DELL or DES?

Q: Dell seems to be the best choice for my next office desktop purchase. Why should I consider a DES XP System?
A: We actually recommend Dell for many office applications. In fact, we often recommend other brands as well, depending on the application, especially if you have few 3rd party applications to install or configure on your new machine. On the other hand, if you have a lot of third party software and don't have the time to separately reinstall in each machine, DES is a real bargain:

But all too often our clients want to get fast service without going through a timely "qualification process" over the phone. If the unit has to be returned for any reason, the hard disk is wiped clean, which, for many of our clients, represents an employee spending two hours or more reinstalling applications or restoring from a backup. A DES computer owner need only call or e-mail the problem, and we we'll make arrangements show up and perform all necessary repairs. So when comparing the DES brand to Dell (or other major brands), keep in mind the hoops you must jump through to obtain a resolution to your problem:

1. User must wait on hold until a Dell support person answers your call. Depending on the day and time, this could take up to an hour.
2. User must go through a troubleshooting session with an online technician before a service tech is dispatched. If a tech is dispatched, it may take one to four days for the technician to appear.
3. If there is a keyboard, mouse or monitor issue, user must wait for new item in the mail, then return defective item to manufacturer.
4. If the CPU is replaced, DELL will erase the hard disk and user must reinstall all software or backup & restore the data when the unit is returned.

Here's an example for the warranty repairs procedures for a DELL.

Ouch! Call us.

DES SWITCH

Q: Why should I consider DES for support?
A: There are several. One; if you call us, we will come. Two; one way or another, you're problem is going to be resolved. We're used to getting challenging problems that others abandon. When you call, relief is on the way! Third; unless you request otherwise, we will send the tech that has the most experience resolving your issues, so you won't get the "new guy" that you may end up paying to educate on your system.

Whether you're a private individual or a business, you should know that our techs are equipped to get the job done. We know that "time is money" and that's why our first priority is fixing the problem to get you back up as soon as possible. Our techs devote 100 percent of their time servicing your issue when on site, not someone else's. After the remedy is found, if our records indicate that it's happened before, we'll find out why it happened, and offer solutions to prevent future calls for this issue. So when you consider DES consider this:

• If you schedule an appointment, we'll show at the specified time or we'll call to reschedule.
• Within 60 minutes of arriving on site, we will notify you that: a) the problem has been resolved, or; b) we have a resolution, and provide an estimate of the time required to complete the resolution, or; c) we have been unable to find a resolution, provide details of our progress and let you decide if we should continue analyze the problem. If we are unable to diagnose the problem, we will recommend a trusted specialist who can resolve the issue, or should you authorize, bring in other qualified specialists and supervise the process to resolution.
• If you sign an agreement with us, at no charge we'll set up remote services that will allow us to quickly resolve many issues from our office. This is a sure bet to even faster resolution to future issues.

Sound like sweet music to your ears? Call us.

DATABASES, DATABASES, DATABASES

Q: We need a database system to organize daily tasks at our office. Spreadsheets are difficult to share and maintain. MS Access is too inflexible. Any suggestions?
A: You've come to the right place! We know this is a challenge at many offices, but DES has expertise in developing shared access database systems that will boost productivity and leave no job left undone. These databases can also be configured for Internet access, so if your people are spread out, it's not a problem. Call us.