Proactive vs. Reactive IT Support: Why Proactive Monitoring is Crucial

When it comes to maintaining your IT network, the overriding question is simple: Would you rather play offense or defense? In sports, the answer is rather obvious. Since winning depends on scoring, and you can only score on offense, it’s better to be on the offensive as much as possible. In football, despite the old cliché that “defense wins games,” teams score when they control the ball. Your defense might be your stronger squad, but if they’re on the field most of the game, you’re going to lose. In baseball, where the defense controls the ball, teams win when they string productive at-bats together. Loading the bases takes away a pitcher’s options and applies pressure, improving the next batter’s chances of delivering a decisive hit. Even in chess, players look for ways to “seize the initiative” by checking the opponent’s king or threatening an unguarded piece. As for your IT network, would you rather apply the pressure (by continually stress-testing your system) or feel the pressure (from a breach or a network failure). As Simon and Garfunkel famously sang, “I’d rather be a hammer than a nail. Yes, I would. If I only could.” Fortunately, managed service providers (MSPs) allow you to be the hammer and smash any threats to your network.

What proactive IT support looks like

Proactive IT support means putting your network defenses on the offensive. Instead of sitting back and waiting for a problem to arise, so your maintenance team can fix it, you are constantly looking for indicators of future problems and providing a remedy before your system falters. When you contract with an MSP, your provider will monitor your system regularly to ensure its smooth operation. Your MSP updates software, scans your system for vulnerabilities, and notes any performance issues with hardware. An MSP can keep an eye on your bandwidth and data storage capacity to adjust the system to your levels of usage, so you don’t face slowdowns or crashes. Importantly, your MSP ensures your network defenses are up-to-date to limit the chance of a breach.

Benefits of a proactive IT support system

Switching from a reactive to a proactive approach is easier than you think, and your investment in a proactive MSP pays big dividends. Benefits to your small business include:

• Less downtime — When IT experts monitor your systems around the clock, it’s like having a check engine light on your dashboard. When that light goes on, you can stop in for an oil change that maybe takes 15 minutes. Without that light, you might not know you have a problem until your engine seizes, and that’s going to take your car off the road for far longer. Apply that analogy to your network. Would you rather catch a small issue and fix it, or take your network off line for a day or more?
• Cost savings — It might make more sense initially to only call a plumber when you have a leak, rather than paying to have a plumber on call. But imagine if any leak could flood your basement, where you just happen to be storing a few Picassos and Renoirs. Weigh the minimal cost network monitoring against the crushing blow of catastrophic data loss, and you’ll understand you’re getting a huge bargain. In the long run, prevention is always cheaper than repair.
• Enhanced security — In this age of data breaches, prevention is priceless. Your MSP monitors your system for suspicious activity to prevent potential security threats.
• Optimal performance — Your network should boost your workers’ productivity. Unfortunately, a poorly maintained network can actually slow operations. It might be an accumulation of cookies that need to be cleaned out or out-of-date hardware. But regular monitoring can detect areas where maintenance is necessary to boost efficiency and reduce the risk of slowdowns or crashes.
• Improved morale — When a company gives its employees the best available tools, they can perform with less stress and at a higher level, leading to greater job satisfaction. This can lead to a higher retention rate of the workers you value, saving you the cost of recruiting and training new employees.
• Flexibility for the future — When you’re not constantly reacting to glitches in the system, you can focus on the future. An MSP, who regularly monitors your system and understands your usage, can provide valuable insights into the types of changes you’ll need to pursue your business development plan.

For these reasons and more, a Managed IT Services Provider is an important partner for any small business seeking greater efficiency, reduced costs, and sustained growth. KMF Technologies provides IT services for a wide range of New Jersey businesses. We’re ready to help you obtain the benefits of proactive IT support. Call us today.