LME Services

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a small law firm in Northbrook, Illinois. Our practice is concentrated in the areas of education, mental health, and disability law. We opened our practice in June 2017.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire LME Services?

We hired LME to assist our firm in all aspects of IT consultation for opening the firm.

What were your goals for this project?

We are not IT savvy people and wanted the best equipment within our budget with the easiest set-up and usage possible, so we could focus our time on our legal clients.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were a referral.

Describe the project in detail.

We consulted with LME and they provided the IT expertise. They helped us choose the best IT equipment and set it up for us. They consulted us to purchase the optimal technologies and made it very easy for us.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with two of their IT specialists.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The entire IT installation was incredibly smooth and stress-free. We are very happy with all of the equipment, software, and support we have received from LME.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our workflow was very effective. They were incredibly communicative and always responded on the same day.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their customer service was incredible and they made sure our equipment was very user-friendly.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, none that I could see.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of a real estate appraisal and consulting firm in Chicago.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire LME Services?

We have relied on LME Services for a variety of IT needs that have come up over the years including hardware & software purchases, network configuration, back-up/cloud options, web design, and emergency situations.

What were your goals for this project?

We were looking to rely on an outside company for all of our IT needs. We rely on LME Services for everything IT related, and they’ve been very responsive in every instance.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were referred to LME Services by an industry colleague.

Describe the project in detail.

LME Services has functioned as our IT resource for the past 15 years.

What was the team composition?

We work with Mr. Engleking and his assistant as necessary.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have remained loyal to LME Services for 15 years. We consider them our IT partner. They address all our needs effectively and efficiently.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We’ve worked very well together.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have substantial depth of knowledge. We’ve also really appreciated their ability to respond in a timely fashion.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, nothing comes to mind.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the controller of HR and IT for Lake Shore Country Club.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with LME Services?

We needed IT services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

LME assists with anything IT related that I can’t do. We have several computers in our building as well as a server. They generally keep me up to date on the newest technologies and the things we may need for security purposes.

We have also POS stations which we occasionally have issues with. If I can’t resolve the issue, I reach out to LME and they can remotely log in to the server and resolve the problem. Additionally, they check our backup once a week, and if there is an update that needs to be done, they take care of it.

What is the team composition?

LME is a fairly small company, so I’m in direct contact with the Leon (Owner, LME Services). He answers my calls day or night, weekends included. His son also works for him and they’re both extremely knowledgeable in IT.

How did you come to work with LME Services?

The person before me knew LME Services and had worked with them previous to his position here, so he contacted them and brought them on board. I’ve worked closely with LME Services for over 10 years.

How much have you invested in them?

We have them on a $3,000 retainer, though we usually spend approximately $750–$1,000 per month.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in 2005 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

You never know what’s going to happen with computers. When unexpected problems come up, I can reach out to them. Leon even called me back while he was vacationing and logged in remotely, which is a big deal for us because, as a country club, our hands are tied if our POS system goes down. Leon has also replaced my servers when they needed to be replaced, and it has been great to have him as part of my team.

How did LME Services perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re always ready and available. When Leon went on vacation, he made sure to let me know who my point of contact would be and made sure I was taken care of no matter what.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We get a personal level of interaction with them. They’re not like a big corporation, who you call and get an operator on the phone that may or may not resolve your issue. I always know who I am talking to with LME. Leon brought his son on a couple of years ago, and he’s been a true asset to him and to me here at the club.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’ve been very happy with their work. As long as they stay the same throughout our relationship with them, I’ll be satisfied.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

CJBS is a mid-size accounting firm that handles small to medium-sized tax work and consulting. I manage the internal IT work and consulting work lines.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with LME Services?

We needed IT consulting.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’re a one-stop shop. They’ve helped us with everything including SQL, Exchange, on-premise, active directory, cloud hosting, and migrations. When I wanted to upgrade our whole domain server and our exchange, they helped with that.

They are the reason why we ended up doing consulting services. We already have the relationship built for the tax work and we can use them for the tech. I refer them to my clients, and they help us with our internal systems as well.

What is the team composition?

I work with Joe (VP Business Development, LME Services), who is good with web design, marketing with Facebook, and social networking, and their founder who works more on the technical side of things.

How did you come to work with LME Services?

