Surprise technology bills, emergency repairs, and the high expense of an in-house IT team create a constant strain on business budgets. For owners aiming to grow while staying in control of expenses, these unpredictable costs aren’t just an annoyance—they can derail plans, erode trust, and limit your business’s ability to invest in what really matters.
Why In-House IT Costs So Much
Maintaining your own IT staff is far more expensive than it first appears:
Salaries and Benefits: A modest in-house IT team for a 40-employee business can run upwards of $192,600 per year—about $402 per user per month. This includes wages for technicians, managers, and benefits that typically add 31% or more to the base salary.
Recruitment and Training: The average cost-per-hire for IT roles is about $4,700, not counting the 8 to 26 weeks of ramp-up time. Added to this are regular education costs needed to keep skills up to date in a rapidly changing tech landscape.
Overhead: Beyond staff, you’re paying for hardware, software licenses (ranging from $500–$18,000 monthly), space, insurance, PTO, and infrastructure.
Turnover: IT has one of the highest turnover rates in any industry. Every time someone leaves, you lose critical knowledge and must bear the cost of recruitment, onboarding, and lost productivity—sometimes as much as 200% of annual salary for that position.
Why Unpredictable IT Costs Threaten Your Business
Budget Surprises: Emergency fixes, one-time service charges, and unclear contracts can cause your monthly expenses to swing wildly, making it impossible to forecast cash flow or plan for the year ahead.
Productivity Losses: Downtime due to system failures not only costs thousands in lost business per hour but also damages your reputation and relationships.
Reactive Spending: Fixing problems as they arise is always more expensive than proactively maintaining equipment or systems. Without a predictable monthly IT plan, you’re forced to “rob Peter to pay Paul” when something inevitably breaks.
Take Action: Steps to Regain Control
Conduct an IT Audit: Know exactly what you’re spending, where, and why.
Distinguish Must-Haves: Separate essential services from legacy software or non-critical expenses.
Move to a Managed IT Model: Managed IT services typically cost just $125–$220 per user per month, offering budgeting clarity and reducing surprises.
Schedule Reviews: Revisit IT budgets quarterly and adjust for business changes early.
Consolidate Vendors: Limit the number of external suppliers so that responsibility is clear, and costs are contained.
How Farmhouse Networking Can Help
Farmhouse Networking partners with you to:
Uncover Hidden Savings: Our audits often find areas to cut unnecessary costs.
Flat-Rate Managed IT: We offer comprehensive support—including monitoring, proactive maintenance, cybersecurity, and strategy sessions—for one predictable monthly fee.
Quarterly Reviews and Strategic Planning: Stay ahead of risks and keep your IT spend aligned with your business goals.
Hands-Off Vendor Management: Eliminate redundant contracts and ensure every dollar spent delivers real value.
Ready to End Unpredictable IT Spending?
Take charge of your IT budget and redirect savings to initiatives that drive your business forward. Contact Farmhouse Networking to schedule your complimentary IT cost assessment.
Imagine this: Your trusted IT staff member, the backbone of your business’s technology, needs a well-deserved vacation or calls in sick. Suddenly, your entire operation is at risk—projects stall, security gaps widen, and stress levels spike. For many business owners, this scenario is all too familiar. Relying on a single person for all IT needs can lead to burnout, costly downtime, and vulnerabilities that threaten your success.
Why Co-Managed IT Is the Smart Solution
Co-managed IT is a partnership that blends your in-house IT expertise with the resources and experience of a dedicated IT provider. This approach ensures there’s always IT support, so your business never misses a beat. Here’s why it matters:
Avoid the costs and risks of being understaffed or overburdened.
Gain a trusted team monitoring and managing your systems.
Your IT staff focuses on day-to-day operations and business-specific needs.
The co-managed provider handles monitoring, backups, cybersecurity, and complex projects.
Both teams communicate and collaborate, ensuring seamless coverage and peace of mind.
Practical Steps to Get Started with Co-Managed IT
If you’re ready to future-proof your business, here’s how you and your IT department can take action:
Assess Your Current IT Workload: Identify areas where your IT staff feels stretched thin or lacks specialized expertise.
Pinpoint Critical Systems: List essential operations and data that must remain secure and accessible at all times.
Open the Conversation: Discuss with your IT staff how external support could relieve pressure and enhance performance.
Research Co-Managed IT Providers: Look for partners with a proven track record, strong communication, and a collaborative approach.
Develop a Transition Plan: Work with your chosen provider to outline roles, responsibilities, and communication channels.
