From 5b26d945188e170cf76b0b2bf31e4f08c55dc708 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Mike Swanson Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2026 13:09:07 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] refactor: Rebuild MSP Buyers Guide as continuous content Rebuilt from markdown source without pagination: - Cover page standalone - Single header after cover - All content flows continuously (no page breaks) - No footers (will add with pagination) - All CSS preserved for future use - Ready for pagination definition Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 --- .../marketing/MSP-Buyers-Guide.html | 687 ++++++++++++++---- 1 file changed, 549 insertions(+), 138 deletions(-) diff --git a/projects/msp-pricing/marketing/MSP-Buyers-Guide.html b/projects/msp-pricing/marketing/MSP-Buyers-Guide.html index 2b2fec0..a968410 100644 --- a/projects/msp-pricing/marketing/MSP-Buyers-Guide.html +++ b/projects/msp-pricing/marketing/MSP-Buyers-Guide.html @@ -267,11 +267,28 @@ ul.feature-list li:before { font-size: 11px; margin: 3px 0; } + +.content-container { + width: 8.5in; + background: white; + margin: 20px auto; + padding: 0.6in; + box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); +} + +@media print { + .content-container { + width: 100%; + margin: 0; + padding: 0.6in; + box-shadow: none; + } +} - +

The Arizona Business Owner's
Guide to Choosing an MSP

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+ +
+
@@ -326,7 +344,6 @@ ul.feature-list li:before {

What You'll Learn

-

How to spot a bad MSP - The 7 warning signs that separate professional IT companies from the cowboys. These apply whether you're evaluating us or someone else.

What IT services actually cost - Industry benchmarks for endpoint monitoring, support plans, and cloud services. Real numbers from real MSPs.

@@ -334,7 +351,6 @@ ul.feature-list li:before {

The right questions to ask - 10 questions that will reveal whether an MSP is proactive or reactive, transparent or hiding fees, local or offshore.

How to calculate ROI - Why the cheapest option often costs you more in downtime, security incidents, and lost productivity.

-

Our Promise

@@ -348,20 +364,7 @@ ul.feature-list li:before {

Ready? Let's start with the red flags.

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Protecting Tucson Businesses Since 2001 | Page 2 of 8
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520.304.8300
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7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
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-
- -

The 7 Red Flags of a Bad MSP

+

The 7 Red Flags of a Bad MSP

Red Flag 1: "Unlimited Support" Promises

@@ -418,6 +421,10 @@ Our pricing is published: $19-39/endpoint depending on the protection tier, $200 Your "local MSP" routes all support calls to an offshore call center. You deal with language barriers, time zone issues, and techs who've never seen your office.
+Why It Happens: +Labor arbitrage. Offshore support is cheaper, but the cost savings come at the expense of service quality and local expertise. +
+
What to Look For Instead: Local or US-based support with actual people you can meet. Ask if the company has a local office and local techs who can come onsite when needed.
@@ -431,21 +438,6 @@ We're based in Tucson (7437 E. 22nd St). Our support team is local. We can be on Key Question: "Where is your support team located? Can I visit your office? Who responds to after-hours emergencies?"
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Protecting Tucson Businesses Since 2001 | Page 3 of 8
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520.304.8300
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7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
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The 7 Red Flags (Continued)

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Red Flag 4: No Proactive Monitoring

@@ -453,6 +445,10 @@ We're based in Tucson (7437 E. 22nd St). Our support team is local. We can be on The MSP operates on a "break-fix" model. They only help you when something breaks - and they bill you every time you call. There's no monitoring, no maintenance, no prevention.
+Why It Happens: +Break-fix is more profitable in the short term. The more things break, the more they bill. There's no incentive to prevent problems. +
+
What to Look For Instead: 24/7 monitoring, automated patch management, proactive alerts. A good MSP fixes problems before you know they exist.
@@ -473,6 +469,10 @@ Every GPS tier includes 24/7 monitoring, automated patching, and monthly health The MSP requires a 3-year contract with hefty early termination fees. You're locked in even if the service is terrible.
+Why It Happens: +Long contracts protect MSPs who know they can't retain customers based on service quality alone. It's a revenue guarantee regardless of performance. +
+
What to Look For Instead: Month-to-month agreements or short-term contracts (1 year maximum). A confident MSP doesn't need to lock you in - they earn your business every month.
@@ -493,6 +493,10 @@ We offer month-to-month agreements. If we're not delivering value, you can walk The MSP has rigid packages: Small, Medium, Large. If you have 12 computers but their "Small" plan covers 10, you're forced into the "Medium" plan and overpay.
+Why It Happens: +Package pricing is easier to sell and manage. But it prioritizes the MSP's convenience over your actual needs. +
+
What to Look For Instead: Per-endpoint or per-user pricing that scales with your actual needs. You should pay for what you use, not what fits their pricing tiers.
@@ -502,6 +506,10 @@ We charge per endpoint: $19-39/endpoint depending on the protection level you ch
+
+Key Question: "How does pricing scale if I add or remove users? Do I pay for what I use, or am I locked into a package tier?" +
+

