B/Net Systems

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a PR agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with B/Net Systems?

A lot of us work from different states. It was important to have everyone centralized online to avoid computer issues and ensure that our staff was updated and communicated with each other.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

B/Net Systems manage 12–15 computers for our company. Their efforts include keeping every computer updated and free of viruses.

What is the team composition?

We’ve been working with 3–4 people from their team.

How did you come to work with B/Net Systems?

We had other prior providers who weren’t responsive, so a partner referred them to me.

How much have you invested with them?

We invest around $10,000 a year with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2013, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’re delighted with their work; they invest in trying to solve any issue that may arise.

How did B/Net Systems perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re excellent and responsive; they get the work done and provide follow-up afterward to ensure that everything is done right.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

Their consistency in providing the same representatives is great; they know who to put on our team, which helps them get familiar with our systems and our employees.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s anything they can do better — they’re a great partner.

Any advice for potential customers?

It’s important that they understand your business and its needs — frank conversations are helpful to get the most out of their work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive at a trade association, which represents and advocates for companies from the information and communications technology industry on their behalf. We have large companies in our membership.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with B/Net Systems?

We don’t have an in-house IT staff, so we were outsourcing our IT services to another provider, but he had some issues, so we decided to switch to B/Net Systems.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

B/Net Systems manages all of our IT services, including security increases, Microsoft Office E5 licensing, and cloud services to get rid of on-site servers. We’ve also moved to SharePoint and Microsoft Teams, and they’ve been instrumental in helping us transition to those platforms.

In addition to that, they handle our daily help desk operation, including IT purchasing, computer setup, inventory management, and maintenance.

What is the team composition?

We have five people from their team working with us regularly, including Chris (Owner).

How did you come to work with B/Net Systems?

One of our former co-workers knew them from previous projects, and they decided to bring  B/Net Systems in.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $200,000–$300,000 with them so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2018, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Overall, we’ve seen a decline in our help desk tickets, which allows us to focus our time on more strategic projects. Our organization has grown in size and complexity thanks to B/Net Systems; we’ve expanded our staff from 35 to 55 in the last couple of years. They’ve also been able to step up and manage that increase without any hiccups. Another metric that we consider is that we haven’t had any security breaches thanks to the measures they’ve been taking.

How did B/Net Systems perform from a project management standpoint?

They provided us with a virtual CIO who spends five hours a week on our account. We have weekly meetings to roll through the tickets and focus on the projects we’re leading together. In addition to that, each time there’s a project incoming, they prepare our staff for it.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

They’re a talented, reliable, and trustworthy team. They’re also proactive, which adds a great value to our engagement — they have our success in mind, not just their own.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their help desk ticketing system works great, but sometimes they have several clients simultaneously; I’d say communication can always improve. It’s not something bad; it’s just going from good to great.

Any advice for potential customers?

They’re excellent listeners and good at understanding the information that a non-IT person is sharing, so taking the time upfront to walk them through your organization can be very helpful to make a plan that addresses your needs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive at an IT consulting firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with B/Net Systems?

We needed an overall IT support system for our organization.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

B/Net Systems provided assessment and recommendations for our IT structure; they were responsible for deploying all equipment, maintaining it, keeping it updated, and doing general services in that area. In addition to that, they did annual IT planning at a strategic level.

What is the team composition?

We worked with around 2–3 people from their team, including Christopher (Founder) and other IT support representatives.

How did you come to work with B/Net Systems?

They were already in our company when I joined, but I kept Christopher on retainer because he was a solid strategic consultant.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $50,000–$100,000 with them on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from February 2017–January 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We improved our customer service thanks to their work.

How did B/Net Systems perform from a project management standpoint?

They were solid in that area; we communicated via email, Zoom, and in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were pragmatic and flexible during our partnership; they were the perfect size for us, making it easy to work with them because they’re non-bureaucratic.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s anything they can improve on — it was a good service, and they delivered a good job.

Any advice for potential customers?

Meet the team you’re working with to have a good sense of the people involved in the project — have a point of contact with them because their work provides such a high value.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of a consulting firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with B/Net Systems?

I needed their technical expertise.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

My tasks multiplied as I started to engage more clients, so I needed a dedicated team to support other pipelines. B/Net Systems handled technical tasks, such as accessing files and conducting research. They also helped me handle a particular client project, which required email troubleshooting.

What is the team composition?

I worked with about eight resources from their team.

How did you come to work with B/Net Systems?

