Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for technology users across the globe to express their love and appreciation for that special someone(s) … their IT team. With the constant evolution of new technologies and innovative tools, it is more important than ever to show a little love on this day to the heart of your organization who keeps it all running efficiently. From security issues to lack of resources, IT professionals undoubtedly manage the most difficult aspects of the day.

IT teams are rarely off the clock, and are constantly dealing with and thinking about issues that may arise — even when they're not in the office. If anyone deserves to be graced with a candy-filled heart it is your IT team.

Here are a few ways you can let them know just how much they mean to the whole organization:

■ Chocolate and more chocolate: Chocolate is hands down the most gifted item on Valentine’s Day and for good reason. Besides the known benefits of antioxidants in chocolate, IT teams would appreciate a king size crunch bar as they are slaving away trying to keep the company network secure and stable. Ensuring the network is up and running is no easy feat, so the sugar rush would also be greatly appreciated.

■ Pile on the admiration: While you may have called them your favorite employee behind your bosses back, IT teams cannot be thanked enough for their duties. With the virtually hundreds, if not thousands, of considerations that come into play with new technology on the network, a simple “thank you for everything you do!” will go a long way on Valentine’s Day. And why stop there when you can get the rest of your coworkers in on the lovefest too?

■ Give back: Although your IT team seems to live at the office, believe it or not, they have families and significant others they go home to after everyone else is gone. Since IT teams are constantly charged to do more with less, make a conscious effort to ensure that your IT team gets to spend Valentine’s Day with their loved ones. This means no last-minute service desk calls about problems that you created after 5pm. The software upgrade questions can wait until February 15th.

Of course, there are numerous ways to let your IT team know just how much they mean to you on this heart-filled holiday. A sincere thank you would make any IT professional feel appreciated. Get creative and honor those that make your work day just a little more efficient and productive.

Aaron Kelly is VP of Product Management at Ipswitch.