What Is A Computer Consultant
The term ‘Computer Consultant’ is passed around like any old common phrase these days. People talk about their local computer consultant just like they would their doctor or lawyer. Computer consultant has quickly become a term that represents a kind of technology hero. When your latest digital gadget is giving you grief, who are you going to call? Your computer consultant, of course!
OK, so maybe I’m going a little too far with this whole super hero analogy, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been referred to as someones hero when I swooped in and saved the digital day. As a computer consultant I’ve had the privileged to be the one to fix the problems that cause offices to come to a screeching halt. As a computer consultant I’ve been able to help home users recover valuable family photos from crashed hard drives. Computer consulting may just be a term describing a computer technician, but as I’ll soon explain, it means so much more.
What defines a Computer Consultant?
A computer consultant plays a unique role in the technology service industry. Acting as both a digital technician AND a mediator for computer users and their geeky gadgets, a successful computer consultant has to not only maintain the skill-set of a 21st century computer tech, but obtain a healthy set of people skills. A computer programmer can sit in a back room typing away at their keyboard, never interacting with their clients. Like many technology related careers, this requires very little people skills. Computer consulting, on the other hand, not only requires it, but demands some of the best around. As computer consultant, you are required to maintain the greatest level of patients as many of your client interactions can be quite stressful to say the least. Try reviving a dead computer with it’s owner breathing down your neck. When you’re asked, “What’s wrong with it? Do you think you’ll be able to recover the files?” Depending on the prognosis, you may find yourself having to bare the bad news, while tactfully charging for your services. Just like a doctor, you can’t always guarantee a positive prognosis, but you have to receive payment, none the less.
Let’s not forget experience!
People often speak of a computer consultant’s level of training, but much more important than this is their time on the job. You could have a brand new computer consultant who is fresh out of a four year technical college and one who never went to college, but has been on the job for the same four years. I’ll bet you there’s a good chance the more seasoned consultant will not only do a better job, but do it much more efficiently that the green geek who just got out of college.
Like any trade, the more you’re on the job, the more real world knowledge you obtain. As a computer consultant for the last five years I can’t deny the fact that no text book could have taught me what I learned while hashing it out in the technological trenches. I have nothing against conventional training, but if it’s not combined with on the job experience, you’ll need to be extra cautious when working with a new to the real world computer consultant. BUT HEY, you’ve got to start somewhere, right? Be sure to give the new techs a chance too. Just keep them on a short leash while they grow in their experience. Some come out of the gate like pros, while other computer consultants need a little more time on the burner, so to speak.
Charlottesville Real Estate Meets 21st Century Technology
Since the housing bubble popped, Charlottesville real estate has struggled along with the rest of the country. Property values have dropped and house sales struggled. Many Charlottesville real estate agents have bowed out as their previously consistent paychecks have suddenly stopped. Thankfully, though, Charlottesville real estate is among the stronger contenders in the country. Instead of completely bottoming out, we’ve just seen a drastic drop that has required more work to squeeze out its intended value.
If you’re still in the game, trying to buy and sell these still prime properties, you will need to be sure to utilize the proper tools. No longer does a nice car and cell phone provide you with the proper tools to make the sale. In the 21st century the Charlottesville real estate agent is required to learn and use the latest technology and gadgets available if they want to stand out from the still crowded bunch of agents pining for the clients attention. Charlottesville real estate may be a prime product to pedal, but in this hard economic climate we are left fighting for every possible opportunity.
