Tag: Managed IT

Advantages of Remote Monitoring in Winston Salem

by Brian

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?

Remote monitoring services for max uptime

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!

Managed IT vs. Your Smart Nephew

by Brian

A lot of folks have someone in their family they use as their go-to IT person. If your laptop is acting up, call Uncle Bob or your nephew — he’s a computer genius. In some cases this is a fine solution, but when it comes to your business you owe it to yourself to take an extra step.

First of all, there’s a difference between home computing and business IT needs. This is true from software to the types of things the computer is even doing, the devices it interacts with, and the technology it’s dependent on. How you resolve warranty claims or deal with technology vendors can also be a fairly different ball game.

There’s also a big difference between setting up a home computer to work on a home network versus advanced networking protocols for offices and corporations. There are similarities, and sometimes a person knows just enough to make it work short term, but not a good long term solution. That never becomes clear at an opportune moment, right?

Technology Needs Are A Time Commitment

One of the big advantages of managed IT solutions is that in the event that you need to contact services providers, such as Time Warner, your IT professional can handle that for you. “How do I explain what’s even wrong? How do I do the solution they’re giving me, and is that fair?” These are questions you don’t need to worry about with managed IT.

And if it ends up being a long call, you not being personally tied up for that length of time is doubly valuable.

Your nephew has a life of his own outside of your IT needs. Can you count on calling on him or her at any point of the day? On weekends?

No one wants to be in a situation where crucial technology breaks down and no one who can fix it is available. How long can that technology stay down before it really impacts your business or damages relationships with your customers?

Simpler to let the pros handle it.

Our managed IT solutions are tiered to fit your business needs. We can ensure your PCs are maintained, updated, and that virus scans are run and dealt with, or we can manage all aspects of your systems. Either way, we think of ourselves as your technology partners.