IT Specialists

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. We think that it is important to find a provider who is willing to learn what your business needs: your equipment, your software, your budget, your business model: what affects your bottom line. You should strive to find a vendor who is flexible, knowledgeable, and willing to help you with problems that you may not have initially contracted them for. Nothing is more frustrating than finger pointing, and finding an information technology provider who will go out of their way to stop the finger pointing will go a long way to make the IT aspect of your business that much less stressful. Vendors like this do exist (we are one!), so research your options fully ahead of time to save yourself the frustration later.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. The biggest "trade secret" we can think of is: Google is your friend! Answers are there, we use it, and you can use it. Many small problems can be fixed directly by the end-user if they have the time and dedication to research the issue themselves. Larger, more complex, or newer errors will usually require an IT professional to help select and execute the right answer, but a small amount of our desktop troubleshooting visits could have been avoided by a few minutes of searching. Never underestimate the power of the internet!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. 1. Location: How local is the provider? Their location could greatly affect their response time. Some issues can be solved remotely, but if something "goes down", a technician may need to be on site ASAP to get you up and running.
2. Billing: Do they provide flexible billing options (hourly, contract, project, etc.)? Flexible billing will result in a smoother fit into your business model, and allow for flexibility if your technology budget suddenly changes.
3. Flexibility: Are they willing to work with your current technology? Some vendors will require you to change your equipment or software to what they are comfortable supporting. This can cause a major headache for operations. We stress that you find a vendor who will work with your current setup as best as possible, while suggesting improvements and upgrades as needed.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. 1. Previous issues: If you currently have an IT provider and are looking for a new one because you have issues, be prepared to discuss those issues, what resolutions were to your standards, and where you felt their service fell short. This will help us custom tailor our service to help eliminate as many frustrations as possible while providing outstanding support.
2. Cost: There is no easy way to say this, but IT is expensive, so be prepared to spend money. While our prices are competitive and reasonable, IT services are necessary (like your electric bill), and can add up. Knowing how to accurately describe any problems you're experiencing, as well as having a "game plan" for the future, can help expedite the process and lower the final bill.