IT Insights Trends

Network monitoring

Network monitoring is the process of continuously tracking the performance, health, and security of a network infrastructure. By monitoring traffic, devices, and services in real-time, businesses can proactively identify potential issues, optimize performance, and ensure seamless connectivity. Our network monitoring solutions provide visibility and control, helping you stay ahead of potential disruptions and maintain a reliable, secure network environment.

Help Desk / End-user support

Help Desk and End-User Support services ensure your team stays productive by providing fast, reliable assistance for technical issues. Whether it’s troubleshooting software, resolving hardware problems, or guiding users through common tasks, our expert support team is available to solve issues quickly, minimizing downtime and maximizing efficiency. We’re here to keep your operations running smoothly and your users happy.

On-site / Consulting support

On-site and Consulting Support offers hands-on assistance to address complex technical challenges directly at your location. Our experts work closely with your team to analyze, recommend, and implement tailored solutions that align with your business needs. Whether you need system upgrades, network design, or troubleshooting, our on-site support ensures your technology runs optimally and efficiently.

Vendor Management

Vendor Management services help you streamline relationships with third-party providers, ensuring that your business receives the best value and service. We handle everything from selecting and negotiating with vendors to monitoring performance and managing contracts. Our goal is to optimize vendor partnerships, reduce risks, and ensure seamless integration with your operations, so you can focus on what matters most—your business.

Cloud Solutions

Cloud Solutions empower your business with flexible, scalable, and secure computing resources. From cloud storage and data management to custom applications and infrastructure, we provide tailored solutions that help streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and reduce costs. Transitioning to the cloud with us means increased efficiency and future-proofing your business in a fast-evolving digital world.

Technology Consulting

Technology Consulting helps businesses harness the power of technology to drive growth, improve efficiency, and stay competitive. Our expert consultants work closely with you to assess your needs, recommend innovative solutions, and guide the implementation of tech strategies that align with your goals. Whether optimizing existing systems or exploring new technologies, we provide the insights and support you need to succeed in the digital age.

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Legacy systems repair and maintenance: the IBM AS/400

IBM AS400The dawn of the information age has brought with it a number of new challenges to small businesses for computer repair and system maintenance. One of these is the legacy system, a phrase that applies to hardware as well as software. As technology advances, systems that were state of the art when purchased will inevitably become out of date. Ideally, businesses would have the most advanced technology at all times, but this is rarely the case for small businesses, which must be strict with costs.

SMBs are often faced with the challenge of keeping a legacy system in good repair long after the system can no longer be purchased new. Unfortunately for these cost-conscious businesses, the company that produced the system may have a vested interest in seeing it fall by the wayside, since that can open up the route to a new sale. Being asked to invest large sums into a new system instead of relatively smaller sums into maintenance and repair is clearly not ideal for small businesses.

In this situation, one excellent solution is for SMBs to rely on third-party repair services with experience and expertise in dealing with legacy systems such as the IBM AS/400, a computer first introduced in the late 1980s. The IBM AS/400 quickly revolutionized the world of small business. Almost 500,000 units were sold by the time the system was phased out in the year 2000 in favor of IBM’s eServer iSeries.

In some cases, maintaining a legacy system such as the IBM AS/400 is feasible only through a third-party repair firm. An OEM, of course, can designate a date as the EOSL, or end of service life, which represents an end to any commitment to keeping a legacy system running. An independent third-party repair company is the most viable option at this point. Such a company will have no vested interest in upselling an SMB to another system, and, of course, they will have no reason to discourage repair.

Access to a reliable third-party repair firm can mean that a legacy system, much like the Energizer Bunny of years past, can keep going and going and going.

Contact Great Lakes Computer today for information about our detailed and customized preventative maintenance and repair plans.

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