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LRS Small Business Tech Services

Managed IT Services and Network Support

Protect your organization from computer problems with LRS Small Business Services.

Located in Springfield, LRS® Small Business Tech Services provides managed services and technical support for businesses and non-profits throughout central Illinois. Our experienced IT consultants provide preventative solutions to ensure computer systems operate at peak performance through regular remote monitoring and computer maintenance. In computer emergencies, they also provide tech support for disaster recovery, email servers, computer repairs, data backup and recovery, server crashes, and Microsoft® Exchange issues.


IT SUPPORT SERVICES 

  • 24/7 Network Monitoring and Remote Maintenance
  • Antivirus Services & Security Updates
  • Support for Workstations, Servers, and Network Devices
  • Installations and Upgrades of Software and Hardware

Services We Provide:

  • Computer Support
  • Remote Monitoring
  • General Consulting
  • Server Installation
  • Server Upgrade
  • Server Maintenance
  • Incident Support
  • Local & Online Data Backup
  • Workstation Configuration

We Are Experts In:

  • Computer Optimization/Performance
  • Computer Security
  • Server Hardware and Software
  • Computer Hardware and Software
  • Network Hardware and Infrastructure
  • Data Backup and Disaster Recovery
  • Network Design & Installation
  • Cost Analysis

Problems We'll Fix:

  • Network Domain Issues
  • Computer Virus Problems
  • Email Issues
  • Computer Crashes
  • Network Firewall Issues
  • Server Issues
  • Wireless Networking Problems
  • Network Connectivity Loss
  • Software Malfunctions
  • File Recovery Problems

Managed IT Services

24/7 Network Monitoring
and Management

Remote Maintenance
and Support

Antivirus Services
and Security Updates

Benefits of Managed IT Services with LRS

Proactive Services

  • We monitor your networks critical systems all day, every day! 24/7 365 days a year.
  • By monitoring key network systems, we can often identify problems before they occur – saving you time and money.
  • Critical Microsoft and third party (Adobe, Java, etc.) security updates run at night to keep your system secure and up to date.

Full IT Team

  • With Remote Access, our team can log in to your network to provide repair and support without the need for appointments or travel time.
  • We have multiple technicians available to solve the most complex network issues.
  • With our experienced team of IT professionals, you will have multiple training disciplines at your disposal to provide the best support possible.

Automated Online Ticketing System

  • Conveniently create tickets for Sales or Service online.
  • Directly track and update all tickets for your business – all in one place.
  • Easily review the history of your account.

Cybersecurity Services

Every company, regardless of its size, can be targeted by cyber-attacks which can harm its operations, brand, reputation, and finances.

How can a cyberattack impact your business?

Data Breaches

In a cyberattack, hackers can access, steal, or expose customer data, which can lead to problems like identity theft, fraud, or penalties from regulators.

Financial Loss

Cyberattacks can cost your business money in many ways, including costs associated with data breaches, theft of funds, disruptions to business operations, and the potential for legal issues.

Legal Issues

Depending on what cybercriminals did, your business could be sued, fined, or face investigations for not following data protection and privacy laws.

LRS Small Business Tech Services offers a range of cyber protections:

Vulnerability and Penetration Testing

Identify weaknesses in systems and networks and take appropriate measures to address them.

MFA Implementation

Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA, add an extra layer of security by requiring additional verification beyond passwords.

Dark Web Monitoring

We monitor the dark web to determine if any business-related information or credentials are being traded or sold on the dark web.

Incident Response Training

Train employees on what to do if there's a cybersecurity problem, like the importance of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), why strong passwords are important, how to spot phishing attacks, or what to do if the CEO of a company asks you to purchase gift cards.

Sales & Support

Allow our experienced IT consultants to defend your network against cybersecurity threats around the clock with software and applications that can be installed on servers and workstations across your network.

Looking for more information on how to protect your organization? Please see our cybersecurity services.

Learn More

MEET OUR IT CONSULTANTS

The information technology experience of LRS Small Business Tech Services demonstrates our team’s competency in planning, purchasing, implementing, monitoring, and troubleshooting diverse issues with personal computers, servers, and network systems. In the current economic climate, businesses rely heavily on technology, and demand is increasing for network expertise. However, many companies require IT support on a part-time-only basis and don’t need to hire an employee or staff for the job full time. Under circumstances like these, your business can count on the IT services and tech support provided by LRS Small Business Services.


Scott Brown

Scott Brown

Scott Brown has been troubleshooting problems with desktops, servers, and networks for over 15 years. Starting as a student at Blackburn College, he worked on-campus as the crew head for the technology division. After graduation, he was hired by a Springfield office supply company as a Systems Engineer and was soon promoted to the Director of Technology Services. In 2012 Brown furthered his career by joining the LRS Network Support team, in 2019 Brown was promoted to Senior Network Consultant then later, in 2022, was promoted to Manager of the Small Business Tech Services division.

