Service · Managed IT Services

Managed IT services in Hampton Roads, with the whole stack accountable.

Managed IT services should give Hampton Roads operators real IT support and a plan, not just a ticket queue. We act as your IT company and managed service provider: running IT support, Microsoft 365, servers, cloud, and backup, coordinating your vendors, and keeping the roadmap your CFO keeps asking for.

Helix Stax runs the infrastructure stack for Hampton Roads businesses: monitoring, help desk, cloud and Microsoft 365 administration, Windows and Linux servers, network management, backup and disaster recovery, and endpoint management. Help desk comes from us, and where a vendor or your internal team does a piece, we coordinate it. Either way, the roadmap, documentation, vendor coordination, and escalation path have an owner.

Helix Stax is a managed IT services provider, and we run it differently. We do not bill per ticket, lock you into multi-year contracts, or resell software for a margin. The engagement is a scoped monthly retainer tied to outcomes, scored quarterly on the CTGA framework (Controls, Technology, Growth, Adoption). When the score moves, the work is paying off. When it does not, the conversation gets honest.

Fiber patch cables routed through a network switch in a server rack

Key service areas

What the work looks like.

24/7 monitoring and alerting: automated 24/7 monitoring that alerts us to outages, performance problems, and security events across servers, backups, and devices
Help desk and IT support: responsive end-user support from Helix Stax, inside your overall IT program
Cloud and Microsoft 365 administration: licensing, tenant configuration, Teams, SharePoint, Exchange Online, Entra ID, and Intune governed as a live service, not a one-time setup
Networking and infrastructure management: routers, switches, firewalls, Wi-Fi, segmentation, and SD-WAN kept current and documented
Windows and Linux server management: patching, backup, health monitoring, and change control for on-prem and cloud-hosted servers (Proxmox, VMware, Hyper-V, or cloud IaaS)
Backup and disaster recovery: tested backup schedules, off-site copies, documented recovery runbooks, and annual DR exercises so the restore is never the first time you try it
Device and endpoint management: RMM visibility for Windows and Mac, MDM for mobile devices and BYOD policies, software distribution, and remote remediation through accountable operators

Named engagements inside this capability

How this shows up as a scoped engagement.

24/7 Automated Monitoring

24/7 automated monitoring for your servers, backups, network gear, and devices, with alerts that reach us when something looks wrong. Helix Stax owns the alert setup, the escalation paths, and the documentation.

RMM agent on every managed device, health, performance, patch status, and event logs in a single pane
Threshold-based alerting with escalation paths documented before the first incident, not during it
Monthly uptime and incident summary delivered in plain English, not a dashboard you have to decode

Helpdesk & IT Support

Day-to-day IT support from Helix Stax: password resets, laptop issues, software problems, and new-hire onboarding. We run the help desk ourselves, inside your overall IT program. IT Support & Help Desk now has its own page with the full program, deliverables, and FAQs at /services/it-support-help-desk.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 support from Helix Stax, handled by the same team that knows your environment
Documented escalation path from the help desk to infrastructure and security work, all inside Helix Stax
Monthly helpdesk metrics reviewed in your working session, ticket volume, resolution time, repeat issues
New-hire and off-boarding IT checklists maintained by our team so provisioning does not slip

Cloud & Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is the backbone of most Hampton Roads businesses and it is under-managed at almost all of them. Licenses nobody uses, Teams channels nobody governs, SharePoint sites nobody can find anything in. We administer the tenant as a live service, licenses right-sized, security defaults on, and the configuration documented so it survives the next person who joins the team. Cloud and Microsoft 365 now has its own page with the full program, deliverables, and FAQs at /services/cloud-microsoft-365.

