5 questions to ask before you hire an IT provider

Choosing an IT provider is really choosing who protects your business. Here are five questions that cut through the sales talk.

1. Is your model proactive or reactive?

Break-fix providers make money when things break. A managed provider is paid a flat rate to keep things from breaking — monitoring, patching, and hardening continuously. Ask how they get paid, and you’ll learn what they’re incentivized to do.

2. Where does our data actually live?

“Fully Canadian” should mean something specific. Ask which data can be hosted in Canada and which platforms process elsewhere. A good partner will show you exactly what lives where — not wave it away.

3. Can you prove a recovery, not just a backup?

A backup you’ve never restored is a hope, not a plan. Ask when they last tested a restore for a client, and how long recovery takes. Downtime, not the ransom, is what usually costs the most.

4. What’s included, and what’s extra?

Get the line between the flat rate and the “out of scope” invoices in writing. Surprise bills are the number-one complaint about IT providers — and the easiest to avoid up front.

5. Do you understand my industry?

A law firm, a clinic, and a construction company carry different risks and rules. A provider that specializes in your sector onboards faster and secures smarter.

Want the full checklist? Get the IT Buyer’s Guide, or book a Discovery Call and we’ll answer all five for your business.