CIO Technology Solutions

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CIO and Principal of Sabine Systems, Tampa

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide enterprise software solutions residing on hybrid cloud architectures.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire CIO Technology Solutions to accomplish?

• We needed a managed IT partner that could handle both the everyday support our users need and more complex infrastructure work. Before we worked with CIO Technology Solutions, response times were inconsistent, we had recurring issues, and I did not feel confident in our backups or overall cybersecurity posture. The goal was to have a local Tampa MSP take over Microsoft 365 management, user support, networking, and security so we could reduce downtime and plan ahead instead of constantly putting out fires.

SOLUTION

How did you find CIO Technology Solutions?

Referral

Why did you select CIO Technology Solutions over others?

• High ratings
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from CIO Technology Solutions were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We looked at a few simple things. Ticket resolution times improved, users reported fewer recurring problems, and we have had less unplanned downtime. When issues do happen, they tend to get resolved faster and with better communication.

From a security point of view, backups, endpoint protection, and patching are in a better place than they were before, and that gives leadership more confidence. Overall productivity has improved because people are spending more time on their actual work and less time waiting on IT fixes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

After CIO Technology Solutions took over, I estimate downtime related to IT issues dropped by around 30 percent, and average ticket resolution times improved by roughly 40 percent. Those are rough numbers, but they match what we see in day-to-day operations.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their project management and communication have been solid. They are clear about scope, timing, and maintenance windows, and they give realistic expectations instead of overpromising. During projects, they keep me updated on progress and next steps.

For day-to-day support, the live answer help desk and follow up from their engineers make it easy to know where things stand.

What was your primary form of communication with CIO Technology Solutions?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The consistency stands out the most. The help desk answers the phone, the engineers are knowledgeable, and they are willing to schedule work during off hours when we need to avoid disruption. They feel more like an extension of our own team than a vendor that just shows up when there is a problem.

They also understand the needs of Tampa Bay businesses, which helps when we talk about growth, security, and compliance.

Are there any areas for improvement or something CIO Technology Solutions could have done differently?

There is nothing major that comes to mind. No IT relationship is perfect, but CIO Technology Solutions has been open to feedback and has worked with us to straighten out anything that needed adjustment.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Chemical Dynamics manufactures liquid nutritional products for commercial agriculture, golf courses, and lawn care, offering both branded and private label solutions nationwide.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CIO Technology Solutions?

We wanted to improve the reliability and response time of our IT support. Our previous provider struggled to keep up with day-to-day issues, and it was starting to slow down our staff.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We hired CIO Technology Solutions to manage our IT, Microsoft 365, servers, and network with the goal of reducing downtime, improving communication, and keeping everything running smoothly so our team could stay focused on work instead of tech problems. When we first switched to CIO Technology Solutions, they took over all of our existing systems and made sure everything was set up correctly. They helped clean up our Microsoft 365 environment, updated user accounts, and improved how our network and servers were configured. They also tightened up our security settings and backups, which gave us a lot more peace of mind. Since then, they've handled ongoing maintenance, updates, and user support so everything stays secure and runs smoothly.

What is the team composition?

We work with 2–5 teammates from CIO Technology Solutions.

How did you come to work with CIO Technology Solutions?

We found them through a referral. We chose them because they had high ratings, their pricing fit our budget, they had a great culture fit, they offered good value for the cost, and their company values aligned with ours.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2025, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The biggest difference has been how much faster things get resolved. Before, it could take days to get a response from our old IT provider, but now most issues are handled the same day, often within an hour. We've also had far fewer recurring problems with our network and Microsoft 365 since they took over. Our team isn't losing time waiting on IT anymore, and everything just runs more smoothly overall. We've had a 10% increase in productivity because the time it takes to complete work has been reduced.

