Graystone Eye turns IT downtime into direction with a co-managed partner
After years of IT leadership turnover and failing backups, this high-volume ophthalmology practice needed stability and strategy. Katalyst resolved urgent backup issues, then grew into a co-managed partnership supporting reliable infrastructure, less downtime, and planning that keeps patient care running.
About Graystone Eye
Graystone Eye is a trusted leader in comprehensive eye care across North Carolina, offering everything from routine exams to advanced surgical procedures. As a physician-owned organization operating across multiple locations in Western North Carolina, Graystone depends on reliable IT to support daily patient care, surgical scheduling, and back-office operations with a lean internal team.
The Challenge
When Ted Bayack joined Graystone Eye as Director of IT, one of his first tasks was addressing backup failures that left the organization vulnerable. Several years of IT leadership turnover had created gaps in system reliability and strategic planning. The backup environment needed more than a patch, it needed careful attention, long-term thinking, and a collaborative partner.
Given Graystone's physician-led structure and decentralized decision-making, Ted also needed support that could help communicate plans clearly to the board and align IT investments with broader business needs.
The Solution
That initial backup engagement became the springboard for a broader partnership, rooted in trust and shared accountability.
Reliable backups, then a broader partnership
Katalyst worked with Ted to present a solution to leadership and the board, then implemented a more reliable backup system. "There was no sales team looking for opportunities to take advantage of our vulnerable situation, just a partner willing to support us," Ted said. Over time the partnership expanded to network upgrades, hardware and licensing planning, and workstation implementations.
Strategic planning that fits the practice
Katalyst adapted to Graystone's pace, stepping in when needed and keeping alignment through onsite strategic planning sessions. Graystone's internal team sets the direction for daily operations while Katalyst supports and executes that vision through managed services and hands-on work.
"Leveraging a partnership in this way allows for a more productive effort quicker, since the team is already built and just expands as needed."
Ted Bayack, Director of IT, Graystone EyeThe Results
The partnership delivered practical, measurable benefits across operations and long-term planning.
A managed backup solution reduced risk and increased confidence in disaster recovery, and reduced phone system downtime directly benefits patient communication and staff productivity. By expanding support only when needed, Graystone can mobilize for projects quickly without sourcing third-party vendors, and regular planning sessions keep IT investments aligned to real business needs and budget cycles. With Katalyst managing key infrastructure, Graystone gained a more stable, secure, and proactively maintained environment.
Key Takeaways
- Fix the urgent, then build the strategy. Resolving backup failures opened the door to long-term planning.
- Less downtime where it counts. More reliable systems protect patient communication and staff productivity.
- Expertise on demand. A pre-built team expands only when needed, without the wait of sourcing vendors.
- One menu of services. Graystone no longer has to go to multiple sources for IT support.
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