Access to more robust network and internet connections has enabled all manner of technologies. An interesting one is Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM), also known as Remote IT Management or Network Management. This RMM is a technology that allows a company to monitor connected devices such as PCs. Organizations of all sizes face the challenge of a remote workforce and RMM was developed to address this need by allowing device performance to be monitored and maintenance performed remotely.
As the name RMM suggests, the technology encompasses two aspects: monitoring and management. Let’s break it down and look at the two aspects separately.
What can be monitored?
Unlike in the past, a lot can now be done from an external location if it is configured accordingly. For starters, computers (opens in new tab) monitored, starting with whether they are offline or online or how they are using system resources to determine if upgrades are needed, e.g. B. at the memory. Beyond the computer, remote monitoring can also keep an eye on the network to see if it is busy or not, or how many devices are connected and what kind of data (opens in new tab) throughput occurs. Insights into the state of the machine can be gained, with the possibility of generating support tickets for resolution.
What is remote management?
Furthermore, this is not just for an attractive pie chart or bar chart, but rather it is more interventional, namely that the network and devices can be managed from a remote, secure location. For example, users cannot be relied on to install the latest operating system, browser, and antivirus themselves (opens in new tab) and driver updates that quickly lead to gaping security holes. This monotonous and mundane task is one where RMM excels as it can easily do it efficiently across a wide range of devices to ensure all devices are fully up-to-date and protected.
Why do?
With this RMM bringing cost and complexity, it’s easy to wonder if the benefits are worth the effort. With that in mind, let’s look at the benefits of adopting this process.
A plus is that it bypasses geographic restrictions when choosing a provider to manage the network. For those who only have a limited number of providers to choose from in their area and still need to worry about a response time, this is ideal. Since the network is managed remotely, this can really be done from anywhere in the world and there is no worry about how far the RMM company will have to travel to get to the company, which can impact response time in the event of a problem.
Another benefit of RMM is the availability of monitoring. Remote monitoring allows 24/7 monitoring of a network and devices, which would be virtually impossible with more traditional approaches since no vendor is going to move in. This allows problems to be identified in real time as they occur. as otherwise threats such as viruses and ransomware (opens in new tab) can compromise a network and there would be a significant delay in response.
All of this results in a far more secure network. With alerts that can be sent whenever a cyber attack occurs, you can rest assured that a network has a high level of security, with vigilant monitoring and a vigorous response ready for any attempted attack. This is a far better approach to corporate network security than relying on less specialized and not always internal IT staff. It’s also more convenient to have the network monitored remotely, freeing up existing IT staff to focus on more pressing business tasks that can be performed more efficiently without the constant distraction of network and device monitoring.
Multiple devices can also be managed by one RMM provider. This approach is not only limited to desktops, but can also support mobile devices such as smartphones (opens in new tab)and laptops (opens in new tab) also. In addition, even devices such as printers (opens in new tab) and routers can be supported via the appropriate software download. Once enabled, patches can be applied to these devices to make them more secure.
Why not?
While the pros outweigh the issues with RMM in most cases, there are still some cons to be aware of.
First, a trusted RMM provider must be chosen. This is because they rely on them to manage the network and devices, and have their software installed across the network. Since you’re literally handing the network over to the RMM provider, a good way to verify its trustworthiness is a long-standing reputation, along with full transparency into what it’s doing with frequent updates.
Cost is another issue to consider. There are many ways to monitor a network and update devices, from internal staff to a local provider or a remote provider. In many cases, the last option makes the most sense, as the costs are comparable considering that monitoring can be 24/7, and presents a significant, in some cases insurmountable, challenge from the other two methods.
Finally, the last drawback is reliability. No system is ever 100% reliable, so be sure to inquire about the historical uptime of a potential RMM vendor. After all, Murphy’s Law will inevitably strike, and just when the network is at its most vulnerable, nobody needs the RMM not to be ready to protect it. Again, going to an established company with a longer track record is the way to go.
Conclusion
RMM is an important tool that is ideally suited to protect a network and devices in an enterprise. Understanding the benefits and realizing the potential for 24/7/365 monitoring at a competitive price are crucial keys to keeping an organization’s network secure while freeing up internal IT staff.
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