The PDC Difference: Why Our Clients Stay 20+ Years (And Why Yours Might Not)
Most IT companies talk about partnership. We prove it. Our average client relationship is over 20 years. Not because of contracts - we do not lock anyone in. Our clients stay because we make their problems disappear and their operations run smoother. Here is what makes us different.
Before we tell you what we do differently, let us show you the results:
Metric
Preferred Data
Industry Average
Years in Business
37+ (since 1987)
5-7 years
Average Client Retention
20+ years
2-3 years
Google Rating
5 stars
3.5-4 stars
Contract Requirement
None
2-3 years typical
On-Site Service Area
200 miles
Remote only
These are not marketing claims. They are verifiable facts that tell a story about how we do business.
What Makes PDC Different
1. We Are Local (Really Local)
What most MSPs offer:
Remote support from a call center (often out of state or offshore)
On-site visits only for emergencies (if at all)
Technicians who have never seen your facility
"We will dispatch someone" with no timeline
What PDC offers:
Real technicians based in High Point, NC
On-site support within 200 miles, usually same-day
The same people who know your systems, your team, and your business
Emergency response measured in hours, not days
Why it matters:
When production is down, you need someone who can walk in the door, not someone who asks you to "try rebooting" for the fifth time.
2. We Specialize in Manufacturing
What most MSPs know:
Office environments (desks, laptops, email)
Generic IT best practices
Standard cybersecurity frameworks
Cloud migration for white-collar workers
What PDC knows:
OT/IT Integration - Bridging operational technology and information technology
SCADA and Industrial Controls - Keeping production systems running
ERP and MES Systems - Manufacturing software that runs your operation
Shop Floor Reality - Technology that works in dust, heat, and 24/7 environments
CMMC and NIST Compliance - Defense manufacturing requirements
Why it matters:
Generic IT providers treat your factory like an office with machinery. We understand that your production line is the heart of your business, and everything else is support.
3. We Are Proactive, Not Reactive
What reactive IT looks like:
Something breaks → You call → They fix it (eventually)
Problems recur because root causes are not addressed
You find out about issues from your staff
"We will get to it" is a common response
Strategic planning is non-existent
What proactive IT looks like:
We call YOU when we spot something wrong (before anyone else notices)
Problems are solved at the root cause, not with band-aids
90%+ of issues caught before impact through monitoring
Quarterly strategic reviews to plan for the future
We are part of your team, not a vendor you call when things break
Why it matters:
Every hour of prevented downtime is worth $1,000-$5,000 or more. Proactive IT is not a cost - it is an investment that pays for itself many times over.
4. We Do Not Lock You In
What most MSPs require:
2-3 year contracts with early termination penalties
Auto-renewal clauses that are easy to miss
Price increases locked in at renewal
Complex exit processes designed to keep you trapped
What PDC offers:
Month-to-month billing after initial onboarding
You stay because we earn your business
Transparent pricing with no surprise increases
Easy exit if we ever stop delivering value
Why it matters:
If an IT company needs a contract to keep you, ask yourself why their clients would leave without one. Our clients stay 20+ years because we deliver value, not because they are stuck.
5. We Are a Complete Technology Partner
What typical MSPs offer:
Managed IT (monitoring, help desk, maintenance)
Maybe cybersecurity add-ons
Referrals for everything else
What PDC offers:
Service
PDC
Typical MSP
Managed IT Services
✓
✓
Cybersecurity & CMMC
✓
Some
Cloud Solutions
✓
✓
Custom Software Development
✓
✗
ERP/Business Software
✓
✗
AI Implementation
✓
✗
M&A Technology Diligence
✓
✗
OT/IT Integration
✓
✗
Network Infrastructure
✓
✓
Data Protection & Backup
✓
✓
Why it matters:
One relationship means one point of contact, integrated solutions, and no finger-pointing between vendors. We own your technology outcomes end-to-end.
What Our Clients Actually Say
These are verified Google reviews from real clients:
"We do not need to worry about any IT needs or internet security, because PDC has it fully handled. We appreciate the hands-on approach by PDC and the assistance given on any questions we have CPU related. I suggest anyone with a business to run to use PDC services. You will see an immediate improvement in your systems and processes to get your work done."
— Aaron D., Business Owner
"Our company has been working with Preferred Data 20+ years. They are a great team working diligently to make our jobs easier every day. Very professional group of people!"
— Sarah W., Manufacturing Client
"I had a wonderful experience resolving a connectivity issue. I worked with Jeffrey P. From start to finish, he was patient, knowledgeable, and warm, providing clear and effective instructions while making me feel that my issue was important. What stood out most was his persistence and professionalism—he did not give up or rush the matter off."
— Melodie D., Client
"These guys are great - have been my tech people for 20+ years."
— Robert H., Long-term Client
Notice a pattern? Our clients do not just tolerate us - they appreciate us. And they stay for decades.
The Experience You Should Expect
When You Become a PDC Client
Week 1: We Learn Your Business
On-site assessment of your entire IT environment
Interviews with key stakeholders
Documentation of systems, processes, and pain points
Security baseline evaluation
Week 2-4: We Fix What Is Broken
Address critical security gaps
Stabilize problem systems
Implement monitoring and alerting
Set up proper backup and recovery
Month 2+: We Keep You Running
Proactive monitoring catches issues before you do
Same-day response for most problems
Regular strategic reviews
Continuous optimization and improvement
Day-to-Day Experience
Something breaks? Call or email. We respond the same day, usually within hours.
Need strategic advice? Quarterly reviews to discuss technology roadmap.
Security concern? We are already monitoring. We will call you if needed.
New project? We help you plan and execute, not just support.
Is PDC Right for You?
We Are a Great Fit If:
You are a manufacturer or operational business in NC
You want a long-term technology partner, not a vendor
You value proactive prevention over reactive firefighting
You need someone who understands production environments
You want local support with real technicians
You are tired of recurring IT problems
We Might Not Be the Best Fit If:
You just need occasional break-fix support
You are looking for the lowest price regardless of quality
You prefer managing multiple vendors
You are outside our 200-mile on-site service area
You need an extremely large enterprise IT team (500+ employees)
See the Difference for Yourself
We are confident that once you experience the PDC difference, you will understand why our clients stay for decades.
Option 1: Free IT Health Check
15 minutes. 5 questions. Honest answers about your current IT situation.
Come meet the team in High Point. See how we work.
Address: 1208 Eastchester Drive, Suite 131, High Point, NC 27265
Phone: (336) 886-3282
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you not require contracts?
Because we do not need them. Our clients stay because we deliver value, not because they are trapped. If we ever stop earning your business, you should be free to leave.
How do you keep prices affordable without contracts?
We focus on operational efficiency, long-term relationships, and solving problems right the first time. We do not need to pad pricing to cover the cost of constantly acquiring new clients.
What if we have an emergency at 2 AM?
We have 24/7 emergency support for critical issues. Our local team can be on-site quickly if needed.
Can you work with our existing vendors?
Yes. We regularly coordinate with software vendors, equipment manufacturers, and other service providers. We make their job easier, not harder.
How do we get started?
Start with a free IT Health Check. 15 minutes, no obligation. We will tell you honestly what we find.
The Bottom Line
You do not have to settle for IT that barely works. You do not have to accept slow response times, recurring problems, and providers who only show up when things break.
For 37 years, we have been proving there is a better way.