Any Desktop Support Analysts here?

Guru · 26 Mar 2007 at 17:56

I'm thinking for applying for a job as a desktop support analyst as I'm extremely good at building/repairing/troubleshooting PCs.

Was wondering what sort of problems people encounter and are expected to fix in their work, what software people have to be able to use and what an employer might be looking for in an applicant for this role

Cheers all,

G

Biohazard · 26 Mar 2007 at 17:58

Lubricant

CiaoBelo · 26 Mar 2007 at 18:00

I read that as helpdesk first line support.

If you have no previous exp. get a year under your belt and then move on.

After 6 months you will find going to work a chore (perhaps!)

Gilly · 26 Mar 2007 at 18:01

Your questions are far too open-ended.

Biohazard · 26 Mar 2007 at 18:11

Gilly said:
Your questions are far too open-ended.

Hence my silly reply.

[TW]Fox · 26 Mar 2007 at 18:21

Whats the difference between a Desktop Support Analyst and a helpdesk monkey?

Duke · 26 Mar 2007 at 18:26

Companies that use job titles like that, and over the top wording, make me laugh. Everyone in IT is a "consultant" nowadays :rolleyes:

Gilly · 26 Mar 2007 at 18:27

Duke said:
Companies that use job titles like that, and over the top wording, make me laugh. Everyone in IT is a "consultant" nowadays

I was a desktop support analyst, systems services specialist, team leader and acting team manager all while doing exactly the same role just at different times.

Duke · 26 Mar 2007 at 18:31

Gilly said:
I was a desktop support analyst, systems services specialist, team leader and acting team manager all while doing exactly the same role just at different times.

Hehe

We do a lot of work with other small IT companies, and get some classic replies. Today I asked for a serial number for a laptop. The reply was 'i will instigate this with X, who will find the asset details' or something like that. A simple 'ok' would have done.

(Sorry to go off topic, by the way)

Guru · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:23

this is what the advert in the paper said:

"Desktop support Analyst

To provide end user support for office-based, remote staff and visitors. Duties include day-to-day support of desktop pc's, laptops, printers, phones and applications. You will be required to build and deploy pcs, laptops and configure desktop applications and telephones. You must communicate well with the abilty to identify and diagnose faults. Other criteria include Windows2000, XP, MSOffice and Active Directory"

What is active directory and what are likely to be "day-to-day support" activities?

Cheers,

G

paradigm · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:30

Guru said:
What is active directory?

If you have to ask that, you WON'T get the role. You should know what AD is if you want to support at a corporate level.

FTM · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:36

the most common fault is the person using the desktop..simple as that

paradigm · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:37

FTM said:
the most common fault is the person using the desktop..simple as that

Ah, the PEBKAC issue. Many a call has been logged on our helpdesk regarding PEBKAC

[TW]Fox · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:42

Guru said:
What is active directory and what are likely to be "day-to-day support" activities?

Some sort of Windows based networking protocol AFAIK, makes it uber easy to install software on client machines etc.

paradigm · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:43

[TW]Fox said:
Some of Windows based networking protocol AFAIK, makes it uber easy to install software on client machines etc.

What? Nothing you said there relates to "Active Directory" or to "Day-to-Day support".

[TW]Fox · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:44

paradigm said:
What? Nothing you said there relates to "Active Directory" or to "Day-to-Day support".

Thats what I thought one of the benefits of Active Directory was. Clearly not judging by your response.

BeatMaster · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:45

I'm starting a similar role in June as a year placement, sounds not too bad. I'm working for Sanofi, aswell as the job, the overall package (salary, holidays, private dental/healthcare) is quite attractive too

Although come July, I might have a different story

BeatMaster

paradigm · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:46

[TW]Fox said:
Thats what I thought one of the benefits of Active Directory was. Clearly not judging by your response.

One of the many hundreds of features of an Active Directory based domain can be the remote management/publishing of software to different Security Groups/Organizational Units, but its not a protocol, and its only one of literally 100's of uses for an Active Directory.

[TW]Fox · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:46

So why not tell us what it is if you know so much about it?

m4cc45 · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:47

Well that doesn't quite cover the AD.

The AD is a repositroy where users and computers are stored. It's like a centralised hub for managing users and comptuers throughout the domain.

You can use group policys to restrict or standardise the desktop, elevate users permissions and then you have it linking in with Exchange.

As someone else said if you don't know what the AD is then you will have problems getting that role.

Perhaps finding a job which is soley desktop support in a workgroup environment rather than desktop support in a domain environment.

M.