From the ancient times of break-fix IT support, businesses had to experience actual downtime and wait for IT support to show up on-site, paying per hour and worrying about skyrocketing charges. Savvy managers figured out they could tap a key employee, often an office manager, to become the IT liaison. This old concept has persisted into the modern era of flat-rate managed IT services due to the still slow help desk response of the average IT company.

As a result, office managers and others are still called upon to be the immediate IT response. The issue is that they get pulled in so many directions and are constantly interrupted by staff about printer issues, resetting passwords, etc. There are, in fact, many studies that show humans can’t actually multitask and that they suffer from something called neuro fatigue.

The Impact of Multitasking and Neuro Fatigue

Research has shown that multitasking can lead to significant cognitive fatigue. For instance, a study by Qatalog and Cornell University’s Idea Lab found that it takes an average of 9.5 minutes to get back into a productive workflow after switching between digital apps. Additionally, the constant task switching can lead to cognitive overload, where the brain struggles to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, resulting in decreased productivity and increased stress.

Another study highlighted that multitasking often leads to task switching rather than simultaneous task completion, increasing cognitive load and fatigue. Furthermore, research by Madore and colleagues found that heavy media multitasking is associated with attention lapses and forgetfulness, further illustrating the cognitive costs of trying to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.

The Solution: Virtually Instant Help Desk Response

For the sake of all the IT liaisons, outsourcing to an IT provider with a virtually instant help desk can free these workers from multitasking and save their neuro resources. By ensuring that your managed IT services provider offers unlimited and nearly instant help desk response, you can:

1. Reduce Cognitive Load: Allow employees to focus on their primary tasks without constant interruptions.
2. Increase Productivity: Minimize the time lost due to task switching and cognitive fatigue.
3. Enhance Employee Well-being: Reduce stress and mental exhaustion by providing quick and efficient IT support.

In San Antonio, businesses can benefit greatly from partnering with an IT services provider that understands the importance of rapid response times. This approach not only improves operational efficiency but also supports the overall health and productivity of your team.

: Qatalog and Cornell University’s Idea Lab study on digital app switching. : Study on the cognitive load and fatigue from task switching. : Research by Madore and colleagues on media multitasking and cognitive costs.