How did CIO Technology Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management has been great. Everything during the transition went smoothly, and they kept us updated the whole time. Any tasks or changes they planned were completed when they said they would be, and communication was always clear. They make it easy to stay on top of what's happening without having to chase anyone for updates.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What stands out the most is how attentive and easy to work with their team is. They take the time to understand how we operate and fix things the right way the first time. Whenever we reach out, they already know our setup and follow through until everything is working perfectly. It really feels like they're part of our own team instead of an outside company.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, not much. Everything has gone smoothly, and their team has been great to work with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the controller of Crosstree, a boutique investment banking firm specializing in advisory and capital raising services for middle-market companies in pharmaceutical services, diagnostics, and digital health within the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CIO Technology Solutions?

We needed to strengthen our IT reliability and security and improve how we manage and access data for reporting. In investment banking, we rely on accurate and timely information, so one of our key goals was to make our Power BI reporting faster and more consistent. Additionally, we wanted a dependable IT partner in Tampa who could handle day-to-day support, protect sensitive client information, and give us confidence that our systems were secure and running efficiently.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

CIO Technology Solutions manages our ongoing IT support and security across the firm. Their scope includes Microsoft 365 management, data backup, email protection, networking, device maintenance, and 24/7 monitoring.

For project work, they’ve handled the setup of a SQL Server in Azure to power our Power BI reporting. The main deliverables have been a project plan, configuration, testing, and a smooth handoff to our team.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with six teammates from CIO Technology Solutions.

How did you come to work with CIO Technology Solutions?

We found them through an online search. We chose them over other IT service providers because of their local Tampa presence, fast response during the intro phase, and ability to explain things in simple terms. Their references were strong, and they gave us a clear plan.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in April 2022, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The biggest measurable improvement has been in how quickly and reliably we can generate reports in Power BI. Our reporting time has dropped significantly, and the data refreshes are consistent every day. We’ve also seen a noticeable reduction in IT issues and downtime after CIO Technology Solutions took over support. Response times are 15% faster, and our internal team spends 10% more time focusing on client work and less time troubleshooting. Overall, system performance and reliability have both improved, which has made a real impact on our daily operations.

How did CIO Technology Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

CIO Technology Solutions’s project management has been organized and easy to follow. They set clear expectations from the start, kept us updated throughout each stage, and made communication simple. Every milestone has been met on time, and the final delivery has matched exactly what was outlined in the plan. Their team has stayed proactive and made sure we never had to ask for status updates. For communication, we use email and phone calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What has stood out the most is how easy they make everything. CIO Technology Solutions communicates clearly, responds quickly, and follows through on what they say. They take technical issues and explain them in plain terms, which makes it simple to make decisions. Their team feels like an extension of our own staff, and the consistency of their support sets them apart from other IT providers we’ve worked with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, nothing stands out. The project has gone smoothly from start to finish, and their team has handled every detail professionally. They’ve been proactive, clear in their communication, and delivered exactly what was promised. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

 I'm the president of a company that manufactures power equipment for the electric utility market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CIO Technology Solutions?

 We needed IT support with a help desk that would answer the phone and increase our cybersecurity.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

 CIO Technology Solutions handles all of our IT support, Microsoft 365, networking, and cybersecurity. The team has implemented several cybersecurity measures designed to reduce threats.

What is the team composition?

 We work with 10 teammates from CIO Technology Solutions.

How did you come to work with CIO Technology Solutions?

 Someone referred CIO Technology Solutions to us. We chose them because they had a good reputation and were located close to my company.

What is the status of this engagement?

 We started working with them in January 2016, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

 CIO Technology Solutions has reduced cybersecurity threats and downtime by 20%. We measured uptime after the project and compared it to the previous numbers. We also tracked the number of cybersecurity incidents and breaches, which also reduced.

How did CIO Technology Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They deliver on time. We communicate with them through phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

 CIO Technology Solutions always answers the phone, and their techs are very knowledgeable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

 No, they have adapted quickly as our needs have changed.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president of a boat manufacturing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CIO Technology Solutions?

