Just thinking out loud here. I don’t know too much about starting my own business, but I have a pipe dream about having a side gig building on-site mini servers for clients who want to start their own businesses.
I could speak with the client, find out what type of business they’re developing, then pair them up with FOSS applications and hardware they’d run on their property. I could also update it all remotely. It would be like a plumber/electrician that can show people how to manage the tools I bring to them.
I was thinking of doing this as a really small personal business, meeting with the clients and installing systems for them.
You think there’s a market for something like this? I don’t really have anyone in my circle who knows the business or tech side of this.
I think this could be a thing, but I feel getting the word out would be the hard part.
Maybe going to small business/incubator business networking events could provide potential clients. Getting in touch with incubators in general would probably be good, as they can pass word to their clients. Colleges and universities may be another avenue of getting the word out to potential new small businesses.
Also to consider, if it’s for businesses, there would need to be data redundancy. Otherwise, I feel, it would be a nonstarter. Data recovery/access to redundancy would likely need to be automated or very easy to do, otherwise you’re probably looking at irate calls in the middle of the night.
Thanks for the advice! I’ll certainly make backups a priority.
Had another thought. If you could remote into their server could they not remote into your server?
I’m thinking this could be a good gateway trial option for clients. You set up services on your server and give them limited time access to the server to use the FOSS software. If they want, after the trial they can transfer their data. You then wipe the server to ensure their data is erased.
Also, an option I’m not sure you’d be excited about. You host everything for them and offer the service of using your server for their business needs (rather than just a trial). May be less headache in the long run (less overall hardware means less overall issues, presumably).
For the running of software on your server, I believe there are companies that do that already for the fediverse instances. May be worth looking at and seeing what they offer and for what price.
Great idea. I’d like to have remote services available, but I imagine the hardware expenses and overhead would be more expensive. Once I have some clients, I’d like to invest in a good rack.