License audit and right-sizing, cut unused seats, consolidate overlapping plans, flag the annual renewal before it auto-renews at last year's headcount
Entra ID / Azure AD configuration, conditional access, MFA enforcement, guest access policies, and privileged identity reviewed quarterly
Exchange Online and Teams administration, shared mailboxes, distribution lists, channel governance, and retention policies kept current
OneDrive and SharePoint structure, folder taxonomy, permissions audit, and external-sharing controls reviewed on a documented schedule

Network & Infrastructure

The network is the one thing that takes everything else down when it fails. Flat networks, outdated firewall rulesets, unreviewed switch configs, and mesh that never got documented, these are the failure modes we find on almost every initial assessment. We audit, design, and operate the network so it can be defended in the audit room and the server room both. Networking now has its own page with the full program, deliverables, and FAQs at /services/networking.

Network topology audit: current state documented, target state scoped, delta ranked by risk and cost
Firewall ruleset review, every rule examined, shadows flagged, and a clean list of what to remove, tighten, or document
Segmentation design: VLANs, zero-trust micro-segmentation, and identity-aware policy for environments with compliance obligations
SD-WAN and mesh for multi-site operators, NetBird, Tailscale, or Twingate scored against your scenario
Wi-Fi design, RF survey, and capacity planning for office, warehouse, and mixed-use environments

Servers, Windows & Linux

Servers age silently. The on-prem box in the supply room, the Azure VM that nobody touched after the migration, the Proxmox cluster that runs three things nobody documented. We inventory, patch, document, and operate the server layer so a hardware failure is a Tuesday afternoon, not an all-hands incident. Helix Stax runs Proxmox and K3s in production for our own operations, the same discipline we apply here.

Full server inventory: every physical and virtual machine, its role, its patch level, its last backup, its owner
Patch management and change control, applied on a documented schedule with a tested rollback plan per server
Virtualization platform management: Proxmox, VMware vSphere, Hyper-V, health monitoring, storage utilization, and HA configuration
Hybrid cloud operations: Azure and AWS instances managed alongside on-prem, with cost visibility and right-sizing reviewed quarterly

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Most backups are untested. The test happens when you need the restore, and the restore fails. We design, implement, and operate backup programs that follow the 3-2-1 rule (three copies, two media types, one off-site), test recoveries on a documented schedule, and produce a recovery runbook your team can follow without calling us first. Backup and Disaster Recovery now has its own page with the full program, deliverables, and FAQs at /services/backup-disaster-recovery.

Backup audit: every protected workload listed, RPO and RTO defined, current recovery time tested (not assumed)
3-2-1 backup architecture designed and implemented, on-site, off-site, and immutable copies where ransomware risk justifies it
Quarterly recovery test with a written pass/fail result and a gap list, not a checkbox, an actual restore
DR runbook maintained for each critical system: recovery sequence, responsible owner, vendor contacts, and the last successful test date

Device & Endpoint Management (RMM/MDM)

Every device on your network is an attack surface and an operational dependency. RMM agents give us visibility and remote remediation. MDM policies give you control over mobile devices and BYOD without locking employees out of their own phones. Together they close the gap between "we think we are patched" and "we know we are patched."

RMM agent deployment across Windows and macOS, patch compliance, software inventory, health alerts, and remote support without a VPN
MDM enrollment for iOS, Android, and Windows mobile, conditional access, encryption enforcement, remote wipe, and app policies
Software deployment and update management, approved applications pushed centrally, unapproved software flagged
Endpoint compliance reporting: patch level, encryption status, and MFA enrollment visible in one report reviewed in your monthly working session

How we engage

Three ways in. One consistent outcome.

Infrastructure oversight from Helix Stax runs at every engagement tier. The scope and cadence change; the accountability does not.

vCIO Retainer

Quarterly infrastructure health review, one system audit per quarter, and a steady advisory hand on vendor decisions. The right tier when you need a knowledgeable partner without a full embedded seat. We coordinate and advise; your existing team or MSP executes.
Helix Engagement

A defined-scope sprint, typically 90 to 180 days, where we come in as your IT squad to close the gaps named in the free call. Server consolidation, network redesign, M365 migration, endpoint management rollout. We own the project, coordinate the hands, and hand off a documented environment.
Helix Operate

The full embedded seat. Weekly working sessions, automated 24/7 monitoring that alerts us, help desk, quarterly CTGA scoring, board-ready reporting, and program ownership for the infrastructure roadmap. Built for $10M+ operators or smaller businesses with complex multi-site, compliance, or automation stacks.

