MSP: Proactive IT; Asset Discovery, and Automation
Last week, we discussed the two different types of methods that companies use to manage their day-to-day IT.
The break-fix, and preventive methods may have their upsides, but their cons outweigh their pros.
This week, we will talk about the 3rd method that is used favourably by Managed Service/Solution Providers (MSPs).
3. Proactive
This is most cost effective method as the MSP will be able to predict when your devices are going to break down, and inform the client weeks or months in advance – depending on their contractual agreements.
On top of that, an MSP would have a plan in place when any kind of disruption happens.
There is no panic involved, and often companies under their subscription will not know if something major had happened until the MSP calls them.
There is also no response time required as the MSPs will have a hybrid of software which will auto-remediate IT issues.
When (and if) the software is unable to remediate those issues, their Network Operations Center (NOC) will be notified by the software agent and remotely access and remediate the issue without intrusion to the client.
And because software is involved, even with a co-managing contract with the client, the client does not need to have their own IT team monitor their own network devices, the MSP will take care of this.
Because the MSP has intimate understanding of the client’s network, whether the client has an internal IT team or not, they can rest easy, and go on vacations knowing that their IT assets are taken care of.
Here is what an MSP can do for your company and what they can automate:
Discovery
Your company and its employees no longer have to be physically present to know what assets there are in the company.
Your MSP can do that for you and send you a report detailing even the hardware specifications.
This is also where the MSP can access the health level of your devices and predict when the devices will fail and needs replacement.
Monitoring
Your MSP can continuously monitor your IT assets and network while your human IT team takes a break, knock off from work, and live their personal lives.
This is achievable with the help of the MSP’s software and Network Operations Center (NOC) where a team of trained technicians are on standby for emergencies.
Think of it as and rapid response team for your IT assets. But way cooler.
Patching
Windows has it all automated now, so why would you need additional automation from your MSP?
Not all updates works with your current versions of your software that your company will use for production.
New updates installed immediately may fix vulnerabilities of the Operating System (OS), but may not work correctly with your installed software.
This is where testing of the updates with your current software will take place.
Once it is good to go, your MSP will push out the updates.
That way, your employees don’t have to work on a document and have the software shut down abruptly, without saving.
Now wouldn’t that leave your IT assets and network vulnerable to cyber threats?