How Farmhouse Networking Can Help
Farmhouse Networking specializes in co-managed IT solutions tailored for businesses like yours. We work alongside, not replace, your internal IT team by offering:
24/7 monitoring and rapid response to keep your systems running smoothly.
Advanced cybersecurity to protect your data from evolving threats.
Expert support for complex projects and technology upgrades.
Seamless collaboration that empowers your staff and maximizes efficiency.
Our approach ensures your business is never vulnerable—whether your IT staff is on vacation, out sick, or simply needs an extra set of hands.
Ready to Safeguard Your Business?
Don’t let a single absence put your business at risk. Email us today to discover how Farmhouse Networking can help you achieve uninterrupted operations, reduce IT stress, and drive your business forward with confidence.
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.
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.
Farmhouse Networking (FHN) is constantly looking for ways to enhance the services that we offer to our clients. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are two technologies that have emerged to streamline this process.
FHN uses automation to manage tasks that are typically performed manually, such as system configuration, software installation, and server maintenance. By automating these tasks, FHN can prevent human error and ensure that their clients’ systems remain up to date and secure.
In addition, FHN uses AI to monitor clients’ systems for potential issues, such as hardware failure, security breaches, or performance issues. AI-powered systems can analyze data to detect patterns or anomalies that may indicate a problem, allowing FHN to act quickly based on this laser focused data to prevent downtime or data loss.
Contact us today to learn how Farmhouse Networking can future-proof your network with our innovative maintenance solutions.
The role of Information Technology (IT) in business success cannot be overstated. IT systems and infrastructure form the backbone of modern businesses, facilitating communication, data management, and efficient workflow. From managing customer databases to ensuring network security, IT plays a crucial role in driving productivity and competitiveness. However, many businesses make the mistake of relying on a single IT guy to handle all their technological needs. In this article, I will discuss the risks associated with this approach and the importance of adopting a team-based approach to IT support.
The risks of relying on a single IT guy
Lack of expertise and knowledge
When you rely on a single IT guy, you are limited to their individual skills and expertise. While they may be knowledgeable in certain areas, they may not possess the breadth of knowledge required to handle all aspects of your business’s IT infrastructure. IT is a vast field that encompasses various domains such as network administration, cybersecurity, software development, and hardware maintenance. By relying on a single guy, you risk missing out on specialized expertise that could greatly benefit your business.
Limited availability and support
Another significant risk of relying on a single IT guy is limited availability and support. IT issues can arise at any time, and if your IT guy is unavailable or overwhelmed with other responsibilities, it can lead to significant downtime and disruptions in your business operations. With a single point of contact, you may have to wait for extended periods before your IT issues are resolved, resulting in decreased productivity and potential financial losses.
Single point of failure
Relying on a single IT guy also means that your business is vulnerable to a single point of failure. If your IT guy falls ill, takes a vacation, or leaves the company, you may be left without any IT support. Singular IT techs often don’t have the time or resources to properly document procedures and critical passwords, so when they go this information is lost. This can be particularly problematic during critical times when you need immediate assistance. Having a backup plan or a team of IT professionals ensures that your business operations can continue uninterrupted, even if one person is unavailable.
The impact of downtime on business operations
Downtime can have severe consequences on your business operations. Every minute your systems are down translates to lost revenue, missed opportunities, and frustrated customers. According to a study conducted by Gartner, the average cost of IT downtime is $5,600 per minute. Imagine the financial implications if your IT guy is unavailable for an extended period. With a team-based approach to IT support, you can minimize downtime and ensure swift resolution of any issues, thereby safeguarding your business’s success.
The importance of a team approach to IT support
Adopting a team approach to IT support offers numerous benefits for your business. Firstly, it provides a diverse set of skills and expertise that can be leveraged to address various IT challenges effectively. Each team member brings their unique knowledge and experience, allowing for comprehensive and well-rounded support. Additionally, with a team, you have the advantage of increased availability and faster response times. By distributing responsibilities among team members, you can ensure that someone is always available to address your IT needs promptly.
The benefits of outsourcing IT support
Outsourcing IT support is a viable solution for businesses looking to avoid the risks associated with relying on a single IT guy. Outsourcing allows you to tap into a pool of talented professionals with specialized expertise in different IT domains. Moreover, outsourcing IT support can often be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time IT staff, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. By partnering with an external IT support provider, like Farmhouse Networking, you can access a wide range of services, including network monitoring, cybersecurity, data backup, and software maintenance, all while enjoying the benefits of a dedicated team.
