Great Lakes Computer Corporation

Managed Service Provider

IT Managed Services

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Why the Manufacturing Industry Wins with Managed Services

managed servicesManufacturing operations rely on IT for just about everything. When you have machines doing your work, you rely on other machines to control them. IT is part of production, logisitics, supply chain, customer interaction, and more. If it’s a large organization, as manufacturing companies tend to be, there will likely be multiple locations as well and the data needs to be available between them. Focusing on making your widget while also ensuring all that critical IT is running effectively is a daunting task. Taking advantage of managed services can help. Here’s how.

    • Focus on the Future.As a manufacturing company, you likely already have an in-house IT staff, so why would you outsource any IT function? Because your team spends more time fire fighting than proactively working on the next big thing. It’s generally accepted that an IT person spends half their time dealing with printer-related issues. The next big chunk is spent on OE-related issues (that’s Operator Error).

      If you have an IT expert on staff, did you hire them because they were great at fixing printers or rebooting the Wi-Fi? Probably not. But, those that understand how IT systems work tend to be targeted at every turn by users who aren’t tech savvy. Managed services can include network monitoring for connectivity issues, or print supply monitoring for when the toner runs low. Your IT team can get back to focusing on projects that will grow your revenue versus keeping you afloat.

    • Enabling a Cloud Shift.The cloud is where data processing is happening. If you are resisting it, you probably have a shelf full of VHS tapes somewhere too. It’s not a fad, it’s a better way to work. (Read this article for all the reasons why: 8 Ways a Complete Cloud Solution Wins) However, migrating your data and apps to the cloud can be time consuming and complex. A managed service provider (MSP) can ensure your cloud shift is effective and reduce the likelihood of downtime during the transition.
    • Active Monitoring and Reporting. When it comes to IT failures or maintenance, are you proactive or reactive? Actively monitoring the state of your IT can enable you to prevent downtime which can save your business money and prevent production delays. Regular maintenance and performance monitoring can also extend the life of your IT equipment. In manufacturing, it’s vital for you to oversee the performance of your production line, not the IT involved in it. An MSP can ensure you spend your time managing your production, not worrying about your hardware.
    • Data Security Threat Detection and Prevention. In today’s online world, data security breaches are a daily occurence. Do you have the resources to devote an in-house person to full-time cybersecurity? That’s what today’s business environment demands. An MSP can provide up-to-date protection and 24/7/365 detection and remediation of threats.

Managed IT service providers combine highly trained, qualified professionals with the advanced skills and experience to remotely monitor and manage IT infrastructures in the cloud or on a manufacturer’s premises. Many have the capability to manage infrastructure on a global scale, so that a manufacturer with international locations can benefit from consistent standards across all sites.

Great Lakes Computer is a trusted Managed IT Services Provider. We offer a range of managed services from network monitoring to cloud computing to managed print. We have the knowledge and expertise to ensure your IT is there to support your manufacturing operations. 

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How to Make More Money While Doing Less

managed service providerWe’ve certainly got your attention with that headline, right? Too good to be true? Not at all. Entrepreneurs are known for having great ideas, but they are equally notorious for thinking they can do it all. Many SMB owners are the first to admit that they “wear many hats”. They tend to hold the reigns, from accountant to manager and sales to procurement, potentially to their own detriment. So how can you possibly make more money while doing less? Smart outsourcing of day-to-day tasks.

Previously, outsourcing was reserved for the enterprise-level operations with big budgets. But, technology in general, and cloud computing specifically, has made these services realistic and applicable to businesses of any size. How can paying someone to do a task you could do in-house make you more money? Because you are buying yourself the time to focus on revenue-generating activities. You are using your expertise in the best way possible, and letting others do the same.

What Services Should I Outsource?

There are some functions that are quick to be outsourced, like payroll and background checks. Then there are the more complex or vital functions like marketing, blog writing, IT management, and accounting. When deciding what to outsource, determine which functions of your business make you different from your competition, your “core competencies.” The services that aren’t in this group you can consider outsourcing. There are a wide range of service providers from independent freelancers to small firms that specialize in being outsourced service providers for SMBs.

Who Is Providing these Services?

