What do you do?  Configuration; Basic Software.  Although my company, SERVENET.COM builds custom computers for some customers and buys custom Acer brand systems for others, we don't see ourselves primarily as retailers. Good hardware is important, but we're happy to work with suitable existing hardware, to upgrade a client's equipment when necessary, or to consult on specifications when a client requires a "national" brand. At present, for quality service, reliability and upgrade-ability we recommend buying from Dell if you don't buy from us.

As you remember, we sold Elyse and Marsha at Property Tax Adjusters custom Acer equipment. When it arrived at our shop, we did three things we consider crucial to our service.
Performance Check.  First, we tested the equipment to manufacturer's specifications, then optimized the configuration of the operating system, and then benchmarked the system to determine that it will provide good service for the required tasks. This is a service we perform for virtually every client we deal with!
Automated Maintenance.  Then, we configured the equipment to maintain itself with little or no user intervention. With the proper software, today's PC systems can ward off viruses -- currently we recommend the McAfee anti-virus suite now from Network Associates -- and maintain file and hardware integrity by running automated maintenance either "in the background" while the user performs priority tasks, or during slack periods when the user is not using the system. Again this is something we set up for every client.
Remote Control Facility.  Finally, we installed remote control software -- pcANYWHERE from Symantec. For Elyse and Marsha this means they will be able to connect to each other and maintain a unified client database. But for most clients the benefit is that we'll be able to provide trouble-shooting, training and software installation almost on demand because we can do it remotely from our office or from the offices of a client with pcANYWHERE. We provide this service whenever it is technically feasible.

Although, surprisingly, we find hardware problems in about one-third of all new systems, Elyse and Marsha's equipment was just fine. We proceeded to install the basic software that most "small" businesses require: word processing, spreadsheet, database, bookkeeping, reference and Internet access. The value we add at this stage is in (a) selecting reliable software products that will co-exist without conflicts, and (b) configuring them so they're ready to go when the client fires up the system for the first time.

Now the equipment is ready for some custom software.