[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
On the surface, Blocks of Time contracts are a viable option for IT support. However, this type of support, it is actually more dangerous than ad hoc IT support.<\/span><\/p>\n Imagine a situation where you pre-pay a home contractor for 60 hours. The contractor agrees to be at your beck-and-call for any home repairs. But, he makes the same agreement with 20 other homeowners. A major storm hits a few months later, and your roof leaks. You need help before more damage is done as do the other nineteen customers. In this scenario, the home contractor does not have enough capacity to respond to everyone\u2019s needs in time. Similarly the same applies to Blocks of Time companies because they do not staff appropriately.<\/p>\n The biggest challenge for companies that only sell \u201cblocks of time\u201d IT support services is the liability of unused hours. Many of these companies\u2019 hours never expire. Yet, in the interim, business must go on as usual. For example, bills and salaries must be paid. Unfortunately, the money could be long gone before the client calls in the hours owed to them. That’s why many of these companies only stay in business for a short period of time.<\/p>\n The client bears all the burden when they purchase a block of hours, and there is no way to recover your money if the service levels are poor. Many of these companies filed for bankruptcy and opened their doors under another name. In one case, I was approached by a prospect that was owed $32K in unused hours by their IT support provider. Their provider\u2019s owner got sick; and could not fulfill the agreement. The client was actually negotiating on his provider\u2019s behalf to buy the company so they didn\u2019t lose their money. It wasn\u2019t the first time I came across this situation, nor the last.<\/p>\n In addition, the entire program is entirely reactionary. Most of the \u201cBlock of Time\u201d Only IT Support companies are small and do not staff appropriately for peak times. For instance, they may have one technically strong engineer and a few entry-level technicians. Since there is little management oversight, the technically strong engineer is putting out fires, and the entry-level engineers are left to their own devices.<\/p>\n Often, it takes days for a client to get a returned call during peak times of the year. As a consequence of being understaffed, there is very little proactive support. This leads to viruses, malicious attacks, and festering issues. In the end, it is a trial-by-fire environment, and the client is the one who pays the price.<\/p>\n Many small- and medium-sized Atlanta GA-based businesses use \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT services to save money and control costs. For example, you can buy hours for as little as $75 per hour, which seems great on the surface, but it is quite dangerous to your network.<\/p>\n A better alternative to \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d only IT service companies is INSI\u2019s Managed Services<\/a> if you don’t have an IT department or INSI’s signature Customized IT\u2122<\/a>if you have an internal IT department. INSI’s unique model offers decreased rates on helpdesk issues without sacrificing quality because we charge entry-level rates for entry-level tickets, which constitute 80% of the IT support tickets. We can manage the entire environment, fill in the gaps for an internal IT team, or break out the services to the client\u2019s exact needs. Finally, we can do all this for a fixed fee.<\/p>\n Go here<\/a> to see the various types of IT support, their pros and cons, and great questions to ask the provider. Contact INSI, <\/a>your top MSP in the Atlanta GA area: 770-387-2424, option 2.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_text=”Click Here” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Innovative Network Systems, Inc. has a unique approach to integrating IT support<\/a> and cybersecurity<\/a>. Our month-to-month programs range from basic support to proactive support, managed support, and customized support. Each program is tailored to the client’s needs and internal IT strengths.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n For more information about cybersecurity dangers and the preventative measures for your company, connect with the top MSP in Atlanta; Contact INSI: 770-387-2424, option 2 or click the link below. In addition, we offer 16 different cybersecurity programs<\/a>\u00a0to protect you and your data.<\/p>\n Deborah Frazier<\/a>\u00a0is the author of\u00a0IT Outsourcing Secrets \u2013 A Small Business Guide to Compare IT Support Companies.<\/em><\/strong> With nearly 20 years of experience consulting small and medium-sized businesses on their IT support needs, she brings a wealth of knowledge to INSI as Head of Marketing and Sales. If you like this article and want to get notified when a new article is posted, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What Are \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT Services? \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT Service is an IT support agreement that allows the Atlanta, GA, client to pay for IT support hours upfront at a highly discounted rate. The more hours the client buys upfront, the cheaper the hourly rate. These discounts can be pretty substantial. On the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":56806,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Dangers of \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT Support<\/h2>\n
The Risk to the IT Support Provider<\/h2>\n
The Client Bares the Risk<\/h2>\n
Why Some Atlanta Companies Choose \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d<\/h2>\n
A Better Alternative<\/h2>\n
Do You Want To Learn More About The Difference Between \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d and INSI\u2019s Customized IT\u2122?<\/h2>\n
