All posts by SystemsNet Administrator

Discussing Your Information Governance Policy with a Managed Service Provider (MSP)

Manage Service, ,
20170106

Staying in control of your business’ data is vital and can be made easier using a managed service provider

Businesses often generate tremendous amounts of data. Consider all of the emails you’ve ever sent, the documents you’ve written up, and the files you store on all of your computing devices and on platforms like Google Drive. Think about surveys you’ve sent to customers, information you’ve collected about their buying preferences and habits, and the data analyses you’ve conducted.

 

 

To stay in control of your data and manage it wisely, you need to develop a comprehensive information governance policy.

The benefits include the following:

  • A sensible system of organization for all of your data, whether it’s a critical file you need immediate access to or older information you can stow away somewhere.
  • Clear guidelines for employees on how they should store, share, or delete data.
  • Improved data security, decreasing the chances that you’ll suffer from a successful cyber attack. (With increases in the rate of data breaches, no organization is safe from getting targeted.)
  • A more effective use of data to glean insights from it and complete your work with greater efficiency and accuracy.
  • Greater trust in the continued existence of your data, instead of worrying about permanent data losses or experiencing unsustainable amounts of downtime as you struggle to restore data after an IT disaster.
  • Reliable compliance with data regulations that affect your industry.
  • Less waste of resources, as you develop more cost-effective ways to store and manage data, and rely on safe ways to dispose of it when needed.

How can a Managed Service Provider (MSP) help?

With an MSP, you enjoy a comprehensive, personalized array of IT services provided by experienced professionals. You’ll receive invaluable guidance and assistance with creating an information governance policy and implementing it in your organization.

One example is your choice of data backup solutions. The wrong software and hardware will endanger your most sensitive data or lead to costly delays in data restoration. There are various solutions to choose from; these range from high-quality cloud storage for critical and confidential information to magnetic tape for older, unessential, and less sensitive data. Whatever you choose needs to make sense for your data and for your organization’s needs. Your MSP will assist you with data backups, including making sure the backups aren’t left incomplete.

Another issue that comes up is how to handle your growing volume of data, particularly if your company is expanding in scope or working on projects involving massive amounts of information. Where do you store it all? Many companies rely on a hybrid of cloud computing and local storage solutions, but the specifics really depend on your particular demands.

Then there’s the need for data security, essential for protecting your customers, business partners, and employees while also meeting regulatory requirements. Your MSP will monitor your network round-the-clock and immediately respond to signs of unauthorized activity. They can safely dispose of data you wish to get rid of and help you make use of encryption, firewalls, anti-malware programs, and other cyber defenses. With your MSP’s assistance, your employees can also undergo training for safer computing habits and remain aware of the threats your organization faces.

Another advantage of working with an MSP when you’re developing and implementing your information governance policy is that your MSP will remain in regular communication with you. They’ll keep you apprised of the health of your IT system and point out areas that could use improvement. Working with their feedback and advice will help you strengthen your organization’s ability to manage and make use of data.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information about the services we provide as an MSP. Your data is a precious resource that should never be left in neglect and disarray.

Why Your Business Needs a Live Answer Help Desk

Manage Service, ,
20161222

Using a live answer help desk can improve both customer interaction and satisfaction

One thing that’s interesting about working in businesses, is that there’s always room for improvement. Not just in terms of upgrading your technology, but in relation to customer interactions as well. First of all, let’s look at the former. In terms of technology, let’s say that you’re using a flash drive for storing all your info. While this a great tool that’s portable to boot, have you thought about other methods of storing your data? After all, considering how unpredictable disasters can be in the workplace, contingency plans are always important. As a second option, cloud computing would be very valuable as well.

Now let’s look at the latter. How can you not only improve your customer interactions, but their satisfaction as well? If nothing else, have you considered using a live answer help desk for your business? The key to a successful company is to keep your customers happy, as they’re the heart and soul of your business. With live chat support on your website, your customers will be able to reach you at the blink of an eye. Overall, here are some advantages to having a live answer help desk.

