frederick
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 154
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ
Starting earlier last month, we sent the majority of our clients who have been with us for the last 6+ months a technical survey. Then about a week ago, we met with a some of them, and got a lot of input from them directly concerning their tech at a nice luncheon. These are companies ranging from 10 to 50 computers, a couple with more than 50, and then 0 to 15 servers. In all, you are looking at the responses from 28 companies. None of this is about their feelings about my company or how we did.
So here are some of our most interesting feedbacks received:
1) Given your current usage of the cloud, how has this impacted your ROI on your IT for the last year?
Those who switched their LOB only saw an average of 18% increase in their IT budget, and only an increase of 3% in profits.
Those who only use Cloud LOB, and some other cloud services (not specific) saw a 21% increase in their IT budget, and only an increase of 7% in profits. The ones with the greater profits were those who switched their accounting to the cloud, and linked it to their LOB software, etc.
Those who did not switch anything to the cloud (minus storage purposes only) and bought the software they use, saw a decrease of 4% on their IT budget and an increase of 21% in profits.
This makes me curious, so I looked in to it a little bit. Those who put the stuff they use to do work had things like downtime because of the provider, or changes on the interface meant a new learning curve, and another big complaint was speeds (not their ISP's, but the cloud provider). From the people who don't use the cloud to do work, they say the learning curve is easier for new employees who came from a cloud based system, response is immediate, and internet failures don't affect them (obviously).
2) Applies to those switching from Windows XP to Windows 7/8. After migrating from Windows XP/Server 2003, how would you rate your ROI since the switch between March of 2013 to March of 2014?
Those who did their switch over a year ago have seen a noticeable positive increase in productivity, fewer issues with programs they were using on XP that they are still using on their newer systems, and overall better employee-computer relations (i.e. employees don't blame the computer anymore, just me...j/k).
Those who did the switch more recently have stated that getting work done has become easier.
Those who switched to windows 8 are still learning the new layout. We are working on that.
3) Those who switched to using tablets and mobile applications (part or whole) to do work, how would you rate your experience so far?
Those who wrote in stated they liked the mobile apps, allows them to work while on the move. But not working for extended periods of time. Short bursts if you will. They said it keeps them more connected to the office and lowered response times to addressing customer issues. AWESOME!!!!
Then the luncheon: We want them out of the office. More people not doing work, or struggling to get work accomplished because of eye strain, headaches, people walking around not paying attention, etc. Fine if they are out and about, but not while they are at work. Oh
It got more interesting at the luncheon...those who switched from iPads to Windows 8 tablet PC's love the fact they can take from the computer and put it on the tablet instantly, walk in to the board room and connect it straight to the TV no issue. Those with iPads
and said we want that....lol, I laughed when that was mentioned.
4) Those who switched from POTS to VoIP (not how I worded it to them), how would you rate your experience?
Many stated the same thing: no real cost difference in the end. But then they all said the same exact thing after that: call quality increased, phones got answered, easier to handle calls, able to transfer people to mobile phones, etc, etc, etc. Though they hate the costs (thought it would be way cheaper in the end), they ignore it because of what they can do now with the phones. One client said that instead of having a separate phone number for each department, there is 1 phone number. So when billing gets the call instead of sales, they don't have to give the caller a new number, they just transfer them.
5) Those who switched from Mac's to Windows, and those who switched from Windows to Mac's. This was interesting...
They all love Windows, even 8. Programs work, things work better, changes occur faster, the server is awesome and what it can do...etc....etc...etc....
Those who went to Macs want their Windows back. They don't like the new programs they have to use on the Macs, limited variety of programs compared to windows, and the network setup is not to their liking. Though they do like the iPad and the linked storage between the iPad and the network. I told them they can get that from their PC's as well. They went, and some are going to start budgeting for windows to come back in the next couple of years.
The complaint about the Macs was while they are nice, they don't see the benefit from a computer that costs more, but has less available programs they need. They like variety apparently. With those using the cloud, they've had issues with Safari and the cloud interfaces. Many said they don't think Macs make a good work computer at the end of the day.
6) Desktops, Laptops or Tablets for work?
This was a question based on how they feel about doing work, while staying mobile, etc, etc. Similar to #3 but a little different. This was at the luncheon we had.
They want the desktop to stay in the office. Plain and simple, very understandable. The medical practices love the tablets, makes it easier when seeing the patients. But then they put them down and finish up the work on a desktop computer, they say it is easier. Even when using the tablet bluetooth keyboard, it's either too sensitive or not very responsive. As for the mobile employees, tablets are a no. Too many end up getting broken, and need to be replaced. They want to keep the tablets for the mobile in the office, not the mobile out of the office. Laptops are great for the people out of the office and still need to be connected. Basically it came down to if you sit and do work, sit at a desktop. If you are up and seeing people, use a tablet. And if you go from location to location, use a laptop.
7) Collocation, Cloud, and Onsite switching experiences (not about ROI):
Those who switched from Onsite to Collocation said that there was a difference in speed, but no real affect on the business or productivity.
From onsite to the cloud, they felt like they were not in control at all. One thing if the ISP went down and only one internet connection. But when the cloud provider went down, they'd have to submit a ticket, and usually were never told about what the issue was, or when it would be fixed. Limited capabilities, addons cost more, and usage affected cost in most situations.
From the cloud to onsite, absolute opposite responses. They love it more than the cloud.
No cloud to collocation.
From collocations to cloud, see the onsite to cloud experiences.
