Terms of Service
Last updated: January 2025
Agreement to Terms
These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Northern Technical Systems ("Company," "we," "our," or "us") governing your use of our website and services.
By accessing our website or engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these Terms, you may not access our services.
Services
Northern Technical Systems provides information technology services including but not limited to:
- Managed IT Services
- Structured Cabling and Infrastructure
- Network Design and Implementation
- Cybersecurity Services
- Enterprise Hosting
- VOIP and Communications
- Software Development
- Access Control and Surveillance
Specific services, deliverables, and pricing are outlined in individual service agreements, statements of work, or proposals.
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
For managed services clients, we commit to the following service levels:
Response Time Commitments
| Priority | Description | Response | Resolution Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical | Complete outage, security breach | 15 minutes | 4 hours |
| High | Major functionality impaired | 1 hour | 8 hours |
| Medium | Limited impact, workaround available | 4 hours | 24 hours |
| Low | Minor issue, general question | 8 hours | 72 hours |
Uptime Guarantee
For hosted services and managed infrastructure, we guarantee 99.9% uptime, excluding scheduled maintenance windows. Scheduled maintenance will be communicated at least 48 hours in advance when possible.
Support Availability
- Emergency Support: 24/7/365
- Standard Support: Monday - Saturday, 24 hours
- New Client Consultations: Monday - Friday, 07:00 - 17:00 CST
SLA Credits
If we fail to meet our uptime guarantee, eligible clients may receive service credits as follows:
- 99.0% - 99.9% uptime: 10% credit
- 95.0% - 99.0% uptime: 25% credit
- Below 95.0% uptime: 50% credit
Credits must be requested within 30 days of the incident and apply to monthly service fees only.
Client Responsibilities
As our client, you agree to:
- Provide accurate and complete information about your systems
- Maintain appropriate access credentials and security
- Notify us promptly of any issues or changes
- Ensure authorized personnel are available when needed
- Pay invoices according to agreed-upon terms
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
- Maintain appropriate backups of your data
Payment Terms
- Invoicing: Services are invoiced monthly in advance for recurring services, or upon completion for project work
- Payment Due: Net 30 days from invoice date unless otherwise agreed
- Late Payment: Accounts past due may incur a 1.5% monthly finance charge
- Disputes: Payment disputes must be raised within 15 days of invoice date
Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise specified in a separate agreement:
- We retain ownership of all tools, methodologies, and pre-existing intellectual property
- Custom software developed specifically for you becomes your property upon full payment
- You retain ownership of your data and business information
Confidentiality
Both parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of proprietary information shared during the engagement. This includes but is not limited to:
- Technical specifications and configurations
- Business processes and procedures
- Financial information
- Customer and employee data
Confidentiality obligations survive termination of services for a period of three (3) years.
Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:
- Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the fees paid for services in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim
- We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
- We are not liable for loss of data, revenue, profits, or business opportunities
- We are not liable for actions of third-party vendors or service providers
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Northern Technical Systems, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from:
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
- Your negligent or wrongful conduct
- Any third-party claims related to your use of our services
Termination
Either party may terminate services:
- For Convenience: With 30 days written notice
- For Cause: Immediately upon material breach that remains uncured for 15 days after written notice
Upon termination, you remain responsible for payment of all services rendered. We will provide reasonable assistance in transitioning services to another provider.
Dispute Resolution
Any disputes arising from these Terms or our services shall be resolved as follows:
- Negotiation: Parties will first attempt to resolve disputes through good-faith negotiation
- Mediation: If negotiation fails, disputes will be submitted to mediation
- Arbitration: Unresolved disputes will be settled by binding arbitration in Tarrant County, Texas
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal proceedings shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Tarrant County, Texas.
Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to active clients via email at least 30 days before taking effect. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
Contact
For questions about these Terms, please contact:
Northern Technical Systems
2101 Terminal Rd, Building A, Suite 1337
Fort Worth, TX 76106
Email: legal@northtechsys.com
Phone: 1 (866) 624-2005