Computer Business Kit Input

[Bryce W]

As some of you may have heard, I am soon to release a "Computer Business Kit" here at Technibble. It is a commercial item (going to be priced as less than 1 computer repair callout job) and currenty has the following in it:

Maintenance Sales Letter - To land those lucrative maintenance contracts with businesses

Maintenance Contract - Once you have them, make it legal and protect yourself

Maintenance Checklist - When you are on maintenance jobs, know what you need to do and keep a record of what has been done

Work Order - Protect yourself, get it down on paper and have a record of any work done. Also, debt collectors need a work order in order to pursue any money for you. (3 different styles)

Backup Checklist - Make sure your clients don’t forget what may need to be backed up before a format and protect yourself legally with its disclaimer.

Engagement Form - Protect yourself with this information for your clients explaining to them that data can be lost while repairing a computer.

Invoice Samples - You will be sending out a lot of these. (2 different styles)

Quotation Sample - A spreadsheet for creating complete computer and parts quotes. It also defines what is covered under your warranties.

Wireless Settings and Troubleshooting - Give your client a copy of what their wireless settings are. This form also has a short troubleshooting guide to prevent those “restart your modem and router and it’ll work” calls.

Computer Repair Work Log - Track how many hours you or your technicians work each week and how much money was earned.

Payment Overdue Letter - Politely give them kick in the behind.

Marketing Analysis - Keep this near your phone or front desk when you ask your client how they heard about you.
Is there anything else you guys would like to see in it or expect to be in it in the first place?

[Simmy]

Looks good knuckles :) What format will these documents be in?

[rurbaniak]

We're always talking about making up stuff like this, but we never have the time, I think these will be very valuable.

[youngwun0]

I charge $5 for a computer repair callout job so that's awesome news! i have about 5 dollars in my paypal account right now too :D

[JJsMom]

Sounds very good. I am working on my website now and getting started is only a small part of the battle.

[gunslinger]

Looks good

[Bryce W]

Looks good knuckles :) What format will these documents be in?

DOC and XLS. So they are editable and you can place your own business name in them.

I charge $5 for a computer repair callout job so that's awesome news! i have about 5 dollars in my paypal account right now too :D
Hehe, if your cost is $5, you are seriously undervaluing yourself.

[youngwun0]

hehe i'm kidding but yeah the kit sounds like it's worthwhile, looking foward to it hopefully i make some cash during the week as i am down to my last few dollars right now and this def seems useful.

[gsp]

How about a contract/form for web design jobs? (contract setting the scope of design work, payment schedule, things the client needs to submit, etc)

Kit sounds very useful, looking forward to seeing the finished result!

[Simmy]

How about a contact/form for web design jobs? (contract setting the scope of design work, payment schedule, things the client needs to submit, etc)

That's a good idea. It's also something I could help with, if you don't have your own web design contracts Knuckles? I haven't used mine for a while, so they might need to be changed/updated, but the general layout and content is there.

[Simmy]

How about "Computer Warranty - terms and conditions" to include when selling a computer?

In a few cases where I've sold a computer to a customer, they expect me to provide unlimited free tech support, including software problems!

Since that happened, I've drawn up a computer warranty explaining exactly what is covered in the 1 year guarantee, how they can make a claim, stating software problems are chargeable etc.

[greggh]

This is a great idea. We have all of those forms and a few more here at my place. They are all needed, especially the one for formating.

We have a lot of techs working in the fields, so I dont know how valuable this will be for everyone here. But one form that I personally need is the "individial task time" form. We track how much of the overall time of a job was applied to individual tasks. Such as 15 minutes to cleanup the viruses, 30 minutes to do X, 20 minutes to do Y, 2 hours to reinstall and reconfigure. We then collect all of this information from all of our guys. Some might think its a way to find out who doesnt know what they are doing (like taking 4 hours to reinstall windows.) But that is not the case, we can use it to find out better ways to charge customers for certain things (if we ever go flat rate.) We can also use it to build up a better understanding of each techs knowledge. We might find that one of our guys is absolutely amazing at one specific thing, we can get him to train everyone else on that thing. There is a lot of good information to be had from a form like that. I only listed a couple.

[Mac]

Looks good. I guess i will have to buy it to check out the finnished product :D

[Simmy]

Any more news on when we can expect this? :D

[AnotherTechGuy]

How about adding a list of sites to the free types of software and tools we use to do our work with it not like selling the stuff just selling your time tomake a good list with links to those sites

[rurbaniak]

What's the ETA on the business kit? We're definately interested, it will help and save time from coming up with our own.

[breadtrk]

How about adding a list of sites to the free types of software and tools we use to do our work with it not like selling the stuff just selling your time tomake a good list with links to those sites

You should not be using the free stuff to do your work with. You should be using the PAID versions of the free stuff, lest you are just a common thief.

[gsp]

You should not be using the free stuff to do your work with. You should be using the PAID versions of the free stuff, lest you are just a common thief.

Not necessarily - it's heavily dependent on the licensing of each individual application.

For example, UltraVNC (and any other software released under the GPL) is entirely free of charge and you can even create your own branded version or modify the source code if you have the skill.

I agree that technicans should pay for software when required, but it's incorrect that all free software has to be paid for before it can be used by a technician.

[breadtrk]

Not necessarily - it's heavily dependent on the licensing of each individual application.

For example, UltraVNC (and any other software released under the GPL) is entirely free of charge and you can even create your own branded version or modify the source code if you have the skill.

I agree that technicans should pay for software when required, but it's incorrect that all free software has to be paid for before it can be used by a technician.


I don't want to start anything, but I DID say use the PAID version, thus excluding any freeware that has no paid version. I'm a Govt. IT guy by trade and licensing is a big factor around here.

Besides, you would be amazed at what an $10.00 donation will bring out of the authors special stash that they have not made public.

[Blues]

This kit should be for starting up and exsisting repair techs. It would be nice to include links to free tools great for the begining tech who might be little more hard pressed on funds. There should also be a list of alternative and better software which does have a cost. I am not agianst donations and do encourage it but starting techs have trouble with that as they are usually not the best funded and generaly once one moves on they forget to donate so thats a double edged sword there. Links to helpful guides on getting certified and a brief overview of the different certifications and thier applicable uses would be nice. This could also be another good kit/handbook to release which is a useful guide/compilation to the beginner tech. I kinda like the idea of a 2nd manual for beginner techs which contains information which mostly can be found freely online compiled into one nice neat location for a minimal charge.

[AnotherTechGuy]

Well my southern speach and old butt has got me in a sling again,
I want to say I am sorry for upsetting any of you for the use of the word "FREE"
along with "TOOLS" I have been a service manager for a computer repair company here in my southern town now for over 7 years. I pay for all the tools I use in my shop and I make sure I read the Legele section really close as to what software I can use in the Open Source section I ether have or do buy the rights to the use there of and or make a donation to the project/s in question.

I run a tight boat----and I keep close eye on all software across the company I have setup programs with the local Universaties in the area for FREE Labor yea Free I sat up an "IT Intern Program" for IT Students to come in and get some hands on training and get a grade for it that counts to there class. And yea when they finish there internship they leave with an handsome set of tools and some of the finest software money can buy so there well equiped to face the world of IT and or Repair . Oh and lic. too
My parent company employs some of the best Certified Network Engineers in the country and they are in the business of not doing anything not legale.

So please forgive my choice of words