SQL Server Support Types & Price Specifications

At sqlfingers, we don't really have any 'fixed' prices. Every customer is different, and we don't believe you can create 'fixed' categories to equally meet everyone's needs. Instead, our rates are agreed upon after we speak to our Customers and develop a better understanding of the project(s) at hand.

The following points are standards in all of our Agreements: 

     - 1hr initial consultations are free ~ 708.277.8933

     - Five different support types are provided:

     1. T&M (Time & Materials) – The most basic option we have; Customer calls when something is needed, we work the problem until it is resolved.  An example T&M rate may be $165/hr for remote assistance, any day of the week, any time of the day. Customer is billed on an hourly basis, from start to completion. 

      2. 40/80/120 Hour Support Buckets – 'Support Buckets' are available at 40, 80 and 120 hours, at a discounted rate from the T&M.  For example, a $165/hr T&M rate may be discounted with these Support Buckets:

    40 Hours for $155/hour, a discount of $10 per hour
    80 Hours for $140/hour, a discount of $25 per hour

                    120 Hours for $125/hour, a discount of $40 per hour

      Customers may utilize the Support Buckets on an ‘as needed’ basis, for the support task of their choosing.  Additional Support Buckets can be purchased as needed, and each Bucket expires 6 months from the date of purchase.  Telephone and email support is also available within these buckets, from the hours of 10AM to 4PM EST, Monday through Thursday. 

      3. Fixed Price – This is a per-project basis, and only possible with a clearly   
  defined SOW (Statement of Work). 15% of the price is required at time of agreement;    Additional costs may be be charged if problems are encountered and additional needs are required.

       Fixed Price can also be used for recurring meetings or tasks.

         4. Managed Service Agreement – 24/7 proactive management and preventative maintenance support.  Costs are determined based on the number of instances being managed, and charges may vary based on the requirements per instance.  With a Managed Service Agreement, we require a service commitment of 6 months or more, and we provide the following types of SQL Server support services remotely:

        a.  Server Health Check / Assessment

              b.  Problem Management / Troubleshooting
        c.  SQL Server Maintenance / Monitoring
        d.  Performance Analysis & Tuning
        e.  Software Installation & Upgrades
        f.  HADR Installation / Support

              g.  24/7 SQL Server emergency support

                  ........ and more

      5. Onsite services – Onsite Support is also available, but prices are dictated based on priority, and the extent of services needed per day.  Travel expenses are included.

         * Payment terms for everything except travel and Support Buckets is net 7.  

         * Travel expenses are required pre-travel.

         * Payment for Support Buckets are required at time of agreement.

    * Electronic invoicing occurs the 1st and 15th of each month.  If either day is a
      holiday or weekend, invoicing will be submitted on the previous business day.

    * ACH is the desired method of payment. 

Otherwise, it's based on what you need.  I encourage you to take advantage of our free 30 minute consultation.  Give me a call.  We'll talk about your needs and put something together.