Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Support Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

SUPPORT AGREEMENT

RECITALS

This Support Agreement (the Agreement) is made effective as of by and between Provider Name: and Client Name: .

WHEREAS, Provider is engaged in the business of providing technical support, maintenance, and related services for IT systems and agrees to provide such services to Client under the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Provider to perform the services described in this Agreement and Provider is willing to perform such services subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

PARTIES' CONTACT INFORMATION

SCOPE OF WORK

Provider shall perform the services described below (Services). Provider shall provide personnel, equipment and materials reasonably necessary to perform the Services in a professional and workmanlike manner and in accordance with industry standards.

PAYMENT TERMS

In consideration for the Services, Client shall pay Provider the fees described below. Fees are exclusive of applicable taxes unless otherwise stated. Invoices shall be issued in accordance with the schedule below and are payable when due.

If Client fails to pay any undisputed amount when due, Provider may charge interest on the overdue amount at the rate specified above and suspend Services until all overdue amounts are paid. Client shall also be responsible for reasonable collection costs and attorneys' fees incurred in collecting past due amounts.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on and shall continue until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon providing the notice period set forth above. Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if the breach remains uncured thirty (30) days after written notice specifying the breach. Termination shall not relieve Client of its obligation to pay for Services rendered and expenses incurred prior to the effective date of termination.

The Agreement shall automatically renew for successive terms of the same duration unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least the notice period above prior to the end of the then-current term.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party (the Receiving Party) shall keep confidential and shall not disclose to any third party any Confidential Information of the other party (the Disclosing Party) except as required by law or as necessary to perform the Services. Confidential Information includes non-public business, technical and financial information disclosed in connection with this Agreement. The Receiving Party shall take reasonable measures to protect the Disclosing Party's Confidential Information, which shall be no less than those measures it uses to protect its own confidential information of a similar nature.

Confidentiality obligations shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years, except that trade secrets shall remain protected for as long as they qualify as trade secrets under applicable law.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Except for liability arising from a party's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of confidentiality, neither party shall be liable to the other for consequential, incidental, special or punitive damages. The aggregate liability of each party for claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by Client to Provider under this Agreement during the twelve (12) month period preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of without regard to its conflict of law principles. The parties agree to attempt in good faith to resolve disputes through negotiation prior to initiating litigation.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT

This Agreement, including any exhibits and statements of work incorporated by reference, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals and communications. Any amendment or modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. The parties are independent contractors and nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture or agency relationship.

Provider:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Support Agreement Is and When It Applies

A Support Agreement is a written contract between a service provider and a client that defines the scope, availability, and terms of technical or operational support. Typical elements include supported services, service level commitments (response and resolution times), maintenance windows, fees and billing cycles, change management procedures, term and renewal provisions, confidentiality and data handling, intellectual property rights, liability limits, and termination conditions. Organizations use Support Agreements to set expectations, allocate risk, and create measurable performance metrics that can be enforced contractually.

Why a Clear Support Agreement Matters

A clear Support Agreement reduces operational ambiguity, aligns expectations between parties, and creates objective metrics for performance and payment, which helps avoid disputes and reduces downtime-related costs.

Why a Clear Support Agreement Matters

Who Commonly Completes a Support Agreement

The individuals who complete or sign the agreement should have authority to commit budget or accept legal terms on behalf of their organization.

  • Small and mid-market technology vendors that provide hosted services and need to set SLAs and billing terms with customers.
  • Corporate IT departments that contract with third-party vendors for software maintenance and incident response.
  • Managed service providers and VARs who supply tiered support plans to multiple clients.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Support Agreement

Follow this sequence to prepare and finalize the agreement with minimal rework.

  • 01
    Draft the Scope: Define exact services, deliverables, and exclusions.
  • 02
    Set SLAs: Specify response, resolution times, and uptime metrics.
  • 03
    Confirm Pricing: Agree on fees, billing cadence, and change procedures.
  • 04
    Sign and Retain: Execute signatures and store the fully signed copy securely.

