Question 1

What is included in the flat-rate pricing?

Accepted Answer

Our approach is based on implementing controls that cover the majority of risks in a cost-effective manner. To oversimplify, we want your computers, data, and cloud accounts operational, productive, secure, and backed up. All plans start with the same foundations: - Systems (Computers and Servers) are managed, patched, and updated. - Data is backed up to the cloud (from Computers, Servers, and Microsoft 365). - EDR (a step up from Next-Gen Antivirus) monitors all systems for malware. - MDR gives 24x365 SOC monitoring to respond rapidly to incidents on systems or cloud accounts. - We offer licensing for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. - Our email security suite protects against spam, phishing, and malware sent via email. - All of your staff receive engaging Cybersecurity Awareness Training (On-Demand and Live available) - Secure network configuration and monitoring, fueled by real-world live threat data. - Technology selection, procurement, and deployment. - Lifecycle guidance and budget estimations. - General technology consulting. Expert Support: Managed or Co-Managed - Managed IT: We provide frontline Helpdesk service and on-site support. Perfect for clients without an on-staff IT person. - Co-Managed IT: Your on-staff IT person provides frontline Helpdesk service (with our provided toolset). We handle infrastructure and big picture items as well as escalations they need assistance with. Perfect for clients who already have on-staff IT.

Question 2

How does pricing work and what factors into it?

Accepted Answer

There are four factors that determine the price a client pays: 1. The size of the client environment (Number of users, workstations, servers, and locations). Larger environments yield a lower per-seat cost (since our fixed licensing costs are diluted more across the seats). 2. Whether the client chooses Managed IT or Co-Managed IT. If we are providing Helpdesk support (Managed IT), then the cost is somewhat higher than if we are only providing licensing, tooling, monitoring, and infrastructure support (Co-Managed IT). 3. Any compliance requirements the client has. Meeting compliance standards is an intensive endeavor and requires ongoing validation. 4. Contract term. Longer term agreements come with a discount for services. Nevertheless, all clients (regardless of contract term) enjoy our 60-day guarantee: We want you to love us. If at any point in the first 60 days you decide we aren't the right provider for you, just let us know. We'll let you out of your contract and assist with transitioning your environment to another provider of your choosing.

Question 3

How do you handle cybersecurity and do we still need Cybersecurity Insurance?

Accepted Answer

Certainly, it is possible to spend an infinite amount of money on security and still have an incident - so that's not a practical option. We must approach cybersecurity with real-world business constraints and budgets in mind. Our philosophy is to "measurably reduce cyber risk over the next two years." Beyond that horizon, technology is likely to change quite a lot and so we reassess controls continuously based on emerging threats. Our approach is to address the most common, pressing, and impactful threats facing your business. From phishing to ransomware to email compromise, and beyond. We implement controls to detect, prevent, and recover from the ever-changing landscape of threats facing businesses. In fact, we implement for customers the same tools and technologies we use here at Laramie HQ. We also believe that all businesses should have dedicated cybersecurity insurance. The stakes are too high, the damage too significant, and the cost of insurance is low enough to make it a no-brainer.

Question 4

How do you handle transitioning from our current provider?

Accepted Answer

We'll work happily and professionally with your current provider to collect documentation, remove their toolset, and deploy our own. Ideally, every provider would be professional and every transition would be easy. However, there does exist the possibility that an existing provider may choose not to cooperate. It complicates the process, but the technology environment is yours, not theirs, and we can handle any level of cooperation from the previous provider. At the end of the day, we are accountable for making the transition as easy and non-disruptive as possible. Our team has experienced many such transitions and has the expertise to make it happen.

Question 5

Can you handle our rapid growth?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. I built Laramie around the concept that an MSP should only provide products and services that help clients meet their needs for today, and enable their growth for tomorrow. You shouldn't have to rip-and-replace everything every time your team grows. Technology is the foundation upon which every modern business operates; it is a critical component for success in every business from restaurants to retailers, banks to brokerages. We're here to help you realize high ROI on your technology investment by ensuring it improves productivity and security while keeping costs under control.

Question 6

What could go wrong when switching providers?

Accepted Answer

Typically there are only two big issues that we run into: 1.) If the previous provider chooses not to cooperate and provide documentation and credentials, it slows the onboarding process down while we work to gain management of certain systems. 2.) When removing management and security tools from the previous provider and deploying a new toolset, it's commonly necessary to reboot devices. We'll schedule this for after-hours and work with you to test endpoints to ensure that everything works as expected. We've got the experience and knowledge for handling these situations and will keep you informed every step of the way.

Question 7

I've never used an MSP before. What should I expect?

Accepted Answer

You started a business to do what you love (and make some money at it!) - not to learn how to be an IT professional. Add to that the ever-increasing threat of cyber attacks and one could quickly find themselves playing the role of 'full-time IT person'. We take all of that on. We manage everything, support your team, help you decide where to make investments in new technology and advise where it would be money wasted, help you control IT costs, and give you a path forward. In other words, it's like having an entire corporate IT division on speed dial.

Question 8

When does it make sense to hire an internal, on-staff IT person?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this varies widely by business, but generally I advise using the 100-employee mark as the point where clients should seriously consider hiring a full-time IT person. However, for very complex environments, an IT person might be necessary much sooner. I know of one business with 40 staff and 1 is a full-time IT professional. Conversely, I've seen businesses as large as 140 staff function using only outsourced IT. When we notice that a client would benefit more by insourcing part or all of the IT functions, we advise them of that. We can still provide infrastructure support and licensing and even help train and onboard an IT specialist for a client.

Question 9

What is the smallest size client you work with?

Accepted Answer

Generally we only work with businesses who have 10 or more staff/systems. However, we are open to taking on smaller clients who are a good fit and are anticipating growth. While we have worked with micro businesses, we find that their ROI starts to make the most sense around 10 employees.

Question 10

Do you have a satisfaction guarantee?

Accepted Answer

We want you to love us. If at any point in the first 60 days you decide we aren't the right provider for you, just let us know. We'll let you out of your contract and assist with transitioning your environment to another provider of your choosing. No sweat, and no hard feelings! It's that easy. For clients moving to a new provider, we'll securely transfer to the new provider all documentation, access credentials, and other information needed for a seamless transition. We'll coordinate their toolset deployment and our toolset removal so systems aren't left unsecured along the journey. We do this because we believe is it our duty as technology professionals to put our clients' needs first in every stage of our relationship.

What will managed IT cost your business?

How our pricing works