Computer Support Services of
Servers and the use of Remote Access
The
support of an organisation’s IT infrastructure is becoming an increasingly
crucial part of the operation of any successful business.
All organisations, whatever the size, are becoming increasingly
dependant on their IT services in particular their server.
The support and proactive management of these systems by Remote Access or
other means is now crucial to the
success and the unavailability of any component part, even for the shortest
period of time, can at least lead to customer dissatisfaction and
potentially lead to major disruption in productivity.
Typical Configuration
Most
small to medium sized businesses will as a minimum have a configuration that
is based on a server providing storage, shared printing, email and firewall
systems, an internet access provider and associated hardware and a number of
desktops. In addition to this
hardware standard software such as the Microsoft Office suite or Open Office
equivalent is likely to be installed on every desktop, as well as specific
software designed for the operation unique to that business.
Email is
now almost exclusively the preferred method of communication having replaced
traditional letter or fax, and the maintenance of a safe and efficient email
environment is of prime importance.
Expansion
Even the
smallest expansion, such as adding an additional desktop to the existing
environment can end up being a complex issue.
Application of the software and commissioning of the users email is a
time consuming task unless appropriately mechanised and professionally
planned. All too often
small companies suffer from an organic growth in their IT infrastructure,
which leads to more complex problems at a later date.
The Key Support Area
Without
doubt the most essential piece of the infrastructure is the server and this
should be proactively monitored by Computer Support Services.
Server Operating Systems all now provide for daily reports that can
be automatically emailed to the support desk and by accurate analysis of
these daily reports many problems can be diagnosed and addressed before they
even become apparent to the users.
By using such technologies as remote access a support desk can access
the server from a remote location and make such corrections and amendments
as are necessary. At the same time is also possible to make software
configurations, add or remove users and deal with virtually all the routine
maintenance tasks without even requiring a visit to site.
Most
modern systems will almost certainly be dependant on Microsoft Operating
Systems and Microsoft’s policy of updating security within their products on
a monthly basis, on the second Tuesday of each month commonly known as
“patch Tuesday”, is easily and safely addressed by the use of remote access.
In the
unlikely event of a issue being identified that cannot be rectified by
remote access a site visit can be scheduled with minimum delay thus enabling
a 4 hour response time to be easily achievable from an organisation such as
ourselves offering Computer Support Services.
Desktops
The
management and maintenance of desktops presents a more complex issue.
This is essentially caused by the generic growth within the
organisation and the varying configurations and specifications of machines
within the organisation.
However, similar principles can be employed as to the proactive management
of servers although economics will usually dictate that desktop management
is based on a reactive arrangement.
Unlike the server, a single desktop malfunction is unlikely to cause
any serious issue in the short term and the most efficient method of dealing
with such a scenario is a call to the support service when such a
malfunction or configuration issue arises.
Using remote access the support desk can again in most instances,
other than hardware failure, diagnose the problem, take the necessary
corrective action and complete the task with the minimum of delay.
Desktops PCs can be configured to automatically update following the
release of security patches and as, as in the corporate environment,
security and user access is controlled via the server there is usually
little difficulty in maintaining desktops within a similar 4 hour response
time.
Summary
Contracting out Computer support services for the small to medium sized
enterprise is without doubt the most cost effective solution.
Working with an organisation such as ours we can proactively monitor
all key services as well as ensuring that essential tasks such as back-up
and disaster recovery operations are adequate and tested on a regular basis.
With a properly documented and constructed networking environment the
addition of extra desktops or software packages and the associated
configuration becomes routine.
As Microsoft partners we are well positioned to advise on the full range of
Microsoft server and desktop products as well as newer technology such as
virtualisation via VM Ware and mobile working using Blackberry or Windows
Mobile technologies.
Helpful Contacts
Business Link
Web
Address: www.businesslink.gov.uk
Practical
advise for businesses with regional centres throughout the UK.
Telephone
Contact: 0845 6009006
Midas Solutions
Web
Address:
www.midas-solutions.co.uk
A
North West general business
consultancy providing all Computer Support Services for
Servers, Desktops,
business advice, marketing advice.
Information Technology Services, Disaster Recovery Planning and Disaster
Recovery Services
Telephone
Contact: 01253 895927 or Use our
Contact Form for more information on
Computer Support Services, Servers, or Remote Access services
|