Questions buyers ask before the first call

On It Service is an operations firm based in Los Angeles. Robert Rippberger works as a fractional or interim COO, and the team handles process improvement, cost reduction and contract negotiation, AI implementation, project management, administrative support, event operations and digital operations for companies across the United States.

A fractional COO is an experienced chief operating officer who works for a company part time, usually one to three days a week, under a monthly retainer. The role covers operating priorities, the weekly management rhythm, processes and the managers who run them, without the cost of a full-time executive.

Published 2026 rate guides put typical fractional COO retainers in the US between about $8,000 and $20,000 a month for one to three days a week (Fractional Pulse and Fractionus). Our fee depends on scope and days per week, and we quote a fixed monthly amount after a first call.

Mostly manufacturing and industrial companies, distributors, public companies, private equity portfolio companies, healthcare services and member organizations. The common thread is operations that decide the margin: purchasing, scheduling, contracts, handoffs and reporting.

We are based in Los Angeles and work with companies across the United States, on site or remotely. We also take engagements in Canada and the United Kingdom, with on-site visits planned in advance.

Yes. Robert can join as your COO or VP of Operations, or you can engage him through On It Service. In both cases the On It team can work behind him on project work, administration and events, with your written approval of who does what.

Robert makes the decisions, runs the meetings and signs off on every deliverable. Our project managers, coordinators and administrators prepare the materials, track the plan and handle the follow-up. Each person is named in the agreement before they start.

With a 30-minute call about what is stuck and what it costs you. If we can help, you get a short written proposal with the scope, the timing, the people involved and a fixed fee. Work starts once you sign it.

Yes, before any confidential information changes hands. Everyone who works on your account is bound by the same terms, uses their own login to your systems and follows your security rules.

No. We work in the systems you already use, configure established tools and connect them where needed. That keeps costs down and leaves you with nothing that only we can maintain.