Employee onboarding is a crucial yet often overlooked process, particularly in fast-moving startups. In the digital-first startup ecosystem of Tbilisi, Georgia, where companies are lean and infrastructure is cloud-based, failing to equip new hires with the necessary IT tools on Day 1 can cause major disruptions. Without a structured IT onboarding strategy, startups risk delayed productivity, frustrated employees, and increased attrition.

The Problem: IT Delays and Their Impact on Startups

A smooth onboarding experience is essential to an employee’s long-term engagement. According to StrongDM’s statistics on employee onboarding, nearly 20% of new hires leave within their first 45 days due to poor onboarding. One of the most critical aspects of a positive onboarding experience is ensuring that employees have the necessary tools and access to hit the ground running.

Common IT Onboarding Challenges Faced by Startups

  1. No Laptop or Peripherals on Day 1: New hires often show up on their first day only to find that their laptops are not ready, or they are missing essential IT peripherals such as keyboards, monitors, or headsets.
  2. Delayed Application Access: Employees require access to key applications, cloud storage, and communication platforms. If credentials are not set up in advance, valuable hours or even days are lost.
  3. Lack of Standardized Processes: Without a proper IT onboarding framework, startups frequently scramble at the last minute to provision equipment and set up accounts, leading to errors and inefficiencies.
  4. Increased Risk of Attrition: If new employees face frustrations in their first week, they may begin questioning their decision to join the company. Given the highly competitive startup landscape, a poor onboarding experience can push employees to reconsider other offers.

The Solution: NextGen IT Advisors’ Co-Managed IT Approach

A Co-Managed IT partnership with NextGen IT Advisors offers a seamless solution for startups looking to optimize their employee onboarding process. Our team works closely with Talent Acquisition, HR, and hiring managers to ensure new employees have everything they need before their first day.

How NextGen IT Advisors Improves Onboarding

1. Partnering with Talent Acquisition & HR for IT Readiness

One of the biggest pitfalls in startup onboarding is the disconnect between hiring teams and IT setup. NextGen IT Advisors bridges this gap by:

  • Integrating with HR and Talent Acquisition teams to stay ahead of hiring timelines.
  • Ensuring that IT equipment is ordered and shipped before the employee’s start date.
  • Pre-configuring devices to align with company security policies and access requirements.

By streamlining these steps, we prevent the all-too-common scenario where a new hire arrives only to spend the first week waiting for their laptop.

2. Creating a Structured IT Onboarding Timeline

Startups often move fast, and hiring decisions can happen quickly. However, without proper runway for IT setup, new employees may face frustrating delays.

NextGen IT Advisors ensures:

  • IT is notified at least two weeks in advance about new hires.
  • Equipment is provisioned and shipped with time to spare.
  • Backup plans exist in case of delays, such as temporary loaner devices.

By enforcing these structured timelines, startups avoid last-minute IT emergencies and ensure a smooth transition for new employees.

3. Working with Hiring Managers to Ensure Proper Application Access

Beyond hardware, application access is a critical part of IT onboarding. Employees need accounts set up for email, project management tools, CRM systems, cloud-based development environments, and internal communication tools.

NextGen IT Advisors helps startups:

  • Identify the specific applications each role needs.
  • Set up single sign-on (SSO) and automated provisioning to ensure seamless access.
  • Provide multi-factor authentication (MFA) and security controls to maintain compliance.

By proactively coordinating with hiring managers, we make sure every new hire can log in and start working from Day 1.

4. Ensuring a Successful First Week for Every New Employee

A smooth first week dramatically improves employee engagement and retention. According to StrongDM, organizations with structured onboarding processes experience 50% greater productivity from new hires.

NextGen IT Advisors ensures:

  • Pre-boarding IT training to familiarize new employees with company tools and security policies.
  • Live IT support on Day 1 to troubleshoot any last-minute issues.
  • Follow-ups during Week 1 to verify all systems are functioning as expected.

By taking a hands-on approach to IT onboarding, we help startups turn new hires into productive team members immediately.

Why Startups in Tbilisi, Georgia Need a Co-Managed IT Approach

Tbilisi’s startup ecosystem is thriving, with many companies leveraging cloud-first models and remote teams. However, without on-premise IT infrastructure, the challenge of managing IT onboarding is magnified.

A Co-Managed IT partnership with NextGen IT Advisors allows startups to:

  • Scale IT operations efficiently without needing an in-house IT team.
  • Ensure security and compliance in an increasingly remote work environment.
  • Optimize costs by only paying for the IT support they need, rather than hiring full-time IT staff.

Conclusion: Invest in Better IT Onboarding with NextGen IT Advisors

For startups in Tbilisi, Georgia, a well-structured IT onboarding process isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for employee satisfaction and retention. New hires should never have to spend their first week struggling with IT issues.

NextGen IT Advisors is ready to help your startup build a seamless, structured IT onboarding process that enhances productivity, minimizes downtime, and ensures long-term employee engagement.

Are you ready to revolutionize your startup’s IT onboarding process? Contact NextGen IT Advisors today to discuss how we can help you create a scalable, efficient, and employee-friendly IT experience.