Smart Choice - Software Patch Management For Improved Security

The best way to distribute problem fixing patches is with the use of software patch management software. These programs are able to update multiple computer at one time across one or several networks. Third party software providers are always fixing problems with their product. It has become a fact of life to expect there to be something wrong with a software. Some of these problems are openings into your network that can be exploited. Patching those holes is very important to security. Trying to perform a patch on every terminal in your company manually is a lengthy, time consuming process. It is also completely unnecessary and problematic. Instead of having an IT staffer waste another employees time by taking up the computer, the IT tech can automate the process with a program.

 

It also saves money on payroll by ensuring work continues by everyone. If you have to have someone download patches on an employees computer, that person will have to stop what they are doing. This could potentially be devastating for any department from sales to accounting to customer service. Nobody wants to lose clients because of a minor detail that could have easily have been prevented.

 

Just like any other software programs, there are number of different ones for this specific need. They range from basic home editions, to ones that can manage a number of computers on various networks. Which one you choose depends on the specific needs for your company. Always research the programs before you choose one. Just because they look flashy and say they can do a lot does not necessarily mean they can do what you need them to do. Not patching up software leaves your computer and networks vulnerable to viruses. It is also a very common way that hackers are able to steal information. All this can be easily avoided by this software. If your computers are not properly protected, viruses are only minor problem people and companies have to worry about. Hackers can steal company secrets, employee information, personal information. This can lead to loss of sales and profits and possibly identity theft. By installing this type of program, all those fears can be put aside. Not only does it fix any errors in programs with patches and updates, it does so without having to spend the man power. It also keeps track of all the information for you, in a tidy report that is generated however often you program it to. If you only want to run patches once a month, it can be programmed to do so. If you want it run every day, that is not a problem either. Most of the work of a software patch management software is done behind the scenes. Most workers will not even be aware that their computer is being updated to protect the company. The only time that it would be of any concern is when the system might need to be rebooted. The worker would be warned with a prompt and asked to save their work. This can be a very slight inconvenience having to wait for the system to reboot; it is however, a lot better than having to wait for an admin to go through every prompt. Most workers will be appreciative of the quick work that the software provides. There will be less inconvenient visits from the IT staff to have to see to issues related to the workers computer.

Streamline Your Network Management Services With MSP Software

MSP software is a must for all managed service providers. Managers who have this type of software, can instantly access pertinent information about the networks they are monitoring. Whether you are monitoring a LAN network for a small business, or you are attempting to monitor the routers within a large enterprise, MSP software can make the process of monitoring networks seamless and very easy to handle overall.

 

Many managed service providers find it very difficult to provide the level of service their customers are looking for at all times. If you are managing many networks, it can sometimes be overwhelming to attempt to meet the demands of each one of your clients. By having managed service provider software though, you can make the process of managing multiple networks very simple and efficient.

 

MSP software can provide detailed info about devices within a network. When network managers do not have access to information about individual devices within a network, they often find it very difficult to uncover the source of problems networks are facing. If you are using this software to manage your network though, you will be able to instantly access detailed info about every device within the network in order to assess the source of problems as well as solutions you can use to fix the problems your networks are facing.

 

Network managers who do not take advantage of this type of software often miss major problems that are occurring within entire networks. When devices within a network cannot sufficiently handle the capacity and demands that are being placed on them, network managers have no idea that these difficulties are occurring if they do not have this type of software in their possession. Network managers who do have access to MSP software though, can utilize the tools and monitoring capabilities of MSP software to quickly and easily assess the congested portions of a network and fix those problems immediately.

 

This software can even automate the process of managing a network as well. This software can provide notifications when a problem is about to arise within a network too. In this way, MSP software can help managed service providers avoid problems altogether, because the problems can be fixed before they actually cause a disruption within the communications of a network.

 

One of the most convenient features provided by managed service provider software today is the remote access portion of these programs. This portion of these programs can give network managers an opportunity to access devices from a remote location. By having instant access to the devices your customers are using, you will be able to uncover and solve problems your customers are facing quickly and seamlessly.

 

Along with monitoring the connections between different devices in a network, this type of software can even provide monitoring services for reviewing the efficiency of individual device components as well. As a network manager, you will be able to access detailed information about each device that may be present within a network when using MSP software. By accessing this information, you will be able to assess whether or not the components currently being used in a network can handle the demands a company is currently facing.

 

As you can see, MSP software can provide a number of different benefits to a managed service provider. Whether you are managing multiple networks, or you are simply managing one network, this type of software can make your network managing activities and services efficient and seamless overall.