There are many providers who recognize that specializing in a particular business function could create great economies of scale for clients. These managed service providers can leverage their expertise to get the best results for their clients. Additionally, technology has enabled us to work remotely without a disruption in level of service. When it comes to functions like IT hardware management, data and network security issues, and printing functions, having an expert focused solely on this technology can be a boon to your bottom line. Even if you have in-house IT staff, do they have time to maintain all your hardware and networking needs while also innovating to help you grow?

How Do I Choose a Service Provider?

Today’s world runs on recommendations. We don’t go anywhere, or buy anything, without doing some quick research on what others have experienced. Managed Services should be the same. Ask other business owners that you trust. Ask for a list of references, and take the time to call them. Find a provider that understands your business needs and that values security. Check out our blog post Top Criteria for Choosing an IT Managed Service Provider.

How Do I Outsource Successfully?

The biggest factor in success, once you have chosen a function and provider, is to clarify your expectations. For example, if you value quality over speed then they need to know that. Don’t keep providers in the dark about your goals. You are paying them to act on your behalf, so give them access to the tools and information they need to successfully do their job. The challenge here is to outsource functionality securely, in a manner that does not put employee personal information or customer data at risk. 

When you outsource, you can focus your time, attention and resources on your company’s core competencies – and spend your time setting new goals and finding ways to achieve them.

Investing in the services of a Managed Service Provider pays off in dividends in the form of more time to focus on and grow your business. It also reduces the potential costs resulting from catastrophic hardware failure or data loss. The key is to find a provider you can trust. Your MSP is not just a vendor, but a partner that wants to see your business succeed and operates in your best interest. Great Lakes Computer can be that partner. We offer a range of Managed Services that can manage your IT and help you get back to what you’re good at.

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Top Criteria for Choosing an IT Managed Service Provider

managed service Trust is hard, especially when it comes to business because everyone has their own skin in the game. Choosing to outsource functions of your business is never a decision to take lightly. You are granting access to an outsider under the assumption they will protect your interests as well as you would yourself. Some of the most common functions to outsource are IT related because of the technical experience required. Here are the top 6 things you should consider when choosing an IT Managed Service Provider (MSP).

    1. How long have they been in business?
      While time is not always a strong predictor of performance, in IT it is more valuable than you’d think. Longevity indicates the MSP has evolved its offerings over time and kept current with the latest technologies.
    2. Can they offer testimonials or references?
      This is generally a good practice when hiring any vendor. Of course you run the risk the references come from friends that would never speak ill. Read between the lines. Look for details about how available and how responsive their service techs are. Often, IT support services are the most imperative in emergencies, especially when there is potential for down time. An MSP can have a laundry list of services, but that doesn’t mean they are top-notch service providers.
    3. Do they offer on-site presence in the event it’s needed?
      The beauty of many managed services, like cloud computing and server monitoring, is that they can be conducted remotely and automatically. But, if you need someone to be in your office in the event of a malfunction or disaster, can they be there? If you are local to your MSP, how quickly can you expect service?
    4. Do they offer a wide range of services that you need or may need in the future?
      You can choose separate providers for different functions, but it is certainly more convenient if you can go to one trusted provider for your servers, computers, printers, data storage, and security. That allows them to get the total view of your systems and potentially can allow for better pricing options.
    5. Are they forward thinking?
      Do they offer services that tie into current IT trends? Cloud computing is a necessity even if you’re not ready to migrate yet because you’ll need it eventually. You need an MSP that can help you keep your network data flowing regardless of the higher demands today’s many devices require from it.
    6. Do they put an emphasis on data and cyber security?
      Security is the name of the IT game. While computers and the internet have certainly increased our productivity and speed, they have also created an inherent vulnerability. Your MSP needs to have a range of security offerings, like backup and recovery and antivirus, but also needs to have stringent internal security as well. You need to be certain they are not leaving a backdoor into your valuable data.

If you ask these questions and find yourself satisfied with the answers, then you’ve probably found a Managed Services Provider you can trust. Great Lakes Computer has been in business for over thirty years. We have a roster of clients willing to tell you how much they value our service. We are extremely responsive and our Help Desk is available day or night. We offer a range of services from Managed Print to Cloud Computing to Backup and Recovery. We can also help with issues like HIPAA compliance and digital forensics. We keep ahead of IT trends to ensure our clients have all the IT support they may need. Your security is our main focus.

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