The Necessary Tools
To start, the Charlottesville real estate agent needs to utilize the proper websites. Here are the common ones:
- CAAR (Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors)
- CAARmls
- CurbPlaces.com (An excellent recourse for anybody interested in Charlottesville real estate)
- RoyWheeler.com (One of the oldest and well respected realty companies in Charlottesville)
- KellerWilliams.com
- RealEstate3.com
The Software:
- Microsoft Outlook (Email, Calendar and Contacts software perfectly suited for the Charlottesville real estate agent)
- QuickBooks Pro (Depending on the size of your endeavor, QuickBooks is a must have for keeping the books properly organized)
- Mozy Online Backup (Perfect for keeping your precious files backed up. Because it’s uploaded to the Internet you don’t have to worry about losing files, even with theft or in a fire)
The Gadgets:
- iPhone or Blackberry (Having the right PDA/Cell phone combination is essential for both efficiency as well as reliability)
- Laptop (Being able to take your operation on the road is very freeing for the Charlottesville real estate agent. A desktop is fine, but if you want complete on-the-go capability, I would highly recomment a laptop)
- iPod (OK, so maybe this isn’t essential, but we’ve got to be able to sit back and enjoy our favorite tunes when we’re always on the go, right?!)
The Knowledge:
The fact is, if you don’t know how to properly utilize all that the 21st century has to offer, what use is it to you? It’s libel to become a hindrance instead of the ace up your sleeve. There are many ways to get ahead of the game, become noticed amidst the crowded Charlottesville home and agents that litter the streets of Charlottesville Virginia.
It’s your job to either learn how to properly utilize this technology or find someone who will do it for you. If you need to know how to go about doing any of this, feel free to Contact Me. I’d love to help!
Eric Hamm
Cville Computer Support Comes In Many Different Packages
One of the many things I love about Cville is the wide variety of tech options. Considering its size, the Cville computer support possibilities are quite numerous and come in many different packages. Anything from the one-man-show service tech to the big time geeks-on-the-go, Cville is pretty packed with prime possibilities. Let’s take a look at our options:
Cville Geek Squad from Best Buy
For the last couple of years Cville has had the privilege of having its very own Best Buy Geek Squad. This variation of Cville computer support is great for those who enjoy the peace of mind that comes from dealing with a big company. As much as I cheer on the little guy there are some really great advantages to dealing with Cville’s very own Geek Squad. In my previous article I weighed out some of the pros and cons of Best Buy’s Geek Squad, but since then I had one very important positive brought to my attention: in-house manufacturer warranty repair/replacement. In other words, if you purchase a computer from Best Buy and have it malfunction while still under the manufacturer warranty, you can bring it in to have it repaired or replaced. NO SHIPPING REQUIRED! According to Best Buy, their average turn around for this is only 3 days. Compared to many weeks (if you had to ship it to the company) this is quite impressive. So when it comes to Cville computer support, Best Buy’s Geek Squad has an Ace up their sleeve that sets them apart from the pack.
Small Business Tech Support Companies
You will also find a few small businesses in Charlottesville that provide multiple techs that can keep the support coming, even when things get extra busy. This variation of Cville computer support is kind of a happy medium. More than a one-man-show, but with a more personal touch. Often times a perfect match for other small businesses in Charlottesville, this brand of Cville tech support is mostly aimed at meeting the needs of small to medium sized offices as well as bigger companies that reside in and around Charlottesville. If you’re a home user, this type of tech is probably not for you.
The One-Man-Show Computer Guy
There are many of these in Cville. Ranging from the seasoned professional to the ultra green geek, you will most likely have to sift through the possibilities until you find the tech that is right for you. Depending on your specific needs you may notice that even the less experienced, less expensive computer geeks are well suited for you simple computer needs. Then again, if you are in need of the tech who has put in the hours to ‘know it all’, you’re better off seeking a referral from a friend or colleague who knows such a tech.
The bottom line is, it’s always good to know someone who knows the business and who can recommend the right company or tech for the job. If you’re someone currently looking for the right tech for their own computer needs, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d love to help you find the right fit. Finding a good tech is a necessity these days, whether it be for business OR personal reasons. Thankfully in Cville we have many great options and that’s not something that can be said for some places. I guess this is just one more reason it’s great to live in Cville! 
