Support company Adhoc

[pablo007]

Hi all,

Does anyone deal with any support companies on a adhoc basis? Microsoft, Vmware, exchange ETC. II do not require a support contract and i'm not looking for free support but something on adhoc basis by real experts in their field.

 

Thanks as always in advance.

[paulkerton]

The problem is that so many support companies have been bitten hard by providing adhoc help to schools, that they will want a contract up front.

When I worked in support like that, we always had schools want that kind of support and then would recoil at the idea of having to pay for it because "we're a school!"

The problem did come down to people offering free services, then expecting the third-party support organisations they had to provide support for free too a lot of the time.

 

So whilst you have honest intentions, there are only so many times you can let a dog bite you, before you're wary of all dogs biting you!

 

So you'll find it difficult to find any support on an adhoc level without someone wanting some guarantee of payment in place.

[TechMonkey]

You're options are:

 

1) Bank some hours. Pay for some hours up front that you can use them.

2) get a contract with pay as you go, but you will be on lowest level SLA

3) pay something annually and work out some sort of recompense if you don't use them, some consultation or something.

 

Otherwise plan it is a standalone project and go to the company on that basis.

[pablo007]

Sorry all Just to clarify i know what options will be available to me its the support companies names that i need (some recommendations please).

[TechMonkey]

Sorry all Just to clarify i know what options will be available to me its the support companies names that i need (some recommendations please).

 

Where in the country are you? A lot of support companies prefer to remain within a certain area, so the company I recommend may not be any help to you if you are the other end of the country.

[pablo007]

The midlands thanks @TechMonkey

[TechMonkey]

If you are North of the area VeryPC maybe able to help, depending on what the job is.

 

EDIT: Saying that, they were willing to come down to the South Coast so geography doesn't seem to be an issue.

[pablo007]

Are these vmware and windows experts ? i only ever bought hardware from them

[TechMonkey]

They do run a managed service and I know their network guys are very knowledgeable. Probably best you talk to them direct and explain what you need.