PrePress = IT Department? What the...

[LoweringTheBar]

OK, why is it that whenever someone in our company can't receive email they automatically come running into Prepress? How did prepress inherit the management of all things "internet" related, and how can prepress unload this responsibility onto somebody else? Why do sales people ask prepress to help them fix their computers at home? Don't they know we hate them? Just because I drive a car doesn't mean I want to change everybody's oil! Yet, whenever a dirty email gets blocked by spam filters, or a salesman can't surf porn on the internet because a pop-up window won't go away, prepress is interrupted and expected to save the day.

Obviously, we know the sales department won't be able to handle IT problems, since they can't manage to set an alarm clock that would get them to show up for work on time, but I'm still not convinced it should fall onto the laps of prepress.

Does anybody have an actual IT department, or do you simply abuse the poor geek in prepress who stupidly admits to having a PC at home and enjoys watching Star Trek reruns? (There's one in every shop.)

Your input and your prayers are appreciated.

 

[WrshpMzshn]

Dude, I feel your pain.
No, I don't have a spare USB cable sitting around!

 

[zoran]

Just wait until you get real IT department, your scope will widen and you will support both sales and IT

 

[Tech]

Technology is a funny thing. It can cripple both young and old workers. Even kids fresh out of college, doesn't mean they are tech-savvy. Some appreciates your help, while others abuses your kindness and continues to work inefficiently.

For me, being a semi-IT is actually a fun part of the job...it adds to job security. If nothing else, it shows you whom to avoid at your workplace and what kind of language (l33t tech speak or water down plain English) to use when speaking to him/her.

Dealing with CSRs that talk BS/trash actually annoys me more than fixing workstations.

 

[esmith214]

You really can't fix this, it's up to management--however that is defined at your shop. If the owner wants you to fix the top salesman's laptop, then you better try or find another job. If this is interfering with your work output, you need to make a real case with your manager. How many hours is this taking away from processing jobs. How many proofs are late because you're tracing email problems. The better the case, the more you can negotiate for the job you want to do.

 

[rich apollo]

LTB,
You're obviously a victim of your own success.

Long ago my mom taught me to do my own laundry, and then made me responsible for my clothes. We're talking about age 12, or so and I managed to cover my nakedness adequately all the way through college. When my wife and I first married (some sixteen years later), I thought I'd help out by doing some laundry. Her laundry regimen is far more complex than my bachelor oriented habits. I figured that there were two kinds of clothes: white and not-white. And both kinds would fit in the dryer. Well, I shrank her favorite sweater down to Barbie-doll size and consequently haven't done laundry again in 16 years. I'm allowed to plug and unplug the washer and dryer when we move. I'm allowed to take things out of either machine, but never to put anything in. I'm allowed to go outside and mow the lawn.

 

[Mark]

I started charging "in beer" for non-work related tech support. Most cheap sales people went away after that. They all seem amazed when you don't want to be their free tech whore.

 

[LoweringTheBar]

Good point Rich. It's a sad reality that it really doesn't pay to give too much in a small company environment because it's never rewarded and it's never enough. What's even more depressing is now I wish I'd chosen a career in a something I used to make fun of, like a government job. Turns out they got it right and made the correct career choice. If I had worked for the post office out of college I could collect a pension in a few years and never be expected to do more than I was hired to do. It couldn't be any worse than prepress... or could it? I can't believe a prepress operator hasn't gone postal somewhere in the world.

Gotta go... people are complaining that the internet is too slow. I'm sure that means our sales staff is watching youtube videos all at the same time.

 

[almaink]

I prefer it this way myself, gives me total control.

 

[meddington]

>I figured that there were two kinds of clothes: white and not-white.

There was only one kind for me..and all of it went in together....whites, darks, shoes, dishes, ect. Alas, my lack of laundry knowledge (actual and/or feigned) hasn't precluded me from laundry duty. Funny, but no one asks me to touch their computer here.

 

[ErnieLail]

I'm right there with you. Although i do find it a nice break from prepress to work on IT stuff, but when you're slammed it does get aggravating when people are screaming because the AT&T email server went down. Then you have to sit on hold for 30 mins only for them to tell you that the server is down and will be back up shortly!

 

[prepressguru]

Haha good post. Like you I am in the same boat. In the beginning it was fun the help the other side out. But that slowly turned against me.. Now I have learned to be political about these situations and offer a simple non committal response "I'll see what I can do" It works wonders.

Good luck.

 

[rbailleu]

don't you know we geeks have moved on to stargate (original and/or atlantis)


"Does anybody have an actual IT department, or do you simply abuse the poor geek in prepress who stupidly admits to having a PC at home and enjoys watching Star Trek reruns? (There's one in every shop.)"

 

[geozinger]

LMAO (for real!)

I get stuck with this stuff all of the time. Also, apparently, I'm one of the few people who can spell without having to refer to a dictionary.

You would think appreciation of all of these talents would show up in my paycheck...

...not so far

 

[vniehaus]

This reminds me of the old saying

"You can't fight city hall."

Took me a few years of experience to really understand this. Maybe 10 years at least.

 

[PantherMac]

Prior to the Prinergy box coming in, it was easy to feign ignorance. Fortunately, the installer didn't let on how much I know, so... Sorry, don't do windows. If it's Mac, or *nix, I'm your man, though!

- Mac

 

[dcmead]

I feel you, man! I also work in a small shop on a shoestring budget. Amazing how such a respectable trade has become what it is for us little guys doing all the work.

It's not the IT stuff that bothers me (unless I'm slammed with work). It's the discrespect and assumption by the bosses (we have too many) that I'm supposed to do this work.

dcmead

 

[Lukas Engqvist]

I thought the whole purpose of IT was to have something to talk about while drinking beer, (considering fishing to be too not my thing) i'd run out of stories if it wasn't for IT.

 

[jlazerus]

"Yes, I'll fix your machine, soon as I'm done with this job I'm working on. (smile)"
You never finish working on the job... eventually, they'll go away. Of course, all your sales guys will talk to each other about what an @$$#073 the prepress guy is, but ya take the good with the bad.

 

[jameslwilson]

we have something like three groups who have their hands in our servers - it's like solving a jigsaw puzzle when someone keeps coming along and moving the pieces.