Certifications and Degrees

  • Microsoft Certified Professional
  • Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
  • Microsoft Certified Server Administrator
  • X360 Recover Direct to Cloud Certification
  • X360 Cloud Certification
  • X360 Recover Replibit Certification
  • Member of Axcient Partner Advisory Committee
  • B.A. Management Information Systems and Computer Science, Blackburn College

Fun Fact about Scott

“I love playing all kinds of sports and, with five children (all boys), I have my own starting lineup for a basketball team.”

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Arron Gass

Arron Gass

Arron Gass has acquired nearly fifteen years of IT experience, starting as a network administrator for a college department while attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale. While still a student, he advanced his skill set further by working as a network consultant for several IT firms. After graduation he returned to SIUC as a network administrator until joining LRS in 2008. Arron took on a leadership role within the newly formed but growing LRS Network Support team in 2009. He was promoted to Senior Network Consultant in 2016 and today, serves as Network Support Coordinator.

Certifications and Degrees

  • B.S. Information System Technologies, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: Windows Server 2012
  • Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Messaging Administrator on Exchange 2010

Fun Fact about Arron

“With my extensive knowledge of Microsoft products, most people are surprised to hear I didn’t get my first Windows PC until I turned 18, until then I only owned Apple computers.”

.
Jeff Greer

Jeff Greer

Jeff Greer has been providing tech support to businesses for more than twenty years. After earning a degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he worked as a network administrator for an office supply company offering technology support to central Illinois businesses. In 2011, Jeff made the move to LRS to join the growing team of network support consultants. He was promoted to Senior Network Consultant in 2019.

Certifications and Degrees

  • MCITP Microsoft Server Administrator on Windows Server 2008 (R2)
  • Fortinet Certified Network Security Administrator
  • InfoSec Certified Ethical Hacker
  • B.A. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Fun Fact about Jeff

“I didn’t go to school for IT. I went to school first to be an engineer, then an attorney. It wasn’t until my last year of school that I found an interest in networking in a MAC computer lab.”

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Joe O'Brien

Joe O'Brien

Joe O’Brien has gained over fifteen years of IT experience in various capacities working for Internet service providers, as a small-to-medium business consultant, and in the education industry. Most recently he acted as the IT Manager for a multi-campus college providing network, server, and end-user support. In 2016, O’Brien brought his tech support expertise to LRS joining the team as a Network Consultant.

Certifications and Degrees

  • Microsoft Certified System Administrator in Windows Server
  • CompTIA A+ Certified PC Technician
  • CompTIA Network+ Certified IT professional

Fun Fact about Joe

“I take a break from technology by attending live music events and Major League Baseball games.”

.
Jason Keck

Jason Keck

Jason began his career as a data analyst and programmer at Aon Consulting in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  He eventually struck out on his own as a PC repair store owner and IT consultant.  He was a subcontractor for DBS Services and provided remote and onsite IT support, web programming, and web server support for over 8 years until the LRS acquisition of DBS.  Afterward, he continued to provide support for clients until February of 2022, when he took on the role of Managed Services Coordinator.

Fun Fact about Jason

Outside of the office, Jason can usually be seen playing with lower technology toys.  He is an avid fencer and historical swordfighter, making and using sport fencing equipment as well as historical clothing, arms and armor.

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Connor Beckerman

Connor Beckerman

Newest to the team, Connor was an intern for the Small Business Tech Services in the summer of 2021. Connor has a love of technology that stems back to his childhood, repairing VCR’s, radios, and building electromagnets.

Certifications and Degrees

  • Currently finishing his Information Technology Degree for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Studying for several CompTIA certification exams

Fun Fact About Connor:
“Any time you find me outside of work, I’ll usually have a book in my hands. History and Science non-fiction are my favorites!”

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Brian Blythe

Brian Blythe

Brian Blythe has been working in the professional IT field since 2018. He started his career by providing network consulting and management to a local construction company. In 2020 he proposed, built and maintained multiple networks in remote construction locations as IT Manager. He now joins LRS to bringing his expertise to the team.

Certifications and Degrees

  • A.A.S Graphic Design Technologies
  • Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals | In Progress
  • X360 Cloud Certification | In Progress
  • X360 Recover Replibit Certification | In Progress

Fun Fact about Brian

“When not behind a computer keyboard, I can be found behind a piano keyboard or trumpet playing for local shows.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What kinds of businesses does LRS Small Business Tech Services support?

