Adelaide owned and operated, IT & Digital + Web since 2001→

On-call & ad-hoc IT support in Adelaide

Not every business needs a monthly IT plan. Sometimes you just need someone good to call when something breaks. Our on-call service gives you access to an experienced Adelaide IT team without a contract or retainer. You call, we fix it, you get an invoice. Simple as that.

Last updated

Remote help from $115 an hour. On-site visits from $180 an hour, Adelaide metro travel included. See all our prices

The short answer

You can get IT help without a contract: WaTo Consulting's on-call service lets Adelaide businesses ring when something breaks and pay only for the time spent, billed by the hour. The team works remotely or on site on break-fix jobs, virus removal, hardware replacements, network faults and one-off projects, and gives an idea of cost first.

What is on-call IT support?

On-call IT support means you have a trusted team to ring when something goes wrong, without committing to a monthly plan. There's no retainer and no lock-in contract. You only pay for the time we spend fixing the problem. It suits businesses that don't have constant IT needs but still want a reliable, experienced team ready when things go sideways. We can work remotely or come to your site, depending on what the job needs.

What we help with

Break-fix support

Something's stopped working (a server, a workstation, the internet) and you need it sorted today, not next week.

One-off projects

Setting up a new office, moving to a new server, or wiring up a boardroom. Jobs that need doing once, done right.

Virus & malware removal

Infected machine or a suspicious email that got clicked? We clean it up and lock things down.

Hardware replacements

Dead hard drive, failing switch or an ageing PC? We source, supply and set up the replacement.

Network troubleshooting

Internet dropping, Wi-Fi dead spots or devices that can't talk to each other? We track it down and fix it.

Second opinion

Not sure if a quote or recommendation from another provider is right? We'll give you an honest assessment.

Who it's for

  • Small businesses that only need IT help a few times a year and don't want to pay a monthly fee.
  • Sole traders and micro businesses that need a reliable person to call when tech lets them down.
  • Companies with an existing IT person who sometimes need backup or a specialist for a tricky job.
  • Businesses between providers who need support now while they figure out a longer-term plan.

How it works

  1. You call us. Ring (08) 7123 0805 or email and tell us what's gone wrong and how urgent it is.
  2. We assess the job. Quick conversation to understand the problem and work out whether remote or on-site is the way to go.
  3. We get to work. Remote fix straight away, or an on-site visit booked at a time that works for you.
  4. Problem sorted. We fix it, explain what happened, and let you know if anything else needs attention.
  5. You get an invoice. Billed for the time spent, without a retainer, subscription or ongoing commitment.

Why WaTo for on-call support

  • No contract and no retainer. You only pay when you need us.
  • A real person answers the phone, every time.
  • Adelaide-based since 2001, and we can be on-site the same day if needed.
  • Honest advice. If the fix is simple, we'll say so. We don't make small jobs big.
  • If you later want a managed plan, your history with us carries over, so you're not starting from scratch.

On-call support questions

How quickly can you respond?

For remote support, usually within the hour during business hours. For on-site visits in Adelaide, same-day is often possible depending on the urgency and our schedule.

What do you charge?

We bill by the hour at a fair rate, with no call-out fees for remote work. On-site visits may include a small travel component depending on your location. We'll always give you an idea of cost before we start.

Can I use on-call support just for emergencies?

Absolutely. Plenty of our clients only call when something breaks or when they have a one-off project. There's no minimum spend and no obligation to use us regularly.

What if I decide I want ongoing managed IT later?

Easy transition. We already know your systems from the work we've done, so moving to a managed plan is straightforward, without audit fees or onboarding hassle.

Guides on this topic

Need IT help without the contract?

Save our number. When something breaks, we'll be the ones who pick up and get it sorted.

Mon to Fri, 8:30am to 5pm

No two businesses are the same, so nothing we do is off-the-shelf. Every solution is built around yours, and kept simple.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How do your plans and pricing work?

Whatever suits you: a fixed contract, a monthly retainer, prepaid blocks of hours, or simple hourly rates. You pick the model that fits your business, and we keep it transparent with no surprise bills.

How quickly do you respond?

Fast. You talk to a real person, not a call queue. For urgent issues we're often on-site within the hour across Adelaide, with remote support Australia-wide.

Do you only do IT support?

No. IT & Digital, cyber security, websites & hosting, business solutions and currency equipment, all from one local team. One number to call.

What does it cost?

Managed IT is typically $80 to $200 per user per month. One-off help is $115 an hour remote or $180 an hour on site. Prices are ex GST. See our rates.

Do you support businesses outside Adelaide?

Yes. We're Adelaide-based with on-site visits across South Australia, remote support Australia-wide, and we fly in to clients in Darwin, Brisbane and elsewhere for planned work.

Will you work with our existing IT person?

Absolutely. We often co-manage, taking on monitoring, security and after-hours cover alongside your in-house team.

Why we're different

Not your typical IT company

We keep it simple, and fix things so they stay fixed, instead of patching them today.

A typical IT company
WaTo Consulting
You wait in a call queue
A real person on the WaTo team answers
One rigid plan, take it or leave it
Contract, retainer, blocks or hourly: your choice
Patch it today, deal with it again later
Fix the root cause, and what it could cause next
Jargon and over-engineering
Kept simple and explained in plain English
IT only, you juggle other vendors
IT, cyber, web, business & currency under one roof
Hosting resold from someone else
Our own Australian hosting, run by us
WaTo character, happy to help

Still not sure what you need?

Tell us what's slowing you down and we'll point you to the right fix. You're a partner, not a client.

