It is important to note that the size of your business will be the key factor which determines the type of IT support you require. If you are a small business it is less likely you have a comprehensive IT support staff. For medium to large sized businesses you may have a partial IT support team or a full-fledged department that may be over extended.

To choose the approach that is best for your business it helps to know what options are available to you when it comes to outsourcing IT support. Many quality IT support services will work with you to plan the best approach however, here is an overview of the different types of IT support services to help you get started.

IT Support for Small Business

While some companies prefer to employ an in-house IT team others find it more cost effective to outsource IT support. This leaves more time for new IT initiatives which support company growth and revenue. Here are some of the ways that you can outsource IT support to a qualified IT support provider:

• Network Setup and Administration: If your small business has less than 50 employees it is likely you may not have the staff resources to setup a network and oversee network administration on a routine basis. In this case, you can seek the services of a qualified network administration to oversee this important aspect of your business for much less than the cost of employing an IT staff around the clock.
• Network Security: Network security can be a significant challenge for small businesses and at the same time it is a necessity in today’s business environment. By outsourcing network security tasks to a quality IT provider you guarantee your network is safe from the latest threats and your network is continually monitored for vulnerabilities. Outsourced IT support for network security also means that your network stays updated with the latest security patches, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems which ensure critical data stays secure.
• Desktop and End-User Support: For small businesses providing ongoing desktop and end-user support can be a costly but necessary part of maintaining business continuity. Tapping into a professional IT support provider in this area provides an affordable way for you to ensure your employees remain productive with proactive monitoring and managing of your desktop environment.
• Data Backup and Recovery: It is a known fact that most small businesses fold up within a year following data loss. Why? Data backup and recovery can be a costly venture and one that most small businesses cannot afford. By using an IT support provider which offers data backup and recovery you can securely backup critical data and obtain access to it in the event disaster strikes. Also, when you use a cloud solution, it is much more cost effective than deploying other offsite methods for protecting small business data.
• Email Services: Most small businesses rely heavily on email for daily communications and quality customer service. Around the clock email productivity and protection is a must but the costs of monitoring the architecture can take a big bite out of small business profits. IT support providers which provide email services can help you to manage, monitor, and protect your email systems at a much lower cost than if you deployed the necessary infrastructure in-house.

As a final note, you should always take the time to do your research to ensure you are working with a reliable and experienced IT provider to avoid any additional costs associated with a poorly managed service.

If you would like to learn more about your options for outsourced IT support, contact Thrive Networks today to speak with one of our experienced professionals.

 But what happens to compliance standards and service level agreements that must be maintained if you decide to use virtualization and cloud hosted Services?  Who assumes this responsibility especially when the protection of customer data is at stake?

 Looking at it from the perspective of PCI compliance can provide you with a general idea of how data security standards are met when you use new technologies such as virtualization and cloud hosted Services to store sensitive data.  In the age of ecommerce and new technologies you will find many definitions of what is cloud computing when you ask different companies. 

 For example, a few companies see cloud computing as a “pay as you go” service which is scalable where other companies will say that cloud computing is the use of earlier computing methods minus the complexities of technology deployment.  Different perceptions of The Cloud raise the question of where data security standards fit in and who is taking responsibility in The Cloud.

 PCI Compliance Defined

 PCI compliance refers to the Payment Card Industry standards which are defined by the PCI Standards Security Council.  These are standards which are uniform worldwide standards that are in place to protect both the ecommerce entity and the consumer against data intrusions.  Compliance is awarded when the standards within an organization have been met.  The standards apply to any organization that processes and stores cardholder data.

 So what happens when cardholder data is handled and stored in The Cloud?

 According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) there are three different service models that accompany cloud hosting which include Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). 

• SaaS:  Software as a Service is software that is offered by the cloud hosting service which the company accesses over the Internet via a web browser.
• PaaS:  Platform as a Service is infrastructure that is provided and maintained by the cloud hosting provider.  The company accessing this type of service defines the configurations in accordance with company requirements.
• IaaS:  Infrastructure as a Service allows a company to have control over the operating systems and software applications while the cloud hosting provider manages the underlying network constituents.

