PC Support Anywhere Idea

braken2000

I am not particularly wanting to offer to businesses, more to the consumer.

Guyver_2

I too offer support in the IT world to home users and corporate businesses.
My website (just in case any one is interested and because I am not allowed to advertise it here) can be found on yell.com and under google search.

Thank you.

liamcas

I've read this thread and found it very interesting and have a question about what I consider to be a potential problem:

A lot of the problems I fix for friends and family involve restarting the PC repeatedly.

Do you intend to keep the client on the phone so they can reinstigate the CrossLoop connection when you need it. Are there other alternative VNC type products that involve no firewall configuration or dynamic dns client to be installed before use and will grant access after a restart?

Thanks

Liam

Browntoa

croosloop changes its connection code each time it starts so you would need to contact the customer after each restart.

the other problem I see is the need to run things in Safe Mode, when you have NO internet connection

Lorian

Browntoa wrote: »

croosloop changes its connection code each time it starts so you would need to contact the customer after each restart.

the other problem I see is the need to run things in Safe Mode, when you have NO internet connection

And it's difficult to install disk drives, graphics cards etc. Not only will the OP need to do this when he finds faulty ones, he's also missing the extra income of a reasonable markup on the kit (not PCworld style please)

The other thing to remember if you are doing this from home is that typically your upload speed is pants, so keep a web page with links to your favourite tools, are better still host them on some free disk storage site (BT for example) for easy access.

Make sure you investigate professional liability insurance!

Good luck. the big problem will be people don't want to pay you to help.

liamcas

That's another good point. Has anyone found workarounds for these large potential flaws?

Lorian

liamcas wrote: »

That's another good point. Has anyone found workarounds for these large potential flaws?

Find a multinational, do it for them, get a cheque once a month?

But seriously, the biggest drawback (IMHO) to doing support work from home is the proximity of the TV and the Biscuit tin, and the lack of social interaction. The effect of all three should not be underestimated.

braken2000

Thank you for your comments once again.

TV Biscuit tin, yeh, not good. But I am not that easily led astray, at least I dont think so.

There is a VNC program that can instigate restarts and then be available once a connection is re-made. I use it at work. Barely leave the office now!

As for installing graphics cards or memory etc I obviously wont be able to do this, unless it is in the West Yorkshire area.

R4pture_2

I used to work for THE TECH GUYS (sadly) I left because their customer service and general standards of service were apalling. (well they are owned by CAPITA now )
I think people would jump at using this service if it was done in the rigfht way.
I dont think paypal is a good idea for payment simply due to the fees that are charged. I really dislike paypal because of the random bits of money that get taken off.
People do much prefer a face to face fix as many feel unable to do it over the phone.
If you are looking for some tech support in the Nottingham area and they money is good then let me know

braken2000

I dont know what the money would be like TBH. Probabaly a pay per job style affair.

Outsourcing is a good idea though. I just dont want to rip people off.