They were already in place before I was hired. I came in with the intention to swap out everything, but they were pretty easy to work, so I have continued working with them ever since.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together prior to 2010 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When we were hit with ransomware, we were back up quickly because of them. For accounting, everything is billed by the hour, so the fact that they helped us get back up the same day was a huge money saver. We had a couple terabyte file cabinet that exploded. They worked with the programmers and Microsoft SQL engineers to get that back up and going. There have been quite a few times when they have saved me. They come in when we have emergencies and perform really well. I’ve called them at 10:00 PM and they worked with me until 1:00 AM getting everything back up.

How did LME Services perform from a project management standpoint?

They take meticulous care of clients that we refer to them. We tell them what we want and they take care of everything.

I’ve used other consulting firms, and LME Services is much easier to work with. I can send them an email, text, or phone. They’re easy to get a hold of.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re always available and I don’t have to talk to a 1-800 service. They’re able to accommodate anything, which is convenient instead of being transferred to someone else. We can request their help with any project, and they’re able to handle it, or at least give me good guidance on it. They excel at anything that we ask of them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Tell them exactly what you want and they can make it happen.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of a nonprofit that builds and sells homes for families that can’t afford conventional mortgages. We also do work for people in the area that can’t physically or financially maintain their homes.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with LME Services?

We had been managing IT internally, but eventually decided to contract out installation and maintenance to a consulting company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

To begin, we wanted everything off our individual computers and onto a central server, which we purchased from them. They came to our office, installed it, and configured our network for easy use. We also rely on them for various day-to-day maintenance functions like hardware repair, system updates, and server security.

What is the team composition?

We work primarily with an account manager, but other team members are involved when we buy new equipment.

How did you come to work with LME Services?

They originally contacted us, and we interviewed them to get an understanding of their approach and the services they offer. They’re a smaller firm, and we felt they could provide a more personalized service than others.

How much have you invested with them?

They offer services at $50 per device, per month. We operate across three locations with 25-30 computers total, so we spend $1,250-$1,500 per month.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together about two years ago, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

From a personal standpoint, they’ve freed up a great deal of my time to focus on other priorities. The most important thing to us as a company has been their responsiveness. Any time we have an issue, they address it promptly and effectively. I can handle most smaller issues on my own, but when we have larger problems, even if they’re outside of what our contract defines with them, they’re always willing to help.

How did LME Services perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated over the phone and via email, and they would typically respond to any request within 30 minutes. We’ve been very pleased with their timeliness and professionalism.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We haven’t partnered with an IT group before, but they offer personalized, reliable services. At one point we switched to a voiceover IP system that wasn’t working correctly, and they suggested a hardware solution that fixed the issue right away.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Other firms provide more ongoing, hands-on maintenance solutions for larger companies that require continuous and active monitoring, but we’re a small firm, and LME provides exactly what we need. We’re very happy with the value they offer.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the controller for a private country club.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with LME Services?

My expertise isn’t in technology, so we needed a partner who specialized in that field.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

LME mainly works with our day-to-day user accounts and troubleshooting any issues, especially with our point of sale. They manage our server and our remote backup (on Carbonite). We have them do various projects related to our wireless, which is important in the hospitality industry.

What is the team composition?

We normally work with LME’s owner or VP of business development.

How did you come to work with LME Services?

They were referred to me when I worked at a different club. Our partnership went well, so we decided to work together again in my new position.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend around $1,500 a month.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since 2002.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

LME is an integral part of any IT project we undertake. Our industry isn’t typically on the cutting edge of technology, but LME keeps us current and implements reliable and competent tech. We’re happy with the quality of their services.

How did LME Services perform from a project management standpoint?

They communicate well and provide proper documentation. We mainly talk on the phone or email one another. They sometimes come into our office for meetings or projects.

What did you find most impressive about them?

LME is cost conscious—they don't implement the most expensive solution. They focus on finding a reasonable solution to whatever problem we’re trying to solve.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

They're considering new models with monthly subscription charges, so that’s something I’d suggest looking into.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head accountant at James G. Dades & Co. We’re a public accountant firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with LME Services?

We needed an outside company to manage our network and provide IT services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

LME designed our website. They continually provide IT support for our servers and desktop PCs. We call them to resolve any technical issues we might experience.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with their owner and VP.

