CLIENT CASE STUDY
AO IT Consulting | Portland, Oregon | aoitconsulting.com
He came back to a fully upgraded environment, a detailed briefing, and a team that never missed a beat.
|
Client Type Company w/ In-House IT |
Engagement Co-Managed IT Partner |
Window 3-Week IT Manager Absence |
Outcome Major Upgrades, Zero Disruption |
The Situation
Not every business that works with AO IT Consulting is looking to outsource their IT entirely. Some of our most valuable client relationships are with companies that already have an internal IT manager — and simply need a trusted partner to extend their capacity, fill gaps, and handle projects that would otherwise pile up.
This client had exactly that kind of relationship with us. When their IT manager prepared to take a three-week vacation, rather than leaving the business exposed or burdening other staff, they had AO IT in their corner.
Three Weeks, a Long List, and Full Trust
With the IT manager out, the business gave AO IT approval to tackle a substantial backlog of upgrades that had been waiting for the right window:
- Security software upgrades across the organization
- Server software upgrades requiring after-hours reboots
- Major VPN software upgrades on user computers company-wide
None of this was simple. It required careful coordination with end users to schedule connection windows, after-hours server work to avoid disrupting business operations, and the kind of methodical execution that comes from experience.
|
📋 How AO IT Managed the Work • Coordinated directly with end users to schedule upgrade windows without disrupting their workday • Performed server upgrades and reboots after hours to keep business operations running smoothly • Connected remotely to every user computer to complete VPN software upgrades individually • Maintained communication with leadership throughout the process |
The Call from Vacation
Midway through the three weeks, the IT manager called in. Not because something had gone wrong. He’d heard from colleagues that things were going smoothly — better than smoothly. He called to say so, and to tell us he was looking forward to the debrief when he returned.
That call said everything about the kind of trust that had been built. An IT professional, away on vacation, confident enough in AO IT to fully disconnect and enjoy his time off.
The Return
When the IT manager came back, AO IT was ready. We sat down with him for a thorough debrief — walking through every upgrade that had been completed, the status of every system, what had changed, and what to watch going forward.
Rather than returning to chaos or a backlog of half-finished projects, he returned to an environment that was more secure, more up-to-date, and better documented than when he left. We then continued to support him as he got back up to speed, answering questions and ensuring the transition was seamless.
|
“I was able to actually enjoy my vacation knowing AO IT had everything handled. I came back to a better environment than the one I left — and a team that was ready to brief me on every detail.” — IT Manager, AO IT Consulting Client |
By the Numbers
|
3 Weeks Of major IT upgrades completed while the IT manager was away |
0 Disruptions To business operations during the entire upgrade process |
100% Of planned upgrades completed on time and fully documented |
What Is Co-Managed IT?
Co-managed IT is a partnership model where AO IT works alongside your existing internal IT team — not instead of them. We fill capacity gaps, take on project work, provide after-hours coverage, and bring specialized expertise that complements what your team already does well.
It’s ideal for businesses with one or two IT staff who are stretched thin, need a reliable backup, or want a partner they can trust when key people are unavailable. Your IT manager stays in control. We make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Does Your IT Team Have the Backup They Need?
Whether your IT manager is on vacation, overwhelmed with a backlog, or simply needs a trusted partner for specialized projects — AO IT Consulting is built for exactly this kind of relationship. Let’s talk about how we can support your team.
|
🌐 aoitconsulting.com |
📞 (503) 257-3332 |
✉️ aoit@aoitconsulting.com |
Serving Portland and the Pacific Northwest since 2003 | Managed IT • Cloud Services • Cybersecurity • Network Infrastructure