Many vendor-supplied services are available to small-business owners who lack the technical skills to select and support their desktop investment. Look for a vendor who will provide a complete assessment of your computing requirements and suggest desktop systems based on your specific needs and budget limitations.

In addition to system setup and installation services, there are help desk and hardware support programs that provide 24/7 technical support via a toll-free number, with as little as a 2-hour on-site response time around the clock. Some services also handle data and operating system migration, hardware and software upgrades, network planning and installation, and physical relocation of existing systems, as well as on-site and online training programs for employees.

As you move more fully into the total-care solutions just cited—the traditional value-added reseller (VAR) space—pricing takes on a whole new dimension. You have to consider carefully how much of that help you actually need if it's adding a significant amount to your total costs.