It is a given that you will need to get some assistance from your IT service provider sooner or later. However, it is hard for them sometimes to help you due to their busy schedule, trying to solve a lot of people’s difficult problems. When requesting IT support, know that they cannot read your mind, and it’ll help them to solve your problem if you are able to provide as much detailed information as you possibly can in the initial request. Here are some tips to make the process more streamlined for both of you. Write an Informative Email Subject Line Often, the IT department will get inundated with requests ranging from those that require immediate response – “my computer is smoking and smells like burning plastic” – to those that can handle a one to two hour delay in response – “I want to send this 150 MB file but it just won’t upload to my email.” Using a detailed subject line will let them know the basics up front and help them prioritize the request appropriately. For instance, the subject line “Installed ___ got error _____” will help them immediately know what your issue is all about. Basically, do not write “Computer problems!!!!!!!!!!” This is not helpful as it provides no real description of the problem. Details, Details, Details It is important that you include a detailed description including as much information as possible.