Where once we were lost, now we got founded. Name us plz.
December 22, 2009 6:02 AM   Subscribe

Can you help us name our IT company? Or rather...will you?

Myself and a friend have decided that it's time we stop doing small IT jobs on the "side" and actually incorporate and call it a business. (Mostly so we can pick up some nice contracts.) We need a name.

Bonus points for wittiness, humor, and ease of remembering. Obviously, it has to fit on a business card/car magnet. It should also sound good when we pick up the phone "Awesome Possum IT, where we make dinner from roadkill, how may I help you?"

We do pretty much everything your local IT company does, from network wiring to custom software. He's ex-millitary, huge, semi-pro rugby player. I'm uhh...smaller, and I play soccer. We are located in Appalachia, and the bulk of our work is with non-profits (although that might change once we're legal.) If we're not working, we're fishing, or at least playing in the woods.

Some suggestions from friends that have been rejected:
-Nuke From Orbit (NFO) (cuz we rarely nuke, we usually salvage the system)
-RedneckTechs (we might be good ol' boys, but we're not rednecks. We feel like this has a negative connotation.)
-Computer Fix (supposed to be a take-off on "drug fix", but I don't think 99 out of 100 people read it that way.)
-Kickass Seabass IT. (I just thought it would be fun to sign off "Kickass, Seabass!", but I think that's less than professional.)

So, lemme have it. I will espousenate any winners, if said winner desires espousenation. Feel free to include your catchy phone answer too.
posted by TomMelee to Writing & Language (47 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Here's one word you WILL NOT incorporate into your business name:
"— Solutions."

I hate such an unimaginative, lingo-y word worked into business names.
A solution is the stuff you soak your contact lenses in. That's ALL it is.

So don't use that word. Or I'll come over there and kick your seabassy ass.
posted by BostonTerrier at 6:09 AM on December 22, 2009 [2 favorites]


I know nothing about IT, but I'd imagine too cutesy a name would get grating for your potential customers after a while. On the flip side, too clever a name just won't get noticed. "Computer Fix", frinstance, isn't nearly parallel enough to "Drug Fix" for it to be noticeable, unless the person in question is high and therefore prone to making such loose connections.

So, something that's smart but not irritating? The first thing that came to mind was All Your Base IT, because to me "base" sounds like something vaguely IT and the name's memorable but not cutesy, but that's still bleh. The other one I thought of while writing was "SRS Tech", pronounced "serious", because then you have something that looks hardcore professional on paper but sounds friendly and relaxed when you're talking on the phone.
posted by Rory Marinich at 6:14 AM on December 22, 2009


IT's Alive (You could have a mascot called IT-gor.)
posted by inturnaround at 6:15 AM on December 22, 2009


You're in Appalachia and there are 2 of you, you say? How about "Dueling Banjos IT Services"?
posted by Maisie at 6:17 AM on December 22, 2009 [1 favorite]


while(*p++);
posted by orthogonality at 6:19 AM on December 22, 2009


There is a local shop called Tech Cavalry - they do onsite work and have readily identifiable cars. They really hit the notion of someone who comes in to save the day. On that theme, you might get:

IT Marines
Lifeline IT
The Force (use The Force, Luke)
posted by plinth at 6:24 AM on December 22, 2009


Software Mechanics?
posted by nangar at 6:25 AM on December 22, 2009


I like really plinth's Lifeline IT
posted by nangar at 6:30 AM on December 22, 2009


TechTech's
Eurosport IT
Tech Trails
The Reanimators

and my personal fave:
Save your Sh IT, Inc.
posted by CharlesV42 at 6:37 AM on December 22, 2009


"I Didn't Do It Industries"
posted by iamabot at 6:51 AM on December 22, 2009


How about IT MD's? "Skip the dorks, dweebs, and geeks and go straight to a specialist". Insert goofy drawing of guy with a stethoscope held to a monitor or some such.

Or something more obvious? Like 'Your Computer Guys' (because I'm sure you are already referred to as 'computer guy'). "You could call the kid down the street, but we guarantee our work and won't park our bikes on the lawn". I like these because they don't rely on some knowledge of IT or Memes, which are hilarious, but oft missed by your target demographic.
posted by syntheticfaith at 6:52 AM on December 22, 2009


From one of the best tv shows evar: The IT Crowd.

