Hourly Rates     Effective: 1/15/97   (resellers/consultants see Partners section)

Type

General Philosophies, Terms & Conditions

We operate on a professional services model. Our distribution and logistics operations are strictly there for the benefit of the clients. All time spent on discussions (on-site or over phone), and in-office research without the client's presence are billable. Billing inquiries and other administrative issues are excluded.

Our prices are non-negotiable, and we would not provide designs & consultation as “free quotes” in hope of gaining a sale. Our sales of hardware & software are subsidized perks for clients. We would (and had always) gladly advise you of alternate sources for equipment & supplies whenever appropriate. 

Minimum billing applies to on-site (at client’s location) calls only, and is waived for all in-office (at Bravo) appointments and telephone sessions. A session might be billed at multiple rates according to the nature of work performed.

Most basic questions submitted via email not requiring time-critical responses, may be answered on a resource-available basis free of charge, if it requires less than 10 min of time and the ratio of free vs. billable is less than 5% on a monthly cumulative basis.

Memo:
 Cost Effectiveness vs Session Modes

Majority of our clients are billed for services rendered. Some prefer to pay us a retainer in advance, at regular intervals.

In addition to discounted rates, Clients on retainer fees are our Highest Priority. They're automatically classified as "Tier-1" regardless of annual billing bracket.

We reserve resources for them to ensure earliest availability. Retainer clients are also entitled to certain complimentary alert and monitoring services. It's a great way to establish a stable, long-term, trust-based relationship.

Retainers also streamline the tedious billing routine. Time log is updated virtually immediately after each session. It provides you with better control and less surprises.

Finally, retainer clients will lock-in the hourly rates at the time of retainer payment, in the event of a rate increase.

Retainer fees will be applied to Bravo services only (excluding any sales or outside services obtained on clients' behalf, which will be billed separately) according to the following discount schedule:

Some discussions for major projects might qualify for reimbursement. Up to 50% of Reimbursable Pre-Sale Consulting (RPSC) fees may be credited toward purchase of goods and services. RPSC applies only to the portion of sales as a direct result of such session. Pre-approval at consultation time is required. Furthermore, such credit shall not exceed 10% of the total Qualifying Purchase.

Upon mutual agreement, some services are available on a Contingency Fee basis. You pay the pre-agreed fee─regardless of the actual hours spent, and only if the stated problem is successfully solved, or the stated goal is achieved.

A Contingency Fee Service Agreement detailing the scope and conditions of the project, including estimated time of completion (ETC) must be signed prior to commencement of work. You have the option to terminate the agreement after the ETC has expired beyond a 50% grace period (or a maximum of 30 days).

In the event we elect to abandon the project, the contract is voided and you will be notified as soon as possible. See your actual agreement for additional terms & conditions.

Certain routine services are available on flat fee basis, if they're performed on a low-priority, resource-available basis, remotely, or in-shop.

These are well defined, refined and practiced tasks that we fee are within our control, and are willing to absorb the occasional abnormal glitches and extra efforts. See ISS document for details.

Flat fee services generally represent a very significant discount, compared to strict hourly rate billing.