Remote Management and Monitoring (RMM) vs. Hourly

With the rapid technological advances in the last 20+ years, automation is becoming commonplace in business. Today, repetitive business tasks are often replaced with automated software solutions in an effort to streamline costs and focus man hours on tasks that require critical thinking.

One such example of automation in the IT industry is remote management and monitoring (RMM).

What is RMM?

Remote management and monitoring is a type of automation that uses the latest technological tools to keep computer systems up to date and business networks protected.

RMM makes it possible to automate the process of applying patches and updates, reducing the risk of human error. In the days before RMM, these tasks were handled manually. With the introduction of RMM, automated tools now handle these tasks more effectively, freeing up IT staff to focus on other projects.

One of the biggest benefits of remote management and monitoring is the ability to flag certain items. Servers are constantly producing logs, and those logs can provide valuable information for IT staff. In the past, server logs were reviewed manually and it was easy to miss even the most obvious red flags.  RMM software searches for red flags, passing the most critical onto the IT team or service provider.

Remote Management and Monitoring – and Compliance

When all systems are connected to a central ticketing system, reporting is even easier and more effective. RMM provides a detailed audit trail, showing exactly what steps were taken to resolve an issue.

HIPAA, for example, requires proof that patches and updates are regularly completed. This audit trail can help you confirm your business is in compliance, and that you have taken steps to prevent a recurrence.

RMM vs. Hourly

Businesses require data to operate and that data needs to be protected. There are a variety of ways to do this, but one service isn’t necessarily ‘better’ than the other. It is more a matter of finding the best way to identify and apply fixes in a consistent manner.

The Benefits of RMM?

RMM has a number of advantages over the hourly model, including its proactive nature. With RMM, services are proactive, offering real-time alerts and ongoing monitoring. This allows for faster response times and reduces the risk of serious damage to the network or its data.

With the hourly model, a user will report that something is wrong, or IT will find the issue. Action is only taken once the issue is identified, which results in a reactive process that is susceptible to human error. If an issue is missed, it could remain unresolved for days, weeks or even months. In this way, resolution speed is more efficient through RMM compared to hourly.

Cost Comparison

Remote management and monitoring provides a more consistent, predictable cost, making budgeting easier, eliminating expensive surprises. With RMM, you have a set cost based on the number of computers, firewalls, servers and other equipment you have in place.

With the hourly model, costs fluctuate, sometimes in unpredictable ways. Windows updates for example may take more time one month over another, resulting in sometimes drastic cost fluctuations.

A Hybrid Approach

A popular approach and growing trend is to use RMM for critical network infrastructure and hourly IT support on projects. RMM can handle basic maintenance and monitoring tasks while IT staff tackles projects like server migrations, application setup or user training. This approach offers the best of both worlds, combining the predictability of RMM with the custom aspect of project work.

Remote Monitoring and Maintenance Trends

The biggest shift in RMM is the number of tasks these automated tools can tackle. Modern RMM tools include sophisticated scripting models, i.e. if this happens, do that.

You can take alerts that are already in place and automate that process response over time. And while it takes time to build out the automation, once it is in place, you can enjoy lower and more consistent IT costs.

If you want to streamline your IT costs through RMM, contact Ontech Systems at 262-522-8560. We can help you develop a RMM plan so you can protect your business, stay compliant with all applicable regulations and build a better and more robust network.

Ready to get started?

Call us at 262-522-8560 for a quick 10-minute chat to see if we’re a good fit or submit a request online and let us know how we can help.