Finding the right IT support provider
Finding the right IT support provider is crucial to ensuring a successful and secure IT infrastructure. When evaluating potential providers, consider their experience, track record, and the range of services they offer. Look for certifications and qualifications that demonstrate their expertise and commitment to quality. It is also essential to assess their responsiveness and availability to ensure that they can meet your business’s IT needs promptly. Ask them about their record keeping habits, make sure they document everything and keep your information secure with industry standard protocols. By conducting thorough research and seeking recommendations, you can find an IT support provider that aligns with your business goals and requirements.
By adopting a team-based approach to IT support or outsourcing your IT needs, you can mitigate these risks and ensure a successful and secure IT infrastructure. Don’t get stuck when your IT guy no longer responds; contact us to experience the comfort of having a team look after your business IT. With the right IT support provider, you can focus on growing your business while leaving your technological needs in capable hands.
We have received numerous inquiries from potential customers regarding our pricing structure. Specifically, they want to know if we offer monthly contracts or if we charge an hourly rate. The answer is Yes.
Hourly Rate
For customers who require a one-time fix or need a project completed, we offer a service based on an hourly rate. Our rate for remote or on-site work that is not covered under a contract is $150 per hour. We bill in 15-minute increments and take pride in our efficiency. For clients with more than 2 service requests per month, we highly recommend signing up for a contract to save money and benefit from our expert oversight.
Monthly Contracts
There are three types of monthly contracts:
Remote Maintenance Contract
This is the package that most of our clients choose. It includes automated maintenance, cyber security protections, and unlimited remote support. Since most problems and questions can be handled remotely, this package offers real value.
Full Service Maintenance Contract
This package is for clients who want complete peace of mind. It includes all services, whether remote or at their offices. Additionally, it provides some additional benefits, such as top priority in our support queue.
Co-Managed IT Contract
This special package is designed for companies that already have a full-time IT employee or IT service companies in need of extra help. It provides them with the necessary automations and tools to make their jobs easier, allowing them to focus on what matters. This package also includes a discount on our remote and on-site services.
All contracts are based on a per-device model, taking into account the number of workstations, printers, servers, switches, etc. on the client’s network. We use this model because the other popular model, per user, is too vague and can easily hide excessive profit margins. Contracts can be month-to-month or a yearly commitment. The difference is that with a yearly commitment, you are protected from price increases for the entire year. We also offer many optional add-ons for our clients, such as Office 365, Employee Security Training, Penetration/Vulnerability Scanning, Mobile Device Management, Compliance, Secure Remote Access, and Security Operations Center.
Are you looking for reliable IT support that suits your business’s unique requirements? Look no further! Our flexible pricing options cater to businesses of all sizes. Whether you require one-time assistance or ongoing support, we have the right plan for you. Ready to take your business IT support to the next level? Contact us today to discuss your needs and find the perfect plan for your business.
Managing IT can be a daunting task, especially for businesses that lack dedicated IT personnel or the expertise to handle today’s complex technology. In recent years, more and more organizations have recognized the benefits of outsourcing their IT management to Managed Service Providers (MSPs).
What is an MSP?
A Managed Service Provider, or MSP, is a company that offers a range of IT services to businesses. These services can include network monitoring, infrastructure management, data backup, cybersecurity, and more. By partnering with an MSP, businesses can offload their IT responsibilities to professionals with deep expertise and industry-best practices.
The Challenges of Self-Managed IT
Self-managing your IT can be a significant challenge. Here are some of the common pain points that organizations face:
Lack of Expertise: IT is a complex and ever-evolving field. Keeping up with the latest technologies, security threats, and best practices can be overwhelming, especially for businesses without dedicated IT staff.
Resource Constraints: Managing IT requires time, manpower, and financial resources. Small and medium-sized businesses often struggle to allocate these resources effectively, leading to inefficiencies, downtime, and security vulnerabilities.
Limited Scalability: Growing businesses often find it difficult to scale their IT infrastructure to meet increased demand. Self-managing your IT environment may require significant investments in hardware, software, and additional staff, which can strain budgets and hinder growth.
Cybersecurity Risks: Data breaches and cyber-attacks are on the rise. Without proper security measures in place, businesses face significant financial and reputational risks. Implementing and maintaining robust cybersecurity protocols can be challenging for organizations without the necessary expertise.
The Benefits of MSP-Managed IT
Switching to an MSP-managed IT environment offers several benefits:
Expertise and Support: MSPs have a team of experienced professionals who specialize in different aspects of IT management. They stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices, providing businesses with access to a breadth of knowledge and expertise.
Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance: MSPs utilize advanced tools and technologies to monitor your IT infrastructure 24/7. They identify potential issues before they become critical, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operations.
