Company taking on Xerox

[fixthecopier]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

In 2018, I do not know how you can consider yourself to be a Professional service technician, if you do not carry a laptop or tablet around with you. Other than a phillips screwdriver, it has to be the second most important tool that you carry.

Yes, Smart phones are powerful and you can load them with notes and service codes to yourself but the screen is just not big enough.

Plus you need a laptop to carry around all of the multiple firmwares and print drivers you need to do your job for quick access.

I worked a 330 machine Konica contract for 16 years for army Special Ops. No laptops or cellphones allowed anywhere. I still have many Ops customers that I cannot bring those things with me. I get through it and everything gets fixed. My comment about Xerox is that you need an extra laptop just for the Xerox shit.

[copyman]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

Maybe laptops needed for xerox but not for konica minolta. I maybe used my laptop 2 times last year, only to take customers network out of the mix to test printing. Have all the manuals and F/W on a few thumb drives in my tool "case" (yes you heard right I still use a platt hard case) showing my age

[SalesServiceGuy]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

I worked a 330 machine Konica contract for 16 years for army Special Ops. No laptops or cellphones allowed anywhere. I still have many Ops customers that I cannot bring those things with me. I get through it and everything gets fixed. My comment about Xerox is that you need an extra laptop just for the Xerox shit.

That large account sounds "locked down" to a few select models in a high security environment.

I am thinking more of the tech who has to make 5-10 calls a day on many different SMB accounts all day long, where every call is different. I am not saying you need a laptop for each call, you have tech experience for that, but probably one or more times per day something unfamiliar will popup or there will be a service code that you cannot remember.

Besides not all techs are experienced and struggle to get through their day.

Or you can be the kind of tech who either calls his co-workers all the time for help or complains that he cannot get through to tech support in a timely way because he does not know the codes to get the job done.

[copyman]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

What about taking a thumb drive out of your tool case and plugging into one of the customers workstations to look up a code or disassembly instructions? I know that isn't possible in some big companies and other circumstances but that's when I will go to truck and fire up my laptop. But because most of my accounts are small and after 20-30 years many are like friends, I can jump right on one of their computers. I guess it helps I'm basically only working on one OEM. Sure it makes it much easier then working on several different brands.

On the other hand I use my office computer a lot to look up issues on knowledge base, bulletins, F/W, etc. Fortunately with Kon/Min I can get the customer up and running then return after researching, ordering parts, etc. back at the office.

[fixthecopier]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

That large account sounds "locked down" to a few select models in a high security environment.

I am thinking more of the tech who has to make 5-10 calls a day on many different SMB accounts all day long, where every call is different. I am not saying you need a laptop for each call, you have tech experience for that, but probably one or more times per day something unfamiliar will popup or there will be a service code that you cannot remember.

Besides not all techs are experienced and struggle to get through their day.

Or you can be the kind of tech who either calls his co-workers all the time for help or complains that he cannot get through to tech support in a timely way because he does not know the codes to get the job done.

If I had to load firmware and the IT section would not do it, I would have to drop off the thumb drive a day in advance to have it scanned before I could plug it in. Same thing with changing hard drives in HP machines now. I have to submit them in advance before I can install.

[fixthecopier]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

I went to do a call at a command center to look at a shredder. It was one of those big rooms with rows of computers and 3 giant screens on the wall. There were only 2 or 3 people in there. Had to lay my phone on a table outside the door. Of course I forgot it and had to go back later.
Well, I forgot to get the serial number off the machine and the shop wouldn't close the ticket without it. When I go back, since I am only going to be a minute, I didn't leave the phone on the table. The guy opens the door and the room is packed, and all 3 screens are on showing people in other command centers. I hesitated but he said it was OK.
I was in the very center of the room and my phone started to ring. People on the screens and in the room all at the same time started yelling 'Who's got a phone in here??" Not sure but I think I shrieked like a little girl and ran for the door.

[copyman]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

Yeah I had a few security calls like that. One was in a Atlantic City casino security control room. Let me just say the casinos are looking out for their money! I saw security stuff when in that room I never knew existed, stuff like they can hear you whisper to someone next to you, special cameras to see counterfeit money, etc.

The other memorable one was at the FAA tech center. A security guard had to stay with me at all times, including when I went to bathroom to wash hands after done call! Talk about someone standing over you when repairing a machine!

Oh by the way sorry to get off the original topic.

[Phil B.]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

As a tech I can't see the logic in expecting repairmen to handle 4 or 5 brands of machines with a high level of knowledge and "first call efficiency"

But owners and sales don't think that way.

That being said, we're about to take on Xerox hard and heavy.

Should I be happy, at least open minded? Or should I run like hell?


Thanks

there are special items you will need to work on xerox.. PWS lapper .. special gauges.. torx drivers.. but if you CAN " RUN FOREST RUN "! I have been xerox certified for decades ... still hate when i get a call on one.

[mikadonovan]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

What about taking a thumb drive out of your tool case and plugging into one of the customers workstations to look up a code or disassembly instructions?

This is how I do it. These days the flash drive cost is low enough to where you can get a LOT of storage for a very reasonable price.

[Phil B.]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

But because most of my accounts are small and after 20-30 years many are like friends, I can jump right on one of their computers. I guess it helps I'm basically only working on one OEM. Sure it makes it much easier then working on several different brands.

lucky you... i work on: ANYTHING the boss receives calls on... only tech for the company... just about all of NC is in my 'work zone'

[bsm2]

Re: Company taking on Xerox

Not bad , run dirty , difference in feed tires . Users can replace common parts fusers drums adf tires