If you’re an Oakland business looking for IT support, you have options – but not all of them are good ones. Here’s how to evaluate providers and find one that actually fits a small business.
What to Prioritize
1. Response Time (Get a Number)
“We’re responsive” means nothing. Ask for their actual average response time. Ours is 30-60 minutes. If theirs is “24-48 business hours,” keep looking.
2. Pricing Model (Flat vs. Hourly)
Flat monthly fee means they’re incentivized to prevent problems (fewer issues = less work for them). Hourly billing means they’re incentivized to let problems happen (more issues = more revenue). Choose flat-rate.
3. Local Presence
Remote support handles 90% of issues. But for the other 10% – hardware replacement, network installation, office moves – you need someone who can show up same-day. Make sure they cover Oakland and the East Bay.
4. Size Match
A provider with 500 enterprise clients won’t prioritize your 10-person business. A solo consultant won’t be available when they’re sick. Find a provider whose typical client looks like you.
5. No Long-Term Lock-In
Any provider worth hiring should be confident enough to work month-to-month. If they require a 2-year contract before you’ve worked together, that’s a red flag.
Questions to Ask
- What’s your average response time? (Get a number)
- Do you outsource any support? (Answer should be no)
- What’s included in the monthly fee? (Should be comprehensive)
- Can you provide a reference from a business my size? (Should be easy)
- What happens if I want to leave? (Should be simple)
We serve businesses in Oakland, San Francisco, and across the Bay Area. 5-250 computers, flat monthly rate, 30-60 minute response. Happy to be one of your conversations as you evaluate options.
Need IT help? Seashore IT provides flat-rate managed IT for businesses with 5-250 computers across the Western US – from auto shops and contractors to law firms and healthcare practices. Call (833) 997-6886 or email info@seashoreit.com.
Seashore IT – Your transparent IT partner, aligned to your goals, embedded in your success.