The gap between where businesses are and where they need to be technologically can feel like a chasm. For Ed Avaness, Professional Services Manager here at Techital, bridging this gap isn’t just a job—it’s a mission that unfolds in new and challenging ways each day.
As the morning sun peeks over the Verdugo Mountains and begins to bathe Glendale in its warm glow, Ed’s phone is already buzzing with updates from his team. Between coordinating IT consultancy projects for a local manufacturing firm and reviewing cybersecurity protocols for a growing healthcare provider, his role exemplifies how modern MSPs have evolved far beyond simple technical support and basic break/fix IT services. They’ve become strategic partners in driving digital transformation, helping businesses navigate the complexities of technology while staying secure and competitive in an increasingly digital world.
Ed’s approach to each day is shaped by his understanding that every business has a unique story and unique challenges, but they all share one common thread—the need to evolve digitally without disrupting their core operations. This blog follows Ed through a typical day and explores how MSPs are reshaping the future of business technology.
Strategic Planning: Where Transformation Begins
The day is just getting started, and Ed is already reviewing infrastructure reports over his first coffee of the morning. His dashboard highlights a concerning pattern at a client’s manufacturing facility—their legacy ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system is showing signs of strain, with increasing latency during peak hours. It’s exactly the kind of early warning sign that makes proactive IT management so valuable.
Ed makes notes as he prepares for a 9 AM meeting with the client: “The real cost of outdated technology isn’t just the occasional slowdown; it’s the cumulative effect of small inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and missed opportunities for automation.” His team has prepared a detailed digital transformation roadmap, one that will help the client transition from their aging infrastructure to a more resilient, cloud-based solution.
During the virtual meeting, Ed shares his screen with the client’s leadership team. The presentation is about business outcomes as much as it is about technology. “When we talk about digital transformation,” Ed explains, “we’re really talking about your ability to compete effectively in 2025 and beyond.” He walks them through a cost-benefit analysis that shows how their current system’s maintenance costs alone could fund a significant portion of their modernization efforts.
But like many businesses, they’re hesitant about change. Ed knows that this is when IT consultancy becomes crucial. It’s not enough to just present solutions; you need to understand their business deeply enough to show them exactly how these changes will impact their daily operations, their bottom line, and their future growth.
When Cybersecurity Meets Reality
By mid-morning, Ed shifts his attention to an urgent matter. One of his clients, a local accounting firm, has reported suspicious email activity. As he remotely accesses their system through secure channels, his experience tells him this could be the early signs of a potential phishing campaign targeting their financial data. Recent data supports his hunch; Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report found that 95% of social engineering attacks, a majority of which are phishing, were financially motivated.
“In 2025, cybersecurity needs the right tools, but it also needs the right response plan and expertise just as much,” Ed explains while coordinating with his security team. They quickly identify several sophisticated phishing emails that had slipped through the client’s basic email filters. The messages are incredibly well-crafted with an alarmingly accurate attempt at mimicking legitimate vendor communications.
Instead of just blocking the threats, Ed sees this as a valuable teaching moment. He uses it as an opportunity to schedule an impromptu virtual training session with the client’s team. “The best cybersecurity strategy combines advanced technology with educated users,” he shares during the session. Using the morning’s incidents as examples, he demonstrates how the latest AI-powered security tools could have flagged these threats earlier while also teaching the team practical signs to watch for.
The session snowballs into a broader discussion about their cybersecurity infrastructure. “Look,” Ed says, pulling up a security assessment dashboard, “your current setup is like having a state-of-the-art lock on your front door but leaving your windows wide open.” He outlines a comprehensive security solution that integrates advanced threat detection, employee training, and automated response protocols—all managed through their IT services partnership.
Automation: Turning Possibilities into Productivity
The afternoon finds Ed in a strategy session with another client, a growing law firm, where the challenge isn’t just about technology—it’s about transformation. The firm’s staff are spending hours each week on repetitive tasks: manually filing documents, tracking billable hours, and managing client communications.
He demonstrates how their existing Microsoft 365 suite—a tool they’re already paying for—can be leveraged for automation. Using Power Automate, he shows them how document processing that once took hours can be completed in minutes. The firm’s managing partner’s eyes light up when Ed demonstrates how AI can automatically categorize and file incoming emails and documents.
“This goes beyond just saving time,” Ed explains, pulling up a cost analysis. “When we automate these routine tasks, your team can use their time more effectively to focus on what they do best.” He walks them through a practical example: an automated client intake process that not only saves time but also reduces errors and improves the client experience.
The real breakthrough comes when he shows them their current workflow mapped against the proposed automated solution. “Here’s where your team spends most of their time now,” he points to a complex web of manual processes, “and here’s where they could be focusing instead.” The contrast is striking—what once required hours of manual intervention could be streamlined into a smooth, automated workflow with proper IT consulting and implementation.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Success Today
As Ed wraps up his day at his desk, reviewing tomorrow’s schedule on his tablet, he reflects on the digital transformations he’s helped with recently. Whether it’s protecting against sophisticated cyber threats, streamlining operations through automation, or guiding businesses through complete digital transformations, MSPs like Ed and his team are more than just service providers—they’re strategic partners in business success.
For small and medium-sized businesses facing the challenges of today’s digital landscape, having a trusted IT services partner can make all the difference. At Techital, we understand that every business’s digital transformation journey is unique, providing the strategic guidance, technical expertise, and dedicated support that your business needs to thrive. From strengthening your cybersecurity posture to implementing cutting-edge automation solutions, our comprehensive IT services ensure your technology works for you.
Ready to start your digital transformation journey but not sure where to begin? Our owner, Alex, has extensive experience helping businesses just like yours navigate the complexities of modern IT infrastructure. Ask him anything – from explaining the latest AI integrations to breaking down the ROI of managed IT services; Alex’s wealth of knowledge can help illuminate your path to digital success in 2025 and beyond.
