The technicians and executives at Computer Plus, a leading Las Vegas-based computer networking firm, understand the importance of customer service and follow-through. Even though Computer Plus General Manager John Jordan doesn’t come from the expected technical background, he thinks his varied experience is an enormous asset in a technical environment. “My real strength is in relating to our customers. In order to help our clients find technical solutions to their problems, we need to know their business inside and out. We try to ‘get inside’ their business to figure out exactly what they need to accomplish,” said Jordan.
“Our focus is making sure our customers get what they are looking for, even when they’re not certain what it is,” Jordan continued. “I have found that every business has at least one task that is necessary but difficult to accomplish.” Figuring out what these tasks are and determining the most efficient way to accomplish them is the essence of what Computer Plus does for its customers.
Jordan sees technology as simply a means to an end. “Our goal is to make the day run more easily for our customers,” he stated. “Everyone who comes to us wants to focus on growing a business. Often, problems with technology interfere. Instead of concentrating on the business, managers have to spend their time figuring out how to get and use the information they need. This is where the Computer Plus approach makes a difference. By first determining what a customer wants to accomplish, we can recommend, install and service the appropriate technology.”
Computer Plus, which has operated in Las Vegas for five years, has expanded full-force into the business community. Until last year, the company’s primary focus was on education and establishing systems and networks for the Clark County School District. Today, Computer Plus is a computer networking company that serves clients throughout Southern Nevada. The firm offers computer integration, technical support and computer hardware maintenance services, including repair.
“The information industry is changing rapidly as new technology becomes available,” said Rob Waller, the company’s president and co-owner. “It’s almost impossible for the non-technical user to know what’s available in the marketplace or how much it costs. There are also a lot of companies that are just now starting to explore ways that technology can help them.” In addition, Las Vegas is home to many branch offices that need to be in contact with a central office, Waller said. Computer Plus targets small to mid-sized companies that need assistance developing a set of cost-effective networking options.
Networking is a term that refers to the ability of computer users to share information with each other. The user network can be very large, like a Fortune 100 company, or very small, as in a two- or three-person office. The idea is the same. Everyone on the network has access to the information available on the network. Often the information to be shared is proprietary software, which is software developed exclusively to meet the needs of a specific market or group of users.
For instance, Jordan said, a real estate firm might buy software that tracks home listings in a given area. An agent using the software can find out what properties are available, get property descriptions and track market activity. In another example, a dental office can buy software that creates three-dimensional images of a patient’s teeth. These images can be manipulated to forecast the results of recommended treatment, stored for future reference or used to detect dental problems. This same software often contains additional programs that handle office accounting and patient billing. Jordan believes the appropriate network for each customer depends on what information the customer needs to share and how many users need to have access to it.
Jordan thinks giving the customer alternatives is another important way in which Computer Plus adds value. “Once we help determine where the customer wants to be, we present a variety of ways to get there. Very often, the solution is simple and so is the choice. It’s all in knowing what’s possible and how much it costs.” Jordan cites his client Euphoria, Inc. as an example of this. Euphoria is a rapidly growing Las Vegas chain of day spas and salons. Like any business in a growth mode, inventory control is an important goal at Euphoria. Computer Plus discovered more efficient methods for Euphoria to receive timely, accurate and reliable inventory information every morning. This allowed Euphoria management to begin each day with information to enhance business operations.
“You don’t pick a vendor for financial reasons alone, but for service, reliability and reputation.” Jordan emphasized. “The systems specialists at Computer Plus are committed to doing what they promise. As a company, integrity and follow-through are core values to us. We believe our philosophy is contained in the words ‘Zero customer sacrifice.’ Those words really summarize our corporate goal with every one of our customers.”
