Business IT support FAQ for Winnipeg

Managed IT is an ongoing service in which a provider monitors, patches, secures and supports a business’s computers and accounts. A managed service typically includes a help desk with defined response times, patching, endpoint protection, a device inventory, backup monitoring and regular reporting.

IT support is the broader term and can mean calling someone when something breaks. Managed IT services are the version where a provider is engaged on an ongoing basis to prevent problems as well as fix them.

The provider you are matched with gives bespoke pricing built around your business’s actual needs, not a rigid per-user price. Tailored managed IT with 24/7 support can start from $2,500 per month (CAD), and the exact price depends on your needs. The quote reflects your people and devices, what is already in place, your security and compliance needs, your support hours and whether you need projects. Request a callback to get a quote.

It depends on your size and needs. A single employee has limits on coverage and availability, while a provider offers a wider range of skills and ongoing monitoring. Many businesses use a mix. Ask the provider to explain the options for your situation as part of your quote. The cost guide on this site sets out our sourced estimate of what staffing your own 24/7 support would cost.

Co-managed IT keeps your own IT person primary while a provider adds security, after-hours coverage and specialist skills.

Administration of Microsoft 365, such as setup, user changes and sign-in help, is generally part of support. Licences are a separate matter, so ask how they are handled in your quote and whether you hold them in your own account.

For tenants provisioned in Canada, Microsoft’s Product Terms commit to storing Exchange Online mailbox content, SharePoint site content, OneDrive files and Teams chat messages at rest in Canada.

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security recommends automatic patching, security software, two-factor authentication, staff training, encrypted and tested backups, a firewall, secure Wi-Fi and a written incident response plan.

Under PIPEDA, yes, if a breach of security safeguards poses a real risk of significant harm. The Privacy Commissioner of Canada says the rules apply to small businesses and that every breach must be recorded for two years.

Manitoba’s Personal Health Information Act requires a written agreement when a health care trustee gives personal health information to an information manager, which includes an IT services provider. Check the current Act or ask a lawyer how it applies to you.

No. We connect Winnipeg businesses with a local managed IT provider. This website does not itself provide IT services, and it does not rank or review providers.

Your request is shared with one local Winnipeg IT support partner, which does not outsource its staff to other countries and contacts you by phone or email. Scope, pricing and contract terms are between you and the provider, and you are not obliged to go ahead.

The details you submit are shared with the managed IT provider so it can contact you, and with the service providers that help run this website. See the privacy policy for details.