Red Flag 7: No Local Presence

@@ -509,25 +517,24 @@ We charge per endpoint: $19-39/endpoint depending on the protection level you ch The MSP is a national chain or a remote-only operation. There's no local office, no local techs, no way to meet them face-to-face.
+Why It Happens: +Remote-only is cheaper to operate. But when you need onsite support, hardware troubleshooting, or just want to meet your IT team, they're nowhere to be found. +
+
+What to Look For Instead: +A local MSP with a physical office, local staff, and roots in your community. Someone who understands the Tucson market and can be onsite when you need them. +
+
GPS Example: We've been in Tucson since 2001. Our office is at 7437 E. 22nd St. We're not a national chain - we're your neighbors. We know the local business landscape, we understand Arizona compliance requirements, and we can be at your office within the hour if needed.
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Protecting Tucson Businesses Since 2001 | Page 4 of 8
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+Key Question: "Where is your office? How long have you been in this market? Can you be onsite if needed, and how quickly?"
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520.304.8300
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7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
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What Should You Actually Pay for IT?

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What Should You Actually Pay for IT?

Industry benchmarks and real-world pricing

Endpoint Monitoring (per computer/server per month)

@@ -542,7 +549,7 @@ We've been in Tucson since 2001. Our office is at 7437 E. 22nd St. We're not a n - +
PlanMonthly FeeHours IncludedEffective Rate
Essential$2002 hours$100/hour
Standard$3804 hours$95/hour
Standard$3804 hours$95/hour (MOST POPULAR)
Premium$5406 hours$90/hour
Priority$85010 hours$85/hour
@@ -577,16 +584,27 @@ We've been in Tucson since 2001. Our office is at 7437 E. 22nd St. We're not a n

Scenario: The $500/month Break-Fix Shop

-

You hire a local tech who charges $65/hour and promises to "only charge when you call." Here's what actually happens:

+

You hire a local tech who charges $65/hour and promises to "only charge when you call." Here's what actually happens:

-
    -
  • Month 4: Server crashes. No monitoring = no warning. Tech bills 12 hours ($780) for emergency recovery. You lost 2 days of productivity (value: $5,000+)
    • -
  • Month 7: Ransomware hits because patches weren't applied. Recovery: $8,500. Lost productivity: $15,000. Insurance deductible: $10,000. Total: $33,500
    • -
  • Annual Real Cost: $43,300 (vs. $7,980/year for GPS-Pro that would have prevented both incidents)
    • +

    Month 1-3: Quiet months. You pay nothing (or minimal hours). You think you're winning.

    + +

    Month 4: Your server crashes. No monitoring meant no warning. The tech bills 12 hours ($780) for emergency recovery. You lost 2 days of productivity (value: $5,000+ for a 10-person office).

    + +

    Month 7: Ransomware hits because patches weren't applied. Recovery costs: $8,500. Lost productivity: $15,000. Cyber insurance deductible: $10,000. Total cost: $33,500.

    + +

    Annual Total:

    +
      +
    • Tech labor: $4,800
      • +
    • Downtime incidents: $38,500
      • +
    • REAL COST: $43,300
    +

    Compare that to a GPS-Pro plan ($665/month = $7,980/year) that would have prevented both incidents through monitoring and patching.

    +

    The True Cost of Downtime

    +

    Industry averages for business downtime:

    + @@ -594,75 +612,231 @@ We've been in Tucson since 2001. Our office is at 7437 E. 22nd St. We're not a n
    Business SizeCost Per Hour of Downtime
    Small (10-50 employees)$8,000 - $15,000
    Large (100+ employees)$100,000 - $500,000
    -

    Source: Gartner, IBM

    +

    Source: Gartner, IBM

    -

    A single 4-hour outage can cost a small business $32,000-60,000. Proactive monitoring that prevents that outage is worth 10x the monthly fee.

