Support contract for server disasters etc

[reggiep]

Hi All,

We currently have a support contract with our Local Authority. We are trying to find a smaller, cheaper replacement. The current contract is for 60 hours of technician time or support but we don't really need the technician time so end up using just a few hours.

I don't want to get rid of support altogether for if we have a server disaster or something similar it is great to be able to shout "HELP" and know you are not alone.

We are currently looking at a company who provide banks of hours of support for about £450 for seven hours of support.

 

I have heard that MS offer something similar but don't know a lot about it!

 

Does anybody else use something similar and if so could they suggest any companies.

 

Thanks

[FN-GM]

MS incident tickets are £250 each. You can buy them in advance. But that will cover only MS software.

 

What are you trying to cover with this support? £450 doesn't seem enough for 7 hours support.

[Graham-Millgate]

Morning Reg,

 

We do this kind of support although I wouldn't commit to any pricing until I speak to the solutions team. I'll have a word with the guys and call you with some info later today.

 

Cheers,

[strawberry]

Might be worth not spending the cash up front but instead finding out costs and supplier and then spending the cash if you need to. I don't have any sort of contingency budget but when the servers go pop and I cant fix them I know how much the solution will cost!

[reggiep]

MS incident tickets are £250 each. You can buy them in advance. But that will cover only MS software.

 

What are you trying to cover with this support? £450 doesn't seem enough for 7 hours support.

 

I want cover if we are struggling to come up with a solution to a server failure or a vital service. We can cope with the day to day but want the extra insurance really.

[FN-GM]

I want cover if we are struggling to come up with a solution to a server failure or a vital service. We can cope with the day to day but want the extra insurance really.

 

Are we talking software or hardware? What about switches?

 

Thanks

[zag]

We use a company called DMS systems for a support contract of around 5 days a year.

 

They helped us with out Domain Server upgrade and some Printer AD stuff. They are quite knowledgeable and flexible with their contracts.

[Tall_Paul]

I think most providers will supply something similar. We've bought a bank of 5 days from Stem in Plymouth. It has proven to be incredibly useful.

[limawhiskey]

I didn't realise you could buy this kind of support in X day quantities. Would be useful for me as we are reducing the technical capacity of our team.

 

Can anyone can suggest good experience of companies in Manchester or surrounding areas?

Edited May 21, 2014 by limawhiskey

[Graham-Millgate]

+1 for Millgate

 

We cover the UK so if you would like to discuss feel free to give me a call or drop me a pm etc,

 

Thanks,