Software

A successful computer system must have well trained users who understand they are the most import part of the system.

You can have the greatest computer system around, but it is not worth anything unless users are trained and made part of the team effort to implement and run that system successfully.  Users need to understand the importance of their role in using their computers. They need to see how their role helps them in their particular job and how they fit into the overall picture.  A user that feels that they are beneficial to the company and are part of the overall team effort will have a share in the common success of your computer system.

Business Software Implementation Projects

Implementation of business software, selection of the right product, working through configuration, customization issues, and following up with proper user training, are all key to successful software implementation.  We can help you implement your software product running on either Windows or Linux.  We have the programming experience to handle complex customization, data migration and conversion, to take the best advantage of your business software.

Systems Maintenance Will Save you Money.

Our IT System Administration and Maintenance Plans are tailored to your budget and needs.  Computer systems require regular maintenance in order to continue running smoothly and with proper security.  Once we evaluate your system, we will estimate the number of hours needed to be spent on Proactive Maintenance, Administration, and IT Technical Support in order to keep your systems running smoothly and reliably.  This time can also be used for future planning, consulting, and improving your computer environment.  The more time you commit to buying on a quarterly basis, the more discount you receive on our base hourly rate of $150/hour.

Problems in your computing environment can drag down your entire business.

Your business relies heavily on technology.  Technical problem solving is key to keeping your business running smoothly.  When there is a technical problem with your network hardware, server, or software, it can effect employee morale, as well as productivity and ultimately profitability.  Are your employees complaining about the technology they use?  How many times do you have to stop and think about issues with your network server, software or computer hardware?  Are your computing resources being abused or used for personal entertainment rather than business use?  Have you had to shut your business down, cancel appointments, or change your plans because of technical problems or limitations?  Do you have an employee that you cannot fire or are afraid will quit because they are the only ones with the knowledge to keep your systems running?  These are not the type of problems that some technology whiz kid can solve.  You need a team of trustworthy, experienced business IT Consultants, who can be the problem solver to help make management decisions and implement a solution.  We will be happy to meet with you, privately if necessary, and see what we can do to help solve your technology problems.

There are many choices that need to be made when designing, and setting up a server.

With our experience setting up hundreds of servers over the years, we can navigate the many choices and arrive at a practical solution.  Servers can be expensive and most businesses cannot afford to buy the wrong equipment. Servers require experienced professionals to design and set up, otherwise they can lead to pure misery for all involved.  Since we specialize in small and medium sized business computing, we will have a good idea of what server is right for your business, based on our experience working with other companies like yours.

Running Your Business on a Software Package.

Whether it is an accounting system like QuickBooks Enterprise or Mass 90, or a practice management and scheduling program like Patterson Eaglesoft, SoftDent, or Dentech,  a point of sale system with inventory control and cash registers, one thing is for sure......  That software package will run a major part of your business and success or failure depends on how well that software is implemented.  We help you determine the right software package for your company and make sure it is implemented on the right platform (servers, networks, etc.) so that it will perform well for your needs.  Once the software is up and running, we do not consider it fully implemented until a backup and recovery plan is put into practice.

CMI Has a Long History of Successful Software Implementation.

Computing-Management, Inc., started back in the early 1980's, as a Software Company, developing a Software Business Package running on PC's and PC Networks.  Our flagship product was called the Human Resource Information Center.  We sold and implemented over a thousand systems across the United States, and even had a Canadian version. Researching, Designing, and Developing software in a competitive market was tough enough, but we soon learned that real success is measured by how well businesses and their users utilize that software.  We realized that the software we developed became an integral part of people's jobs and often the quality of their work life depended on how well that software ran.  We decided that we would consider each software sale as a project and work with customers every step of the way to the ultimate goal of having a system they use successfully and can rely on.  We sent technicians along on sales calls to make sure our software would work in their environment.  We were pioneers in providing technical support remotely.  We provided on-site training and user group seminars to help customers get the most out of their systems.  We developed a lot of good friendships along the way and watched people advance in their profession.  Ultimately, after about 15 successful years, our software package was bought by a much larger company who combined it with their payroll system and installed it at thousands more companies.  The biggest lesson we learned from all this experience is how to successfully implement software.

Installing and Implementing Business Computer Systems is What We Do.

We have suppliers we work with for Servers, Computers, Software, and Networking.  We have Electricians who can install network cable properly.  We are used to taking on new technologies and solving unique problems.  We thrive on challenges.  We know what works well and what does not.  You will benefit greatly from our experience and successful track record working with other businesses that have faced similar challenges.

We have experienced many IT Modernizations and know what it takes to bring you up to date.

It is true that upgrading and migrating to a modernized system is much more difficult than building a system for a new business. We look at your goals and help lay plans to purchase the necessary equipment, networking, and software to implement your new system. This is not a time for learning from costly mistakes.  It is wise to trust your major project to a team with Experience over Many Years and Changes in Technology.  You need someone who understands the old technology you are trying to get away from as well as the new technology you are wanting to migrate to.  You need the seasoned experts at Computing-Management, Inc.

Companies need someone who is familiar with their entire computing environment. Computer systems need Administration.

We provide guidance to help navigate your business through a sea of technology.  We can perform a management, decision making role as a member of your team.