#1. Satisfied Customers

Remember how I mentioned that keeping your customers happy, is all part of a successful business? A live answer help desk is great because it satisfies the customers needs immediately. In this day and age of social media and fast paced technology, we want answers to our questions now. It can be frustrating trying to call a business to resolve an issue, only to be put on hold for up to an hour. Not to mention that even though most businesses have a direct email, you might not always get an immediate response. After all, businesses often receive hundreds of customer concerns, and yours might just get lost in the pile. With a live answer help desk, however, any problems or concerns you have are quickly and easily resolved. Not to mention the business agent isn’t dealing with other customers, as they’re focused on you and you only. For example, let’s say that you’re relatively new to the business website, and you’re wondering how to operate. You don’t have to learn yourself, or wait for someone on the phone to guide you. An associate via the help desk could give you all the assistance you need.

#2. Improves Your Business Reputation

Not only are businesses very competitive, but they’re always looking for ways to improve their reputation. Not to mention give themselves the advantage over other companies. With that said, having a live answer help desk is great for this. When it comes to the former, how does a help desk improve your reputation? First of all, when your customers see that they’re able to get an immediate response from your company, there’s a chance they’ll go and tell others about it. After all, word of mouth is effective, and this could bring in more potential customers in the long run. As for the latter, a help desk gives you the advantage over companies that lack one. After all, you’re able to reach, respond to, and bring in customers more quickly.

#3. Customers Can Give Useful Feedback

Another benefit of having a live answer help desk, is that in the long run, it allows you to use all customer feedback to your advantage. Remember, during the end of most chat sessions, the customer is asked if there’s anything else that can be done for them. Not to mention they’re often given an optional survey that asks about the satisfaction of the service. The business can use this survey feedback and any concerns to not only improve their business, but the way they interact with their customers as well.

Between giving your customers an immediate response, improving your business reputation, and getting useful feedback from customers, these are some advantages of having a live answer help desk. Have you considered using one for your business? For more information, feel free to contact us today at SystemsNet. We look forward to hearing from you, and assisting you in the best way possible.

How Businesses Benefit with Access to a Live Answer Help Desk

Manage Service, ,
20161216

SystemsNet offers businesses the ability to call in anytime of the night or day for support

Technology has opened up many opportunities for businesses, yet it’s also created more complexity in day-to-day workflows. Just about every department and function within a modern business relies on some form of technology, making efficient management of these systems imperative. Inevitably, questions and problems will arise, which leads us into our topic: how businesses benefit with access to a live answer help desk.

 

Local or Remote MSP

The scope and scale of technology will differ for each business, yet even a simple brick and mortar retail business will find a live answer help desk vitally useful at times. This live answer help desk connects businesses with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), either remotely or locally. SystemsNet, for instance, is located in Horsham, PA, offering on-site services to the tri-state area, including: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties – and offering remote services across the country.

Each business’s IT needs are different, which will dictate whether they want to partner with a local or remote MSP. When it comes to having access to a live answer help desk, many issues can be resolved remotely through walk through answers/ instructions, or with remote access to systems. Partnering with a local MSP does offer the ability to ask for on-site services when remote help isn’t enough to solve the issue.

Continuous Support Anytime

SystemsNet offers businesses the ability to call in anytime of the night or day, in order to get IT help from a live technician with expertise; the live answer help desk will either be immediately available or within 2 minutes time. Continuous support 24/7/365 is vital when it comes to IT support, considering problems and questions are just as likely to occur during off-hour times.

The Practicality of IT Support

When it comes down to it, businesses can’t afford their IT systems breaking down or collapsing, so ensuring there’s proper support to keep them going continuously and smoothly is essential. SystemsNet maintains a diverse staff with technical expertise in many different applications and systems; network specialists, application developers, system administrators, and consultants are available to help businesses with products from popular industry leaders.

Access, anytime, to live IT support is helpful for remote clients in different time zones as well, because they may have a question or issue during their business hours. Whether local or remote, clients will benefit from having access to live answer IT support for: network troubleshooting, software installation, spam filtering, technical advice, and any other IT support need.

In this modern world, this is a practical need for any business using IT systems. The need for robust cybersecurity, maintenance, upgrades, and understanding complex back-end issues with software and hardware, all make the case for the practicality of having access to a live answer help desk.

As Needed IT Services and Support Partner

When partnering with SystemsNet, businesses will have access to as needed IT support. Being able to call our live answer help desk anytime, gives businesses the IT support needed to augment their internal IT teams or be a more comprehensive IT services provider. Either way, the cost structure is as needed, which means there’s no superfluous expenses.