In terms of PCI compliance the standards are determined according to how cloud computing is utilized according to these three different service models.  If the company chooses a cloud hosting service or they decide to manage cardholder data onsite the type of implementation which is used will be the determining factor for the PCI DSS or PCI Data Security Standards which must be met in accordance with the PCI Standards Security Council.  The bottom line is you must take the method of implementation into consideration if you are going to be handling cardholder data and other sensitive consumer information. 

If you are seeking to simplify IT management and reduce the cost of implementing and maintaining data infrastructure, contact Thrive Networks today for assistance with designing a bulletproof cloud strategy that caters to the individual needs of your business.

Patching is the process of repairing system vulnerabilities which are discovered after the infrastructure components have been released on the market.  Patches apply to many different parts of an information system which include operating systems, servers, routers, desktops, email clients, office suites, mobile devices, firewalls, and many other components that exist within the network infrastructure.  The number of patches which are required on a consistent basis can be overwhelming.  This is why it is necessary to devise a patch management process to ensure the proper preventive measures are taken against potential threats.

 How Patch Management Works

 The methods which are used for patch management will vary slightly according to the infrastructure design for each company information system.  That said here is a general description of how patch management is typically deployed.

 Most companies with large infrastructures implement automated patch management systems which reduce the requirements for manpower that would otherwise be needed for manual implementation. Other companies choose to outsource patch management to a qualified company which will perform this service from a remote location.

 An automated patch management system involves the installation of a client agent that allows network administrators to control patch distribution from a web-based interface.  This type of system allows network administrators to configure the settings for patch distribution and generate log reports to check the status of patches. Patch distribution can also be set at different levels within the infrastructure to cover different applications and devices which are used to access data and information.

 Consequences of Not Deploying Patch Management

 Due to the fact that the components which make up network infrastructure and information systems are not perfect when they are released on the market makes patch distribution all that much more important.  patch management is preventative and the number of vulnerabilities discovered over an extended period of time can seriously compromise the integrity and security of information.

 In the event there is a window of vulnerability, a solid patch management system means a network is being consistently monitored.  This allows immediate action to be taken if a patch has yet to be released when a vulnerability is discovered.  The importance here is the prevention of what is known as a ‘Zero Day Attack’ which is an exploit that can occur while a patch is in the process of being produced to repair the vulnerability.  Attacks such as these can be minor or they can be as malicious as taking down an entire company network.

 Patch Management Key Concerns

 Patch management is very critical to business operations however it also tends to be considered a responsibility of the IT department.  While this is partially true patch management within an organization’s infrastructure cannot be successful without the understanding and support of the senior management.   

 Instead of waiting for the issue to be addressed when a problem occurs it is important to implement and plan for patch management in advance.  The key concerns for many companies are in the number of patches and the manpower needed to deploy them.  However, new technologies along with enterprises which offer patch management services have made patch management implementation and distribution easier and more cost effective.

Patch management services can help to keep your network secure while reducing costs. Contact Thrive Networks to find out more about making patch management easier.

Management Challenges for IT Administrators

IT administrators are responsible for the backbone of modern information technology systems which are reliant on complex network infrastructures. For medium to large-sized companies there can be literally hundreds of thousands of devices which are mission critical to company operations.  The server and network devices can include many different types of hardware from a variety of vendors, security components, switches, routers, and other components that make up the infrastructure.  Here are some of the challenges in terms of a manual approach to managing server and network infrastructures.

