Your customer has agreed to hire you for a managed network services project and is ready to begin ordering the necessary equipment and software and developing your implementation plan. But before you do, there is a very important detail that you need to take care of first: securing your client’s signature on a network consulting services contract.
A network consulting services contract governs the relationship between you and your client, clearly defining the expectations of both sides so that there are no surprises in the future. Anytime your business provides managed network services that involve design, installation, or maintenance, you need the protection of a strong contract.
You can hire your own attorney to draft one, but a more affordable approach is to use an existing contract template for network service providers. Using a template guides you through defining the scope of services that you will perform on an ongoing basis for your client and helps ensure that you have addressed the most common variables inherent in the project.
The idea is to clearly establish the rights and responsibilities of each party during the term of the agreement, reducing the possibility of misunderstandings that could arise from lack of communication.
What should your network consulting services contract include? First, you must establish clear communication and customer expectations by providing a clearly defined scope of work. Scope of work may include initial project setup, general maintenance and repair, hardware and software installation and troubleshooting, needs assessment, systems integration, network security, data backup and recovery, rapid response service and 24-hour emergency service.
As a network service provider, you know that you will do what is asked of you, but you want to make sure that your customers also do exactly what is expected of them. A network consulting services contract, or a custom contract template, usually includes specific things that the customer must do or provide in order for you to complete the job. For example, you may need an access card to access the facility at specific times, or you may need the customer to pay for the required hardware or software on a specific date.
It is also common to describe in your network service provider contract all expenses for which the customer is responsible and to provide any supporting documentation related to the work.
Your managed network services contract may also include a disclaimer that you cannot guarantee the stability, security, and protection of the network, and you state that you are not liable to the customer for loss of revenue, revenue, or data. A contract may also have clauses to protect any confidential information that you share with the customer and to prohibit the customer from hiring your employees.
Having a legally strong network consulting services contract, signed by both parties, can protect you from financial and material losses. It also sets the price and payment terms, establishes a clearly defined term for the agreement, and describes the process that either party must follow to terminate the contract.
A network service provider agreement ensures clear communication with your customer and gives you something to fall back on if things go astray. By setting clear expectations at the beginning of a project, you are much more likely to end up with a satisfied customer and repeat business.