MCL Managed IT

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director at Camrose Regional Exhibition. We’re an event venue that operates in Camrose, Canada. We rent out event space and decor for events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MCL Managed IT?

Since we’re a nonprofit, we don’t require full-time IT support. We were looking for someone who could provide IT support to a six-person office on a contract basis from another location.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MCL Managed IT supports us remotely, but they can also assist us in the office if we need them. As an event venue, we have a lot of WiFi usage, so they ensure that all stays in good working condition. Security is also a big issue, so they make sure that our data is protected because we have a lot of client data.

They’ve also analyzed the current hardware and software and made recommendations. They’ve gone forward with some suggestions and purchased the ones we accepted. Usually, they send us a quote with the best solution for the problem we’re facing. We can go back and ask for more details before we accept the quote. Then, they ship the equipment directly to us and get on phone support to install it. If it’s a major installation, they come out personally to do it.

What is the team composition?

We regularly work with about four people. Anybody we talk to understands our network, products, and the services we require. We don’t have to wait for one specific person, which is helpful.

How did you come to work with MCL Managed IT?

We searched on Google for IT vendors and came across them. We had an IT person that recommended them as well. Additionally, we read some positive reviews and interviewed them. They checked out all the boxes, so we were happy to work with them.

How much have you invested with them?

Our monthly retainer is around $700.

What is the status of the engagement?

We began working with them in July of 2021, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The quality of the work is better than we could’ve ever hoped for; it's 100% better than our previous IT vendor. Moreover, there has been a massive decrease in our downtime. We’ve reduced it by about 70%, so we get good value for our money.

How did MCL Managed IT perform from a product management standpoint?

We always know where we stand; they communicate with us and let us know the progress. They’ve delivered all the projects before the deadline and under budget. Also, they check systems and make recommendations even if there are no requirements. We feel we’re being taken care of; it’s the same as having an IT person on staff.

We have great relationships with the team. Our communication is usually via email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They want to understand our company and develop a relationship with us. MCL Managed IT is a partner in our business rather than a supplier. They want to understand all our challenges. Even if they’re not currently working on it, they keep it in mind when recommending solutions. All in all, they’re always forward-thinking, which sets them apart.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there are none. They're great.

Any advice for potential customers?

Be very upfront with what you require and understand what you need out of your supplier. If you're looking for somebody who cares about your business as much as you do, then MCL Managed IT is a home run for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of security, IT, and process manager of a licensed cannabis grow facility.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MCL Managed IT?

We needed help with managed IT services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MCL Managed IT started with us from the ground up, designing our computers and the computer-based programs we’d use. They also help with any programming we need, from licensing our label makers to the Ample program we use to track seed. Additionally, they’ve helped us to do our complete setup with the camera security system; they’ve installed a system called Gallagher.

They offer onsite and offsite services; we can call them anytime, and they log in and fix anything on the spot. Also, they’ve come out to our location several times to do repairs and change servers.

For our label-making program, they’ve set us up with Adobe Illustrator and taught us how to use it. We also have scan guns, printers, readers, and other things they’ve set up onsite for us.

What is the team composition?

They all work with us. If we call, we get put through any one of their techs.

How did you come to work with MCL Managed IT?

I was an RCMP officer and heard about Ross (Owner). He was an RCMP member as well.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $250,000 CAD (approximately $181,000 USD) so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them around July 2017, and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Compared to other companies we've used, hooking up with MCL Managed IT has been amazing. We hadn’t realized that bandwidths and other IT-related things affected how fast items are processed. They’ve sped up everything for us and changed our whole system around.

How did MCL Managed IT perform from a project management standpoint?

They've met every deadline; they’ve even exceeded them because there’s no wait time. MCL Managed IT provides their services right then and there.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We don’t have to wait. If we have a problem, we can call them day or night, and they log in and fix it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there are none.

Any advice for potential customers?

Communicate with them. Tell them what you need and what you're looking for.