    +

    A single 4-hour outage can cost a small business $32,000-60,000. Proactive monitoring that prevents that outage is worth 10x the monthly fee.

    -
    Protecting Tucson Businesses Since 2001 | Page 5 of 8
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The Cost of a Data Breach

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520.304.8300
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7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
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Average cost of a data breach for small businesses:

-

Why We Built GPS the Way We Did

+
    +
  • IBM 2023 Report: $2.98 million average (all business sizes)
    • +
  • Small Business (< 500 employees): $120,000 - $1.24 million
    • +
  • Verizon DBIR: 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses
    • +
  • 60% of small businesses close within 6 months of a major breach
    • +
+ +

What GPS-Pro includes to prevent breaches:

+
    +
  • Advanced EDR (catches threats antivirus misses)
    • +
  • Email security (anti-phishing)
    • +
  • Dark web monitoring (alerts if credentials are compromised)
    • +
  • Security awareness training (monthly phishing tests)
    • +
+ +

Cost: $26/endpoint/month. Value: Potentially saving your business.

+ +

What Goes Into MSP Pricing?

+ +

When you pay an MSP, here's what you're actually buying:

+ +

Technology Stack (per endpoint):

+
    +
  • Monitoring software (RMM platform): $3-8/endpoint
    • +
  • Antivirus/EDR: $3-12/endpoint
    • +
  • Email security: $2-5/user
    • +
  • Backup/recovery tools: $4-10/endpoint
    • +
  • Total tech stack cost: $12-35/endpoint
    • +
+ +

Labor & Expertise:

+
    +
  • 24/7 monitoring coverage (overnight shifts)
    • +
  • Certified technicians (Microsoft, CompTIA, security certs)
    • +
  • Ongoing training and tool development
    • +
  • Emergency response capability
    • +
+ +

Business Overhead:

+
    +
  • Office space and equipment
    • +
  • Insurance (E&O, cyber liability, general liability)
    • +
  • Compliance and licensing
    • +
  • Sales and administrative staff
    • +
+ +

A professional MSP typically operates on 30-50% gross margins after these costs. If someone is drastically cheaper, ask yourself: What are they cutting?

+ +

ROI Framework: How to Justify IT Spending

+ +

Step 1: Calculate your hourly business value

+
    +
  • Revenue per employee per year: $150,000 (example)
    • +
  • Work hours per year: 2,080 hours
    • +
  • Value per hour: $72/employee
    • +
+ +

Step 2: Calculate downtime cost

+
    +
  • 10 employees × $72/hour = $720/hour of downtime
    • +
  • 4-hour outage = $2,880 in lost productivity
    • +
  • Add: Customer frustration, missed deadlines, reputation damage
    • +
+ +

Step 3: Calculate incident prevention value

+
    +
  • GPS-Pro prevents 2-3 incidents/year (conservative estimate)
    • +
  • Value: $5,000 - $20,000/year in prevented downtime
    • +
  • Annual GPS-Pro cost (10 endpoints): $3,120/year
    • +
  • Net ROI: 60-540% annual return
    • +
+ +

Step 4: Calculate cyber insurance discount

+
    +
  • Many insurers offer 10-20% premium reduction for managed security
    • +
  • Average cyber policy for small business: $1,500-3,000/year
    • +
  • Discount value: $150-600/year
    • +
  • Additional benefit: Meeting coverage requirements
    • +
+ +

Why We Built GPS the Way We Did

+ +

When we designed Guru Protection Services (GPS), we made specific choices based on 20+ years of watching IT companies fail their clients. Here's why we do things differently:

Transparent Per-Endpoint Pricing

+

Our Choice: $19-39/endpoint based on protection tier.

+

Why: You should know what you're paying before you call us. No games, no "call for quote," no hidden fees.

-
+

The Alternative: Package pricing ("Small Business Plan: $500/month for up to 10 computers") forces you into rigid tiers. Have 11 computers? You jump to the Medium plan ($900/month) and overpay.

