You know the moment: Revit crashes, the model won’t load, and the deadline is ticking. You call IT—and nobody answers. That’s the hidden cost of “budget” IT support.
On the surface, cheaper managed IT services might seem like a win for your architectural firm in Salt Lake City: lower monthly fees, some basic helpdesk support, maybe even a bit of cybersecurity. But when the renderings stop, the network slows, or the client’s files disappear—you realize just how costly "cheap" really is.
After working with firms across Salt Lake—from FFKR to GSBS—we've seen the same issues come up again and again. Below are the five most common traps that budget IT support sets for design firms like yours, and what it really costs you.
Inadequate Cybersecurity That Exposes Client Projects
Basic antivirus? That’s not cybersecurity. But it’s what most low-cost IT providers install.
No zero-trust architecture. No 2FA. No endpoint detection. No internal employee training. And no fallback if something goes wrong.
If you’re storing high-end 3D models, BIM files, and sensitive client specs, you’re a target. We’ve seen Salt Lake firms denied cyber insurance claims because their IT support never implemented the required controls. One ransomware attack cost a mid-size firm over $75,000—and months of lost productivity.
That’s not managed IT. That’s negligence.
Backups That Skip BIM, CAD, And Everything You Actually Need
Here’s a myth: "We use Microsoft 365—so we’re backed up."
Nope. 365 and Google Workspace provide limited backups. They don't cover long-term versioning, immutable storage, or design platform integrations.
We've seen low-end IT services in Salt Lake skip critical systems like AutoCAD vaults, Revit models, and project management platforms like Newforma. And when disaster strikes? There's no recovery.
Ask your current provider: Are you backing up our BIM libraries? Are backups immutable? Are they tested monthly? If the answer is no, your business is exposed.
The "Low Monthly Fee" That Doesn't Include What You Actually Need
This one's classic: the quote looks cheap—until you need support after 6 PM, or someone has to come on-site.
At Qual IT, we believe in predictable pricing. But most Salt Lake IT companies bolt on fees for evenings, emergencies, and even basic file restores.
Result? You delay calling support. The team fumbles through workarounds. Productivity drops. And you pay more in the long run.
"That's Not Our Problem" When Your Network Printer Breaks
Your plotter crashes the day before a big presentation. Your IT provider says, "We don't support printers."
Low-end IT vendors often refuse to manage vendor relationships or troubleshoot anything outside their list. So when your VOIP phone, cloud rendering tool, or on-site server hiccups, they charge extra—or walk away.
Qual IT takes full ownership of everything touching your network. From vendor calls to third-party software, we handle the messy middle so you can keep designing.
One Junior Tech, No Strategy, And Zero Roadmap
The biggest red flag? You have a tech, but not a plan.
We see this too often in Salt Lake architectural firms—a single 1099 tech juggling support tickets with no oversight, no proactive reviews, and no clue about your strategic goals.
You deserve more. A dedicated account manager. Quarterly IT planning. BIM workflow optimization. Future-proofing your tech stack. That's real managed services.
If It Feels Too Cheap To Be Right, It Probably Is
Architectural IT isn’t just about keeping computers running. It’s about making sure your firm can deliver big designs without technical roadblocks.
If your current Salt Lake City IT provider doesn't understand AutoCAD workflows, BIM collaboration, or how to keep your render farms online—they're not saving you money. They're costing you projects.
Want to know what your IT setup is really missing? Let us take a look. We’ll audit your backups, security, and performance—for free—and walk you through exactly where the risks are.
Click here to book your FREE IT Risk Assessment.
