ZAISP Computers

Services

ZAISP Computers will offer small office/home office business owners a quick-response, reliable source of technical help for their computers.

• ZAISP Computers will offer three main services - Hourly Technical Aid, Retainer contracts for specific skills or systems, and Project consulting.

• There appear to be four main classes of competition, the largest of which consists of individual proprietors and smaller consulting firms such as ZAISP Computers. The competitive edge for ZAISP Computers will be to expand on already existing relationships.

• ZAISP Computers will start with some basic sales literature, including logo and stationary, a brochure, and a basic web page. These will be self-designed and computer generated, of course.

• Fulfillment of services will be provided exclusively by ZAISP Computers owner.

• Technology is obviously a critical component of this business: It will be important to stay up to date on both equipment and knowledge to remain competitive in the future.

Detailed descriptions of these points are found in the sections below.

Service Description

ZAISP Computers will offer three main services, corresponding to what industry experts have identified as the primary opportunities in computer consulting:

1. Hourly (Temporary Technical Aid) - The less traditional sort of short term assignment helping a company solve a software or hardware related problem. Includes both emergency and non-emergency technical assistance.

2. Retainer (Specific Skill) - The more traditional form of consulting, including regular system maintenance, software and hardware upgrades, and network administration. The owner's particular area of expertise is in management consulting with regard to MIS.

3. Project (Bail-out or Specific Skill) - This will include such things as consulting on major purchases, system/network installation and testing, and major disaster recovery. 

Competitive Comparison 

There seems to be four major classes of competition in the local computer consulting industry:

• In-house MIS consultants - Usually employed by larger companies that can afford the fixed cost of a salaried or hourly employee.

• Individual proprietors & smaller consulting firms - As noted elsewhere in this plan, the bulk of Yellow Page advertisements are comprised of this group.

• Larger network and telecommunications consulting firms - Large, known-name companies such as Network One that specialize in providing total MIS services to larger companies that choose to outsource.

• Computer and electronics stores offering consulting services.

Of course, ZAISP Computers fits into the largest group as a sole proprietorship. The primary reason that customers would buy from ZAISP Computers rather than competitors is the existing relationships that exist. Customer loyalty and satisfaction are the way to success for small service businesses such as this.

Fulfillment

The fulfillment of services for ZAISP Computers is provided by the owner. The ultimate deliverable is the owner's expertise and problem solving ability, coupled with an open mind and ease of communication that will result in the customer's complete confidence in immediate and lasting results.

Technology

Technology is, of course, vital to the success of ZAISP Computers. It is imperative that the owner stay up-to-date on the latest technological developments in the computer industry. In addition, it will be important to devote a reasonable portion of each year's revenues toward upgrading the equipment and software used by ZAISP Computers in its normal operations

Market Analysis Summary

ZAISP Computers will adopt a fairly intently focused market strategy.
• A logical segmentation breaks the market down into the following: Home Office Businesses, Small Businesses, Medium Businesses and Large Businesses. Descriptions are provided below.

• The largest and most logical target markets for ZAISP Computers are the Home Office and Small Businesses. These businesses mostly have a need for temporary technical aid, usually billed at an hourly rate. Some opportunity does exist, however, for retainer and/or specific project contracts.

• While there are a fair number of competitors in the local area, they seem to be widely specialized and widely sized, leaving ample opportunity for ZAISP Computers to create and expand a niche in the chosen market segments.

• Finally worth noting is the growth trend for this market, estimated at around 9 to 10 percent annually through the beginning of the next century.

Target Market Segment Strategy

Entrepreneur Magazine suggests six market segments as a starting point:

• Businesses not using computers • Small entrepreneurial businesses using one or more computers

• Small to medium sized corps using computers on networks

• Large corps seeking problem-solving assistance (trouble-shooting) with specific projects

• Government agencies, corporations, and other organizations in search of computer training

• Businesses in search of custom computer programming services

ZAISP Computers will focus on the top market segments only - an intently focused marketing strategy.

Market Needs

According to Entrepreneur Magazine, experts in the consulting industry have identified three different opportunities that exist for computer consultants:

1.  Temporary Technical Aid

• Short term assignments finding solutions for businesses - this is noted as the largest market

2.  Specific Skill - the largest area is software specialty, the second largest area

• System setup & purchasing guidance

• Systems reengineering/optimization

• Network Admin

• Training

• Repair

• Database/Application development

• Data Storage

• Disaster Recovery

• Security/Data Protection

• Telecommunications

3.  Bail-Out (Trouble shooting) According to Entrepreneur Magazine, private home computer users are NOT a viable
market for computer consultants.