How did you come to work with LME Services?

I can’t remember exactly. They were probably referred to us by a colleague.

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?

LME takes care of everything and we’ve never had a problem with them. They're very reliable and excellent with communication. We’ve received positive customer feedback regarding the site design and it definitely brings in more business.

How did LME Services perform from a project management standpoint?

They perform very well. We communicated through phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We haven’t worked with other IT vendors before, but LME offers an excellent service. They’re incredibly responsive and always available.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Chairman and CEO of Duane Morris LLP

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Duane Morris LLP, a law firm with more than 900 attorneys in offices across the US and internationally, is asked by a broad array of clients to provide innovative solutions to today's legal and business challenges.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire LME Services to accomplish?

• Lme services is entrusted with the management of our IT systems.

SOLUTION

How did you find LME Services?

• Online Search
• Clutch Site

Why did you select LME Services over others?

• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from LME Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

LME SERVICES serves as our outsourced IT company, diligently ensuring that our computers are equipped with the appropriate software and are free from glitches. They also provide us with comprehensive guidance on effectively utilizing our computer systems. 

Moreover, the LME SERVICES team takes care of keeping our desktop hardware up to date, ensuring that we have the latest technology advancements. Additionally, our servers are securely backed up in the cloud, relieving both LME SERVICES and us from the need to directly handle them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

LME SERVICES plays a crucial role in maintaining the smooth operation of our business. Thanks to their expertise, we have experienced reduced downtime, allowing us to focus on our core activities without interruptions. 

Furthermore, their diligent efforts have instilled a greater sense of security in our systems, mitigating potential risks and vulnerabilities. We appreciate the fact that LME SERVICES handles the intricate technical aspects, minimizing the knowledge and interaction required from our end. This streamlined approach has enhanced our relationship, as we can rely on their expertise and trust that our systems are in capable hands.

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

The communication within the LME SERVICES team is excellent. Whenever we reach out to them via email, they promptly create a ticket and respond to us promptly through phone or email, ensuring that our concerns are addressed in a timely manner. 

In cases where hands-on support is required, the team is willing to remotely access our computers and guide us through troubleshooting steps, actively collecting relevant information to better understand and resolve the issues at hand. This thorough approach allows them to gather the necessary insights to inform their ultimate solutions, ensuring effective problem-solving and resolution.

What was your primary form of communication with LME Services?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

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

LME SERVICES is not only helpful and effective in their work, but they also exhibit a friendly and approachable demeanor. Their team goes above and beyond to assist us with our IT needs, providing valuable support and solutions. Their expertise is evident in their ability to address our concerns and resolve issues efficiently. We greatly appreciate their helpfulness, friendliness, and overall effectiveness in delivering their services.

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

They are so great, I can’t think of anything specific for them to improve.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Our company is a tax accounting firm and I am the VP of Tax at the firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire LME Services?

Our company has hired LME Services for our all inclusive managed IT Services for our company.

SOLUTION

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

We selected this vendor due to their outstanding reputation in the community and their diligence in their services provided.

Describe the project in detail and walk through their service package.

LME Services manages all of our IT hardware, software and tech support needs.

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

I have worked with two of the members of the vendors teams, I believe both of the members were owners of the company.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

LME Services has successfully managed our IT Services, and provided timely support for an tech issues we have.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow between our teams has been extremely effective as the communication response time from the vendor has been extremely responsive.

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

The company's knowledge of IT services, hardware, software, and troubleshooting expertise has been top notch.

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

LME Services has served us well to date, nothing of note they can improve on.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the owner of Prairie Contractors, Inc, a mid-size general contractor firm. We complete ground-up construction, tenant finish-outs, and remodel projects for national accounts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire LME Services?

We engaged LME Services to maintain our servers and implement Microsoft Office 365 in our system.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted an IT partner to maintain all our in-house and mobile IT needs with minimal downtime.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them through a recommendation.

Describe the project in detail.

LME Services provides ongoing IT management. They support our servers and Office 365 system.

What was the team composition?

We work with a dedicated project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our server runs smoothly. LME Services resolves any day-to-day IT issues quickly.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The team has excellent communication.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They respond quickly to any issues and bring potential concerns to our attention in advance.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we’re happy with their work.