Getting Started & How Orbis Works

What does a Managed Services Provider (MSP) do?
Think of us as your outsourced IT department. Instead of scrambling to find help when something breaks, you have a team already watching over your systems, handling updates and security in the background, and available when you need support — all for one predictable relationship instead of a string of one-off fixes.

Do I need to already have IT problems to work with Orbis?
Not at all. In fact, most of what we do is designed to keep problems from happening in the first place. If everything is running smoothly right now, that's exactly the right time to put a plan in place — before something forces the issue.

Will I have to replace my current equipment or software?
Usually not. We start by getting to know what you're already using and build around it wherever we can. If something genuinely needs to change for safety or reliability, we'll walk you through why — no surprise overhauls.

What if I already have someone doing IT for me?
That's fine — we've stepped in alongside internal staff, replaced outgrown setups, and everything in between. We'll have an honest conversation about where things stand and what makes sense for your situation.

How is Orbis different from just calling someone when something breaks?
Calling for help after something breaks means you're already losing time and money. Our approach is to catch and prevent issues before they interrupt your day, so the "emergency call" becomes the exception instead of the norm.

Keeping Your Business Safe

Is my business really a target?
We're small. It's one of the most common misconceptions we run into. Smaller businesses are often seen as easier targets precisely because they don't have dedicated security staff. Protecting your business isn't about being big enough to matter — it's about not being the easy option.

What happens if we've already had a security incident?
This is a more common experience than most business owners realize, and it's one we can resolve together. We'll help you understand what happened, contain any ongoing risk, and put the right safeguards in place going forward

How do you know if something suspicious is happening on our systems?
We keep an eye on your devices and email around the clock, watching for the kinds of warning signs that usually go unnoticed until it's too late — so we can step in early, often before you'd even know there was a problem.

I already have antivirus on my computers, why do I need anything else?
Antivirus software is one piece of the puzzle, but it's not a full safety net on its own. Our approach layers monitoring, email protection, and backup together, so if one layer misses something, another one catches it.

I've seen terms like EDR, ITDR, and RMM — what do they mean?
You might run across these while researching online, but you won't hear us lean on alphabet soup in conversation. In plain terms: EDR is about actively watching your devices for threats, ITDR is about protecting your logins and accounts from being hijacked, and RMM is the behind-the-scenes tooling that keeps your systems patched and running smoothly. If you'd like to go deeper on any of these, our Glossary breaks terms like these down without the jargon.

What is a "3-2-1 backup," and why does it matter?
It's a simple rule of thumb for protecting your data: keep three copies of it, store those copies on two different types of storage, and keep one copy somewhere offsite. If a single device fails, gets stolen, or is hit by something like ransomware, you're never left with just one point of failure standing between you and your data.

Pricing & Contracts

How much does managed IT cost?
It depends on the size of your business and what you need covered, which is why we start with a free consultation rather than a one-size-fits-all price tag. You'll walk away with a clear picture of what's included and what it costs before you commit to anything.

Are we locked into a long-term contract?
We believe the relationship should hold up because it's working for you, not because you're stuck. We'll talk through terms openly during your consultation so there are no surprises later.

What's included, and what might cost extra?
Ongoing monitoring, security, and support are typically part of your regular plan. Larger projects — like a full office move or a major equipment upgrade — are usually scoped and quoted separately. We'll always tell you before any added cost, not after.

Do you charge extra every time something goes wrong?
That's the opposite of how we like to work. Our goal is to prevent the "something went wrong" calls in the first place, and ongoing support is built into your plan rather than billed piecemeal.

Support & Onboarding

What are your support hours?
We're here during regular business hours, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm (Eastern Time), with plans in place for urgent issues outside that window. We know emergencies happen and always have an on-call tech available. We'll go over the specifics with you so you always know what to expect.

What happens after we book a consultation?
We'll talk through where your business stands today, what's working, and where there's risk. From there, we'll lay out a clear plan so you know exactly what comes next.

What does onboarding look like in the first few weeks?
We take it step by step, getting to know your systems and putting protections in place without disrupting your day-to-day. You'll always know what's happening and why.

Who will we actually be working with?
A real team who gets to know your business, not a rotating cast of strangers on a support line. Consistency is a big part of how we work.

Still have a question we didn't cover? Book a free consultation and we'll walk through it together.