Technology and Its Use

How Much Can Remote IT Maintenance Do?

Working with a third-party services provider that remotely maintains your IT infrastructure can save you significant money. Customers may wonder, however, how many problems a remote IT maintenance service company can address. The answer is a very high percentage so let's take a look at how remote IT maintenance works and what it can solve.

The Power of Remote Connections

Most folks who have questions about remotely maintaining IT systems aren't clear on what the service model looks like. A typical modern computer operating system has built-in remote access capabilities. These are highly secure, and they allow a technician to use a computer's resources the same way an on-site administrator would.

By using command tools, a remote IT maintenance professional can even communicate with multiple systems at once. If you need to roll out a software upgrade across 100 computers, for example, the technician can prepare the upgrade and instruct all the systems to download and run it.

Many Types of Devices

Modern organizations use devices ranging from cell phones to servers. Every device is remotely maintainable.

Many things you think of as infrastructure are now remote-enabled, too. Some businesses use remote IT systems to control basic utilities like lights, electricity, and HVAC. You can even extend control to sensors, security systems, and virtually anything thanks to the advent of IoT devices. This extends to assets in the field. The only limit is what you want to connect.

Networks

All this work requires communication. Consequently, one of the first things a remote IT maintenance service provider will do is scan and optimize the network. Not only does this benefit the customer, but it allows the remote technicians to handle their jobs better.

Similarly, they'll install monitoring tools. These give them a leg up on any developments, such as a network appliance that stops communicating. You can also monitor traffic in the network for signs of spyware and viruses. Likewise, you can monitor incoming and outgoing traffic for hacking attacks or even heavy use loads.

Customer Control

While it's easy to focus on the part the services provider plays, remote IT maintenance systems allow extensive customer control. Your IT staff can use the same systems. If they need to see the current state of the network, for example, the dashboard will display all the relevant information and even produce reports. Your on-site administrators can access whatever tools they need, and they'll also have support from the services provider whenever they have questions or encounter problems.