabilities or potential threats and disturbances.
