IT Support - monthly fees?

[Pot Bellied Fool]

'Lo all.

I know there's a few others who are in the support trade on here & just wondering how my fee structure stacks up.

I normally charge an hourly rate & I'm fine with that.

However, a few customers are now talking about support contracts on a £x/machine per year or month or a retainer for telephone support etc etc.

I set-up a couple of schemes like these a good few years ago but not kept them updated so just wondering what everyone else does (and for those on the receiving end of support, how would you like it to work?).

From anyone that's not in competition (I only cover a small geographical area so not looking to poach ), I'd be interested to know what sort of pricing level you find works. (Cheeky aren't I? )

I've worked some structures out but be interested to see how they compare to save me barking up a non-profitable tree.

Ta. Dunc.

[essayer]

For a fully supported setup (Windows Server + hardware provided onsite, helpdesk/Remote Desktop support, backup system, hosted emails, all desktop machines) for circa 12 end users we pay about £1,400/month to a large company who have been very good at sending autoresponder tickets to queues and not a whole lot else..

But it's cheaper than a full-time IT manager, so I can see the point.

Edited by essayer on Saturday 13th February 20:37

[jamoor]

SBS server, 5 clients £48 a month remote support only is what I have been quoted by an MS "small business specialist"