How to Configure an Online Support Agreement Workflow

Use a consistent signing workflow to ensure required approvals and an audit trail.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Sequential: Provider then Client
Authentication Email plus optional SMS code
Required Fields Full names, dates, signature blocks
Audit Trail Capture IP, timestamp, and action history

Where to Send and How the Agreement Is Processed

A typical routing flow ensures document control and record retention.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads the agreement to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and required input fields.
  • Assign Signers: Add emails and set signer order or parallel signing.
  • Complete Signing: Signers authenticate and apply electronic signatures.

Digital Signing and Platform Considerations

Confirm platform capabilities against your security and compliance needs before e-execution to ensure the agreement is admissible and reproducible.

  • File Formats: PDF and Word (DOCX) support preserves formatting and metadata.
  • Integrations: Connectors for Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace help automate routing.
  • Compliance: Look for TLS encryption, AES-256 storage, and a HIPAA BAA if handling PHI.

Core Clauses Every Professional Support Agreement Should Include

These clauses protect both parties and make obligations measurable and enforceable.

Scope

Clear definition of services, exclusions, deliverables, and any required client responsibilities for access and cooperation.

Service Levels

Measurable response times, resolution targets, uptime percentages, and remedies for missed SLAs.

Fees

Detailed pricing, invoicing schedule, expenses, and procedures for price changes or additional work.

Confidentiality

Mutual NDA provisions, data handling obligations, and permitted disclosures for legal or regulatory reasons.

Liability

Limitations of liability, indemnities, and exclusions for indirect or consequential damages.

Termination

Termination for convenience or cause, cure periods, transition assistance, and post-termination obligations.

Essential Information to Collect and Verify

Parties: Legal names and contact details
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format required
Payment Terms: Billing cycle and payment method
SLA Metrics: Response and resolution targets
Data Access: Permissions and access windows
Signature Blocks: Name, title, and date fields

Key Timelines and Notice Periods to Observe

Document timelines are critical for renewal, termination, and SLA enforcement.

Effective Date:

When obligations begin; use MM/DD/YYYY format

Renewal Notice:

Commonly 30–90 days before term end

Termination for Cause:

Often includes a 30-day cure period

Billing Cycle:

Specify monthly, quarterly, or annual invoicing

SLA Measurement:

Define reporting cadence (monthly, quarterly)

Common Mistakes When Preparing a Support Agreement

  • Vague service descriptions that leave key responsibilities undefined and invite disputes.
  • Missing or inconsistent SLA metrics that make performance assessment impossible or subjective.
  • Unclear change-order processes that lead to unpaid work or scope creep.
  • Failure to specify data handling and security controls when sensitive data is accessed or stored.

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Agreement

Breach Exposure: Increased liability for missed service commitments
Payment Disputes: Delayed or withheld payments
Compliance Risk: Regulatory penalties if PHI or regulated data mishandled
Termination Costs: Unexpected transition or exit expenses
Reputational Harm: Client dissatisfaction and market impact
Enforceability: Ambiguous terms may be hard to enforce in court

Real-World Examples of Support Agreement Uses

These concise examples show how different organizations structure support agreements to meet operational needs.

Mid-Market SaaS Vendor

A SaaS vendor defines tiered SLAs for Bronze/Silver/Gold plans with response times and uptime credits

  • SLA enforcement is tied to monthly reports
  • The agreement includes automatic renewal and a 60-day termination-for-convenience clause to align with subscription billing.

Managed Services Provider

An MSP documents remote monitoring, patching windows, and on-site escalation processes

  • Response and resolution times vary by priority level
  • The contract requires the client to provide remote access, lists excluded services, and includes a transition assistance obligation upon termination.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Adopt standardized templates and review checklists to reduce negotiation time and errors.

Use a Template
Start from a vetted template and update scope and SLAs per engagement to avoid drafting inconsistencies and reduce legal review time.
Define Metrics Clearly
Specify exact measurement windows, reporting formats, and calculation methods so both parties can verify SLA performance objectively.
Include Change Control
Require written change orders with pricing and timeline implications to prevent scope creep and unpaid work.
Preserve the Audit Trail
Capture signer identity, timestamps, and IP in a secure audit trail to support enforcement and regulatory compliance if disputes arise.

eSignature Pricing Comparison for Executing Support Agreements

Compare basic pricing and core capabilities across common eSignature vendors; signNow is listed first per vendor comparison conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Support Agreements

Answers to common questions about execution, enforceability, and technical considerations for Support Agreements.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users