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What does a systems support do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Ming Chow
What does a systems support do

A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables. They also assist the technology team in designing backup systems and improve existing networks according to business requirements and specifications. They write resolution reports for reference to prevent the reoccurrence of system malfunction and inconsistencies.

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Systems support responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real systems support resumes:

  • Manage the configuration and performance management of all PC systems and telecommunications.
  • Perform server OS installs and hardware configurations running SBS2003/SBS2008 , 2K8, & Linux.
  • Maintain backups of all Linux servers with DLT drives.
  • Experience administering Redhat, RHEL, CentOS, and Debian versions of Linux.
  • Deploy new laptops, monitors and printers; install and configure the OS, applications and drivers.
  • Maintain currency of personnel security clearances at various DoD agencies and contractor facilities.
  • Install, configure and troubleshoot telecommunication solutions; including Audio/Visual equipment, conference room equipment.
  • Diagnose, troubleshoot and resolve various workstation issues including but not limit to network connectivity, peripheral equipment and user access.
  • Provide training for new hires relative to SMTP, Internet headers, DNS records, and time zone conversions.
  • Support and report major and minor network disruptions such as; connectivity, fail servers, DNS redirection, exchange synchronization.
  • Assist clients in TCP/IP configurations for proper connectivity of wireless capable or network-wire POS terminals for deposits and/or transactions.

Systems support skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Systems Supports are proficient in Customer Service, Troubleshoot, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Speaking skills.

We break down the percentage of Systems Supports that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 15%

    Provided subscribers with product information, account provisioning, and general customer service.

  • Troubleshoot, 10%

    Diagnosed, troubleshoot and resolved various workstation issues including but not limited to network connectivity, peripheral equipment and user access.

  • Technical Support, 8%

    Created presentations using PowerPoint Provided technical support to network user and was also responsible for software installation on individual PCs.

  • PC, 6%

    Managed independent PC repair shop, self-motivated and self-responsible.

  • Desktop Support, 4%

    Developed and maintained desktop support procedures and prepared end-user documentation.

  • End User Support, 4%

    Generated corresponding documentation for Help Desk personnel and end user support.

Most systems supports use their skills in "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "technical support" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential systems support responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a systems support to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what systems supports do because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Additionally, a systems support resume shows how systems supports use customer-service skills: "provide operational and customer support (file recovery, investigate data integrity, system bottlenecks, network slowdown) as needed. "

Listening skills. Many systems support duties rely on listening skills. "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation.," so a systems support will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways systems support responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated technical assistance information verbally and electronically with, faculty, and administrators. "

Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of systems supports is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday systems support duties, as "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "addressed a wide variety of user issues, including softwareproblems, hardware failures, and network issues. "

Writing skills. systems support responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." This resume example shows what systems supports do with writing skills on a typical day: "submit application to automated underwriting systems (aus) including fannie mae du and freddie mac lp. "

Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a systems support to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what systems supports relies on this skill, since "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." How this skill relates to systems support duties can be seen in an example from a systems support resume snippet: "deploy issue resolutions through ad ds, group policy, and sccm in a windows 10 and server 2012 r2 environment. "

All systems support skills

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Compare different systems supports

Systems support vs. Information technology/support technician

An information technology (IT) support technician is an individual who is responsible for providing support and troubleshoots software and hardware problems faced by customers. As for larger organizations that have their own IT department, technicians must work together internally with their IT staff members. IT support technicians are involved in inspecting and resolving minor local area network and wireless network issues, which include TCP/IP, DHCP, and VPN. They are also required to obtain an associate's degree in computer science or related field.

If we compare the average systems support annual salary with that of an information technology/support technician, we find that information technology/support technicians typically earn a $18,440 lower salary than systems supports make annually.Even though systems supports and information technology/support technicians are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, troubleshoot, and technical troubleshooting in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a systems support are more likely to require skills like "technical support," "pc," "provides technical support," and "desktop support." On the other hand, a job as an information technology/support technician requires skills like "desk support," "phone calls," "user support," and "pcs." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Information technology/support technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $53,210. On the other hand, systems supports are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $72,760.The education levels that information technology/support technicians earn slightly differ from systems supports. In particular, information technology/support technicians are 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a systems support. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Systems support vs. Information systems technician

An information systems technician is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of various network systems' performance. Information systems technicians provide network troubleshooting, upgrading systems for optimization, maintaining the security of databases, managing the interaction of networks, and inspecting and troubleshooting system inconsistencies. Additional duties include creating network designs based on clients' specifications, configuring software and hardware applications, and creating reports on system issues and resolutions. An information systems technician must have excellent knowledge of information systems procedures, programming languages, detecting malfunctions, and making resolutions promptly.

On average, information systems technicians earn a $17,685 lower salary than systems supports a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Systems supports and information systems technicians both require similar skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "technical support" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, systems support responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "pc," "provides technical support," "desktop support," and "end user support." Meanwhile, an information systems technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "phone calls," "desk support," "user support," and "help desk." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, information systems technicians earn a lower salary than systems supports. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, information systems technicians earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $63,116. Whereas systems supports have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $72,760.information systems technicians earn similar levels of education than systems supports in general. They're 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for systems supports in the next 3-5 years?

Ming ChowMing Chow LinkedIn profile

Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts University

Infrastructure, including cloud and networking, Security, Machine Learning, and Data Science.

References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity

Systems support vs. Technical support technician

Technical support technicians are skilled professionals who resolve computer or information technology-related concerns. They may do installations, repairs, or maintenance activities of various applications or computer hardware. They are sometimes assigned specific issues or concerns to resolve so that they will not be bombarded with various issues. This means that they can now specialize in a specific family of concerns. Technical support technicians may provide on-site support, going directly to the person who needs help and doing what needs to be done or troubleshoot the problem in person. They may also be offsite and would usually be manning helpdesk hotlines. Offsite technical support technicians walk the caller through the steps they should do to fix the issues. As such, when a technical support technician is offsite, they are expected to be good communicators and will be able to provide clear instructions.

On average, technical support technicians earn lower salaries than systems supports, with a $23,821 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on systems supports and technical support technicians resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "customer service," "technical support," and "desktop support.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a systems support is likely to be skilled in "troubleshoot," "pc," "provides technical support," and "end user support," while a typical technical support technician is skilled in "patients," "sql," "inbound calls," and "customer issues."

Technical support technicians earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $52,365. Comparatively, systems supports have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $72,760.Most technical support technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to systems supports. For example, they're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Systems support vs. Support specialist

A support specialist is responsible for assisting technical and administrative support, depending on the business need. Support specialists must have extensive knowledge of the services of the organization they work for to assist customers with their inquiries and resolve complaints efficiently. A support specialist maintains documents of issue resolution, providing recommendations to improve business strategies and procedures. Support specialists must be well-versed on technology systems, perform basic troubleshooting, and secure databases. They should also have impeccable customer service and communication skills to attend with customers' needs and requests.

Support specialists typically earn lower pay than systems supports. On average, support specialists earn a $23,249 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, systems supports and support specialists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "technical support. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between systems supports and support specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a systems support might have more use for skills like "pc," "provides technical support," "desktop support," and "end user support." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of support specialists require skills like "patients," "mental health," "social work," and "peer support. "

Support specialists enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $49,388. For comparison, systems supports earn the highest salary in the professional industry.In general, support specialists hold similar degree levels compared to systems supports. Support specialists are 0.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of systems support

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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