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.
One reason a business may be hesitant to move their servers to a cloud computing provider is their current licensing structures make it difficult. In July, it will be easier than ever for businesses to use the cloud. Microsoft announced that on July 1st, it will allow customers the flexibility of deploying their servers on-premises or on the Cloud through a Microsoft Service Provider. The new licensing structure is called “License Mobility.”
Let’s say you have a current set of Microsoft servers with volume licensing purchased under Software Assurance. Previously, if you wanted to host those servers in the Cloud, you would eat the cost of those licenses and have to buy more. In July, however, the cost advantage of the cloud will apply to even your existing licenses.
Cloud computing, mobility and the tablet go hand in hand…in hand.
It’s not just consumers who are buying up iPads and tablets. More and more businesses are snatching up tablets for corporate use. It’s not just small businesses either. One article reports that 80% of the largest Fortune 100 companies are developing/testing apps specifically for the Apple iPad. This article at
VentureBeat quotes a Samsung’s chief strategy office, Omar Khan, as saying, “We want each company to hand out 50,000 tablets instead of 50,000 laptops.”
Of course, many of these companies will leverage public and private cloud computing networks to deliver unprecedented levels of business function and mobility.
Smartphone/tablet manufacturers would love to see their mobile tablets overtake the PC market. But will it?
Author: Larry Bodie
Pop quiz. Q. What do CBS and Microsoft have in common?
A. They both would lose money if they offered their products through the cloud.
It’s no secret that your cable company doesn’t want to make more viewable content available via the internet. Take network television as case in point. The big three networks will be the absolute last to deliver their shows in real time over the internet, despite the obvious advantages to viewers. Why? It’s because of the dollars – they lose the revenue. If they offer their programs through the internet, then they don’t control the sole avenue of distribution, they don’t control the attention of the viewers, and they don’t control the ad dollars.
In much the same vein, companies like Dell and HP don’t want to enable IT support companies and cloud providers to offer the windows desktop virtually from the cloud. Imagine how horrified Dell or HP would be if Claris Networks could offer the virtual Microsoft desktop from our cloud. Nearly 90% of our clients would have no need for a real desktop computer. Thin clients galore!