How do small companies manage IT?

[Extra 300 Driver]

We are having a nightmare with our IT. We had our server set up, WS2012, by a right monkey, and now it needs sorting. There are 4 of us in the office, with a couple more spread around the globe, so VPPN is a requirement (cloud isn’t an option). Anyway, most of the IT falls on my shoulders, but I am far to busy to be messing around with Laptops and wotnot.

We have tried employing a local form, but they’re either not interested or charge a crazy rate.
So how do you do it?

[Zoon]

Myself

[Fotic]

Extra 300 Driver said:

We are having a nightmare with our IT. We had our server set up, WS2012, by a right monkey, and now it needs sorting. There are 4 of us in the office, with a couple more spread around the globe, so VPPN is a requirement (cloud isn’t an option). Anyway, most of the IT falls on my shoulders, but I am far to busy to be messing around with Laptops and wotnot.

We have tried employing a local form, but they’re either not interested or charge a crazy rate.
So how do you do it?

There are other IT support companies out there that you haven't used yet! Why not tell us where you're based and let the recommendations come in?

I use a small support firm and have done for 15 years now. No way would I consider attempting to sort stuff myself.

[Fotic]

Extra 300 Driver said:

We are having a nightmare with our IT. We had our server set up, WS2012, by a right monkey, and now it needs sorting. There are 4 of us in the office, with a couple more spread around the globe, so VPPN is a requirement (cloud isn’t an option). Anyway, most of the IT falls on my shoulders, but I am far to busy to be messing around with Laptops and wotnot.

We have tried employing a local form, but they’re either not interested or charge a crazy rate.
So how do you do it?

There are other IT support companies out there that you haven't used yet! Why not tell us where you're based and let the recommendations come in?

I use a small support firm and have done for 15 years now. No way would I consider attempting to sort stuff myself.

[DSLiverpool]

Extra 300 Driver said:

We are having a nightmare with our IT. We had our server set up, WS2012, by a right monkey, and now it needs sorting. There are 4 of us in the office, with a couple more spread around the globe, so VPPN is a requirement (cloud isn’t an option). Anyway, most of the IT falls on my shoulders, but I am far to busy to be messing around with Laptops and wotnot.

We have tried employing a local form, but they’re either not interested or charge a crazy rate.
So how do you do it?

We knocked on the door of the large logistics place next door and asked if we could use their IT dept on a retainer - took a few hours but no problem, they get on site in minutes and know far more than ever need.

[silverous]

Define "crazy rate". For a company to be set up to dip in and out of your environment and get it right what would you expect to be a fair rate? How much do you pay a plumber, or a mechanic?

I think sometimes expectations are way below reality in terms of IT and cost.

I suspect lots of small companies just struggle along.....

[drmotorsport]

Outsource it! we support lots of small companies and it seems historically for an accounts bod to do the IT (possibly cos it was installed for accounts software). So like any other trade why try and waste your precious working time and skills maintaining IT, when you can get a man in who will know what needs to be done and can do it more efficiently than you.

[Extra 300 Driver]

silverous said:

Define "crazy rate". For a company to be set up to dip in and out of your environment and get it right what would you expect to be a fair rate? How much do you pay a plumber, or a mechanic?

I think sometimes expectations are way below reality in terms of IT and cost.

I suspect lots of small companies just struggle along.....

£20,000 to install WS2012 excluding hardware, then £2,000 a month for support - which was from India and on line

[Extra 300 Driver]

We're near Stansted Airport BTW

[drmotorsport]

Extra 300 Driver said:

We're near Stansted Airport BTW

Thats fine, just a quick blast up the M11 for us! And yes that is crazy money! Do shop around for support quotes - £90-£150ph is typical for decent business support and avoid the kids working from their bedroom that will do a runner when things get tricky for them.

[silverous]

Extra 300 Driver said:

£20,000 to install WS2012 excluding hardware, then £2,000 a month for support - which was from India and on line

Ok, I support your assessment of crazy rate now! I can recommend a great company based in London, probably around £120 an hour but I suspect they'd easily sort out your windows server and provide a number of hours per month plus an SLA for less than the £20k.

[Extra 300 Driver]

drmotorsport said:

Thats fine, just a quick blast up the M11 for us! And yes that is crazy money! Do shop around for support quotes - £90-£150ph is typical for decent business support and avoid the kids working from their bedroom that will do a runner when things get tricky for them.

I assume you do this for a living?

[jamoor]

I'm just about to oursource everything bar a small file server in house.

You can rent entire virtual desktops which means you actually need nothing in house.

But then you're reliant on your internet connection which can be gotten around using 4g or something.

[drmotorsport]

Extra 300 Driver said:

drmotorsport said:

Thats fine, just a quick blast up the M11 for us! And yes that is crazy money! Do shop around for support quotes - £90-£150ph is typical for decent business support and avoid the kids working from their bedroom that will do a runner when things get tricky for them.

I assume you do this for a living?

yep, engineer with support company.

[Extra 300 Driver]

jamoor said:

I'm just about to oursource everything bar a small file server in house.

You can rent entire virtual desktops which means you actually need nothing in house.

But then you're reliant on your internet connection which can be gotten around using 4g or something.

Doesn't help when you're stuck in an Airport in the middle of South America with no internet

[surveyor]

I negotiated decent support contracts a few times. Each time the firm would expand and we'd gradually become small beer.

As I'm now a one band man, I cloud most stuff and have limited hassle.

[Extra 300 Driver]

surveyor said:

I negotiated decent support contracts a few times. Each time the firm would expand and we'd gradually become small beer.

As I'm now a one band man, I cloud most stuff and have limited hassle.

cloud not an option due to the files we use

[MrAdaam]

PM me with some further details on what you're specifically looking for and I might be able to help. Those costs are pretty extortionate. Far away from figures I'd instantly have in mind for such a task.

[silverous]

Extra 300 Driver said:

We're near Stansted Airport BTW

You should have an email from me with the details of someone who can help.

[Quattromaster]

Be warned of a company in Great Dunmow, presume I'm unable to name and shame on here, but remember, when choosing someone to work on a computer SYSTEM then it just needs common SENSE.

Say no more.