by Scott Jack
Content Contributor, E-N Computers
More than a decade of experience in technical support including end user support, mobile device management, application deployment, and documentation.
When Martha Perez took over finance at Atlantic 10, IT tickets clogged her inbox, equipment lifecycles were a mystery, and no one had a plan for cybersecurity. That changed when she hired E-N Computers. At first glance, ENC was going to cost more than their previous provider. But they quickly saved on Microsoft licensing—and gained a proactive IT partner who helped them secure their systems, plan ahead, and get control of their technology.
“For the services we get, everyone understood E-N Computers was worth the cost,” Perez said.
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Client profile
Organization: Atlantic 10 Conference
Industry: Collegiate Athletics/Education
Size: 15-20 employees
Location: Washington, D.C.
Key Contact: Martha Perez, Director of Finance
Key results
- 52.6% reduction in Microsoft licensing costs
- Secure Score jumped to 63%, well above the 48% average
- First-ever hardware replacement schedule
- Direct ticketing freed up finance department
The challenge: Breaking free from the way it’s always been
The Atlantic 10 Conference maintained a relationship with the same IT provider for over 20 years, dating back to when their office was located in Philadelphia. While the provider was responsive when problems arose, their approach was entirely reactive. There was no proactive planning, no regular reporting, and no strategic guidance on technology investments.
“They were very responsive when something was wrong—somebody would always pick up the phone and help—but they never really provided any reporting assistance or a plan to replace computers,” Perez said. “They were good at providing technical support when needed, but that was about it.”
This reactive approach created several significant pain points. The organization lacked visibility into their hardware lifecycle, making budget planning difficult. All IT issues had to funnel through the finance department before reaching their provider, creating unnecessary delays. Perhaps most concerning, they had no strategy for maintaining or improving their security posture.
The office relocation to Washington, D.C. presented the perfect opportunity for change. “There’s obviously a lot of companies in D.C.”, Perez explained. “Maybe this is the time to look at something that’s more local, that could provide more services than just the standard ‘my computer doesn’t work, can you help me?'”
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The solution: A proactive partnership
Atlantic 10 found E-N Computers through an article, and they realized they had found a provider that aligned with their vision for more proactive IT management.
Direct ticketing, on-site visits and monthly reviews
E-N Computers began by establishing a direct ticketing system that allowed staff to request support without going through the finance department. This seemingly simple change represented a significant cultural shift for the organization, where employees had grown accustomed to routing all technical issues through a single point of contact.
A key differentiator for Perez was E-N Computers’ commitment to regular onsite visits. “The thing that sold me is the monthly visit, because we never had that before,” she said. “There’s just some things that are better in person.”
Monthly account reviews became a cornerstone of the new partnership. Martha meets regularly with Technical Account Manager Kevin Griffith, Administrative Account Manager Amy Birckhead, Network & System Engineer Henry Rice, and other team members to review open tickets, plan upcoming projects, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
“That gives me peace of mind,” Martha said, “because at least once a month, we’re all looking at our account, making sure nothing is falling through the cracks.”
Better security, document management and inventory management
On the technical front, E-N Computers deployed Microsoft Intune with security policies and baselines, dramatically improving Atlantic 10’s security posture. Their Microsoft Secure Score now stands at 63%, significantly higher than the 48% average for similar organizations. They transitioned from commercial to educational Microsoft 365 licensing, reducing costs by 52.6% while gaining enhanced security features through A5 licensing. Griffith, technical account manager at E-N Computers, says, “It gave them a heck of a bump in services available. So we’ve upped the ante with that.”
E-N Computers facilitated a SharePoint migration with Incite Automation, creating a centralized document management system that eliminated the need for file servers. They deployed Ninja RMM through the existing company app portal and began testing Windows Autopilot for streamlined device deployment.
Perhaps most importantly, E-N Computers worked with Martha to create Atlantic 10’s first comprehensive IT inventory and replacement schedule.
“We’re finally to the point where we’re looking at the computers that we have and asking, ‘What do we need to replace now? What needs to be replaced in the next two or three years?’” Martha explained. “That’s the biggest priority for me, not just so I can put it in the budget, but so that we start having a good inventory of what we have and depending on its use, when it needs to be replaced.”
The results: A transformed IT experience
While Atlantic 10 is paying more for managed services than they paid for break/fix services from their previous provider, Martha is quick to point out the value they’re receiving.
“It is a lot more expensive. But we know it’s because the old company had never increased their fees, and they were losing a lot of money on us,” she said. The cost increase has been partially offset by significant savings in Microsoft licensing. “Our previous IT company didn’t realize or didn’t know that we could apply for educational licenses,” Perez said. “So we were paying the full business cost for our licenses. Now we’re saving quite a bit of money there.”
The cultural adaptation went more smoothly than Martha had feared.
“At least for me, because I was coming in new, there was that worry that all of the veteran employees were so comfortable with the old company,” she recalled. “So it was that worry of, ‘Oh my gosh, they’re so used to doing this when something happens that now we’re completely changing the process—you have to put in a ticket.'”
In practice, the transition went remarkably well. “By the time everybody kind of had to go through one issue or one ticket, that was good,” Martha noted. She has maintained her role as the first point of contact for certain issues, but with a much more efficient backend process.
The organization now has visibility into their technology assets, a clear roadmap for future improvements, and dramatically improved security. The shift from reactive to proactive IT management has given Martha and her team peace of mind and allowed them to focus on their core mission rather than technology problems.
Looking ahead: Building on a strong foundation
E-N Computers continues to work with Atlantic 10 on several strategic initiatives. They’re exploring a potential migration from their current Fortinet solution to a Meraki firewall. They’re planning to migrate from an unsupported AWS server hosting survey software to a more efficient web app container. And they’re continuing to strengthen security across the organization.
When asked how she would describe E-N Computers to a colleague, Martha doesn’t hesitate: “They are very proactive in their approach, very responsive. I get emails for everything, so it’s good to know that everything is going to keep flowing. And the fact that I know I can always call Amy or Kevin—there’s always people that I can reach out to, and they’ll point me in the right direction.”
E-N Computers helped Atlantic 10 turn IT from a cost center into a strategic tool. Their mix of planning, monitoring, and hands-on support shows what a proactive IT partnership can do.
About E-N Computers
E-N Computers helps small and mid-sized organizations turn IT into a strategic asset. Their managed services include regular onsite support, proactive security, and expert guidance from a dedicated team.
For more information about how E-N Computers can transform your organization’s IT operations, contact us today.
Next Steps
When you have the right people working together, you can implement systems and processes that actively help you reach your business goals. We sometimes call this IT maturity. But for many organizations, something is off when it comes to their partnerships, strategy, systems, and settings. How can you know what’s working well and where you have room for improvement? Start by taking our free IT Maturity Self-Assessment. You’ll walk away with some pointers and, if you want, a free appointment to discuss your results.
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