Use clear metrics like response time, uptime, and customer satisfaction to see if your IT provider is truly doing their job.
Businesses heavily rely on their IT providers to ensure smooth operations, enhance productivity, and safeguard data. However, determining whether your IT provider is doing their job effectively can be challenging. Here are some key indicators and evaluation criteria to help you assess their performance.
Quality of Service
1. Response Time and Resolution: A reliable IT provider should have short response times and lasting resolutions. Track how quickly they respond to issues and how often they resolve problems on the first attempt. Consistent delays or repeat issues may indicate they aren’t able to take care of your business properly.
2. Service Quality and Expertise: Evaluate the technical expertise of your IT provider. They should have a proven track record and relevant industry experience. Their ability to manage complex IT environments and provide innovative solutions is crucial.
Cost and Value
1. Cost Structure: Analyze the cost of your IT services, focus on the overall value of what they provide. A transparent pricing model with no hidden fees is also preferable.
2. Budget Management: Your IT provider should help you maintain a predictable IT budget. Proactive management of IT infrastructure should prevent unexpected costs and downtime.
Reliability and Security
1. Uptime and Availability: Assess the reliability of your IT provider in terms of network uptime and system availability. Downtime can lead to significant business losses, so aim for a provider with strong customer centric service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee high uptime.
2. Security Measures: Inquire about the provider’s security protocols and compliance with regulations like PCI, CMMC, or HIPAA. A comprehensive security framework is essential to protect sensitive data from cyber threats .
Communication and Support
1. Communication Channels: Evaluate the effectiveness of the provider’s communication. They should offer multiple channels for support and maintain open, proactive communication about system updates or maintenance. You should not have to call them for issue status.
2. Customer Support: A dedicated support team can significantly enhance the user experience. Ensure that your provider offers readily available customer support and is responsive to inquiries .
Strategic Alignment
1. Business Understanding: Your IT provider should demonstrate an interest in your business strategy and goals. They should be involved in strategic discussions and provide technology solutions that align with your long-term objectives.
2. Flexibility and Scalability: The ability to customize services to meet your unique needs and scale them as your business grows is a valuable trait in an IT provider. This flexibility can enhance the overall value of their services. Your company should not have to bend to their technology stack.
Regular assessments and open communication with your provider can help ensure that they continue to meet your evolving needs. If you have doubts about your current IT provider, contact Farmhouse Networking to provide a free network evaluation.
As the end of support for Windows 10 approaches in about a year on October 14, 2025, it’s crucial for businesses to start preparing for the transition. This article will guide you through the essential steps to ensure a smooth and secure move to the next phase of your computing experience.
Understanding Windows 10 End of Life
Windows 10 End of Life (EOL) marks the point when Microsoft will cease providing updates, security patches, and technical support for the operating system. This event is significant because it leaves users vulnerable to security risks, compatibility issues with newer software and hardware, and non-compliant with standards like HIPAA, PCI, and CMMC.
Key Steps to Prepare
Assess Your Current Setup: Before making any changes, take stock of your current system:
Identify all devices running Windows 10
Check hardware specifications to make sure old computers are compatible
List essential software and applications
Evaluate Upgrade Options: Consider these alternatives:
Upgrading to Windows 11 for free (if your hardware supports it)
Purchasing new devices with the latest operating system to replace older ones
Plan for Software Compatibility: Ensure your critical applications will work post-transition:
Check compatibility with newer operating systems
Contact software vendors for upgrade options
Consider alternative software solutions if needed
Train Your Team: If you’re managing a business environment:
Educate employees about the upcoming changes
Provide training on new systems or procedures
Establish a support system for the transition period
Set a Timeline: Create a realistic schedule for your transition:
Set milestones for each phase of the preparation
Allow ample time for testing and troubleshooting
Plan for potential downtime during the switch
Financial Considerations: Budgeting for the transition is crucial:
Allocate funds for new hardware if needed
Account for potential software upgrade costs
Consider the long-term cost benefits of modernizing your IT infrastructure
Security Implications: Understand the risks of running an unsupported OS:
Increased vulnerability to malware and cyber attacks
Potential compliance issues for regulated industries
Lack of technical support for critical issues
Remember, a well-planned transition not only safeguards your system but also opens up opportunities for improved performance and productivity. Take the first step now: conduct an inventory of your Windows 10 devices and begin researching upgrade paths. Your future self will thank you for your foresight and preparation.
Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for Windows 10 End of Life. Start your transition plan today to ensure a secure and efficient computing environment for the future. Let Farmhouse Networking do the heavy lifting by assessing your needs, exploring your options, and taking proactive steps to protect your digital assets.
Wanted to take a look at why prospective customers would not want Farmhouse Networking to be their Managed IT Service Provider. This article will be a little tongue-in-cheek, but will hopefully give you a fresh perspective on what to look for in a Managed IT Service Provider.
Why You Don’t Want to Work with Us
We are IT Experts: They will point fingers and blame others instead of taking ownership of your IT problems. Who needs real solutions to problem or to do things the right way the first time – Band-Aid the issues until they go away themselves.
We know your software and hardware: There are lots of other Managed IT Service Providers who are IT generalists who have no experience in your industry who will charge you for their time while they stumble through fixing things.
We live answer our phones: Why would you want to talk to a human who cares when you can simply leave voicemails and hope for a callback? Better yet you can spend your day in the maze of an automated phone menu trying to get to the department that is in charge of your problem.
We communicate: Who really needs to know what is going on with the tickets that are submitted? Isn’t it easier to just make a ticket and have faith in your Managed IT Service Provider to finish the task. It’s even better when they take over your computer and reboot the server before you can save anything.
