Benchmark North prides itself on complete and total support of ALL your ICT requirements. That’s right; all of your requirements. With over 12 years experience focused on ICT in education, our team has witnessed first hand the exponential growth and demand of ICT and has been developing all the necessary skills to be able to offer you their knowledge and expertise for today’s climate and for technologies on the horizon.
We believe that Benchmark North has now evolved so far beyond providing just ‘ICT maintenance’ to its clients. Our aim is to develop and support every facet of ICT that is relevant in YOUR establishment. Our broad range of skills includes cover of these key areas; Software, Hardware, Server technologies, Interactive Whiteboards, Projectors & AV Systems.
You can choose any of the following from our portfolio of contracts:-
- 3 hour visit every 3 weeks (with emergency call-outs/off-site repairs included)
- 3 hour visit every 3 weeks (with off-site diagnostic checks included)
- 3 hour visit very 2 weeks (with emergency call-outs/off-site repairs included)
- 2 x 3 hour visits every 3 weeks (with emergency call-outs/off-site repairs included)
- 3 hour visit every week (with emergency call-outs/off-site repairs included)
- 1 day (6 hours) visit every week (with emergency call-outs/off-site repairs included)
Yearly Contracts
In becoming a valued Benchmark North client you will have access to the following support as a minimum:
- School wide support – A contract with Benchmark North is for TOTAL support, there are no hidden extra costs that are not explicitly stated. We will cover unlimited amounts of ICT equipment; this includes server support (unlimited number of servers) and importantly your Admin network. Although it is beyond our scope to support some issues relating to your admin network (i.e. Sims.Net) we will endeavour to help you out as much as possible with any issues you may have.
- Regular Visits – At the start of your contract, and in negotiation with yourself, you will receive a schedule identifying the dates on which your appointed technician will visit the school. You will keep the same technician for as long as you wish; this helps to build a solid relationship between you and Benchmark North. We carefully select our technicians so that they not only possess the expertise to undertake the work required, but have the necessary personal and social qualities to enable them to liaise with any member of staff with maximum efficiency. Primarily this contact time is used to help support and develop your ICT infrastructure but we also use this time to advise and make recommendations, for your consideration, on any particular area of your ICT needs.
- Remote support Our technicians can now resolve certain problems with the computer systems via the school’s broadband connection without having to visit the establishment. Should the problem not be resolved by this method a visit to the establishment would be arranged in the usual manner?
- “Home computer” support – Do you find you have problems with your personal computer/laptop? With a Benchmark contract you and your staffs’ home computers are covered. All we ask is that they are brought into school when your visit is scheduled and your technician will be only too happy to have a look.
- A Team of Experienced ‘Techies’ – Imagine having a whole technical team at your disposal, merely a phone call away. You can call us as often as you like, for the price of a phone call, you can speak to one of our team about any issues or concerns you may have regarding your ICT. If problems arise in-between your scheduled visits that we cannot solve over the phone, our aim is to get a technician out to you within 24 hours.
- A Dedicated Sales Team – Need to add to your ICT inventory? Replenish your stock of consumables? No problem, our dedicated sales team can find exactly what you are looking for, or even recommend better suited equipment for your needs. You’ll receive a quote via e-mail, fax, post or all three! You choose which is most convenient.
- Web Hosting – With our contract, at your request, we can provide web hosting for your very own website, this can include as many POP3 e-mail accounts as you wish. For a small charge, we can even register your own domain name.
Now you’ve heard about all the great benefits of becoming a valued Benchmark North client, how do we deliver this support? For further information download our sample contract.
Sample contract for 2011 – including EMERGENCY callouts
Sample contract for 2011 – excluding EMERGENCY callouts
Two or Three Yearly Contracts
Why not sign up for a 2 year or a 3 year contract and make a saving – the longer the contract the greater the saving? Each contract provides the same level of support as the one year service but the overall cost will be lower and the yearly cost stays the same for the length of the contract thereby making it inflation proof.
If you wish to discuss the price of any contract, please contact Lynn Halliwell on 01942 492479.
Testimonials
Here are comments we have received from some of the schools that have been pleased with the service and support we provide:
Highfield St Matthew’s Primary School
"The installation of new wiring, network and server was done with efficiency and minimum disruption. It was suggested by Benchmark and remains a cost effective solution for our school."
