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HOME  >>  WHAT IS A MANAGED COMPUTER/NETWORK

So what is a managed computer/network and why is it important to you?

If you have a PC or a network that is being "managed" it means that you have someone responsible for and ensuring that routine tasks are being performed on your systems and your network is being monitored to identify potential problems. This, in turn, creates a more stable and predictable computing environment.

On the other hand, computers that are not "managed" typically exhibit these characteristics:

• Higher overall operating costs
• More frequent hardware and software problems
• Small problems that become serious ones
• Unexpected failures
• Inability to recover quickly when disruptions occur
• Higher rate of security breaches
• Less secure information
• Higher employee frustration and lower morale
• Lower employee productivity

What does it cost you, just in terms of lost productivity, when you have a disruption in your service? Understanding this it's easy to see how you can save over $600 per PC per year if you only perform the tasks on a regular basis that will keep you out of trouble.

Benefits of a Managed Network

1. Lower overall operating costs
1. Tasks performed on a regular basis (shown below) reduce the risk of hardware or software failures and other disruptions that lower employee productivity.
2. Fewer failures mean lower repair and recovery costs.
2. More secure information and environment
1. When virus protection, anti spyware software and operating system security patches are kept up to date your entire computing environment will be more secure.
2. Holes will be closed that allow intruders access to your network and information.
3. Your data will be backed up properly and regularly so that vital information is never irreparably lost.
4. You will know when unwanted software or devices are added to your network.
3. More stable computing environment
1. Task performed on a regular basis and best practice processes will result in fewer problems and fewer major problems.
2. Monitoring your network will alert you to trends and events that signal potential trouble allowing you to avoid disruptions to service and security breaches.
3. You will know when you resources run low allowing you to proactively avert disruptions.
4. Higher performing computer environment
1. The systems and network will be monitored to ensure that system resources are available when needed.
2. You will know when you need to add resources such as more memory or disk space that will maintain a high performance level.
5. More productive employees
1. Fewer problems mean less time spent troubleshooting or waiting for a computer to come back into service and more time spent on growing your business.
2. Mundane tasks are no longer the responsibility of the end users.
3. If you outsource the management of your network your employees will be focused on growing your business.

Typical tasks that should be performed on a regular basis:

• Weekly and monthly maintenance such has scan disk, defragmentation and temp file removal
• Virus and Spyware detection and removal programs are run on a scheduled basis to ensure your machines are completely protected. End users should not be burdened with this responsibility.
• Anti-virus and Spyware programs should be updated daily. No more assuming that your machines are protected.
• Your servers and workstations operating software and MS Office products should be updated weekly with the latest security patches.
• Daily monitoring of your hands-free backup system. If a backup fails to happen you will be alerted.
• Periodic testing of your backups to ensure that you can recover data from your backups. This will give you complete confidence that you can recover from a crash!
• Continuous monitoring of your network to alert you of security breaches or other intrusions.
• Proactive review of your server and pc event and error (malfunction) logs to head off trouble before it is too late. This allows you to take action before a small problem turns big.
• Physical maintenance of your servers should be performed at regular intervals to avoid preventable failures.
• Regularly monitor the stats of your machines to ensure that they are not running out of resources that can lead to reduced productivity or failures. For example you can check hard drive space, memory useage, central processor utilization ETC.
• Continuous monitoring will alert you if key machines or network resources are no longer available so that you can take action.
• Continuous monitoring will alert you to hardware and software changes so you will know when someone adds or deletes software or adds devices to your network.

What reporting should you get with a managed network?

• An executive summary of your entire network
• Your overall security patch status
• Your network health score
• The number of successful backups
• The number of alert notifications captured in the month
• The disk space used by machine
• How many virus and Spyware scans were performed
• Detailed reporting by PC & Server that shows any malfunctions, failed login attempts, internal network speed score/history, internet speed score/history, and hardware/software changes by machine.

InfoGuard services will allow you to focus on running and growing your business. We can help you prevent problems from happening, protect your information and prepare you for recovery in the event of a disruption.

Learn about InfoGuard Sentry programs.

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