Top 50 IT Business Questions Columbus Organizational Leaders Are Asking

Technology shouldn't be a daily struggle. Yet across Central Ohio—from the manufacturing plants in Marysville to the medical practices in Dublin—business leaders are fighting a battle against slow responses, compliance headaches, and unreliable support.

Whether you run a logistics company in Columbus or a CPA firm in Westerville, your IT should be an asset, not an obstacle. You deserve responsive, hassle-free solutions.

Below are the 50 most common questions we hear from Columbus business leaders, along with straightforward answers to help you secure your future.

The Basics: Managed & Co-Managed IT

1. What makes "Affiliated" different from other Columbus IT firms?

We don't just fix computers; we are a strategic partner. We focus on "hassle-free" IT, meaning we handle the complexity (and the stress) so you can focus on growing your business.

2. What is Co-Managed IT?

This is one of our specialties. If you already have an internal IT person, we don't replace them—we make them stronger. We handle the heavy lifting (monitoring, security, ticketing) so they can focus on internal projects.

3. Do you replace internal IT departments?

We can, but we often partner with them. Our Co-Managed model gives your internal team access to our tools, 24/7 helpdesk, and deep bench of experts.

4. How fast is your response time?

We pride ourselves on speed. Our average response time is exceptionally fast, and our helpdesk is staffed 24/7 to ensure you aren't waiting in a queue when you have a crisis.

5. What does Managed IT actually cost in Central Ohio?

While every business is unique, proactive Managed IT typically costs a flat monthly fee per user. This prevents the "financial shock" of hourly break/fix bills.

6. Is it worth it for a manufacturing company?

Absolutely. For manufacturers, downtime equals lost revenue. We monitor your production line systems to prevent outages before they stop the line.

7. Do you support remote workers?

Yes. Whether your team is in downtown Columbus or working from home in Powell, we secure their connection and support them just as if they were in the office.

8. What is included in your agreement?

We offer transparency. Our agreements typically include 24/7 monitoring, helpdesk support, cybersecurity protection, and strategic planning.

9. Can you help us with Microsoft Licensing?

Yes. Microsoft licensing is notoriously complex. We have a dedicated service to manage your licenses, often finding savings of 12-18% by removing unused or redundant seats.

10. Do I have to sign a long-term contract?

We believe in partnerships, not handcuffs. We offer flexible terms that prove our value every single month.

Cybersecurity & Compliance: Protecting Your Data

11. Is my Columbus business really a target for hackers?

Yes. Cybercriminals target Ohio businesses because they are often "low hanging fruit." They know you have valuable data but may lack enterprise-grade security.

12. What is "Liability Guard"?

This is our approach to minimizing your risk. We assess your vulnerabilities—from weak passwords to open ports—and close them before a hacker finds them.

13. Do you specialize in HIPAA compliance?

Yes. We have deep expertise in healthcare IT. We don't just secure your data; we help you with the documentation and assessments required to pass a HIPAA audit.

14. What is the difference between "compliance" and "security"?

Security is locking the door. Compliance is proving to the government (or your insurance) that you locked it. We do both.

15. Do we need Cyber Liability Insurance?

Yes, but getting approved is harder than ever. We help you fill out the complex questionnaires insurance companies require so you get coverage without paying higher premiums.

16. How do you handle Ransomware?

Prevention is key. We use advanced Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) to stop ransomware attacks in their tracks before they encrypt your files.

17. Can you test our employees' security awareness?

Yes. We offer phishing simulations to "test" your team. It's better they click a fake link from us than a real one from a hacker.

18. What is CMMC and do we need it?

If you work with the Department of Defense (common in Ohio manufacturing), you likely need CMMC certification. We can guide you through that rigorous process.

19. Are our backups safe from hackers?

We ensure your backups are "air-gapped" and immutable, meaning even if a hacker gets into your network, they cannot delete your backups.

20. What is an IT Risk Assessment?

It's a health check for your security. We scan your entire network to find the "open windows" you didn't know you had.

Productivity & Efficiency: Keeping You Running

21. Why is our network slow?

It could be anything from "bandwidth vampires" (streaming video) to outdated switches. We run diagnostics to find and fix the bottleneck.

22. Can you help us move to the Cloud?

Yes. We are experts in Azure and Microsoft 365 migrations. We move your data securely with zero data loss.

23. What happens if our server dies?

If you are on our Managed Services plan, we likely saw it coming. We replace aging hardware proactively to avoid emergency crashes.

24. How do we stop spam?

We implement enterprise-grade email filtering that catches 99% of junk and malicious emails before they hit your inbox.

25. Can we use Teams for our phone system?

Yes! We can integrate your phone system into Microsoft Teams, allowing you to make and receive work calls from your laptop or mobile app.

