ThinkTek

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm an accountant at James F. Hundshamer, CPA. We provide payroll services, bookkeeping, and general accounting services to small businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SouthcoastIT?

Accounting firms are often a target for criminal activities, so we wanted to find a vendor who would take care of our security and keep our servers up-to-date.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

SouthcoastIT makes sure all of our systems are up-to-date and running properly. If our servers go down or if there is an issue with electricity, they resolve the problem immediately. That is very important to us, especially during the tax season, because we can't afford to have downtime.

We used to be on individual computers, and SouthcoastIT has built us an entire server. This helps us work more efficiently because the speed and functionality have improved significantly.

What is the team composition?

We mostly work with Will (Director, SouthcoastIT), who has a team underneath him.

How did you come to work with SouthcoastIT?

We were working with another vendor, but that company dissolved. SouthcoastIT consisted of former employees from our original vendor that we had built trust with, so we reached out to them, and they were ready to help us. We felt comfortable with them, and their rates were competitive, so we decided to hire them.  

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in February 2012, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're happy with everything, and we can be confident that our data is secure. We're located in a small city that has a lot of issues with electricity. Matt personally comes on site to provide backup, so we have everything up and running, even when the rest of the city has no power.

How did SouthcoastIT perform from a project management standpoint?

They're great communicators and have quick turnaround times. Also, they're very responsive, so we've never had to wait more than 24 hours for them to get back to us. Their documentation is very accurate. The prices they give us upfront are the prices we pay.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're knowledgeable and know our systems very well. They immediately know if something will work out for us, even when we're just discussing the problem on the phone. Sometimes, we want to go in one direction, but they'll push us in another direction that works better for our company and will save us money. Also, they have a very personable approach, so we've been able to establish a positive relationship with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything. Their customer service is excellent.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of operations for Pacific Home Loans. We’re a licensed mortgage lender that operates in 19 different states across the country.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SouthcoastIT?

We needed to update our IT infrastructure with a uniform computer system, a secured network, and more reliable connectivity.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They conducted a thorough review of our current server and system at no cost, then provided a checklist of items that we could improve. We implemented all of SouthcoastIT’s suggestions. They reconfigured our network and upgraded our on-site systems. Now, our infrastructure is faster, more secure, and in line with our industry’s best practices. They even helped us renegotiate our deal with our internet service provider for not only internet access but also our phone systems.

What is the team composition?

I worked with the owner and an internet specialist.

How did you come to work with SouthcoastIT?

We found them through a Google search, and they had stellar reviews. We had just run into a huge issue with our current IT system. The SouthcoastIT team sent a representative to our office within 30 minutes and went above and beyond to help us. Then, we chose them to help with the rest of our IT needs.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent less than $10,000. We pay about $900 a month.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2018, and we’re on a monthly contract with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our new IT infrastructure is about two times better than our old system in terms of speed and reliability.

How did SouthcoastIT perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re outstanding. They address all of our needs quickly and follow up with reports on all of their work.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re knowledgeable and prompt. They handle everything we task them with as soon as possible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’re extremely professional. We’ve worked with five different IT companies, and SouthcoastIT is by far the most communicative and responsive.

Any advice for potential customers?

Clients should ask all of their questions. They have the resources to help.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of McKee & Company. We’re a retail furniture and interior design firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SouthcoastIT?

We brought SouthcoastIT (SCIT) on to manage and maintain our network, servers, and computers.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to reduce costs and streamline services without compromising our hardware’s quality or functionality.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We had some in-house IT experience, so we were looking for the right company to partner with.

Describe the project in detail.

They maintain all our hardware and provide ongoing IT support and recommendations as we grow.

What was the team composition?

We work with Will (Director, SouthcoastIT).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Will has been outstanding. He has a great depth of knowledge and knows how to allocate dollars to maximize service without skimping on quality.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It’s been excellent.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their breadth of knowledge and alignment with our objectives have been outstanding.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The only area I could identify is response time. It’s very good, but not outstanding. All critical issues have been handled immediately, though.