March 17, 2025
Imagine arriving at work with your team, ready to take on the day's challenges, only for the Internet to suddenly go down. Emails stop functioning, and productivity comes to a standstill. What would you do? For many businesses, an Internet outage can halt operations, resulting in 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. This downtime cost MGM millions.
However, downtime is just one aspect of how inadequate IT support can hinder your business. Add issues like forgotten passwords, malware infections, and difficulties accessing shared files, and the resulting inefficiencies can feel overwhelming.
Business owners often find themselves spending large amounts on IT support that struggles to address even the simplest issues. These so-called "IT experts," who promise exceptional service at low rates, frequently spend more time waiting for you to report problems than actively resolving them.
You shouldn't have to endure tech frustrations and reactive IT support that only steps in after issues arise. It's time to expect more and prevent tech problems before they occur.
To assist you, we've put together a checklist of essential standards that any network manager 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 unacceptable.
- Are they easy to contact 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 about the frequency of these actions, you may be at risk.
- Do they provide proof that all your data is backed up, including laptops and devices? A reliable IT provider guarantees that nothing is overlooked.
- Do they meet with you at least quarterly to review projects, performance, and improvements? Quality IT support not only resolves issues but also assists in future planning.
- Are their invoices clear about what you're paying for? No one appreciates unexpected charges, especially in billing.
- Do they communicate in straightforward language, avoiding "geek-speak," and take time to address your questions? You shouldn't need a translator to understand your IT provider.
- Do they proactively address cybersecurity, suggest solutions, and offer employee training? Cybersecurity is essential, and educating employees is a vital defense layer.
- Have they supplied you with complete network documentation, including admin passwords? If they're withholding critical information, it's a significant red flag.
- Do their technicians arrive punctually, dress professionally, and leave you feeling assured after each interaction? Professionalism counts—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 function correctly? A backup is worthless if it fails when you need it most.
- Are they assisting you in planning for scalable growth with technology that adapts alongside your business? The right IT partner ensures your systems evolve with your company.
- Do they offer advanced cybersecurity tools, such as endpoint detection and AI-driven monitoring? Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and your defenses should too.
- Do they track and optimize your network's performance to avoid 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 jeopardize your business. From security risks to lost productivity, poor IT support is not 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 678-940-8992 to get started.
Let's make tech problems a thing of
the past.
