Do I Need It?

Hardware

 

Most IT Support Companies will not tell you that they are agents for hardware vendors.

ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION!

So many IT Support Companies rely on the fact that you do not have the knowledge or the understanding. Find someone who does.

(You can retain Favio for assessment of your current IT Support Company's suggestions and proposals - we offer a  service that gives you either a written or verbal assessment of your system/upgrade proposals.)

Questions to ask

 

 

 

 

 

Software

"I have to use Windows!"

No you don't. There are other operating systems. Linux for example. The drawback is that your IT Support Company MUST know it inside out. It is more specialised and it might make you dependant on one IT Support team.

Big plus - it's free!!       Big minus - some applications will not run.

"I use Windows, so I have to use Microsoft Office!"

An even bigger "No". There are plenty of Microsoft compatible packages that can replace Microsoft Office on Windows operating systems - some are even FREE!

(Favio supports Linux and Free BSD Software).

Questions to ask

 

Do I need to have Microsoft Applications?	Do I need"Vendor" bespoke software?
Can I get the same results/information by another method?	How much do I spend with Microsoft?

Software Support Contracts

Support Contracts usually involve an agent (who does the support) and the software vendors (who train the agents and repair serious bugs). Your support fee is shared between them.

Now, if your software is mature (well past version 1.0) and/or you have been using it for some time without serious bugs, you may not need the software vendor's input. You can find IT Support people who have long experience of your package who would be willing to support day-to-day running. OK, they may not be "certified", but the cost savings could be substantial. Risk assessment is important.

Bespoke software is very expensive. Software vendors and agents will charge serious amounts of money for modifications to the standard software packages. Again, you may not need it. There are many ways of getting data from databases and operating systems. There are plenty of IT Support Companies who will do it at significantly lower cost.

(Favio offer VB, PLSQL, MSSQL, Perl, Html, shell scripting and many more)

Questions to ask

Do I need to upgrade?	Do I need a full support contract?
Does it have to happen now?	How critical is a support contract to my business?
How long can I leave it?	Would it be better to use a "backup" machine?
Why?	Can I leave it?

 The "Why" is VERY IMPORTANT! Try to find ways around it. If you need older versions of Windows, consider a stand alone machine. If the current software works - leave it alone!

Network Communications

"I need my ISDN line to connect to my outlying sites"

No you don't. ISDN's can be very expensive. Consider ADSL. It is a MUCH more cost effective alternative even AFTER you have paid for installation, configuration and upgrading of your current connections.

(Favio support configuration of ADSL and secure remote working)

Questions to ask

How much am I paying for ISDN?	What bandwidth am I getting?
Do I need the security of a dedicated line?	Can my IT people configure routers and firewalls?
What other benefits can I get from changing?	Do I want remote working from home?

            

 

 

 

IT Systems Support

Favio Ltd                                                                                                            

Est. 2004