Decisions need to be made, and right or wrong decisions can make or break a business.  Without consistant administration, your computer system will be adrift and eventually show the signs of neglect.  Your system needs someone to keep a watchful eye on changing technology and innovations in Windows, Linux, network security issues, as well as all the hardware and software in use.  Someone needs to make practical recommendations on how to utilize new technology to your best advantage.  Someone needs to be looking down the road at emerging technology and the future of your company.

Many companies no longer have the luxury of their own IT Departments to, or even dedicated, qualified, IT Personnel as a result of downsizing or recent economic hardship.  Your computing environment is unique and it is wasteful to have different technicians come in from time to time and try to fix or maintain a system they are not familiar with. By performing regular maintenance and IT Technical support, we build a level of familiarity that will allow us to diagnose problems and implement solutions much more quickly, thus saving you a lot of money over time.

Your technology problem may not be all that unique.

Chances are other companies we work with have been through a problem similar to yours and we already know the solution.  This is where our experience comes in handy. Many companies face similar problems in growth, changing technology, data recovery, or disaster management.  We have the battle scars that come from solving a lot of problems over many years and we have yet to see a challenge we can not meet.

 

We keep ourselves up to date on all the latest security patches, varnings, and various bugs that are known problems.  We know how to track down error codes and search for solutions based on other peoples experiences with the same problem.  There is often no need to invent a solution.  By keeping up and reading about problems, vulnerabilities and their solutions, we can often prevent a problem on your system before it ever happens.

 

What successful projects have we completed lately?

Computer consultants are only as good as their recent successes in implementing computer systems that people actually use in business. We have current working technical knowledge and are continuously implementing systems all over central Indiana.

We understand more than the intimidating technical terms that are not part of a normal vocabulary. We understand the technical terms, but we also realize that all you want is a computer system that works well so you can run your business. There is no qualification or degree that is better than actual experience that comes along with years and years of successfully implementing computer systems and keeping those systems running smoothly.

We recommend what we know and use based on our own experiences.

We have experience setting up both Windows and Linux Servers.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both and they each have their own place in your computing environment.  We view a server as a tool which is used to perform a particular function or functions, usually serving as a platform to run a specific program like an accounting system, or practice management system.  Software companies like to sell their own servers to customers who do not have any IT Support, but these servers are generally overpriced and under powered.  Have them quote you a price and we will show you what we can do for the same money and will exceed their requirements.  In other words, with us, you get more bang for the buck!

Users need to know that they are supported.

The most frustrating thing for a user is not having someone to go to when they have a question or concern.  Leaving users to figure out a system on their own, or handing them a stack of manuals is not the right approach.  Proper training and ongoing support will lead to a comfort level that will assure success.  Users need to know that they are not alone, that help is available, and they should know where to go and be encouraged to seek that help.  Sometimes we need to come in and assist in working with the technical support services of your software vendor.  By allowing us, your technical people, to work with their technical people, we can work together to find a solution that we can bring back and implement in a non technical way.  In other words, we can fight the technical support challenges for you.

This is not our first trip to the rodeo.

Over the past 30 years, we have implemented and gained working knowledge with supporting business software packages of all types around central Indiana.  We know what it takes to get the job done and done right.  We will make sure you have all the tools and guidance you need to get that software package fully implemented.  We then continue to support your system well into the future.  The old saying of "Garbage In - Garbage Out" has never been more true.  We will show you how we implement software and systems the right way.

Many companies have downsized and no longer have their own IT Technical Support staff to go to help.

Unfortunately, many companies do not realize until. after they have let their IT People go, how critical they actually were.  We do not advocate downsizing IT Staff, but we are available to fill in the void that they leave behind.  Help Desk Technical Support is critical to the ongoing operation of your business.  We can provide Help Desk Technical Support so that your employees have someone to turn to for help their occasional questions and technical problem solving needs.

Nothing Lasts Forever. Even the best software packages reach the end of their life.

Software companies bring about their own changes.  You may receive notice of a mandatory upgrade stating that your software is being sundowned.  All software packages eventually become obsolete and no longer supported.  Technology moves forward whether you do or not.  It is possible and often happens that software companies go out of business, leaving you with a program that is working for now, but who knows for how long in the future.  Maybe you are not happy with your current software and are looking for something better.  We can help with all of these situations.

Once a server is set up and installed on your network, it must be secured.

Server Security, especially for servers accessible through the Internet must have the proper security to keep them from getting hacked.  We take server security very seriously because we realize just how dangerous the world is.  It is a given fact that there will be attempts to hack into your server every hour of every day.  This is just the nature of the Internet and a properly setup and secure server will be prepared and protected from such attacks.  We utilize firewall security, user and file security, as well as intrusion detection to keep your servers secure.  Servers, and the software they run, must be constantly maintained and updated to protect against the latest security threat.  Server Security is something that should be set up and maintained by competent professionals like us.  We can set up your server and monitor and maintain it remotely keeping an ever watchful eye for problems.

Give us a call so we may meet and discuss your server needs.

We have experience setting up both Windows and Linux servers and maintaining them in production environments.  We have solutions for all the different types of servers commonly used in small and medium sized businesses.  We know what works and have the ability to duplicate our successes and make them work in your computing environment.