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? When the Internet goes down, most businesses experience a complete halt in operations, leading to significant losses in productivity and sales. Consider the MGM data breach from the summer: electronic room keys failed, casinos were forced to shut down, and online restaurant reservations became unavailable. That downtime resulted in millions in losses for MGM.
However, downtime is just one way inadequate IT support can hinder your business. Add in ongoing frustrations such as forgotten passwords, malware infections, or issues accessing shared files, and the resulting inefficiencies can feel overwhelming.
Too often, business owners find themselves spending considerable amounts on IT support that struggles to address even the simplest of issues. These so-called "IT experts," who promise top-notch service at low prices, frequently end up being more reactive than proactive, waiting for you to inform them of problems instead of actively preventing them.
You don't have to endure tech frustrations and reactive IT support that only responds after issues arise. It's time to demand better and eliminate tech problems before they occur.
To assist you, we've developed a checklist of essential standards that anyone managing your network should meet. Evaluate 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 isn't an option.
- Are they accessible and responsive for non-emergencies, providing responses within an hour? Everyday tech issues 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 happens 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 is overlooked.
- Do they meet with you at least quarterly to discuss projects, performance, and improvements? Effective IT support goes beyond fixing problems; it helps you plan for the future.
- Do their invoices clearly outline what you're paying for? No one likes unexpected charges, especially regarding billing.
- Do they explain their actions in straightforward language instead of technical jargon and take the time to address your questions? You shouldn't need a translator to understand your IT provider.
- Do they proactively discuss cybersecurity, suggest solutions, and offer employee training? Cybersecurity is essential, and employee education is a vital layer of protection.
- Have they provided you with complete network documentation, including admin passwords? If they're withholding critical information, it's a major red flag.
- Do their technicians arrive on time, dress professionally, and leave you feeling confident after each interaction? Professionalism matters; if you feel uneasy every time you call, it may be time for a change.
Bonus Points: Is Your IT Provider Going Above and Beyond?
- Do they conduct regular disaster recovery drills to ensure your backups work? A backup is ineffective if it fails when you need it most.
- Are they assisting you in planning for scalable growth with technology that evolves with your business? The right IT partner ensures your systems grow alongside 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 track and optimize your network's performance to prevent bottlenecks and downtime? Efficiency is crucial in today's competitive environment.
Time to Raise the Bar
If your current IT provider doesn't meet these standards, you may be paying for inadequate service, which could put your business at risk. 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 15-Minute 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 (918) 770-9150 to get started.
Let's make tech problems a thing of
the past.
