As I sit here in our Petoskey office, looking out at the beautiful Northern Michigan landscape that we all call home, I can't help but feel incredibly grateful for the amazing business community we're part of. This Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to thank each of you: our clients, partners, and fellow business owners: for the trust, collaboration, and friendship you've shown NTS over the years.

What Makes Northern Michigan Special

There's something truly unique about doing business in Northern Michigan. Whether you're running a cozy bed and breakfast in Traverse City, managing a medical practice in Gaylord, or operating a manufacturing company in Petoskey, we all understand the value of genuine relationships and reliable partnerships.

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This year has shown us just how resilient our local business community really is. From the restaurants that pivoted to new service models, to the retail shops that embraced online sales, to the healthcare providers who adapted to new compliance requirements: you've all demonstrated incredible adaptability and determination.

And through it all, we've been honored to support many of you with the technology foundation that keeps your businesses running smoothly, securely, and efficiently.

The Power of Partnership in IT Support

When we talk about managed IT services, we're really talking about partnership. It's not just about fixing computers when they break (though we certainly do that too!). It's about building relationships where we truly understand your business, your challenges, and your goals.

Over the past year, I've watched our team work alongside local businesses to:

  • Help medical practices maintain HIPAA compliance while improving patient care efficiency
  • Support retail businesses in implementing secure point-of-sale systems and inventory management
  • Assist manufacturing companies with network infrastructure that supports both office workers and factory floor operations
  • Enable remote work capabilities that keep teams connected, whether they're in the office or working from their cabin up north

These aren't just technical projects: they're collaborative efforts that strengthen the entire Northern Michigan business ecosystem.

Growing Together Through Challenges

This Thanksgiving, I'm particularly grateful for how our business community has grown stronger together. When one business faces a challenge, others step in to help. When new opportunities arise, we share them with each other.

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Take cybersecurity, for example. It's not just an IT issue: it's a community-wide concern. When we help one business implement better security practices, we're protecting the entire network of customers, suppliers, and partners they work with. A more secure business environment benefits everyone.

The same goes for technology adoption. When we help a local manufacturer implement Microsoft 365 and Teams, they're not just improving their own operations: they're becoming a better partner for every other business they work with. Better communication tools mean faster response times, clearer project updates, and more efficient collaboration across the entire supply chain.

What We've Learned This Year

Working with Northern Michigan businesses has taught us so much about what really matters when it comes to IT support:

Responsiveness is everything. When your point-of-sale system goes down during the busy summer season, or when your patient management system hiccups during a full day of appointments, you need help fast. That's why we've built our support around rapid response times and first-contact resolution.

Proactive beats reactive every time. The businesses that thrive are those that stay ahead of problems rather than just responding to them. Our 24/7 monitoring and automated maintenance help prevent issues before they impact your operations.

Personal relationships matter more than ever. Technology is complex, but it doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Having a real person you can call: someone who knows your business and understands your specific needs: makes all the difference.

Local knowledge is invaluable. Understanding the seasonal nature of tourism businesses, the compliance requirements for healthcare practices, and the unique challenges of manufacturing in Northern Michigan helps us provide better, more targeted support.

Looking Forward to 2026

As we head into the new year, I'm excited about the opportunities ahead for our Northern Michigan business community. Technology continues to evolve at an incredible pace, bringing new possibilities for efficiency, growth, and innovation.

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We're already working with clients on exciting projects like:

  • Cloud migration strategies that reduce costs while improving reliability
  • Advanced backup and disaster recovery systems that provide peace of mind
  • Network infrastructure upgrades that support hybrid work environments
  • Cybersecurity enhancements that protect against evolving threats
  • Microsoft 365 optimizations that boost productivity and collaboration

But beyond the technical details, what I'm most looking forward to is continuing to build relationships with amazing business owners and leaders throughout our region.

A Special Thanks to Our Team and Partners

I also want to take a moment to thank our incredible NTS team. Every day, they bring expertise, dedication, and genuine care to their work with your businesses. They understand that behind every support ticket is a real person trying to serve their customers, care for their patients, or grow their company.

And to our technology partners: Microsoft, our hardware vendors, and our other trusted suppliers: thank you for helping us deliver world-class solutions to Northern Michigan businesses.

The True Spirit of Thanksgiving

As we gather with our families and friends this Thanksgiving, let's remember what makes our Northern Michigan business community so special. It's not just the beautiful scenery (though that certainly doesn't hurt!). It's the spirit of collaboration, the commitment to quality, and the understanding that we're all in this together.

Whether you're a long-time NTS client or a fellow business owner we haven't had the pleasure of working with yet, thank you for making Northern Michigan such an amazing place to do business.

Questions We're Grateful to Answer

As your managed service provider, we're here to help with any technology questions or challenges you might have. Some common questions we've been hearing lately:

"How can we prepare our IT infrastructure for 2026?" Great question! Let's schedule a technology assessment to review your current systems and plan for future growth.

"What's the best way to protect our business from cyber threats?" Cybersecurity is more important than ever. We'd love to discuss our layered security approach and how it can protect your specific business.

"How can we use technology to improve efficiency without overwhelming our team?" This is where our Virtual CIO services really shine. We can help you identify opportunities and implement changes at a pace that works for your team.

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Ready to Grow Together?

If you're ready to take your business technology to the next level, or if you're simply curious about how a managed service provider relationship might benefit your business, we'd love to hear from you.

This holiday season, give your business the gift of reliable, proactive IT support. Schedule a free technology assessment, and let's discuss how we can help your business thrive in 2026 and beyond.

From all of us at NTS, thank you for an amazing year. Here's to continued growth, partnership, and success in Northern Michigan's incredible business community.

Ready to experience the difference that proactive IT support can make? Contact us today:

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at NTS!

Ross Whitmore
Owner, NTS