Two of my clients that had already used B/Net Systems' services referred their team to me.

How much have you invested with them?

Our monthly invoice amounted to $700 and was reduced to $300 during the last months of the collaboration.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our collaboration ran from November 2018–May 2020

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

B/Net Systems was a proactive partner that resolved technical issues within quick turnaround times. I was satisfied with the monthly results they delivered throughout our engagement.

How did B/Net Systems perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via phone calls and conducted virtual meetings. B/Net Systems had reliable project management skills. Additionally, they had an impressive response rate, which helped us meet our timelines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

B/Net Systems was patient in addressing my client's needs and concerns, and I saw their commitment to helping me comprehend technical terms, issues, and processes.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to specify your needs. Don't be intimidated to communicate time-sensitive requirements, so their team can work on accomplishing those right away.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Executive Director of VisArts which is a nonprofit arts organization. Our mission is to transform individuals and communities through the visual arts. We offer arts education, gallery exhibitions, and studio artist residencies and fellowships.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire B/Net Systems?

BNet was hired for the management of our IT needs. This includes computers, wireless, Office 365, etc.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

BNet was highly recommended by a previous provider. We selected BNet because of its customer service, organization, easy access to support, and cost.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

VisArts has 15 employees and relies on technology for much of its work including class and camp registration, event rental contracting and invoicing, payroll and hr services, online instruction and remote work. BNet provides oversight, guidance, and maintenance of our hardware and software. They conducted staff training on Office 365 immediately prior to the shutdown due to COVID.

For much of the past year, many staff worked remotely and we offered many of our programs online. Connectivity, ease of access, updated computer equipment, and staff support have been extremely important during this time.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

VisArts staff have worked primarily with three or four representatives from BNet including Pam Luskin, Chris Dean, Victor and Aloys.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

VisArts' ability to quickly pivot during COVID is due in large part to our ability to move to virtual and online programming. BNet made sure our computers were up to date, protected and provided guidance to staff on how to best utilize IT for its new business model.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Bnet's ticketing system is top notch. Staff find it easy to report an issue, appreciate the immediate response with a ticket number, and the quick follow up from staff. This is something that many other vendors have not yet mastered.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Ticketing system is excellent. Custom service is fabulous and follow up is excellent. I also appreciate the yearly review meeting we have with Chris Dean and Pam Luskin where we are presented with a summary of the year's IT issues and a look ahead with excellent guidance and suggestions so that we are keeping up with best practices.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

No ideas for improvement. Their team has been terrific.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, a trade association. We’re based in Washington, DC, and we have a six-people staff.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with B/Net Systems?

We’re a small association, and we don’t have in-house IT support, so we’ve been working with B/Net Systems to cover that department.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

B/Net Systems provides us with complete IT support. This goes from strategizing our computer and data management IT needs to ongoing routine maintenance support. They also help us troubleshoot problems that arise.

B/Net Systems has also helped maintain our information secure, whether we’re in the office or working remotely. They assist us with security issues and help us back up our information.

What is the team composition?

Normally, I work with 1–2 people from B/Net Systems.

How did you come to work with B/Net Systems?

I think they were a referral. I don’t remember who referred them to us, but they immediately fit our needs. Although they had a lot of experience, they were willing to work with a small organization like ours.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend approximately $10,000–$15,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with B/Net Systems for over 10 years.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

B/Net Systems has definitely improved our productivity. They’ve made sure that we had no interruptions in our ability to work, and they’ve helped us with our data management.

How did B/Net Systems perform from a project management standpoint?

B/Net Systems is very reliable. As a small organization, we don’t have time to check on things and remember maintenance tasks. They’re very good about making sure that we’re in good communication about our bigger picture needs and not just our everyday tasks. We communicate mostly via email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

B/Net Systems’ team has very nice people. They really care about the little constant challenges of dealing with IT. There are always unexpected problems, and they’re very pleasant, fast, and easy to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The billing process could have been improved in the beginning. We’re a small organization, so we come up with a budget. Every once in a while, we happened to go over our monthly allotment, and I found out that we could have managed that a little differently.

Sometimes, we had a few hours left on our monthly contract, and we were working on some projects. If I knew that we were about to hit the hours limit, I could just have put off the project at hand until the next month to avoid overcharges. However, I didn’t know that initially, so it would have been helpful to know it in advance.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be specific about your needs, and be open about brainstorming them with B/Net Systems.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of a trade association that represents the semiconductor industry. I’m also the COO of a trade association that represents the franchise industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with B/Net Systems?