• Configuration Tasks: When using the conventional approach to network administration IT personnel typically invests a lot of time into performing configurations which are repetitive and time consuming.  This takes time away from planning for future innovations that increase productivity.
• Network Growth: As a company expands so does the number of devices and applications. This means additional tasks in terms of configuration. IT administrators end up prioritizing according to business task importance which increases the risk of errors and network outages.
• Network Security: The tasks associated with network security can be monumental in terms of patching, firewalls, intrusion detection monitoring, and other security measures which are used to secure data on a server.  This leaves a lot of room for error which increases the risk for data breaches.
• No Centralized Management: When you use the conventional approach to server and network management there is no centralized control for keeping track of configuration changes, updates, and other mission critical steps which are required to meet compliance regulations.  Performing each management task separately is time consuming and repetitive.
• Lack of Accountability: With most network infrastructures there is no way to ensure accountability for device configurations and user actions.  If a security breach occurs or there is an unauthorized configuration change there is typically no way to trace the action back to a specific user.

How to Conquer Server and Network Management Issues

Thanks to a higher availability of solutions providers and automated tools, server and network management can be simplified. This leaves more time for IT administrators to focus on new company innovations instead of performing time consuming and repetitive tasks.  Automated tools provide a way to keep track of configurations, reduce the possibility for human error, improve policy compliance, and reduce operational costs.

Additionally, many companies choose to use a virtualization solutions provider that can oversee and manage server and network infrastructures either onsite or from a remote location.  Most solutions providers offer configuration, change, and compliance management services.  They are also equipped with the necessary automation tools to reduce errors and perform audits and reports on the status of network configurations.

With a quality virtualization solution  in place companies can make the best use of their resources and time.  To learn more about how you can improve productivity and business continuity while cutting costs contact Thrive Networks today for a consultation.

 New data backup and recovery technologies eliminate failure risks while increasing efficiency and promoting faster recovery time.  Additionally the newer technologies and services reduce network risks that often go undetected and provide solutions that reduce storage management and maintenance costs.

 Every company has different data storage requirements that depend upon the type of industry.  In order to choose the best data protection solution it is important to know what your options are and why these options are the better choice for information security management.

 Hosted Cloud Services

 Cloud-based data protection is an option that many companies are using due to its accessibility, reliability, and security.  Data storage in the cloud represents an affordable solution for many businesses because it has the capability to provide the best of both worlds which is immediate access to data while enjoying the reliability and security of offsite storage. Also, most cloud service providers offer different levels of vaulting solutions to meet industry compliance and regulatory standards.

 In terms of protecting your servers and workstations, a quality cloud hosting provider is capable of backing up your servers in the cloud and data which is relevant to your workstations.  If your company experiences a hardware failure or natural disaster you can quickly recover by tapping into your resources with the cloud hosting service.

 Onsite Data Storage and Backup

 Some companies deploy onsite data storage  to provide easy access to data.  By storing and backing up data onsite recovery time is faster than offsite storage and you can add storage as needed. 

 A few of the drawbacks of onsite data storage  is your company can suffer a complete loss in the event of a fire or flood if you are not using multiple backup methods.  Also, it is necessary for someone to monitor the system and perform backups on a routine basis.  Depending upon the data workload, onsite storage can also be costly in terms of hardware and maintenance.

 Offsite Storage and Backup

 Offsite storage is offered in a variety of different methods which include tape storage, data warehousing, or data storage strategies which are configured by the company.   Offsite data storage utilizes redundant data storage which provides multiple backup copies and can be designed for storage in multiple locations.

 Although offsite data storage eliminates the possibility of human error it can be costly and bandwidth intensive when it comes to ongoing backup.  The recovery process is significantly slower than onsite storage depending upon the methods that are used for recovery.

 What we have described here are the primary options that companies consider for data protection and storage.  It is important to mention that multiple backup and storage methods are commonly deployed for added reassurance in the event of a disaster.

 Data protection and backup  does not have to be complex.  To discover cost effective options for data protection, contact Thrive Networks for assistance with setting up a data protection and backup strategy.

 The answer to this dilemma is the incorporation of new technologies into your IT infrastructure.  Although this may sound like you are increasing IT capital expenditures you are actually cutting costs while increasing productivity in response to the ever changing market.  Here are some thoughts on how to reduce costs while still maintaining the competitive advantage.

