Insights
Straight answers about small-business IT in Dallas
What things cost, what to ask, how to switch providers, how to wire an office and how to keep a dental or law practice out of trouble. Written by the person who does the work.
Results
How much do managed IT services cost in Dallas?
Small-business managed IT in the Dallas market is commonly quoted around $100 to $175 per user per month. Here is what that buys, what moves the number, and how to get a quote you can trust.
Questions to ask before hiring a managed service provider
Seven questions that separate a good IT company from a good sales pitch, what honest answers sound like, and the red flags I would walk away from myself.
How to switch IT companies without downtime
Switching IT companies does not have to cost you a day of work. Read your agreement, collect what you own, overlap the two providers, then cut over on a quiet afternoon.
Office move IT checklist for Dallas businesses
The IT side of an office move, laid out by timeline: what to order eight weeks out, what to label four weeks out, what to test the week before, and what to check on the first Monday.
What does structured cabling cost for a Dallas office?
Cabling is priced per drop, and the drop count, the ceiling, the distance to the IT room and the building rules move the number more than the cable itself. Here is how to read a quote and get an accurate one.
HIPAA-compliant IT for dental offices in Dallas
The HIPAA Security Rule's administrative, physical and technical safeguards explained in plain language, what a risk assessment actually is, and how a single-location Dallas dental office gets there affordably.
Hire an internal IT person or use an MSP?
A full-time IT hire is the right move for some Dallas businesses and an expensive mistake for others. Here is how to tell which one you are, and what your options are if the salary is out of reach.
Hourly vs monthly IT support: which is cheaper?
Hourly support looks cheaper until you count the hours nobody calls about. Here is the break-even math with my published rates, the hidden costs on both sides, and how to pick for your office.
How to compare IT support quotes for a small business
IT quotes rarely arrive in the same shape. Here is how to put them side by side, find the costs outside the monthly fee, and decide what a fair price looks like for a 20-person Dallas office.
Month-to-month vs annual IT contracts: which is better?
For most small businesses a month-to-month IT agreement is the better deal, because it keeps the provider accountable every month. Here is when an annual contract can still make sense, and what to read before signing either.
Per-user vs per-device IT pricing: which is better?
Per-user pricing wins when each person uses two or more devices. Per-device pricing wins when computers are shared or outnumber people. Here is how to work out which one fits your office.
Signs you need to change your managed service provider
Slow callbacks, repeat problems, backups nobody has restored and a bill that grows while the service shrinks. Here are the signs it is time to move, and how to judge a provider that is doing fine.
What a managed IT services agreement usually includes
Before you sign a managed IT agreement, know what is normally covered, what is billed separately, and which clauses decide whether you can leave. Here is the whole document in plain English.
What a small business should budget for IT each year
An IT budget is five buckets, not one line. Here are the buckets, typical yearly ranges per employee, a sample budget for a 10-person Dallas office, and where owners overspend and underspend.
Have a question these did not answer?
Ask me directly. If it is a good question I will probably write the article.