+ +

How It Works:

+
    +
  • GPS-Basic: $19/endpoint (essential monitoring, patching, antivirus)
    • +
  • GPS-Pro: $26/endpoint (adds EDR, email security, dark web monitoring, training)
    • +
  • GPS-Advanced: $39/endpoint (adds compliance tools, ransomware rollback, enhanced backup)
    • +
+ +
Real Example:
-

Client with 17 computers wanted business-grade protection. Competitor quoted: $1,200/month (forced into 25-seat package tier). GPS-Pro pricing: 17 × $26 = $442/month. Savings: $758/month ($9,096/year)

+
    +
  • Client with 17 computers wanted business-grade protection
    • +
  • Competitor quoted: $1,200/month (forced into 25-seat package tier)
    • +
  • GPS-Pro pricing: 17 × $26 = $442/month
    • +
  • Savings: $758/month ($9,096/year)
    • +

The client paid for 17 computers, not 25. That's how it should work.

Local Tucson Presence

+

Our Choice: Physical office at 7437 E. 22nd St since 2001.

+

Why: When your server dies at 3pm, you don't want a ticket system - you want someone at your door by 3:45pm.

-
+

The Alternative: National MSP chains and remote-only providers. When you need onsite support, they dispatch a subcontractor who's never seen your network. Response time: 24-48 hours if you're lucky.

+ +

What Local Means:

+
    +
  • We know Tucson businesses (accounting firms, medical practices, construction, hospitality)
    • +
  • We understand Arizona compliance (ADOA requirements, state tax systems)
    • +
  • We can be onsite within 1-2 hours for emergencies
    • +
  • You can visit our office and meet the team
    • +
+ +
Real Example:
-

A medical office's network went down during patient hours. We were onsite in 45 minutes. Diagnosed failed switch, installed replacement from our local inventory. Back online in 90 minutes total.

-

A remote MSP would have taken 2-3 days to ship hardware and schedule a contractor.

+
    +
  • A medical office's network went down during patient hours
    • +
  • We were onsite in 45 minutes
    • +
  • Diagnosed failed switch, installed replacement from our local inventory
    • +
  • Back online in 90 minutes total
    • +
  • A remote MSP would have taken 2-3 days to ship hardware and schedule a contractor
    • +
+

Local matters when every hour of downtime costs you thousands.

Proactive Monitoring vs. Reactive Break-Fix

+

Our Choice: 24/7 monitoring, automated patching, proactive alerts on every GPS tier.

+

Why: We make more money if your stuff doesn't break. That's the right incentive.

+

The Alternative: Break-fix shops only get paid when you have a problem. There's no incentive to prevent issues - in fact, more problems mean more billable hours.

+ +

How It Works:

+
    +
  • Our monitoring software watches your systems 24/7
    • +
  • We're alerted to failing hard drives, memory issues, temperature problems before they cause outages
    • +
  • Patches are tested and deployed automatically
    • +
  • You get monthly health reports showing what we fixed before it broke
    • +
+ +
+
Real Example:
+
    +
  • Monitoring detected a server hard drive showing early failure signs
    • +
  • We scheduled replacement during a maintenance window (client approved)
    • +
  • Drive was replaced before it failed
    • +
  • Zero downtime
    • +
  • A break-fix shop would have waited until the drive died (3am on a Saturday) and charged emergency rates
    • +
+
+
The Incentive Difference:
    -
  • Break-fix shop: Makes $200/hr × 8 hours = $1,600 on emergency recovery
    • +
  • Break-fix shop: Makes $200/hour × 8 hours = $1,600 on emergency recovery
  • GPS model: Makes $26/endpoint regardless, so we prevent the emergency
  • Who's incentivized to protect your business?

Month-to-Month Contracts

+

Our Choice: No long-term lock-ins. Month-to-month agreements.

+

Why: If we're not delivering value, you should be able to leave. We earn your business every single month.

+

The Alternative: 3-year contracts with early termination fees (often 50-100% of remaining contract value). You're stuck even if service is terrible.

+ +

What This Means:

+
    +
  • You can cancel with 30 days notice
    • +
  • No early termination penalties
    • +
  • No equipment buyouts (we own the monitoring infrastructure)
    • +
  • We stay good or you leave
    • +
+
-

The Alternative (Don't Let This Be You)

+

Real Example (Don't Let This Be You)

A client came to us locked in a 3-year contract with a national MSP. Service was terrible: offshore support, slow response, constant billing disputes. Early termination fee: $18,000. They had to wait 14 months for the contract to expire before switching.
-

We never want to be the company someone is trapped with.

+

We never want to be the company someone is trapped with.

Support Plans: Predictable Hours at Predictable Rates

+

Our Choice: Bundled support plans with included labor hours at $85-100/hour effective rates.