Summary

Technology has become integral in modern businesses for day-to-day operations, which can either work for or against them. Security, compliance, inefficiencies, and maintenance issues can all become impediments to productivity and, even, cause total shut down. Many times preventative maintenance or timely information can thwart unwanted IT interruptions, which makes a good case for businesses to partner with a local or remote MSP.

Partnering with SystemsNet for a live answer help desk gives businesses peace of mind, knowing they have IT expertise only a phone call away 24/7. They’ll also gain a trusted consultant for popular and innovative software and hardware solutions if needed.

SMBs don’t have to risk IT issues or put up with inefficiencies because they have a limited IT department, instead they can partner with SystemsNet and get the answers needed through a live answer help desk. If interested in learning more please contact us today.

Resolution for 2017: Working with a Top-Notch Managed Service Provider (MSP)

Manage Service, ,

20161215

Its that time of year again with the holiday season quickly approaching.  Were all making those last minute purchases to be sure purchases gifts make it to our door before the Christmas and making plans to spend time with family members.

As 2016 draws to a close, consider how the IT services you rely on can improve in the coming year.

In recent months, have you experienced any of the following?

  • A cyber security incident that possibly endangered your sensitive data.
  • Wasted money on unnecessary IT purchases, such as equipment or software that your company didn’t really need.
  • A selection of substandard software that you’d hoped would perform better.
  • Devices or software long overdue for upgrades and updates.
  • Long wait times for resolving IT problems (including employees getting locked out of their accounts or computing devices that are crashing for unclear reasons).
  • Sub-optimal IT configurations that result in problems such as network slowdowns.
  • Sporadic or incomplete data backups that leave your business vulnerable to costly data loss.
  • A lack of strategic long-term IT planning.
  • In-house IT personnel who are overworked and over-extended.

Can you enjoy better services in 2017?

To benefit from better IT services across multiple areas, ranging from cyber security to network maintenance to software training for employees, consider hiring a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

MSPs handle a plethora of services, providing your company with round-the-clock support, monitoring your system, and helping you make wise IT decisions that will yield benefits now and in the future. Even if you already employ in-house IT personnel, they can share their responsibilities with an MSP.

What are some examples of how you can benefit from a high-quality MSP?

  • Improved cloud computing solutions. A recent article from ZDNet points out how MSPs often play a critical role in helping companies manage the cloud. For example, many companies rely on a mix of IT solutions – some of them hosted locally and others based in the cloud. MSPs can manage this mix and suggest cost-effective changes that would improve your IT set-up. If a company decides to move one of its IT functions to the cloud, MSPs will assist with the migration, along with offering advice on the cloud services that best fit the company’s needs.
  • High-quality network installation and maintenance. MSPs can set up, install, monitor, maintain, and defend your network. As a result, your company will be less likely to suffer from equipment outages, mismanaged network traffic, and undetected intrusions from cyber criminals and other unauthorized third parties. You’ll enjoy round-the-clock network monitoring, every day of the year.
  • Stronger cyber security. MSPs can evaluate your IT set-up for vulnerabilities and help guard it from cyber security breaches across multiple fronts. As Tech Republic points out in an article on 2017 cyber security trends, smaller businesses are especially vulnerable to cyber attacks. MSPs work on developing comprehensive security solutions that depend in large part on preventative measures and vigilance.
  • Reliable data backups. When businesses permanently lose data, or when it takes them too long to restore their data after an IT disaster, they can suffer serious financial losses, sometimes to the point where they can no longer survive. MSPs help you manage data backups from multiple devices. They also ensure that your most critical data can get restored quickly, minimizing downtime.
  • Ever-present support. Enjoy rapid responses to your IT problems through a live help desk or, when necessary, on-site visits.

One of the key benefits that MSPs provide is a proactive approach to IT solutions. They don’t limit themselves to dealing with existing, full-fledged problems. They work to anticipate, prevent, or minimize various difficulties and disasters, whether it’s the threat of a new kind of malware or the frustrations of a new employee whose log-in credentials have been rejected by the system. They help you plan for future IT developments and align your IT decisions with your business goals.

To find out more about how you can benefit from MSPs in the coming year, please contact us. We offer you a variety of essential services that will significantly improve your company’s productivity and security.