Re: [PLUG] OT: Linux Business Forum

[Paul <paul@dpagin.net>]

> money versus keeping an IT person on staff. This could allow you to 
> sell service contracts with a monthly fee. . .
>
> Another viable approach is to sell "block time." A company could 
> prepay for some number of hours (with a quantity discount) from 40-500 
> hours and then whenever they need help you charge against their account.
I like the monthly fee idea.  "Block time" is a pain.  (The same feeling 
for consulting pay.)  For a short time I worked for a company that used 
block time.  It takes a fine balance to keep everyone happy using that 
system.  On one side the service company wants to make money, so the 
technician shouldn't work too fast.  On the other side, the customer 
will think that things take too long.  There's a *lot* of record keeping 
and possibilities for disagreement.

The monthly fee appeals to me because it is simple and it puts the 
technician in an employee-like position.  Everything averages out so 
record keeping and projection is simpler.

> I definitely think that you're on to something. Many small companies 
> could really benefit from the cost savings of Linux, but would 
> definitely want support and training. Offering them the support in 
> migration and especially after could just be the push they need.
I agree.  I wouldn't mind being the New Jersey "branch".

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