Decisions, not just tickets
Day-to-day support keeps the lights on, but it rarely answers the bigger questions. Should we renew the server or move to the cloud? Why are we paying for three file-sharing tools? Is our line-of-business software still supported? Without a plan, IT spending arrives as surprises: a failed server in November, a forced licence upgrade, an insurance renewal that suddenly requires controls you do not have. Those surprises nearly always cost more than planned work.
We start with an assessment of your hardware, software, security, licences, vendors and contracts, then turn the findings into a roadmap covering the next 12 to 36 months, with rough budgets by quarter. Quarterly business reviews keep it current. If you employ your own IT staff, we can work alongside them in a co-managed model. It suits owners, practice managers and finance leads who want IT treated as a business decision.
What’s covered
- Current-state assessment Devices, network, security, backups, software and vendor contracts reviewed and documented, with findings ranked by risk and cost.
- 12–36-month roadmap A sequenced plan of projects and refresh cycles for the next one to three years, linked to hiring, new locations and other business goals.
- IT budgeting Quarter-by-quarter estimates for hardware, subscriptions and projects, so you can plan cash flow instead of reacting to failures.
- Vendor and licence reviews Overlapping subscriptions, unused licences and auto-renewing contracts found before the next billing cycle.
- Software selection Requirements written down and shortlisted options compared for practice management, job scheduling, CRM or document management.
- Quarterly business reviews (QBRs) A regular meeting covering support trends, risks, project progress and budget, with decisions recorded.
- Co-managed support for in-house IT Your IT staff keep ownership while we add tooling, documentation, a second pair of hands for big projects and cover during holidays.
- Risk and insurance alignment Security work ordered by risk, so the roadmap also covers what your insurer and privacy obligations call for.
Plans and pricing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| 60-minute IT health check | Free |
| IT assessment | From $750 |
| Roadmap and budget | Included with your assessment |
| Quarterly business reviews | Included in Proactive and Secure plans |
| Ad-hoc consulting | $115/hour |
Prices are in CAD. Every engagement starts with a short call and a written proposal.
Common questions
What does a virtual CIO handle that our help desk does not?
The help desk fixes today’s problems; a virtual CIO looks ahead. That means setting priorities, building the budget, reviewing vendors and contracts, and checking that security keeps up as you grow. It happens on a regular schedule rather than full time, which suits businesses that are too small for an in-house IT director.
What is involved in an IT assessment, and how long does it take?
For a 10 to 25 user office, an assessment usually takes 1–2 weeks, with half a day to a day on site. The process includes conversations with key staff, a review of your systems and documentation, and a meeting to walk through the findings and roadmap.
Can you work with our existing IT person or provider?
Yes. Some in-house IT people want help with specific jobs, such as a migration or a security project; others want shared tooling and cover during vacations. We agree who owns what in writing. If you use an outside provider, an independent assessment gives you a second opinion on the work and costs. If you later want us to take over, see IT support and managed plans.
What does a quarterly business review cover?
We look back at support requests and recurring issues, check progress on roadmap projects, review security and upcoming renewals, and update the budget. You leave with a short list of decisions and who owns each one. It is also the right moment to raise plans such as hiring, a new location or a software change.
How do we know if our IT spending is reasonable?
Look at what you get for it: uptime, reduced risk and staff time saved. We review your licences, contracts and hardware age, flag duplicate tools and unused seats, and show where the money is going. The aim is not always to spend less; sometimes it is to spend the same amount on the right things.