Business Details
36 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Business-First IT Partner in Northern Michigan
Founded in 1990, Terrapin Networks has dedicated three decades to bridging the gap between small business needs and technology solutions. Our founder Tim Gillen, drawing from generational small business experience and a pivotal 1985 computer system crisis, established our company to provide business-first technology support. We specialize in understanding the unique challenges small businesses face, offering direct access to seasoned professionals who prioritize operational continuity and strategic growth.Our Northern Michigan-based team combines local expertise with global technical standards, ensuring technology decisions align with business objectives. With 30+ years of industry experience, we deliver customized network solutions, responsive helpdesk support, and emergency services that recognize the critical impact of technology downtime on payroll, customer commitments, and competitive positioning.
Services
IT Consulting
Helpdesk Support
Customized Networks
Emergency Services
24/7 Monitoring
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of small business technology expertise
- Direct access to founder Tim Gillen for all clients
- Local helpdesk with personalized support approach
- Customized network solutions tailored to business needs
- 24/7 emergency response for critical system failures
What people say
Personalized support
Quick emergency response
Business-first approach
30+ years expertise
Local knowledge
Services
IT Consulting
Our strategic IT consulting helps small businesses align technology investments with growth objectives. With 30+ years of experience, we develop customized technology roadmaps that address current challenges while preparing for future expansion. Our founder Tim Gillen personally works with clients to ensure every solution supports business continuity and operational efficiency.
Helpdesk Support
Northern Michigan-based helpdesk services combine local expertise with global technical standards. Our team provides personalized support that understands your business context, with emergency response available 24/7. We prioritize understanding your specific workflows to deliver solutions that minimize downtime and maintain business operations.
Customized Networks
We create tailored network solutions that match your business requirements exactly. Our boutique approach ensures technology systems fit your operational needs and budget constraints without unnecessary features. Each implementation considers your unique business environment to maximize efficiency and security.
Emergency Services
Critical system failures receive immediate attention through our 24/7 emergency response service. A dedicated network engineer is always on call to address urgent issues, minimizing business disruption. This service reflects our understanding of technology's vital role in maintaining payroll commitments and customer relationships.
24/7 Monitoring
Continuous network monitoring ensures proactive issue resolution before they impact operations. Our systems track performance metrics and security threats around the clock, with automated alerts and immediate intervention when needed. This service maintains system reliability while reducing unexpected downtime risks.
People
Tim Gillen
Founder and President
30+ year technology veteran with generational small business experience. Started Terrapin Networks after personal struggles with inadequate IT support. Holds deep understanding of business-technology integration challenges.
Steve Dix
Senior Network Engineer
Former Michigan Air National Guard member and licensed technical radio hobbyist. Provides hands-on technical expertise and serves as primary field technician for Northern Michigan clients.
Ruthy Kirwan
Project Manager
Manages customer relations and project execution. Combines remote work experience with small business operations knowledge from her New York City base and family business background.
Rex Rudolph
Finance Director
Certified Public Accountant with dual expertise in technology and financial management. Oversees business operations while maintaining his accounting practice with Padgett Business Services.
Sue Gillen
Business Manager
Coordinates daily operations and client services. Balances business management responsibilities with maintaining organizational stability as key administrative leader.
Questions
What makes Terrapin different from other IT providers?
We combine 30+ years of small business experience with direct owner involvement and local expertise to deliver technology solutions that align with business objectives.
Do you offer emergency support outside business hours?
Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency response with on-call network engineers available through our dedicated after-hours phone line.
How do you customize technology solutions?
We start by understanding your specific business needs and create tailored network systems that match your operational requirements and budget constraints exactly.
What experience do you have with small businesses?
Our founder comes from a family of small business owners and has 30+ years of experience creating technology solutions specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises.
