| Your client has agreed to hire you for a managed | | | | emergency service. |
| network services project, and you're ready to start | | | | As a provider of network services, you know you'll |
| ordering the necessary equipment and software and | | | | do what you're asked to do - but you want to be |
| developing your implementation plan. But before you | | | | sure your clients do exactly what's expected of |
| do, there's one very important detail you need to | | | | them as well. A network consulting services contract, |
| take care of first: securing your client's signature on a | | | | or customized contract template, typically includes |
| network consulting services agreement. | | | | specific things that the client must do or provide in |
| A contract for network consulting services governs | | | | order for you to complete the job. For example, you |
| the relationship between you and your client, clearly | | | | may need a key-card to gain access to the facility at |
| defining expectations on both sides so that there are | | | | specific hours, or you may need the client to pay for |
| no surprises down the line. Every time your company | | | | the required hardware or software by a specific date. |
| provides managed network services involving design, | | | | It's also common to outline in your network service |
| installation or maintenance, you need the protection | | | | provider agreement all expenses that the client is |
| of a solid contract. | | | | responsible for and to provide any supporting |
| You could hire your own lawyer to write one up, but | | | | documentation related to the job. |
| a more affordable approach is to use an existing | | | | Your managed network services agreement might |
| template contract for network service providers. | | | | also include a disclaimer that you cannot guarantee |
| Using a template guides you through defining the | | | | the stability, safety and security of the network, and |
| scope of services that you will perform on an | | | | state that you are not liable to the client for loss of |
| ongoing basis for your client, and helps ensure that | | | | profit, revenue or data. A contract might also have |
| you've addressed the most common variables | | | | clauses to protect any confidential information you |
| inherent in the project. | | | | share with the client and to prohibit the client from |
| The idea is to clearly establish the rights and | | | | hiring away your employees. |
| responsibilities of each party over the term of the | | | | Having a legally sound network consulting services |
| agreement, reducing the possibility of any | | | | contract, signed by both parties, can protect you |
| misunderstandings that could arise from a lack of | | | | from financial and material losses. It also establishes |
| communication. | | | | price and payment terms, sets a clearly defined term |
| What should your networking consulting services | | | | for the agreement, and describes the process that |
| agreement include? First, it should establish clear | | | | either party must take to terminate the contract. |
| communication and client expectations by providing a | | | | A network service provider agreement ensures clear |
| clearly defined scope of work. A scope of work may | | | | communication with your client and gives you |
| include initial project setup, general maintenance and | | | | something to fall back on if things should get off |
| repair, hardware and software installation and | | | | track. By setting clear expectations at the outset of |
| troubleshooting, needs assessment, systems | | | | a project, you're much more likely to end up with a |
| integration, network security, data backup and | | | | satisfied customer and repeat business. |
| recovery, rapid-response service, and 24-hour | | | | |