faq

You ask, We Answer!

Welcome to our FAQ page! We understand that managed services can sometimes be confusing. We have compiled a list of common questions and answers to help understand how our services can benefit your business.

Technology can be complex, and we strive to make it easy for our clients to understand the solutions we provide. Here are some key principles that guide our approach:

  • Transparency: We believe in being transparent with our clients. We provide detailed information about our services, pricing, and any potential limitations or risks involved.

  • Communication: We value open and clear communication with our clients. We are always available to answer questions, address concerns, and provide updates on the status of ongoing projects.

  • Expertise: Our team consists of highly skilled professionals with extensive experience in the IT industry. We stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices to ensure that we are providing our clients with the most effective solutions.

  • Customer Satisfaction: Our ultimate goal is customer satisfaction. We strive to exceed our clients’ expectations by delivering high-quality services and providing exceptional customer support.

We hope these answers have provided you with a better understanding of managed services and how they can benefit your business. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any further questions or would like to learn more about us.

What are managed services?

Managed services refer to the practice of outsourcing certain IT functions to a third-party provider, referred to as an MSP, like StepUP IT Services. This includes tasks such as network monitoring, data backup and recovery, cybersecurity, and technical support. Partner with us for managed services, so you can focus on your core business activities. We’ll take care of your IT infrastructure.

How can managed services benefit my business?

Managed services offer several benefits for businesses of all sizes. Firstly, it allows you to access a team of highly skilled IT professionals who have expertise in various areas of technology. This means you can leverage their knowledge and experience without having to hire and train an in-house IT team. Additionally, managed services provide proactive monitoring and maintenance. This ensures that potential issues are identified and resolved before they become major problems that could disrupt your operations.

Why should I consider using managed services?

There are several benefits to using managed services. First and foremost, it allows businesses to focus on their core competencies without having to worry about the day-to-day IT operations. Managed services providers have the expertise and resources to handle IT tasks efficiently This leads to increased productivity and cost savings in the long run.

Why should I partner with an MSP?

An MSP has the potential to save you time, money, and human resources. At the same time, an MSP that is aligned with your values and business strategy has the ability to launch you toward your goals through the use of technology. You become more secure, more proactive, and provide your employees and customers a more satisfying experience when you partner with an MSP to help manage your technology.

Are managed IT services right for my business?

If your business has at least one user, there is an MSP that will fit right in. That being said, not every MSP is right for every business. Spend time evaluating your options to ensure you find the right one for your needs. 

What if I already have an internal IT team?

Managed services can complement your internal IT team by providing additional expertise, support, and buffer. They can take care of routine tasks, freeing up your internal team to focus on more strategic initiatives.

How do I know if Total Managed or Co-Managed would be a better fit for my business?

Do you already have a tech team on staff? Do you plan to keep them? Are they struggling to keep up with the day-to-day workload AND the long-term IT strategy? If you answered YES to all of those questions, Co-Managed might be the best option for your business. Co-Managed offers the MSP resources–like people, tools, and process–to augment your internal team. 

If you answered NO to either of those first two questions, Total Managed might be the better option. Total Managed IT is the most comprehensive service we offer. It includes monitoring, patching, maintenance, strategy and IT roadmapping, and infrastructure support (just like Co-Managed). The main difference is that it also includes Help Desk and end-user support. 

Does StepUP work with local government entities?

Yes! We absolutely do and we’d go as far to consider it our bread and butter. We’re experienced with small government and municipality requirements and technology. Everyone on our team is fully vetted prior to hire to ensure clearance for CJIS, if needed. 

How do I get started with managed services?

Getting started with managed services is simple. Contact StepUP IT Services to schedule a consultation with our team. We will assess your IT needs, discuss your business goals, and tailor a managed services plan that aligns with your requirements. From there, we will handle the onboarding process and ensure a smooth transition to our services. You can start experiencing the benefits of managed services right away.

Are managed services cost-effective?