I thought it was really informative to get the responses I did. I'm curious if anyone else has received comments like this as well, or even different opinions about what is posted. Thought I'd also share what we gathered.
Other things we asked about were their experiences with the various ISP's they deal with, programs, providers, etc., etc.
So here are some of our most interesting feedbacks received:
1) Given your current usage of the cloud, how has this impacted your ROI on your IT for the last year?
Those who switched their LOB only saw an average of 18% increase in their IT budget, and only an increase of 3% in profits.
Those who only use Cloud LOB, and some other cloud services (not specific) saw a 21% increase in their IT budget, and only an increase of 7% in profits. The ones with the greater profits were those who switched their accounting to the cloud, and linked it to their LOB software, etc.
Those who did not switch anything to the cloud (minus storage purposes only) and bought the software they use, saw a decrease of 4% on their IT budget and an increase of 21% in profits.
This makes me curious, so I looked in to it a little bit. Those who put the stuff they use to do work had things like downtime because of the provider, or changes on the interface meant a new learning curve, and another big complaint was speeds (not their ISP's, but the cloud provider). From the people who don't use the cloud to do work, they say the learning curve is easier for new employees who came from a cloud based system, response is immediate, and internet failures don't affect them (obviously).
2) Applies to those switching from Windows XP to Windows 7/8. After migrating from Windows XP/Server 2003, how would you rate your ROI since the switch between March of 2013 to March of 2014?
Those who did their switch over a year ago have seen a noticeable positive increase in productivity, fewer issues with programs they were using on XP that they are still using on their newer systems, and overall better employee-computer relations (i.e. employees don't blame the computer anymore, just me...j/k).
Those who did the switch more recently have stated that getting work done has become easier.
Those who switched to windows 8 are still learning the new layout. We are working on that.
3) Those who switched to using tablets and mobile applications (part or whole) to do work, how would you rate your experience so far?
Those who wrote in stated they liked the mobile apps, allows them to work while on the move. But not working for extended periods of time. Short bursts if you will. They said it keeps them more connected to the office and lowered response times to addressing customer issues. AWESOME!!!!
Then the luncheon: We want them out of the office. More people not doing work, or struggling to get work accomplished because of eye strain, headaches, people walking around not paying attention, etc. Fine if they are out and about, but not while they are at work. Oh
It got more interesting at the luncheon...those who switched from iPads to Windows 8 tablet PC's love the fact they can take from the computer and put it on the tablet instantly, walk in to the board room and connect it straight to the TV no issue. Those with iPads
and said we want that....lol, I laughed when that was mentioned.4) Those who switched from POTS to VoIP (not how I worded it to them), how would you rate your experience?
Many stated the same thing: no real cost difference in the end. But then they all said the same exact thing after that: call quality increased, phones got answered, easier to handle calls, able to transfer people to mobile phones, etc, etc, etc. Though they hate the costs (thought it would be way cheaper in the end), they ignore it because of what they can do now with the phones. One client said that instead of having a separate phone number for each department, there is 1 phone number. So when billing gets the call instead of sales, they don't have to give the caller a new number, they just transfer them.
5) Those who switched from Mac's to Windows, and those who switched from Windows to Mac's. This was interesting...
They all love Windows, even 8. Programs work, things work better, changes occur faster, the server is awesome and what it can do...etc....etc...etc....
Those who went to Macs want their Windows back. They don't like the new programs they have to use on the Macs, limited variety of programs compared to windows, and the network setup is not to their liking. Though they do like the iPad and the linked storage between the iPad and the network. I told them they can get that from their PC's as well. They went
, and some are going to start budgeting for windows to come back in the next couple of years.The complaint about the Macs was while they are nice, they don't see the benefit from a computer that costs more, but has less available programs they need. They like variety apparently. With those using the cloud, they've had issues with Safari and the cloud interfaces. Many said they don't think Macs make a good work computer at the end of the day.
6) Desktops, Laptops or Tablets for work?
This was a question based on how they feel about doing work, while staying mobile, etc, etc. Similar to #3 but a little different. This was at the luncheon we had.
They want the desktop to stay in the office. Plain and simple, very understandable. The medical practices love the tablets, makes it easier when seeing the patients. But then they put them down and finish up the work on a desktop computer, they say it is easier. Even when using the tablet bluetooth keyboard, it's either too sensitive or not very responsive. As for the mobile employees, tablets are a no. Too many end up getting broken, and need to be replaced. They want to keep the tablets for the mobile in the office, not the mobile out of the office. Laptops are great for the people out of the office and still need to be connected. Basically it came down to if you sit and do work, sit at a desktop. If you are up and seeing people, use a tablet. And if you go from location to location, use a laptop.
7) Collocation, Cloud, and Onsite switching experiences (not about ROI):
Those who switched from Onsite to Collocation said that there was a difference in speed, but no real affect on the business or productivity.
From onsite to the cloud, they felt like they were not in control at all. One thing if the ISP went down and only one internet connection. But when the cloud provider went down, they'd have to submit a ticket, and usually were never told about what the issue was, or when it would be fixed. Limited capabilities, addons cost more, and usage affected cost in most situations.
From the cloud to onsite, absolute opposite responses. They love it more than the cloud.
No cloud to collocation.
From collocations to cloud, see the onsite to cloud experiences.
I thought it was really informative to get the responses I did. I'm curious if anyone else has received comments like this as well, or even different opinions about what is posted. Thought I'd also share what we gathered.
Other things we asked about were their experiences with the various ISP's they deal with, programs, providers, etc., etc.