What you walk out with

Concrete deliverables.

A network topology document: current state, target state, and a gap list ranked by risk and cost
A server inventory: every physical and virtual machine, its role, patch level, last backup, and owner
A backup audit with tested recovery times, not assumed, actually tested, and the gaps written down
A device compliance report: patch level, encryption status, and MFA enrollment across every managed endpoint
A monthly Helix Score one-pager: the Helix Score, pillar sub-scores, delta from prior month, and top three actions
A vendor management dashboard: every contract, every renewal date, every seat count reviewed monthly

Honest scope

What we do not do.

We handle networking setup and hardware installs ourselves; large structured-cabling and fiber jobs go to a licensed low-voltage contractor that we coordinate. Installs and cabling are quoted per project. We do not resell hardware or collect referral fees from any vendor. We do not run our own SOC. For 24/7 threat monitoring, we manage a security platform whose analyst team watches around the clock, and we handle the response.

Industries we apply this to

Where this service shows up most.

You can have your score within a week.

The free call is free. You keep the written CTGA score and prioritized roadmap we send within a week. If we are not the right fit, you keep both and we both move on.

Let's Talk See the 30-day roadmap

What we handle

What we handle, and who does the work.

Most of this we do ourselves. Some we coordinate with your vendors or a licensed contractor. Each line says which.

Everyday support

Help for your team when something breaks, and the routine care that keeps it from breaking.

Help desk
Your team gets someone to call or email when something breaks.
Who does it:We do it
Remote support
We connect to a computer from our side to fix a problem without a visit.
Who does it:We do it
Onsite visits
We come to your office when a problem needs hands on the equipment.
Who does it:We do it
New hire and departure setup
We set up accounts and equipment for new people, and shut off access when someone leaves.
Who does it:We do it
Technology planning and budget reviews
We sit down with you on a regular basis to plan upgrades and renewals.
Who does it:We do it
Documentation and asset inventory
We keep a current list of your computers, accounts and vendors.
Who does it:We do it
Co-managed IT
If you already have an IT person, we back them up with tools, projects and coverage.
Who does it:We do it
Pay-as-you-go support
Not on a plan? Call us for a one-off fix, billed by the job.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project

Computers and devices

The laptops, desktops, phones and printers your team uses every day.

Windows device management
We set up, update and look after the Windows computers your team uses.
Who does it:We do it
Mac support
The same care for the Macs in your office.
Who does it:We do it
Device management (Microsoft Intune)
We set the rules for company laptops and phones from one place.
Who does it:We do it
Patching
We keep software and operating systems up to date on a schedule.
Who does it:We do it
Monitoring (RMM)
24/7 automated monitoring and alerts on servers, backups and devices.
Who does it:We do it
Phone and tablet management
We set up and protect company phones and tablets that touch work email.
Who does it:We do it
Antivirus and endpoint protection management
We install and keep protection running on your computers.
Who does it:We do it
Disk encryption
We turn on built-in disk encryption so a lost laptop does not mean lost data.
Who does it:We do it
Windows 11 upgrades and hardware refresh
We plan the move off Windows 10 and replace computers that cannot make it. Hardware is quoted per project.
Who does it:We do it
New computer setup and rollout
We unbox, configure and deliver new computers ready to use.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project
Hardware and software purchasing
We help you pick and buy the right equipment and licenses.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project
Printers and copiers
We connect them to your network and keep them printing.
Who does it:We do it

Cloud and sign-in

Your email, files and the accounts people use to get to them.

Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace admin
We manage accounts, licenses and settings for your email and files.
Who does it:We do it
Active Directory and Entra ID
We manage who can sign in to what, and what they can reach.
Who does it:We do it
Multi-factor sign-in
We turn on a second sign-in step so a stolen password is not enough.
Who does it:We do it
Single sign-on
One sign-in for the apps your team uses every day.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project
Password manager rollout
We set up a shared tool so people stop reusing passwords.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project
SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams setup
We organize shared files and team chat so people can find things.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project
Email and domain setup
We set up business email on your own domain, and the records that keep it from landing in spam.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project

Email and security

Sensible protection for your inboxes, accounts and written policies.

