Compare IT providers for your law firm on 7 criteria, and get each answer in writing: who answers the phone, guaranteed response times, how far they'll come on-site, how security and backups are proven, law-firm experience, contract terms, and price with exclusions. Score each provider 1 to 3 on every criterion, and the right fit for a firm in Lima, Dayton, or Fort Wayne usually becomes obvious.
For a price benchmark: fully managed IT from Tomorrow's Technology Today runs $200 to $350 per user per month, with our Gold plan starting at $200. That's $1,000 to $1,750 a month for a 5-person firm and $2,400 to $4,200 for a 12-person firm.
The 7-Point Scorecard
Score each provider: 1 = vague or verbal only, 2 = partly in writing, 3 = specific and in writing.
| Criterion | What to ask | How we answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Who answers | Does a technician answer, or a ticket queue? | A live technician, 7am to 5pm on business days; an answering service after hours |
| 2. Response time | What's the guaranteed critical response, and where is it written? | 120 minutes on Gold, 60 on Platinum and Titanium, on your signed proposal |
| 3. Local reach | Can they be on-site when remote isn't enough? | Headquartered in St. Henry, Ohio, serving Lima, Celina, Sidney, Dayton, Fort Wayne and the surrounding region; no charge for drive time back from on-site visits |
| 4. Proven security | Who watches for threats, and who trains your staff? | A human-staffed security operations center, plus security awareness training for your team |
| 5. Proven backups | How often are restores tested, and what proof do you get? | Every backup restore-tested every other week, with screenshot proof |
| 6. Law-firm fit | Do they understand client confidentiality? | Technicians security-trained to CJIS standards and background-checked; agreement explicitly covers privileged material |
| 7. Contract and exit | What happens if they don't perform? | Written notice, 30 days to fix it, otherwise you leave with no early termination fee |
Why Local Still Matters
Most support happens remotely, and most of ours does too. But when a firewall fails, a new office needs wiring, or a partner's laptop won't boot before a hearing, you want someone who can drive over. Ask each provider where their technicians actually work from, not just which cities they list on their website.
6 Red Flags When Comparing Providers
- No written response time. "We're fast" isn't a commitment.
- Nothing to sign at all. Here's why "nothing to sign" is a red flag.
- Generic security language, like "comprehensive protection," with no named services.
- Backups that are never restore-tested.
- No clear answer on who owns your data, passwords, and documentation if you leave.
- Only an upgrade list, no plan. A provider should help you plan, not just tell you what to buy.
Already working with someone and unsure how they measure up? Try Does Your Current Tech Guy Stack Up?, or read 7 signs it's time to replace your IT provider.
A Real Example From Lima
Before: A 10-person manufacturing firm in Lima, Ohio was getting no direction from its IT provider. The only guidance was a list of what to upgrade next, including a recommendation to replace the firm's server.
The switch: We brought the firm through Great Start onboarding. During onboarding we found it didn't need a new server: its applications could move to the cloud and its files to Microsoft 365. When the firm was ready, we quoted that migration as a separate flat-rate project.
After: The server replacement was never needed. The firm now has a documented 1-year technology plan and a 3-year vision for where its technology is headed, with planning reviews included in its monthly fee.
It's not a law firm, but it's the red flag law firms run into most: a provider that sells upgrades instead of planning.
Before You Sign
Once you've narrowed the list, check the fine print with the 16 questions to ask before signing a managed IT contract and what should be included in an IT support agreement.
Why Law Firms Work With Tomorrow's Technology Today
- More than 20 years in business, headquartered in St. Henry, Ohio, serving firms across Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana
- Woman-owned and woman-led
- Every technician is security-trained to CJIS standards and background-checked
- Owner Lisa Niekamp-Urwin wrote Sitting Duck, a #1 Amazon Best Seller, and is a past president of InfraGard Toledo
- Microsoft Partner
See how we support law firms across Ohio and Indiana.
Comparing providers now? Book a 10-minute discovery call. Call us at (419) 678-2083 or visit www.TomTechToday.com/discoverycall to schedule yours.