IT Maintenance

V

vbusybee

Guest
Hi,

I'm running a small business with a server and 3 pcs. A friend of mine was looking after it until recently but can't anymore. Anyone I've contacted is talking about setting up a maintenance contract....do I have to have one of these? How much should I be paying. What should I be looking out for? I don't want to get fleeced!

Thanks.
 
You don't have to, but the other option is to just pay for each problem as it arises. This could work out very costly if something big goes wrong. Also, having a contract will mean you are more likely to get the IT guys out quicker if something takes down all your machines.

There are pros and cons for each. I suppose you need to get a quote from the IT Company and find out exactly what is covered (and what is not) and the response time etc. This will make your decision easier.
 
Thanks for that.

On the issue of contracts, I don't understand how it could work out a lot more expensive is something big went wrong, is it just because the hourly rate with a contract would be less? What is a ballpark figure that I should be paying for my server and 3 pcs, just for basic support?

As far as I can see the maintenance contract is just paying to make sure they'll answer the phone to you! You still pay for each hour that they are onsite. What if everyone started this!! The plumber could be next :eek:

These IT people seem to have everyone over a barrell, you can't manage without them and they know it! I know of someone who didn't have any of their logins for their server etc and their IT support company just shut down!

Am I just being paranoid or are there good stories too?
 
vbusybee said:
Thanks for that.

On the issue of contracts, I don't understand how it could work out a lot more expensive is something big went wrong, is it just because the hourly rate with a contract would be less? What is a ballpark figure that I should be paying for my server and 3 pcs, just for basic support?
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I could be way off here but I would imagine that you might have to pay a premium for an immediate call-out from a company you have never dealt with before. To be honest I'm not an IT Contractor as such so couldn't give you a reliable figure but I would imagine somewhere between €75-€125?
As far as I can see the maintenance contract is just paying to make sure they'll answer the phone to you! You still pay for each hour that they are onsite. What if everyone started this!! The plumber could be next :eek:
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Not really. I would assume that the contract includes so many hours a month. So let's say your server goes down and your IT Contractors come out, it could take 3 hours to fix, and your contract could include 3 hours. So you're not paying twice by having the contract. But you are guaranteeing a swift call-out. However, you would lose 3 hours costs if nothing went wrong. You could look at it as a kind of insurance.
These IT people seem to have everyone over a barrell, you can't manage without them and they know it! I know of someone who didn't have any of their logins for their server etc and their IT support company just shut down!
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Well, it depends. To be perfectly honest I don't think your situation would require a costly IT Maintenance contract. Not for just 3 machines. It depends of course on your own knowledge of computers/networks and what your level of dependence is. For example, are the 3 machines vital to the service your company offers, or are they just to make your employees tasks easier. In other words, if everything went down all of a sudden, could you survive using a laptop for a few hours while you waited for an IT Consultant to come out.
Am I just being paranoid or are there good stories too?
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I'm sure there are good stories too but you are right to be on your toes. You don't want to get stuck in a costly contract if it can be avoided.
 
I run a business providing such services. I have customers both with service contracts and without. The main difference between them is that customers with service contracts commit to purchasing a minimum amount of time per month and get preferential rates and 30 days credit on invoices. Non-contract customers pay standard rates and do not get credit.

I'll send you a PM and depending where you are located I may be able to assist or recommend someone who can.
 
Hi,

thanks everyone for the replies and pms. I got sorted with someone who comes with good recommendations! We're in Limerick so a bit far for east coast based support but thanks anyway!

v.b.
 
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