Email security
We set up filtering that helps keep phishing and spam out of your inboxes.
Who does it:We do it
Security review
We look at your setup and give you a short list of the gaps worth fixing first.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project
Security policies and templates
We write the basic policies auditors and insurers ask to see.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project
Security awareness training
Short training that helps your team spot phishing.
Who does it:We do it
Dark web monitoring
Alerts when company credentials show up in known leaks.
Who does it:We do it
Managed detection and response (MDR)
A security platform with a 24/7 analyst team watches for threats on your devices, and Helix Stax manages it and handles the response.
Who does it:We do it

Network, servers and phones

The internet connection, Wi-Fi, servers and phones behind your office.

Networking and installs
Network setup and hardware installs, quoted per project.
Who does it:We do it
Wi-Fi
We set up wireless that covers the space your team works in.
Who does it:We do it
Servers
We look after the servers your business depends on, on site or in the cloud.
Who does it:We do it
Phones and VoIP setup
We set up business phones that run over your internet connection.
Who does it:We do it
Switch and network monitoring
We watch the health of your switches, firewall and internet link.
Who does it:We do it

Backup

Copies of your data, and proof that you can get it back.

Backup and recovery
We set up backups and test that your data can be restored.
Who does it:We do it
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backup
We back up your cloud mailboxes and files, since the provider's own retention is not a backup.
Who does it:We do it
Restore testing
We restore a sample of your data on a schedule to confirm it works.
Who does it:We do it
Backup and disaster recovery setup
We plan and build how you get back to work after a failure, and write it down.
Who does it:We do itBilling:Quoted per project

Office and infrastructure projects

One-time work on your office, network and cabling.Quoted per project.

Office setup and moves
We set up the technology for a new office, or plan your move around your schedule: network, Wi-Fi, phones, printers and workstations.
Who does it:We do it
Cabling and fiber runs
We run small network cable jobs ourselves. Larger jobs go to a licensed low-voltage contractor we coordinate.
Who does it:Done by a licensed low-voltage contractor. We coordinate it.
Firewall, VPN and secure remote access
We set up the firewall and the secure paths in, with tools like Cloudflare and NetBird.
Who does it:We do it
Network assessment
We map your network and list what is old, risky or slow.
Who does it:We do it

Cloud and systems projects

Moves and builds for your email, files, servers and websites.Quoted per project.

Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace migration
We move your email, files and calendars to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
Who does it:We do it
Server and virtualization builds
We build servers and virtual machines, on Proxmox, K3s or self-hosted apps.
Who does it:We do it
Intune and device rollout
We roll out managed laptops and phones to your whole team.
Who does it:We do it
File server to SharePoint or OneDrive
We move shared drives off an old server and into the cloud.
Who does it:We do it
Move servers to the cloud
We move an on-premises server workload to the cloud.
Who does it:We do it
Website hosting and moves
We move your site and domain to a new host without downtime.
Who does it:We do it
Websites
We build and maintain your company website.
Who does it:We do it

AI and automation projects

Private AI, automation and business tools set up around how your team works.Quoted per project.

Private AI deployment
We set up an AI assistant that runs on your own systems, so your files do not leave your control.
Who does it:We do it
Document search for your team
We let your people ask questions across your own documents and get answers with sources.
Who does it:We do it
Workflow automation and integrations
We connect your tools so routine tasks run without someone retyping them.
Who does it:We do it
CRM setup and migration
We set up a CRM such as HubSpot, Zoho, Twenty or Salesforce and move your contacts and history into it.
Who does it:We do it
AI readiness review
We look at where AI could help and where your data is not ready.
Who does it:We do it
AI assistants and agents for business tasks
We build assistants that handle a defined task, like answering common questions or sorting incoming requests.
Who does it:We do it
Copilot or Gemini rollout
We turn on Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini and get your data ready for it.
Who does it:We do it
AI acceptable use guidance
We write a plain-language policy for how your team may use AI tools.
Who does it:We do it
Reports and dashboards
We pull your numbers into one view you can read without a spreadsheet.
Who does it:We do it
Team training on AI tools
A short session so your people know how to use the tools safely.
Who does it:We do it

Compliance readiness

We help you prepare for these frameworks. We do not certify anyone or promise an audit result.Quoted per project.