Call (08) 7123 0805 Email info@wato.com.au
Why clients choose us

Trusted by Adelaide business since 2001

The WaTo team
Real people in Adelaide, not a call queue
  1. SA Construct · client from day one
    Our whole IT structure is with WaTo Consulting for the simple reason that there's no sales spiel, no waiting in line on the phone, and always an effective, quick result when needed.
  2. Wato

    From day one and still going 🤝

  3. Enzo's at Home · client since 2001
    WaTo has been assisting our company since 2001. Always punctual, trustworthy, honest, and can be relied on to get the job done.
  4. Wato

    Time flies when you're having fun 🙌

  5. Real estate business · client from 2010
    WaTo looked after IT for our property management business from 2010. We grew dramatically in that time and WaTo was instrumental in keeping all our IT in order, with smooth upgrades.
  6. Alyx

    Loved being part of the growth 📈

  7. Hospitality venue
    In a busy, large hospitality venue with constant IT issues, WaTo is an incredible asset. If WaTo's called with an issue, they're often here within the hour.
  8. Lee

    On my way 🚗

  9. Accounting practice
    WaTo has been invaluable in moving us from Outlook to Gmail and teaching us the other Google products. Friendly, approachable and easily understood. We've even brought WaTo in to help one of our own clients migrate.
  10. Lee

    Happy to help your clients too 🤝

  11. CRS · client since 2011
    Our data is the backbone of our company, and we sleep easy at night knowing it's safe and secure. Whenever we have an IT problem, WaTo understands how crippling downtime is and is quick to act.
  12. Alyx

    Backups checked. Sleep easy 😴

  13. Lasers in Medicine
    WaTo's IT expertise streamlined our medical practice, reduced operating costs and simplified our backups. 100% quality customer service to small business.
  14. Wato

    Small business is our thing 💪

  15. Engineering company
    Wato, or "DJ WaTo" as he's known to us, has become like family. He always goes above and beyond, with a few good solutions to our ever-demanding needs.
  16. Wato

    🎧 DJ WaTo, at your service

  17. City cafe, multiple locations
    WaTo set up our point of sale and internet. They always answered my calls and could even troubleshoot problems over the phone. Very professional. Thank you, WaTo!
  18. Lee

    Always happy to pick up 📞

  19. Printing industry · client since 2013
    Our business relies on discipline and attention to detail, which is exactly why we've relied on WaTo since 2013. Their knowledge and personal attention give us peace of mind in every area of our operation.
  20. Alyx

    Detail is our thing too 🔍

  21. Genmed 480
    We feel extremely lucky to have WaTo look after our computers. Easy to talk with, explains things in plain terms instead of jargon, and never pushes us to upgrade to the latest and greatest.
  22. Lee

    No jargon, promise 🙂

  23. Alex, 30 Acres · client since 2021
    If you're anything like us, IT is very daunting! WaTo took away the hassle and stress of setting up our brand new restaurant and installed our point of sale. Timely, efficient and a reasonable price. Highly recommended!
  24. Wato

    30 Acres, still the freshest food ever! 🍽️

  25. AV industry
    WaTo delivers for our standard office admin and as a consultant for integrating audio, visual and lighting products into the IT world. Problems are dealt with swiftly to avoid downtime.
  26. Lee

    Lights, camera, uptime 🎬

  27. Cummins Allison (CPI) · client since 2014
    Their ability to grasp and apply product-specific technical process has allowed us to meet all customer KPIs and offer value-added services.
  28. Alyx

    KPIs met. Keep counting 💵

  29. Allied health practice
    When the medical diary crashes, that's an all-out emergency. It happened three times in one year, and each time WaTo fixed it in under 10 minutes. Personal, reliable and fast.
  30. Alyx

    Diary's back up ✅

  31. Sports industry · client since 2015
    We've used WaTo since 2015. Before that, other providers made things difficult. WaTo is prompt, upfront and very reliable, and has saved us heaps!
  32. Lee

    Glad we could save you heaps 💸

  33. Sole owner-operator
    WaTo moved my site to a new server and set up secure, reliable email and hosting, so I could get on with what I do best. I'd send anyone to WaTo for all their wizardry needs.
  34. Wato

    Wizardry on tap 🪄

  35. Recreation industry
    WaTo did an amazing job setting up the audio and visual in our new business, and fantastic work migrating email accounts and managing our domains. Service is A+.
  36. Lee

    A+ right back at you ⭐

  37. Small home business
    Doesn't matter how small your business is, we all need help with IT and digital. WaTo makes me feel like BIG business.
  38. Alyx

    Small business, big support 🚀

  39. Mike Roberts
    As a non-geek, I appreciate that WaTo's always got my back and never makes me feel I'm imposing when I ring out of hours. Looking for someone local and reliable? WaTo's who you call!
  40. Wato

    Anytime, Mike 👍

Who we work with

Our story

Built in Adelaide, since 2001

WaTo Consulting was founded by John Watson in Adelaide in 2001. Over two decades it's earned a name for tailored work across a wide range of industries, helping businesses of every size run more smoothly, work more efficiently and grow steadily, without blowing the budget or disrupting the day-to-day. Rumour has it the story starts much earlier, with a young Wato on his grandfather's knee in front of a Commodore 64, learning to code in BASIC.

Emma Watson (née Dickenson) was part of the story for a stage along the way. She brought real estate and property management expertise, and a clear view of where the business could go: growing it, bringing in new systems and fresh thinking, and lifting the standard of how things are done. WaTo has been through plenty of shapes and stages since, but one thing she helped sharpen has never changed: being consistent for the client is a must.

Today it's all tailored, never off-the-shelf: IT & Digital, Business & Web Hosting, built around what each client actually needs. Over the years those areas have come together under one roof: our IT & Digital, Currency, Business and Web Hosting work now all sit within WaTo Consulting. One team, one standard, looking after the lot.

When you work with us, you're a partner, not just a client.

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