As TSI has watched our customer's
computer technology usage evolve, we have noticed the scope
of technology related issues that out customers have
regularly asked TSI for help with have gone beyond fixing
down networks. Increasing use of these systems with more
sophisticated applications, and the growth of Internet
access and security needs, has lead to a growing number of
requests to "modify" the "system's" configuration. These
"modification" requests can range in scope from a request to
load a new piece of software, to moving and upgrading of
workstations, to modifying switch, router, Internet access,
or firewall configurations.
At the request of our customers, TSI has
evolved its Network Management Support Plan to a more
comprehensive general Technology Support Plan (TSI). This
service will provide ongoing technical support for all
aspects of a customer's "system" but not necessarily be
limited to "fixing" computer networks that are "broken". We
believe this offers our customer's greater flexibility and
value in meeting their ever-changing needs.
TSI Plan benefits to the customer:
- Provides for an organized process
for insuring maximum productivity, and minimum "down
time" for the customers technology users by providing
expert technical support and assistance to customer
personnel.
- Provides for proactive management
assistance, from expert technical staff, to help
identify potential issues and help avoid network
problems before they occur.
- Provides priority scheduling for
response to customer's support needs with TSI staff over
non-support plan customers.
- Provides single annual billing for
budget purposes for the most technology support
expenses.
- Provides for a discounted service
rate on billable hours beyond the contract hours.
Basics of the TSI Program:
TSI will provide technical support
services for a customer building's entire computer and
computer network related equipment. We will deliver the
requested support services to the customer in one of three
forms:
- Off-sit telephone support - this
includes research with the appropriate vendor(s) and
communication with customer personnel.
- On-site technical support.
- Electronic technical support via
the internet
Whenever appropriate, TSI will deliver
the requested support services via remote telephone support,
or remote electronic support to improve support response
times and get to a resolution of the customer's problem
faster.
The initial number of on-site, remote,
or electronic technical support hours available to a
customer under the TSI plan is 20 hours. These hours may be
used at the discretion of the customer.
The types of support available include:
Software Maintenance Update/Upgrade
Installation: Visit to install all available
updates/upgrades to Novell NetWare, Microsoft Windows NT,
Windows 2000, Windows 2003 server and application software.
Updates are software enhancements generally available at no
cost to registered users of that software and are usually
released to correct defects in that software. Upgrades are
functional enhancements to a piece of software that are
available to registered users of that software for a fee.
TSI will provide available updates for NetWare, Microsoft,
and IBM products. The customer will be responsible for
obtaining all available application software
updates/upgrades before a TSI on-site visit.
Infrastructure Equipment Maintenance:
Provide assistance in modification to infrastructure
intelligent devices (switches, routers, firewall, cache
engines, wireless access points, VPN devices, etc.)
configurations. Provide for assistance in diagnosis and
troubleshooting problems in the network with these devices.
Installation of all vendor provided software updates /
upgrades for these devices to either correct defects or add
new functions. The customer will be responsible for
maintaining all original equipment contract agreements with
the manufacturer to entitle access to obtain software
updates/upgrades before a TSI on-site visit.
File Server Usage/Audit: Use of tools to
provide a report of file server usage and user security
status. Potential security violations will be uncovered and
corrected. Server usage over time will be tracked and hidden
potential problems can be identified and recommendations on
improving your network performance will be suggested.
Computer/Network Hardware/Software
Problem Diagnosis: Problem determination and diagnosis of
computer/network performance and application functionality,
when operating system or application software problems are
encountered. TSI will provide installation of vendor
supplied updates to correct the failure.
Network Hardware/Software Catastrophic
Failure Support: Regeneration of the Novell NetWare,
Microsoft Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 2003 server
operating systems and restoration of customer backups,
including system parameters, programs, data files, and
environment. The customer is responsible to be able to
produce an available good backup tape for the system at the
time of failure.
File Server / Workstation Configuration
Support: Reconfiguration of the file server or workstation
configurations as required. Examples of tasks to be
performed are, but not limited to:
- Installation of new software
application products. Such products may be local,
network, local or network CD, Windows, Non-Windows, etc.
- Installation of new workstation
accessory products such as modems, printers, scanners,
etc.
- Assistance in relocation of
existing workstation equipment.
This includes regeneration of
workstation boot images, creating of print stations, and
changes to the system and user login scripts.
Cable System Problem Determination:
Cable testing and performance verification, as required, for
most network cable systems including token ring, coax, and
twisted pair (shielded and unshielded).
Limitations on use of On-site Technical
Support Time
On-site technical support time may be
used for any reasonable issues requested by the customer.
On-site technical support time may not be used for
installation of new computer workstations, file server, or
network infrastructure equipment. Installation of new
equipment is covered under separate pricing schedules from
TSI.
Pricing Information:
Please call for current pricing
information.
If multiple buildings in a single
customer are in the plan, the on-site technical hours may be
combined for the entire customer and be used in whichever
building(s) the customer requires.
Prerequisite Conditions TSI support
under a Technology Support Plan
- Remote Electronic Support - The
customer must have a workstation with a live externally
accessible Internet connection and remote communications
software. TSI will configure the customer supplied
appropriate software on the customer supplied
workstation to allow TSI staff to access the network and
do problem determination and resolution, on-line from a
remote location.
- Designation of Customer Contact -
The customer will designate an individual to be the
contact person (and one backup) between the customer and
TSI for all matters related to the delivery of technical
support under this plan. The contact person will be the
only person allowed to request support services from
TSI. TSI will obtain authorization from this individual
before commencing any work against this agreement.
- System Inspection - A
computer/network system inspection, which involves an
additional fee, may be required before commencement of
this agreement. This will generally be required if the
customer building requesting support does not contain a
computer network that was installed or is currently
being maintained by TSI. Please contact a TSI
representative for more details.