About INSI: The Best MSP in Atlanta!<\/h2>\n
About the Author<\/h2>\n
What Are \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT Services?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT Service is an IT support agreement that allows the client to pay for IT support hours upfront at a highly discounted rate.\u00a0 Subsequently, the more hours the client buys upfront, the cheaper the hourly rate.\u00a0 In fact, discounts can be quite substantial.\n\nOn the surface, it appears to be a viable option for IT support.\u00a0 However, upon closer examination, it can actually be more dangerous than ad hoc IT support.\n
Dangers of \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT Support<\/strong><\/h2>\nImagine a situation where you pre-pay a home contractor for 60 hours.\u00a0 As a result, the contractor agrees to be at your beck-and-call for any home repairs.\u00a0 However, he makes the same agreement with 20 other homeowners.\u00a0 A few months later a major storm hits, and you have a leak in your roof.\u00a0 Therefore, you need help before more damage is done.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the other nineteen customers also had problems with the storm.\u00a0 Subsequently, the home contractor does not have enough bandwidth to respond to everyone\u2019s needs in a timely manner.\u00a0 Such is the danger for clients who buy Blocks of Time IT Support Services.\n\nInterestingly, most industries who ask for payment in advance, do so to cover their out-of-pocket expenses.\u00a0 However, this is not the case with IT support companies.\u00a0 They need money when services are rendered to pay their employees.\u00a0 Likewise, even the on-boarding is paid for by the client at the time of service.\n
The Risk to the IT Support Provider<\/strong><\/h2>\nUndoubtedly, the biggest challenge for companies who sell \u201cblocks of time\u201d IT support services is the liability of unused hours.\u00a0 In fact, many of these companies\u2019 hours never expire.\u00a0 Yet, in the interim, a business must go on as usual.\u00a0 For example, bills and salaries must be paid.\u00a0 Therefore, the money could be long gone before the client ever calls in the hours that are owed to them.\u00a0 For this reason, many of these companies do not stay in business long.\n
The Client Bares the Cost<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe client bears all the burden when they purchase a block of hours.\u00a0 Unless you want to sue, there is no way to recover your money if the service levels are poor.\u00a0 Even then, many of these companies file bankruptcy and open their doors under another name.\u00a0 In one case, I was approached by a company who was owed $32K in unused hours by their IT support provider.\u00a0 Their provider\u2019s owner got sick and he could not fulfill the agreement.\u00a0 The client was actually negotiating on his provider\u2019s behalf to buy the company, so they didn\u2019t lose their money.\u00a0 This wasn\u2019t the first time I came across this situation, nor the last.\n\nIn addition, the entire program is reactionary.\u00a0 This is an issue because these companies cannot staff appropriately for peak times.\u00a0 In fact, most of the \u201cBlock of Time\u201d IT Support companies are small.\u00a0 For instance, they may have one technically strong engineer and a few entry-level technicians.\u00a0 As there is not much management oversight since the technically strong engineer is putting out fires and the entry-level engineers are left to their own devices.\n\nUnfortunately, it could take days for a client to get a returned call during peak times of the year. As a consequence to being understaffed, there is very little proactive support.\u00a0 This leads to viruses, malicious attacks, and festering issues.\u00a0 In the end, it is a trial by fire environment and the client is the one who pays for it.\n
Why Companies Choose \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\nMany small- and medium-sized businesses use \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT services in an effort to save money and control their cost.\u00a0 As a matter of fact, you can buy hours for as little as $75.\u00a0 Obviously, this seems really great on the surface, but it is actually quite dangerous.\n\nCompanies that use \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT services are at a high risk of viruses, failures, and hacks.\u00a0 Subsequently, the combination of downtime and excess hours far outweigh the cost of a monthly contract with a reputable company.\n
A Better Alternative<\/strong><\/h2>\nA better alternative to \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d IT services, is INSI\u2019s managed services\u00a0or\u00a0customized IT\u2122.\u00a0 INSI has a tiered structure that can offer decreased rates on 80% of the IT support issues without sacrificing quality.\u00a0 This is because our tiered structure allows us to charge entry-level rates for entry-level tickets, which constitutes of 80% of the IT support tickets.\u00a0 Further, we can manage the entire environment, fill in the gaps for an internal IT team, or we can break out the services to the client\u2019s exact needs.\u00a0 Finally, we can do all this for a fixed fee.\n
Do You Want To Learn More About The Difference Between \u201cBlocks of Time\u201d and INSI\u2019s Customized IT\u2122?<\/strong><\/h2>\nGo here to see the various types of IT support, their pros and cons, and great questions to ask the provider.\n\nIn addition, if you would like to know more about this topic and how it affects you, visit Amazon\u00a0or\u00a0Barnes & Noble\u00a0for a copy of the book\u00a0IT Outsourcing Secrets \u2013 A Small Business Guide to Comparing IT Support Companies.<\/em><\/strong>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18,63],"tags":[38,31,39,40,41,24,25,56,44,55],"yoast_head":"\n