Online Connections - Consulting Rates

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Consulting and Support Rates

Online Connections is a consulting business providing advice and guidance to clients as well as computer support, networking support and repair of computers which relate to the software run on the computer.

As a consulting business Online Connections looks after your interests first and foremost because you pay for my time, knowledge and skill. I won't upsell you on other products and services. My only desire is to assist you with your computer related issues.

If you contrast Online Connections with a business selling computers, a business selling computers makes their money on the profit of the sale. The more they sell, the more they make. In many cases there are more cost effective options available, but the salesperson doesn't let you know because it isn't in their interest.

It really is a case of buyer beware when you get advice and guidance from a sales organisation.

Online Connections' focus is on providing you with the best advice, guidance and support.

Consulting and Support services provided

Kelvin Eldridge, the director of Online Connections, has extensive experience across the computing industry in hardware, software and support and has held roles to the level of IT Consultant and IT Manager. The focus of Online Connections is to provide home users, micro, small and medium sized businesses with cost effective support services.

The services provided by Online Connections are:

General

Almost any question relating to computing
General support of the computing facilities from home user through to a medium sized business and in some cases, departments within large organisations.
General advice and guidance on products and services
Help with typical office applications
Help with typical office operating systems
Help with mobile computers.
Help and advice with client's web sites
Help with internet access

Hardware

Investigation of hardware problems to ensure they are actually hardware related.
Setting up and configuring new hardware
Moving and reconfiguring existing hardware

Network

Installation and support of hardware equipment
Installation and support of software

Internet

Build a single page site to provide businesses with an internet presence.
Assist with registering domains and obtaining hosting services. We like our clients to have control and ownership of their internet facilities and not be locked in.
We assist clients by using our strong presence on the internet with JustLocal to help clients achieve a good internet presence where possible. This often results in a first page presence on Google and in many cases the first position in organic search results.

Support is provided by telephone, via the internet and also on-site, with our aim to provide support the same or next day dependent on the client's location and needs.

Consulting rates

Our approach

All work is charged on a time and material basis. (I will endeavour to minimise, or reduce any other costs wherever possible).
The minimum time interval is one tenth of an hour. (This results in one of the lowest support charges seen in the industry for short support questions),
A call-out fee is not charged, but travel time is charged. (Thus local clients do not subsidise clients who are further away.) For clients in Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Lower Plenty, Montmorency and Eltham, no travel time is charged. It is my desire to encourage people to use the services of local businesses where possible.
I do not provide fixed priced quotes, but am more than happy to provide an estimate, and at all times will keep the client informed should the project appear that it might exceed the estimate. If the time required is less than the estimate the client only pays for the time involved.

I have found that most businesses providing fixed price quotes considerably inflate quotes in order to cover the risk involved. This often results in clients paying more than they need to.

Home users, Micro, Small and Medium business not using Microsoft server software

Hourly rate: $120 (no GST charged).

Time is charged in one tenth of an hour intervals.

Government and corporate clients and clients

I'm happy to talk with government and corporate clients. I've often looked after particular requirements of corporate businesses and departments within businesses.

Hourly rate: $150 (no GST charged).

Time is charged in one tenth of an hour intervals.

Additional costs

All out of pocket costs are paid by the client and will only be incurred with authorisation by the client.

If you would like to the services of Online Connections please use the contact details are on the home page.