Consider this – how long can you go without internet access before problems emerge? Chances are, that kind of downtime spells disaster for your business, no matter what industry. Missing deadlines, upset consumers and lost revenue all put your credibility at risk.

Many businesses are dissatisfied with their IT solution, and an erratic check-in schedule may have something to do with it. So, how often do you hear from your IT provider – only when you put it in a service request or once a year at contract renewal time? At Cards Technology, we believe preventing downtime has a lot to do with a predictable and regular check-in schedule, versus contact only when there’s a problem.

Use the following best practices as a guide:

1. Regularity is key – Checking in on a quarterly basis is a great standard. More important than the frequency, though, is that meetings occur at regularly scheduled intervals. As a business owner, you’re busy and juggling many priorities, so it’s tempting to move or cancel meetings. However, these check-ins function as a way to stay ahead of issues, such as anticipated software updates or alerts that equipment may be reaching end of life.

2. Plan for growth – Sometimes your IT provider is the last to know about your growth plans. Opening or moving an office location? Hiring new employees this quarter? Plans for expansion or upcoming changes should be discussed well in advance. Regular, check-in meetings can spark conversations that you may have forgotten to mention. Your IT partner plays a strategic role, helping you achieve your goals and get the most mileage out of your technology infrastructure.

3. Avoid the risks of inconsistent contact – One of the biggest dangers of being out of touch lies in unexpected IT expenses. When something malfunctions, not only do you worry about replacing it, but then there’s the potential for more problems to be uncovered. This leads to technology expenses you can’t avoid and didn’t budget for. Another example is investing in the latest equipment or software, but not working with your IT partner to ensure your existing systems will be compatible, so you can take advantage of all the new features.

Communicating with your IT provider exclusively to put out fires presents missed opportunities for strategic planning. Big picture planning can’t possibly be accomplished if you’re in the middle of getting your broken servers up and running. Think of regular contact like a physical for your IT infrastructure. You don’t want to wait until a problem is hard to treat before taking action.

At Cards Technology, we’re diligent about keeping our check-in meetings on schedule. We value our client relationships and know that getting to know you, and ultimately your goals, will help you avoid downtime and security issues for maximum productivity. If regular check-ins aren’t part of your IT strategy, click here or call us at 410-208-3933 to learn more about our communication process.