Understanding The Software

[therealcrazy8]

So I have been looking at MaxFocus, Kabuto (not sure I spelled that right), and Repairshopr. I am just trying to make sure I understand where this all comes in and that I don't have anything I may not need.
MaxFocus - Im looking at the "RemoteManagement" product - This is going to give me things like:
- cloud backups
- patch management
- remote access
- managed antivirus
- alerting

Kabuto - will alert the user, on their local machine, of an issue and then the user can choose to alert me and have me work on it.

Repairshopr - Is going to allow me to:
- create tickets
- estimates
- invoices
- and handle scheduling

I guess I have a few questions. This is again so I get what I need and nothing I don't, in addition to making sure I understand whats what.
1. If MAXFocus is going to monitor the users system do I even need/want Kabuto? Or does one do something that the other doesn't that would warrant me using both?
2. In regards to scheduling. I thought I came across someone who said that they had something on their website that allowed the user to schedule an appoint based on available times. Is their a way to incorporate something into the site that would allow that to happen inside Repairshopr? How do you guys handle scheduling?
3. Do many of you use the estimates and invoices functionality in Repairshopr? Something else?
4. I would like to incorporate some asset bar codes on my clients systems and have just a couple questions on that.
4a. Those of you who do asset bar codes on the computer, have you had an issues from the clients with having a bar code sticker on their system?
4b. I currently work a help desk for a very large company. We have asset bar codes on all systems. The asset number is also the users "computer name". Making it the computer name may not be an option for me, but I do love the idea of using an asset bar code. Have you guys had good luck with them and find them useful?

Thanks for all of the help. I greatly appreciate it.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

1. If MAXFocus is going to monitor the users system do I even need/want Kabuto? Or does one do something that the other doesn't that would warrant me using both?
I would drop Kabuto and use D7II myself alng with MAXFocus.

2. In regards to scheduling. I thought I came across someone who said that they had something on their website that allowed the user to schedule an appoint based on available times. Is their a way to incorporate something into the site that would allow that to happen inside Repairshopr? How do you guys handle scheduling?
RepairShopr has a couple options for this.

3. Do many of you use the estimates and invoices functionality in Repairshopr? Something else?
I use both in my shop. The one click option to turn an approved estimate into an invoice is great.

4. I would like to incorporate some asset bar codes on my clients systems and have just a couple questions on that.
4a. Those of you who do asset bar codes on the computer, have you had an issues from the clients with having a bar code sticker on their system?
I don't currently use asset tags for this reason, but I may look into it in the future if I can find some small enough to use. The labels BB uses are stupid big.

4b. I currently work a help desk for a very large company. We have asset bar codes on all systems. The asset number is also the users "computer name". Making it the computer name may not be an option for me, but I do love the idea of using an asset bar code. Have you guys had good luck with them and find them useful?
N/A for me.

 

[therealcrazy8]

1. If MAXFocus is going to monitor the users system do I even need/want Kabuto? Or does one do something that the other doesn't that would warrant me using both?
I would drop Kabuto and use D7II myself alng with MAXFocus.

2. In regards to scheduling. I thought I came across someone who said that they had something on their website that allowed the user to schedule an appoint based on available times. Is their a way to incorporate something into the site that would allow that to happen inside Repairshopr? How do you guys handle scheduling?
RepairShopr has a couple options for this.

3. Do many of you use the estimates and invoices functionality in Repairshopr? Something else?
I use both in my shop. The one click option to turn an approved estimate into an invoice is great.

4. I would like to incorporate some asset bar codes on my clients systems and have just a couple questions on that.
4a. Those of you who do asset bar codes on the computer, have you had an issues from the clients with having a bar code sticker on their system?
I don't currently use asset tags for this reason, but I may look into it in the future if I can find some small enough to use. The labels BB uses are stupid big.

4b. I currently work a help desk for a very large company. We have asset bar codes on all systems. The asset number is also the users "computer name". Making it the computer name may not be an option for me, but I do love the idea of using an asset bar code. Have you guys had good luck with them and find them useful?
N/A for me.

Thanks a ton Slatters, I have seen people talk about D7II and I think I looked at it once, but then saw that there was a monthly fee even for their smallest license. Id like to have as few of those monthly payments as possible with starting out, but this is definitely something for me to keep my eye on and to consider.

I do like the idea of doing asset tags, and think that it could be quite useful in certain situations but yeah I would not like using "stupid big" ones and I would feel horrible for sticking one that large on a persons computer.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I can understand the payment issue, but at $20 a month it's very worth it for automation of work. Definitely keep it in mind. I run it on all residential repairs. It makes processes so easy once you get it configured. You might look into Tron for virus removals if you are doing them in shop.

 

[therealcrazy8]

Very good to know. I hope to do as much as possible through MSP, but do know that house trips will still be made and that work will be done in the shop. Great to have all of the needed tools in all scenarios. I recently found a Power Supply tester, I had NO clue that such a thing existed and I do IT work. Figured for $20, it would be worth having on hand just in case.

 

[HCHTech]

If you are just starting out, I would be cautious. Each and every one of the products you mention has a learning curve you have to get through before you feel comfortable / productive with it. If you take on 5 of those things at once you might be a bit overwhelmed. Also, be careful about having a realistic budget. Until you get a client load big enough to support yourself, taking on a bunch of monthly commitment might break your budget. If you have a nestegg for starting your business that would help, I know I started on a shoestring, as did many others here.

 

[cypress]

I use Kabtuo and Repairshopr. I install Kabuto on every system I touch. Most of all my break/fix clients haven them. When they get a weird pop up or unsure or something, they fill out the contact form and contact me. Every 90 days it gives them a reminder that I am around. It helps for those clients you might only see once or twice a year, we all have those.

Repairshopr I love. I have used the estimates feature, and I use the invoices feature all the time. I also use the Inventory feature to keep track of things I have in stock. When I run low or just run out, I know it is time to restock.

Kabuto does have Managed Anti-virus coming real soon, I believe they will announce that within the next week or two. I think it is a great product but I gear it more towards Residential and focus my RMM more on business and Home Office residential clients.