Bradley Chapple, IT Consultant & Owner of Aspen Computer Services, Loveland Colorado

A small business is defined as any business under 100 employees.

But, what many IT service providers don’t understand is that the needs of a business change dramatically when moving between 1 and 100 employees.  Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach to computer support does not work when it comes to “small business”.

Larger small businesses need a centralized server.  While, on the other hand, some businesses will function just fine with a couple of computers and a network attached storage device.  Some larger small businesses (between 50 and 100 employees) may actually need more than 1 server, depending on how they utilize technology.

Larger small businesses need a hardware firewall appliance.  But then again, some businesses may be far better off without one.  Some may be fine with a Linux-based firewall, installed on a recycled 6 year-old DELL.  Others may need a software firewall on each client, depending on what they do with their computers.

Larger small businesses should have a centralized authentication, with password rules, and tighter security.  Then again, in smaller businesses this may actually get in the way of making money!  There is a balance to be struck in any IT support strategy, but the weight may shift, depending on the current size and the priorities of the business.

This is just a few basic differences in the needs of a smaller business vs. a larger small business.

Not only that, but the needs of a small business will also depend on the needs of that business’s clients.

For example, we work with a lot medical offices, and we also work with many CPA firms.  Both are professional firms, but their needs are very different.

Health care services providers typically need their systems up and running during 8 to 5 hours on weekdays.  So, we focus our efforts on making that a reality for them.  Also, HIPAA is a major factor, so we also focus on keeping our health care providers’ offices HIPPA compliant.  There are also very specialized types of equipment for storing digital X-rays, and making these specialized appliances “talk” to each other.  Data backup is also a major concern, but some of this can be requested from other health care professionals if necessary.

Compare this with a CPA firm.  CPA firms also care about privacy, but the rules and regulations are different.  Data backup is also a major concern, but there is no central database from which to pull from, so that leaves data backup in the hands of the service provider.  The biggest difference is in the hours of operation.  During the “off season”, the needs of a CPA are usually pretty minimal.  But, during tax season, it’s a different story.  Some accountants work 16 hour days, 7 days a week to get through all of the work before the April deadline.  This also puts a lot of pressure on whoever is maintaining their computer networks.  Any downtime can spell disaster.

Sorry about the long-winded example, but it gives you an idea on the differences between the different types of businesses and how it affects their IT support needs.

The bottom line is that we don’t just look at your business as a customer.  We consider our relationship with you and your business a partnership.  We find out how you use the current technology you have, and the direction you want to take your company.  We look at your current challenges, your goals and your dreams.

Then, and only then, can we give you a recommendation on how to make your current computer problems go away, and get you on the right path to achieve your goals and eventually make your dreams come true.

Another major difference between our company and a lot other companies out there, is that we offer a proactive monitoring and maintenance support plan.  Under this plan, we strive to proactively maintain your servers, computers and network so that your technology is always in the best possible health.  This enables us to foresee and correct potential challenges, before they turn into revenue-threatening problems.

Most IT service professionals only make money when you have problems.  The bigger your problem, the more money they make.

Do you see anything wrong with this picture?  It’s enough to make you look at your IT support provider with a suspicious eye the next time he touches your equipment!

The goal of our proactive monitoring and maintenance is “zero downtime”, which (unless you are a very unique business owner) is your goal too.  That puts both your company and ours on the same side of the table.  Zero problems and zero downtime keeps you happy.  Plus, it makes you want to keep us around, which makes us very happy.

If you are located in the Fort Collins and Loveland area of Colorado, and you’d like a partner to make your technology problems go away, please give us a call at (970) 672-4980.

Welcome Back! Since you have visited a few times now, why not leave a comment?