Does your computer have a bug? The doctor is in-in McFarland. Opening its doors in June of 2005 in the McFarland Animal Hospital, The Computer Hospital, 5620 Hwy. 51, has been servicing residential and business computers in the McFarland and Madison areas (and beyond).
Business founder Bryan Raasch got his first computer in college. "I probably spent the entire time in school learning about computers as much as I was learning about business management," Raasch said. He graduated from Luther College with a degree in business management.
Even then, the idea to open a computer service company of his own took time to develop. "It was really a hobby of mine," Raasch said of computer repair. "I helped people with their computers and enjoyed doing it." He said his father later suggested that he make it into a business.
While Raasch says he learns something new with each computer he works on, the part of the job he enjoys most is working with people, The Computer Hospital's clients.
Raasch enjoys personal interaction and "getting the sense that people actually understand when we explain it."
"Our overall [business] angle is to treat everyone else like we want to be treated," said Jeff Bain, The Computer Hospital's other fulltime IT (information technology) technician. Between them, Raasch and Bain have 12 years of experience working with computers, computer software and networks.
Raasch said his business has relied mostly on the good reports of clients to get the word out since he began advertising only recently.
What do they do?
The Computer Hospital specializes in fixing computer problems of all kinds. Its technicians will set up any computer or computer system in a residence or business. They also do consulting. They help individuals and families find a computer that will meet their needs-all without pressure or a sales pitch.
According to their Web site, www.thecomputerhospitalonline.com, "What makes The Computer Hospital different than other computer stores is the fact that we provide service and are not in the business to sell equipment. We are strictly repair and service. Our opinion is not biased by our need to sell you something.
"If you want it fixed, we can fix it. If you want our opinion, you can trust it. If you want something new, we can point you in the right direction or get it for you."
The Computer Hospital also maintains computer servers for several businesses. Raasch said he hopes to expand The Computer Hospital's small business service.
"We really want to help small businesses," Raasch said, noting that The Computer Hospital has different pricing tiers depending on what kind of job technicians are doing. This sets them apart from other computer service companies who charge the same rate no matter what the job, Raasch said.
One common problem that brings clients to The Computer Hospital, or causes Raasch or Bain to visit a residence or business on a house call, is what The Computer Hospital techs call "the blame game."
Several of their clients have previously contacted retailers for help, only to be told that they should call the manufacturer, then the manufacturer has told them to call the retailer--all the while, no one came to take care of their computer. Then, they called The Computer Hospital, and Raasch or Bain fixed the problem.
"We straighten it all out for them...solving the blame game," Bain said. "Every time we solve a problem for somebody, it's a success," he added. Fixing problems no one else can or will fix, The Computer Hospital has already saved the lives of many computers and the sanity of many a computer owner.
While their clients are grateful, The Computer Hospital technicians don't have much time to pat themselves on the back for a job well done. The constantly changing world of computer technology-more and more complex operating systems and the infiltration of more and more sneaky and malicious programs-keeps them on their toes.
Bain said that "adware, spyware and virus infections" are the most common computer problems they see, followed by "failed hard drives and loss of data."
"I urge people to call me and ask me before they do anything if they think it may potentially re-infect their computer," Raasch said.
"We always have to modify what we do because the times change so much," said Bain.
"I probably learn something new every day," Raasch said. "There's no classes to teach what we do. We really have to learn on the fly. I think that's one of the things I enjoy about it, thought. I'm always on continued education."
Creative innovation is something of a mainstay for The Computer Hospital. Not only do its technicians not dabble in sales, they also don't stick to regular eight hour days. Raasch said his business has serviced clients from Stoughton, Cottage Grove, Oregon, McFarland, Monona, Madison and even as far away as DeForest and Janesville because The Computer Hospital is one of the few computer repair services in the area open past 5 p.m.
Besides this, Raasch said, many of his clients are "people looking to try a different computer place because they're not happy with where they've been going."
Looking to the future
Raasch has a vision for the future of The Computer Hospital. "We hope to move out of [the McFarland Animal Hospital] and expand." He added that he would like to "have more technicians and serve a greater amount of people and businesses."
Bain added, "We want to be the computer shop for smaller towns."
Though he enjoys golf and bowling in his free time, Raasch said, "I still live computers even when I'm not working...This job, it's not just a 9-5 kind of job. I usually put in 12 hours a day doing this."
Raasch said that some particularly difficult problems may demand even more time, but, if there's no way to fix the problem, he or Bain will back up the computer's data, wipe out the hard drive, and re-install the software programs. So, in the end, there's really no problem they can't fix.
To contact The Computer Hospital about a problem your computer is having, call 838-7622. The Computer Hospital is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday mornings from 8:30-noon (for drop off and pick up only). Call ahead to speak or meet with a technician. General inquiries can also be sent via e-mail to: info@tchconnect.com.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Greg
This article is right on the money! These guys are great!
