You know the saying: You get what you pay for. And nowhere is that more painfully true than in IT support.
For many businesses across New Jersey and New York, a low-cost managed IT services plan might seem like a smart move. Lower monthly fees, basic help desk support, maybe even some cybersecurity tools, it all sounds great on paper. But once you’re locked into the contract, the reality often paints a very different picture.
At Advanced Computer Technologies (ACT), we’ve reviewed dozens of IT service agreements from tri-state area providers, and the same red flags come up again and again. Below are the top five ways “budget” MSPs cut corners, and why those shortcuts can lead to serious disruptions and unexpected costs for your business.
1. Weak (Or Nonexistent) Cybersecurity Protections
Cheap IT providers often rely on basic antivirus software and call it cybersecurity. Here’s what is often missing:
- Multi-factor authentication (2FA)
- Advanced threat detection and response
- Employee phishing training
- Immutable, off-site backups
- Proactive monitoring for ransomware or zero-day threats
- For businesses in regulated industries like healthcare, legal, and finance, this level of protection isn’t optional, it’s required. And if your cyber insurance claim is denied due to missing security protocols, the fallout can be devastating.
New Jersey medical and financial firms have seen breaches cost them tens of thousands, all because their MSP failed to meet insurance requirements.
2. No Real Backups for Cloud or Critical Business Apps
Most business owners assume Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or their CRM is backed up automatically. They’re not.
Budget MSPs often ignore:
- Cloud application backups
- CRM and EMR/EHR platforms
- Immutable, off-site storage
- Even worse, these providers rarely test backups or create a disaster recovery plan. One major ransomware event or accidental data deletion, and your business could lose years of records.
Think your data is safe? Ask your provider exactly what’s being backed up and what’s not.
3. Surprise Fees for On-Site Visits or After-Hours Help
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book. You’re quoted a low monthly rate, but then charged extra every time:
- A tech needs to come on-site
- You need support after 5 PM
- There’s an emergency that can’t wait
The result? Your staff hesitates to call for help. Downtime drags on. And that “cheap” IT plan costs you far more in lost productivity than you ever expected.
At ACT, we provide flat-rate, fully or co-managed IT services to New Jersey and New York businesses with no hidden fees.
4. No Support for Vendors or Third-Party Devices
Have a problem with your phones, security cameras, printers, or internet provider? Many budget MSPs will tell you: “Not our problem.”
Some even charge you hourly just to talk to another vendor on your behalf. That’s not partnership, it’s partial service.
At ACT, we act as your vendor liaison, handling tech issues across your entire ecosystem so your team doesn’t waste time finger-pointing between providers.
5. No Strategic Guidance, Just a Ticket System
Many low-cost MSPs are either solo techs or contractors juggling multiple clients. They’ll put out fires but offer no long-term vision.
Without a dedicated account manager or vCIO (virtual CIO), you miss out on:
- A clear technology roadmap
- Ongoing cybersecurity and compliance reviews
- Budget planning for upgrades
- Strategic guidance on business growth
Tri-state businesses need more than reactive support, they need a trusted IT partner who’s thinking three steps ahead.
Bottom Line: If It Seems Too Good to Be True…
It probably is. Across New Jersey and New York, we’ve seen businesses face major disruptions because they didn’t know their IT provider left key systems exposed.
A cheaper monthly fee won’t mean much when your business is offline.
Get a Free IT Risk Assessment for Your NJ or NY Business
Not sure what your current provider is doing (or missing)? Let us take a look.
We offer a FREE, no-pressure IT Risk Assessment for local businesses. We’ll review your setup, identify any vulnerabilities, and give you clear, actionable recommendations
✅ Based in the NY/NJ area
✅ Experts in regulated industries like healthcare, legal, and finance
✅ Flat-rate pricing with 24/7 support