Losing an in-house IT person or an outsourced provider can feel like a disaster—especially if they were the only one managing your technology. For many SMBs in the Aiken-Augusta area, this is a common problem. 

In many cases, small businesses rely on what we call an “impromptu IT” guy—an employee who gradually took on IT responsibilities simply because they “knew computers.” Sometimes, it’s a tech-savvy friend or family member who stepped in to help. 

We’ve worked with many of these noble impromptu IT folks to make IT management more efficient and, in some cases, transition them back to their intended roles. However, we’ve also had business owners call us in a panic after their IT person quit—or when they had to end the relationship. 

If your IT is struggling and you don’t have a Managed Service Provider (MSP), or if your relationship with your IT guy has ended, here’s how to avoid costly downtime and smoothly transition to an MSP like BIT Services:

1. Take Inventory of Your IT Assets

If your IT person handled everything, chances are they had a lot of undocumented knowledge. Start by collecting: 

  • Passwords & Credentials (for servers, cloud accounts, routers, software, etc.). 
  • Network Diagrams (a map of how everything is connected). 
  • Software Licenses (which tools you’re using and their renewal dates). 
  • Backup Plans (where your backups are stored and how to access them). 

Tip: If you don’t already have this information documented, now is the time to start! An MSP can manage and store these records securely so you never have to worry about losing access.

2. Assess Security Risks

An IT departure can create serious security vulnerabilities. Ask yourself: 

  • Did they have admin access to everything? 
  • Did they use personal accounts instead of business-controlled ones? 
  • Did they leave with critical knowledge about your network? 

Solution: Immediately change all passwords and ensure that only current, trusted employees have access to sensitive systems. If you had an MSP, this process would already be taken care of—without you needing to lift a finger.

3. Avoid a Crisis with a Managed IT Provider

Relying on a single IT person puts your business at risk. Instead, consider a Managed IT Provider (MSP) like BIT Services, which offers: 

  • 24/7 monitoring and support—so issues are detected before they cause downtime. 
  • A team of IT professionals— instead of a single person. 
  • Proactive maintenance—to prevent problems rather than just fixing them. 
  • Cybersecurity protection and compliance assistance—to safeguard your business from cyber threats. 

Takeaway: 

Losing your IT guy doesn’t have to be a disaster. With a reliable Managed Service Provider like BIT Services, you can ensure: 

  • Proper IT documentation 
  • Stronger cybersecurity 
  • 24/7 technical support 

Are you the impromptu IT person who needs help? Or are you a business owner who just lost your IT guy? Give BIT Services a call at 803-226-0837 and let us take IT management off your plate!