Linda posted on February 16, 2010 01:54
Every industry has its own jargon and technology is certainly no exception - in fact, we may be one of the worst offenders!
If you don't understand the solution being proposed, then ask to have it explained to you in terms that you can understand. If the prospective computer support company can't do that, then don't hire them.
They should also be able to give you alternative solutions and educate you about the pros and cons of each solution. The best solution may not be the one that has the lowest upfront cost. Likewise a more expensive solution may have lots of additional features, but if they aren't features that will benefit you, you shouldn't spend the extra money.
A good computer support company will want to make sure you understand the decisions you are making. The very best companies will want you to make the decision that is the best one for you, even if it is not the most profitable one for them.
Don't be afraid to ask for explanations of terms or parts of the project in 'layman's terms' if they aren't clear to you. Ask questions like "Tell me why this is absolutely necessary." or "What does that mean exactly?", or "Explain to me exactly how this will work once the project is completed."
By doing this you will avoid expensive 'misunderstandings' that can pop up in the middle of a project putting you way over budget.