Reliability

Some Managed Networks Are Better Than Others

Your company needs technology to thrive, but you don’t have time to get into the technical weeds. Hiring a large IT team is costly, and managing one distracts you from focusing on your business. Trusting your IT services to a managed network provider can help you get the technology solutions you need while freeing up time and resources to focus on the big picture.

Some managed networks are better than others, though, so look for all of the following when selecting an IT company.

Dedicated IT Success Team

The simplest way to get the best managed network is by partnering with an IT company that realizes their success is tied to yours. When you find a true partner, you can lean on them to provide the most appropriate IT services for your specific needs. Look for things like the following from your dedicated success team:

Virtual Chief Information Officer (VCIO) who will meet with your internal team on a regular basis to discuss network performance, ongoing IT support, technology budgets, and more
Network engineer with experience supporting businesses like yours
Dedicated onsite support analyst to install new equipment, set up new users, and provide other IT services
Remote support technician to perform nightly backup checks and routine patches for your applications

IT Security Services

Your technology isn’t worth much if it isn’t secure. The cost of ransomware is high enough that it can seriously hurt a business. Make sure your managed network comes with an anti-virus and anti-malware solution. Real-time management, maintenance, and monitoring can go a long way toward protecting your business. Security is one of the most important parts of your technology plan because it can prevent data breaches, financial losses, and unplanned downtime.

Vendor Management

You shouldn’t have to juggle IT companies or spend time coordinating between different technology vendors. The right managed service provider can handle procurement and resolve issues with your other hardware, software, and service vendors without putting extra work on your plate. After all, outsourcing IT is supposed to make life easier for you, not harder.

Local Help Desk Support

Here at ThrottleNet, our award-winning customer service team is locally based right here in St. Louis. We offer unlimited remote support, and you can also opt for a plan that includes unlimited onsite support and project labor. No matter which type of plan you select, you’re only paying one fixed fee per month. That way there are no surprises that might otherwise blow up your IT budget. This ability to balance remote and onsite support is something you will only get from a local IT support team. Not every customer needs an onsite IT partner, but many feel more comfortable knowing we are nearby if needed.

A great managed network provider won’t just set up your technology, they’ll teach you how to use it. At ThrottleNet that means our team will conduct a thorough onboarding as we begin our partnership with your company. We’ll introduce ourselves to your entire staff, show them how to get support, and give them other training. Every one of your employees will learn about the best practices for avoiding common security risks and getting the most out of your managed network services. An effective managed network should tie everything together while making your other essential IT services easier to scale and customize.

How to Choose the Right Managed Network Service Provider for 2021

Here at ThrottleNet, we follow a three-phase approach to providing a managed network. This allows us to get to know you, assess your needs, then make customized recommendations to facilitate success. We’re regularly ranked among the best IT companies in St. Louis because we provide a level of hands-on attention that other IT service providers just don’t. Contact us today to find out what it’s like to have a more reliable technology partner.

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Your Business Depends on Trustworthy IT Services

Trust is one of the most important things to consider when you choose a managed service provider. Outsourced IT management can save you time and resources, but it’s important to find a partner that will prioritize your business needs over its own corporate profits. Select a trustworthy IT company that you can count on to keep its word so you can focus on running your business.

How to Choose a Trustworthy IT Company

Most people don’t get into business to focus on technology, but they still rely on it to keep everything else running smoothly. Managed network services and professional IT security combine to protect companies from data loss, hacking, and unplanned downtime. The question is, how do you select a reliable IT company when technology isn’t your specialty?

Business leaders can gauge the trustworthiness of managed IT companies by focusing on five key ranking factors.

1 – Reviews

The opinions of previous customers will tell you a lot about almost any company. Here at ThrottleNet, we’re obsessed with customer success. We use Customer Thermometer to measure satisfaction and are proud to report a happiness score of 98.4%. Compare managed service providers on Google, too, where we’re the most reviewed and highest rated outsourced IT company in St. Louis.

2 – Awards

Demand a long track record of work that gets recognition from the experts. When an IT service provider earns the respect of its peers, you have social proof that this company does things the right way. Look for awards and accolades from respected organizations that know what it takes to run a successful business in St. Louis.

The Channel Futures MSP 501 List is a good place to find the best IT companies. You might also look to St. Louis Small Business Monthly. After polling thousands of business professionals in the Greater St. Louis area, they name an IT management and security company the Best in IT. We’re honored to be in their top five for the last five years and look forward to many more.

3 – Certifications and Partnerships

Microsoft Certified Partner
Mac Certified to Work on Apple Devices
Partnerships and Authorizations with Other Solution Providers:

Dell
Cisco

Amazon
Google

Webroot
Datto

4 – Clients

Choose a managed service provider with experience working for businesses like yours. A trustworthy IT company should be comfortable working with top companies in St. Louis across many different industries. Look a little closer at review sources and ask for references before

5 – Transparency

You shouldn’t need to spend a lot of time managing your managed IT company, but you should definitely be able to see the proof that they’re working. A trustworthy IT company will use month-to-month agreements instead of holding clients hostage with long contracts.

At ThrottleNet, our business model requires us to earn your business every month– we’ll even help you transition to your next vendor if you want to leave. We also practice “open book management” and profit sharing to create transparency internally. Our entire team is

ThrottleNet: Your Trustworthy IT Company in St. Louis

Here at ThrottleNet, we pride ourselves on providing the best customer service in the industry. Combine our commitment to the St. Louis community with state-of-the-art technology, and you’re dealing with a leading IT service provider. Contact us to learn why we’ll be the best St. Louis IT company for years to come.

