We just wanted to put the word out that we will be closed on July the 3rd and July the 4th – Saturday and Sunday.

We will be back in the office on July 5th.
Justin

That’s right!

We received our notice about a day ago, along with our “special” window decal, allowing people to see what we’re about.

According to the news out there, less than 1% of businesses listed on Google Maps got this decal. While it’s mostly a marketing piece for Google, we’re still happy!

This news has turned a long and busy week into something to celebrate. We’d like to thank all of our customers for helping to make this happen!
Justin

Every business needs to change to survive. Change is something everyone is use to, but typically hates.

We think this will be a good change, and one that we’re doing proactively. In fact, we don’t need to do this to survive, we’re just doing it to be a little more customer friendly – although we’re already way up there on that “chart”.

Coming this weekend, is a change that will cause an up-roar in the competition. They’ll complain to friends and family, to each other, and I’m sure us – but hey, adapt or get out of the industry, right?

So, watch the blog for more info!
Justin

Every once in awhile, while we’re out on a call around Portland, someone asks who we’re insured by. I figured I’d just put this out in the open, for everyone, and I’ll add it to the website as well.

Protocol16 is insured by The Hartford. They fit the requirements of our business for on site and in shop insurance requirements and they offer more protection, in terms of computer repair work, than any other insurance company out there.

The next response is normally: “Oh, I hear they’re expensive…” Yup…
Justin

The last month has been busy, but it’s quickly paying off! We just got notified that Protocol16 has made the Angie’s List Honor Roll with all A’s!

According to Angie’s List, fewer than 2% of the company’s listed with them get to the Honor Roll status, and we’re excited to be there!

Lets hope Protocol16 continues to climb up the virtual ladder on all the review sites.
Justin

You may not have noticed it this weekend, except those on the website around 8:30PM on Saturday, but we did some house cleaning.

With my Voodoo Chicken Magic L33t H4x0R skillz (ok, maybe not), I moved the site from a static page, to something a little more dynamic to allow updates to the site to happen a little easier. While I broke the blog in the process, it’s fixed – it was only “broke” for about 10 minutes.

So, with that said, you, Google, and the rest of the world, should be seeing Protocol16 just as you normally do. If you have problems with a file, please feel free to report it and we’ll take care of it rather quickly.
Justin

We just wanted to say wow, it’s snowing!

While other companies may say that they can’t drive in the snow, or that it may take them a long time to get to you, just remember: Protocol16 uses a 4×4 for it’s on-call vehicle.

So, with that said, yes, we’re open, even if it snows a foot like last year…
Justin

UPDATE: I’ve just been up and down Murray, and it’s a parking lot. So, with traffic the way it is, Protocol16 is STILL OPEN, but with a increased response time, completely due to traffic.

Protocol16 mainly caters to business and small office/home office customers throughout Portland. As such, we offer maintenance & monitoring contracts. Well, a recent customer pointed out that he didn’t require me on site every month, just every once in awhile. So, for these situation, I created two more DEEPLY discounted plans!

“Every Other Month” – 1 hour, every other month, for 1 year: Protocol16 will show up at a pre-determined date and time to check your computer for hardware and software problems, check the log files, ensure that your antivirus and windows updates are working properly, as well as spend time with you to answer any questions and solve any other issues that may arise. Up to our computers will also be physically cleaned, inside and out, 3 times a year. Price: $399.99  – Normal Price: $599.64 Prices do not include any needed hardware. Extra hours, beyond the plan limits, are billed at $66/hr.

“Every Quarter” – 1 hour, every 3 months, for 1 year: Protocol16 will show up at a pre-determined date and time to check your computer for hardware and software problems, check the log files, ensure that your antivirus and windows updates are working properly, as well as spend time with you to answer any questions and solve any other issues that may arise. We will remotely monitor up to 3 workstations and we’ll physically clean up to 3 computers on each visit, inside and out. Price: $259.99  – Normal Price: $459.64 Prices do not include any needed hardware. Extra hours, beyond the plan limits, are billed at $66/hr.

As always, if you have any questions, please let us know! We’re always here to help and it’s our goal to leave you with a smile on your face.
Justin

Perhaps one of the most common questions I’ve been asked recently is “What’s the hardest thing for your business to do?”

Well, oddly enough, “Search for an office” is at the absolute top of the list right now.

While I’ve maintained a home office, it’s time to move up and out. Unfortunately, there is currently a misconception on how much many “for lease” spaces are worth right now. On top of this, many of the real estate agents and management companies listing these buildings just don’t want to do any leg work. In one example, I watched an office get listed over and over again on Craiglist. I finally drove by and pretty much liked it, but wasn’t sure about some things, so I decided to email the agent that listed it as I see email as a great way to judge the quality of a business – especially someone that might be a landlord. In saying that, most companies contacted via email don’t reply, they just flat out ignore you or you get to wait in line with 100 other people for weeks before they get back to you.

I find it interesting that you can leave a message via email or phone and some companies don’t bother calling you back. You pretty much have to hound some companies to just call you back… What’s the point of being in the business?

Protocol16 has been taking the office search slow, looking here and there over the last 2 or so months. While we could move all the way across town to get more space for less money, I would really like to keep Protocol16 here in the Beaverton community. It’s where I live and it’s near my main customer base.

While taking all that into account, finding the right office proved to be a challenge, and a big one.  We require 24/7 access to any building we’re in, security systems with lasers and flesh-eating hamsters (ok, so lasers are optional), and enough power to light up your typical neighborhood due to all the computers we fix.

With all that said, WE FOUND ONE! Protocol16 has signed a lease for an office on Farmington Road in Beaverton! We’re very excited in our expansion and even more excited to be able to have the option of staying right here in Beaverton. I’ve been crawling the web for all the old addresses since the new one is: 14025 SW Farmington Road, Suite 165, Beaverton. We’re on the bottom floor, to the right.

While the office is smaller than I would ultimately like, I think it’s good that Protocol16 stays frugal, especially in this economy. Sure, there is a larger space in the same building that we could occupy, but packing ourselves into a smaller office achieves the same result – helping customers.

Now, for the phone system, internet setup, furniture buildout (yep, we’re BUILDING our own shop benches!) and all the other “neat” and “fun” things to do when moving. Don’t worry, we’ll still be here for you all!
Justin

It’ been a busy week in Portland!

This is just a quick note: Unlike most other companies out there, Protocol16 is OPEN on Thanksgiving for on-site, on-call services.

Best of all, we’re open and working at our normal rate. No upgraded fees, no emergency fees, just the plain rate, like always.

If you have a problem Thanksgiving day, or the day after or even on Christmas (We’re open that day too!), just give us a call!
Justin