Protek-IT

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the deputy director of the Chicago Bungalow Association, a nonprofit organization. We assist homeowners with technical and energy-efficient solutions for their homes.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Protek-IT?

We needed to update our workflow and daily operations, including our database because we wanted to migrate to remote and on-site work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Protek-IT helped us with IT Services. They updated our software and hardware, including larger screen monitors. In addition, they modernized our database with a new program. Moreover, their services included security, troubleshooting, and hosting efforts.

What is the team composition?

We worked mainly with around three members of their team, including data specialists and project leads.

How did you come to work with Protek-IT?

I found them through online research when looking for local providers.

How much money have you invested in this partnership?

We invested $20,000–$25,000 with them on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from February–June 2022. Currently, they’re only monitoring our system in case anything comes up.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We became 100 times more efficient as an organization since they came and redesigned our database. Overall, they improved our workflow, saving us a lot of time working with old technology.

How did Protek-IT perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was timely and communicative — every step was straightforward, and they ensured to keep us informed throughout the engagement. We had weekly meetings that were fun, seamless, and empathic with our concerns throughout the process. Regarding tools, we used Microsoft Teams and online meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We liked the relationship we developed with them because engaging with them was always pleasant. In addition to that, they went above and beyond working after hours to accomplish our pending work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I didn’t think there was anything they could improve on — I recommend them to any nonprofit trying to become more updated with their technology for their workflows.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a lawyer and the owner of a law firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Protek-IT?

In 2018, I was working with a different IT company, and I thought they were great, but everything went downhill very quickly. Unfortunately, at the time, I was moving my office into my home to make it a home office, which created a disaster. Thus, I needed a new IT partner rapidly.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Firstly, Protek-IT helped me solve the IT issues I had with my office’s relocation. They came over, learned about my systems, answered my questions, and explained the different options I had for the equipment and upgrades I needed because what I currently had was insufficient for my business.

From there, they were in charge of the entire office system setup, which included helping me buy and install the hardware and software needed. Although I thought I would work with Protek-IT for this one-off project, our relationship evolved, and they’ve been handling my IT needs ever since.

What is the team composition?

I’ve interacted with 5–6 people from Protek-IT over the years, including the person who handled the system setup project and another person who usually answers when we call their help desk.

How did you come to work with Protek-IT?

They were referred to me by someone else who had worked with them before.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $20,000–$25,000, including the costs related to the initial setup and the hardware we had to buy. Currently, I pay a very reasonable monthly fee for their ongoing support.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around Q1 2018, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What was the scope of their involvement?

Firstly, Protek-IT helped me solve the IT issues I had with my office’s relocation. They came over, learned about my systems, answered my questions, and explained the different options I had for the equipment and upgrades I needed because what I currently had was insufficient for my business.

From there, they were in charge of the entire office system setup, which included helping me buy and install the hardware and software needed. Although I thought I would work with Protek-IT for this one-off project, our relationship evolved, and they’ve been handling my IT needs ever since.

What is the team composition?

I’ve interacted with 5–6 people from Protek-IT over the years, including the person who handled the system setup project and another person who usually answers when we call their help desk.

How did you come to work with Protek-IT?

They were referred to me by someone else who had worked with them before.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $20,000–$25,000, including the costs related to the initial setup and the hardware we had to buy. Currently, I pay a very reasonable monthly fee for their ongoing support.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around Q1 2018, and our engagement is ongoing.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and president of Unipaq, a packaging designer and provider. Our core product line consists of protective packaging, stock packaging, and decorative tins.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with PRO - Technology Professionals?

Our e-commerce website for our tin products was really outdated and was failing miserably, so we needed someone to build a brand new website for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

PRO built our website and migrated our old Joomla site to a new platform. They got the breadth of our product lines, our sales process, ordering process, shipping, and delivery. They even provided us with great suggestions on how to improve and streamline our process, which we’ve gotten tremendous feedback on.

Furthermore, they made the website more user-friendly for our customers. We’ve got about nine categories of tins and accessories that users can just click on and order easily.

What is the team composition?

I talked with Florian (CEO & IT Consultant), but I was assigned to Laura (Help Desk Technician) who was our point person in the development.

How did you come to work with PRO - Technology Professionals?

PRO had done great work for me in the past, and I go back with Florian probably as long as I’ve been in the business. I chose them because they were responsive, practical, and economical — they also had very competitive pricing.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March–August 2021. We’re up to speed with how the site’s going, and not it’s just a matter of marketing and touching up some photos.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

One of our newest customers who came on board and spent around $60,000 with us last year, told us that they loved the new site, and they’re looking forward to doubling their spending with us this year. 

