Understanding MSPs: The Big Picture

a woman sitting in front of a laptop computer

Managed services are about more than fixed-fee contracts and 24×7 support, and if your current MSP (Managed Services Provider) doesn’t agree, you need to move on. The fact is: You need to partner with a quality provider who will offer first-in-class tech support and help you take a proactive approach to save time and money while maximizing results. Read on…

Howdy Partner

Your IT infrastructure is a valuable asset that keeps your business afloat while providing employees with the tools they need to succeed. Often, technology management providers will try to sell you managed service plans that pay little attention to your most important needs. If an MSP is going to succeed in becoming an extension of your staff, they first need to take the time to understand how your business uses technology in the first place.

Becoming a valued partner is the most important piece of success when it comes to effectively managing a company’s technology assets. Building trust requires dedication and steadfastness, with a focus on providing quantifiable results. Clear communication with an organization’s managers and employees, along with proactive attention to potential computer-related issues needs to serve as the backbone of creating an honest partnership between the managed services provider and client.

In the MSP Know

The better we know each other, the better we can become important in each other’s lives. Managed services are about providing relevant tech support that matters. We understand that many organizations do not have the resources to hire in-house IT staff, and that is why it is important for us to take the time to build trust and provide results.

We need our clients to know our worth and want them to see us as an extension of their business. 

Ready?

Taking the first step to improve your IT is as easy as contacting us for a conversation. 

How Managed Services Can Provide Peace of Mind

a man sitting at a computer with headphones on

Technology has become an integral part of business in the modern era. Tracking shipments, inventory, sales, personnel hours, and countless other aspects of the business are now synonymous with a wide variety of systems and software. Managing these resources can be difficult, however. Many companies and businesses don’t have the means or resources to set up and manage their own infrastructure. So what are managed services and how do they fill this role?

The Technology Services Industry Association breaks down managed services into five distinct categories that customers may need.

Monitoring

Often, companies will purchase solutions marketed to their needs but can have a wide variety of difficulties operating them once installed. From performance issues to unexpected behaviors and crashes, without a dedicated IT team, even the smallest of issues can be difficult to isolate and resolve. The monitoring part of managed services is just what it sounds like. Watch the system to make sure everything is running smoothly. If there are issues, they will contact you and let you know what’s happening, however, this basic service may not extend to troubleshooting and resolving the issue.

Operate

Here’s where the hands get dirty. When businesses opt to have a managed service provider operate their system, they not only monitor it but take charge and fix the issue when things go wrong. A managed service provider becomes your safety net. Making sure everything is running smoothly and saving the day when disaster strikes is the most important part of this essential function.

Optimize

Technology is now a rapidly evolving machine and optimization is a service that makes sure the business stays on top. By assessing current needs and the best solutions available, many managed service providers are now advising their customers on the solutions that are right for them. You probably won’t need the latest and greatest out there, but actively having a consultant keep you informed makes sure you don’t miss out on vital opportunities to improve your technological solutions.

Transform

This is an extension of optimization and can fill a vital function in any business. Your managed service provider actively monitors the latest and greatest trends and technological solutions that can benefit your business. They help apprise you of changes and trends and then implement them seamlessly into your business. This helps you focus on what you do best while maintaining the most up-to-date and powerful hardware and software that suits your needs.

Managed XaaS/Cloud

While not right for every business, there are a lot of cloud-based solutions and an almost infinite number of software and hardware options for almost any need. More and more businesses are turning to Anything as a Service(XaaS) and cloud service solutions to help them expand, grow, and collaborate in new and effective ways. Managed service providers are happily filling this role, combining it with the rest of the services offered to provide an endless stream of solutions to best suit you and your business needs.

Think you could benefit from a Managed Service Provider?

Please contact us so we can help you see what solutions we can offer to help you and your business reach your potential!

Tip of the Day: Tweaking Computers

four people holding hands over a wooden table

Computers have changed a lot over the past decade. They are becoming more user-friendly and easier to manage. Newer computers such as smartphones and tablets aren’t as tweakable as older-style computers, nevertheless, all types can be tweaked in certain ways.

