Thousands of clients count on Flexnet to meet their needs – we're focused solely on the unique computing, networking and application needs of small businesses. See how Flexnet compares against other options such as independent contractors or regional VARs. The table below is a comparison that industry experts helped us compile.
Flexnet
| One Man Shop/Independent Contractor
| Internal Staff
|
|---|
| Professional IT services
| Full- or part-time outsourced services
| Full- or part-time internal services
|
|---|
| Enterprise-quality solutions adapted to unique needs of small businesses and organizations
| Narrowly defined, reactive, break-fix solutions
| Narrowly defined, reactive, break-fix solutions
|
| Focused on proactive management/optimized performance. Serving 20 metropolitan areas in 50 cities.
| Usually, firm consists of one or small number of technicians. Years in business vary, often in business for a short time. Only serves local area in a single region.
| Focused only on internal IT, often lack broader technology perspective; serves internal IT only
|
| In business for 10 years with more than 5,000 clients. We have the commitment and resources to building a great, lasting company. Hundreds of consultants.
| Companies often short-lived; many providers moonlight
| Experience varies, often not qualified IT professionals. Usually consists of one or small number of technicians. Often wants to focus on core business rather than IT management
|
| Proven systems, processes, and people
| People often unproven; systems and processes often non-existent
| Staff often unproven; systems and processes often non-existent
|
|---|
| Thousands of clients across all major industries
| Most only have a few clients
| Internal clients only
|
| Extensive knowledgebase
| Limited knowledgebase
| Limited knowledgebase
|
| Integrated management system for ensuring quality services delivery
| No or limited management system for ensuring quality services delivery
| No or limited management system for ensuring quality services delivery
|
| Best practices for planning, assessments, security, email/spam management, ongoing support, and projects and managing multi-location clients
| Usually, no formal best practices for various services
| Often no formal best practices for various services. When applicable, usually no best practices in place. Infrequent or no management, consultative, or technical training programs.
|
| Ongoing management, consultative, and technical training. Supported by hundreds of industry-certified consultants. Support calls always answered by real person not an answering machine.
| Infrequent or no management consultative and technical training programs. Few, if any, are industry-certified consultants. Only pager or answering machine support for out of normal business hours.
| Few are industry certified and don't provide 24-hour coverage with service gaps during personals' holiday time.
|
| Multi-vendor expertise and experience
| Limited multi-vendor expertise and experience
| Limited multi-vendor expertise and experience
|
| Best cost/benefit solutions
| Mediocre cost/benefit ratio
| Mediocre cost/benefit ratio
|
|---|
| Strategic approach based on clients' business objectives and needs
| Break-fix approach based on latest crisis
| Break-fix approach based on latest crisis
|
| Addresses short-term needs in the context of a long-term plan
| Address short-term needs only.
| Address short-term needs only
|
| Preferred vendor relationships yield favorable prices for clients
| Biased technology recommendations
| Lack comprehensive understanding of available technology choices and costs
|
| Quarterly/monthly reporting
| Limited reporting capabilities
| Limited reporting capabilities
|
IT Services