FAQ's

How long have you been trading...?

Since 1982. Originally we were two people specialising in obtaining data from blood spectrometers to save onto Bondwell computers via a serial cable onto 5¼" floppy discs. Sub-contracted by MAFF, as it was know then, this then progressed to installing simple IPX based networks based on Novell's architecture all over the country for the Veterinary Investigation Service.

What is the largest site you manage...?

We have a number of large sites. We would class large as being in excess of 50 systems. The largest site we manage has about 160 devices (p.c.'s, laptops, servers, printers, tills etc). and is a £80 million business based in Wrexham. Incidentally we started with them in 1995 when their turnover was £500k. We like to think that their success is in no mean part due to our support..!

Would you supply and look after just one system...?

Of course.. Our policy has and always will be that whatever we supply and/or install gets maintained by us for a full 12 months.

Would you take on equipment that wasn't bought from you...?

Yes... but with caveat's. We look after a small number of sites that employ Dell computers or other equipment that we would not normally stock. Under those circumstances all our work is carried out on a "best endeavors" basis. This means that sometimes we are in hands of an unfamiliar manufacturer where we are very dependent on their quality of service which in turn reflects on ours. However, as our support includes a repair/replace clause you would be left with a loan unit while we resolve the problem.

What are your response times...?

Like most service providers our contract states 4 hours on servers & 8 hours on workstations for a physical call out. Having said this we know that when a server fails "it is all hand's to the pump" and would aim to have someone on site within an hour. With regard to workstations, and as we have sufficient mobile engineers, we are happy to let our clients dictate how fast a response they require for a workstation or peripheral failure.

As many of the calls to our support desk don't require a call out and with the benefit of broadband allowing us remote access to our clients equipment we tend to deal with these calls immediately while you are on the phone.

Are there any limits to the numbers of calls I can make...?

No.. We are your IT department. There are absolutely no limits to the number of calls you can make.

Do you provide 24/7 support...?

Yes we do. At present we only have 2 x clients that require this premium  level of service, both large hotels. The majority of our clients only require our standard level which is Monday to Friday 9 to 5.30

So does this mean that if my server is not repaired in time the engineer goes home at 5.30...?

Absolutely not...! All our engineers understand that we stay until the job is finished. There has been more that one occasion when we have remained on site  until the early hours of the morning.

Would you respond to items not under a maintenance contract..?

Yes... but clients with a maintenance contract would naturally take priority.

Which operating systems do you support...?

Only Microsoft. We used to specialise in Novell and we have had a good look at Linux, however while these operating systems certainly have their benefits the sheer versatility plus available 3rd party software that is fully functional with the Microsoft OS makes this the OS of choice for most consumers and we would sooner be a master of one rather than a "jack of all" trades.

Why would I get you to do my cabling...?

As part of our maintenance we also support the cabled infrastructure in the same way. As experienced network technicians we know what cabling topology we would want to see installed in order to supply a stable network.

I am looking to make major changes but cash flow is tight. What can I do...?

Managing cash flow is of major concern to many within the business community today and leasing equipment is an extremely popular solution. To that end and as a licensed credit broker, CATalyst Systems offers leasing facilities for all equipment in excess of £ 1500  to businesses that have traded for 3 years or more. This is can be spread over a 1,2 or 3 year term at the end of which title of the goods can be transferred to you while still taking advantage of the tax benefits that leasing offers.

I am interested in what you have to offer. Can you come and have a chat with me...?

Of course... Our technical sales engineer will call to see you to discuss your current and future requirements. With your permission he/she will ask to do a full site survey and from there a full report will be dawn up along with recommendations. There is no charge for this nor is their any "high pressure" sales or obligation to proceed. We feel that the quality of the report that we will provide will convince you that we have the experience and qualifications necessary to provide the solution you require. So go ahead... test us....

Contact Technical Sales now on

01745 816611

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Technical Sales