FAQs

Learn how we keep your people productive, your enterprise running, and your data safe.

About Waident

Strategy

Security

Support

Technology

Extra Credit

About Waident

Why we suck less—The Waident Way

My current and last IT partner kind of sucked. How do I know you will be better?
Because we suck less! We do get this question way too often. The standard of service for a lot of IT providers is unfortunately pretty low. No easy answer, but after talking with us you get a pretty good idea of our culture and how we will take great care of you
How are you different than Best Buy’s Geek Squad?

Well, we are not geeks to start off. We are similar in some ways but the Best Buy Geek Squad is mainly tech focused and we are people and business focused.

How many clients do you have?

Over 110 and growing

What is the background of your support team?
Our team’s backgrounds vary widely. Most have previous jobs in other functional areas of business. They’ve moved into IT to feed their passion. Ultimately, we hire for this characteristic because this more “people-oriented, not tech-oriented” well-rounded perspective versus your typical “IT Geek” persona is a key to delivering Resilient IT.
Do you receive commissions or fees from hardware or software providers?

Yes, sometimes we do.

Are you a Microsoft, IBM, or (fill in the blank) certified partner?

Yes, we partner with Microsoft, Dell, Fortinet, Palo Alto, and a host of other top companies

I’m not very technical. Will I be able to get help and not feel stupid?

Of course.

When I speak with a technician, will I need a translator to go from techno-speak to something I can understand?

Nope. Our team is well versed in business speak and we keep the tech speak to the bare minimum.

Do you just support businesses in the Chicago/Milwaukee area?

We support clients across the country. Many of our clients have headquarters in Chicago or Milwaukee areas but have offices in other states/cities. We support them as well.

Is my business too small for you to work with?

Possibly, but we do support very small companies. The question is do you need what we do?

What certifications does your team have?

The team is certified in Microsoft, Cisco, Network Plus, and other high end security platform certifications.

Is Waident equipped to handle the unique needs of my business?

Great question! We are a perfect fit for some companies and not a good fit for some companies and others. Let’s talk. If we can’t help you, we’ll tell you and recommend someone who can.

How do you charge? Hourly, monthly, retainer?

Many of our clients pay a fixed monthly fee for unlimited support and others pay us using a block-of-hours arrangement.

Why should I hire you instead of hiring an IT employee?

GREAT question. Sometimes it does make a lot more sense to hire an IT person instead of using a 3rd-party IT partner. There’s not a single best answer for this one since every company has different business models, strategies, budgets, expectations, and needs.

What makes you different from other IT firms?

We’re a disciplined, process-driven, and a little weird. We focus on your people and your business first, THEN the IT.

What capabilities does Waident have?

We are an IT outsourcer with expertise in strategy, security, and support. Visit our Solutions page for details.

How long has Waident been in business?

Since 2004

What does Waident do?

Waident is an IT outsourcer that helps pragmatic SMBs reduce the frequency, duration, severity, and cost of the inevitable IT fiasco.

Acting as your proactive and responsive IT function, we deliver the strategy, security, and support that keeps your people productive, your enterprise running, and your data safe.

How are techs assigned to tickets?

All tickets go through a centralized dispatch process and then assigned to the appropriate technician.

Does Waident supply a full-time, on site employee?

Yes, definitely, if that is what you need.

How many employees does Waident have?

20+ and growing

Do you have after hours and weekend hours?

Yup. No one works 9 to 5 any more. We have an on call team nights and weekends to help.

What are your hours?

7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST.

Is your team made up full-time employees or outsourced contractors?

All full-time employees.

What happens if my key tech leaves? This has happened before and it was like starting all over.

There’s no drama when this happens at Waident. First, this is a rare event for us, but when it does, since we document everything and work in teams, there is never the chance of someone walking away with everything in their head causing support problems.

Strategy

How we help you connect your business goals and technology.

What is a TBR?

A TBR (Technology Business Review) is a meeting with our clients to discuss a host of technology and business related items. Security, risks, helpdesk reports, backups, best practices, and the list goes on.

What do you do to ensure I have redundancy built-in to my systems?

We look at all of the systems to determine if there is an option for redundancy and we discuss it with the client. We implement anything we can and do testing when possible.

Do you help with Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity planning?

You bet.

Do you do any kind of training?

No, not really any kind of formal training. We do a lot of group information sharing on topics like security, Office 365, working remotely, etc. These are very interactive, peer-driven with some IT guidance.

How do you handle the transition from my current provider to you?

With as much grace as possible to minimize disruption. We have a comprehensive onboarding process that helps reduce the complexity and ensures a smooth transition.

Will you work with my 3rd-party vendors?

Absolutely. You contact us and we handle the rest.

Is Waident equipped to handle the unique needs of my business?

Great question! We are a perfect fit for some companies and not a good fit for some companies and others. Let’s talk. If we can’t help you, we’ll tell you and recommend someone who can.

I’m concerned about my network environment, what can we do to make sure I’m up to speed?

