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 most businesses, when the Internet fails, operations cease, leading to significant losses in productivity and sales. Consider the MGM data breach that occurred over the summer: electronic room keys malfunctioned, casinos shut down, and online restaurant reservations were disrupted, costing MGM millions.
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 become overwhelming.
Frequently, business owners end up spending a lot on IT support that struggles to address even the simplest problems. These so-called "IT experts," who promise high-quality service at low prices, often spend more time waiting for you to report issues than actively resolving them.
You don't have to endure tech frustrations and reactive IT support that only responds after problems arise. It's time to demand better and eliminate tech issues before they occur.
To assist, we've put together 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 isn't acceptable.
- Are they easy to reach 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 uncertain 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 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? Nobody likes surprises, especially regarding billing.
- Do they explain their actions in plain language, avoiding technical jargon, 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 vital defense layer.
- Have they provided you with complete network documentation, including admin passwords? If they are withholding crucial information, 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 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 ineffective 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, such as endpoint detection and AI-driven monitoring? Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and your protection should adapt accordingly.
- 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 might be paying for inadequate service, which could jeopardize your business. From security risks to lost productivity, poor IT support is more than 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 503-966-2538 to get started.
Let's make tech problems a thing of
the past.