We wanted to stay secure and keep our systems running smoothly.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

CIO Technology Solutions manages our IT, network, and security. We can call them up and get any IT problem solved. They keep our network running and have even done a project to connect two of our buildings together with a wireless connection. Additionally, they handle our cybersecurity.

What is the team composition?

We work with two teammates from CIO Technology Solutions.

How did you come to work with CIO Technology Solutions?

We found CIO Technology Solutions through a referral. They had a good reputation.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2019, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We've seen a reduction in cybersecurity incidents to zero. The Security Operations Center reports blocking multiple attempts, and before working with CIO Technology Solutions, we didn't have this visibility. We've also noticed a 40% decrease in workload regarding IT. Since CIO Technology Solutions is handling our IT, we can do 40% more work on boats.

How did CIO Technology Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

CIO Technology Solutions delivers on time and has great communication. We communicate via email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

CIO Technology Solutions has a lot of expertise and explains things very well. They make us understand in real-world terms. They've gotten me out of jams many times.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren't any.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of operations for a financial planning company that works with high net worth individuals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CIO Technology Solutions?

We needed help increasing our security, providing help desk support, and creating backup systems.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

CIO Technology Solutions provides help desk support, backups, and increased cybersecurity. The team manages our workstations and provides security software.

What is the team composition?

We work with two teammates from CIO Technology Solutions.

How did you come to work with CIO Technology Solutions?

We found them through a referral. We chose them because they were responsive and familiar with the financial industry.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in October 2020, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’ve increased our productivity by 15% by not having to do IT support internally. We’ve also seen a reduction in cybersecurity threats; we used to have more than three incidents before working with CIO Technology Solutions, and now we have fewer than two.

How did CIO Technology Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

CIO Technology Solutions delivers on time and is very thorough. We communicate via phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They always answer the phone.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren't any.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an inventory accounting specialist for TruPharma, an FDA-compliant private label distributor.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire CIO Technology Solutions to accomplish for TruPharma?

We needed support for all aspects of IT, including cybersecurity, to reduce the workload and increase productivity.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

CIO Technology Solutions handles our ongoing IT support and cybersecurity. Their work includes Microsoft 365, desktop support, web hosting, cybersecurity, and backups.

What is the team composition?

We work with five teammates from CIO Technology Solutions.

How did you come to work with CIO Technology Solutions?

We found them through an online search. We chose them over other options because they were trustworthy and personable.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2012, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’ve had zero cyberattacks, a 25% reduction in workload, and a 5% reduction in Microsoft 365 spending over the course of our engagement with CIO Technology Solutions. We use a SIEM to verify that we’re not being attacked. We’ve also been able to measure workload KPIs to find out the 25% reduction. Additionally, we’ve analyzed the Microsoft invoice to see the 5% reduction.

How did CIO Technology Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re always available and reliable to fix our issues on time. We communicate via email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very personable and trustworthy. They do exactly what they say.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we’ve even had employees visit their office to visually check to ensure it’s up to standards.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of operations at a third-party property management company specializing in multifamily properties.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CIO Technology Solutions?

We needed help with IT support, management, and cybersecurity.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

CIO Technology Solutions provides outsourced IT support and helps us become compliant with cybersecurity standards. The team also ensures our Microsoft 365 solution is set up properly and secure. The team has implemented and secured Microsoft 365, handles all IT support requests, and ensures our cybersecurity is up to date.

What is the team composition?

We work with 10 teammates from CIO Technology Solutions.

How did you come to work with CIO Technology Solutions?

Someone referred them to us. We chose them because they’re very personable and knowledgeable.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2023, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Our productivity has increased by 20% due to not having to deal with IT support requests. Additionally, we’ve reduced our IT budget by 50% thanks to the outsourced IT support.

How did CIO Technology Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

CIO Technology Solutions is timely with all requests and delivers the results we need to complete our operations in a timely manner. We communicate via email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re always able to get someone on the phone 24/7. Moreover, they’re very knowledgeable and personable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

A more modern reporting solution would be advantageous.