CMMC readiness
We help you get ready for CMMC by working through what the program expects.
Who does it:We do it
NIST 800-171 readiness
We help you compare your setup to NIST 800-171 and list what to fix.
Who does it:We do it
HIPAA readiness
We help you get ready for HIPAA by reviewing your safeguards and your gaps.
Who does it:We do it
Policies and documentation for audits
We write the policies and records an assessor asks to see.
Who does it:We do it
PCI readiness
We help you prepare for the card payment security questionnaire.
Who does it:We do it

Vendors we coordinate with

These companies own the product or contract. We deal with them so you do not have to.

Internet service and carrier
The carrier provides the line. We deal with them when it has problems.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
Phone carriers
The carrier owns your phone service. We handle the technical side with them.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
Copier leases
The leasing company owns the contract. We handle the technical side with them.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
Line-of-business software vendors
The vendor supports their software. We coordinate with them for you.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
Microsoft and Google licensing
We coordinate your Microsoft or Google licenses and renewals.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
Domains and DNS registrars
We work with your registrar to keep your domain and records correct.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
Web hosts
We work with your web host when the site or email needs a fix.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
Salesforce
Salesforce owns the platform. We help with setup, access and integrations.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
HubSpot
HubSpot owns the platform. We help with setup, access and integrations.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
QuickBooks
Intuit owns the product. We connect it to your other tools and fix sign-in problems.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax
Practice management software (for example Clio)
Your software vendor supports the product. We coordinate access, backups and devices around it.
Who does it:Your vendor, coordinated by Helix Stax

Where we work

Serving Hampton Roads, VA

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Related services

Recognized by Clutch

Clutch named Helix Stax a Top Company for 2026 across five categories, from managed IT to AI consulting. The ratings come from verified client interviews, not self-reported reviews.

Questions

Frequently asked questions about Helix Stax managed IT services

What is included in managed IT services from Helix Stax?

Helix Stax coordinates the full infrastructure stack: help desk and IT support, cloud and Microsoft 365 administration, Windows and Linux server work, network management, backup and disaster recovery, and device and endpoint management. We do not resell Microsoft licenses or collect referral fees from any vendor. Every engagement is documented and scored quarterly against the CTGA framework across Controls, Technology, Growth, and Adoption. That score gives you a number, a ranked gap list, and a 12-month roadmap your leadership team can actually read. When something breaks, we own the escalation path. When a vendor proposes an upgrade, we review it against the roadmap before you sign. The goal is IT that runs quietly and improves on a documented schedule.

Who answers the help desk?

Helix Stax does. When your business needs ticket-level support for end users, our team handles it inside your overall IT program. We own the escalation path from ticket to infrastructure and review help desk metrics monthly. You have a named owner who understands your environment and has authority to act.

How does Helix Stax approach managed IT?

Helix Stax leads with strategy alongside day-to-day support: vendor coordination, CTGA scoring, a documented 12-month roadmap, and quarterly reporting your CFO can read. At renewal time we present a CTGA score, the gap we closed since the last assessment, and the priority list for the next 90 days. If the free call shows that a different kind of provider fits your situation better, we say so.

Which Hampton Roads cities do you serve for managed IT?

All seven Hampton Roads cities: Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. Remote-friendly engagements are also available for Virginia businesses outside Hampton Roads. For most managed IT work, we conduct initial environment documentation on-site and then operate the engagement remotely with scheduled on-site sessions as needed. Businesses in the Peninsula, Southside, and the Hampton Roads metro area are within range for regular in-person visits. If your primary offices are outside Hampton Roads but your business is Virginia-based, the free call is the right place to sort out whether the geography works for your situation and what a hybrid on-site and remote schedule would look like.