SME IT support in Stellenbosch: a 30-minute quarterly device-health checklist (with ZAR time/cost)
Stellenbosch SME IT checklist: updates, SMART, backups and password hygiene—with time & ZAR ranges. Book quarterly health checks or remote support.
· Digissential Team · 3 min read
TL;DR: Spend 30 minutes per device each quarter and you’ll avoid most outages. Update OS/drivers, check SMART & free space, verify backups with a test restore, enforce MFA and clean up access. We can run the whole pass remotely and send a tidy report.
Who this helps
SMEs in Technopark and the Stellenbosch CBD with 5–50 devices who need practical, budget-aware maintenance that reduces Monday-morning emergencies and supports POPIA responsibilities without buying a full stack of tooling.
The 30-minute checklist (with ZAR time/cost)
| Step | What you do | Time | Typical ZAR (remote) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. OS & browser updates | Apply security updates; reboot | 5–8 min | R80–R120 |
| 2. Drivers/Firmware | Storage/chipset, GPU if needed; BIOS/UEFI if recommended | 4–6 min | R60–R100 |
| 3. Disk health & space | Check SMART/SSD wear; keep ≥15% free | 3–5 min | R50–R80 |
| 4. Backups (test-restore) | Confirm last run & errors; restore a small folder | 5–7 min | R80–R120 |
| 5. Passwords & MFA | Confirm password manager; enforce MFA; remove leavers | 4–6 min | R60–R100 |
| 6. Asset notes | Record device/user/serial/warranty; changes since last check | 2–3 min | R30–R50 |
Prefer us to run it for you? Book a Quarterly Device Health Check for a scripted pass and a short report.
Step-by-step details
1) Update the OS (then reboot)
- Windows: Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
- macOS: System Settings → General → Software Update.
Apply security patches first; defer feature upgrades during trading hours if needed.
2) Drivers & firmware (only what’s recommended)
Use OEM tools (Dell Command / HP Support Assistant / Lenovo Vantage / ASUS) to install storage/chipset drivers and any recommended BIOS/UEFI updates. Avoid beta firmware on production devices. Record versions in asset notes.
3) Disk health & free space
Read SMART (CrystalDiskInfo or SSD vendor utility). If health shows Caution/Bad, back up and plan a replacement. Keep ≥15% free space—below that, Windows/macOS thrash and updates fail.
4) Backups that actually restore
A backup isn’t a backup until you’ve test-restored. Confirm last run, size and zero errors; restore a small folder to another location to verify permissions and paths.
Need a solid plan? Book Cloud backup setup (3-2-1 with a simple, tested restore).
5) Passwords, MFA & leavers
- Enforce MFA on email/admin portals and remote tools.
- Confirm a password manager is in use (shared vaults for shared creds).
- Remove leavers and audit local admins quarterly.
If you need help, book a Remote support session.
6) Asset notes (keep it simple)
Track device name, user, serial, OS build, warranty date and any changes since last quarter. A two-column sheet beats memory when you need warranty or insurance info.
When to escalate (so you don’t lose a day)
- SMART warnings, rising reallocated sectors, or clicking drives
- Update failures, blue screens, boot loops
- Backups failing repeatedly
- Frequent freezes or Wi-Fi drops under load
We can stabilise remotely, then recommend parts or next steps. Start with a Remote support session.
Budgeting & next steps
- Quarterly pass done-for-you → Quarterly Device Health Check
- Robust backup plan → Cloud backup setup
- Ad-hoc fixes & tune-ups → Remote support session
- SME Care Plans → coming soon (priority updates, backup checks, monthly reporting). Ask to join the pilot.
Final word
A disciplined 30-minute quarterly routine prevents most outages and keeps you compliant. If you’d like us to run it and send a clear report—with costs and upgrade paths—we’ll do it remotely, quietly, and on a schedule that fits your team.
Ready to schedule? Call 066 425 6314 or message us via /contact/.