At Technologies4Targeting we want you to be completely satisfied and achieve the results you want at the cost you want.  Our approach to support matches that of our approach to software - there is no one size fits all solution.

Our packages are built and agreed with individual customers taking into consideration issues such as experience of personnel, diversity of software purchased and complexity of the application within your business.  

We reflect this by allowing you to choose an appropriate level of support which can also be combined with training as required.

Support can also be delivered through on-line web and video conferencing.

1.   Technical / Product
Technical / Product support is included with your software purchase unless otherwise stated. It covers the answering of technical queries relating to the installation and configuration of the software using supplied demonstration files (when available), the resolution of errors and software related problems where possible, the provision of bug fixes or workarounds (subject to availability from the software authors), together with the logging of enhancement requests.

The provision of software maintenance releases, upgrades, updates etc. will vary depending on the software author’s support policy or covered by: a) annual software support contracts, b) annual software licensing, or c) sold as an optional product upgrade when a new release becomes available.

Support is handled from our UK base and covers UK, European and partial USA/Rest of World office hours. All support is given via telephone, e-mail or web conferencing. We always aim to respond to your queries within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. After the first year, the provision of upgrades, updates, patches, etc. will vary depending on the software author's support policy. Where we can obtain these for you free of charge, we will do so, but should the author make a charge or where maintenance releases are provided as part of an annual renewable licence, then we will advise accordingly.  Whatever the case however, we will always provide FREE technical guidance and help where we can.

2.   Consultative
This extends technical / product support by providing assistance with job-specific tasks and includes the custom development and provision of set-up configurations, processes and methodologies, plus testing of configurations and installations using your own data. 
Consultative support also includes guidance on best practice and the experience of other users, customised documentation and/or help files reflecting customer-specific screenshots and system content together with customer-focused application support to optimise the use of the program and its associated functions for specific project challenges. 

The custom testing of software updates when changes or enhancements have been made at the customer’s request is also covered and technical response times reduced to within 4 - 8 working hours.

With consultative support you reserve a pre-agreed amount of consultancy time per month - typically averaging out at 1 day per month for a client who has purchased several software technologies and/or who requires regular 'data-storming' (a mix of data mining and brain storming) input.

The cost varies depending on the amount of time reserved together with the duration of the support contract which can be for 3 (the minimum), 6, 12 or 24 months. Should additional time be needed, this would be charged at the contract’s prevailing day rate, and subject to the support agreement in place we would allow a pre-arranged amount of unused time to be carried forward to the following month.

Once in place, you can usually reserve consultative time slots on as little as 8 hours notice although we would prefer as much warning as possible. This enables you to plan your major 'data related' activities and ensure that help and advice on methodology and application of the software is available when you really need it most.

This is very useful for system configuration, KbaseT solutions in particular, complex data cleaning, restructuring and record consolidation, development of procedures and syntax creation for statistical analysis, and the creation of process methodology or training documentation. This is our most popular consultative support package as it provides all of the benefits of full-scale consultancy but on a more flexible cost base. 

3.   Project
Geared towards highly complex implementation or an enterprise wide solution. Provided on either a ‘fixed project’ or ‘monthly fee’ basis, with duration and service level agreed in advance, man days can provided either ‘on’ or ‘off’ site.

Support could include on-line hosting and back-up together with data processing and supporting services. These could include data improvement and transformation, statistical analysis, training in software application, development and customisation of the appropriate Technologies4Targeting methodology to your business (data transformation/improvement, data analysis or database targeting/marketing), specification and testing of enhancements, custom development or software evaluation, etc. This package is typically used as an add-on to Technical or Consultative support. 

All of our support products are handled from a single contact point - saving you multiple calls to multiple software vendors - often across international time zones.

Technologies4Targeting are always willing, where possible, to provide help and advice as and when you need it, so if you require intensive support not covered by the above options, please feel free to contact us.  Optional on-line and remote access technical support can be provided via Internet, ADSL or dial-up modem connections, subject to task feasibility and communication software/firewall access availability. 

Operating system requirements

Most Technologies4Targeting software will operate successfully on a stand-alone desktop PC, networked PCs and notebook computers.

Whilst a limited amount of the software will still run well under Microsoft Windows 95, it is recommended that Windows 98, NT or preferably Windows 2000, Windows XP, 2003 (or later) is used for larger systems and more complex file processing.

For KbaseT and FastStats Discoverer solutions, Windows XP or 2000 is recommended for client computers and Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 Server or higher for the FastStats engine servers and for hosting the SQL Server database. Windows 2000 server (or later) is also recommended for your Internet Information Server.

System recommendations

To accommodate most of the software outlined - including data improvement and analysis data files of a few thousand records - end-user computers should include at least 256mb of RAM (or more) and 200-500 MB (or more) free disk space. A high quality graphics card is also recommended for charting and mapping applications.

For higher data volumes, Global Address and storage of very large KbaseT or FastStats marketing database/analysis systems, we recommend a larger amount of disk storage (5 - 10 Gigabytes - ideally more). Although these systems extensively compress their data, a system containing 60-70 fields, one million customers and five million transactions, can occupy between half and one Gigabyte. 

To refresh and build very large KbaseT, FastStats Weblink or FastStats Discoverer solutions internally (typically 10 million plus records), Technologies4Targeting use very high specification computers - usually with 1 - 2 GB RAM and 100 GB - 1000 GB disk storage.

Other systems will need to have hardware matched against business/user expectations and software overhead.  Where this is the case, Technologies4Targeting will advise accordingly and will provide the necessary functional specifications. 

If in any doubt please contact us on +44 1733 890790.