Aligned Technology Solutions

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a financial management consulting firm, serving the federal government as a contractor. I’m the director of operations. 

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

They’re our managed service provider for IT support.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve engaged with them for ongoing IT support. They provide support for all of our computers and have a helpdesk open throughout the workday to assist employees that run into computer problems.

They assist us through the helpdesk ticketing system, serving all of our computer and server needs. For the most part, they work completely remotely. If there’s a significant problem with a computer, we may ship it to their office for closer attention from their team. All software-related problems are handled remotely. 

Additionally, they configured our wireless network, handled network cabling, and procured ISP services. If there’s an issue with anything related to IT, we can call them. They’ll handle all conversations with internet providers and manufacturers. When they can correct an issue themselves, they act as a liaison between our team and theirs.  

Recently, they’ve been involved in our CMMC certification. There were several tests they conducted as part of that certification process to ensure that we can manage data safely at our company. During that process, they let us know what we needed to do to pass certain aspects of the test. Their audit readiness services made sure we were always on track to pass.

What is the team composition?

I worked with the owner of the company, the client success director, a head of engineering, and several helpdesk agents. On the certification side, there’s another assigned point of contact in charge of managing that process. 

How did you come to work with Aligned Technology Solutions?

We found them through a Google search for MSP vendors in our area. After seeing their site and services, we reached out and asked them for a sales pitch. At that point, we felt comfortable and confident enough to select them for the work.

How much have you invested with them?

The one-time certification readiness service cost us $20,000. Our annual MSP spend is about $90,000.  

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since September 2014.

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

They’re truly a one-stop-shop for our IT needs. All of our employees have had a positive experience working with their helpdesk agents. They’ve provided stellar services with outstanding responsiveness.    

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

They always follow up with me about open tickets and tasks in progress. We have quarterly meetings over Microsoft Teams.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a very dependable and reliable team that cares about their work. I have complete peace of mind with them as my IT partner. They’re always willing to assist. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think they need any suggestions for improvement. They do their work well. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re a trustworthy partner.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and partner of Information Technology Coalition, a government contractor providing IT and business services.

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

We were looking for IT support. Everything from end-user support, to security and help desk issues.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Aligned Technology Solutions came in and took over our entire internal IT infrastructure. They modernized all of our IT systems, reconfiguring our wireless for internal and guest use, and securing our wireless infrastructure. They gave us access to a help desk as well as remote user support.

The team also conducts ongoing security monitoring to help reduce our threat and vulnerabilities.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with upwards of 20 different people from Aligned Technology Solutions. We’ve worked with various engineers, their executive management team, and help desk folks.

How did you come to work with Aligned Technology Solutions?

When we were looking for a partner, we conducted a broad virtual search. We interviewed about five companies, but the personal attention we received from Aligned Technology Solutions set them apart. They made us feel like we weren’t just going to be another customer, but a partner.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $200,000–$1,000,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since April 2016.

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

Aligned Technology Solutions does a quarterly review with us, which is an analysis of various aspects of the system. We’re able to monitor the technology side of our engagement through that, and we also have strategy meetings. 

The real benchmark of the team’s success, however, is that our corporate office no longer gets calls with IT problems. As a business owner, I’m able to provide my team with the tools they need to be successful. 

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

We’ve honed a very simplified, but well-run process with them. The team comes in, we identify scope and requirements, and do a strong resource allocation with them. Then, with PMP-like processes, we monitor the project from beginning to end.

We’re using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other basic project management tools.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In the four years we’ve worked together, we’ve never had a help desk ticket gone unanswered or a problem unsolved. Aligned Technology Solutions is incredibly responsive and very well-resourced.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re constantly improving, and they’ve done a great job. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a good understanding of your problems, so you can find the right partner to handle those problems. Also, if you look at the cost-benefit analysis between bringing in a company like Aligned Technology Solutions versus internal resources, and you’ll see there’s great value to bringing them on.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner and operating manager of large outdoor recreation facility, The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring.

For what projects/services did your company hire Aligned Technology Solutions?

For many years now, Aligned has been our 'outsourced IT department' providing application support, hardware and security management, and general help desk support.

What were your goals for this project?

Efficient access to quality and up to date IT support. As a small business, it's never made sense for us to try and bring IT in house. We do not have enough year-round needs for a fulltime in-house staff, and we did not want to get locked in on the skill set and experience of 1 inside staff member.

How did you select this vendor?

I worked with the Founders of Aligned in a prior business and had complete trust in their skills and integrity.

Describe the project in detail.

Ongoing application and IT support and periodic IT project management.

What was the team composition?

We generally have a lead person at Aligned who coordinates their staff assets to address our needs.

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

I honestly think of Aligned as a great 'IT Department' that is always on call when needed.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

With very rare exceptions, we ask, they deliver.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We never feel like 'just a client'. Their staff take ownership of projects and problems and efficiently get the job done. I have also been impressed with how personable their staff is. Always easy to communicate with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None that I know of.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Vendor Centric is a management consulting firm that specializes in vendor and contract management. I am the Founder and CEO.

For what projects/services did your company hire Aligned Technology Solutions?

We hired ATS to manage our IT operations which include hardware selection and set-up, virus protection, device monitoring, VOIP and on-demand support services. We also work with ATS on ad hoc projects as needed. We recently used them to help with information security policies and procedures

What were your goals for this project?

Find a one-stop shop for managing and troubleshooting day to day IT stuff, as well as an ongoing resource to help with strategic decisions.

How did you select this vendor?

I had worked with Don and Gar previously and knew of the great work they do.

Describe the project in detail.

1. Managed IT services (device monitoring, virus protection, troubleshooting)
2. Hardware standardization and advice
3. VOIP selection, set-up and support
4. Information Security policy and procedures development
5. On demand help as needed

What was the team composition?

I work with several folks at ATS. Gar is my primary point of contact.

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

I've worked with them for 8 years because of their excellent service and cost effective structure.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Seemless.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Ease of submitting support tickets. Responsiveness. Thoroughness in resolving issues. Flexibility. I'd highlight their friendliness and overall 'good culture'

Are there any areas for improvement?

No

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO of a financial performance company called Foresight CFO.

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

We worked with them to develop the productivity tools that we needed to scale our team successfully and continue allowing our employees to work effectively on our platform.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their team assessed our needs as a company, taking into account where we were at as a business and where we wanted to go, and then came back to us with a set of strategic recommendations.

Those included alternatives around managed IT services that they could provide to us to help our team be more productive. We evaluated those against our financial considerations, and then selected the approach that they then got to work implementing across our team.

What was the team composition?

I mostly worked directly with Gar (Principal & Founder) to coordinate their efforts.

How did you come to work with Aligned Technology Solutions?

I had worked with them at a previous position that we were both at several years ago and was impressed with their capabilities. I reached out to them about this project when the need arose, and they said they could help so we moved forward from there.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our work with them started in 2015, and they continue to provide technology services today.

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

We mostly measure their results by their responsiveness when we run into issues, and often they have somebody working on, if not resolving, the problem within an hour of us putting in the work order.

They are incredibly proactive about maintaining, upgrading, and patching everything so that the technology is never top of mind because it flows so seamlessly. The only issue we ever face is that sometimes individual users have issues with their specific site speed because our team is so spread out, but that’s not on the ATS team.

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

Project management is incredibly smooth with them. When we migrated our nearly 200 users from Microsoft to Google Suite, everything was on time and effective, and they prepared us completely for what to expect and how to navigate that transition. We really have no complaints.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re not just executing requirements; they put technology in the strategic context of where the business is going.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing at all comes to mind that they could improve.