 IT Lifecycle

 It is a well known fact that IT infrastructures which are older are much more expensive to maintain and present many challenges in terms of working with hardware and software that is no longer compatible with new applications.  In many cases the older IT infrastructures tend to remain in operation because they serve as a comfort zone, so to speak, for the IT department and management despite the fact that the system is very costly to maintain.  If one were to analyze the exact cost of retaining the older infrastructure chances are the results would show exorbitant maintenance and operating costs in addition to high energy consumption.  So what is the answer?

 Let’s consider the virtualization model.  Virtualization is a methodology that provides a solution for companies to consolidate older infrastructures.  This is accomplished by combining servers which can then be controlled through single point access.  This type of system increases the utilization of hardware by as much as 85 percent where the older infrastructures may use as little as 20 percent.

 Transitioning to virtualization means cutting operating costs significantly while improving reliability and reducing downtime.  Server consolidation is also scalable so you can deliver IT services on-demand. Plus fewer servers mean lower energy consumption and reduced cooling requirements.

 Information Lifecycle Management and Data Storage

 Without a doubt, the growth of data and information is a major contributor to the increase in IT costs. The older infrastructures are unable to meet the demand for more affordable solutions that help to reduce the data storage footprint.  Older methods such as tape storage can increase downtime in the event of a disaster plus offsite storage is typically more expensive compared to the newer methods for data storage and backup.

 When you consider a cloud hosted model, virtualization is the channel to a solid data storage and backup system in the cloud.  This means that your IT resources are consolidated into logical steps for storage, network, and servers which create a virtual datacenter.  This is known as a holistic approach to information lifecycle management and data storage requirements. The result is the reduction of IT capital expenditures in terms of maintenance and administration while improving the level of service.

 Virtualization and cloud hosted services are being considered by more companies for the reasons we have discussed in the article.  Hopefully these thoughts will help to spur some ideas and options as to how your company can save on IT capital expenditures.  When it comes to remaining competitive in today’s marketplace most companies should not be asking, “Why should we consider virtualization and cloud hosting?”  Instead, the question should be, “Why are we not already using virtualization and cloud services?”

 If you are trying to find ways to reduce the cost of IT capital expenditures, contact Thrive Networks today for assistance with designing a strategy for reducing IT costs over the next one to three years.

According to Gartner, an IT technology research and advisory company, cloud revenue is expected to increase by more than 150 billion within the next two years.  This is an increase from $46 billion during the year 2009.  Gartner’s prediction indicates that more companies are embracing the benefits of managing IT in the cloud.  Here are some of the reasons why:

Reduced Hardware and Maintenance Costs

Cloud hosting services can be delivered in increments on an “as needed” basis.  The result is reduced hardware and maintenance costs since the cloud service provider oversees all operational aspects of the underlying infrastructure.  If the company opts to run onsite servers as a private cloud this increases efficiency and utilization of existing IT infrastructure.

Flexibility and Scalability

A cloud hosted environment is scalable and offers the flexibility to add business applications as needed.  In addition to this advantage, new applications can be deployed within a short period a short period of time without having to be concerned about compatibility or added hardware.

Automated Updates

Depending upon the size of the organization, keeping software and security patches up to date can be an ongoing and daunting process.  Cloud computing alleviates this concern through highly automated systems that maintain software updates and patching.  This allows IT personnel to focus on other company innovations and strategic initiatives.

Increased Data Storage Capacity

By tapping into cloud hosting services companies can significantly increase data storage capacity without having to implement additional infrastructure.  A cloud hosting environment also reduces the amount of data stored on private computer systems.

Reduced Energy Consumption

Many companies are deploying green initiatives by finding ways to create IT resources that are energy efficient.  Cloud computing solves this issue by providing an infrastructure that reduces energy consumption while also reducing emissions from cooling components which are harmful to the environment.

