Frequently Asked Questions

We work with organizations across several industries where technology reliability and security are mission-critical. Our primary focus areas include dental clinics and healthcare practices, charter schools and education environments, law firms, and SaaS companies. What unites our clients isn't their size, it's their need for dependable Apple-centric IT that just works, backed by people who understand their industry.

Apple is our specialty. It's in our DNA. We built Ripeda around deep expertise in macOS, iOS, and iPadOS environments. That said, we recognize that most organizations have some Windows devices or need to integrate with Microsoft services. We handle mixed environments comfortably, but our edge is making Apple devices work seamlessly in business settings where others struggle.

Our managed services cover the full spectrum: device management and monitoring, security and compliance, help desk support, network infrastructure, backup and disaster recovery, hardware procurement, and strategic IT planning. We tailor the mix to each client: a dental clinic has different needs than a SaaS startup, and we structure our services accordingly.

Both. Some clients want us to handle everything so they can focus on their business. Others have internal IT staff and need a partner with specialized Apple expertise or additional capacity for projects. We're flexible and work well in either model. What matters is that the arrangement makes sense for your organization.

Yes. Most day-to-day support happens remotely. It's faster and more efficient for everyone. But when a situation calls for hands-on work, we provide on-site support in the Calgary area, Lethbridge, and our expanding Edmonton service area. For clients with remote employees (even internationally), our remote support reaches wherever they are.

We're headquartered in Calgary with a strong presence in Lethbridge and growing coverage in Edmonton. Through remote support, we've helped clients with team members across Canada, the US, and even China. If your people can connect to the internet, we can support them.

For standard requests, you'll hear back from us within 1–4 hours during business hours. Critical issues get prioritized and addressed faster. We don't believe in letting tickets sit... when something's broken, it's affecting your business, and we treat it that way.

Yes, for clients where downtime has serious consequences. After-hours and emergency support is available as part of certain service agreements. If your organization can't afford to wait until morning when something breaks, we'll structure your support to match that reality.

We follow a structured Discovery → Migration → Training approach. First, we audit your current environment—devices, accounts, security posture, pain points. Then we migrate services methodically, minimizing disruption. Finally, we train your team on new tools and processes so everyone's confident from day one. The timeline varies based on complexity, but we don't rush it at the expense of getting it right.

Yes, we hold both designations. As an Apple Authorized Reseller, we can procure hardware directly with proper business focus and support. As an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), our technicians are certified to perform repairs using genuine Apple parts, including warranty and AppleCare work. This isn't just a badge; it means faster turnaround and repairs done right.

Absolutely. Apple Business Manager is central to how we deploy and manage devices for organizations. We help you set up ABM, configure automated device enrollment, manage apps and content through volume purchasing, and integrate it all with your MDM solution. If you're not using ABM yet, you should be, and we'll get you there.

Yes, across all Apple device types. MDM (Mobile Device Management) lets us configure devices remotely, enforce security policies, deploy apps, and manage updates without touching each device individually. Whether you have 10 devices or 500, MDM is how modern Apple fleets stay secure and consistent.

Our real investment is in scripting and automation. That's what makes managing an Apple fleet efficient, and it carries across whichever MDM platform sits underneath it. We work with the major MDM platforms and recommend the one that fits your environment, budget, and needs rather than pushing a single product on every client. The platform matters less than getting Apple Business Manager set up correctly beneath it.

Yes. This is one of the biggest advantages of proper Apple device management. Through zero-touch deployment, we can ship a Mac, iPhone, or iPad directly to a new employee or student. When they power it on and connect to the internet, it automatically enrolls in management, installs required apps, and configures settings. They're productive immediately, no IT visit required.

Yes. As an Apple Authorized Reseller, we handle procurement with proper business pricing. Beyond just buying devices, we help you plan hardware lifecycles: When to refresh, how to budget for it, and how to handle retired devices securely. Good lifecycle planning prevents the "everything breaks at once" problem.

Yes, Fortinet is our standard for business-grade firewall and network security. We deploy, configure, monitor, and maintain Fortinet appliances as part of our managed network services. This includes threat detection, content filtering, VPN configuration, and ongoing firmware management, not just a box sitting in your closet.

