Sofia Spatola
Posted by Computer Solutions on July 7, 2025
You’ve probably heard the saying: you get what you pay for. In the world of IT services, this couldn’t be more true.
At first glance, going with a low-cost IT provider may seem like a smart decision. Lower monthly fees, some basic support, and a few included tools can make the offer feel hard to resist. But beneath that surface-level savings, there are often hidden costs—ones that show up in the form of weak security, unreliable systems, and constant surprises that disrupt your practice.
After years of reviewing IT contracts for small healthcare businesses, including animal hospitals and specialty clinics, we’ve seen the same issues appear time and again. Here are five ways budget IT providers cut corners—and why those cuts often end up costing you more than you saved.
1. Incomplete Cybersecurity Protections
Basic antivirus software does not equal real cybersecurity. Yet for many low-cost IT providers, that’s where the protections stop.
No two-factor authentication, endpoint detection and response, staff training and no backup plan in place if ransomware hits.
Cyber insurance providers now expect a layered approach to security. If your practice lacks the proper protections, your claim could be denied—or worse, your insurer may not issue a policy at all. We’ve seen practices lose tens of thousands of dollars because their IT company failed to implement standard security controls.
Veterinary IT services should do more than check a box. They should actively reduce risk and help you meet the evolving demands of insurance, privacy, and operational security.
2. Backups That Don’t Cover What Matters
Many practice owners assume that Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace is automatically backing up their email, documents, and data. The reality is those platforms provide very limited data retention—and they’re not built for full disaster recovery.
Inexperienced or underfunded IT providers often skip backups for cloud platforms, third-party apps, and practice management systems. Worse, they may not use immutable backups, which are a requirement in many insurance policies today.
Think your data is protected? Ask your provider to show you exactly what is being backed up, how often, and how quickly it can be restored.
3. Extra Charges for On-Site or After-Hours Support
One of the most common tactics budget providers use is quoting a low base rate—then charging extra for everything else.
Need help after hours? That’s extra. Require someone on-site? That’s another fee. Weekend emergency? Prepare to pay.
This pricing model leads to hesitation. Your team may delay calling for help, hoping the issue resolves itself, while productivity grinds to a halt. A transparent, flat-fee approach eliminates that guesswork and makes it easy for staff to get support when they need it.
If your provider’s model makes you second-guess every service call, it’s time to reevaluate the veterinary IT services relationship.
4. No Help with Vendors or Connected Devices
Veterinary clinics rely on a wide range of tech tools—not just computers and tablets, but imaging equipment, lab analyzers, VoIP phones, and cloud-based software. All of it needs to work together on the same network.
Some IT providers draw a hard line. If your internet goes down, your phone system acts up, or your printer won’t connect, they’ll say, “That’s not our issue.” Others charge hourly just to contact your vendors.
The right IT partner will coordinate directly with third-party vendors to resolve issues. Because when something breaks, you shouldn’t have to play middleman. Your job is patient care. Ours is everything that touches the technology behind it.
5. No Strategic Guidance or Proactive Support
Plenty of IT companies will respond to a ticket. Far fewer will help you plan for the future.
Budget providers often rely on general contractors or entry-level techs who can fix problems—but don’t provide strategic advice. That means no budget planning, no compliance roadmaps, and no forward-looking guidance to prevent problems before they start.
Good veterinary IT services go beyond support calls. They help you plan for the next five years, keep your systems secure, and stay ahead of vendor requirements and regulations.
What You Save Shouldn’t Cost You Later
Veterinary practices often don’t realize they’re under-protected until something goes wrong. A failed backup. A ransomware infection. A surprise compliance audit. By the time the gaps are discovered, the damage is already done.
If your current IT provider isn’t offering proactive security, clear documentation, or strategic insight, you may be paying for support—but not getting the protection your practice actually needs.
Let us take a look at your current IT setup.
We’ll perform a no-cost review of your systems, backups, and cybersecurity posture. If everything looks solid, we’ll tell you. If there are risks, we’ll show you where and explain your options in plain language. No pressure. No pushy sales pitch.
Schedule your free veterinary IT assessment today by calling 609.514.0100 or visiting welinku.com. Let’s make sure your practice is truly protected.
Want to learn more about veterinary IT services and cybersecurity? Check out last week’s blog post here!