Yes, managed services can be very cost-effective for businesses. By outsourcing your IT needs to StepUP IT Services, you can avoid the expenses associated with hiring and training an in-house IT team. Our fixed monthly fees also help you predict and budget for your IT expenses more accurately. Furthermore, our proactive approach to IT management can help prevent costly downtime and data loss, saving your business both time and money.

Does it cost more to hire an IT person or work with an MSP?

In nearly every instance that we’ve been a part of, it costs much less to partner with an MSP than it does to hire, train, and retain an internal tech team. This is sometimes due to scale, but more often it’s because having a team that’s capable of handling any type of IT request, issue, or problem is not an easy ask. An MSP is inherently built on the skills and experience of several different IT professionals. So partnering with an MSP is really like hiring several internal tech resources at the same time. Pretty cool!

How much do managed services cost?

The cost of managed services can vary depending on factors such as the size of the business, the scope of services required, and the level of support needed. It is best to consult with a managed services provider to get a customized quote based on your specific needs.

How long does it take to get started with new managed IT services?

At StepUP, the typical onboarding process takes anywhere from 45-90 days. The timeline depends on the state of your network and infrastructure and any pre-existing IT services you may have in place. If you are already working with an MSP and want to change to StepUP, we help with that transition every step of the way.

Is there a minimum monthly commitment fee?

Generally speaking, we do have a monthly minimum managed services fee of $1000.00. We do make exceptions for businesses in need and non-profit organizations. Contact us for more detail.

Do I have to sign a term agreement?

Nope! We do not require term agreements. Once we’re in partnership, you can cancel at any time, for any reason, with only 60-day written notice. If you have any other subscription services through us that have term requirements, we will help facilitate the remainder of the billing and/or transition to direct billing e.g. Microsoft 365.

If you’re in a regulated industry that requires term agreements, we can absolutely accommodate. Please contact us for more information. 

Are there upfront costs to start managed IT services?

Most new clients can expect to pay a one-time onboarding fee within two weeks of the initial agreement. The one-time fee is usually equivalent to one month of managed IT services. This fee covers all of the onboarding services, including full system and network documentation, working with your pre-existing providers, installing our monitoring and anti-virus tools, and more. 

Will I still have control over my IT infrastructure?

Absolutely! Managed services providers, including StepUP IT, work closely with their clients to ensure that they have full visibility and control over their IT infrastructure. They provide regular reports and updates, and decisions regarding the IT environment are made in collaboration with the client.

Is my data secure with managed services?

Absolutely! At StepUP IT Services, we prioritize the security and confidentiality of your data. We implement robust cybersecurity measures, including firewalls, antivirus software, and regular security audits, to protect your sensitive information from unauthorized access or data breaches. Additionally, we provide data backup and recovery services to ensure that your data is always backed up and can be restored in the event of any unforeseen incidents.

Does StepUP IT do anything besides managed IT services?

We sure do! In addition to managed services, we offer a wide range of IT Professional Services, like cloud migrations, MFA implementation, hardware refreshes and replacements, new hardware installations, application upgrades and integration assistance, and more. We also offer Enhanced Security Services, Managed Backup Services, the entire Microsoft and Office 365 subscription line up, and much more.

Is there anything StepUP doesn't do for technology for SMBs?

With all the tech things we do, there are a few things we don’t. We don’t service copiers; we don’t sell supplies e.g. toner, light bulbs; and we’re not Line-of-Business application experts (although we are generalists and will always try to help!).

Do I have to use managed IT services in order to work with StepUP IT?

We do offer Professional Services and some SaaS subscriptions to our non-managed clients. Keep in mind that by partnering with us for managed IT services, you will see increased efficiency and decreased costs for professional services and SaaS subscriptions. 

Is StepUP IT a locally owned business?

We sure are! Our company CEO and Founder, Darrell Stepper, has been helping businesses with their IT for over two decades in and around Lane County, OR. 

Is StepUP IT hiring?

Check out our Careers page for more information.

Who does StepUP IT partner with in the industry?

Check out our Partners page for more info.

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