We do a comprehensive review of the infrastructure as a part of our onboarding process. You will know all of the things you are doing right, your risks, and the upgrades that should take place.

Security

Learn how we keep your enterprise running and your data safe.

Can you help with cyber security?
Absolutely. We have been helping clients with security for years and long before it became the thing to do for all IT providers. Security is deep in our culture and DNA.
How do you help prevent a Ransomware breakout?
We worry about Ransomware infections and manage for it. We have robust processes in place to help prevent a ransomware attack and if it does happen, you can recover quickly
Are you a Microsoft, IBM, or (fill in the blank) certified partner?

Yes, we partner with Microsoft, Dell, Fortinet, Palo Alto, and a host of other top companies

Who are your strategic partners?

We have a lot of strategic partners for nearly all aspects of business. Shoot me an email and I bet I’ve got guy or gal that can help

Can you block non-corporate application from working?

Definitely. As a part of our security platform our management tools can whitelist or blacklist applications as needed.

What do you do to ensure I have redundancy built-in to my systems?

We look at all of the systems to determine if there is an option for redundancy and we discuss it with the client. We implement anything we can and do testing when possible.

Can you help recover a stolen laptop?

Actually we can and have done this for a client. Funny story we can share when you have 10 minutes.

Can you support my custom applications?

Certainly. We have a lot of clients who have custom applications. We are the first line for all troubleshooting needs and help with setup.

Do you monitor my servers and other critical systems?

Absolutely. We monitor and alert on all critical systems. Servers, internet, websites, applications, anything critical to your business.

Do you help with Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity planning?

You bet.

How do I know if my backups are reliable in case I ever need them?

Test them! We test all backups on a regular basis to ensure they are working properly and we give the client a report.

How do you know if my IT is secure?

If we manage your security, we will have reports that demonstrate you’re as secure as possible.

How do you handle the transition from my current provider to you?

With as much grace as possible to minimize disruption. We have a comprehensive onboarding process that helps reduce the complexity and ensures a smooth transition.

Is my data safe and secure?

We work hard to make that happen. Any data that we hold is redundant, secure, and regularly tested to ensure proper cyber security best practices. However, keeping client data safe and secure requires the client company to follow good security best practices–unfortunately, too many companies do NOT.

I have concerns that my company isn’t doing enough to be secure

You are probably correct. We work with clients to educate them on cyber security best practices and take actions needed to make the environment more secure.

I’m concerned about my network environment, what can we do to make sure I’m up to speed?

We do a comprehensive review of the infrastructure as a part of our onboarding process. You will know all of the things you are doing right, your risks, and the upgrades that should take place.

Support

The key to keeping your people productive.

How do I submit support tickets?

Super easy with an email or phone call. You can even use our Helpdesk portal if you really want to.

Can I schedule a time for someone to help me?

Yes, definitely.

Do I need to be at my computer to have someone remotely help?
Nope. In fact if we need to work on your computer, we even ask if there is a good time to help while you are away so we do not disrupt your work.
Do you make house calls?

You bet.

Do you specialize in any industry or technology?

Not particularly.

Do you support phones (BYOD)?

Yes.

What is a TBR?

A TBR (Technology Business Review) is a meeting with our clients to discuss a host of technology and business related items. Security, risks, helpdesk reports, backups, best practices, and the list goes on.

Do you design/build/maintain websites?

No, sorry. We can help support them but we refer website development and maintenance to one of our strategic partners.

Are you a Microsoft, IBM, or (fill in the blank) certified partner?

Yes, we partner with Microsoft, Dell, Fortinet, Palo Alto, and a host of other top companies

Who are your strategic partners?

We have a lot of strategic partners for nearly all aspects of business. Shoot me an email and I bet I’ve got guy or gal that can help

Will you help me buy new equipment?

Any time. We lead the charge when needed to determine the best equipment and will order it using the best option for the client.

Will you help me buy a new computer for home?

You bet.

Can you help recover a stolen laptop?

Actually we can and have done this for a client. Funny story we can share when you have 10 minutes.

Do you help with smartphones, tablets, and other gear like that?

Of course. All makes and models.

Can you support my custom applications?

Certainly. We have a lot of clients who have custom applications. We are the first line for all troubleshooting needs and help with setup.

Can you help with printers and copiers?

Sure. We help set them up and troubleshoot when needed. If there is a need to contact service we handle that.

Do you monitor my servers and other critical systems?

Absolutely. We monitor and alert on all critical systems. Servers, internet, websites, applications, anything critical to your business.

Do you help with Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity planning?

You bet.

Do you do any kind of training?

No, not really any kind of formal training. We do a lot of group information sharing on topics like security, Office 365, working remotely, etc. These are very interactive, peer-driven with some IT guidance.

Can I get an accurate inventory of all of my computers?

Yes you can. Our technology management platform can run an inventory report any time you need one.

What if I want somebody to come to my office instead of supporting me over the Internet or phone?