26. How often should we update our PCs?

We recommend a 3-5 year lifecycle. Holding onto 7-year-old computers costs you more in employee wages (waiting for things to load) than the cost of a new PC.

27. Do you support industry-specific software (ERP, EMR)?

Yes. We work with your software vendors (whether it's for manufacturing ERPs or medical EMRs) to ensure their applications run smoothly on your network.

28. How do we share files securely?

Stop emailing attachments. We set up secure SharePoint or OneDrive environments that allow version control and secure sharing.

29. What is "Shadow IT"?

It's when employees use unauthorized apps (like Dropbox or personal Gmail) for work. We identify and secure these to prevent data leaks.

30. Can you fix our Wi-Fi in the warehouse?

Yes. Warehouses are notorious for Wi-Fi dead zones. We perform heat maps to place access points exactly where your scanners and forklifts need them.

Strategy & Budgeting: Strategic IT Planning

31. How can IT help me expand and grow my business?

By moving beyond "fixing broken things" to Strategic IT Planning. We help you coordinate infrastructure upgrades and align your technology with your company's long-term expansion goals.

32. Do you offer "Strategic IT Planning"?

Yes. This is a core part of our partnership. We act as a trusted advisor to help you set strategy, budget for the future, and maximize cost savings—often saving clients 12% to 18% annually by optimizing their setup.

33. How often should we review our IT strategy?

Regularly. Through our Dedicated Account Management, we meet with you to review your goals, discuss upcoming projects, and ensure your technology is driving your success, not just keeping the lights on.

34. Can you help us pass a SOC 2 audit?

Yes. Not only do we help clients prepare for SOC 2 audits, but Affiliated Resource Group is SOC 2 Type 2 certified ourselves. We don't just advise on these strict standards—we live by them every day.

35. What is the ROI of working with Affiliated?

Beyond uptime, our clients see ROI through cost optimization and productivity. As one client noted, our ability to resolve issues others couldn't has had an "immediate impact" on their business revenue.

36. How do we budget for IT effectively?

We help you move away from surprise bills. By planning hardware lifecycles and software renewals in advance, we turn your IT spend into a predictable investment rather than a chaotic expense.

37. Do you have experience with mergers and acquisitions?

Yes. If you are acquiring another company, we can assess their IT environment, identify risks, and integrate their systems into yours seamlessly.

38. Why is your "Statement of Availability" important?

It is our written promise of reliability. We believe in total transparency regarding our uptime and our availability to serve you when you need us most.

39. Can you help us reduce our Microsoft licensing costs?

Yes. Our Microsoft License Management service specifically looks for waste. We often find companies paying for licenses they don't use, and we help you cut those costs immediately.

40. What differentiates Affiliated from national competitors?

We are your local partners in Dublin and Central Ohio. We don't just send you a bill; we build a relationship, sitting down with you to ensure our services "exceed expectations" as your business evolves.

The Ohio Advantage: Local Support

41. Do you have a physical office in Columbus?

Yes, we are located in Dublin, Ohio. You can come visit us, or we can come to you.

42. Do you service areas outside of Columbus?

Yes. We serve the entire region including Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, and Springfield.

43. How do you handle local power outages?

We ensure your critical data is backed up to the cloud, so even if AEP goes down in your neighborhood, your data is safe and accessible from elsewhere.

44. Do you understand the needs of Ohio manufacturers?

Yes. Manufacturing is one of our core verticals. We understand that the shop floor cannot stop.

45. Can you get a tech onsite if needed?

Yes. While we resolve most issues remotely, we have a fleet of vehicles ready to roll to your office when a hands-on fix is required.

46. Are you familiar with Ohio data privacy laws?

Yes. We stay up to date on state-level regulations to keep you compliant.

47. Do you work with local non-profits?

Yes, we support many community organizations and understand their budget constraints.

48. How do we switch IT providers without downtime?

We have a proven onboarding process. We handle the "breakup" with your old provider and transfer all documentation and passwords seamlessly.

49. What if we have offices in other states?

We can support them too. We manage the network centrally from Ohio, ensuring all your branches work as one team.

50. Why should I trust Affiliated Resource Group?

Because we have been doing this for over 30 years. We are an Elite MSP 150 provider, and our clients stay with us because we deliver on our promises.

Ready for Hassle-Free IT?

If you are tired of wondering if your data is safe, or frustrated by IT support that feels like a struggle, it's time for a change.

At Affiliated Resource Group, we believe you deserve better. We have been helping Ohio businesses thrive for three decades, and we are ready to help you.

Start Your Transformation Today: Book Your Free Initial Consult Or call us directly at 614-889-6555

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