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Businesses Frustrated by I.T. Services Have New Option
New business model means clients don't pay more when computers break down
February 20, 2006

Appleton, Wis. - Small business owners frustrated by spending too much time and revenue managing their computer systems are the target of a new Fox Cities business called TechNosis Inc.

Instead of using the traditional I.T. services model, in which customers pay technicians an hourly fee to make repairs, TechNosis partners Bob Pankratz and Kyle Restoule have developed a method of providing proactive I.T. support to companies that can't afford their own I.T. departments.

"I felt there had to be a better way to provide top-notch I.T. services to small businesses," said Restoule, who has worked for a traditional I.T. services firm but felt uncomfortable "only engaging with the customer when they were helpless."

Because TechNosis clients pay a monthly flat fee, not a per-hour repair charge, TechNosis has a big incentive to keep its customers' systems up and running. "Our motivation is aligned with the business owner's-to have a bulletproof system that doesn't go down. We don't generate revenue when systems break," Restoule said.

To keep systems stable, TechNosis uses a variety of regular diagnostic measures and maintenance tools. They call the program "TechGuard."

"No one else out there is doing something like TechGuard, with a focus on the smaller-sized organizations," Pankratz said. "Most I.T. consulting firms are structured so they can't effectively service fewer than 20 to 25 computers. They could do it, but it's not profitable for them, so they have to charge prohibitive fees. That creates a dilemma for the small business owner: either they forego I.T. services completely, or only buy the minimum. We're set up to fix that problem."

Pankratz and Restoule have experience at small companies as well as large corporations. "We've delivered efficient I.T. on a large scale. Now we want to bring those same benefits to smaller organizations," said Pankratz, who has held two director-level I.T. positions in manufacturing and engineering. "We see a large need that's not being filled."

With recent I.T. graduates often commanding salaries of $40,000 and up, plus benefits, most small and medium-sized businesses can't justify a full-time I.T. specialist. If a company does hire entry-level technicians, they often lack the necessary experience to address all facets of I.T. service, according to Pankratz.

"You might have learned how to install a server, but you don't come out of school knowing how to negotiate vendor contracts, draft a budget, or design ongoing support strategies," he said.

The flat-fee TechGuard program allows multiple small businesses to share the costs involved in having a full-service I.T. department. TechGuard includes tasks such as routine maintenance, updates, backups, vendor negotiation, software license management, disaster recovery and budget planning.

"It's like having your own I.T. staff in-house, but much less expensive," Restoule said. "Businesses don't end up paying $4000 because an emergency breakdown occurred. We take a hands-on, proactive approach so that breakdowns are minimized or eliminated."

Businesses that are using TechNosis' new way of providing I.T. services are happy with the approach.

One of TechNosis' first clients was GWS Supply Inc. When a new distribution system installed by another company was causing trouble, they called TechNosis for help. "TechNosis came on board, addressed the issues and got us back on track. Instead of fixing things after they break, they prevent problems in the first place," said Mark Meronek of GWS.

Another early client, Catalyst Performance Group of Appleton, needed a reliable networked environment to serve its business-to-business clientele. "In the past, we've paid high-end rates for inferior work by technicians we didn't trust," said Todd Hanson, Catalyst president. "With TechNosis, we get quality work and competent advice at a fair price."

That kind of feedback is the reason Pankratz and Restoule decided to start TechNosis. "We believe we're doing something unique. We're reinventing I.T. in a way that will be a huge help to small and medium-sized businesses," Restoule said.

For more information, contact Bob Pankratz or Kyle Restoule at TechNosis Inc., (920) 243-3518.



Home Services Partnerships Contact Us News	Businesses Frustrated by I.T. Services Have New Option New business model means clients don't pay more when computers break down February 20, 2006 Appleton, Wis. - Small business owners frustrated by spending too much time and revenue managing their computer systems are the target of a new Fox Cities business called TechNosis Inc. Instead of using the traditional I.T. services model, in which customers pay technicians an hourly fee to make repairs, TechNosis partners Bob Pankratz and Kyle Restoule have developed a method of providing proactive I.T. support to companies that can't afford their own I.T. departments. "I felt there had to be a better way to provide top-notch I.T. services to small businesses," said Restoule, who has worked for a traditional I.T. services firm but felt uncomfortable "only engaging with the customer when they were helpless." Because TechNosis clients pay a monthly flat fee, not a per-hour repair charge, TechNosis has a big incentive to keep its customers' systems up and running. "Our motivation is aligned with the business owner's-to have a bulletproof system that doesn't go down. We don't generate revenue when systems break," Restoule said. To keep systems stable, TechNosis uses a variety of regular diagnostic measures and maintenance tools. They call the program "TechGuard." "No one else out there is doing something like TechGuard, with a focus on the smaller-sized organizations," Pankratz said. "Most I.T. consulting firms are structured so they can't effectively service fewer than 20 to 25 computers. They could do it, but it's not profitable for them, so they have to charge prohibitive fees. That creates a dilemma for the small business owner: either they forego I.T. services completely, or only buy the minimum. We're set up to fix that problem." Pankratz and Restoule have experience at small companies as well as large corporations. "We've delivered efficient I.T. on a large scale. Now we want to bring those same benefits to smaller organizations," said Pankratz, who has held two director-level I.T. positions in manufacturing and engineering. "We see a large need that's not being filled." With recent I.T. graduates often commanding salaries of $40,000 and up, plus benefits, most small and medium-sized businesses can't justify a full-time I.T. specialist. If a company does hire entry-level technicians, they often lack the necessary experience to address all facets of I.T. service, according to Pankratz. "You might have learned how to install a server, but you don't come out of school knowing how to negotiate vendor contracts, draft a budget, or design ongoing support strategies," he said. The flat-fee TechGuard program allows multiple small businesses to share the costs involved in having a full-service I.T. department. TechGuard includes tasks such as routine maintenance, updates, backups, vendor negotiation, software license management, disaster recovery and budget planning. "It's like having your own I.T. staff in-house, but much less expensive," Restoule said. "Businesses don't end up paying $4000 because an emergency breakdown occurred. We take a hands-on, proactive approach so that breakdowns are minimized or eliminated." Businesses that are using TechNosis' new way of providing I.T. services are happy with the approach. One of TechNosis' first clients was GWS Supply Inc. When a new distribution system installed by another company was causing trouble, they called TechNosis for help. "TechNosis came on board, addressed the issues and got us back on track. Instead of fixing things after they break, they prevent problems in the first place," said Mark Meronek of GWS. Another early client, Catalyst Performance Group of Appleton, needed a reliable networked environment to serve its business-to-business clientele. "In the past, we've paid high-end rates for inferior work by technicians we didn't trust," said Todd Hanson, Catalyst president. "With TechNosis, we get quality work and competent advice at a fair price." That kind of feedback is the reason Pankratz and Restoule decided to start TechNosis. "We believe we're doing something unique. We're reinventing I.T. in a way that will be a huge help to small and medium-sized businesses," Restoule said. For more information, contact Bob Pankratz or Kyle Restoule at TechNosis Inc., (920) 243-3518.
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