Imagine walking into work with your team, 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 halt, leading to significant losses in productivity and sales. Consider the MGM data breach from the summer: 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. Throw in frustrations like forgotten passwords, malware infections, or issues accessing shared files, and the resulting inefficiencies can feel overwhelming.

Business owners frequently 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, often end up waiting for you to report problems rather than proactively addressing them.

You shouldn't have to accept tech frustrations 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 anyone managing your network should meet. Evaluate how your current provider stacks up:

- Do they answer their phone live and respond to emergencies within minutes? In a crisis, waiting on hold or leaving voicemails is not acceptable.

- 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 unsure about the frequency of these actions, 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 is overlooked.

- 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.

- Are their invoices clear about what you're paying for? No one enjoys unexpected charges, especially regarding billing.

- Do they explain their actions in straightforward language instead of 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 crucial defense layer.

- Have they given you complete network documentation, including admin passwords? If they are withholding critical information, it's a major 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 are functional? 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 to your business? The right IT partner ensures your systems evolve alongside your company.

- Do they offer advanced cybersecurity tools, such as endpoint detection and AI-driven monitoring? Cyber threats are constantly changing—your protection should adapt 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 isn't meeting 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 less than a partner who prioritizes your business's success.

Let's make tech problems a thing of the past.