Increased ROI

Managing IT in the cloud means you are eliminating the large investments in infrastructure in exchange for reduced recurring expenses over a longer period of time. This increases return on investment since the financial resources can be used toward your marketing initiatives.  Additionally if you are spending less on large investments this also substantially increases the company profit margin.

Security

By moving IT resources to the cloud you reduce the possibility for human error and security breaches.  Most cloud hosting services provide vaulting services at many different levels to ensure your data and underlying infrastructure remains secure.

These primary benefits are the reason many companies are opting to manage IT in the cloud. If you want to learn more about cloud hosting, contact Thrive Networks to discover ways to reduce costs while improving company productivity.

Regulatory compliance

When you apply regulatory compliance to IT, the regulations apply to two different aspects of company operations which include the internal requirements for IT and compliance standards that are set forth by external entities.  Both types of regulatory compliance affect IT company operations and can potentially restrict what a company can and cannot do.

Company Concerns with Regulatory Compliance

When it comes to information technology and security, regulatory compliance for IT can impose added costs on company operations depending upon the industry.  At the same token, the cost of not complying with regulations both internally and externally can be significantly higher in terms of fines and time invested following up on a security breach.

One of the primary issues with regulatory compliance is information security and the potential for data leaks.  Although there may be policies in place, it is necessary to ensure that employees follow the policies as well as the entire staff within a company.  This is an ongoing process and one that can lead to a high profile data breach if companies become too lax on policy enforcement.  A primary example of this is the Sony breach earlier this year which can undermine a company reputation and end up costing more in fines than it would if you followed the compliance policies.

When it comes to regulatory compliance for IT on the external level, companies that follow the regulations set forth by external organizations are more likely to survive a potential investigation than companies that neglect regulatory compliance.  Additionally, there are many benefits that come with following regulatory compliance policies which include protection of company reputation.

Issues Associated with Regulatory Compliance

In order to ensure that the proper steps are taken to meet regulatory compliance policies, it is first important to understand where the weaknesses in IT are so you know exactly what practices should be applied.  If you skip this step and then try to meet regulations and policies, it is highly likely it will cost more over the long term since the practices were not implemented correctly.

The main issue that surrounds regulatory compliance is that many companies face multiple policies and regulations with regard to IT and data storage.  This presents a challenge for most businesses, especially if the IT personnel changes frequently or over a number of years.  Some compliance regulations require companies to archive data for a specified period of time. If IT staff changes over a period of time it is easy to lose sight of data storage and retrieval processes.

How to Make Regulatory Compliance Work

The number one priority for making regulatory compliance work is assessment and evaluation.  If you do not know where the company weaknesses are in terms of IT then this makes it nearly impossible to put the best practices into action.

Once you know where the best practices should be applied there are many new tools that assist with simplifying the processes for regulatory compliance.  These are automation tools that save time and perform the necessary requirements according to schedule.  Tools for regulatory compliance are also capable of monitoring IT processes and providing reports to be used for analysis and future modifications.

The other alternative that ensures policies and procedures are carried out according to requirements is to consider using a virtualization solutions provider.  A professional solutions provider such as Thrive Networks can help your company design strategies that guarantee your business will remain in compliance both within the company and with the external organizations that audit your processes.

In the early years of computer technology, costs for desktop and end user support were reduced through the concept of sharing a single resource among multiple end users also known as time sharing.  Today this method is next to impossible with the increased demand for IT applications that help increase productivity and business continuity.  As a result, businesses are seeking to maintain productivity while reducing costs associated with end user management.

So, what are some of the ways you can increase desktop and end user support without breaking your IT budget?

Remote Monitoring

Many companies are opting to use a remote solutions provider to provide improved support for the end user.  This type of service can monitor the status of desktops and laptops from a remote location at a price that is affordable and much less than deploying desktop and end user support onsite.