Characteristics And Features Of Cost-effective Network Management

With the advent of Information Technology in business came the feature of business automation. Automation not only within one's own sphere of work or operation, but in synchronisation with operations outside the local sphere also. This gave rise to networks. To manage individual networks as an integrated entity came in Network Management and nothing on earth this day is worth if it not be cost effective. We therefore end up with Cost-effective Network Management as a necessity for the day's activity.

A complete network is made up of two components. They are the hardware component and the software component. One has to only see it to believe it so far as the number of individual components that comprise a complete network. A visual picture of the complete network becomes a necessity for any network manager to be able to work out a solution imposed upon him by some client at a remote site. Given the ever changing scenario of any business house which goes with the current volatile market factors, the individual networks that run the business house proceedings are equally altering. A pencil drawn map of the network one day would never match the same drawn on a subsequent day. Given this scenario, there is need for such a tool that provides a continuous updated view of the complete network components to the network manager as also allow the network manager to manage the components from a remote location.

One such class of software which provides the various programs that are running across a network as well as the networks hierarchical view is called Managed Services Provider programs (MSP). There are some MSP which do not need any user intervention and called fully automated MSP and there are others which need human intervention at each step. There are MSP which are a mix of these two also. The Network manager's availability and capability would decide which MSP be best suited for a client.

Cost saving factor of such software requires no amplification. Rather than having individual network manager at each individual physical location trying to talk with each other, one network manager sitting remotely is able to monitor and provide solutions to the individual network system.

To judge the ability of an MSP solution, two major issues are taken into consideration. How deep and wide does the software present the network hierarchy to the network administrator and how strong is its reporting process. Individual companies creating the MSP however add different features in their advertisement campaigns. The ease with which the software can be deployed across the entire network, how much system resources does the software demand, these and many other similar features are used by individual MSP makers in their marketing strategy. For increased profit margins a cost-effective network management system is a deciding issue to any business house. This is especially so given the 'e' factor that has attached itself in every facet of a business in today's world. A Managed Service Provider is capable of bringing down price incurred by the business house in network management, in turn assuring increased profit margin to the business house. It could therefore be concluded that MSP is a cost-effective tool.

Ways Companies Find Cost-Effective Network Management

 

Managed Service Providers are the modern corporation's way of maintaining cost-effective network management in today's technological, information-based era. These systems alleviate the need for micro-management by the company over the details of computer and network efficiency, and service anything that needs fixing, reporting, or eliminating for better profit.

Activity Monitoring- One of the most common and underrated means of losing revenue is through the slacking of employees during working hours. MSP can catch any violations of company code when there are accesses to such places as video streaming or chat sites so supervisors may take a more serious look.

Total Diagnoses- MSP software will help catch every mistake in the system, from slow connections to errors in computer applications that can put a halt to productivity. The software will often be able to fix many issues automatically by deriving the source of the issue and quickly extinguishing or patching it. A record of all flaws and fixes is kept to ensure any patterns are reported to the main network supervisor.

Parameters- Business leaders can edit the flood gates of their network as much as they like using MSP software. Stricter boundaries can be placed around access into the database, emails, and outside networks. Likewise, very loose parameter can be set to allow for greater freedom through the database and the internet, such as may suit smaller or more media driven companies. Reports- The software must keep the company overhead knowledgeable about system performance at all times, uploading scheduled reports to the main desktop. These reports are well organized into history of activities, network speeds, quantity of connections, and any other data of company function. By using these detailed reports, the software can suggest a closer look be taken at certain areas of the system for repairs or removal.

Regular Backup- MSP software can save a company a great deal of time and money by servicing it with regular backup of all pertinent company files, data, and its own report histories, so everything can be restored in case of an emergency. Memory space on system hardware can also be saved for faster processing speeds by filing archival data into the separate safe-hold database as well. This feature spares companies the need to manually maintain restorative copies, saving them all of that time and technician money.

Baseline Adaptability- Like a sentient guardian of the system, MSPs posses the ability to literally learn the basics of normal company behavior and accessing. This makes the software less inclined to raise red flags about usual activity, and makes it adaptable to new norms as well. Adaptability eliminates a great deal of programming responsibility from the company mainframe, and saves plenty of precious time. Way of the Present- What may have once seemed like a futuristic dream of business entrepreneurs is now a reality with MSP software. Cost-effective network management can be achieved without scores of manual system surveying, and saves all the time and money on what used to be needed for a technician. With higher efficiency, cleaner functionality, and higher profit margin, no corporate business of the twenty-first century should miss the chance to reap the benefits of Managed Service Providers.