Markys 2

Possibly looking to set-up a business to supply small businesses with IT support, such as Doctors surgery’s, hotels, solicitors etc on a ad hoc basis. Has anyone done this and could let me know what I should expect, how to go about setting up, how much could be made etc. I am initially looking to send out questioners to local businesses to see what they currently do on the IT front, how much they are charged etc. Thank you in advance.

GaryK

Marky,

Coming from IT (software development area) I would say what you are looking to do is probably the *only* sector of IT worth looking at. You can start small and a friend of mine who does the same thing and started a couple of years back is flying doing installs/upgrades/repairs/AV you name it. All you need is a 'door-opener' small jobs that you dont charge much for, as long as you're reliable and do a good job you'll win business.

go for it!

Gary

R1916v

Tempted to do this myself, where bouts are you?

camk

better if you get a contract to base it on then add to it based on references. I set one up about 12 years ago with a mate then I bailed out after 12 months as I got a good job offer. He's still running it and doing OK. PC buiolding and general IT supports for car dealers,bookies, hotels , garden centres etc...be warned he is still working his ***** off

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Yep - undoubted hard work but where there is some ££ to be made as most small companys can't afford support contracts and don't have a clue what to do.

Thing I would say is that you are providing a SERVICE so that is what you must be prepared to do - thats the thing that makes the difference between many companies.

The other thing to do is to charge. My wife wants me to take up this avenue but I'm always afraid to charge Don't want to charge too much in order not to "upset" the clients... LOL However, setting the right price is not always easy.

The questionaire route may or may not be the way forward. A lot of companies will ignore it as a time consuming thing. You may get some leads but other IT support companies will be trying this tack too. Dunno what area you are. Need to research the potential number of clients and their work types (not using questionaires ). Then I'd recommend dr-dr to get your hand in 'cos one thing you'll have to be is personable. After that, word of mouth will soon spread if you're good. You will probably find that the types of business that you mention are already catered for as IT is an integral part of their business, so it may be harder to win. Target those that aren't so obvious to start?

Avoid premises as in shop unless you mainly want to shift boxes/components.

As camk says, be prepared to work very hard

Good luck

R1916v

Tempted to approach some of my family about this, between them they own a solicitors and estate agents, so should be some work there

beemerboy

been doing it for 8 months now, luckily i have a huge client, and leanient suppliers, or else it would be quite hard going....

i'm just a sole trader at the mo, but vat registered.
do my own accounts (easy peasey once you got a few systems in place)

but the best bit, is getting up in the morning, seeing the sun, and giving yourself the day off.

good luck
BB

R1916v

That's the thing, don't think there's many people doing this down my way, I hope

AllanB

First thing s forget selling product unless its a niche product , you simply won't be able to compete with the big boys like MicroWarehouse, Insight , DABS etc.

Focus on technologies that people are interested in. We seem to have a great demand for wireless technology at the moment. Try and sell consultancy where the products is you. Yiou can quickly establihs a client base by referal.

What are your skills ?

Basically avoid doing the same thing as everyone else and find a niche that is profitable, with good margins and low risk for you in terms of tying money up in product or resources.


AllanB
MicroWarehouse for 12 years when there were about 10 of us !!

stiscooby

I have just changed job, well about 2 months ago now. I am now working for an IT company who provide support (mostly contracts from what I gather).

It can be stressful at times because being in support nearly everyone you talk to is calling you with a problem and most of them want things doing there and then and they forget they are not your only customer!!!

I wouldn't mind doing the same myself, I was on site few weeks ago fixing a virus at a taxi company, they got charged just over £200!!! that was for call out and about an hour on-site. I thought yea nice heres me doing the work and lining someone else’s pocket and that could have been going into my pocket.

As said before, aim at places that don't have/can't afford their own support team, as with the Taxi place they didn't have a clue what to do and they were at a standstill so didn't really worry about the cost just wanted it fixing.

Only thing I kept thinking about when considering going at it on my own was getting the customers in the first place. The problem is there are too many “IT People” out there advertising to fix your PC who probably have a limited amount of knowledge.

So try to aim at doing something slightly different from the rest.

Good luck if you decide to go for it!!

SD

I'm just in the stages of winding up my IT consultancy that's been running for about 3 years now. Very very bogged down in all the paperwork of being an 'employer' (and it seems, an unpaid DSS administrator for the government ).

We had big dreams for it but in the end I'm exploring other areas of interest now as IT is just getting me down. One thing I will say is to offer a service beyond what people come to expect of IT peeps. Be personable, friendly, HONEST, and don't talk in technogobule and you should be fine. Do some small jobs well and the rest will come automatically from word of mouth. We offered a very wide range of services - some successfull - others not. There is no harm in doing this from the outset but when you and you're clients have found your feet in what you do well in then don't be afraid to specialise.

Here's a tip. We found lots of work came from the local council once we were 'in'. Try and get even the smallest jobs from them and bigger ones could quickly follow.

Oh, and have fun. If you don't enjoy it your heart won't be in it, and if that happens then you won't offer a good service.

Good luck!

Simon.

BAH

Ive been doing this for just over a year now, afte i was made redundant from a large IT maintainer.The first thing you need is your few small business customers that rely on you for day-day support were you can make your (Bread&butter money). Then what i do is Corporate contracts for short periods like 3 months at a time. If its only a single man enterprise then think about using the services of an Ubrella company to save you the hastle of (Tax, Ni & VAT) these company's deal with all that for you incuding invoicing your customers, make life alot easyer.(For a small fee of course)

There isnt as much money to be made as some may think, because there a just to many SoCalled IT Consultants out there, they do a course at the local college build a pc for a freiend and bingo they are advertising in the local rag as an IT Consultant.

Stay away from buiding PC's not much in it now when you consider the price you can get a pre-built machine from somewere like DELL full maintained.

Best money makers are network/server support and all that comes with that sort of role.

Hope this helps

hybwrx2002

I set up my I.T Business last year and still going today. If you've got the determination to do it, go for it. There's nothing better than being your own boss

I generally do Maintenance/Websites/Networks/General troubleshooting.
Aimed at the home users and small business. No big upsets yet, only 1 company that didnt pay up and then disapeard off tha face off the earth and you get the odd 'old' users who think your going to come round and fix there pc at the drop of a hat and for free. Really have to put your foot down and charge though. I agree with a comment made earlier that you dont want to charge because it feels rude, but at the end of the day it's a business. I preffer to do the job and leave, then pop an invoice in the post, no face to face "can i have some dosh now please?"

Turning 21 tomorrow (7th may) and moving into dedicated office's on the 21st! My advice would be to go for it.....just dont nick my customers! ;P

wideboyuk

Hows it going Markys?
You got anywhere yet?

On a side note, what is the average hourly rate charged for 'pc repair / troubleshooting'?

R1916v

Still playing on my mind. With my contacts might be able to secure contracts with all local estate agents/solicitors which would be very nice.

Doing one estate agents who are opening a new office, getting everything done for them so they can just move in