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 functioning, and productivity comes to a standstill. What would you do? For many businesses, when the Internet goes down, operations grind to a halt, 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, costing MGM millions.
Downtime is just one way inadequate IT support can cripple your business. Add persistent frustrations like forgotten passwords, malware infections, or issues accessing shared files, and the inefficiencies can pile up quickly.
Too often, business owners end up spending significant amounts on IT support that struggles to resolve even the simplest issues. These so-called "IT experts," who promise top-notch service at low prices, often spend more time waiting for you to report problems than actively solving them.
You shouldn't have to endure tech headaches and reactive IT support that only responds after issues arise. It's time to demand better and prevent tech problems before they occur.
To assist you, we've created 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 easy to reach and responsive for non-emergencies, with replies 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're likely at risk.
- Do they provide proof that all your data is being backed up, including laptops and devices? A reliable IT provider ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
- Do they meet with you at least quarterly to review projects, performance, and improvements? Great 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 likes surprises, especially regarding billing.
- Do they explain their actions 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 isn't optional, and employee education is a vital layer of defense.
- Have they provided you with complete network documentation, including admin passwords? If they're holding the "keys to the kingdom" hostage, it'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 cringe every time you call, it may be time to move on.
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 useless if it fails when you need it most.
- Are they helping you plan 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, like endpoint detection and AI-driven monitoring? Cyber threats are always changing; your protection should adapt as well.
- Do they track 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 all these criteria, you may be paying for subpar 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 Consult 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 952-941-7333 to get started.
Let's make tech problems a thing of
the past.