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February 23, 2026
Learn exactly what happens when you switch to managed IT services with CTS Computers' proven 4-step onboarding process.
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Your onboarding experience with us follows a structured 4-step approach we’ve developed over 30+ years of serving Illinois and Indiana businesses. This isn’t a generic checklist we found online.
It’s a refined process that addresses the real concerns you have about switching providers. You want to know your systems will keep running, your data stays secure, and your team can keep working without major disruptions.
Our onboarding typically takes 30-45 days from contract signing to full implementation. But unlike other providers who disappear after the sale, we assign dedicated project managers who keep you informed throughout every phase.
Before we touch anything in your IT environment, we need to understand exactly what you’re working with. This comprehensive assessment phase typically takes 1-2 weeks and involves our certified technicians documenting every aspect of your current setup.
We catalog your servers, workstations, network equipment, software licenses, and security configurations. More importantly, we identify potential vulnerabilities and inefficiencies that your previous provider might have missed. This isn’t just an inventory exercise – it’s detective work that uncovers hidden problems before they become expensive emergencies.
During this phase, we also conduct interviews with key staff members to understand your workflows, pain points, and business-critical applications. You might be surprised how many “quirks” in your system aren’t actually necessary. Often, what you thought were unavoidable frustrations are actually fixable problems.
We document everything in a detailed report that becomes the foundation for your custom IT strategy. You’ll receive a copy that clearly explains what we found, what needs immediate attention, and what can be addressed over time. No technical jargon, no surprise recommendations – just honest assessments of your IT environment.
This discovery process also helps us identify any potential roadblocks to a smooth transition. Maybe you’re running legacy software that requires special handling, or perhaps you have compliance requirements that need specific attention. By catching these details upfront, we prevent delays later in the onboarding process.
Once we understand your environment, we immediately focus on securing it. Cybersecurity threats don’t wait for convenient timing, so we prioritize getting robust protection in place as quickly as possible.
Our security stack deployment includes installing enterprise-grade endpoint protection on all devices, implementing network firewalls, setting up email security filters, and establishing monitoring systems that watch for suspicious activity 24/7. This isn’t the basic antivirus software you might be used to – it’s the same level of protection that large corporations use.
We also conduct immediate security hardening of your network infrastructure. This means closing unnecessary ports, updating firmware on network equipment, implementing proper access controls, and ensuring your wireless networks meet current security standards. Many small businesses are shocked to learn how many security gaps existed in their previous setup.
For businesses with compliance requirements like HIPAA, this phase includes implementing the specific controls needed to meet regulatory standards. We don’t just install software and hope for the best – we configure everything according to the actual requirements of your industry.
The security deployment happens gradually to minimize disruption to your daily operations. We typically schedule the more intrusive updates during off-hours or weekends, and we always have rollback plans ready if something doesn’t go as expected. Your business keeps running while we make it more secure.
Throughout this phase, we provide regular updates on what we’re installing, why it’s necessary, and how it will impact your team’s daily workflow. Transparency isn’t just our policy – it’s how we build the trust that makes long-term IT partnerships successful.
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The technical setup is only half the battle. The real success of your managed IT services comes from how well your team adapts to new support processes and communication channels.
We integrate our professional ticketing system with your existing workflows, ensuring every IT request gets proper tracking and priority handling. Your team learns one simple process for getting help, whether it’s a password reset or a critical server issue.
This phase also includes comprehensive training for your staff on new security procedures, backup protocols, and the support process itself. We don’t assume everyone will figure it out on their own.
Our ticketing system becomes your single point of contact for all IT support needs. Instead of wondering who to call or whether your request got lost, everything gets documented, tracked, and prioritized automatically.
When someone on your team submits a support request, they receive immediate confirmation with a ticket number. Our system automatically routes the request to the appropriate technician based on the type of issue and your service level agreement. Critical problems get immediate attention, while routine requests are handled during normal business hours.
You’ll have access to a client portal where you can view all open tickets, check the status of requests, and review the history of resolved issues. This transparency eliminates the frustration of not knowing whether your IT provider is actually working on your problems.
The integration process includes setting up automated notifications so you stay informed about ticket progress without having to check manually. When a technician starts working on your issue, when they need additional information, or when the problem is resolved – you’ll know immediately.
We also establish escalation procedures during this phase. If a ticket isn’t resolved within the agreed timeframe, it automatically escalates to senior technicians and management. You never have to wonder if your problem fell through the cracks or if you need to make follow-up calls to get attention.
For businesses with multiple locations or departments, we configure the system to route requests appropriately and ensure the right people receive notifications. The goal is making IT support as seamless as possible, not adding another layer of complexity to your operations.
Technology is only as effective as the people using it. That’s why we invest significant time in training your team on new procedures, security protocols, and the support process itself.
Our training isn’t a single overwhelming session where we dump information and hope it sticks. Instead, we provide targeted training based on each person’s role and the systems they actually use. Your accounting team gets different training than your sales staff because they have different security needs and use different applications.
We start with security awareness training that helps your team recognize phishing attempts, understand password requirements, and follow proper procedures for handling sensitive data. This training is especially important if your previous IT provider didn’t emphasize security education.
The policy implementation phase involves documenting your new IT procedures in clear, understandable language. We don’t create policies just to have policies – everything we implement serves a specific purpose for protecting your business or improving efficiency.
These policies cover acceptable use of company technology, data backup procedures, incident reporting requirements, and guidelines for working remotely or accessing systems from personal devices. We explain not just what the policies are, but why they matter for your business success.
We also establish regular check-ins during the first few months to address questions, provide additional training as needed, and make adjustments based on how your team actually works. The goal is creating sustainable procedures that your team will actually follow, not perfect policies that get ignored.
Switching to managed IT services doesn’t have to be a leap of faith. With our proven 4-step onboarding process, you know exactly what to expect at every stage of your transition.
From comprehensive infrastructure assessment through final policy implementation, our transparent approach eliminates the uncertainty that keeps businesses stuck with inadequate IT support. You get the security, reliability, and peace of mind that comes from working with a provider who’s been perfecting this process for over 30 years.
Your business deserves IT support that actually supports your goals, not creates new problems. Contact us today to begin your managed IT services onboarding journey and discover what transparent, professional IT partnership looks like.
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