4. Basic requirements of a
managed IT services provider
The Need for Managed Hosting
and Responsive Flexibility
These are essential to enter into a relationship through which
managed hosting is delivered. Such requirements, although
important, are quantitative, non-differentiated and do not
necessarily provide a basis for two-way communication and
progressive relationship building.
Reliable
Equipment, technology offerings,
physical facilities and processes are
up-to-date and proven dependable, as
are the personnel who manage them.
Systems redundancy and operations
continuity are assured.
Secure
In/out data transmission is protected by
advanced monitoring systems and multiple
levels of network and data security.
Scalable
Virtual/cloud proficiency, integration knowledge
and flexible resources accommodate changing
needs of the client’s business.
Competitively priced
Resources, skills and business acumen can
be leveraged into offering reasonable or lower
Total Cost of Ownership.
Certification and
compliance
Backed by a full range of process management
and auditing standards; facilitates compliance with
PCI, HIPAA, SOX and other regulatory practices.
You know it and you face it every day: Keeping your IT department’s
performance consistent with the expectations of management, end-
users and business partners is harder than ever. Why? Because
business is not a fixed, predictable activity; it’s an increasingly dynamic
process now influenced by a host of variables. Business complexity
and a growing list of technology issues can really make your life difficult.
And you need computing-environment efficiency, reliability and scalabil-
ity that sustain revenue enhancement. Are you struggling with any of
the following issues?
I Limited budget or head count
I Outdated technology
I Lack of systems integration
I Conflicting or changing business priorities
I Changing business drivers (e.g., distribution, supply chain,
compliance requirements, processing volumes)
Perhaps you are considering a managed IT services provider
to manage all or part of your IT infrastructure. If so, you should
look for a provider to cover two levels of “requirements”:
(1) Basic Requirements — these are the quantitative
essentials that allow the provider to enter into a relationship
with you; and (2) Strategic Requirements — these are
the critical, qualitative differentiators that allow the provider
to define and drive the relationship with you so that objectives that
make your business measurably better can be achieved.
Featuring two Tier III, SAS 70/SSAE 16/SOC 2-audited hosting
sites through which the most advanced technology is delivered,
Worknet strives to develop a long-term relationship in which
the infrastructure, resources and facilities of Worknet are fused
in varying degrees with your infrastructure, resources and
facilities to form a singular or enterprise-wide solution/operating
environment. Worknet’s relationships are guided by responsive
flexibility. This means Worknet continuously aligns and adjusts its
technology and operations model in accordance with the changes
in your business and processes — all with the goal of strengthening
your overall business and technology model.
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5. Successful
Managed
Hosting
Relationship
Insightful solution design
The relationship with a client is supported by a probing two-
way discussion that ultimately helps shape highly creative
solutions that are both practical and flexible. The solution
process is not fixed but dynamic, open to modifications that
accommodate changing needs and unanticipated issues.
Platform breadth
Background should include working in complex
heterogeneous environments requiring smooth integration
of hardware, operating systems, storage and cloud/
virtualization practices.
Alternative service locations
Multiple points of service delivery can strengthen
solution packages. Service may emanate from provider
data center(s), client premises, temporary DR site or
public-cloud facility.
High-touch working relationship
Provider should have special skill in top-down/bottom-up
hierarchal communication to bridge idea flow between
executives and diversified talent, giving constant attention
to the people of an organization and their business.
No-risk implementation
and migration
Any modifications to computing environment must be
done with safeguards against loss of operations continuity.
Creativity and resourcefulness limit unnecessary expenses.
Change management
Provder must conform to change-mangement schedule
of client to minimize disruption and risk to business
and end-users.
These are the qualitative difference-makers that set the foundation
for a high-touch strategic relationship between a managed IT
services provider and a client. In a strategic relationship, bolstered
by responsive flexibility, strong communication establishes
milestones and routine checkpoints to make sure that advanced
technology and human interaction are aligning with the client’s
needs to strengthen the likelihood of robust business growth.
Strategic requirements of a
managed IT services provider
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