Does Your Business Communications Provider Offer Managed Services?
May 6th, 2021 by admin
A common theme among many small to mid-sized companies is their inability to micro-manage their network. These organizations are typically understaffed and lack the sufficient skill level, technological capacity or resources to keep their network operating in a fully optimized state.
Running an efficient network is not easy, especially with the convergence of voice and data. Too often companies are caught up in day-to-day operations that mission-critical network maintenance and security management get overlooked. In today’s business environment, you can't afford to let your guard down. There are too many threats and other issues that plague network integrity and performance. So what are companies supposed to do? One answer is to outsource the management of their network services to a qualified partner.
Essentially, managed network services are designed to assist companies in maintaining and supporting their network and IT infrastructure. Types of services may include remote network monitoring and reporting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, firewall monitoring, intrusion detection, patch assessment and vulnerability scanning, preventative tasks, disaster recovery, data backup and regular performance analysis. The strategic process was developed to give a 360 degree view of the network at all times to ensure optimal use. As we all know, the network is the backbone of a business and if it's not managed correctly employee productivity and profitability rapidly declines.
Therefore, outsourcing of a company's network has a number of unique benefits. First and foremost, experts in the field analyze the network to develop a complete game plan. Modeling and simulation tools assess current network traffic and evaluate the performance of desired enhancements and upgrades to determine the most appropriate solution before implementation. The end result is a custom designed system that supports future growth and change through flexible and scalable network environments.
Above and beyond the installation, testing and training phases, the provider will remotely monitor the network from their Network Operations Center (NOC). The NOC provides advanced network control, systems management and help desk operations to ensure optimal performance on a daily basis. This is a critical component because a network is so susceptible to change every day. For instance, at one company two employees uploaded webcam software onto the network so they could watch their children at daycare. The live video stream shutdown the entire network and bandwidth destroying productivity for the day. Remote monitoring would have proactively identified the problem as well as the appliance causing the issue.
Your business communications provider should also couple their managed services offering with the new manner in which technology is being purchased. It's essentially a leasing option for new equipment and applications but for the first time it is one that eliminates technology's two greatest risks – obsolescence and price (also known as outright ownership). This program ensures that the solutions under managed services are refreshed with the latest advancements, thereby eliminating technology's obsolescence. For instance, updates (also known as a refresh) to a company's voice and data system can occur any time after 24 months with no change in their monthly payment. Additionally, both labor charges and software upgrades are waived. The program also focuses on the cost of technology rather than its price, thus eliminating the second risk. Companies are able to transfer technology costs from a capital expense to a fixed monthly expense absorbed by an organization's operating budget. This enhances the financial health from both tax and budgeting standpoints.
Ultimately, managed services gives small to mid-sized companies the ability to focus on their core competency, while feeling comfortable knowing that their network is being managed by a highly skilled team of experts focused on efficiency and productivity. This strategic process is a welcome relief for IT managers with understaffed departments. It also eliminates the stress normally associated with IT for owners and enables them to work on their business and not in their business. So if your business communications provider doesn't offer managed services that eliminates the two greatest risks associated with technology – stop what you're doing and immediately re-evaluate your impending relationship
ABOUT IMAGINE TECHNOLOGY GROUP
Imagine Technology Group (ITG), an Arizona owned and operated company offering our customers a single point of contact for all their office technology needs. ITG provides a wide variety of document management solutions, workflow improvements, Multi-function devices, VoIP phone systems, digital signage, managed network services and IT Solutions. With our manufactures' National Programs, we can provide service and support anywhere in the world. Our goal is to be our customer's "ONE SOURCE" for any office technology solution they might need. Through top-notch customer service, provided by well-trained employees, ITG manages your technology so you do not have to. To learn more about our products, services and support please contact ITG at 602-454-0720 or visit www.itgarizona.com.
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