FAQ
Straight answers.
The questions prospects and clients ask us most — answered the way we’d answer them across a table. If yours isn’t here, ask us directly; you’ll get the same straight answer.
About us & how we work
What does Optimise IT actually do?
We’re a technology partner for businesses. We come in, work out what’s quietly slowing you down or costing you money, and fix it — then we stay on to make sure it stays fixed. That ranges from networks, Microsoft 365 and phone systems through to workflows, automation, data and websites. Most clients call us not when something breaks, but when they want to make a decision.
How are you different from other IT companies?
Most IT providers wait for something to break, then bill you to fix it. We work the other way around — proactively, and with the numbers to back every recommendation. We’re not just technicians; we learn your business, find the inefficiencies you’ve stopped noticing, and solve them. Our unusually broad, hands-on background means we see how the whole picture fits together, not just one slice of it.
What kind of businesses do you work with?
We work best with professional services firms — law firms, accounting practices, consultancies — where staff time is valuable and downtime has a real cost. We also do a lot with multi-site operations under one owner, and take on select project work (networking, AV, bespoke installs). If there’s something worth optimising, size isn’t the deciding factor.
Where are you based? Do you work remotely?
We work on-site across Victoria and South-East Queensland (Gold Coast, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and surrounds), and remotely with clients Australia-wide.
Pricing & value
How much does it cost?
It depends entirely on what you need — so we don’t quote a number until we understand the scope. After a quick discovery, we put together a clear proposal with a breakdown of what you’ll get and what it will save you. The goal is always for the cost to feel like an investment, not an expense.
Are you the cheapest?
No — and that’s deliberate. We price for quality and we don’t cut corners. What we can do is make sure that what you spend with us is more than covered by what we save and unlock for you. If the lowest price is the only thing that matters, we’re probably not the right fit.
How do you charge?
Three ways, depending on the work: an hourly rate for most one-off and project work (plus any hardware at cost with a standard margin); a fixed quote for clearly scoped projects; or a fixed monthly fee for ongoing managed support. We’ll recommend whichever genuinely suits your situation.
Will working with you actually save us money?
Usually, yes — in three layers. First, we cut your real recurring costs (internet, phone, licensing, contracts, an underperforming IT provider) — often by more than we charge. Second, and this is the bigger one, we improve how your people work so they spend less time fighting technology and more time on what makes you money. Third, we reduce your risk. We’ll show you the maths before you commit to anything.
Managed IT & ongoing support
What is a managed IT arrangement?
It’s the option where we become your IT department — proactively managing your systems, available when you need us, and handling every tech decision so you don’t have to. You get a fixed, predictable monthly cost instead of bills that swing from month to month.
Is that just a subscription?
No. You’re not paying for software you may never use — you’re paying for our time, attention and guaranteed availability. We’re managing things in the background so problems get caught before they become expensive.
Do we have to be on a retainer to work with you?
Not at all. Plenty of clients start with a one-off project or an hourly arrangement. Managed support is for businesses that want ongoing, proactive cover — but it’s an option, never a requirement.
Trust, security & lock-in
We already have someone who looks after our IT. Why would we need you?
That’s fine — we’re happy to take a look at what you’ve got, with no obligation. We often spot things that get missed: overpriced contracts, security gaps, or systems quietly holding people back. If everything’s in great shape, we’ll tell you that too.
We’ve been burned by an IT provider before. How are you different?
We hear that often, and it usually comes down to a provider who locked them in, went quiet, or sold them things they didn’t need. We do the opposite: we’re transparent, we back our advice with numbers, and we’d rather you understood your own systems than depended on us forever.
Will you lock us in or make us dependent on you?
No. One of our core principles is to develop our clients, not create dependency. We want you to understand what you’ve got — a partner, not a jailer. We earn the relationship by being worth keeping, not by trapping you.
Is our data safe with you?
Yes — security and confidentiality are central to how we work, especially for clients like law firms where client privilege is everything. A big part of what we do is closing the security and compliance gaps most businesses don’t realise they have.
Getting started
What does getting started look like?
It usually begins with a short, low-commitment diagnostic so we can understand your setup and spot any obvious wins. From there: a discovery conversation, a proposal and roadmap with the costs and benefits laid out, then — if it’s a fit — we deploy the changes and, for clients who want it, move into ongoing support.
Do you handle hardware, software licensing and dealing with vendors?
Yes. We source and configure hardware, manage licensing (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and others), and deal with internet, phone and other providers on your behalf — so you have a single point of contact for everything tech.
Do you only work with Microsoft?
No. We work across Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, UniFi networking, Microsoft Teams Phone, and a wide range of other tools. We recommend what genuinely fits your business — not whatever we happen to sell.
Still wondering about something? Email us or call 0489 080 237.
Point at the problem. We’ll optimise it.
Start with a short, no-commitment diagnostic. We’ll look at what you’ve got, tell you what we’d change and what it would save — and if everything’s in great shape, we’ll tell you that too.