"The Benchmark maintenance support contract has proven to be reliable and cost effective over many years now. Having a dedicated technical support ‘person’ has enabled us to build up a good knowledge of Benchmark’s services. They also have a sound knowledge of our school’s needs and expectations."
Elaine Tyrrell, Headteacher
Platt Bridge Community Primary School, Platt Bridge, Wigan
"Excellent communication and co-operation with both school and contractors onsite. Interactive whiteboards fitted prior to school opening and the technician was both efficient and reliable. All other ICT equipment installed efficiently and as required. Good team work and excellent service provided."
“We have increased our contract time to a weekly visit due to the size and nature of the school. The technician is both approachable and friendly and continues to provide a service to the highest standard”.
Michelle Frost, Business Manager
Millbrook Primary School, Shevington, Wigan
"The technician is very reliable and knowledgeable. He talks with me on technical issues in a language I can understand, not being over technical myself. He puts both points of view across – as we have dealt with RM before and so my knowledge is developing well. He is approachable and always completes the tasks left within the time. I have come to rely on his obvious high level of knowledge. Re cabling installation - very prompt and easy to arrange, technician completed job as specified and left the room tidy. Good service – would use it again."
Karen Tomlinson, ICT Co-ordinator
Castle Hill St Philip’s CE Primary School, Hindley, Wigan
"I am happy to provide the following comments concerning our experiences of the services provided by Benchmark North. Quotes for new equipment and installation have always been provided promptly and the delivery and fitting carried out by qualified, courteous technicians."
"The technical support we receive from Benchmark is excellent. Technicians are reliable and extremely effective at sorting out difficulties."
Wendy Hilton, Headteacher
St Oswald’s RC Primary School, Ashton-in-Makerfield
"We receive quotes promptly and at competitive prices. Our deliveries have been fast and accurate. We have had whiteboards, power outlets, cabling and network points installed all with a minimum of disruption to our working day."
“Technical support is an essential part of the maintenance of the school’s ICT structure. The technician works alongside the ICT Co-ordinator to maintain equipment and the network, install new software and provide advice and solutions to ICT issues”.
Mrs P A Carter, Headteacher & Julie Hassan, ICT Co-ordinator
Abram Bryn Gates Primary School, Abram, Wigan
“I have always found Benchmark to be a very supportive company. They are thoroughly professional and really do “listen” to the “customer voice”. As an advisory company they are excellent. Advice is given in the context of what is best for the customer not as a sales pitch. Communication is good and as well as the usual contracts they provide, they have a superb emergency back up service. We will continue to use Benchmark for the foreseeable future.”
Mr S C Sheekey, Headteacher
Aspull Church Primary School, Aspull, Wigan
"The service from ordering to delivery to installation is always very professional and efficient. The staff at Benchmark, are always helpful, polite and happy."
"Regarding the technical support; we have always had an excellent relationship with the Benchmark Technician in school. He always goes the extra mile to make sure things are done. Problems are always resolved quickly."
Nicola Goulding, ICT Co-ordinator
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Springfield, Wigan
"We have had several cabling jobs done through Benchmark, including installation of a couple of interactive whiteboards. We have always found the service to be efficient and cost effective. Staff who have visited school in order to provide quotes for work done have been friendly and well informed. With some companies, technical people and engineers can baffle you with all the jargon etc. This is not the case with staff from Benchmark who always manage to explain what needs to be done without causing confusion and bafflement."
"In terms of technical support, we have found Benchmark to be superb. About two years ago we had a server based network installed across the school by another company. Unfortunately, as time has gone on, there have been some issues and problems identified and Benchmark staff have been able to support our ICT technician in sorting out these issues. Regularly having someone with expertise in school to support our ICT Technician has been invaluable and her expertise has grown greatly through working with the Benchmark technician."
Andrew Poskitt, Headteacher
All Saints RC Primary School, Golborne
"We have found Benchmark North the perfect one stop shop for all our IT needs. They are quick, efficient and competitive and the technical support they offer is far superior to anything we have experienced in the past."
Monica Middlehurst, Headteacher
St Jude’s RC Primary School, Worsley Mesnes, Wigan
"We were really pleased with the supply and installation of the new computers and monitors. The work was carried out quickly and efficiently. An excellent all round service."
"Our technician is always helpful and eager to work on any problems we encounter."
Mr M Wilkinson, ICT Co-ordinator
