By Rachel Noe
Searching for a managed services provider and determining exactly the services your business needs is an easily overwhelming process. There are many options available to you. We have been asked many times what different
managed services there are and how an organization might employ them. As an entry in our Q&A series, we take a look at a few of the different managed services options available to you through a provider like Claris.
Managed Computer Support
Let’s say you have the IT hardware but lack the time or technical staff to maintain it. This is a common experience among growing businesses, and is the point where managed computer support comes into the picture. This service ensures that each issue that affects your company’s devices is handled by a competent technician with experience resolving issue. This can also include remote monitoring of computers (and other hardware), which enables your provider to resolve many issues remotely, minimizing the effect on your workday and productivity.
No, we’re not talking about cirrus, stratus, and cumulus clouds. However, just as there are different clouds in the sky, there are different aspects of cloud computing that make up what we say when we refer to the Cloud.
First, the
public cloud.
In this model, the infrastructure is owned by an organization selling cloud space as-a-service, and is widely available on a pay-per-use basis. RackSpace and Amazon Web Services are two of the most commonly used public cloud services. Pursuing this model typically requires considerable front-end technical knowledge. Additionally, it is dependent on a consistent, robust internet connection. If the connection goes down, you will be unable to access your cloud-hosted data or applications.
Technology can help your small businesses grow, add value to your customers, and provide a competitive advantage over your competitors. But how do you choose an information technology (IT) provider that will
best help you? Here are a few suggestions on how to find the best solution, whatever your situation and technology needs may be.
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Network with others in your community
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At the most basic level, start by asking other businesses in your network which solutions they are using. Which IT professionals/firms do they recommend?
Who is Microsoft’s greatest competitor? Exact numbers on market share are difficult to come by, but many would say Google, with Gmail and the Google Apps suite. Ted Swanson, CEO of
IT Solutions, says “Google’s market share in the email market with Google Apps is estimated around 6%, with some people estimating around 1-2%.” Despite the common perception, Google hasn’t quite succeeded in taking over the world.
Our hearts continue to go out to Japan and those affected by the recent tornadic storm systems. And while the earthquake in Japan and the swath of tornadic destruction in the South are tragedies of a different scale, each has served as a reminder that East Tennessee is not immune to natural disasters.
As a business, disasters like the earthquake in Japan and Knoxville’s own storms should make us think. "What would happen if my business was flooded? What would happen to my clients if disaster struck?"
A study by
Gartner reports that “43 percent of companies were immediately put out of business by a “major loss” of computer records, and another 51 percent permanently closed their doors within two years — leaving a mere six percent survival rate.”