Essential IT Support Pack: Simple, Secure Cover for Kent SMEs

The Essential IT support pack is designed for small businesses in Kent that want a safe starting point for managed IT

If you’re not ready for a full “all-in” managed IT agreement yet, but you know your laptops and PCs need watching, patching and protecting, the KES Essential Pack is usually where we start.

It gives each user in your business:

• Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM) for Windows and Mac devices

• Business-grade antivirus (WatchGuard Endpoint Protection Platform – EPP)

• Dark web monitoring for compromised credentials

And if you want support included as a predictable monthly bundle:

• Optional add-on: 20 minutes of remote support per user, pooled across your team each month

It’s a simple, per-user way to get away from “hope and guesswork” and towards proactive, monitored IT — without jumping straight into a Premium-level package.

What you actually get in the Essential IT support pack

Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM) in the Essential IT support pack

We install the KES RMM agent on your covered devices so we can:

• Monitor system performance and key services 24/7

• Get proactive alerts about hardware issues before they turn into failures

• Manage Windows and Mac security updates in a controlled way

• Keep an eye on third-party applications (e.g. browsers, PDF readers) so they’re not left vulnerable

• Securely remote in to perform maintenance and remediation (patching, fixes, configuration changes).
  (If you want user-facing helpdesk support included too, add pooled support minutes.)

Instead of waiting for people to shout, we can see what’s going on under the bonnet.

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Business-grade antivirus (WatchGuard EPP)

Every Essentials user gets WatchGuard Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) installed and managed on their device.

Behind the scenes we:

• Make sure antivirus is installed, running and up to date

• Get alerts if anything looks suspicious

• Combine antivirus telemetry with our RMM, so we can see the bigger picture if there’s a problem

This is a major step up from unmanaged, consumer antivirus that no one is actually watching.

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Dark web monitoring as standard

With every KES bundle – including Essential – we include dark web monitoring to help spot compromised credentials linked to your organisation.

If we see your business email addresses or passwords appear in known breaches, we’ll:

• Alert you

• Recommend the right response (password resets, MFA, policy changes)

• Help you reduce the risk of account takeover and phishing attacks

You don’t need to understand the dark web – that’s our job – but you do need to know if your details are floating around on it.

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Pooled remote support time (optional add-on)

Essentials is designed as a baseline managed IT service: monitoring, patching and protection.

If you’d like a simple monthly “safety net” for user issues as well, you can add:

Pooled remote support – 20 minutes per user, per month (pooled across the team).

For example:

• 10 users on Essentials = 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes) pooled

• 15 users on Essentials = 300 minutes (5 hours) pooled

Any of your covered users can use this pool for:

• Outlook and email issues

• Printer and scanning problems

• “My PC is slow” type issues

• Quick questions and “how do I…?” moments

If we see you’re regularly using more than your pool, we’ll show you the trend and recommend the most cost-effective next step (often moving heavy IT users to Business or Premium).

What’s not included (and why that matters)

To keep the Essential Pack focused and affordable, some things are deliberately not included by default:

• Remote support time (helpdesk) isn’t included by default — it’s available as an optional pooled add-on (20 mins per user/month).Microsoft 365 licences – these are included in our Business and Premium packs, but Essentials assumes you already have licences in place.

• Unlimited remote support – Essentials gives you pooled minutes; unlimited support starts at Business.

• Managed firewall and network security – that’s handled in higher packs or as separate projects.

• Cloud backup for Microsoft 365 and endpoints – again, these are part of our Business and Premium packs or can be added separately.

We’ll be very clear about what is and isn’t in your agreement, so you’re not surprised when you compare Essentials to other quotes.

How the Essential IT support pack fits with our other user packs

Think of Essential as the baseline:

• Essential Pack – monitoring, antivirus, dark web checks (with optional pooled support).

• Business User Pack – for teams that want more support included, plus Microsoft 365 and stronger security.

• Premium Pack – for high-demand users needing unlimited remote support and the most complete cover.

You can:

• Start on Essentials and upgrade later as your needs grow.

• Mix packs – for example, Essential for light-use staff, Business or Premium for directors and heavy IT users.

We’ll help you map the right level to each role, not sell you more than you need.

FAQs about the Essential IT support pack

Q1. How much does the Essential Pack cost per user?
We price the Essential Pack per user, per month, with a small minimum user count. The exact price depends on your environment and any extras (such as backup or Microsoft 365 licences), so we’ll give you a clear proposal for your business rather than a guess. If you prefer, you can use our pricing calculator for a quick ballpark and then ask us to sense-check it.

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Q2. Does the Essential Pack include Microsoft 365 licences?
No – Microsoft 365 licences are not included in Essentials by default.
If you’d like your licensing wrapped into a per-user price, we’ll normally recommend the Business User Pack instead.

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Q3. What happens if we use more than our pooled minutes?
If you occasionally use a bit more time, we’ll just flag it and carry on. If you’re regularly going over your pooled minutes, we’ll show you the trend and talk through options – such as moving some or all users to a pack with unlimited remote support – so you’re always getting the best value.

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Q4. Can we start on Essentials and move up later?
Yes. Many clients start on Essentials to stabilise their devices, then move to Business or Premium as they see the value of more support and security. We plan that as a staged roadmap, so you’re not forced into big changes on day one.

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Q5. Will this help with cyber insurance and security questionnaires?
Essential is a strong baseline – monitored devices, managed antivirus and dark web checks – and it definitely helps. For stricter cyber insurance requirements, you’ll usually need some of the additional security and backup features that sit in our higher packs. We can walk through your insurer’s checklist with you and recommend the right mix.

KES RMM Includes: