Carroll County Times Articles
Demand the Best Work From Computer Consultants
by David Hodgdon – February 28, 2008
There's no shortage of horror stories about computer consultants and repair shops causing problems as a result of their unethical or incompetent behavior. I'm sure if you talk to other business owners, friends and family you will get an ear-full of their unfortunate experiences. The computer industry has its share of unethical people who will try to take advantage of uneducated clients. Fortunately, they are the minority and with a little preparation you can avoid becoming their victim.
Since there is no regulation of the information technology profession like there is for home improvement, electricians, etc. anyone can market themselves as a computer consultant or technician. Even if they are honestly trying to do a good job for you, their inexperience can cost you dearly in your machine's performance or worse with lost data. Here are five critical characteristics you should demand from any computer consultant or repair shop.
1. Demand that they have multiple technicians on staff or if they are a consultant require them to have a formal relationship in place with at least one other consultant. If you rely on a 'one-man-band' operation, you might find yourself without any help when they go on vacation, get sick, or are too busy servicing other clients. While multiple technicians are not a guarantee of fast service, you are far more likely to have someone to talk to when you have a problem. Additionally no one computer guy - no matter how good - has infinite knowledge. Multiple people mean multiple skill sets and a higher likelihood your computer problem will get resolved faster.
2. Demand someone who has a long-standing reputation. There are a lot of computer consultants out there; many are new or just getting started. While industry certifications are useful, they are no substitute for experience and a track record of success. Be sure you avoid hiring someone who's between jobs and sets up shop to make a few bucks then finds a job and disappears within a few months. Require references and check them. If they can't or won't provide them, do yourself a favor and look for someone else to solve your problem.
3. Demand that they have specific knowledge or expertise for solving your particular type of problem. Do not let someone practice on your machine. If they have not worked on your problem before, they should tell you that in advance and explain why they are qualified to solve it. Good consultants don't mind being questioned and should be able to explain what they are doing in plain English, not 'tech speak'.
4. Demand they back up your system before working on it. Don't let them touch your machine before your entire system is securely backed up just in case something goes wrong. Accidents happen even with the best consultants.
5. Demand that your machine comes back with the same settings, look, preferences, data and applications that you had on it prior to the repair. Very frequently, inexperienced technicians will recommend that you wipe out your hard drive and re-install Windows to fix a problem. While this may be a valid remedy it should only be done as a last resort. Be sure they backup your data, email, preferences and favorites before they start. Be sure they reinstall licensed software including the Windows system. Some technicians install bootleg copies of Windows and other software that is not only illegal but often will prevent you from receiving needed updates and security patches. This leaves you unable to update your machine and protect it from deadly viruses, worms, and hackers.
About the Author
David Hodgdon is the owner of Hassle Free IT Services (www.HassleFreeITServices.com) of Westminster and a member of the Carroll Technology Council. Send email to David with any questions or comments to info@hasslefreeitservices.com or go to the Tech Council website, www.carrolltechcouncil.org, for more information.
