| At some point a business owner is going to need to | | | | business computer support is billed at under $200/hr |
| consider hiring a consultant for some technology | | | | with $100 being typical. |
| support. At this point knowing what to ask and how to | | | | Hire Computer Consultant - Industry Experience |
| hire a computer consultant becomes an indispensable | | | | What commonly happens in the computer service |
| skill. There are many different types of experts within | | | | industry is companies target a particular market or |
| the umbrella of 'computer consultant' and they are not | | | | industry vertical. Some like are focused on managed |
| always knowledgeable about the services you are | | | | service solutions and system troubleshooting and |
| looking for. Here are 5 tips to help you get to the type | | | | service restoration. Others focus strictly on accounting |
| of consultant engagement you are looking for. | | | | systems. Others on the medical industry. The list goes |
| Hire Computer Consultant - Location, Location, Location | | | | on. If you need someone with specific industry |
| If you decide that where they are physically located is | | | | knowledge then make sure that is on your list of |
| important or need someone to make house calls, then | | | | questions that you ask. When they answer make sure |
| ignore the national consultant companies and focus on | | | | to ask a few probing questions just to confirm they |
| those in your regions. Many consultants work out of | | | | have done the work you think important. |
| home offices or storefronts and will accept systems | | | | Hire Computer Consultants - Service Delivery |
| there for repair. Many will come to you, making house | | | | If you need someone for general desktop support and |
| calls or fixing systems at your home. The best place | | | | repair then look for someone who specializes in that. If |
| to find this type of consultant is at your local Chamber | | | | you need a data warehouse deployed make sure |
| of Commerce although in a pinch you can ask other | | | | your are looking for that specific skill set. If you need |
| business owners in your area who they use. | | | | someone to be able to explain what they did to fix a |
| Hire Computer Consultant - Shop Prices | | | | problem to non-technical people, make sure they can |
| Like many things getting 3 bids is a good start to | | | | articulate difficult solutions appropriately. |
| engaging any services from a consultant or contractor. | | | | Hire Computer Consultants - References |
| Be cautious of prices that are very low. You get what | | | | Anyone who has done technology support for more |
| you pay for. Hiring the lowest bidder may indicate they | | | | than 5 years or so will have technical references they |
| have little or no experience or are out of touch with | | | | can offer you if you ask for them. For those not |
| the current technology. It could also mean they are | | | | technically inclined checking a reference is a good way |
| much better at their job and are confident that they | | | | to go. For a consultant their technical references are |
| can get things fixed quickly. in Connecticut most small | | | | their resume. |