+

Why: You get better support at lower cost, and you know exactly what you'll pay each month.

+

How It Works:

+ + + + + + + +
PlanMonthly FeeHours IncludedEffective RateResponse SLA
Essential$2002 hours$100/hourNext business day
Standard$3804 hours$95/hour8 hours
Premium$5406 hours$90/hour4 hours
Priority$85010 hours$85/hour2 hours, 24/7
+ +

Compare to our full hourly rate: $150-165/hour for non-plan clients.

+
Real Example:

Client on Standard Support ($380/month) used 3.5 hours in a typical month.

@@ -671,72 +845,314 @@ A client came to us locked in a 3-year contract with a national MSP. Service was
Savings:$197.50/month ($2,370/year)
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Protecting Tucson Businesses Since 2001 | Page 6 of 8
+

What Happens If You Go Over?

+
    +
  • Support plan hours used first (included in your monthly fee)
    • +
  • Prepaid block time used next (if you've purchased any)
    • +
  • Overage billed at $175/hour (still better than emergency rates elsewhere)
    • +
+ +

Block Time Option:

+
    +
  • Purchase 10, 20, or 30 hours at $100-150/hour
    • +
  • Never expires
    • +
  • Great for projects or seasonal businesses
    • +
  • Available to anyone (you don't need a support plan)
    • +
+ +

Equipment Monitoring: Extend Coverage Beyond Computers

+ +

Our Choice: $25/month for up to 10 devices (network gear, printers, NAS, cameras).

+ +

Why: Your router is just as critical as your server. If it dies, you're down.

+ +

What's Covered:

+
    +
  • Routers, switches, firewalls
    • +
  • Printers, scanners, multifunction devices
    • +
  • NAS (network storage)
    • +
  • IP cameras, access points
    • +
  • Any network-connected equipment
    • +
+ +

How It Works:

+
    +
  • Basic uptime monitoring and alerting
    • +
  • Devices become eligible for Support Plan labor hours
    • +
  • Quick fixes (under 10 minutes) included
    • +
  • Add to any GPS tier
    • +
+ +
+
Real Example:
+
    +
  • Client's office switch (not monitored) died at 4pm Friday
    • +
  • 22 employees offline, unable to work
    • +
  • Emergency tech dispatch: $275/hour × 3 hours = $825
    • +
  • Weekend hardware purchase at retail: $600
    • +
  • Total incident cost: $1,425
    • +
+

If that switch had been in the Equipment Pack ($25/month), we would have been alerted to warning signs and replaced it during business hours. Cost: $300 for the switch (wholesale), zero downtime.

- -
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520.304.8300
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7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
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+

Why These Choices Matter

-

10 Questions to Ask ANY MSP

+

Every decision we made in designing GPS was about alignment:

+ +
    +
  • Transparent pricing means you can trust us.
    • +
  • Local presence means we can help you fast.
    • +
  • Proactive monitoring means our incentives align with yours (prevention, not profit from failure).
    • +
  • Month-to-month terms mean we earn your business every day.
    • +
  • Predictable support means you budget accurately and we deliver consistently.
    • +
+ +

We're not perfect. But we built GPS the way we'd want to be treated if we were the customer.

+ +

10 Questions to Ask ANY MSP

Use these to evaluate us or our competitors
-

1. "Can you send me your pricing before we schedule a sales call?"

+

Question 1: "Can you send me your pricing before we schedule a sales call?"

+ +

Why This Matters: If they won't share pricing up front, they're either hiding something or planning to charge different customers different prices based on what they can negotiate.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • "Every client is different, we need to assess your environment first."
    • +
  • "Pricing depends on many factors, let's schedule a call."
    • +
  • No published pricing anywhere on their website
    • +
+
-Good Answer: "Here's our rate sheet. We charge $X per endpoint for monitoring and $Y for support plans." +Good Answer: "Here's our rate sheet. We charge $X per endpoint for monitoring and $Y for support plans. Let me walk you through it."
-

2. "Where is your support team located?"

-
-Good Answer: "Our support team is based in [City]. Here's our office address. You're welcome to visit." +
+GPS Answer: "Absolutely. GPS-Pro is $26/endpoint, and our Standard Support is $380/month for 4 hours. Here's the full pricing breakdown [rate sheet provided]. What questions do you have?"
-

3. "What's your contract term and early termination penalty?"