Eric Hamm
How To Find The BEST Charlottesville Computer Services
Charlottesville, Va is one of the BEST places to live in all of North America. Anyone who has the privilege to reside in its borders enjoys a small town feel with the advantages of the latest and greatest technology. With the the University of Virginia as well as a few large companies sharing soil with its residents, we enjoy the benefits of a booming society. If this is all true than there must be a vast amount of Charlottesville computer services, right? Charlottesville computer services businesses must be booming, giving the consumer many options of top notch service, right? Well, let’s take a look…
What are our options?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, you’ve heard of the Geek Squad. They reside in the confines of Best Buy and have taken what used to be a few guys in a little shop and turned the Computer Service Business into a full blown, mass produced operation. They actually have a uniform, drive a cute little car that’s covered in their logo and are scattered ALL OVER the United States. But is this a good thing?
I have mixed feelings about the Geek Squad. You certainly get a service that is backed by a large, successful business. But this alone leaves me torn. Having that kind of backing can be a good thing, but having that kind of MASS can be a REALLY BAD thing as well. For one, you can say goodbye to any kind of personal touch. No matter how many commercials show them taking personal care of you, the client, it’s just not going to happen that way. For one, you’re not a client, but a customer to them. You don’t represent the other end of a two way business relationship, between a specific tech and yourself. Instead, they have gone to great lengths to turn their techs into non-individuals. This is one of the reasons behind the uniforms. You’re not talking to John Smith of Such & Such Charlottesville Computer Services, but John the guy from the Geek Squad.
Don’t get me wrong, Best Buy and the Geek Squad have brought good things to Charlottesville when it comes to technology. Not only is Best Buy one of the best places to buy your technology devices, but the Geek Squad has brought a solid contender to the Computer Service industry. This competition only makes other Charlottesville Computer Services better.
My favorite part about the Geek Squad is the fact that they reside with Best Buy. This allows for great extended warranty service when you make a purchase at their store. Sure, you have to buy the extended warranty, but most of the service is done in-house which allows for a (sometimes) quick turn around.
My last gripe about the Geek Squad is two fold. I’ve had quite a few past computer consulting clients tell me their Geek Squad horror stories. The first common complaint is that of slow response. Days and sometimes weeks have been the reported time of response. The second issue is the fact that when you DO obtain Computer Service from the Geek Squad and you call back to talk about the service, you almost NEVER talk to the actual tech. Depending on who you call, you may get a Geek Squad geek or just a Best Buy employee with no computer experience. Even if they do get the right tech on the phone, it can be quite frustrating if you had to be transferred time and time again to get there.
The Small Business Charlottesville Computer Tech
You could say that I’m partial to this type of tech, but it’s not for the reason you may be thinking. Sure, I was one myself for a half a decade, but now that I’m out of the business I can see even MORE of the advantages of finding the right Charlottesville computer service.
Knowing what I know now, if I were in need of a Charlottesville Computer service business I would be on the look out for a small business tech, not a geek from a big company. People prefer to have direct access to their tech and to know that they have a vested interest in making them happy. Sure, John from the Geek Squad does too, but not NEARLY as much as John Smith of Such & Such Charlottesville Computer Services. Remember, customer vs client. There’s a BIG difference!
Also, I’ve found that the Small Business Charlottesville computer tech is generally going to be MUCH more affordable and they are usually as knowledgeable, if not much more knowledgeable. And don’t forget the fact that once you find the right Small Business Charlottesville computer tech, that will most likely be the tech you will work with from that point on. With something like the Geek Squad you won’t know who will be coming from one visit to the next.
Finding the right fit for YOU
No matter where you turn for Charlottesville computer services, don’t be afraid to turn somewhere else. Keep looking until you’ve found the fight fit for YOU. No single tech is ALWAYS the right tech for you. So be sure to take note of your experience each time they service your computers. And if something doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Often times it is just a misunderstanding that needs a little clarification. And if there IS an issue, try and resolve is quickly, or move on to another tech. You’re too busy and your time, too important, to waste working with the wrong computer tech. Once you find the right fit, your life will become MUCH easier when your computers start to complain.
