Large enterprises have the budgets and IT departments to manage multiple dedicated T1 or T3 lines. However, small and medium businesses (SMBs) tend to rely on more consumer-oriented Internet services like DSL, or cable-based broadband. Comcast is one of the leading providers of broadband Internet in the United States, and it’s introducing new IT services aimed at helping those SMB customers get more done.
Business Class Signature Support is a new service from Comcast. Comcast intends to provide 24/7 technical support and equipment protection for small business customers. Essentially, signing up for Comcast Business Class Signature Support is like hiring an on-demand IT department to provide support for networking, mobile devices, PCs, and servers.
One of the cruel ironies of being a small or medium business is that the business and IT needs are similar to those of larger corporations, but SMBs don’t have the financial or technical resources to provide those services internally. Hiring full-time, dedicated staff is cost-prohibitive, but when a need arises SMBs need someone they can turn to and have issues addressed immediately.
Daniel Herscovici, Vice President of Signature Support at Comcast, explained in a Comcast press release, “Whether it’s setting up a network, helping a small business get its employees connected remotely, removing a virus, or providing critical cloud-based data back-up, our new Business Class Signature Support service enables customers to meet their growing technology requirements.”
Comcast intends to provide a variety of options for the Business Class Signature Support services. Customers can opt for round-the-clock remote support, onsite technical assistance, and extended warranty services. Comcast will also offer an array of a´ la carte services such as one-time system setup, wired or wireless network installation and configuration, or malware removal.
The Comcast service will compete against IT services provided by the Best Buy Geek Squad, regional IT service franchises like Geeks On Call, or smaller IT services businesses serving local SMBs.
Comcast Business Class Signature Support services will initially be offered in 14 states across the northeastern United States ranging from Maine to Washington DC. Comcast promises to expand the service to its other regional markets by the end of the year.
Visit the Comcast Business Services site for more information and pricing details of the Business Class Signature Support offerings. With packages starting at $ 30 per month, it might be worth it to have some peace of mind and know you have someone to call when you need IT services.