Just ask! We can schedule someone to be onsite.

How do you handle the transition from my current provider to you?

With as much grace as possible to minimize disruption. We have a comprehensive onboarding process that helps reduce the complexity and ensures a smooth transition.

Will you work with my 3rd-party vendors?

Absolutely. You contact us and we handle the rest.

What hardware do you cover?

Pretty much anything you have or need-desktops, laptops, servers, monitors, cameras, phones–even drones.

What software do you support?

For the most part, anything off-the-shelf that you have from Windows to CRM to HR. Most of our clients have at least one proprietary or unique application. We work closely with the manufacturer and build documentation which often allows us to become experts and support the platform.

Explain the remote support service — will I get the same high quality support?

We help clients remotely not just because we can (i.e. it is easier for us and cost effective for clients) but because we can normally handle it much faster without compromising our high customer service level. It is a win/win.

I see you have 4 locations, will the techs assigned always be nearby?

We work in teams so even if the local tech is not available right away we will get someone else on the team to help.

What if I don’t want to speak to a person when I call support?

Um, then maybe you should email a helpdesk ticket in   : )

Or we also give you the option to leave a voicemail when calling the Helpdesk.

If I call for support, will I speak with a person?

That’s the goal!

Does Waident supply a full-time, on site employee?

Yes, definitely, if that is what you need.

After I submit a ticket, how long do I have to wait for someone to work on my issue?

We try to be as responsive as possible and get back to all users within 15 minutes depending on the priority. Service-level response times vary depending on the agreement type.

What if I have an issue that needs to be addressed immediately ?

Sh*t happens so we are ready for when it does. Just call our Helpdesk line or send an email to our urgent team and we will help you right away.

Do you repair computers?

We don’t run to your office with a bag of tools, but we do work with the manufacturer to get the repair done.

Will I be able to review my tickets?

Yes. We give clients access to the same Helpdesk ticket system we use so they can see details of the tickets if they want to.

Technology

Are you a Microsoft, IBM, or (fill in the blank) certified partner?

Yes, we partner with Microsoft, Dell, Fortinet, Palo Alto, and a host of other top companies

Who are your strategic partners?

We have a lot of strategic partners for nearly all aspects of your business. You can see them on our Partners page. We don’t share all of them for security reasons. Shoot me an email at jahlberg@waident.com and I bet I’ve got a guy or gal that can help.

Do you specialize in any industry or technology?

Not particularly.

Do you support phones (BYOD)?

Yes.

Will you help me buy a new computer for home?

You bet.

Will you help me buy new equipment?

Any time. We lead the charge when needed to determine the best equipment and will order it using the best option for the client.

Do you help with smartphones, tablets, and other gear like that?

Of course. All makes and models.

Can you support my custom applications?

Certainly. We have a lot of clients who have custom applications. We are the first line for all troubleshooting needs and help with setup.

Can you help with printers and copiers?

Sure. We help set them up and troubleshoot when needed. If there is a need to contact service we handle that.

Do you monitor my servers and other critical systems?

Absolutely. We monitor and alert on all critical systems. Servers, internet, websites, applications, anything critical to your business.

Do you help with Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity planning?

You bet.

Can I get an accurate inventory of all of my computers?

Yes you can. Our technology management platform can run an inventory report any time you need one.

Will you work with my 3rd-party vendors?

Absolutely. You contact us and we handle the rest.

If I need to order equipment, will you help with that?

You bet. We do this all of the time.

Do you repair computers?

We don’t run to your office with a bag of tools, but we do work with the manufacturer to get the repair done.

Extra Credit

Last but not least, answers to your uncategoricable questions 

Can I get a copy of my IT documentation any time I want?
You better believe it! Documentation is key to Resilient IT. To make it easy for clients, we share our documentation platform with our clients so they have access to the same documents we have. We are the authors, but it is your documentation.
How do you ensure that when I hire a new employee that everything is done before their first day?
Process, process, and process. It is not rocket science but if you have a good process in place and a checkoff sheet, amazing things can happen. The last thing anyone wants is to hire a new employee and look bad because their computer is not setup correctly.
How do you keep my documentation up to date?

Lots of constant effort! We work in teams so that goes a long way to make sure the documentation is always up to date.

Can I get access to the ticketing systems to see all of my employee requests?

Yes. Many of our clients have access to our Helpdesk platform so they can see all of the tickets and notes that we do. Transparency.

I’m not very technical. Will I be able to get help and not feel stupid?

Of course.

Can I get an accurate inventory of all of my computers?

Yes you can. Our technology management platform can run an inventory report any time you need one.

Why do I need a CIO?

Any function that has strategic impact on the business needs someone looking forward. Without high-level perspective and deep knowledge, companies just react to the business’ day-to-day needs whether that’s people, products or IT.

Does Waident supply a full-time, on site employee?

Yes, definitely, if that is what you need.

Why Do Clients Choose Waident?

100 Reasons Why Our Clients Chose Waident Over Other MSPs

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