Published June 19th 2025 in Managed IT Matters

How One Westlake Business Transformed with addo Solutions: A True MSP Comparison Success Story

Introduction: Picking the Right MSP in the Land of Rock and Roll (And Great IT!)

What happens when a growing business in Westlake, Ohio, finds itself tangled in tech woes—plagued by sluggish connections, security worries, and an endless parade of surprise IT invoices? They turn to the superheroes at addo Solutions, of course! Grab your favorite mug of Cleveland-roasted coffee and settle in for an epic, true-to-life tale of hope, hustle, and high-fives, all set right here in the heart of Westlake.

Meet the Client: 'Lakefront Financial Partners' (Sanitized, but Seriously Local!)

Nestled minutes from the Crocker Park shopping district and within shouting distance of beautiful Lake Erie sunsets, Lakefront Financial Partners is a boutique financial advisory firm with deep Buckeye roots. When their old MSP “Tech-B-There” became more like “Tech-B-Somewhere Else,” productivity started taking a nosedive. Phones were ringing off the hook—not with clients, but with complaints about security pop-ups, printer outages, and the Wi-Fi dropping faster than Browns' playoff hopes (hey, we're optimists!).

The Burning Problems:

  • Cybersecurity Gaps: Phishing attempts were on the rise, and sensitive client data felt vulnerable.
  • Unreliable Network: Regular drops during peak hours, killing collaboration (and morale).
  • Poor Support: Helpdesk calls routed to somewhere-distant technicians who'd never even spelled “Cuyahoga.”
  • Wildcard Costs: Unpredictable monthly bills kept the CFO reaching for antacids.

Lakefront’s leaders knew something had to change—stat.

Enter addo Solutions, The Westlake IT Wizards

When the team at Lakefront heard about addo Solutions at a Westshore Chamber of Commerce event (truth: great place for IT recommendations and pierogi), they saw hope. addo Solutions swept in with their signature white-glove approach, local love for Northeast Ohio, and cybersecurity expertise as hardy as a Terminal Tower in January. Here’s how the adventure unfolded.


Chapter 1: The MSP Comparison Showdown (The Tale of Two Techs)

When Lakefront began comparing MSPs, here’s how addo Solutions stacked up:

Managed Service Provider Local Expertise Cybersecurity Support Speed Cost Predictability
addo Solutions Born and bred in Northeast Ohio, feet-on-the-ground, Browns fans Advanced, layered (MFA, SIEM, MDR, user training) 9 min avg. ticket resolution, actual humans Flat-rate, zero surprise fees
Tech-B-There Office in Columbus, calls routed globally Basic firewall, quarterly audits 2 hours+ avg, phone trees of doom Unpredictable, random tacked fees
Budget IT, Inc. Virtual office, never seen at Crocker Park Antivirus only, no awareness training 1-2 days avg. Looks cheap, but "hidden" charges

Winners love a scoreboard. Our hometown heroes quickly outperformed the competition on every local and technical metric.


Chapter 2: The Security Makeover Montage (Cue 80s Synthwave!)

Step one for addo Solutions was battening down the cyber-hatches:

  1. 360-Degree Security Audit: addo dove deep—think “CSI: Cyber” but friendlier—raising red flags about password sharing, unpatched servers, and lack of training.
  2. User Training and Phishing Simulations: Because the best security is a human who knows a phishing line when they see it.
  3. Layered Protection: Next-gen antivirus, firewalls, email security, real-time monitoring—all deployed faster than you could order a Slyman’s corned beef to-go.
  4. All That and a Cyber Insurance Review: addo’s experts even helped Lakefront secure favorable cyber insurance rates by demonstrating all the new protections.

Six weeks in, phishing attempts were down 70%. User mistakes? Nearly extinct. Lakefront’s compliance audits? A breeze!


Chapter 3: Networking Nirvana—From Glitchy to Genius

No one wants to see the Wi-Fi wheel of doom mid-client Zoom. addo’s local techs upgraded Lakefront’s network with best-in-class switches, redundancy, and cloud-managed gear. With monitoring on tap 24/7, even the cleaning crew’s Roomba stays connected now!

