Category Archives: Manage Service

The 5 Security Benefits of an IT Help Desk for Remote Employees

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A woman provides customer service at an IT help desk

When working remotely, reliable IT support is more important than ever.

Companies across the planet are transitioning some or all team members to remote work-at-home positions. Whether you are building new remote teams, transitioning together, or recruiting new remote employees; IT support is a must. Not only will your IT help desk assist the team in setting up their home offices, installing the software stack, and connecting to your collaborative software – they are also responsible for remote team cybersecurity.

In the office, you have an encrypted internet connection and a firewall-secured internal network and wifi signal. You can have secured internal workstations and even isolated data servers that only connect at protected access points. Working from home changes all that. Employees are working on personal devices, and even company devices still share space with family, roommates, and guests. Residential wifi is rarely secure by default and most professionals don’t know how to configure a business-class firewall with specialized access to shared company-only ports.

Let’s dive into the five main ways that your IT help desk is essential for remote employee cybersecurity.

1) Properly Install and Configure Home Firewall

After a home device has installed the company tech-stack of software, it still needs to be secured. The most important element is the firewall, often paired with support tools like virus scanners and encryption.

Your IT help desk can walk each remote employee through the process of installing, securing, and then custom-configuring their firewalls for work purposes. This includes closing common hacker-accessed ports and opening specific unusual ports used only by the team’s software. Your IT team can help employees encrypt their connections and set up disaster recovery systems for any local work.

2) Set Up a Secure Home Wifi Network

Internet and wifi are an important subject when discussing remote employee security. Not only does your team need a high-speed connection for calls and collaboration; they also need encryption and secured home wifi so neighbors can’t tune into their network. Your IT help desk can walk employees through everything from choosing a high-speed internet provider to configuring their wifi router for secure work and family use at home.

3) Personal Guide on Security Best Practices

In addition, most people could use a refresher or their first lesson on the best practices for home cybersecurity. Those who have worked almost exclusively in secured business environments may be less experienced at avoiding phishing attempts, at protecting their online spaces, or at managing their own disaster recovery routine.

An IT help desk can walk each remote employee through the initial best practices, share learning resources, and provide support if your team has any questions as the work gets underway.

4) Fast Response to Security Risks

Every team eventually has a cybersecurity scare -whether or not a consequential breach occurs. When an employee is worried they might have just been malware infected, calling the IT help desk will guide them through the securing, scanning, and recovery procedures to keep their business data safe.

If a professional’s device is acting strangely, if they accidentally shared a file with the wrong account, or if it looks like there’s a hacker in their chatroom, having the IT help desk on-call is essential for quickly securing these risk concerns.

5) Secure Solutions to New Problems

Finally, your help desk team is there when a new security challenge presents itself. When you need to transfer large project files to a new platform, safely supervise a chain of data custody, or incorporate new safety regulations – the IT help desk team is there to make sure every remote team member adapts together. Whether you need innovative in-the-moment security solutions or to implement a new security transition, your IT help desk team can help.

Does your remote team need the support of an IT help desk service? Contact us today to consult on the scope and particulars of your IT help desk needs.

Improve Your Business With A IT Monthly Management Reporting System

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One team member shows reports, charts, and graphs to another team member

Reporting keeps teams on track, and IT monthly management reporting is no exception.

Strategic planning is a critical tool for running an effective business. When this is done the proper way, it will transform your dream into a reality. However, in order for your goals to be fulfilled, you will need to have an effective management reporting system that can be used to help you implement the plan.

When it comes to your IT infrastructure, a monthly management report is needed to help you lay the groundwork for a successful strategic plan. What will a monthly management report consist of? Your monthly management reporting system should consist of a set of reports that can be used to track the performance of your networks, analyze data, and align the performance of your IT infrastructure with the goals you have set for your business or organization.

It is important to have a clear understanding of what a monthly management report should consist of. There is not a one-size-fits-all method for reporting systems. An effective reporting system will include all the key factors, including clarity and relevance. When you are able to meet the criteria for an effective management report, you will be able to enjoy a wealth of benefits:

An Increase in Productivity Levels

An effective management reporting system can be used to decrease the chances that more than one employee will take on the same project. An effective management reporting system can be used to promote better communication and cooperation. When you are able to produce automated reports, team members will not have to spend their time looking through piles of paper trying to find the data and analytics they are looking for. When team members have everything they need in the management report, they will not spend an extended period of time looking for information.

Better Decisions Will Be Made

When you have a reporting system that is effective and functional, managers will not have to solely depend on their knowledge and understanding of the business or organization’s IT infrastructure. The IT management report will give managers and team members a better sense of direction of what is currently happening and what could happen in the future. When information is readily available, it will reduce any doubts that managers and team members may have.

Problems Can Be Addressed Sooner

If there are any IT-related problems within the business or organization, the problems can be found and addressed before they result in havoc. An effective reporting system will allow the management team to achieve the highest level of satisfaction and effectiveness. If problems are addressed after reviewing the management report, the management team can discuss a variety of options and possible solutions that can be used to make more informed decisions.

An IT management reporting system is critical for any business or organization that wants to make improvements in their performance. An IT monthly management system can also be used to gain a better understanding of customer service. When you have data related to your IT help desk and customer service team, you will be able to use that information to make improvements in call or chat resolution times.

If you do not have a monthly management reporting system, your managers will be left to try a variety of things on their own with the hopes that something will eventually work. If your business or organization needs an effective IT monthly management reporting system that can be used to transform the way you operate, please do not hesitate to contact SystemsNet today.

