Assessments – SerVee IT

Purpose: Is your current approach to managing your technology helping your business grow, or is it secretly costing you time and putting you at risk? Answer these questions to find out if you could benefit from professional server management.

Instructions: For each question, choose the answer that most accurately describes your current situation. Be honest—the goal is to get a clear picture of your operational reality.

Section 1: Time, Productivity & Downtime

The “Time is Money” Section

1. When a critical system (like your file server, email, or main application) goes down, what is your immediate response?

We have a dedicated IT professional or service that handles it immediately, usually before we even notice.

A designated “tech-savvy” employee stops their regular job to start troubleshooting.

We search online for solutions and try to fix it ourselves, often taking several hours.

It’s a full-blown panic. Multiple people stop working to try and figure it out.

2. How are routine but critical server tasks like updates, patches, and performance checks currently handled?

They are automated and monitored by a professional as part of a regular maintenance schedule.

We try to do them when we remember, maybe once every few months.

We only apply updates when something breaks or a software forces us to.

We don’t do them because we’re not sure how or are afraid it might break something.

3. On average, how much time does your team (or you personally) spend per month on IT-related troubleshooting instead of focusing on core business tasks?

Almost none. Our systems are managed, so we can focus on our actual jobs.

A few hours here and there. It’s a minor but noticeable distraction.

A full day or more. It feels like a constant, frustrating interruption.

It’s hard to count, but IT problems are a significant drain on our productivity every week.

Section 2: Security & Risk

The “Cost of a Crisis” Section

4. How confident are you that your business data is securely backed up and that you could recover it quickly after a disaster (e.g., fire, theft, or a ransomware attack)?

Very confident. Our backups are automated, tested regularly, and managed by a professional.

We have a backup system (like an external hard drive or basic cloud sync), but we’ve never actually tried to restore from it.

We think our data is backed up, but we’re not entirely sure how it works or if it’s complete.

We have no formal backup system in place.

5. How would you describe your current defense against cybersecurity threats like viruses, malware, and phishing?

We have a multi-layered security strategy (firewall, managed antivirus, employee training) that is professionally monitored.

We have basic antivirus software installed on our computers.

We rely on the default security that came with our operating systems.

We don’t have a specific security strategy. We just hope for the best.

6. If a critical security vulnerability was announced today for your server’s software, how would you find out and what would you do?

Our IT partner would already know and would have a plan to patch it immediately.

We might see it in the news or get an automated notification, then try to figure out how to apply the patch.

We likely wouldn’t find out until it was too late or something went wrong.

What’s a security vulnerability?

Section 3: Strategy & Investment

The “Future-Proofing” Section

7. When considering new business software or technology, what is your process for ensuring it’s compatible and secure with your current systems?

We consult with our IT professional to ensure smooth, secure integration and long-term stability.

The person who needs the software does some research and hopes it works.

We just install it and deal with any problems as they come up.

We avoid new technology because integrating it is too complex and risky.

8. How would you describe the return on investment (ROI) from your current IT setup?

It’s a strategic asset. Our technology is reliable and efficient, directly enabling our business goals and growth.

It’s a necessary expense. It works most of the time, but it doesn’t feel like it’s helping us get ahead.

It’s a cost center. We spend money on it when things break, but we don’t see much value in return.

It’s a liability. Our IT is slow, unreliable, and frequently hinders our ability to do business effectively.

Business IT Health & Server Management Assessment

Section 1: Time, Productivity & Downtime

Section 2: Security & Risk

Section 3: Strategy & Investment

Your IT Health Status