Tier 1
Essentials
The basics ready before your opening. Domain, email forwarding, 4-page custom website, Google Business Profile, business Wi-Fi.
For new businesses
Open with confidence.
Network, POS, cameras, website, email, and Google Business Profile — set up before your doors open. One person handles all of it. Same caliber of work the big providers ship to chains, scaled for a single new location.
What we handle for you
A typical new business has to cobble IT together from a cable installer, a POS rep, a "computer guy," and someone's nephew. We do all of it under one roof so the pieces actually talk to each other on day 1.
- Network & Wi-Fi — business-grade router and access points sized to your space; guest Wi-Fi separated from your business traffic
- POS install — Toast, Square, or Clover — counter wiring, network drops, kitchen / receipt printers, KDS, cash drawer
- Security cameras — IP cameras over your front door, cash register, and back entrance with cables hidden in walls
- Website — custom 4-page site on your domain, mobile-responsive, ready for customers to find you
- Domain & email —
you@yourbusiness.comforwarded to your inbox, professional from day 1 - Google Business Profile — claimed, verified, and optimized so you show up in local search the day you open
- Cellular failover (Operations and up) — POS and card readers stay working when the cable line drops
- Microsoft 365 hardening (Full Open) — secure email, file storage, MFA enforced from day 1
Three packages
Pick what fits. Every package can be scoped up or down before you sign.
Tier 2
Operations
Everything in Essentials plus the hardware that lets you run the business — POS install, security cameras, cellular failover.
Tier 3
Full Open
Everything in Operations plus secure email setup (Microsoft 365), first quarter of preventative maintenance, and one starter automation.
Why launch with Upper Hand IT
- One person handles the whole stack. No project-managing four vendors who don't talk to each other.
- You own everything. Domain, hosting, email, accounts — all in your name from day 1. I'm a collaborator, not a hostage-taker.
- Real field tech, not a sales rep. 12+ years on the tools across hundreds of commercial install jobs in WNY.
- Direct billing, no middleman markup. You pay the tech doing the work.
- Built to grow. The system we install on day 1 is the same one we'll service, maintain, and expand for years after.
How it works
- Free consultation — 30–45 min video call or in-person. Tell me about your business, target opening date, what you've already lined up. I tell you what's actually needed.
- Written proposal — fixed-price quote for the tier we agree on, sent within 1–3 days. No surprise add-ons.
- Kickoff call — we set up your accounts together (domain, hosting, Google profile). Everything in your name. Takes ~45 min.
- Build phase — 1–4 weeks. I order hardware, build the website, configure systems off-site. You get drafts to review.
- On-site install — 1–2 days at your location. Wi-Fi up, POS running, cameras working, staff trained.
- 30-day check-in — free call to fix anything that surfaced after opening.
Common questions
How much does this cost?
It depends on the tier and the size of your space. Every quote is fixed-price and sent in writing before any work starts — no surprises. Most new-business launches are 5–10% of total opening costs (lease, fit-out, equipment, inventory).
How far in advance should I book?
4–8 weeks before opening day is ideal for Operations or Full Open. Essentials can be done in 2–3 weeks. Less than 2 weeks out, you'll need to scope down.
Do you cover my service area?
Western NY, the Southern Tier, and Northern PA. Buffalo metro from the Buffalo base; Olean / Bradford / Jamestown / Salamanca corridor from the Asheville NY base.
Who owns the website and accounts after we're done?
You do — fully. Your domain, your Cloudflare account, your GitHub repo, your Google profile. I'm added as a collaborator with admin access during the build, and I stay on as needed for ongoing work, but the accounts are yours. You can leave anytime and take everything with you.
What if I want to make website changes later?
Two options: pay per request (simple changes are fast, ~$50–$150) or sign up for an updates retainer ($50–$150/mo) for ongoing edits. Many clients learn enough during the kickoff to make their own simple updates.
Do you build e-commerce / online ordering?
The website itself is a brochure site (fast, branded, professional). For online ordering at restaurants, I integrate Square Online (free with Square POS) into the site. For full e-commerce, I'll either integrate Squarespace Commerce or refer you to a specialist if it's bigger than that fits.
What if my opening date slips?
Common — happens to most new businesses. We rebook the install. Hardware doesn't go bad. Labor is billed at agreed rates if we end up doing the work in pieces.
Can you handle just one piece (just a website, just POS)?
Yes. Each piece is also available standalone — see the services page. The Launch Package is the discount for bundling it all at opening; standalone pricing is per-service.
Tell me about your new business.
Free consultation. I'll listen, sketch what fits, and send a written proposal in 1–3 days.