If you don't watch that show, you should. What was the question again?
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:53 AM on December 22, 2009


Get IT done
Hills and Hollows
Timely
posted by sciencegeek at 6:53 AM on December 22, 2009


I tried the band name generator with optional word Computer.

it suggested among other things:
Perpetual computers (we keep them running forever)
Computer volcano (we lava fixing them)
Spoiled computers (we give them TLC)
Computers Coconut (we're loco about your computo - no, doesn't work)
Computers Caffiene (we get them up in the morning)
Computers Commitment (we're there for them - we really care about this long term relationship)


Trusty Computers Of The Metallic Cosmos

Compu-Tornado - we're a whirlwind of activity
Computorbit- we're spacey - we hang around - some pun on bits and bytes.

computorch - we light up your box.

Okay, I give up.
posted by b33j at 6:55 AM on December 22, 2009


computorture - we put it on the rack so you don't have to. (okay, better for an ISP).
posted by b33j at 6:57 AM on December 22, 2009 [1 favorite]


Content IT
posted by sciencegeek at 7:09 AM on December 22, 2009


Godhand Technology Resolutions
posted by Phyltre at 7:12 AM on December 22, 2009


Orbital.
LarryandDarrell IT Wranglers.
ContinuIT (like, continuity)
Q45 (it worked for one of those car companies).
posted by anniecat at 7:13 AM on December 22, 2009


Response by poster: Awesome stuff so far. Keep it coming!
posted by TomMelee at 7:17 AM on December 22, 2009


Deliverance Tech
Foggy Mountain Break/fix
Purdy Technical Services
posted by bondcliff at 7:22 AM on December 22, 2009


"System Sweepers" Your logo could be an old-timey chimney sweep.
posted by spaltavian at 7:27 AM on December 22, 2009


Cutco
Interslice
posted by DieHipsterDie at 7:38 AM on December 22, 2009


Like anniecat's ContinuIT, how about mighty (mmm-IT), high and mighty, aphrodite, blighty...

And while I'm at it: computer -troubleshooter, -scooter, pewter- , -rooter (though personally I wouldn't hire someone who claimed to be a computer-rooter, but that might a cultural divide), depending on your pronunciation -router.

tech check, Anammelech tech, trek tech,
posted by b33j at 7:38 AM on December 22, 2009


Mighty IT
posted by carmicha at 7:42 AM on December 22, 2009


Appalachia is such a beautiful word.

Call it Appalachia.

Subliminal links with Apple but hey.
posted by KMH at 7:43 AM on December 22, 2009


Red Dirt Circuits
posted by bendybendy at 7:43 AM on December 22, 2009


'IT Happens
posted by Jabberwocky at 7:49 AM on December 22, 2009


Frank
posted by sanko at 8:06 AM on December 22, 2009


What's your state bird? That might make it memorable. If I lived in Alabama, I'd be Yellow Hammer IT.
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:08 AM on December 22, 2009


Response by poster: Meh, Cardinal. Interesting thought there, dunno where to take it.
posted by TomMelee at 8:15 AM on December 22, 2009


Our local place is Make IT Work
posted by k8t at 8:22 AM on December 22, 2009


Tag: Your IT
posted by carmicha at 8:31 AM on December 22, 2009


The Computer Punishers.

"For when your computer's been naughty"

Not sure how far you'd want to take that metaphor, of course :/ ... but it does at least convey kick-ass-edness. And having computer in the name is probably good. Kind of a lot of syllables, though.

Or maybe The Computer Enforcers. More A-Team, less S&M.
posted by AugieAugustus at 8:36 AM on December 22, 2009


A company name mainly helps advertise what you do. If you want to do walk in repair then probably you need "repair" in the name as nobody will understand what you think "IT" means. If you just want to get contract work through bidding, names are meaningless. We don't read your advertising, you read ours. Judging by our own RFBs, respondants are usually named "(Adjective) Technologies ," or "Name & Name Systems".

