Frequently Asked Questions
Because Googling it shouldn’t be your IT strategy
What are your two primary services?
Complete IT: Our Complete IT solution provides comprehensive, proactive managed IT services for businesses in Chicago. It covers everything from 24/7 monitoring, ongoing maintenance, and robust cybersecurity to unlimited help desk support and onsite visits for a fixed, predictable monthly per-user fee. This is ideal for businesses looking to fully outsource their IT operations to experts who understand the unique needs of the Chicagoland market
Co-Managed IT Services:For organizations with an existing IT team, our Co-Managed IT Services offer strategic support to fill gaps. We partner with your in-house staff to provide specialized expertise in areas like advanced cybersecurity, strategic planning, project management, and after-hours support, ensuring your team has the flexibility and coverage it needs without being overwhelmed. This model allows Chicago businesses to leverage our expertise when and where it’s needed most.
What is included in Complete IT?
Complete IT with NIE means we handle everything—end to end. You get proactive support, tight security, smart strategy, and all the tools to keep your business running smoothly. Here’s what’s included:
Unlimited Help Desk (remote & onsite)
Server, Network, and Office 365 Support
Microsoft Patch & Device Management
Employee Onboarding/Offboarding
Vendor & Portal Management
24/7 Monitoring & Threat Detection (SOC)
Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
DNS & Drive Encryption
VPN & Device Multi-Factor Authentication
Security Operations Center (SOC) + Reporting
Simulated Phishing Campaigns
Security Awareness Training & Policy Templates
Microsoft 365 & Cloud Management
Office 365 Platform & Conditional Access
Microsoft 365 Backup, ATP, MFA, DLP
Password & Patch Management
Microsoft Licensing & Digital Transformation Support
Scheduled Business Reviews (vCIO)
Technology Roadmapping
Custom Reporting & Continuous Optimization
With Complete IT, you don’t just get “support”, you get a full-service technology partner that knows your business and is built to grow with your business.
Why does my business need proactive IT support?
Proactive IT support helps businesses avoid downtime & costly data breaches, enhance cybersecurity, and improve operational efficiency by identifying and resolving IT issues before they disrupt your work.
One key component of proactive IT is our Security Operations Center (SOC) partnership, which provides 24/7 threat detection and real-time response to cyber risks. It’s like having a dedicated security team watching your network around the clock.
Moving from reactive ‘break-fix’ IT to proactive IT support significantly transforms your business operations. Instead of waiting for a system to fail, our team constantly monitors your network, servers, and devices, applying updates, optimizing performance, and shoring up security vulnerabilities. This approach minimizes downtime, prevents data loss, protects against cyber threats, and ultimately saves your business money and stress, allowing you to focus on growth in the competitive Chicagoland market.
Are we a good fit?
We’re the right fit for organizations that view IT as a strategic advantage, not just a support line. Our best partnerships are with teams that:
We’re the perfect fit for growing organizations in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs that recognize IT as a powerful strategic asset, not merely an expense. Our most successful partnerships are with teams that:
- Take cybersecurity seriously: Committed to protecting their data, employees, and brand reputation against evolving threats.
- Are open to innovation: Eager to embrace new technologies, from cloud solutions to AI-as-a-Service, to stay competitive.
- Value growth: View technology as a driver for efficiency, productivity, and future expansion.
If you’re a business in Chicagoland looking for a partner who offers fresh ideas, transparent communication, and a truly proactive approach to IT, including strategic insights into emerging tech like AI, we’d love to discuss how we can help you thrive.”
Are all MSP quotes created equal?
A lower price might look appealing at first, but it’s worth asking a few important questions to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples:
What’s included (and what’s not)?
Are new employee onboardings, security awareness trainings, password management, or computer setups included or do they cost extra?How many support hours are covered each month?
Are you getting unlimited support or being charged hourly once you hit a cap? Are things structured into separate “blocks of hours” or T/M work, or is it truly “unlimited support”Is on-site support included if needed?
Some providers charge separately for anything beyond remote help.What happens during an emergency?
Do they offer guaranteed response times (SLAs), or will you wait in line?Will they meet with you regularly to plan ahead?
Strategic IT leadership (vCIO) is often missing in cheaper plans but it’s where long-term value lives.How transparent is your MSP about billing and what’s actually included?
Do you know exactly which users you’re being billed for each month, and are they clearly listed on your invoices? Is billing centralized and easily accessible in a portal?
At NIE, we build pricing that reflects real partnership not surprise invoices or patchy support. Confused about a charge? We’re always here to help, clarify, and make it right.