Lawrence Systems

Hire Us

Work With Me

Infrastructure and technology strategy consulting with Tom Lawrence. Tell me about your project and I’ll get back to you personally.

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What I help with

  • VMware replacement: planning and migrating to Proxmox or XCP-ng.
  • Network design: routing, switching, wireless, firewalls, and segmentation.
  • Storage architecture: ZFS, TrueNAS, and storage built to match how you actually use it.
  • Cloud cost analysis: what you are paying for, and whether it belongs on-prem.
  • Disaster recovery planning: backups you have tested, and a plan for when something breaks.
  • Something else: an IT, open source, or security problem that does not fit the list above. Tell me about it anyway.

How it works

  1. Fill out the form with details about your environment and goals.
  2. I review every request personally. Nobody else reads it first.
  3. You hear from me first. I never share your information or hand your project to anyone without talking with you first.

After that first conversation, there are two paths:

  • Projects I handle directly: architecture design, storage and virtualization builds, assessments, and consulting engagements.
  • Projects that need hands-on implementation or managed services: I’ll introduce you to Sprinter IT, my implementation partner, but only after you approve it. I stay involved to make sure the project succeeds.

Note: Do not send passwords or other sensitive data by email or through this form. If I need them, I will arrange a secure way to share them.

Tell me about your project

Do not send passwords or other sensitive information through this form.

FAQ

Rate and billing
  • Consulting is $400 USD per hour.
  • I can give an estimate up front if there is a clearly defined scope of work.
  • Work outside of normal business hours or on holidays is billed at a higher rate.
  • Hours can be pre-purchased on request, or when a project requires it.
    • Pre-purchasing hours requires an account. I’ll ask for billing information, then send an invoice for the estimated hours we discussed. The time is credited to your account once payment is received.
    • Pre-purchased hours are used during regularly scheduled times.
What hours are you available for consulting?
  • Monday through Friday, 9:00am until 4:00pm Eastern time.
  • Work outside those hours is billed at $700 USD per hour.
What tools do you use for meetings?
  • Meetings run on Google Meet.
    • Webcams are optional. If your computer has no mic, you can call into the meeting by phone. You’ll get the details once your appointment is confirmed.
  • If any remote configuration is needed, you’ll connect me to your computer with a tool of my choice at the start of the appointment.
  • I prefer not to use other meeting clients or remote access software.
Can I send documentation or screenshots before our appointment?
  • Yes. After I reply to your request with a booking link, you can send anything you think will help.
  • I review material sent before an appointment at my discretion. Reviewing documentation ahead of a meeting is billable time, so I don’t do it by default.
  • Do not send passwords or sensitive information by email or through this form. I’ll ask for it during the meeting or arrange a secure way to share it.
Is there a warranty?
  • Because of the nature of the work, there is no warranty on hourly work.
  • Each hour worked is billable, regardless of the outcome.
  • I’ll recommend how much effort a solution or fix should take, but it is up to you to tell me if there is a cap on hours for an engagement.