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, when the Internet fails, operations grind to a halt, leading to thousands in lost productivity and sales. Consider the MGM data breach that occurred over the summer: electronic room keys malfunctioned, casinos were shut down, and online restaurant reservations became unavailable. The downtime cost MGM millions.
However, downtime is just one way inadequate IT support can cripple your business. Add in ongoing frustrations like forgotten passwords, malware infections, or difficulties accessing shared files, and the inefficiencies can quickly accumulate.
Business owners often find themselves spending significant amounts on IT support that struggles to resolve even the simplest issues. These so-called "IT experts," who promise exceptional service at low prices, frequently spend more time idly waiting than actively addressing problems, relying on you to inform them when something is broken.
You don'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 any IT provider 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, being on hold or leaving voicemails isn't an option.
- Are they easily reachable 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 uncertain whether this happens daily, weekly, or at all, you might 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 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 appreciates surprises, especially regarding billing.
- Do they communicate in plain language instead of "geek-speak" and take 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 vital defense layer.
- Have they provided you with complete network documentation, including admin passwords? If they're holding critical information hostage, it's a significant red flag.
- Do their technicians arrive on time, dress professionally, and leave you feeling confident after every interaction? Professionalism is crucial; 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 are functional? A backup is useless 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 changing, and 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 these criteria, you're likely paying for inadequate service, which could jeopardize your business. From security risks 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 817-277-1001 to get started.
Let's make tech problems a thing of
the past.