+

Question 2: "Where is your support team located, and can I talk to them directly?"

+ +

Why This Matters: You want to know who's actually answering the phone at 2am when your network crashes.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • "We have a global support team available 24/7." (Translation: offshore)
    • +
  • "Our tier 1 support is outsourced, but tier 2 is US-based." (You'll spend 30 minutes with tier 1 first)
    • +
  • Vague answers about "follow-the-sun support"
    • +
+
-Good Answer: "Month-to-month or 1-year agreement. 30 days notice to cancel. No termination fees." +Good Answer: "Our support team is based in [City]. Here's our office address. We can arrange a time for you to visit and meet the team."
-

4. "Do you monitor my systems proactively?"

-
-Good Answer: "24/7 monitoring is included. We're alerted to issues before they cause outages. We deploy patches automatically." +
+GPS Answer: "We're at 7437 E. 22nd St in Tucson. Our support team works from this office. You're welcome to stop by anytime during business hours. After hours, you'll get our on-call tech - who's also local."
-

5. "What happens if I exceed my included support hours?"

+

Question 3: "What's your contract term and early termination penalty?"

+ +

Why This Matters: Long contracts with penalties mean they're not confident in retaining you based on service quality.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • 3-year or longer contracts
    • +
  • Early termination fees exceeding 25% of remaining contract value
    • +
  • Equipment leases that lock you in (and they own the hardware when you leave)
    • +
+ +
+Good Answer: "Month-to-month or 1-year agreement. If you're not happy, you can leave with 30 days notice." +
+ +
+GPS Answer: "Month-to-month. 30 days notice to cancel. No termination fees. If we're not delivering value, you shouldn't be trapped." +
+ +

Question 4: "Do you monitor my systems proactively, or do I call when something breaks?"

+ +

Why This Matters: Reactive break-fix means they profit when you have problems. Proactive monitoring means they prevent problems.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • "We're available 24/7 when you need us." (No mention of monitoring)
    • +
  • "Monitoring is available as an add-on for an additional fee."
    • +
  • "We'll set up monitoring if you want, but most clients don't need it."
    • +
+ +
+Good Answer: "24/7 monitoring is included. We're alerted to issues before they cause outages. We deploy patches automatically. You'll get monthly reports showing what we prevented." +
+ +
+GPS Answer: "Every GPS tier includes 24/7 monitoring, automated patch management, and proactive alerting. Our goal is that you never have to call us because something broke - we fix it before you notice." +
+ +

Question 5: "What happens if I exceed my included support hours?"

+ +

Why This Matters: "Unlimited" is a lie. You need to know the real overage rate and policy.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • Vague answers about "fair use" policies
    • +
  • Overage rates 2-3x higher than the plan's effective rate
    • +
  • "We throttle response times for clients who use too much support"
    • +
+
Good Answer: "If you exceed your plan hours, we bill additional time at $X/hour. Or you can purchase prepaid block time at a discounted rate."
-

6. "How quickly will you respond to an emergency?"

-
-Good Answer: "Here are our response times by plan tier [shows documented SLAs]. Emergency issues are always prioritized." +
+GPS Answer: "Your plan hours are used first. If you go over, we use any prepaid block time you've purchased ($100-150/hour). If you don't have block time, we bill overages at $175/hour. Most months, clients stay within their plan."
-

7. "What security tools and services are included?"

+

Question 6: "How quickly will you respond to an emergency?"

+ +

Why This Matters: "We're always available" means nothing. You need specific SLAs.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • "We respond as quickly as possible." (No commitment)
    • +
  • "Emergency response is prioritized based on contract tier." (Translation: you might wait)
    • +
  • No written SLAs
    • +
+
-Good Answer: "Our mid-tier plan includes EDR, email security, dark web monitoring, and monthly security awareness training." +Good Answer: "Here are our response times by plan tier [shows documented SLAs]. Emergency issues are prioritized. Here's how we define 'emergency' vs 'urgent' vs 'standard'."
-

8. "Can you help me meet cyber insurance requirements?"

-
-Good Answer: "Yes. We're familiar with common policy requirements. Our [tier] plan covers most of these. We'll provide documentation for your insurance agent." +
+GPS Answer: "Standard Support: 8-hour response. Premium: 4-hour response with after-hours emergency coverage. Priority: 2-hour response, 24/7. Emergencies (total outage) are always escalated immediately regardless of plan."
-

9. "What happens if my business grows or shrinks?"

