Question 1

What is a managed service provider (MSP)?

Accepted Answer

An MSP manages your entire IT infrastructure for a flat fee: monitoring, maintenance, security, backups and support. Instead of fixing issues one by one, it prevents them for a predictable monthly cost. Maximiz has been an MSP for Quebec SMBs since 2007.

Question 2

Does a business really need an MSP (managed services)?

Accepted Answer

When IT management becomes a source of unexpected issues, time loss, or risks, managed services become a lever. An MSP helps structure, secure, and stabilize the IT environment while supporting business operations and growth.

Question 3

What is the difference between an MSP and an on-call IT technician?

Accepted Answer

A technician typically intervenes when a problem occurs. An MSP takes a proactive approach: monitoring, prevention, security, backups, documentation, and support. The goal is to reduce interruptions and risks, not just fix issues.

Question 4

What is the difference between managed services and break-fix IT support?

Accepted Answer

Break-fix support reacts after a problem occurs and is billed hourly. Managed services are proactive: your systems are continuously monitored and maintained to prevent outages, under a fixed monthly fee. It is more cost-effective and stable for a growing SMB.

Question 5

At what company size does managed services become relevant?

Accepted Answer

As soon as an SMB manages important data, multiple workstations, remote access, or tools like Microsoft 365, managed services become relevant. It's often adopted when IT becomes too complex to manage internally.

Question 6

Is managed services suitable for a growing company?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Managed services help structure IT to support growth: onboarding new employees, standardizing tools, securing access, and planning technology investments.

Question 7

Can Maximiz replace or complement an internal IT team?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Services can be provided as complete external IT or in co-management with an internal team. The approach adapts to each company's reality and needs.

Question 8

Does Maximiz offer 24/7 technical support?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Maximiz provides technical assistance and monitoring available at all times, including security incident detection and response, to minimize business disruption for SMBs.

Question 9

How does IT support work for users?

Accepted Answer

Users contact support when an issue occurs. Requests are prioritized based on their impact to limit interruptions and maintain productivity.

Question 10

Do you offer remote support?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most interventions are done remotely, quickly and efficiently.

Question 11

Do you offer on-site support?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when necessary. On-site interventions are offered particularly for network, equipment, or installation issues.

Question 12

What happens if multiple issues occur at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Requests are sorted by urgency level and their impact on operations. Critical situations are handled as a priority.

Question 13

Are SMBs in Quebec really targeted by cyberattacks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cyberattacks increasingly target SMBs, regardless of region. They are often targeted because they are perceived as more accessible, not because of their size.

Question 14

How can you tell if a company is at cybersecurity risk?

Accepted Answer

Several signs are common: lack of multi-factor authentication, weak passwords, overly broad access, untested backups, or default configurations. An IT assessment quickly identifies priorities.

Question 15

How does an MSP concretely reduce cyberattack risks?

Accepted Answer

By combining continuous measures: updates, endpoint protection, access security, Microsoft 365 policies, protected backups, monitoring, and user best practices.

Question 16

Do you offer IT and security audits or assessments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An assessment provides a clear picture of the IT environment, vulnerabilities, and actions to prioritize based on the company's reality.

Question 17

Can you intervene in case of a security incident?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An intervention may include securing access, limiting impact, restoration, and implementing preventive measures.

Question 18

What is the difference between a backup and a recovery plan?

Accepted Answer

A backup keeps a copy of data. A recovery plan aims to restore systems and resume operations quickly after an incident. Both are essential.

Question 19

Are backups tested?

Accepted Answer

They should be. Testing backups ensures that data can actually be restored when needed.

Question 20

What happens in case of data loss or major outage?

Accepted Answer

The goal is to reduce the impact on operations through restoration, recovery, and prevention mechanisms put in place in advance.

Question 21

Do you manage Microsoft 365 for SMBs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Services can include configuration, security, access management, best practices, and collaborative tools like Teams and SharePoint.

Question 22

Is cloud always suitable for SMBs?

Accepted Answer

Often, but not in the same way for all. Each situation is evaluated to recommend an approach aligned with the company's needs and objectives.

Question 23

Can data be hosted in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the solutions chosen and the company's requirements, options that comply with compliance and security needs can be prioritized.

Question 24

How much do managed IT services cost for an SMB in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

Managed services are typically billed per user or per device, per month. Pricing depends on the number of workstations, the services included (cybersecurity, cloud, 24/7 support) and the service level. Maximiz provides a free quote after a short assessment.

Question 25

Are contracts flexible?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Terms are discussed to adapt to each SMB's reality and evolution.

Question 26

How does a collaboration with Maximiz begin?

Accepted Answer

Every business is different, as are its IT needs. A collaboration always starts with a discussion, in the form of a call or meeting, to understand the reality, challenges, and priorities. This approach allows us to propose a tailored solution, without a one-size-fits-all model or imposed solution.

Question 27

Which regions of Quebec do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Maximiz supports SMBs throughout Quebec, with an established presence in Laval and several regions, including: Montreal and the South Shore, Laval, North Shore, Laurentians, Lanaudière, Montérégie, Eastern Townships, Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec, Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches. Services combine remote support and on-site interventions when necessary.