Scalability and Flexibility: MSPs provide scalable solutions tailored to your business needs. Whether you’re experiencing rapid growth or need to downsize, an MSP can quickly adapt your IT infrastructure to meet changing requirements without additional investments or resources.
Enhanced Security: MSPs employ robust security measures to protect your systems, networks, and data from cyber threats. They implement industry-standard security practices, conduct regular security audits, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
Cost Savings: By outsourcing IT management to an MSP, businesses can reduce the overhead costs associated with maintaining an in-house IT department. MSPs work on a subscription-based model, allowing organizations to pay for the services they need, when they need them.
Strategic Planning: MSPs can act as your virtual chief information officer providing project planning services that keep IT spend spread across the years to make the IT budget easier to manage.
Consider making the switch to an MSP today and unlock the benefits of professional IT management, contact us to get started.
In the ever-evolving world of IT support, two strategic approaches have emerged to address the needs of businesses – vCIO (Virtual Chief Information Officer) services and break-fix services. Each of these approaches has its own merits and drawbacks, making it crucial for businesses to carefully consider which option best aligns with their goals and IT requirements. So, let’s dive into the comparison between vCIO services and break-fix services and find out which one takes the crown!
vCIO Services: Unleashing the Power of Proactive IT Management
The vCIO model offers businesses a cost-effective and strategic solution to IT management, delivering benefits far beyond simple problem-solving. Here’s a breakdown of what vCIO services bring to the table:
Strategic Technology Planning: A vCIO provides a long-term roadmap for your IT infrastructure, aligning it with your business objectives. They assess your current technology landscape, analyze potential risks, and develop a comprehensive IT strategy to ensure your technology infrastructure drives success.
Proactive IT Monitoring and Management: By constantly monitoring your systems, a vCIO can detect and address issues before they turn into full-blown disasters. They implement proactive measures, such as 24/7 system monitoring, patch management, and security audits to keep your IT environment optimized and secure.
IT Budgeting and Procurement: A vCIO helps you streamline your IT budget by aligning your investment with your business goals. They provide insights into cost-effective technology solutions, negotiate contracts with vendors, and manage IT procurement to help you make informed decisions while optimizing your spending.
Technology Vendor Management: Collaborating with multiple technology vendors can be time-consuming and complex. A vCIO acts as a single point of contact for all your technology vendors, managing relationships and ensuring smooth coordination between various stakeholders.
Break-Fix Services: The Traditional Firefighter Approach
Break-fix services have long been the go-to approach for businesses seeking IT support on an as-needed basis. Here’s a closer look at what break-fix services bring to the table:
Issue-Specific Support: Break-fix services are designed to address specific IT issues as and when they arise. This approach involves fixing problems after they occur, reacting to incidents rather than proactively managing your systems.
Limited Scope of Support: Break-fix services typically focus solely on resolving immediate technical issues. While they can provide quick fixes, they do not offer strategic planning or ongoing support to help prevent future issues or optimize your IT infrastructure.
Variable Costs: Break-fix service costs can be unpredictable, as you are billed per incident or hourly basis. This makes budgeting and financial planning more challenging, especially if you encounter frequent or recurring IT issues.
Less Focus on Prevention: With break-fix services, the emphasis is on remedying existing problems, leaving behind the potential for other underlying issues to remain undetected, ultimately leading to more costly and time-consuming problems down the line.
The Verdict: vCIO Takes the Throne!
While break-fix services may have their place in certain scenarios, vCIO services offer a more comprehensive approach to IT management, aligning your technology with your business goals and providing ongoing support. The proactive nature, strategic planning, and cost optimization provided by vCIO services make it the winning solution for businesses looking to stay ahead of the ever-changing technology landscape. So, without a doubt, the crown firmly sits on the head of vCIO services!
If your company is tired of just calling your IT service company when things are broken, then contact us for vCIO services.
Read this report from PricewaterhouseCoopers based on a survey of over 2,000 business leaders and took it as confirmation of our recent blog post about Why SMBs Need Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Here are some takeaways from the article:
Takeaways:
“Companies that use MSPs for strategic advantage are 1.6 times and 2.4 times more likely to be faster to market as well as more innovative than those focused solely on cost savings, according to the report.”
“Organizations utilizing managed services at a mature level use them to respond more adroitly to changing conditions and potential threats.”
“Most business and IT leaders recognize the pace of innovation is occurring faster than their internal IT teams can absorb. There is always going to be some type of skills shortage. Those skill shortages are ones that MSPs are in the best position to fill.”
If your company is looking to outperform in the marketplace, then contact us to start a partnership.
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
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