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Is In-House IT Holding You Back?

There’s just no way around it: most businesses can’t be successful without good IT practices. Unfortunately, it’s hard for many companies, teams, and leaders to keep up with their IT support because of the speed at which technology evolves. In recent years, more businesses in the St. Louis area have found a solution by outsourcing their managed IT support.

What Is Outsourced IT Management?

“Managed IT” can mean a lot of different things, and it really depends on what your company or team needs. Small business owners might outsource the management of their entire IT department. Alternatively, an in-house team, manager, or administrator may just need a little bit of help when they’re understaffed and overloaded. Managed IT services can cover all of the following and more:

Outsourcing Competitive Advantage

There are many benefits of outsourcing IT, and it can revolutionize the way some companies operate. When a business or team improves its use of technology, it immediately becomes easier to crush the competition. Our clients in the St. Louis area normally talk about six key ways in which outsourcing IT creates a competitive advantage.

1 – Increased Flexibility and Reduced Costs

Hiring a skilled IT team is difficult because the best technologists can command high salaries. The payroll balloons when you need someone to manage the network, someone to enable remote access, and someone for cybersecurity. Managed IT gives you access to a whole team of experts who can meet your specific needs, and you don’t pay for skills you don’t use.

2 – Cutting-Edge Solutions

It takes a long time to identify and implement the best technology solutions. The right managed service provider will help you stay up to date without spending hours reading up on the latest and greatest. Quality IT companies leverage years of training and experience to find efficient solutions while reducing expenses.

3 – Network Speed and Agility

Small companies are at a serious disadvantage against bigger companies that can afford faster, better technology. A managed network is one of the most efficient ways to increase speed and agility. You’re gaining access to the technology and expertise bigger companies have, but without paying for an entire in-house department.

4 – Eliminate Downtime

Preserve business continuity, minimize disruptions, and recover from disasters more quickly by leveraging solutions like the following:

Cloud Computing
Data Backups
Remote Access Capabilities

5 – Save Time and Resources

Outsourced IT management gives you more time to think about the big picture. There’s no need to pull someone from an important project next time trouble arises– just call your outsourced IT partner. When your team isn’t working on technology-related chores, they can focus on the core business of making customers satisfied.

6 – Improve User Experience

Not only will you have more time to focus on your customers, you’ll also be able to provide them with better interactions. Employees and clients alike will appreciate the opportunity to use intuitive dashboards and smooth login portals. Simultaneously, improved internal systems make it easier to call up accurate information whenever you need it.

IT for Competitive Advantage

The decisions you make today will impact your ability to compete and win in the future. Our team provides IT services to help companies near St. Louis do exactly that. Get your IT situation in line now and be poised for victory no matter what the future throws your way. Be ready for anything with ThrottleNet.

Step 1 is a complimentary network assessment and consultation. Contact us today to get started.

ThrottleNet Picks Up Awards for IT Reliability & Security

COVID lockdowns have changed the way businesses operate, creating an increased need for IT reliability. With so many companies in St. Louis operating remotely, it’s important to have reliable computer service that can hold everything together. This current situation makes us even more proud to be recognized as a top IT service provider in the area. Readers of St. Louis Small Business Monthly voted for our team at ThrottleNet for two awards already this year:

The second of these two awards is especially important to us because reliability is integral to what we do here at ThrottleNet. Even as businesses were grappling with the initial wave of shutdowns due to COVID-19, they trusted us to provide reliable IT services and security. Our work to facilitate continuous operations is intended to help businesses be more reliable for their customers and employees. We understand that IT is a means to an end for most companies, and our goal is to do our job well so you can focus on the bigger picture.

What Does Reliable Computer Service Mean to Us?

Simply put, reliability is a measure of how consistently something is able to perform as expected.

When it comes to technology like software, hardware, or your network, reliability is considered to be one of the most important attributes for businesses to consider. As a managed IT support company, our mission is to identify, implement, and maintain the most dependable software solutions for our clients.

That means your software runs right when you need it to, whether you’re on-site, in the field, or on the go. When you or your employees need some help in a crucial moment, friendly and knowledgeable support is available. More efficient business operations help reduce costs and free up resources you can use to run your business, not your IT network. On top of everything else, your customers can rest assured that you’ll be able to keep their data safe and private while meeting all of their needs.

Should I Outsource IT for Better Reliability?

Chances are, you’re not an owner, manager, or administrator at an IT company, which means your attention is required elsewhere. Business leaders often look at technology as an obstacle or a distraction, a necessary evil they need to get their job done. Outsourcing IT can help take work off your plate while giving you access to the most advanced, dependable solutions. When you have a team of experts working to keep your business operational and secure around the clock, you can stay focused on what matters most: taking good care of your customers.

If trouble ever does arise, the company in charge of your managed IT support can help with disaster recovery. Cloud computing and data backups will allow you to restore access and minimize disruptions. You’ll have resources like a team of experts and cutting-edge technology to get your business back on track as quickly and securely as possible. Best of all, you won’t have to spend your own time or pull employees off of important projects.

Improve IT Reliability in St. Louis

Looking for a solution that helps you stay reliable anytime, anywhere you can get an internet connection? Check out EverFuel, the new remote desktop solution powered by ThrottleNet! Secure remote access allows your employees to access their work computer no matter where they are. Learn more about how EverFuel safeguards reliable computer service for only $9.95 per month– no long-term commitment required.