March 16, 2025
Imagine you and your team arrive at work, ready to take on the day's tasks, only to find that the Internet has gone down. Emails stop working, and productivity comes to a standstill. What would you do? For many businesses, when the "Internet goes down," operations come to a halt, resulting in significant losses in 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 poor IT support can hinder your business. Add issues like forgotten passwords, malware infections, and difficulties accessing shared files, and the inefficiencies can quickly become overwhelming.
Too often, business owners pay a premium for IT support that struggles to resolve even the simplest problems. These so-called "IT experts," who promise top-notch service at low prices, frequently spend more time waiting for you to report issues than actively solving them.
You shouldn't have to put up with tech troubles and reactive IT support that only responds after the damage is done. It's time to demand better and prevent tech problems before they arise.
To assist you, 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 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 unsure whether this happens daily, weekly, or at all, you're likely at risk.
- Do they provide proof that all your data is 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? Excellent IT support not only fixes problems but also 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 instead of "geek-speak" and take the time to address 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 crucial 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 look elsewhere.
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—your protection should keep pace.
- 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 standards, you might be paying for inadequate 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 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 1300 765 014 to get started.
Let's make tech problems a thing of
the past.