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Stated very simply, a managed network is one in which all the
critical
equipment, software and supporting services are well defined and
maintained for a flat monthly fee. The cost for network
monitoring will likely be built in because service providers
can't accept this level of responsibility without adequate tools to
do the job.
When a service provider takes on this responsibility they have a
serious interest in ensuring that things work smoothly; in
short, the success of the service provider depends on your network
running as trouble free as possible.
An initial step in achieving this goal is an assessment of the
hardware, software, vendors and conditions of the existing
network. Usually some set of actions will be required as a
separate initial billable expense to get the network and systems up to a
"manage ready" state.
For example appropriate antivirus software is required on all
computers, some form of firewall should be in place and all
Windows computers will be current with respect to Microsoft
updates. Additionally, computers will be upgraded to
business class operating systems if needed.
Following the assessment and modification work, the network,
from the business owners perspective, becomes a "set it and
forget it" tool for the business. There may be
quarterly reviews to keep the owner apprised of work that was
done, new developments and upgrades on the horizon that may be
important.
A service agreement may encompass some or all of the components
that make a network function and keep it healthy; for example:
Server health and monitoring
Managing user accounts
Workstation health and monitoring
Firewall configuration and monitoring
Managing routers and switches
Managing wireless infrastructure
Managing antivirus and other security software
Ensuring
Microsoft updates are
occurring and are timely
Prescribing, configuring and managing a backup scheme
Ensuring a disaster recovery plan is in place and actually works
Ensuring software upgrades take place
Managing third party vendors, such as for Hosted Exchange,
Telephone service, Broadband connection, and Spam filtering |
