Supporting accounting, legal and financial firms from Welwyn Garden City since 1999

TristarTech Solutions

Clear answers. Before you decide.

Whether you’re considering changing IT providers, reviewing your current support or simply looking for answers, here are some of the questions we’re asked most often.

Frequently asked questions.

What does an IT support company do?

An IT support company helps businesses keep their technology running smoothly, securely and efficiently. This typically includes monitoring systems, resolving technical issues, managing Microsoft 365, maintaining networks, protecting against cyber threats, advising on technology investments and providing ongoing support for employees.

A good IT provider doesn't simply fix problems, it helps prevent them.

What is a managed support provider (MSP)?

Managed IT support is an ongoing service where an external provider takes responsibility for monitoring, maintaining and supporting your IT environment for a predictable monthly fee.

Rather than waiting for problems to occur, managed support focuses on preventing issues, improving security and keeping systems performing reliably.

Is managed IT support better than pay-as-you-go IT support?

For most businesses, yes.

Reactive support only begins after something has gone wrong.

Managed support includes proactive monitoring, preventative maintenance, strategic planning and regular security improvements, helping reduce downtime and unexpected costs over time.

How do I know if I need managed IT support?

Many businesses start looking for a managed IT provider when:

  • IT issues are becoming more frequent.
  • Staff are losing productivity because of recurring technical problems.
  • Cyber security has become a growing concern.
  • Existing systems have become difficult to manage.
  • The business is growing and technology is becoming more complex.
  • Internal staff no longer have the time or expertise to manage IT effectively.

Managed IT support gives businesses access to an experienced team without the cost of building an in-house IT department.

What is included in your managed IT support?

All our rolling quarterly contracts include unlimited remote support in office hours, Managed Anti-Virus and Web Protection, Patch Management and pro-active monitoring of your systems. Onsite visits for break/fix work are included with some levels of contract, and are billed separately for others. We can also procure and install new hardware and software, onboard and offboard staff, advise on cabling and ISP choices, and we are always happy to discuss any other IT issues you may have.

What should I look for when choosing an IT support company?

Look beyond response times and monthly pricing.

Ask whether they:

  • Take time to understand your business.
  • Offer proactive monitoring and maintenance.
  • Provide strategic advice as your business grows.
  • Have experience supporting organisations like yours.
  • Explain technical issues in plain English.
  • Have clear cyber security processes.
  • Can provide client references or case studies.

The right IT provider should become a trusted business partner, not simply a company you call when something breaks.

Should I switch from my current IT provider?

If your current provider consistently resolves issues, communicates well, helps you plan ahead and understands your business, there may be little reason to change.

However, if you're experiencing recurring problems, poor communication, unexpected downtime or feel your IT is simply being maintained rather than improved, it may be worth reviewing your options.

Changing providers is often less disruptive than many businesses expect when it's properly planned.

Can you support businesses with multiple offices or remote workers?

Yes.

Modern IT support extends well beyond a single office. Secure cloud services, Microsoft 365, remote management tools and secure connectivity allow businesses to support employees wherever they work while maintaining security and productivity.

Why is cyber security important for small and medium-sized businesses?

Cyber criminals do not only target large organisations.

Small and medium-sized businesses are frequently targeted because they often have fewer security controls in place. Strong cyber security helps protect sensitive data, reduce operational disruption and maintain customer trust.

How can I improve my company's cyber security?

Some of the most effective steps include:

  • Enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Keeping systems updated.
  • Training employees to recognise phishing emails.
  • Backing up important business data.
  • Using endpoint protection.
  • Reviewing user access regularly.
  • Working with an IT provider that proactively monitors your environment.

Cyber security works best as an ongoing process rather than a one-time project.

What happens if my business experiences a cyber attack?

The first priority is containing the incident to prevent further damage.

A good IT provider will investigate what happened, isolate affected systems, recover data where possible, restore services safely and help strengthen your security to reduce the likelihood of future incidents.

Having a documented incident response plan can significantly reduce recovery time.

Is Microsoft 365 suitable for small businesses?

Yes.

Microsoft 365 provides professional email, collaboration tools, cloud storage, video meetings and advanced security features that make it an excellent choice for many small and medium-sized businesses.

The key is ensuring it is configured correctly and managed securely.

What are the benefits of moving to the cloud?

Cloud services can improve flexibility, collaboration and business continuity.

Benefits often include:

  • Access to files from anywhere.
  • Easier collaboration between teams.
  • Reduced reliance on physical servers.
  • Improved disaster recovery.
  • Better scalability as your business grows.

A successful cloud migration should always be planned around your business requirements.

Do you build business websites as well as provide IT support?

Yes.

In addition to managed IT services, we design and develop professional business websites, including e-commerce solutions, and provide fully managed web hosting to keep websites secure, reliable and performing at their best.

What types of businesses do you work with?

We primarily support small and medium-sized businesses with around 20 to 500 users.

We have particular experience working with accounting firms, financial services businesses, legal practices and other professional organisations where reliability, security and compliance are especially important.

Do you only support businesses in London?

While we support clients in London, we also cover businesses across Herts, Beds and Bucks.

Where required, on-site support can also be arranged.

Can you work alongside our existing IT team?

Absolutely.

Some clients outsource all of their IT to us, while others use us to supplement an internal IT department with additional expertise, strategic guidance or specialist project support.

We adapt our services to suit your business rather than expecting your business to fit a fixed model.

What happens when we change to Tristar from a different provider?

We will liaise with your current IT Support to ensure a full and seamless knowledge transfer, meaning we can begin fully supporting your systems from day one.

During the first few months, we take the time to learn how you work and use your systems, enabling us to advise on any changes we feel may be beneficial to you

How do I get started?

The best place to start is with a conversation on your Free Partnership Review call.

We'll take the time to understand your business, your current IT environment and your objectives before recommending any services. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you honestly.

Our goal is to build long-term relationships based on trust, not simply sell technology.

Still have a question?

Tell us what you need to know. We will give you a clear answer and help you decide what makes sense for your business.

  • Twenty to thirty minutesWith a senior engineer, on a video call.
  • A written summary you keepOne page, yours whether or not we ever work together.
  • No obligationNothing to sign at the end, and no pressure to.
CallFree Review