Lakefront employees could finally:

  • Upload DocuSign agreements without rage-quitting.
  • Run team meetings that don’t freeze every other sentence.
  • Work from the Westlake Rec Center, home office, or that cozy spot at Erie Island Coffee—seamlessly!

Chapter 4: White-Glove Support – More Ohio, Less Outsourcing

Nothing beats talking to someone who knows a Parma pierogi from a Philly cheesesteak. addo’s friendly Westlake helpdesk speaks your language (including “printer stubbornness”) and genuinely cares. The average ticket turnaround? Nine minutes, often with a callback to be sure all is resolved.

When Lakefront’s CEO left his laptop at a client’s office in Avon? addo’s techs swung by, secured the machine, and delivered it—face-to-face, not via a tracking number lost in the ether.


Chapter 5: Predictable Costs, Genuinely Transparent

With addo Solutions’ managed IT plan, Lakefront could finally breathe: a flat monthly rate that included everything—there were no surprise invoices.

  • Monthly, all-in pricing: No more nickel-and-dime add-ons.
  • Annual budget reviews: Part of the service, helping the CFO plan tech upgrades and avoid nasty surprises.
  • ROI proof: addo produced a detailed quarterly report showing reduced downtime (an increase in billable time), zero ransomware events, and improved employee satisfaction.

Chapter 6: Community Counts – Giving Back and Growing Smarter Together

Westlake’s business spirit is all about community, and addo Solutions fits right in. From sponsoring local youth robotics leagues to hosting cyber-safety seminars at the Westlake Porter Public Library (seriously, try the coffee there), addo makes tech approachable for all.

Lakefront’s leadership even shared their experience at a North Olmsted Small Biz Breakfast, describing how the right MSP can mean the difference between tech stress and stress-free growth.


The Transformation: Lakefront Now vs. Then

Before addo Solutions After addo Solutions
Unpredictable outages Zero unscheduled downtime for 15+ months
Security anxieties, failed audits Passed first external audit W/ Flying Colors
Calls to distant support, slow or no fix Local help in <10 min, follow-up on every call
Surprise costs every month Flat, transparent pricing, free budget planning
Low morale, high frustration Employee satisfaction up, productivity booming

Why Local MSPs Like addo Solutions Win in Westlake (And Beyond)

  1. We live here too: addo’s team knows the weather, the broadband quirks, the local businesses, and, yes, the best pizza joints.
  2. Fast, face-to-face help: In emergencies, they’re minutes away.
  3. Community investment: Your dollars stay local and support Northeast Ohio’s growth.
  4. Custom approaches: No one-size-fits-all. It’s tech tailored to your company and your goals.

Final Takeaway: If They Can Do It, So Can You!

The story of Lakefront Financial Partners is proof that when you pick the right managed IT partner—especially one with local Westlake pride—you don’t just avoid problems, you unleash growth. addo Solutions turned IT chaos into security, reliability, and energetic support. Today, Lakefront’s leadership is spending less time fixing tech and more time focusing on client success (and perfecting their Bocce Ball game at Clague Park).

Let Lakefront’s journey inspire your business. No matter your industry or size, you deserve IT support that’s responsive, reliable, and as Midwestern-friendly as a Friday night at the Westlake Music Festival. Ready to make IT simple, secure, and seriously awesome? We’re here for you, Westlake.

About addo Solutions

addo Solutions is a white-glove managed IT solutions provider based in Westlake, Ohio. We combine advanced cybersecurity, responsive support, and genuinely local care for businesses and organizations across Northeast Ohio. When it comes to protecting your data, boosting productivity, and keeping tech headaches at bay, our team brings the same passion and excellence whether supporting a startup in Bay Village or a bustling business on Center Ridge Road.


Got questions? Need help with an MSP comparison of your own? Call, email, or wave us down at Crocker Park (look for the team with the addo-logoed laptop bags and huge smiles). Let’s shape the future—together! 🚀

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Published June 19th 2025 in Managed IT Matters

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