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 halts. What would you do? For most businesses, operations come to a standstill when the Internet fails, leading to significant losses in productivity and sales. Take the MGM data breach over the summer as an example: electronic room keys malfunctioned, casinos closed, and online restaurant reservations were unavailable, costing MGM millions.
Downtime is just one way inadequate IT support can cripple your business. When you add in issues like forgotten passwords, malware infections, or difficulties accessing shared files, the inefficiencies can quickly become overwhelming.
Business owners often find themselves spending large sums on IT support that struggles to resolve even the simplest issues. These so-called "IT experts," who promise top-notch service at low prices, frequently spend more time waiting for you to report problems than actively addressing them.
You don't have to endure tech frustrations and reactive IT support that only intervenes after issues arise. It's time to demand better and prevent tech problems before they even begin.
To assist, we've developed a checklist of essential standards that anyone managing your network should meet. Evaluate how your current provider performs:
- Do they answer their phone live and respond to emergencies within minutes? In a crisis, being on hold or leaving voicemails is not an option.
- Are they easily reachable 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 occurs daily, weekly, or at all, you may be at risk.
- Do they provide proof that all your data is 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? Excellent IT support not only resolves issues but also helps you plan for the future.
- Do their invoices clearly outline what you're paying for? No one appreciates surprises, particularly 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 address cybersecurity, recommend solutions, and offer employee training? Cybersecurity is essential, and educating employees is a vital layer of defense.
- Have they given you complete network documentation, including admin passwords? If they're withholding crucial information, it's a significant red flag.
- Do their technicians arrive on time, dress professionally, and leave you feeling confident after each interaction? Professionalism is important; 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 worthless if it fails when you need it most.
- Are they helping you plan for scalable growth with technology that evolves with your business? The right IT partner ensures your systems adapt as your company grows.
- Do they offer advanced cybersecurity tools, like endpoint detection and AI-driven monitoring? Cyber threats are always changing, and your defenses 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 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 10-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 973-439-0306 to get started.
Let's make tech problems a thing of
the past.
