IT Support in Business is the vital support system that all else depends upon

As small and medium sized companies and organizations become increasingly reliant on their IT networks for maintaining nearly all aspects of their business, a great deal of emphasis has been put on finding the right IT person for the job.  Once that person has been brought on board, they become the go-to for troubleshooting across all aspects of operations.  It can be argued that a company’s “IT Department of 1” is not only the busiest person in the company, but in times of network outages and PC issues, they are the most crucial to operations.

But what happens when your IT guy or gal wants to take a vacation, or comes down with the flu?

Business cannot stop just because an employee wants to use their well deserved time off.  It is imperative for companies to have a plan in place to address your company’s vital operations even when the one person you rely on is not available.  Having a company such as Great Lakes Computer in your back pocket, available to provide on-call IT maintenance and repair on a non-contractual basis, could be just the answer you are looking for.

“The Importance of IT Support in Business”

For more compelling reasons to prioritize your IT Support, read our last blog article “The Importance of IT Support in Business” by George Pettit.

Learn more about the author Bob Martin

We found this article by George Pettit that stresses the importance of having a robust IT Support System in place, and why it is imperative to have a backup plan in place when your IT Department is not available:

The Importance of IT Support in Business

By George Pettit

Virtually every company depends on its computer network. Its cash flow and inventory are just two of the figures that need to be closely monitored and this can only be done with assurance through a functioning computer system. In addition, the clients are serviced through computer generated software and any interruption in the system will cost the Business clients. Clients will go to companies that respond quickly to their needs and will not be understanding when a company is offline for a considerable period of time.

IT Support is a necessary ingredient for a successful Business. As long as the company servicing your needs is excellent, it makes little difference in the method of service. Many companies have gone offshore seeking IT Support for their Businesses. It is not necessary for the technicians to be on site in order to service the IT network. This can be done remotely and works very well. The problem with the offshore approach is that there are justifiable complaints in understanding the offshore personnel. Though they may be fluent in the language of the company, accents are frustrating. Offshore is cheaper and the decision has to be made whether the frugality is worth the frustration. Onshore IT support is preferable with no language problems resulting.

In house computer teams are prevalent in larger corporations. This is an expensive way to gain IT Support, but if it is effective there is nothing wrong with this system. Whatever IT Support is used by Business; it must be ready to service the company on a 24/7 basis. The company can be called on site or remedy the problem remotely but the response time needs to be fast. The IT Support must be able to alleviate the negative situation as soon as possible. Make sure you have an IT Support company in place prior to a breakdown in computer services.

IT Support must be excellent. Without great support, the advanced technology of the company will be rendered useless, if it cannot be brought online immediately after a problem. IT Support in Business is the vital support system that all else depends upon.

Intellekt will continue to focus and innovate as an IT Support Melbourne leader to government, non-profit and commercial entities. This includes IT security review, penetration testing, audit, compliance services, small business IT managed services and network consulting.

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Learn more about the author Bob Martin

Understanding remote hardware monitoring

Given the ongoing global financial situation, and the fact that “cost saving” and “restructuring” have been phrases used around many boardroom tables, it should come as little surprise that remote hardware monitoring is on the increase.

Unlike traditional “in-house” IT management solutions, a remote system for monitoring the performance and maintenance carries out these tasks via the internet.  These remote hardware monitoring systems work in much the same way as a managed approach might work with software monitoring, but they actually look after the physical hardware.  This is perhaps most useful within small- and medium-sized organizations.

With these monitoring tasks completed remotely, there is an immediate cost saving in that the salary and other costs associated with that position are no longer present.  However, in the case of a small business that might not necessarily have a dedicated IT support worker, this job is invariably hoisted onto an existing member of staff, who probably had enough to do in the first place.  What inevitably happens in this situation is that the job is neglected, and equipment begins to suffer, ultimately breaking down way ahead of time.

To a business trying to save money on IT support, a system that results in hardware needing to be replaced more often does not make sense.  With managed hardware monitoring systems, all alerts are noted and responded to by trained and dedicated staff in a timely manner, giving the said hardware a fighting chance to last as long as would be expected.

These systems work by providing a constant data stream of system performance to the remote server.  Information such as system temperature, voltage, power level and even the performance of the cooling fans is monitored and dealt with remotely, giving piece of mind to the business that hardware is in the best possible hands.

Remote Monitoring for Legacy AS/400 iSeries Systems

Great Lakes Computer offers NEMS/400 monoitoring, which constantly monitors your hardware and reports any problems so we can be there before they happen. NEMS/400 was created to allow GLC to offer the same “comfort factor” that IBM is able to leverage as a major player in the AS/400-iSeries maintenance market place. This service provides complete system monitoring, automatic alerts and customer notification for all of your AS/400 and iSeries products.