Remote monitoring services provide standard system checks to ensure that virus definitions are up to date, patches and other fixes are installed as needed, and operating systems and applications are working properly. The service can also audit system users to ensure policies are followed and oversee the status of hard drives, RAM, CPU, and disk utilization.

Trouble Ticketing

A managed service provider can provide state-of-the-art help desk services from a remote location through the use of what is known as trouble ticketing.  When the end user contacts themanaged service provider, a trouble ticket is issued to qualified IT personnel.  Once the IT professional receives the ticket they can access the end user’s system to troubleshoot the problem.  Most managed service provider also provide help over the phone.  The entire process is accomplished within a matter of minutes to allow the end user to maintain productivity.

Onsite Support

IT staff can often carry a lot of responsibility which sometimes makes them unavailable to offer desktop and end user support.  Most managed service provider will provide onsite support services to provide solutions for routine and emergency issues that can occur with end users.  Most of the time onsite support is included in the price of managed support services.

Client Portal

A client portal is an application that allows you to communicate with the managed service provider regarding key information about support requests and tracking the status of issues until they are solved, network information, and collaboration in discussion centers.  This allows issues to be discussed between the company and the managed service provider without having to leave the site or pick up the phone.

Without a doubt, desktop and end user support can quickly spiral out of control.  By considering managed services you can easily deploy new software, perform upgrades, manage patching, and deal with the issues that crop up when you are using multiple computing environments.  In addition to eliminating some of the headaches, you are also reducing the costs associated with desktop and end user support. This leaves more time for developing new strategies and innovations that help your company to move forward.

If managed services for desktop and end user support sounds like a viable solution for your company, contact Thrive Networks for an initial consultation to learn how you can improve the end user experience while increasing productivity.

 If servers are utilized efficiently then implementation may be possible.  However, the challenge you face with an older server infrastructure involves  servers which are utilized inefficiently the majority of the time. This makes implementation of new applications a complex and tedious process.

 Thanks to new technologies there are ways to improve server infrastructure so it is scalable which allows you to utilize the server resources more efficiently while cutting costs.  If you are struggling with an older IT environment here are a few pointers on how to improve the server infrastructure:

 Group Servers Together

 Most of the older server environments do not utilize their full capacity which leaves hardware resources that are sitting idle.  When you consolidate servers together through virtualization you pool the hardware resources to improve server productivity while reducing IT and maintenance costs.

 Deploy Virtual Clustering

 When you implement high availability applications the conventional approach is to construct a physical cluster.  This allows the applications to tap into resources on multiple servers.  The problem with this approach is hardware costs and other expenses associated with making the necessary modifications. 

 By deploying a virtual cluster it allows all of the hardware resources to be utilized as opposed to the usual 50 percent.  Additionally, the applications which operate on a virtual machine do not have to search for the server resources.  Instead a program such as Hyper-V will automatically delegate in an existing Hyper-V  environment which increases efficiency and eliminates the costs of additional hardware and modifications.

 Implement SharePoint Virtualization

 If you have a server environment in a company that includes remote offices this can present a challenge for IT infrastructure, especially if the remote environment is incapable of hosting multiple  servers.  Additionally, these sites are usually void of IT personnel.  By deploying SharePoint Virtualization remote office workers can access applications via their web browser while IT personnel maintain the server environment from the primary company location.

 Setup a Hyper-V Enterprise Class Environment

 Conventional server infrastructures which utilize an Enterprise Class Level Environment tend to have excess hardware to support applications which are critical to business operations. By setting up a Hyper-V Enterprise Class Level Environment you can eliminate excess hardware by creating three different virtual environments to carry out necessary development, quality assurance, and production processes.

 These are a few ways to improve an existing server infrastructure to place resources where they are needed the most.  There is a host of other virtualization technologies that will help you to accomplish critical business goals and objectives in a more efficient and cost effective manner.

 If you are trying to find ways to improve your existing server infrastructure, contact Thrive Networks today to learn more about virtualization and cloud computing options.