Questions and answers
Straight answers to what clients and new prospects ask us most.
What does Networking Now do?
Networking Now is a managed IT service provider (MSP) in the Boston area. We run the computers, Microsoft 365, networks, backups and security for small offices, and we build Claude integrations and small AI apps for businesses that want AI working inside their own systems.
Where is Networking Now, and what area do you serve?
We work onsite across Greater Boston, Massachusetts. Remote support works for clients anywhere.
Who founded Networking Now?
Networking Now was founded and is run by Matt Shellenberger, a hands-on engineer who works in Microsoft 365, UniFi networks, Axis camera systems, Windows Server and Claude development.
What are your support hours?
Remote support runs 8 AM – 6 PM Eastern, Monday to Friday. Call (888) 569-4190 or email sales@networkingnow.biz. After-hours and weekend work is arranged ahead of time.
How do I get remote support?
Call us, then download the tool we name on networkingnow.biz/support: TeamViewer QuickSupport for Windows or Mac for a one-off session, or the Networking Now support agent for a computer we will look after long term.
How does Networking Now bill?
Most clients are on an annual or monthly service agreement priced per user and per device. Projects are quoted on an itemized proposal. Remote work is billed in quarter-hour increments and onsite visits have a one-hour minimum.
What is the difference between an annual and a monthly agreement?
An annual agreement is billed once at the start of the year; people or computers added during the year are prorated to year end, and quantities do not go down mid-year. A monthly agreement is billed each month and its quantities follow what you actually use.
Does Networking Now back up Microsoft 365?
Yes. Exchange mailboxes, OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams are backed up with Spanning, separately from Microsoft's own recycle bins, so a mailbox or folder can be restored from before a mistake or an attack.
Doesn't Microsoft already back up our email?
Microsoft keeps deleted items for a limited time and protects its own service, but it does not keep a separate long-term copy you control. A deleted mailbox, a folder emptied weeks ago or mail encrypted by an attack needs a separate backup to bring back.
How long are computer backups kept?
Ninety days. Each computer on our backup plan backs up its user folders, Outlook data files, photos, the files in OneDrive and its Chrome, Edge and Firefox profiles, with 90 days of versions.
What happens if ransomware hits our office?
We isolate the affected computers, find out what was touched, and restore from backups taken before the attack: Microsoft 365 data from Spanning, files from the computer backups, and servers from their image backups stored offsite.
When do Windows updates install?
In a weekly window each client chooses, for example Thursday 4 to 6 PM. Computers that are off or asleep during the window are caught up the following Monday from 8 AM, as soon as they come online.
Will my computer restart on its own after updates?
No. When an update needs a restart, a reminder appears. It can be postponed up to three times, once an hour, and then stays on screen until the computer is restarted.
Do you support Macs?
Yes. We support Macs alongside Windows computers, and remote sessions on a Mac use TeamViewer QuickSupport for Mac.
Does Networking Now install networks and Wi-Fi?
Yes. We design, install and manage UniFi networks: gateways, switches and Wi-Fi access points, with separate networks for staff, guests, cameras and building systems.
Does Networking Now install security cameras?
Yes. We install Axis cameras and Axis Camera Station recording servers, and size the storage for the number of days of video you need to keep.
Can we buy Microsoft 365 licences through Networking Now?
Yes. We supply Microsoft 365 licences through Pax8 on monthly or annual terms, and review them so you pay for the people who actually work there.
Can Networking Now connect Claude to our business systems?
Yes. We build and host connectors (MCP servers) that let Claude read from and work in systems such as Microsoft 365, file shares, field-service software and accounting tools, with Microsoft sign-in and a log of every action.
What kinds of organizations does Networking Now work with?
Mostly small offices: law offices, property management companies, nonprofits and congregations, and design firms, among others.
I found a Networking Now label on a router or modem. What does it mean?
It means we manage that equipment. Scan the code on the label or call (888) 569-4190 before unplugging, resetting or replacing it, because a reset can take the whole office offline.
Talk to Networking Now
Call or email and we will set up a time to look at your office. Remote support runs 8 AM – 6 PM Eastern, Monday to Friday.