5 Critical Warning Signs that You Need a New Newton IT Consultant

Newton, Massachusetts is a very tech-forward city. Businesses don’t just rely on IT to do business, they rely on it to stay competitive. Solid and stable IT can make all the difference when it comes to growing, operating efficiently, and even retaining employees.

Not only is it critical to ensure that your IT is properly maintained so that it works effectively, but businesses need to utilize modern technology properly so that they don’t get left behind.

Understanding Managed IT Services

Managed IT services are essential for modern businesses. They offer proactive solutions to streamline operations. In Newton, these services help companies maintain stability and avoid disruptions.

Since Newton is typically a step ahead of a lot of other cities of its size, there are plenty of businesses that provide managed IT services. Unfortunately, not every IT company is the perfect fit for your business. Depending on your needs, your industry, and your business objectives, sometimes one local IT consultant might not perform as well as another. On top of that, business owners need to be on the lookout for IT service providers who simply don’t carry their own weight and commit to what they promise.

Good Vs. Bad Managed IT Providers

We’re not going to point fingers here, but we have stepped into Newton businesses in the past and wondered “What were those guys thinking?”

We’re talking about misconfigured network equipment, stuff that falls way out of warranty, critical infrastructure that hasn't been updated in months or even years, and users who constantly run into issues.

In these situations, we sit down with the business owner and show them. We’ll ask “Hey, did you realize that this particular device on your network wasn’t being maintained?” and we’ll show them the audit logs. Most of the time they respond with “That can’t be true, that device is literally a line-item on my monthly invoice with XYZ”

It’s a very messy situation.

You don’t know if things are actually being maintained and you don’t know if you are getting what you are paying for, until it’s too late.

Then, we can look at those invoices, tally them up over the months and the years, and tell the business owner, “Well, that’s a $400 network switch. It’s critical to your business. Over the last 2 years, you’ve paid $2600 for nothing to be done to maintain it.”

It’s unreal what some folks can get away with.

Benefits of Local IT Service Providers

This might sound like we’re punching down on the smaller IT companies, but we’re not. Datalyst isn’t a massive out-of-state IT firm. We’re situated in Lakeville and do business with small businesses surrounding Boston, including Newton. 

We do occasionally run into those bigger guys too…

In the IT services industry, there has been a trend over the last several years (it really started to peak during the pandemic). Smaller, local IT companies have been getting gobbled up by larger corporations. There are always some pretty attractive benefits to this—it can elevate the capabilities and equip the local IT company with even more tools and resources that it wasn’t able to afford before.

At least, that’s how it all sounds on paper. Unfortunately, these IT companies tend to get stripped down to the most basic processes. Their work stops being about providing businesses with solutions that lead towards success, and more of a numbers game, because that’s how they are looked at from the top. Your business just becomes another account on a spreadsheet in most cases. These IT companies figure they can provide tech support remotely from anywhere in the world. That means outsourcing staff overseas, or not even having a staffed location near Newton. In some cases, they might have local salespeople, but once you need someone to really sit down with you and help you strategize, they tend to fall flat.

Newton businesses have some major benefits to consider when it comes to working with local IT providers like Datalyst:

• Personalized service with a community focus
• Rapid response times due to close proximity
• Stronger relationships through local knowledge

Engaging with local IT experts builds trust. Their insight into the local landscape ensures better service quality. This collaboration supports enhanced business performance.

IT Consulting: Aligning Technology with Business Goals

IT consulting plays a vital role in business success. It helps align technology strategies with company objectives. This alignment promotes efficiency and competitiveness in the local market.

An experienced IT consultant can offer valuable insights. They assist in choosing technologies that drive growth. Consultants help businesses adapt to new technological trends effectively.

In Newton, IT consultants support strategic planning. They focus on long-term technology initiatives. This proactive approach ensures businesses leverage the right tools for success.

Cybersecurity: A Critical Component for Newton Companies

Cybersecurity is vital for protecting business data. Newton companies face risks like data breaches and cyber threats. Implementing robust security measures is essential to safeguard sensitive information.

Security breaches can lead to significant financial loss. They damage reputation and customer trust. Cybersecurity ensures data protection and compliance with privacy laws, reducing these risks.

Partnering with local experts in Newton enhances cybersecurity. They provide solutions tailored to regional needs. This personalized approach strengthens defenses against potential threats.

Why Outsource IT Needs to Newton Experts?

Outsourcing IT services offers many advantages to businesses. Local experts in Newton provide tailored support. They understand the specific needs and challenges of the area.

Businesses often benefit from cost savings when outsourcing. It eliminates the need for an in-house team, reducing overhead expenses. Outsourcing allows access to a wider range of expertise.

Key benefits of outsourcing include:

• Access to specialized skills
• Scalability of services
• Focus on core business functions

5 Critical Warning Signs It’s Time to Shop Around for a New IT Provider

You regularly deal with outages, downtime, and frustrating IT issues.

This is pretty obvious, but the whole point of having a managed IT company handling the maintenance and upkeep of your technology is that it will greatly reduce downtime and keep systems running smoothly. If that’s not the case, it’s time to try something new.

You don’t know what you are paying for.

There’s this beautiful moment for a business when they realize that everything is working and they haven’t had to call tech support in a while. It’s almost this zen-like moment. While you are partially paying for that, most organizations aren’t fueled by good feelings. You are likely paying a lot to have your technology managed, and if it isn’t clear what is happening every day, week, month, and quarter, or you are getting surprise bills for work that you thought was supposed to be covered, it might be time to evaluate.

You feel left in the dark when it comes to your IT.

This goes hand-in-hand with not understanding what you are paying for, but the results are a little more problematic. Do you trust your backup? Are response times to issues acceptable? Are you confident that your IT falls under compliance regulations or are you just trying to keep your hopes up? Your IT consultant should be meeting with you regularly (every quarter or twice a year, depending on your needs). These meetings should go over business objectives, discuss IT budgeting, and make sure that there is synergy between your business and your IT provider.

Are you having modern technology conversations?

Is your IT provider talking to you about topics like compliance, cybersecurity, and AI? The business IT world has rapidly shifted over the past few years, and there are emerging threats that hold businesses back as well as emerging technologies that are driving businesses forward. If your IT provider is only keeping your workstations and network running, they probably aren’t thinking about some of the bigger-picture items that could actually revolutionize your business and help you grow.

Cybersecurity should be a major concern.

The cybersecurity landscape has changed so much over the last few years. It’s intensely motivated by cash, and small businesses are often the biggest targets. The problem is that modern cybersecurity threats can’t just be prevented by throwing money at the problem. There’s no singular device or software you can invest in that will completely protect your business. The reason? Cybercriminals know it’s easier to dodge cybersecurity protections and strike at the weakest link—your staff. While you still need to have cybersecurity protections in place, your business also needs to have policies that govern users, such as preventing users from having access to data they don’t need, enforcing strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, and controlling what has access to your network. Your staff also needs to be trained on how to spot the types of threats that can’t be picked up by cybersecurity solutions, such as social engineering threats and phishing attacks.

Investing in IT for Future Growth

Investing in IT services is vital for Newton businesses. We can provide the tools and support necessary for growth and help you navigate technological shifts and challenges.

If you want to put a second set of eyes on your network, or you are having an issue, give us a call at (774) 213-9701.