We believe that businesses that take their business seriously should look for an IT company that is serious as well. How does your current IT company stack up?
Questions you should ask before hiring an IT company include:
Do they have a physical office?
Serious IT companies will have an office in a commercial location. Depending on their business model, it may be in a professional office building, a commercial storefront, or in an industrial area. The key is that they WILL have an office and not simply be working out of their car.
Gulfcoast Networking has been in the same downtown New Port Richey location since 2004.
Do they have a web presence?
Your IT company should have a website and it should be more than the typical three page “starter” site. The site should tell you what the company does and provide more than just minimal contact information.
This FAQ is part of the Gulfcoast Networking website. We have spent quite a bit of time working to make this website a resource for you. Our website is regularly updated. In addition to general information about who we are and what we do, you will find useful information and links to our online support system.
In addition to our website, we maintain a facebook page, offer an email news & notifications list, and we write a blog with articles focused on consumers.
Naturally, Angies List members can find reviews about us there as well.
How long have they been in business?
While there is nothing necessarily wrong with a new company, it is reassuring to know that the company you are trusting your network to has been around a while.
Gulfcoast Networking was incorporated in 2003 and our predecessor, Marlowe & Associates, was organized in 1993. That is thirty years of leadership in IT. We were helping businesses with online data communications BEFORE Microsoft invented Internet Explorer!
Do the techs have current training?
In addition to holding various IT certificates, our techs stay update via training sessions from Microsoft, Intel, and other training services on a number of different topics, including best practices, security and HIPAA compliance. Gulfcoast Networking maintains it’s Intel Gold Partner status by completing Intel’s annual CEU requirements.
Are they incorporated?
Serious IT companies will have taken the trouble to incorporate.
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc. is incorporated in the State of Florida.
Do they carry workers compensation insurance?
This is a great indicator of how serious an IT company is. Failing to carry workers compensation insurance exposes your company if the tech is injured while working on your equipment.
Gulfcoast Networking has coverage through the Hartford.
Do they carry liability insurance?
Like workers compensation coverage, you should expect anyone you bring in to have liability insurance.
We carry both property and liability insurance.