How did PRO - Technology Professionals perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great from a project management standpoint and were really receptive to our requirements. We’ve had conference calls with the PRO team through Zoom, where we would screen share, provide feedback, and send screenshots; it was a pretty simple way of communicating.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with their professionalism. PRO was the easiest company to work with compared to the ones I’ve dealt with in the past. They were very clear about what they needed, and they gently reminded us about delays — I really appreciated their polite way of pushing us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be hard for me to find what I was disappointed in. They provided me with a very fair price for what they built, so I’m really happy.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would advise staying in touch with them and provide their team with everything you possibly can. PRO values every little piece of information, whether it’s a photograph, product description, or even your process. Give them feedback and address every concern so they can help you with suggestions you might not even consider.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a real estate company that specializes in real estate investment, property management, and construction.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with PRO - Technology Professionals?

We needed someone who could take care of our IT needs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They run all of the IT support we need. They take care of our QuickBooks, alarm systems, tracking systems, payroll systems, and anything else that’s computerized. They’re also my go-to team in case I need to help me point in the right direction whenever I’m looking for a certain kind of software for our business.

In terms of providing prior documentation, we helped them with whatever information we could give them, and if we didn’t understand some of our IT needs, they’d do the research themselves. They also did wireless networking for us; I own a house in Costa Rica, and they set up everything so I can be able to work seamlessly from there by putting all my information in the cloud.

What is the team composition?

We work with Casey (Help Desk), Florian (CEO), and Laura (Help Desk). There are 4–5 people involved in the project.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $105,000 with them so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2014, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The fact that we’ve kept them so long in our business shows that their IT services have been positive. They take care of our needs, and they’re up to date with the new stuff that comes around. 

How did PRO - Technology Professionals perform from a project management standpoint?

They perform great. Whenever I have a problem, I send them an email to what they call a ‘’repair desk’’, they issue a ticket, and somebody from their team calls me back to remote in on my computer and fix my issue. Whenever I want to talk to them, I can give them a phone call on a first-name basis to handle any situation we have going on.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I think their customer service is what stands out the most about them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s something they can improve on — they’re absolutely fine. 

Any advice for potential customers?

I think that developing a personal relationship with the owner is important.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder, chairman, and CEO of a new technology startup in Chicago that is six and a half years old and on the verge of launching. We’re a global company and we’ve been developing a new methodology in the shipping container intermodal world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with PRO - Technology Professionals?

A year or so after we started, we needed to have everyone in our company phase into using Microsoft 365. As we grew and began to have multiple people working globally, we wanted to have a more unified platform with security and software versioning. We decided to stay on the Microsoft platform and work with PRO - Technology Professionals to add layers of security against suspicious phishing activities. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We consider PRO - Technology Professionals as our remote IT department and as our general networking consultants. They do everything from 24/7 customer service to maintaining and updating the Microsoft license agreements for all of our users. They’re growing their services as we grow. 

Right now, we’re still using our own computers, but in our next phase of growth, we will probably move towards company-owned PCs. The team currently has remote access to our machines should we need servicing, and they’ve installed software that sends notifications back to them if it detects malware. In our second phase of growth, we will be exploring Salesforce for new business pipeline tracking.

What is the team composition?

Between phone calls and the website, they have around 8–10 people, and we’ve been in touch with six or more members in the last six months. We’ve worked with Florian (CEO) and he’s got an account manager for us as well as people manning the helpdesk, migration, and other aspects of the project.

How did you come to work with PRO - Technology Professionals?

I researched small IT support groups in Chicago and added a filter for those who specialized in Microsoft 365 Office Suite. I found maybe three companies that fit the description within a 30-minute Google search. PRO - Technology Professionals was also on a reviews platform similar to Clutch, where they had high scores.

I called PRO - Technology Professionals and was impressed with Florian, who walked me through their services and what they could and couldn’t do for us. From a size perspective, they were a good fit for our startup and Florian seemed very hands-on with his team.

When we met with them, they gave us their price and were very flexible on negotiation since we’re a startup. Their attitude during the whole process was very positive and supportive. Besides us being convinced that they knew Microsoft Office very well, PRO - Technology Professionals knew what we were looking for in terms of security and protecting our files. 

I’m a pretty fast decision-maker and the team’s customer service, bedside manner, and flexibility on pricing made them an easy choice compared to the other two finalists.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $10,000 for getting and installing all the software. We’ve also paid $1,500 a month, so for the last 12 months, we’ve spent $18,000. All in all, we’ve invested $25,000–$30,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with PRO - Technology Professionals around April 2020 and we’re still on a rolling contract with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

PRO - Technology Professionals easily cut the number of phishing emails in half. We now get less than 50% of what we used to. Prior to their involvement, we also had three breaches where people were identifying themselves as legal employees but were not. Since they came on board last year, however, we’ve had zero cases of that. 

There is a 90% approval rating among our users. Everyone on our team, including the VP of operations who also decided to hire PRO - Technology Professionals, has given very positive feedback. We had one employee who did keep blaming the protocol, but that was entirely his fault as PRO - Technology Professionals responded and did everything correctly. 

How did PRO - Technology Professionals perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve reached out to all 18 of our employees, including the people set in other countries with 12-hour time differences. PRO - Technology Professionals has been very accommodating to work with people in India and China to make sure that everyone in our company, even those not in the US, gets the same level of customer service.

