Liphook, Hampshire-based microsystems maintenance company TPM Ltd has put together a new corporate maintenance package which enables companies to pay for computer maintenance up to six months in arrears. The TPM deposit contract is a time and materials agreement for customers with over 150 personal computers. The customer deposits a minimum of UKP10,000, which is drawn down as the work is completed. There is a monthly reconciliation of calls completed and their costs, the deposit is reduced and either monthly, three monthly or six monthly invoices are raised for the completed work. If the customer goes into the red, a penalty is incurred – the deposit can be topped up at any time, but if a customer looks likely to become overdrawn, either the deposit or the frequency of the invoicing is increased. The customers’ deposit stays in their account as cash on deposit. Access to spares is as if the client is on contract and if loan equipment is needed, this is rented as part of the agreement. TPM says that unlike other maintenance companies, it doesn’t keep its time and materials customers waiting – whereas other companies treat contract customers as priority cases because these pay in advance, TPM’s deposit system allows for costs, and the client is not billed until three months after the work has been completed.
