How PC Wizard IT Consulting Ended Weekly Crashes, Fixed a Silent Backup Failure and Removed Hidden Malware for a 14-Computer Boca Raton Commercial Real Estate Firm
Executive Summary
The client:
A growing commercial real estate firm in Boca Raton, FL, with 14 computers.
The challenge:
Desktops and laptops crashed on a weekly basis for many of the employees. A user error caused data loss, and the firm's backup system had stopped working without anyone noticing, forcing them to redo several weeks of unbillable rework.
The solution:
A robust backup system running every hour and verified daily by PC Wizard IT Consulting; removal of unneeded software; patching of all required software and device firmware; malware removal; and antivirus with EDR/MDR protection.
The result:
Crashes virtually eliminated. Six months later, the firm can count crashes across all 14 computers as virtually non-existent. Existing computers run 10–25% faster, and the firm's cybersecurity is significantly stronger.
The challenge: constant crashes, a backup nobody knew had failed and costly lost work
For this Boca Raton firm, technology problems had become part of the weekly routine. Every employee experienced crashes on their desktop or laptop, interrupting client work and wasting billable time. Further, the band-aid solution was to often go out and buy new desktops and laptops when crashes became too frequent, wasting money on unneeded equipment, time to set that equipment up, and crashes would often return within a short period because of the quality of the new hardware, improper setup, and lack of proper maintenance.
Then a simple user error deleted important data. The firm had a backup system in place, but when they went to restore, they discovered it had stopped working, and no one had noticed. Rebuilding the lost work took several weeks of unbillable time and caused real embarrassment with clients.
Weekly crashes
Desktops and laptops froze or crashed regularly across the office.
Unmonitored backups
The backup system had silently failed, and nobody was checking it.
Costly data loss
A user error led to weeks of unbillable rework and damaged client confidence.
Cluttered machines
Computers carried unneeded software and were missing software and firmware updates.
Hidden security risk
Without modern endpoint protection and security patches, malware could run undetected.
Managed IT and cybersecurity support for Boca Raton businesses
The solution: verified backups, cleaner computers and layered protection
PC Wizard IT Consulting onboarded the firm within a few days and addressed the root causes rather than the symptoms, in three parts.
Hourly backups, verified every day
We replaced the failed setup with a robust backup system that captures the firm's data and even the server's OS state, for quick disaster recovery, once per hour. Just as important, our team checks every day that the backups completed successfully and that the backup is viable for restoration.
If a file is deleted or overwritten by mistake, it can be restored from a recent backup, and the firm never again has to wonder whether its backup is working. Every evening, backups are copied to the cloud in case the office suffers a flood, fire, or burglary. The on-prem backup device is encrypted, so its theft does not mean a disaster: backups can be restored from the cloud as well.
Cleanup, patching and firmware updates
We removed software the firm did not need from every computer, which freed resources and reduced the number of programs that could cause conflicts or security holes. All software the firm did need was patched to current versions, device firmware was updated, and the operating systems were patched. These changes addressed the main causes of the weekly crashes. Patches continue on an ongoing basis as part of the managed IT services PC Wizard IT Consulting now provides, addressing security risks that may crop up.
Malware removal and EDR/MDR protection
During onboarding, we discovered malware on one machine that was causing pop-ups and could drag in other malware that would lead to data leakage, a threat the firm's previous cybersecurity setup had not caught. We removed it and deployed antivirus with endpoint detection and response (EDR) and managed detection and response (MDR) on all 14 computers, so suspicious behavior is detected, investigated, and stopped.
The results: real-world business impact
Six months after partnering with PC Wizard IT Consulting, the firm's technology works the way it should.
Crashes are a thing of the past
Weekly crashes for every employee are gone. Across all 14 computers, the firm can now count the crashes over the six months on one hand. Employees no longer need to constantly save in anticipation of a crash, and lost work does not need to be redone. If a support call is needed, it is handled quickly by IT staff familiar with the company's setup. IT costs are now fixed and predictable, with no extra charges for these visits.
Faster computers without new hardware
Cleanup, patching and firmware updates improved the stability and the performance of the existing computers by 10 to 25 percent, extending their useful life instead of forcing replacements. Employee productivity and morale improved with it.
Data and security the firm can rely on
Hourly backups, verified daily for completion and viability, mean a mistake no longer costs weeks of rework. Combined with antivirus with EDR/MDR and 24/7/365 manned Security Operations Center monitoring, the firm's cybersecurity is significantly stronger. The firm was also able to obtain an IT insurance policy it had previously been denied.
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