I am often surprised to learn that business owners aren’t sure if their company computer network is their friend or their worst enemy. When it’s efficiently tracking supply chain transfers, it’s an invention better than learning to use wheels. When booting up in the morning takes 5 minutes, it’s a calamity that eclipses our expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Is your business IT your friend or your foe?

I wonder: would farmers ever go back to plowing without horses? That’s not an extreme comparison when you stop to think of how, minute-to-minute, every computer in your office gets used. And there was a time when people thought telephones were a nuisance because they were noisy when someone called. You can see where I’m going with this.

Despite how dependent on technology our world has become, understanding how it works and why it stops working is still a mystery to most consumers. It’s no different than farmers needing veterinarians for their draft horses, or early telephone users needed specially trained technicians for their party lines. Having an IT management and support company is just like having your favorite plumber, that physician you can really talk to, or a trusted electrician on your speed dial.

I have come to understand that for so many business owners, the complexities of a computer network can be overwhelming. There is so much to know, it seems, and it changes constantly. I can attest to both and at Aptica we understand intimately why you need IT specialists to support your business network.

Don’t Let Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt Paralyze You

Every minute your network is down, you are losing money. Talk to your friends and to others in your industry about the level of IT support and management they need and use. Look at your local IT management companies and read reviews. Check with the BBB. Set up a meeting to talk about your concerns. Invest your time up front to find that IT company whose prices and policies allow you to sleep at night. Do you prefer a local company? How do they respond to a crisis? Are they fix-it guys, or do they offer to partner with you on budget projections and long-term business goals? How do they account for their work each month? Can they answer your questions about technology in language you are comfortable with?

At the end of the day, the week, the month—it should be about your balance sheet. Is the money you spend on IT buying you progress, or is it just a basic maintenance-and-emergency bail out expense? Good IT management companies expect to have to assess what you currently have, how long things will last, what upgrades might cost, and what is cutting-edge in your industry. And, they can still fix things that break.

If you are not sure what you need for IT management, give us a call at Aptica. We always start with a conversation. Oh, and—shout out to Marconi. How did he figure out wireless radio?

Jason Newburg, 260.243.5100, ext 2101, is the founder and owner of Aptica LLC. This IT management and support company has been serving small to medium sized businesses for 16 years in the region that includes Angola, South Bend, and Fort Wayne, IN, Battle Creek, MI, and Toledo OH.