Admiral rolls out SMB IT support service

Human factor critical to network and server support for smaller firms, says vendor

Admiral Group has launched an IT support service targeting the SMB market.

David Stanton, managing director of Admiral's IT business, said the company believes there is a substantial growth opportunity in offering businesses with 10-150 staff a tailored, comprehensive IT support package.

"Rather than calling up and being told someone will call back, our customers will be able to get a response then, from a human being," he said.

The service would primarily cover network and server issues, with an eye to the company's increasing focus on unified communications (UC).

Graham McMullen, group chairman at Admiral Group, said he believed that many SMBs are poorly served when it comes to IT support.

"They are reluctant to invest in adequate in-house IT resources, but want levels of IT support enjoyed by the largest corporate customers. The vast majority are completely reliant on their IT networks for the core functions of their business," he said.

Admiral, a Microsoft, HP and VMware partner with offices in London, Luton, Milton Keynes and Leeds, last year sold its printing and copying division to Danwood Group with the stated aim of allowing it to focus on its infrastructure and communications sales.