March 17, 2025
Imagine you and your team arrive at work, ready to tackle the day's tasks, when suddenly the Internet goes down. Emails stop working, and productivity comes to a standstill. What would you do? For many businesses, an Internet outage halts operations, leading to thousands in lost productivity and sales. Consider the MGM data breach from the summer: electronic room keys failed, casinos shut down, and online restaurant reservations became unavailable. This downtime cost MGM millions.
However, downtime is just one way inadequate IT support can hinder your business. Add in ongoing frustrations like forgotten passwords, malware infections, or difficulties accessing shared files, and the resulting inefficiencies can become overwhelming.
Business owners often find themselves spending significant amounts on IT support that struggles to address even the simplest issues. These so-called "IT experts," who promise top-notch service at low prices, frequently spend more time doing nothing than actively resolving problems, waiting for you to inform them that something is broken.
You shouldn't have to endure tech frustrations and reactive IT support that only responds after the damage is done. It's time to demand better and prevent tech issues before they arise.
To assist you, we've created a checklist of essential standards that anyone managing your network should meet. Assess how your current provider measures up:
- Do they answer their phone live and respond to emergencies within minutes? In a crisis, waiting on hold or leaving voicemails is not an option.
- Are they easily reachable and responsive for non-emergencies, with responses within an hour? Everyday tech problems shouldn't leave your team in limbo.
- Do they proactively monitor, patch, and update your network's critical security settings? If you're unsure whether this occurs daily, weekly, or at all, you may be at risk.
- Do they provide proof that all your data is being backed up, including laptops and devices? A reliable IT provider ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
- Do they meet with you at least quarterly to review projects, performance, and improvements? Excellent IT support doesn't just fix problems; it helps you plan for the future.
- Do their invoices clearly explain what you're paying for? No one appreciates surprises, especially regarding billing.
- Do they communicate in plain language, avoiding "geek-speak," and take the time to answer your questions? You shouldn't need a translator to understand your IT provider.
- Do they proactively discuss cybersecurity, recommend solutions, and offer employee training? Cybersecurity is essential, and employee education is a critical layer of defense.
- Have they given you complete network documentation, including admin passwords? If they're keeping the "keys to the kingdom" from you, that's a significant red flag.
- Do their technicians arrive on time, dress professionally, and leave you feeling confident after every interaction? Professionalism matters; if you feel uneasy every time you call, it may be time to find a new provider.
Bonus Points: Is Your IT Provider Going Above And Beyond?
- Do they conduct regular disaster recovery drills to ensure your backups actually work? A backup is worthless if it fails when you need it most.
- Are they assisting you in planning for scalable growth with technology that evolves alongside your business? The right IT partner ensures your systems grow with your company.
- Do they offer advanced cybersecurity tools, such as endpoint detection and AI-driven monitoring? Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and your protection should too.
- Do they monitor and optimize your network's performance to prevent bottlenecks and downtime? Efficiency is crucial in today's competitive landscape.
Time To Raise The Bar
If your current IT provider doesn't meet these standards, you may be paying for inadequate service, which could jeopardize your business. From security vulnerabilities to lost productivity, poor IT support is more than just an inconvenience; it's a liability.
Don't settle for anything less than a partner who prioritizes your business's success.
Schedule a free Discovery Call today to see how we can eliminate your tech headaches and ensure your
business runs smoothly. Click
here to schedule now or call us at 859-245-0582 to get started.
Let's make tech problems a thing of
the past.
