It’s very important to select the right IT support company for your company’s Server Management. As there isn’t clarity regarding the standard scope of services, you should first consider the specific needs and budget of your business before committing. As a start, let’s consider operating system updates.

Operating System Updates

Updating the operating system (OS) is integral to Server Management services. However, some companies don’t even offer this service. Fortunately, the great majority of companies do, and below are four basic OS update service levels that will be offered.

Monitored and Automated: The IT support company utilizes a management tool to monitor and verify the necessary updates when they are applied.

Unmonitored and Automated: The service provider presets a company’s servers to update automatically. However, there is no active monitoring of its quality.

Managed and Unautomated: The IT support company will provide updates for the operating system. However, the company must request the service first.

Supported and Self-Managed: The service provider will be available to help, but the client will have to install the OS updates.

The first is the most expensive, and an IT support company handles the service from beginning to end. The last is cheapest, and the client self-services with help a phone call away. In general, the best services will cost more. A lower level of service will save money. However, economizing means more risk.

Strategy

Choosing the right strategy will depend on your company’s needs. If your team members aren’t OS proficient, find a service provider that uses the “Monitored & Automated” approach and pay more for peace of mind. If a member on your staff is OS proficient, then the “Supported & Self-Managed” approach with a low-cost IT firm as backup makes business sense. The two middle approaches may lead to confusion, and are perhaps not worth the relative savings in fees. Perhaps the best strategy is finding a reputable IT support company that will provide comprehensive and affordable 24/7 Server Management services. This will let your company concentrate on making money.

Alpha Engineering Business Support

Choosing an expert computer technology-support provider is an important decision for your business. Alpha Engineering Associates has been a trusted partner of many companies in the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis areas since 1990 and offer:

24/7 Managed Services for Business Computing Systems

Network and Mobile Computing Support

Disaster Recovery Planning

Software Development

For affordable client-focused network consulting services and solutions, please call Alpha Engineering Associates today at 410-295-9500.