Unifi managed network switch

[javacontour]

So what do companies charge to manage the networks of small companies? It it a monthly fee of ?? Or an hourly fee when called that there is something wrong?

The church has said that they want to eliminate a single point of failure (me). And have a company be available to help if I was not available. Or maybe eliminate me and have a company handle it period.

I cannot see a company too interested if all they are hired to do is to look at the network if I was not available. But more likely to just charge a monthly monitoring fee plus hourly to install new hardware they supply at a markup.

The thanks for setting everything up and donating 1/3 the hardware

So what do companies charge to monitor the network of small companies?

No good deed goes unpunished.

Valid concern for a staffing/volunteer SPOF. However, a collaborative solution where your knowledge is considered and shared seems the way to go here.

Sorry you are experiencing this.

I know it's disappointing when one experiences this sort of thing in the house of worship.

 

[ka9mnx]

I would wash my hands and walk away. They need to learn a hard lesson the hard way.

 

[wwillson]

So what do companies charge to monitor the network of small companies?

When the equipment is already installed and that's what you want managed, it's called "Walk in and take over". We would change a minimum of $200/device/month for routers and switches plus an hourly rate for on site break fix. Access points, for < 100 would be around $25/AP/month plus an hourly rate for on site break fix. It's not cheap, but what it allows companies to do is get rid of staff that knows what they are doing and all those expenses that go along with those employees. The only knowledge the company needs is someone to open the front door when something breaks and someone to write a monthly management fee check.

 

[Donald]

When the equipment is already installed and that's what you want managed, it's called "Walk in and take over". We would change a minimum of $200/device/month for routers and switches plus an hourly rate for on site break fix. Access points, for < 100 would be around $25/AP/month plus an hourly rate for on site break fix. It's not cheap, but what it allows companies to do is get rid of staff that knows what they are doing and all those expenses that go along with those employees. The only knowledge the company needs is someone to open the front door when something breaks and someone to write a monthly management fee check.

So with a router and 2 switches and 10 access points that would be $850 a month?

And if a switch broke hardware wise and a replacement was needed they would be charged for the marked up price of the switch plus hourly rate to install?

The cost savings would be zero since I am a volunteer.

 

[wwillson]

So with a router and 2 switches and 10 access points that would be $850 a month?

Yeah, but it will be hard to find anyone willing to manage that few devices.

And if a switch broke hardware wise and a replacement was needed they would be charged for the marked up price of the switch plus hourly rate to install?

No, customer supplies new hardware from an approved list and acquires that hardware and we would come out and install it for an hourly rate. If we supply the hardware from the beginning, then there is no cost to the customer for a new device or the install. If we supply the routers/switches, then the monthly cost goes up considerably to something like $400/mo/router or switch depending on the size.

 

[Donald]

Yeah, but it will be hard to find anyone willing to manage that few devices.


No, customer supplies new hardware from an approved list and acquires that hardware and we would come out and install it for an hourly rate. If we supply the hardware from the beginning, then there is no cost to the customer for a new device or the install. If we supply the routers/switches, then the monthly cost goes up considerably to something like $400/mo/router or switch depending on the size.

The Unifi UDM Pro is about $400 to purchase.

I should open a company like yours in Delaware when I retire in a few months

 

[John105]

Sounds like an amateur co.

I learned a couple decades ago about change control. I made a change during business hours and brought the entire phone system down for maybe 9 min, costing millions of dollars of loss to my employer.

In reality the change control would have done nothing, but, it did bring awareness to me, and following processes. Today, my teammates do, what I did 20 years ago. They make changes during the day without going through the proper process. So as the saying goes, one can lead a horse to water.

It's the me gen. What's in it for me if I put the extra effort in and do it right? Nothing? Well....

 

[wwillson]

I should open a company like yours in Delaware when I retire in a few months

Remember the company I work for is a giant multi-national and we really only do big to huge deals.

 

[Donald]

Remember the company I work for is a giant multi-national and we really only do big to huge deals.

I need something other than my boat to occupy my time after retirement. Maybe small network management company for the less than huge deals.

 

[andrew_j]

It’s not a big deal if the “show” does not go on as expected unless the direct result is the church business (donations) is seriously impacted.

It might go fine!

 

[Donald]

I would wash my hands and walk away. They need to learn a hard lesson the hard way.

I am tempted to. Was told not to make any network changes.

I may say, "have whatever network management company you hire press the reset button on each Unifi device and define what they feel is needed".

I really think this has to do where church elders can decide what they want. Are not elected by members and basically not accountable to the church members. If they spend (waste) $100 or $500 or $1000 a month on network management few will know. Church members cannot see a detailed report of spending.

The dynamics could not be more different in the church camp where I handle all the technology including a WIFI network spanning several acres. But I have known many members for 65+ years. People appreciate the WIFI network where they can walk around the camp grounds and always have WIFI