PC maintenance can sneak up on any business owner. Sometimes it’s software errors that keep adding up until the machine can’t function, or that sneaky virus that started out nonchalant so you didn’t notice it — right up until it’s taken your whole machine hostage.
Not only can things happen while you’re busy or to a machine you haven’t paid attention to in awhile, but the challenge of routine maintenance grows as you add more and more computers to the business. How integrated are all the systems, and how much would it impact your business if a few were to suddenly go down?
So What Is Remote Monitoring?
Remote monitoring involves the use of software on your system(s) that allows an IT firm like Utopia’s Edge to track things that happen with that system. The software can monitor system resource usage, like processor and hard disks, to determine unusual patterns. It can monitor when updates are installed and when virus scans are run. If software or other components aren’t working, there are often ways to observe those as well.
A system covered by remote monitoring allows for the user and the IT company to institute good maintenance habits.
Once set up, remote monitoring can:
- Make sure regular virus scans are scheduled, performed, and reviewed. If there are viruses, ensure they’re dealt with.
- Perform maintenance functions like disk scans, defrags (for non-SSD), Windows updates, and driver updates
- Monitor internet connectivity and address issues
- Reboot or shut down machines as needed
- Determine as proactively as possible if an on-site visit is needed to address something before it becomes a huge deal
Simply put: having a full time staff IT guy (or gal) can be pricey, especially for smaller companies. If you don’t have a lot of computers you probably don’t have enough work to justify a full time person anyway. But you do need support and to know that if something happens you have someone who can correct it quickly.
So where does that leave you?
That’s precisely where outsourced IT comes in. For a much lower monthly cost you can have all the protection your systems need without the overhead. When you need someone on-site, we can have someone there to handle things directly and get you back in action as quickly as possible. With remote monitoring, we can ensure your systems are always up to date and protected. If the machine is going to need upgrades that can’t be done remotely, those are things we can plan for with you. And with our Gold plan, with any covered PC we’ll rebuild it or install upgrades without a service charge when those upgrades are needed.
Ready to learn more? Contact us today to explore the options best for your business!