    We provide technical consulting, emergency response service, and support for small to medium-sized businesses located within a 60-mile radius of Springfield, Illinois. The businesses benefiting the most from our service are those without the need for a full-time IT employee on staff, or those businesses whose in-house IT staff is already overworked.

  • Can you advise the proper way to back up our data?

    Your data is vital to your business; protect it by backing up daily with these safety procedures in place.

    • Regularly review your backup logs
    • Check the management window every backup
    • Review offsite backup status

    If your existing backup system is beginning to show its age, then perhaps now is a good time to evaluate other options that were not available previously. For years, backing up to tape was the most reliable, cost effective, and widely used method for companies of all sizes. The cost of hard disk-based storage has rapidly decreased in recent years. Therefore, disk-based backups are now a more cost effective and efficient means for data backup and preferred over the older tape-based systems.

    Backup technology has changed over the years, gone are the days of 1 nightly backup a day, to backup jobs that can run every hour and as those backup jobs run the information from that job is instantly replicated to a secure offsite data center.  If you are concerned that your backup is not efficient or would like us to review your backup technology with you let us know and we can help you out!

  • Should I be backing up my Office 365 services (Email / SharePoint / OneDrive)?

    Yes!  Absolutely!  In fact, in Microsoft states within their service agreement for 365 that it is up to each customer to  backup content and data that is stored on their services.  LRS Small Business Tech Services can help any Office 365 customer in protecting that data.

  • What is the best way to block hackers, viruses, unwanted pop-ups, and banners?

    Vigilance is the key to blocking online attacks with these defensive maneuvers.

    • Install a trusted and reliable anti-virus solution
    • Install proper firewalls
    • Make sure your firewall and operating system are up to date
    • Limit administrative access, when possible, on workstations
    • Implement strong password policies
    • Provide basic training for your employees to help identify potential malicious activity

    Without the proper Internet firewalls or anti-virus solutions, your system can become quickly compromised. We recommend using a Next Generation firewall (such as Fortinet) which combines a traditional firewall with other network device filtering (such as web, application, and intrusion prevention).  Since malicious code is always evolving, it is vital to ensure your operating system and software patches are deployed as quickly as possible. Through our remote monitoring service, we keep a watchful eye on your IT network continuously and receive alerts if anything needs immediate attention.

  • Does LRS Small Business Tech Services offer Managed Services?

    Yes!  For companies that want to have LRS maintain their entire network, we have a proactive solution in which we can monitor the network and fix items remotely or onsite as issues arise.

  • We signed up for Cyber Liability insurance, and our provider is requiring that we implement MFA within our organization, are you able to assist?

    Yes! For companies that have a security need to implement MFA (multi-factor authentication) company-wide we have a solution to help.  This solution can be implemented on each desktop / server within the organization to require a user to not only put in their password but to approve an MFA request that would be sent to their mobile device.

  • What are the benefits resulting from properly maintaining my IT environment?

    The benefits associated with proper IT maintenance all equate to time and money savings and include the following.

    • Reduced IT maintenance costs
    • Avoidance of unnecessary repair costs
    • Increased speed and reduce downtime
    • Adoption of newer tested technologies
    • Prevention of problems
    • Increased productivity
    • An environment secure from viruses and hackers

  • How can I work towards keeping technology current in my workplace?

    Implement these four practices to help keep technology current.

    • Adopt a 3-year life cycle for IT equipment and computers
    • Allocate your budget to replace one-third of your computers annually
    • Consider high costs to repair old machinery once out of warranty
    • Be aware of invisible costs to productivity like slow boot times and unresponsive programs

  • What can I do to protect my server and computer?

    Protect your computer equipment by staying aware of technological advances.

    • Perform regular checks for service and computer updates
    • Prevent problems rather than repair them
    • Resolve issues quickly by staying up to date
    • Avoid unnecessary costs by staying current

  • What should I do to keep on top of security?

    Since security is a priority, use these practices to fend off attacks and security breaches.

    • Don’t use default passwords
    • Always secure your wireless network with accepted encryption standards
    • Always create unique and complicated passwords
    • Be wary of using open networks for secure transactions
    • Never give out your password
    • Implement MFA (multi-factor authentication) if available
    • If you’re unsure of how safe something is, ask a professional

Contact Us

LRS® Small Business Tech Services provides technical resources, emergency computer repair service, and customer support for network problems and server issues to small businesses located within a 60-mile radius of Springfield, including the cities of Decatur, Jacksonville, Bloomington, Normal, Lincoln, and Litchfield.

LRS® Small Business Tech Services
2401 West Monroe St.
Springfield, IL 62704

DIRECTIONS

techguys@lrs.com

General Inquiries:
217-862-9820

Emergency Contact: 
217-862-9980