When you implement the right IT monthly management reporting system, you will have a set of resources that can be used to streamline your business operations and improve the overall performance of your business or organization.

Is It Time To Switch Managed Service Providers (MSPs)?

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Your managed service company and business should be synergized, if it is not, it may be time to starting evaluating a new provider.

Network outages, misplaced files, data hacks, and more can all start out has annoyances, but what will happen once these problems escalate and find their way to every area of your business?

Your company is depending on the IT infrastructure that has been put in place, but what happens when that IT infrastructure is letting you down? If your IT infrastructure can no longer handle all of your daily operations, you will turn to your Managed Service Provider(MSP) for answers. Your Managed Service Provider(MSP) is supposed to prevent all of these problems from happening.

It can be a frustrating and overwhelming process when you begin to think about switching Managed Service Providers, but it may be a process you need to have, especially if you are spending a significant amount of money on technology. Here are some signs that it could be time to switch Managed Service Providers:

Your Network Is Slow

If your network is moving at a snail’s pace, all areas of your business will be impacted. Your business depends on internal communications and external communications. If your network is no longer able to handle the types of communication that are coming in or going out, it is time to find an infrastructure that will be able to handle it.

When you have a slow network, you can lose a significant portion of business data due to the poor network. Every incident that occurs due to your poor network connection can cause at least a full day’s worth of lost work. Network outages will have a negative impact on productivity. If you have experienced losses in production, data losses, network outages, and more, these are all signs of your MSP dropping the ball.

A Data Hack Can Ruin Your Business

Many hackers will target small businesses because they believe the small businesses will not be prepared for what is about to happen. Many small businesses do not have a plan for cybersecurity, and this is one of the reasons why they are targets. It is important to do everything in your power to make it difficult for a hacker to attack your business.

If your Managed Service Provider does not offer any backup and disaster recovery services, secure data storage, or monitoring services, it is time to find an MSP that will provide you with the tools and resources you will need to fully secure your business. The MSP you choose should be made up of a staff that understands what your business needs to remain protected at all times.

Your Business Dreams Are Not Being Fulfilled

If your Managed Service Provider(MSP) is not well-rounded enough to help you fulfill the goals and needs of your business, it is time to choose another Managed Service Provider. Your business deserves to have a Managed Service Provider that understands your business goals and can help you achieve those goals.

If your current MSP only provides support and assistance when it comes to equipment and technology problems, we encourage you to start looking for another provider. Whatever your short-term and long-term goals may be, you need to have a Managed Service Provider that will support the goals you have for your business.

If you have problems with a lack of support, network outages, and security problems, your business will continue to suffer. While it is important to have an MSP that understands how to solve problems and troubleshoot technological issues you also deserve to have an MSP that can help you fulfill your business dreams.

If you think it is time to switch to a better Managed Service Provider(MSP) because you know your business deserves better, please contact us today.

Avoid Common Mistakes When Choosing A Managed Service Provider (MSP)

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Shot of a young attractive businesswoman working late at night in a modern office

Hiring a Managed Service Provider? Here’s what you need to know.

One of the biggest myths or misconceptions about partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is the idea that your entire IT department will be replaced. However, this is not the truth. Generally, businesses and organizations like yours will use Managed Service Providers to provide assistance to the current members of the IT team.

Small businesses and mid-sized businesses will often hire a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to provide the support they would receive if they make high-powered advances to their IT department, but the MSP can come at a lower cost. There are several benefits to hiring a Managed Service Provider (MSP). One of the key benefits is that an MSP will handle the application and network security issues so members of the IT department will not have to.

Your business or organization wants to grow, but what happens when the growth comes at a rapid rate? If a business or organization is growing extremely fast and there are no resources in place to keep up with the growth, this can cause a variety of problems. However, how can you choose a Managed Service Provider that can fulfill your needs?

Sometimes business leaders do not consider every important detail or factor when it comes to choosing an MSP that can be the right fit for them. Here are some mistakes that we hope you can avoid when hiring an MSP.

Mistake 1: Giving Up Control

Some Managed Service Providers are well-known in the industry because they are large. However, does the popularity or size of the business mean the provider is right for you? If the MSP is so popular and well-known, how often would you be able to contact the MSP when you needed assistance? Would you have the customer support you really need?

Some Managed Service Providers will not have the time or patience to cater to your needs because there are so many other businesses or organizations receiving their services as well. Your Managed Service Provider should be a bonus or extension of your business or organization. You should still have control over your business, but you will need an MSP that is easy to reach when you need help.

Mistake 2: Choosing A Managed Service Provider That Is Not Responsive

No business or organization ever wants to experience an extensive period of downtime. However, what happens when you choose an MSP that is not able to help you right away during your downtime?

If the MSP provider you choose fails to respond to your request when you are experiencing downtime, it can result in a very challenging period of time. Your business or organization needs an MSP that has an effective system that can alert them when there is an emergency or a period of downtime. If your business is down for a prolonged period of time, this can result in an outstanding loss in profits and revenue.

Mistake 3: Believing That Each MSP Will Provide The Same Services

When it comes to Managed Service Providers, there will not be a one-size-fits-all model. We do not want you to choose the first MSP you find because you believe they are all the same. It is important to ask the right questions before making a decision so you can find the MSP that offers the services and features you need.

With so many Managed Service Providers stating they can offer the best services for your needs, we understand how difficult it can be to make a final decision. If you want to learn more about the services we provide at SystemsNet, please do not hesitate to reach out to us today. You can complete the online form or call us at 888-676-1228.