Yes. Ruckus is our go-to for enterprise Wi-Fi that's reliable, secure, and manageable. We design, deploy, and manage Ruckus wireless networks with proper segmentation, authentication, and monitoring. Whether you're a dental clinic that needs rock-solid connectivity for imaging equipment or a school with hundreds of student devices, we build networks that perform.

We approach this holistically because backups alone aren't enough anymore. Our strategy includes endpoint protection to prevent ransomware, proper backup solutions (tailored to each client's needs and budget), and documented recovery procedures so you know exactly what happens if the worst occurs.

Yes. Whether through VPN, zero-trust access solutions, or properly configured cloud services, we ensure your remote staff can work securely without creating security holes. The right approach depends on your environment and compliance requirements. We'll design something that balances security with usability.

Yes, dental and healthcare practices are one of our core verticals. We understand the technology stack: practice management software, digital imaging systems (sensors, panoramic units, CBCT), intraoral cameras, and the network infrastructure that ties it all together. More importantly, we understand that when your imaging goes down, you can't see patients. We design systems with that reality in mind.

Absolutely. Education environments have unique challenges: shared devices, student-appropriate content filtering, classroom management tools, and the chaos of hundreds of users who didn't choose their IT setup. We configure MDM for shared iPad and Mac deployments, implement appropriate restrictions, and build systems that teachers can actually manage day-to-day.

Yes. SaaS companies live and die by reliability. We support startups and established software companies with the infrastructure and security practices that let them focus on building product rather than fighting IT fires. That means proper device security, identity management, and the kind of responsive support that doesn't slow down your developers.

Yes. Law firms have legitimate reasons to be concerned about data security and confidentiality. We implement encryption, access controls, secure document handling, and audit trails that satisfy both your ethical obligations and your clients' expectations. We also understand that lawyers need technology that stays out of their way—billable hours matter.

Through proactive management rather than reactive firefighting. We monitor systems continuously, address issues before they become outages, maintain proper redundancy where it matters, and design infrastructure with failure points in mind. When something does break, our response time and expertise get you back up fast. Prevention is better than cure, but we're good at both.

For our clients, Apple repairs are handled directly by us. No Apple Store trips or outside vendors. As an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), we service Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Beats products with genuine parts and certified technicians. If Apple Retail can fix it, so can we. It's part of the value of having an MSP with real Apple credentials.

Yes. As an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), we perform warranty and AppleCare+ repairs on Apple's behalf. This means your team doesn't need to visit an Apple Store or ship devices away. We handle it locally with the same genuine parts and procedures. For businesses, this translates to faster turnaround and less disruption.

Often, yes. We work with DriveSavers—the industry leader in professional data recovery.

As an authorized DriveSavers reseller, our clients get direct access to the industry leader in data recovery: with free overnight FedEx shipping, free evaluation, and discounted rates. If the data turns out to be unrecoverable, they ship it back at no charge. When a drive fails, you have a direct line to the best in the business.

We use a per-seat model. A "Mac Seat" covers a user and their Apple device(s), and we have "Network Seats" for infrastructure components. The exact pricing depends on factors like what software licensing we're managing on your behalf and the complexity of your environment. We'll provide a clear quote after understanding your needs: no hidden fees or surprise charges.

No hard minimum. We've worked with organizations as small as a few seats. That said, we're selective about fit. An organization that knows what they need and values a partnership will always be a better fit than a larger client that doesn't. We'd rather work with the right clients than chase volume.

We typically work on annual agreements. This isn't about locking you in, it's about building a real partnership. Proper IT management requires understanding your environment deeply, and that investment makes more sense with some commitment on both sides. We're confident enough in our service that retention comes from results, not contract terms.

Yes, co-managed IT is one of our core offerings. Maybe your internal IT person is great with Windows but needs Apple expertise. Maybe you have an MSP handling basics but need specialized support. We integrate smoothly and focus on adding value rather than stepping on toes. Clear communication and defined responsibilities make these arrangements work.