+

Question 7: "What security tools and services are included?"

+ +

Why This Matters: Basic antivirus isn't enough anymore. You need EDR, email security, employee training, and dark web monitoring.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • "We include antivirus." (That's not enough in 2026)
    • +
  • "Advanced security is available as an add-on." (It should be standard)
    • +
  • "You're responsible for employee security training."
    • +
+ +
+Good Answer: "Our mid-tier plan includes EDR, email security, dark web monitoring, and monthly security awareness training. Here's what each of those means..." +
+ +
+GPS Answer: "GPS-Pro includes advanced EDR (catches threats antivirus misses), email security (anti-phishing), dark web monitoring (alerts if your credentials are compromised), and monthly security awareness training (phishing simulations). GPS-Basic has antivirus only. GPS-Advanced adds compliance tools and ransomware rollback." +
+ +

Question 8: "Can you help me meet cyber insurance requirements?"

+ +

Why This Matters: Most cyber insurance policies now require MFA, EDR, employee training, and offsite backups. Your MSP should help you check those boxes.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • "We're not familiar with cyber insurance requirements."
    • +
  • "That's between you and your insurance agent."
    • +
  • "We can help with that, but it's an additional service."
    • +
+ +
+Good Answer: "Yes. We work with several local insurance agents and we're familiar with common policy requirements. Here's what you'll need... [lists MFA, EDR, training, backup requirements]. Our [tier] plan covers most of these." +
+ +
+GPS Answer: "Absolutely. GPS-Pro includes most of what cyber insurance requires: MFA enforcement, EDR, security awareness training, and cloud backups. We'll provide documentation for your insurance agent showing compliance. We work with several Tucson agents regularly." +
+ +

Question 9: "What happens if my business grows or shrinks?"

+ +

Why This Matters: You need flexibility to scale up or down without penalty.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • "You're locked into your contracted seat count."
    • +
  • "We can add users anytime, but reducing requires a contract amendment."
    • +
  • Rigid package tiers that force you into the next level
    • +
+
Good Answer: "You can add or remove endpoints anytime. Billing adjusts the following month. No penalties for scaling."
-

10. "Can you provide references from clients similar to my business?"

-
-Good Answer: "We work with several [your industry] businesses in the area. Here are three references you can contact." +
+GPS Answer: "We bill per endpoint. Hire 3 people? Add 3 endpoints. Downsize? Remove endpoints. Billing adjusts automatically. No penalties, no contract amendments needed."
+

Question 10: "Can you provide references from clients similar to my business?"

+ +

Why This Matters: An MSP experienced with your industry will understand your specific needs and compliance requirements.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • "We serve all industries." (No specific expertise)
    • +
  • Unwilling to provide references
    • +
  • References are all from 3+ years ago
    • +
+ +
+Good Answer: "We work with several [your industry] businesses in the area. Here are three references you can contact [provides names, companies, phone numbers]." +
+ +
+GPS Answer: "We've been serving Tucson businesses since 2001. We work with medical practices (HIPAA compliance), accounting firms (SOC 2), legal offices (confidentiality requirements), and construction companies (field + office IT). Here are three clients in your industry you can contact." +
+ +

Bonus Question: "Why should I choose you over your competitors?"

+ +

Why This Matters: This reveals what they actually value and how they differentiate.

+ +

Red Flags:

+
    +
  • Generic answers ("We provide great service and competitive pricing")
    • +
  • Bad-mouthing competitors
    • +
  • Can't articulate specific differentiators
    • +
+ +
+Good Answer: "Here's what we do differently... [specific philosophy/approach]. Here's why we think that matters. But you should evaluate us against others - here's what to look for." +
+ +
+GPS Answer: "We chose transparency over sales games. We chose month-to-month terms over contract lock-ins. We chose local presence over offshore call centers. We built GPS the way we'd want to be treated as customers. But don't just take our word for it - use this guide to evaluate us AND our competitors. The right fit matters more than the hard sell." +
+ +

About Arizona Computer Guru

+ +

Who We Are

+ +

Arizona Computer Guru has been protecting Tucson businesses since 2001. We're not a national chain. We're not venture-backed. We're a local MSP that's been here for 25 years because we do right by our clients.

+ +

Our Story:

+ +

We started as a break-fix shop in 2001 - the kind we now warn you about in this guide. We charged hourly, we showed up when things broke, and we made more money when clients had more problems.

