Just about every business today uses some form of technology on a daily basis. With the abundance of technology systems and software on the market comes the need for proactive technology management and security. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, there are many reasons to consider investing in IT services from a managed service provider.
What is a Managed Service Provider?
Managed service providers, or MSPs, provide proactive IT and technology services to keep your business running smoothly and efficiently. While some IT firms and freelancers simply take care of software updates and computer installation, managed service providers like PCS-MS are actively involved in the security and systems management of a business. After all, of what use is technology if it’s infected with viruses and accessible by hackers and identity thieves?
Working with a managed service provider means you can spend far less time being frustrated by your computer, printer, and programs and far more time focused on more important things. It also means having a relationship with a technology guru who can answer any and all questions you may have. Instead of waiting for you to call us when there’s a problem, our team will already be actively engaged in working to identify and prevent potential problems before they happen. If we can relay any piece of advice, it would be to hire a managed service provider to prevent security breaches and data leaks long before having no choice but to hire a public relations firm to manage a PR crisis.
What are the 4 Pillars of Technology Management?
Our business model was created around the idea that proactive technology management doesn’t have to be limited to software updates. Partnering with a managed service provider is the only way to ensure your organization’s systems and software are protected while helping you stay productive. Technology should work for you, not the other way around.
For more than 30 years, PCS-MS has partnered with more than 400 Memphis-area organizations to provide a variety of IT managed services for large and small businesses alike. Our processes are crafted around the 4 pillars of technology management.
1. Centralized Services – Infrastructure
Monitoring
One of the easiest ways to keep your technology working for you is to utilize our application and performance monitoring services. From security updates to software upgrades, keeping up with tech trends is essential to keeping your technology investments up-to-date. Working with us means we can stay ahead of the curve and keep an eye on what’s working and what isn’t, so you don’t have to.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PERFORMANCE MONITORING SERVICES
Patch Management
Patch management is one of the many ways we are able to keep your systems and software running smoothly and efficiently. Simply put, a patch is a type of code that can be utilized to improve or upgrade your technology systems. Think of a patch as a band-aid that is able to remove those glitches from the software your business uses every day. Rather than investing hundreds, if not thousands, on new software systems for your entire company and team, a patch can significantly improve your productivity at a much more affordable price.
Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware
Viruses and malware are rampant in today’s world, but the right software can save the day. Anti-virus and anti-malware software can save you untold time, energy, and financial resources by preventing data breaches, technology failures, and systems shutdowns. After all, investing in reliable protection from viruses and malware is much more affordable than investing in disaster recovery and crisis management.
HOW DO I PROTECT MY SYSTEMS FROM VIRUSES AND MALWARE?
Cloud Services
Cloud storage is absolutely essential for any organization that stores sensitive consumer or patient data and information, particularly healthcare organizations, financial institutions, and businesses that store credit card and financial information. In order to protect your consumers from data breaches and your company from the embarrassment of a public relations crisis, it’s necessary to store this information safely and securely and to utilize proactive technology management to identify and prevent breaches and hacks.
Backup & Disaster Recovery
Should you ever find yourself in a situation where sensitive data and consumer information winds up in the wrong hands, or your systems are infiltrated by hackers, viruses, or identity thieves, PCS-MS can help get your team back on track if you’ve utilized our backup and disaster recovery services that allow us to keep important software and systems up and running. If your business stores consumer cardholder data or patient health information, it’s also essential for you to be aware of HIPAA laws and PCI compliance.
2. Network Administration – Infrastructure and Support
Proactive Technology Management
The best reason we could ever provide for why you should invest in our services is that, unlike most IT firms who simply do the bare minimum when it comes to software upgrades, we proactively work to protect your systems, keep your team productive, and help you succeed by making sure your technology runs smoothly and efficiently. Any IT guy can install new software and set up a computer, but only a professional IT firm can proactively work to find and prevent hacks, breaches, and other problems before they’re even an issue.
Best Practices
There’s an overwhelming amount of information out there regarding getting the most out of your technology. There are numerous systems you can choose from, so how do you know what will work best for your team and your organization? PCS-MS offers IT consulting services to help you get the most bang for your buck. From security software to practice management systems, we can help you find the right systems and technology and even install and set up those services to get you up and running as soon as possible.
3. Technology Services – Support
Remote Help Desk
Whether you’ve been in business for five decades or five minutes, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter technology problems at some point or another. PCS-MS offers remote help desk services to answer your systems and software questions. Forget lugging your laptop to the PC repair guy or waiting days for the “tech gurus” at big box stores to arrive. Our team can log into your systems remotely to determine the cause of any malfunctions or maintenance issues to get you back on track as soon as possible.
LEARN MORE ABOUT REMOTE HELP DESK SERVICES
Onsite Services
For anyone who prefers to meet our team in person, we offer onsite technology services to keep your technology working the way it should. From software updates to hardware installation, we can handle any and all tech requests for large and small businesses alike.
How-to Questions
Technology is constantly evolving, changing, and becoming more complex. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, chances are you’ll have a how-to question at some point or another. Just a few of the questions we’ve helped answer include:
- How do I set up practice management software for my healthcare organization?
- How do I create a secure network for my business?
- How do I safely store sensitive information and other files online?
4. Virtual CIO – Strategy
Professional IT Consulting
A managed service provider like PCS-MS is so much more than a team of IT guys who install and update software. Our team also works to craft a custom long-term strategy for your systems and software. From setting up your initial systems to recommending the best products and services to get the most out of your investments, we’re here to help you get set up and running as effortlessly as possible.
Medical Practice Consulting
As with any industry, medical providers use technology each and every day, but unlike other organizations, lives are at stake when technology fails. Whether you’re a regional hospital or a small town clinic, our goal is to help you create a process that keeps you up and running and protected from viruses, hackers, and identity thieves. From patient relationship management software and electronic health records management to secure cloud services, we’ve got you covered.
MIPS / MACRA / ACI Compliance
In order to qualify for Medicare rewards payments, your practice must run smoothly and utilize technology that maximizes customer service, quality care, and patient relationship management. PCS-MS can help create a network and systems that allow you to qualify for Medicare rewards payments while allowing your team to focus on patient care rather than invoicing and records updates.
HIPAA Compliance
Protecting patient information is not only a common courtesy in today’s world; it’s also required by law. Whether you are a small practice or a large healthcare provider, it’s important to understand how your networks and storage services operate in order to ensure you are remaining HIPAA compliant. Skimping on security features and secure cloud hosting services can be the difference between smooth sailing and a lawsuit waiting to happen.
PCI Compliance
Any business that processes, stores, and transmits credit card numbers and payments online should be PCI compliant. PCI compliance refers to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCS DSS, which involves multiple steps. We highly recommend hiring a managed service provider or IT firm to ensure your systems and standards are 100 percent PCI compliant. Some of the steps we’ll take to ensure your business is PCI compliant include:
- Creating a Secure Network
- Protecting Consumer Cardholder Data
- Utilizing Security Software and Programs
- Restricting and Controlling Access
- Routinely Monitoring Security Networks
- Providing Consumers with a Privacy Policy
- Providing Consumers with an Information Security Policy
Managed IT Services from PCS-MS
Ready to build your secure network and systems? Contact PCS-MS to get started today. We’re happy to work with you to conduct a site audit outlining how to implement new processes and technology that can help your business reach its fullest potential.