Many people don’t understand computers on a deep level and don’t have the time to learn about them. Throughout the workday of an average computer user, there is seldom time to search the internet for solutions to the little annoyances that creep up from computers; even if one can find the time to do so, search results can be vague and relatively useless. However, if the tips below are followed, one could minimize the frequency of those little annoyances that creep up:

Manage boot-time programs

Whether a newer or older-style computer is being used, there is almost always an option to prevent programs from running at boot time. Boot time is when a computer is powered on. When a program is installed on a computer, sometimes it’s automatically enabled to run as soon as the device is powered on. Learning how to disable programs from running at boot-time will help a computer to run faster. It can also help reduce conflicts on a computer overall.

Disable antivirus features

Again, for all types of computers, antivirus software can be overwhelming if not appropriately configured. Many antivirus features are automatically enabled after the software is installed. There could be too many features running within the software causing conflicts. Understanding antivirus software will help mitigate these issues. When installing software downloaded from the internet, great care should be taken. Regardless of what style of computer is being used.

Watch for malicious software

Usually, when a device gets infected with a computer virus, it’s because the software was downloaded from a malicious website set up by criminals. Software that initially looks good is commonly tainted with malicious software.

Add RAM memory

Lastly, no matter how much one pays for a new computer and how many great features it has, if it doesn’t come with sufficient RAM memory, one can count on a dull experience during use. Lack of RAM memory can cause sluggishness and various conflicts. Laptop and desktop computers’ RAM memory is generally easier to upgrade than smartphones’ and tablets’ RAM memory.

Please contact us for a consultation if assistance is needed with the tweaks suggested above.

Computer Tip of The Day: Knowing When to Replace Computers

a person is holding a remote control in front of a rack of wires

If it has been a few years since you replaced the computers in your office. You may be wondering how you will know when it is time to replace computers.

In general, depending on what you use them for, and how heavily they are used, business computers will need to be replaced every 3-5 years. This is in order to ensure maximum productivity.

If you are coming up to the five-year mark, you may want to consider replacing all of your computers preemptively. Thus, before you start encountering problems. However, your computers will also begin to give off other signs indicating that they will soon need to be replaced. Here are a few of these signs you can look out for in your office.

Computer Problems Are Disrupting Your Day

One of the clearest signs that you should consider replacing your computers is if you have begun to spend more time fixing your computers than using them. Your computer should help you get work done, not disrupt your workday.

Thus, if it seems like you are constantly battling your computer because it won’t connect to your WiFi, it keeps crashing, or you are continually encountering the blue screen of death, then it is likely time for a replacement. The fact is that computers don’t last forever. When they begin to become more troublesome than they are helpful, it is likely time for a replacement.

Speed is Everything

Another obvious sign that it is likely time for a new computer is if your computer has become painfully sluggish. In today’s fast-paced work environment, speed is everything. This means that it is critical that you have a computer that is fast and up to the task of getting everything done in the day that you need it to.

However, computers slow down over time, and you may begin to find that pages take forever to load. Or you can make a coffee run before your computer is done booting in the morning. These are signs that it is time to replace your computer. Being a slow computer can have a negative impact on the overall productivity of your business.

Contact us to learn more about how you will know when it is time to replace the computers in your office.

Are You Thinking About Using A New MSP?

two people shaking hands in front of a laptop

You are aware that you need some help with your business’s network and technology. You have already reached out to professional Managed Services Providers (MSPs) and had your first consultation. Now, you are hoping to find a solution that will put your business on the path to greatness. You are also probably looking for advice on how you can run your current technology more effectively and efficiently.

An MSP can help solve the problems you are having. However, in order for you to receive a positive outcome, you should take the necessary time to prepare for a relationship with a new Managed Services Provider. Working with an MSP will become one of your business’s latest investments. You want to make a great investment, right? You should take some time to gain a better understanding of your technology.

Preparing for Transition

If you are thinking about using a new MSP then this likely means you are already aware that your business needs to make improvements. You probably also have an understanding of where the concerns are. When you are able to give the Managed Services Provider a clear context of your business and its concerns, they will be able to use their professionalism and experience to determine what problems need to be addressed first. This is why it is essential that you are able to provide a list of problems you are having with your technology and your networks.

While it is important that you have an understanding of your network and your technology, it is also important that you are able to explain what direction you want your business to go. Some businesses are only concerned with ensuring their computers are operating well enough to get the job done. However, your technology can offer more than you may be using it for.

Technology should be used as an essential and strategic business tool. With the right managed services solution, you will be able to give yourself a great advantage over the competition. Are you ready for your business technology and networks to take your business to the next level?

Contact Bluwater Technologies today.