Friday, September 17, 2010

Managed Service Provider Software: Its Features

In a different manner and context the bard of English literature had mentioned about the dilemma mankind faces when up for making a selection. Is this the right choice or not is the question that plagues the mind long even after having finalised the decision. How to choose the best managed service provider software for the network of an establishment is also one such issue that keeps everyone in a dilemma. What are the basic benefits that one aims to achieve from this selection governs the reply to the question of how to choose the best managed service. Every managed service provider claims of certain basic features in their product and these all are well aware of. Providing information on the working of the network as well as a single point where the solutions could be implemented across the entire network. Every MSP software in the market today also mentions about it being customisable in order for it to adapt to the changing requirements of the business house. How to choose the best managed service would be best replied if one measured how these basic features are transformed into reality, thereby providing ease of work load on the network manager as well as to meet the requirements of the business house. It has to be remembered that managed service is a system where a third party is maintaining and motoring a clients resources. In turn the client pays money to the Managed service provider for the service. It is therefore essential that the chosen MSP is a proactive one. Meaning, the service provider should not wait for a defect to occur for fixing it, rather be able to sense the defect before hand, indicate and initiate corrective or preventive measures.

However effective or proactive the MSP is, given Murphy's laws of probability the chance of a breakdown yet occurring on the network is rife. Quick response and speedy restoration in the event of such an occurrence on the network is the mark of a good MSP.

A network without the data and the application programs running on it is of no use. In case of a crash or break in the network there would be need to restore the complete system to a point where everything was clean. For this reason the MSP should have been taking regular backups which would be used during the restore process.

The MSP must also be able to advise the client on the various changes that are occurring in the volatile IT field and the possibility or feasibility of implementing the same in the existing network for higher efficiency.

An MSP with lax security features would be very dangerous to the health of the enterprise. Holes in the security of an MSP are vantage points for malicious programs to enter into the network and wreak havoc with the data and the application software too. MSP with high features in its security aspects is to be selected. Credentials of the managed service provider are one other important aspect to be checked and verified prior to deciding on the particular one. Obtaining reference of MSP projects provided and running at other installations would be a good method to check the MSP's authenticity and effectiveness. As a check off list the ideas stated here could help to choose the best managed service provider.

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