Re: SBS Turn-Key Operation

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My 'compeditors' in the area are doing things like forcing the local SMBs to
purchase like several servers (i.e. 1 for file, 1 for e-mail, and so on) and
under-qualified workstations (i.e. max of 128 mb ram, 20 gb hds, etc). I
just recently deployed an SBS setup and found it was just what the client
needed w/o all the extra overhead that was recommended.

I had been looking at using Tridia's Itivity product/package for total
remote support (mid-priced, but the demo rocks), but was planning on setting
up a couple of service packages -- a basic one for on-site support only and
another one w/ on-site plus remote support for those that just want
everything to 'work' (I get alot of request for something like this). Ever
since I found that the SBS product has the remote support, I was just trying
to look at the client's side for a good product and support package plan I
could develop since I am only a one-man crew.

As for the physical on-site support, thats primarly what I do now. Many of
my customers are residental w/ a few SMB accounts. Just trying to develop
some ideal package support plans to pull in the other SMBs, primarly the
doctor and accounting offices in the nearby area. (I am more technical than
I am sales related, thus a bit of a challenge for me).

-- Michael


"Russ Grover" <russ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ex5C6BikFHA.708@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hopefully I understand this because I'm still confused on what you are
> asking?
>
> if it's about Total Remote Support?
>
> Well Remote support is a viable option, because I do it.
> Problem is a lot of times Remote Support of Desktop is not possible.
> Because Desktops have network issues Video Issues and other things you
can't
> solve via Remotely.
>
> I do probably 95% of server support Remotely (Terminal Services)
> Heck once a SBS Server is setup you really don't need a Monitor or a
> Keyboard on it.
> (Exceptions SP1 upgrades LOL)
>
> However on Desktop, I do on-site because 9 out of 10 times three other
> people have the same issue or another.
> Once someone knows the IT guy is there they all come running.
>
> Plus with Customers they often don't know what they are saying over the
> phone, and being there in person you can read the customer and have a
better
> idea of what they are really saying other than what they are saying. (This
> comes from years of doing this.)
>
> Sure you could do Remote IT support, but There will be a time (More often
> than not) you will have go to on site.
> Remotely you can't see that the mouse is Unplugged, Remotely you can't see
> if Video Glitches, and Remotely you can't hear the Hard Drive and Fans
make
> Noise.
>
> Example I had a customer who kept saying my system keeps shutting off for
no
> reason, I checked EVERYTHING remotely Couldn't do nothing to fix it. Went
> on Site, She turned it on, the CPU fan was making a Awfully Noise, I said
> does it always do that? She said, no it Does for a while and then stops...
> Well what was happening is that the fan would make noise for a while then
> stop, then her CPU would Thermal out and Shut down...
>
> People, also like "People", they like to see your smiling face, when you
> walk in the door, it gives them a good feeling to know that there is
someone
> who cares, and is there to help... People even hate calling Dell, because
> you have to give your first born to get a tech to visit onsite.
>
> And you win more accounts when you visit in person, I got a new customer
the
> other day because their Support guy never came in to work, he'd try to
solve
> all problems on the phone or remotely. Problem is, They didn't want that.
> So they dumped him...
>
> So Pack up the Laptop, External USB Drive with all your Util's CD's and
> other network test equipment and hit the road...
>
> --
> Russ Grover
> Small Business IT Support
> Portland\Beaverton OR USA
> Email: Sales at SmallBusinessITSupport.com
> Website: www.SmallBusinessITSupport.com
>
>
> "MWE Computers Services" <mwecomputers@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:%23JrdSQhkFHA.1412@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > No, I mean do a deployment for each customer site... ie. ABC Shop, ABB
> > Pharmacy, etc
> >
> > -- M
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "Russ Grover" <russ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:uaKY9NhkFHA.2852@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> Do You mean Share the SBS server between Multiple Customers?
> >> If so No you can't do that.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Russ Grover
> >> Small Business IT Support
> >> Portland\Beaverton OR USA
> >> Email: Sales at SmallBusinessITSupport.com
> >> Website: www.SmallBusinessITSupport.com
> >>
> >>
> >> "MWE Computers Services" <mwecomputers@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >> news:uzeaFAhkFHA.320@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> >I have a rather strange, but unique question:
> >> >
> >> > Could the SBS platform be utilized as a rather turn-key application
> >> > service
> >> > and support system?
> >> >
> >> > What I mean by this is I know of several possible clients that want
to
> >> > start
> >> > up a small business (ie. real estate, pharmacies, accounting
locations)
> >> > and
> >> > create/upgrade their current network environments by the introduction
> >> > of
> > a
> >> > internal file/e-mail server and several XP Pro workstations hooked
into
> >> > it.
> >> >
> >> > My idea, if it is possible: setup a VPN router at each site, then
setup
> >> > SBS
> >> > 2003 along w/ the necessary XP Pro workstations. Then use the RWW and
> > RDC
> >> > components to support these clients virtually from my home via VPN
when
> >> > the
> >> > need arises and only do actual physical computer cleaning when needed
> > for
> >> > the support portion of the contract.
> >> >
> >> > The number of clients is around 10 to 15. Was considering using
> >> > standard
> >> > SBS
> >> > release as the actual cost of Premium is a bit too much for these
> >> > clients --
> >> > as they wont really be doing anything external except maybe e-mail.
Web
> >> > hosting could be an option later on, but primarly hosted on another
> > server
> >> > for security and performance reasons.
> >> >
> >> > From a small business support and service provider -- is such a plan
> >> > really
> >> > viable at least for long-term retention possibilites?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks.
> >> >
> >> > -- Michael
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>


.

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