Real questions from real SMB owners. No jargon, no hedging.
How much do managed IT services cost for a small business?
It depends on the size and needs of your business. Our Essentials plans for small teams run $295 to $695 per month, flat, for up to 15 users, with optional website, SEO, and phone modules. For growth companies of 20 to 100+ people, AveLu Managed starts at $150/user/month. Software licenses are always billed separately as their own line item, with no hidden fees and no per-incident billing. Full details are on our Pricing page.
What is Microsoft Copilot and how can a small business actually use it?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant built into Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. For SMBs, it typically returns 1.2 hours per employee per day by drafting emails, summarizing meetings, building reports from raw data, and automating repetitive admin work. Forrester projects 353% three-year ROI for SMB deployments.
Do small businesses really need enterprise-grade cybersecurity?
Yes. Cyberattacks on SMBs are up 400% since 2020, and the average breach costs $3.31M to recover (Verizon DBIR). Attackers specifically target SMBs because they assume defenses are weaker. Enterprise-grade tools like Microsoft Defender, Entra ID + MFA, and Zero Trust architecture are now bundled into the Microsoft 365 plans most SMBs already pay for.
How long does a Microsoft 365 migration take for a 25-person company?
A typical 25-user M365 migration from Gmail or legacy Exchange takes 2 to 4 weeks end-to-end, including tenant setup, mailbox migration, user training, and security baseline. AveLu Tech delivers all of this fixed-fee with zero email downtime.
What's the difference between fixed-fee IT and break-fix?
Break-fix means you pay hourly when something breaks, which brings unpredictable bills, a reactive culture, and no preventive work. Fixed-fee (or managed services) means a flat monthly or project price covering everything in scope, so the consultant is motivated to prevent issues rather than bill for them. Most SMBs find fixed-fee is 30% to 40% cheaper over a year and far less stressful.
What is Zero Trust security and is it overkill for an SMB?
Zero Trust means "never trust, always verify": every access request is authenticated and authorized no matter where it comes from. It's not overkill. It is now standard practice, and it is built into Microsoft Entra ID + Conditional Access + Defender, which every M365 Business Premium subscription includes. We turn it on for SMBs in days, not months.
Are you really veteran-owned and does that matter?
Yes. AveLu Tech is owned and operated by a U.S. military veteran. It matters because military discipline shows up in delivery: clear scopes, on-time milestones, and accountability for outcomes. Many federal, state, and SDVOSB-friendly procurement programs also give veteran-owned vendors preference, which can be valuable for SMBs working with government clients.
What does a free 30-minute IT health check actually cover?
In 30 minutes we map your current tech stack (M365, security, devices, AI usage), surface the top three risks or opportunities, and give you a clear next-step recommendation. If there is a fit, you get a fixed-fee proposal in 48 hours. No commitment, no sales pressure, no gotchas.