If you plan to do both, you could also do a Doing Business As for bids, but probably just use a name that advertises what some might look you up in a phone book for.
posted by pwnguin at 8:45 AM on December 22, 2009


White Lightning
Over Yonder
Right Smart
Fetch-IT

...if you want to go the Appalachian route.
posted by halcyon_daze at 8:57 AM on December 22, 2009


AT IT
The Tech Trailer
IT in the woods
Tech in the Sticks
Tech Trekkers
Long Rangers IT
Steady Stream
Small Pond IT
Rack and Reel
Backwoods Solutions <> Big Mountain Passcode
TREK IT
Streaming Mountain Air

Other words which could be great to use: ping, cairn, base, camp, alpine zone, pass, peak, catch, anchor, cam, point, lodge, and anything ending in -eer or -ping.

I also think there is something really interesting about the dichotomy between enjoying being off the grid, and having a job that essentially connects people to it. You could capitalize on this with a catchy slogan that emphasizes this balance. It's very nature vs. nurture. Or plugged in vs. checked out. I like the idea of it, but not sure how to express it. Something there though.
posted by iamkimiam at 9:52 AM on December 22, 2009


I always forget that MeFi hates carats. I said that I'm not fond of 'Backwoods Solutions', but had to say it. That part got stripped out by the carat.
posted by iamkimiam at 9:53 AM on December 22, 2009


I don't know if this is super obvious, but have you considered some sort of natural landmark or historical site in the name? You'll end up with a name locals already partially know (and can probably spell). So, if you were located in Boston, you'd end up with something like "Charles River IT: we clean up nicely" or "Fairbanks IT: we build to last." Does your county's name sound pleasing and/or have two syllables? How about "____ County IT"? It looks professional on paper, and it's got a bit of a ring to it.

I see a lot of startup business names in my line of work. BostonTerrier has it right -- don't use words like "solutions," "enterprises" or "systems." I see words like these tacked on to business names like they're some sort of code, except they're not. I've seen those three words used in trucking, staffing, manufacturing.. after awhile, they all start sounding the same.
posted by giraffe at 10:10 AM on December 22, 2009


Geek Platoon (better than a Geek Squad)
Appalach E-Mail
posted by nomad at 10:31 AM on December 22, 2009


CtrlAltRepair

TechDirect

Hard Drivers
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:37 AM on December 22, 2009


Magic Smoke IT?
posted by BZArcher at 11:49 AM on December 22, 2009


Appalachian Computation?
posted by LauraJ at 11:59 AM on December 22, 2009


I like the 'cardinal' idea, because you could either go with the bird logo/metaphor (swift, agile, pointy-headed), or the religious logo/metaphor (divine guidance, inspiration, pointy-headed). Either is good stuff for any kind of logo (a graphic-y bird, a 'holy hand', a light shining from heaven, a pointy head), and your colors are sorted before you even begin (red and black).

Your tagline could take advantage of the religious thing;

Cardinal IT - Let the Hand of God fix your computer troubles
Cordinal IT - Tech (Ab)solutions*
Cardinal's in IT

Or the bird thing;

Cardinal IT - cheep, cheep
Cardinal IT - We fly in, your problems fly out



*(A-B)Solutions?
posted by Pecinpah at 12:19 PM on December 22, 2009


Fix IT
posted by Fezboy! at 2:12 PM on December 22, 2009


Oppos - IT - e (stands for opposites IT - since one of you is huge and the other is small)
v/s
OpposITe
v/s
OpposIT

OR

Appose IT
(Appose-verb - place side by side or in close proximity to each other)
Viewing your job with financial needs in close value to your IT needs
or
IT needs filled with an emphasis on financial needs
or
Monitoring (some need) with (some other need) on a close basis.

fIT (future/fix/full IT)

Or

YourIT

At the end of the day even if you go for awsome possum IT, as long as your work is good and recommended, you're remembered.

Worst case go to a local university and ask the professor in a marketing class to give this assignment to his students?
posted by iNfo.Pump at 6:16 PM on December 22, 2009


Byte IT
posted by JujuB at 7:19 PM on December 22, 2009


The Discombobulators

Tech Rangers, "always in control"

Up and Running, "we'll get you there and keep you there"

Fully Functional, "we work so you can"

Right Smart Technical
posted by blue_wardrobe at 9:40 PM on December 22, 2009


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