For managed services providers, deploying new PCs and performing desktop and laptop migrations are common but perilous tasks. The adage “you’re only as good as your last performance” certainly applies. An MSP and its technicians can get everything right, complete a client’s complex cloud migrations, and perform remote work initiatives and proprietary business application upgrades, ...

Successful IT departments are defined not only by the technology they deploy and manage, but by the skills and capabilities of their people. IT workers must keep up to date with the latest technology trends and evolutions, as well as developing soft skills like project management, presentation and persuasion, and general management. Due to the ...

Managed services providers often prioritize properly configuring and implementing client network switches and firewalls. However, regularly reviewing and updating such components is an equally important responsibility. It’s essential to ensure clients understand the necessity of regularly auditing, updating and creating new backups for network switches and routers as well as the need for scheduling the ...

A service level agreement is a proven method for establishing expectations for arrangements between a service provider and a customer. SLAs involve identifying standards for availability and uptime, problem response/resolution times, service quality, performance metrics and other operational concepts. SLAs streamline operations and allow both parties to identify a proper framework for ensuring business efficiency ...

Data in transit means data is at risk if the proper precautions aren’t followed. Data stored inside a securely monitored environment is much less likely to fall into the wrong hands than data exchanged between people and systems. With this in mind, it is essential for company personnel to adhere to firm and clear guidelines ...

Ethical behavior is something most people practice every day. It’s rare that an organization will need to enforce an ethics policy, but having one in place is a good idea. This ethics policy from TechRepublic Premium outlines areas where interactions with vendors might be questionable. From the policy: STANDARDS FOR CONDUCT Any short-term benefit gained ...

Data without an associated backup is only as reliable as the system upon which it is stored — and every system has a finite life span or may be susceptible to malware or hacking efforts. This form from TechRepublic Premium provides a simple method for end users to submit data backup requests. Backup basics: There ...

Point-of-sale systems present a wholly different challenge compared to just deploying a new PC. While managed service providers must remember all the same and myriad details as with a PC when deploying a new POS workstation, there are a host of additional and often complex and sometimes sensitive elements that must be properly addressed with ...

When computer systems fail, business grinds to a halt, and that can cost your enterprise a considerable amount of money. With the help of TechRepublic Premium’s Systems Downtime Expense Calculator (an xlsx file), you can estimate just how much each system failure is going to cost you. From the download: WHEN TO USE THIS TOOL ...

Many organizations still manage email infrastructure themselves using local, on-premise equipment. Such firms are a dying breed for a good reason: Cloud-based email solutions simplify administration, typically enhance security, provide broader ease of access and often lower total overall operating costs. Organizations that haven’t already migrated email service to the cloud, subsequently, are likely to ...