Top Questions to Ask Before Hiring an IT Partner
1. What industries do you specialize in?
Choose an IT provider with experience in your field. A partner familiar with legal, financial, or healthcare operations will better understand your compliance requirements and workflow needs.
2. Are you based in Atlanta or have a local presence?
You want someone who understands the local business environment—and can respond quickly when needed.
3. What does your onboarding process look like?
A good IT partner will start with a full network assessment, documentation of assets, and a clear action plan.
4. Do you offer proactive monitoring and maintenance?
Managed IT isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s about preventing them before they impact your business.
5. How do you handle cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity should be a core part of any IT strategy, not an afterthought.
Ask about:
– Firewall and antivirus solutions
– Email filtering and phishing protection
– Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
– Backup and disaster recovery plans
– Security awareness training
6. What does your support process look like?
How do you submit a ticket?
What’s the average response time?
Do you offer help desk support during business hours and after?
7. Can you help us with compliance (HIPAA, PCI, CCPA, etc.)?
If you’re in healthcare, finance, law, or retail, compliance is critical. Choose a partner that actively helps you maintain and prove compliance.
8. Do you offer flat-rate pricing or charge per issue?
Flat-rate managed services are predictable and scalable. Break-fix pricing can balloon out of control during emergencies.
9. Will we have a dedicated account manager or vCIO?
A virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) or account manager provides strategic IT guidance aligned with your business goals.
10. What is your client retention rate? Can we speak with references?
Happy clients stay. Ask for testimonials, case studies, or a few current clients you can call.
11. What happens if we want to leave your services?
Understand the cancellation policy, data handover process, and documentation ownership. A good provider will make offboarding just as smooth as onboarding.
Bonus Tips: What Else Should You Look For?
✔️ Scalability: Will the provider grow with your business as you hire more staff or open new locations?
✔️ Cloud expertise: Can they manage Microsoft 365, Azure, or other cloud services securely?
✔️ Onsite + Remote Support: Do they offer both for flexibility and fast issue resolution?
✔️ Cyber Insurance Guidance: Some providers can help you navigate policies or meet insurance IT requirements.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
• Lack of documentation or transparency
• Slow response times
• One-size-fits-all service packages
• No proactive planning or reporting
• No backup or disaster recovery plan
• Poor online reviews or no testimonials
Final Checklist Before You Decide
Here’s a quick rundown to help you compare vendors:
| Criteria | Vendor A | Vendor B | Vendor C |
| Local presence in Atlanta? | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ |
| 24/7 support? | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ |
| Cybersecurity included? | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ |
| Industry expertise? | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ |
| Compliance support? | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ |
| Flat-rate pricing? | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ |
| Client testimonials? | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ / ❌ |
Choosing TrueITpros: Atlanta’s Trusted Managed IT Partner
At trueITpros, we specialize in helping Atlanta-based businesses in law, finance, healthcare, construction, and other key industries succeed through tailored IT and cybersecurity solutions. With local support, flat-rate pricing, compliance expertise, and 24/7 monitoring, we’ve got your back.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
To learn more about how trueITpros can help your company with Choosing the Right IT Partner in Atlanta: Key Questions to Ask, contact us at www.trueitpros.com/contact