They have an automated ticketing system where support usually follows up in two hours. When I feel anxious and bypass the system to call the owner directly, they answer immediately. They’ve been very responsive, even for mild inquiries, and never seem to be irritated when we reach out to them. 

PRO - Technology Professionals are very good at identifying who on their staff is handling any given project or task. They have assigned different people for managing the security, Microsoft Office Suite, the database, and the Helpdesk, and each of those members have given us their contact information.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Customer service and a strong knowledge of Microsoft distinguish PRO - Technology Professionals from other providers. They know the platform inside and out and are really good resellers and service providers for it. They always understand what we’re trying to accomplish on Microsoft as a small company. 

Florian is a good guy and all his people are very personable. It could be due to their size or their company culture, but they’ve never given us attitude. We’ve never encountered friction or challenges with them. They never hesitate to jump on a Zoom call to help us out, which is much better than exchanging 30 emails to try to explain the problem. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could use better marketing. As a person who’s spent 30 years in marketing, I believe they can do better in terms of their website if they want to attract more business. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be shy in getting to know Florian and each of the members of PRO - Technology Professionals. It would be good to invest some time in building a relationship with them becuase they’re good people, and it will pay off later on.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the office manager for an insurance agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with PRO - Technology Professionals?

We needed help managing our IT needs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’re our key technology partner. They helped us move offices and did our whole IT setup, including computers and equipment. The team comes in about once a quarter. They also came in the day our Xerox machine came and helped us set it up, too.

What is the team composition?

I work with 3–4 people from their team.

How did you come to work with PRO - Technology Professionals?

I learned of them through someone who worked with our office around a decade ago.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend around $2,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2010, and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They always get back to us right away. They’re very easy to work with.

How did PRO - Technology Professionals perform from a project management standpoint?

There have been times where I’ve come in the morning and my computer won’t turn on, and they’re able to get to our office within the hour. We just email or call to keep in touch.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very efficient and get back to us very quickly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing I can think of.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

No, they’re just easy to work with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the office manager and fringe fund disbursement coordinator for a labor union representing iron workers in the Portage, Indiana area.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Protek-IT?

We needed help with a complete overhaul and update of our computer and phone hardware and software.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Protek-IT installed new computers, servers, phone systems, and specific software applications.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 2–5 teammates from Protek-IT.

How did you come to work with Protek-IT?

Someone referred Protek-IT to us. We chose them over other IT service providers because their pricing fit our budget, they were a great culture fit, and they offered good value for the cost.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work is now complete and we have retained them for day-to-day support.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Protek-IT's work resulted in streamlined processes and faster equipment and programs. The improved efficiency also allowed us to be more productive.

How did Protek-IT perform from a project management standpoint?

Protek-IT's project management was excellent. We primarily communicated via email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Protek-IT's communication was impressive. No matter the stage of the project, they were very fast and attentive in responding and solving issues and continue to be with day-to-day support.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything for Protek-IT to improve.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Operations Manager of Marvolus Mfg

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

A display manufacterer and distributor

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Protek-IT to accomplish?

• Full IT for our network

SOLUTION

How did you find Protek-IT?

Research by former colleague

Why did you select Protek-IT over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget

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

They run every aspect of our IT

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

our operations operate smoothly

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

They are knowledgeable and efficient.

What was your primary form of communication with Protek-IT?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their ability to troubleshoot

Are there any areas for improvement or something Protek-IT could have done differently?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the President of Mid Lakes Survey Company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Land Survey Company

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Protek-IT to accomplish?

• Maintain a cloud back up
• provide IT support

SOLUTION

How did you find Protek-IT?

Referral

Why did you select Protek-IT over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Protek-IT were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

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

Set up and service our network and cloud server

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Very stable solution for our IT needs and quick response to any issues that come up.

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

The schedule has been maintained, and any issues have been resolved promptly.

What was your primary form of communication with Protek-IT?

• In-Person Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Excelent customer service. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Protek-IT could have done differently?

None to note

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Senior Manager & Lead Data Scientist of a consulting company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Sales Effectivness Consultancy 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Protek-IT to accomplish?

Be our IT provider

SOLUTION

How did you find Protek-IT?

Past relationship

Why did you select Protek-IT over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Protek-IT were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Protek is our managed service provider for IT. Their work includes ongoing monitoring of our network, helpdesk services for IT related troubleshooting, ocassional consulting on data security questionaires our clients ask us to answer, and other general IT outsourcing and guidance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have monthly reporting and quarterly updates on KPIs around data and IT security. Additionally we get updates on how many and how quickly they responde to and resolve help desk tickets.

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

Yes they deliver items on time. They are timely in responding to helpdesk tickets and providing us with monthly reporting and quarterly business reviews.

What was your primary form of communication with Protek-IT?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They are very flexible and helpful when we have ad-hoc requests. They are also quick to respond and quick to resolve things we ask for help on.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Protek-IT could have done differently?

No