Starting own IT consultancy - Gathering list of tools required and recommendations
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Hi all,
So finally i am at the last stage of finalising and starting a IT consultancy company, with some investment from a partner.
I am currently compiling a list of must have tools that i need to start supporting my clients. Planning to start 2016 with the new one!
I know this has been discussed several times, but would like to see an updated response:
I am currently planning to use:
Freshbooks- using this as a free plan now, as i was doing some freelancing. This helps me to achieve invoicing, estimates, time tracking. I will move to the paid option on Freshbooks.
Remote support: Super confused about what to use for . Currently a single tech agent (myself), and requirements would be installed agent supporting retainers and on the go support using probably a link to download the agent, install temp, support and remove for others. Screenconnect seems to be an option, but i would like to hear feedbacks. For now, i don't want a self hosted one as i nee to manage that, i would rather use that time to support clients!
Teamviewer business edition is another one i like, its one time fee and supports pretty much all devices.Helpdesk/ticketing: For now I am thinking to use Freshbooks for this too, but open for new ideas.
I would also like to have a sales pipeline/projection tool, a web based one rather than on excel as an added bonus. Can't afford/or doesnt really need a full CRM system at the point i believe.
Did i miss anything else?
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Congratulations!! I wish you the best of luck!
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When I was a consultant, I used GoToAssist for remote support. I liked it, it always worked well for me.
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TeamViewer is a pretty solid product, but it's quite expensive.
You could take a look at AeroAdmin (it's completely free to use, but does have a buy option).
Since you're looking for things you don't have to manage you're really going to want Web based providers for everything. Pipeline/projections, Tickets, Billing and Invoices etc.
I'm not sure of any off hand, but there are a few out there, right?
All of which are most certainly a subscription service.
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One option with TeamViewer:
They will work with you on pricing. I was looking at a one seat license and they came back with an attractive monthly option for me. Was like $40 if I remember. -
Features looks good, i would like to hear more feedback on this. Good thing is it supports both MAC and Windows.
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I would be surprised if ScreenConnect would not work with you on pricing too. And they work really well on Linux. Using it on Mint right now.
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@Ambarishrh It works well you can divide stuff up by companies and it can keep track of notes,time spent working on a pc. There are 3rd party solutions to import thatinfo into Freshbooks as well (i've never used any).
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I run my biz off of freshbooks and MaxFocus (formerly GFI Max) and I love it. one stop shop for AV, Monitoring, Patching, Remote Support, etc. I dig. They even have a Service Desk add in (that i dont use) that you can use for ticketing, and project management I think.
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i'm small beans though. a large hill of small beans
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@hubtechagain said:
i'm small beans though. a large hill of small beans
It's like from the first Naked Gun movie. "But this is OUR hill. And these are OUR beans."
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If you are doing MSP style work, you might want to look into an inclusive RMM platform. Pretty sure Continuum will have some tools for you.
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Adding @MKM8DY
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We use N-Able and have been pretty happy with it.
I do believe there is a lot more outsourcing available for Continuum, though.
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@scottalanmiller said:
I would be surprised if ScreenConnect would not work with you on pricing too. And they work really well on Linux. Using it on Mint right now.
For screenconenct, I am confused with the different types of packages. I am leaning towards to most popular package $49/month billed anually.
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Congratulations.My small suggestion is that Dont think IT consultancy as business,just think it as an daily activity with less stress works.
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I am currently evaluating Max Focus and having a call with their team to better understand their licensing. My mind is between screenconnect and GFI, reason for GFI is that it has almost all required modules in one place which can be very helpful on retainer jobs: patch management, av, maintenance tasks etc. Thanks @hubtechagain
Regarding accounting, i think for now i can stay with freshbooks and don't require xero to be added.
Another thing I am thinking is about mails, i currently have it on google apps, the free 10 user pack. Thinking if i need to switch to O365, which will give me MS office license as well, which is anyways needed for my daily tasks. If so, which O365 can i start with to just have Mails+Office online and desktop?
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The $5 Office 365 SMB plan probably has everything that you want.
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MaxFocus is not as great as you might think. We used it for a bit and had lots of issues with it. The remote control software was unreliable at best. The AV piece (if you use it) is also not as good as others on the market (Webroot for the win here). I would recommend ScreenConnect.
