By Jackie Wake

So much can potentially go wrong on even the smallest of IT infrastructures. So it’s crucial that IT admins have up-to-the-minute information on the laptops, PCs and servers they are responsible for.

A tiny problem can easily snowball into something serious if it’s overlooked, which is why a proactive approach to IT security and maintenance is essential.

However, IT admins may be faced with “information overload” if important network data isn’t presented in a logical (and actionable) way.

So what makes an IT Admins life easier?

1.     Network information that’s accessible from anywhere, anytime

Those days when the IT team worked in one, fixed office (often a dark, cold comms room somewhere in the basement) are long gone. Today, IT staff are typically far more mobile, perhaps travelling between branch offices or on call from home.

IT departments should choose a solution that provides remote access to all the information they need to effectively manage the network from wherever they are. A web-accessible dashboard, with a centralized view of the network can take the stress out of finding status updates.

2.     Ability to take the necessary action instantly/remotely

Knowing the status of the network is a start, but just knowing about issues is not enough. After all, there’s no point establishing the presence of a problem whilst “on the road” if it’s not possible to take the necessary action to solve it.

Using a solution like GFI Cloud allows IT admins to take corrective actions from a simple Web-based interface, with the installed agent on each device deploying the centrally-controlled updates or fixes. This means that problems can be resolved the next time a laptop or PC restarts without needing all the physical devices returned back to base.

GFI Cloud allows for the customization of corrective actions specific to each infrastructure. For example, if IT admins know that certain services “act up” on occasion, they can configure the software to restart them automatically, making things run even more smoothly.

3.     Understanding what’s happened previously

Historical data on past problems can solve new issues much faster. This is particularly important when there are several technicians looking after the same users.

All networks eventually start to develop their own quirks and foibles, thus it makes sense to have a system with strong reporting capabilities so that continuity is more easily maintained.

Having loads of detailed network information in one place may seem initially overwhelming to IT admins who may be used to working more reactively in the past. This is really just a manifestation – ignorance is certainly not bliss for a busy IT admin!

If an IT admin hears about the problem for the first time when an employee tell them, the pressure is already on to solve it. Work will have slowed down and frustration levels may already be on the rise. It makes far more sense to see problems slowly appearing, often with the opportunity to “head them off at the pass” before the users even notice.

IT teams can try out a more proactive and stress-free way of doing things by starting a free trial of GFI Cloud today. What’s more, new reporting features are currently being added to the solution, and will automatically become available when they are released.