Charging for IT work?!?!

[unisys12]

For the first three and a half years that I worked for my current company, we did all this for free. No matter the cabling or switches, wireless bridges, whatever.

Oddly, I've been begging for well over a year or so now, that we charge for this stuff. Mainly to justify my freaking pay, since I'm the only one that does this stuff in my area of our company and assist with all issues company wide.

Ok! Get this... I installed a Savin 8075 with eCopy ShareScan 4.2 to a network with an Exchange Server at a no charge. I had to install Bates Stamp and configure that, not to mention connecting with SMB folders and Scan to Print. Plus eCopy Desktop on 5 PC's... I mean come on... What the hell???

Well just about the time we started charging, my worst fears came true and our competitors in our area started cutting back on these services at install. That left us hung to dry... for real! We did find a few things to use to our advantage... one being that one of our competitors subbed out the IT work to another computer service provider and they did not included those prices into the cost of the install. They didn't even let the client know about the extra charges before or after the sale. I wont get into specifics cause that's another thread all together.

Currently, with the install of a MFP, we do not charge for the set-up on up to 4 PC's. That includes 4 address in the address book for scan to folder or scan to e-mail or FTP or NCP or whatever. Installation of Print Drivers and LAN FAX. Plus I have to stick around and train on everything pertaining to Scanning and Printing.

After install, we will reinstall drivers at $50 a PC and this includes Scan to destinations.

After Nov 1, all this changes!!! Thank God!!!

At the time of sale, the client will be given a letter of intent for network support. It explains that what the client pays for, at the time of sale, does not include network support or install. If they would like these services from us, then we will provide them at $100 an hour or they can purchase a 5 hour block at $250. So that's half price!! This time does not include any hardware that may be needed to connect said MFP to their current netowork or phone support.

With all that said... I used to work for Xerox, back in the day of Agents. Back then, on-site network support was $450 an hour. I mean, come on!!!

Phone support is very important! I mean, I could sit at the shop all day and take calls with walking clients through setting up print or scan to folder somewhere. You have to nail that coffin shut real quick! Seriously!!

[umc]

I'm glad to hear you guys are are doing what I'm trying to do with this.

Can y'all send me the contracts you're using for your IT agreements? Also, do you have a list of what is chargeable and what isn't?

Please send me the info if you could, I will save me a ton of time.

Thanks,

[Kopyrtek]

We include the first 2-3 computers and charge $80 an hour after.We have tried to sell blocks of time but have only sold a couple.The competition will only allow so much.Seems the competition will give away anything to make the sale and makes us cut our price to be competitive.
Alot like trying to charge for scanning....still trying to get sales to add that in the contract with NO luck.If anybody has any ideas in how to do that i would be VERY appreciative.

[10871087]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by umc
	do you have a list of what is chargeable and what isn't?

It's so easy, even a copier tech can figure it out:

Inside the gray box (the copier), covered under the copier service contract.

Not Inside the gray box (the copier), NOT covered under the copier service contract.

Copier Jams = Covered (inside the gray box)
Workstation can't print = Not Covered (not inside the gray box)
Copier needs a part = Covered
Copier can't scan to email = Not covered
Bad Print system board = Covered (inside the gray box, see this is getting easy)
Can't print because my driver is corrupt = Not covered
Doc feeder rubber worn out = Covered
Needs to be configured for customers new computer = Not covered

New Equipment installs are paid for by the sales rep as part of their equipment cost.

[Titan1969]

Sales has to much control over service at our company. They discount our rates, give away IT to "get the deal", and then call me to forgive charges when people change something at the PC end....and if I dont, I hear "we will loose the business".

Dont know what to do at this point. We charge a $150 initial install fee which is a joke becuase it covers EVERYTHING FORVER. I have customers who upgraded to Win 7 that now Im wondering how much more FREE IT this will cost our company! Then I think...I dont own the place Im just a manager and if they dont want it managed why should I get upset.

In an age of declining clicks, discounted rates and being raped on parts, its amazing that the IT work can be considered FREE anymore. We need the revenue PERIOD. I want to pay bonuses of 10% for all billable IT time to the techs, as incentive's to have them"sell" their services when people are upset about the charges. But Ive got to convince the Prez of the company that we need this revenue to survive. No easy task when we give away boxes becuase all the competitors are giving away everything.

But I digress. I get paid very well to manage and Id like to be able to do my job.