+ +

That didn't sit right.

+ +

In 2015, we launched GPS (Guru Protection Services) - our managed services platform - with a different philosophy: proactive monitoring, transparent pricing, and month-to-month terms. We wanted to align our incentives with our clients' success.

+ +

Today we protect hundreds of Tucson businesses - from 5-person accounting firms to 100-employee construction companies. We've prevented countless outages, stopped ransomware attacks before they encrypted a single file, and helped local businesses meet cyber insurance requirements.

+ +

We're proud to be Tucson's MSP.

+ +

What Makes GPS Different

+ +

We covered this throughout the guide, but here's the summary:

+ +
    +
  • Transparent Pricing - $19-39/endpoint depending on protection tier. Published rates. No "call for quote" games.
    • +
  • Local Tucson Team - Office at 7437 E. 22nd St since 2001. Onsite support within 1-2 hours. You can visit us anytime.
    • +
  • Proactive Monitoring - 24/7 monitoring, automated patching, proactive alerts. We fix problems before they cause downtime.
    • +
  • Month-to-Month Terms - No long-term contracts. No early termination fees. We earn your business every month.
    • +
  • Predictable Support Plans - $85-100/hour effective rates with bundled labor hours. No surprise bills.
    • +
  • Full-Stack Protection - EDR, email security, dark web monitoring, security training, compliance tools. Everything you need to meet cyber insurance requirements.
    • +
  • Experience - 25 years in Tucson. We know local businesses, local compliance, and local challenges.
    • +
+

What Our Clients Say

@@ -754,36 +1170,25 @@ A client came to us locked in a 3-year contract with a national MSP. Service was
- Jennifer L., Medical Practice, 12 employees
-
Protecting Tucson Businesses Since 2001 | Page 7 of 8
-
+

Next Steps: Three No-Pressure Options

- -
-
- -
-
520.304.8300
-
7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
-
-
+

Option 1: Get a Custom Quote (15 minutes)

-

Next Steps: Three No-Pressure Options

- -
-
Option 1: Get a Custom Quote (15 minutes)

Tell us about your business:

  • How many computers/servers?
  • What industries/compliance needs?
  • Current IT pain points?
-

We'll send you a detailed quote with our recommendations. No sales pressure. No follow-up calls unless you ask.

-

Call: 520.304.8300 | Email: mike@azcomputerguru.com
-Web: azcomputerguru.com/quote

-
-
-
Option 2: Free Security Assessment ($500 value)
+

We'll send you a detailed quote with our recommendations. No sales pressure. No follow-up calls unless you ask.

+ +

Call: 520.304.8300
+Email: mike@azcomputerguru.com
+Web: azcomputerguru.com/quote

+ +

Option 2: Free Security Assessment ($500 value)

+

We'll scan your network for vulnerabilities:

  • Unpatched systems
    • @@ -791,15 +1196,16 @@ A client came to us locked in a 3-year contract with a national MSP. Service was
  • Phishing susceptibility
  • Cyber insurance readiness
-

You get a detailed report with prioritized fixes. No obligation to use us for remediation.

-

Schedule: azcomputerguru.com/security-assessment

-
-
-
Option 3: Just Keep This Guide
+

You get a detailed report with prioritized fixes. No obligation to use us for remediation.

+ +

Schedule: azcomputerguru.com/security-assessment

+ +

Option 3: Just Keep This Guide

+

You don't have to do anything right now. Keep this guide for when you're ready to evaluate MSPs. Use the red flags, the questions, and the pricing benchmarks to vet whoever you're considering.

-

If you end up choosing us, great. If you choose someone else but make a better decision because of this guide, we're still happy.

-
+ +

If you end up choosing us, great. If you choose someone else but make a better decision because of this guide, we're still happy.

New Client Offer (Limited Time)

@@ -814,9 +1220,10 @@ A client came to us locked in a 3-year contract with a national MSP. Service was

Contact Information

+

Arizona Computer Guru
-7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
+7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710

Phone: 520.304.8300
Email: mike@azcomputerguru.com
Web: azcomputerguru.com

@@ -831,7 +1238,11 @@ A client came to us locked in a 3-year contract with a national MSP. Service was

Thank you for reading.

-
Protecting Tucson Businesses Since 2001 | Page 8 of 8
+
+Arizona Computer Guru
+Protecting Tucson Businesses Since 2001 +
+