We only hire the best: There are so many Managed IT Service Providers who are willing to hire just anyone and let them pretend to know how to fix your problems.
We’re local: Who wants to have their computer issues handled by someone in their own country let alone within range to be able to show up quickly when things are really broken? Outsource everything important to your business to the lowest bidder from whatever country and make sure that they are unable to communicate effectively in English.
We’re established and growing: Fly-by-night companies are the way to go. Call up the company that advertises on obscure streaming videos to handle precious customer data.
In all seriousness, take time to think about who is your company’s Managed IT Service Provider and how they are treating you. Consider Farmhouse Networking to take better care of your IT needs.
This time we will be telling the story of Dr. Nick one of our monthly IT service clients. Back in March, Farmhouse Networking began the process of migrating Dr. Nick’s chiropractic office from their old server to a new one. After carefully preparing the server we contacted their practice management software vendor to get the software moved from the old to the new. The vendor simply asked us to provide them with remote access to the server to allow their techs to do the migration. During this process their tech asked our junior tech who was just there to babysit the process a question about the configuration of the old server. Our tech responded that he was not sure and the software vendor’s tech proceeded to follow his process for setting up the server.
A couple of months go by and we at Farmhouse Networking notice that the new server is not performing as fast as it should be. We investigate the issue and find out that the software vendor’s had installed a free version of a critical piece of the software puzzle instead of re-using the license Dr. Nick had already purchased. Farmhouse Networking then went to the software vendor and explained the issue. We went back and forth with them for months to get them to the point where they finally agreed that they were at fault for the upgrade problem and agreed to pay for the software license to complete the puzzle and fix the speed issue that Dr. Nick and his team were experiencing.
The moral of the story is that Dr. Nick did the right thing by having a support contract with a managed IT service provider, like Farmhouse Networking, who would take ownership of the problem and see it through to the best possible outcome.
Secure your patient data with HIPAA-compliant managed IT: encryption, access controls, and continuous monitoring.
Ensuring the privacy and security of patient information is paramount. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets stringent standards for protecting sensitive patient data. For medical practices, staying compliant with HIPAA regulations can be a daunting task, especially with the increasing complexity of IT systems. This is where a Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) can play a crucial role. In this blog, we’ll explore how partnering with an MSP can help your medical practice remain compliant with HIPAA regulations for data privacy and security.
Understanding HIPAA Compliance
HIPAA compliance involves adhering to a set of rules and regulations designed to safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI). These rules are divided into several key areas:
Privacy Rule: Governs the use and disclosure of PHI.
Security Rule: Establishes standards for protecting electronic PHI (ePHI) through administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.
Breach Notification Rule: Requires covered entities to notify affected individuals, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and, in some cases, the media, of a breach of unsecured PHI.
Enforcement Rule: Outlines the penalties for non-compliance and the procedures for investigations and hearings.
The Role of Managed IT in HIPAA Compliance
A Managed IT Service Provider can offer a range of services that help ensure your medical practice remains compliant with HIPAA regulations. Here are some key ways an MSP can assist:
Risk Assessment and Management: HIPAA requires regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities in your IT systems. An MSP can conduct comprehensive risk assessments to:
Identify and evaluate risks to ePHI.
Implement measures to mitigate identified risks.
Continuously monitor and update risk management strategies.
Data Encryption and Secure Communication: Encrypting ePHI is a critical component of HIPAA compliance. An MSP can implement robust encryption protocols to ensure that data is protected both at rest and in transit. Additionally, they can set up secure communication channels, such as encrypted email, secure messaging platforms, and encrypted file sharing, to protect sensitive information.
Access Control and Authentication: HIPAA mandates strict access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can access ePHI. An MSP can help by:
Implementing role-based access controls (RBAC).- all users in a group and only specific groups get access to specific things
Setting up multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
Regularly reviewing and updating access permissions.
Backup and Disaster Recovery: Data loss can have severe consequences for HIPAA compliance. An MSP can design and implement a robust backup and disaster recovery plan to ensure that ePHI is regularly backed up and can be quickly restored in the event of data loss or a cyberattack.
Security Awareness Training: Human error is a significant factor in many data breaches. An MSP can provide ongoing security awareness training for your staff to:
Educate them about HIPAA regulations and the importance of data privacy.
Teach best practices for identifying and responding to potential security threats.
Conduct regular phishing simulations to test and improve staff vigilance.
Continuous Monitoring and Incident Response: HIPAA requires continuous monitoring of IT systems to detect and respond to security incidents promptly. An MSP can offer:
24/7 monitoring of your IT infrastructure.
Advanced threat detection and response solutions.
Incident response planning and execution to minimize the impact of security breaches.
Benefits of Partnering with a Managed IT Provider
Partnering with an MSP for HIPAA compliance offers several benefits:
Expertise: MSPs have specialized knowledge and experience in healthcare IT and HIPAA regulations.
Cost-Effectiveness: Outsourcing IT management can be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house IT team.
Focus on Core Activities: With IT management in the hands of experts, your medical practice can focus on providing quality patient care.
Scalability: MSPs can scale their services to meet the growing needs of your practice.
Ensuring HIPAA compliance is a complex but essential task for any medical practice. By partnering with a Managed IT Service Provider, you can leverage their expertise and resources to safeguard patient data, mitigate risks, and maintain compliance with HIPAA regulations. This not only protects your practice from potential penalties but also builds trust with your patients, knowing their sensitive information is in safe hands. For medical practices looking to navigate the intricacies of HIPAA compliance, a Managed IT Service Provider like Farmhouse Networking can be an invaluable ally in maintaining the highest standards of data privacy and security.
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. - 2 Corinthians 9:8-10
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