In both organizations, we were looking to outsource our IT services. When I started at one of the organizations, it had just been a victim of a ransomware attack. We dug into the issue and found that our infrastructure, which had been overseen by internal employees, wasn’t secure. We needed to address this issue with a professional team. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’re a full-service IT provider. Their team oversees our infrastructure, handles our network, offers help desk services, performs software updates, and generally manages our entire tech infrastructure for both organizations.

Additionally, they’ve conducted site surveys and oversaw network cabling services, which were handled by a team they outsourced. They also helped us acquire internet services and configured our wireless network. Throughout our work with them, they’ve done both on-site and remote work. 

Their team was key in providing us helpful recommendations to tighten up our network security and assistance in choosing an association management system. Currently, they’re working with us on implementing a new accounting system. We’re always improving and updating our systems together.     

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Chris (Owner), but there are probably about 6–7 other people working on our systems.  

How did you come to work with B/Net Systems?

I’ve known the head of their company for about 25 years — he used to work for me as an employee. Because I knew him well, I felt comfortable calling him in for the project. I told him that we had a catastrophe, and they examined and fixed the issues phenomenally well.  

How much have you invested with them?

At this point, we’ve probably spent over $1 million with them. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since around January 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

They started working with us when our IT infrastructure and security were essentially nonexistent. Now, everything is in place. Our network and computer systems all work, and I believe everything is generally secure.   

How did B/Net Systems perform from a project management standpoint?

They were excellent from a project management standpoint. I talk to Chris all the time. We’ve met in person, had phone calls, spoke on Zoom, and whatever else has been needed. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Chris is unbelievably detail-oriented. I have complete trust in him because he never drops the ball. I would never bring a partner that was anything less than excellent to my clients, and I’ve had them support three separate clients. Their reliability and follow-through really make them stand out.   

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing they could do differently. Of course, they’ve made some mistakes in the past. However, they always fix them. They learn from and correct any mistakes they make, which is all you can ask for.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Hire them. If they don’t know something, they let you know and find out how to do it at a reasonable price. Engage them — they’re going to be very good for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a customer service representative at a production and installation company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with B/Net Systems?

We needed their team to handle our server issues.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

B/NET Systems optimized our native application by making it iOS-compatible. We’ve had recurring issues that compromised the app’s quality in an iOS environment, and their team has set up the server and its backups for us to ensure that the latter problem is resolved.

At present, their team provides us with site maintenance services to ensure our app’s seamless operation.

What is the team composition?

We worked with about five resources from B/Net Systems, including Volkan (Manager).

How did you come to work with B/Net Systems?

We were looking for potential agencies to partner with when we found B/Net Systems’ team through our partner companies. We shortlisted three companies, but it was their team’s services and qualifications that stood out to us.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $4,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We kicked off the engagement in March 2020, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Our users kept experiencing a lot of downtime in the app before due to numerous server issues, including its incapacity to accommodate the iOS system. However, B/Net Systems efficiently resolved those issues and transformed our platform into a more user-friendly and fully functional one. 

Throughout our partnership, they’ve proven themselves to be true experts at what they do, and this expertise has positively impacted our company.

How did B/Net Systems perform from a project management standpoint?

B/Net Systems is a reliable team that addresses all our queries and app issues within an impressive response rate. We have a ticketing system that allows us to send edit or follow-up requests to their team depending on urgency, and they always make sure to contact us and accommodate any concern we may have. In general, we’re pleased to be working with such a professional team that takes all our needs into consideration.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re most impressed with their quick response time and communicative nature.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I haven’t encountered any aspects that need improvement. B/Net Systems is a very adaptable team that’s always willing to deliver creative solutions for us, and we’re grateful for our continued partnership.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Cooperate well with their team and value their suggestions. You’ll make the most of your collaboration with B/Net Systems if you communicate as eagerly as they do.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of NMPA

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Trade Association

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire B/Net Systems to accomplish?

• Manage all systems

SOLUTION

How did you find B/Net Systems?

Referral

Why did you select B/Net Systems over others?

High ratings

How many teammates from B/Net Systems were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Outside vendor for all tech

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Operation of all tech running smoothly

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes.  Very responsive.

What was your primary form of communication with B/Net Systems?

In-Person Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their good customer service stands out.

Are there any areas for improvement or something B/Net Systems could have done differently?

No