Great Lakes Computer Corporation

Managed Service Provider

Archives for September 2012

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51% Think Storms Affect Cloud Computing

Does severe weather impact cloud computing?

Storm Cloud Computing

As seasoned IT Professionals, we may chuckle at the question posed above.  However, a recent survey from Citrix shows that many are still confused about what cloud computing is, if they ever use it, and if the National Weather Service is involved.

Read the full article here for some light, and enlightening, Friday reading.

To learn more about cloud computing and explore “weather” or not it is right for your organization at this time, download Dell’s Free eBook, “Bringing the Cloud Down to Earth.”

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Professional Printer Repair – Facts you need to know about printers

Professional Printer Repair for your Business Equipment

professional printer repairSmall businesses and “one man shops” often avoid the need for printer repair completely by purchasing small, cheap printers that can be thrown away and replaced when they start acting up.  This is not a realistic option for larger businesses and most SMB’s,  however.  As most owners and CIOs know, the cost of toner instead of ink cartridges dramatically reduces the cost of printing.  This makes it worthwhile to purchase a professional document center instead of a standalone printer.  These document centers double as standard copying and fax machines in addition to handling print jobs coming from the organization’s computer network.

Once a professional-level printer is in service, however, a company will have to consider its eventual need for printer services.  Document centers need regular maintenance from a skilled and qualified technician, and while they do not break down very frequently, sooner or later they will probably experience a problem that requires professional intervention.  

Not all issues, however, should require users of a laser printer or document center to call for assistance.  It is in the interest of larger businesses to make sure that there are several workers on hand who have received proper training for dealing with common problems that may arise.  One of the most typical issues that takes down a professional level printer is a paper jam.  While removing a paper jam from a low-cost inkjet printer is largely self-evident, this is not always the case with a large printer able to perform advanced functions such as automatic stapling and printing on both sides of a page on request.  The route paper travels through such machines can be highly convoluted.  

When the unit is new, workers who will habitually use it should be trained to find and clear paper jams.  They should also know how to replace supplies such as toner and cartridges containing staples.  With proper training in place, the company will need to contact a professional repair services firm only when a true malfunction occurs. 

Managed Print Services

If the idea of printer downtime and repair stresses you out as a business owner/manager, perhaps it is time to consider a Managed Print Service Contract.  Great Lakes Computer’s MPS includes printer repair and maintenance, all for about the same amount you’re paying an OEM provider just for print supplies!

Consider these added benefits of using Great Lakes Computer for Managed Print Services:

    • All inclusive plan: everything is included except the paper (i.e. toner, maintenance kits, all parts, labor, etc)
    • Lower print costs with 10 – 30% savings on overall printing costs
    • The program is billed on a “per page” basis, which means how much you pay per month will depend upon how much you print
    • Preventative printer maintenance to increase uptime and reduce printer repair service calls
    • Automated print supply ordering and trouble notification
    • Less IT involvement with printing problems
    • Precise management of print resources to control and reduce print cost
    • Your printers are monitored remotely, enabling us to catch problems early and resolve them more efficiently. We monitor the toner level of a printer, any errors that are generated, as well as the page count. GLC can then produce various reports with information that gives you a better overview of your print operations, plus insights as to how you can further reduce your costs.

Let us take a look at your current print operations, and help identify where you can save – schedule a free, no obligation assessment today:

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Cloud Computing – Is it Time to Make the Move?

Is the cloud right for your industry?

Cloud ComputingOne of the most pressing questions facing small businesses across the board these days is whether or not software located in the cloud can provide cost savings great enough to justify a transition to cloud IT solutions.  As more and more companies and even entire industries make the transition, it becomes all the more important for small businesses to look into the matter as well.  This is because in business, as in life, it is often the case that those who do not keep up will end up falling behind.  In today’s competitive business climate, that can spell doom.

Several key issues can help a given business determine if a move to the cloud is warranted at this time.

Weigh security considerations

Cloud computing security is one of the largest concerns that small businesses express regarding the adoption of cloud services.  Those considering transitioning services onto the cloud are well-advised to interview cloud vendors carefully.  Ask for a list of references and follow up with them, inquiring about other customers’ experiences with the vendor.  Case studies are another helpful tool for an organization vetting a cloud provider, as long as the companies involved in the study are participants in the same industry or a similar one.  A case study about working with a small medical practice, however, may be of relatively limited use to a firm engaged in manufacturing.

Verify data backup procedures

Ask how a cloud computing provider backs up the data that companies entrust to it.  Be sure to inquire about the worst-case scenario and ask what would happen to mission-critical data in the cloud should the cloud services provider actually go out of business.  It is also important to understand any lock-in features of the SLA (service level agreement) arranged between a cloud provider and a business.  If the business finds it expedient to move its data to an alternate provider, will it have to wait until the SLA expires?

Clear SLA language

The more specific an SLA is, the better.  Businesses should be wary of cloud providers that ask them to sign SLAs with vague terms.  Penalty clauses can be a good tool to help ensure full compliance with all terms; when a provider knows it will suffer a financial loss due to underperformance, it helps them pursue their duties with increased diligence.

If a small business is not satisfied with the cloud computing security or data backup provisions available from cloud providers, or cannot come to fair and enforceable SLA terms, then it is probably best to continue looking for a provider that meets all its needs.

Great Lakes computer is an Authorized AppAssure Partner, delivering the #1 Backup and Disaster Recover Software on the market.

Download the free eBook

To help you get started on your Cloud Computing strategy, we recommend downloading the free eBook, “Bringing the Cloud Down to Earth” from Dell.

You may also wish to learn more about calculating Total Cost of Ownership when deciding on a transition to the cloud.  Click here to download a white paper to help calculate TCO.

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