The Modern Office: Thriving In The Age Of Cloud Computing

At ConnectWise, we identify the Modern Office as the current standard office setting, redefined and evolved to take full advantage of the wide array of modern technologies your clients use every day. The Modern Office represents the opportunity for you to further insulate yourself into the clients' workflow. Doing this allows you to take advantage of a number of scenarios in which you can multiply your profits without adding a single new client.

One significant change brought on by Cloud Computing is that now, vendors have access to the SMB niche, a space they traditionally avoided. Still, a Cloud vendor's ability to meet all the needs of your clients is limited by stretched personnel and resources. The simple fact is that many clients lack an understanding of all the capabilities and technologies the Cloud makes possible, so they do not take full advantage of it. Through the Modern Office, you step into the role of managing their integration of Cloud technologies.

Realize one fact: Even if a client decides to enter the Cloud, you still know that client's business better than any vendor ever could. You understand the requirements of that business, and you are a trusted advisor. Additionally, SMB owners are more willing than ever to outsource. They have a strong desire to work with other small businesses. All these things work in your favor with the Modern Office.

Count on ConnectWise to be there beside you every step of the way to help ensure you capitalize on these new opportunities.     

Watch ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini's Keynote on the Modern Office

ConnectWise: Empowering The Modern Office

The Modern Office requires you to focus on those key contact points that exist in your client relationships. They may or may not be managed IT services- but your key contact points with each client go beyond that. You will likely discover that you have been doing several of these key contact tasks already, and there is a good possibility you can do more of these tasks. Build on what you already do, take advantage of the flexible power and control offered by ConnectWise, and you will not only survive your clients' migration to Cloud Computing- you and your business will thrive!

Review these key contact points and see how many of these tasks you already perform for your clients: 

Help Desk – No doubt you have been providing this service to several clients already. Now is the time to refine your Help Desk functions and cement your expertise. Clients still require technical assistance, and ConnectWise empowers you to provide that assistance with excellence. Grow in your role as Trusted Advisor and Key Problem Solver.

Vendor Management – If you are like most Managed Service providers, you have received phone calls at one time or another for problems with equipment or services you did not contract to support. Now have clients report vendor problems through the ConnectWise Portal. Turn this into revenue by managing those vendors to relieve your clients of that burden.

Software As A Service (SaaS) - Here is another key contact point that is probably no stranger to your company's service offerings. SaaS provides you with the opportunity to ensure that your clients run the latest versions of their software. It also eliminates the painful processes of updating software or maintaining versions no longer in use.  

Hardware As A Service (HaaS) – Similar to SaaS, HaaS enables your clients to make use of the latest technologies and equipment without the huge price tag for replacing old or obsolete equipment. Clients pay for what they use, and the HaaS model helps ensure affordable and predictable costs.

Professional Services – As a consultant to your clients, you can assist them with tasks such as quarterly technology reviews. Lead them through the process of building a technology roadmap to ensure the Cloud technologies available to them meets their business requirements.

Internal IT – Assist your clients in structuring their internal IT departments. Make sure ConnectWise is at the center of what they do so that accountability is built in. They can call on your expertise when situations require greater technical proficiency.

Security – Today, more than ever, companies are mindful of the value of their data and business intelligence. Consult with them in areas such as threat monitoring and response, and vulnerability assessments. Guide them through the complex issues of drafting security policy and establishing guidelines for compliance.

Remote Monitoring And Automation – Monitor your clients' traffic and report on utilization of key servers, routers and other network devices. Use ConnectWise to communicate issues and concerns before they turn into outages.

Voice Networking (VoIP) - Run your clients' voice service on your same network infrastructure. Reduce recurring costs for clients, and advise them on how to use those savings to fund growth opportunities. Consult on other revenue generating activities that make good business sense for them. Establish unified messaging between email and voicemail.

Telepresence - Enhance the productivity and communication quality of your clients' meetings and conference calls with the visual impact of telepresence technologies. Cut travel costs and save time while increasing efficiency and effectiveness. Increase the impact of client meetings and the results of prospect meetings.

Email Management And Administration – Communication is as vital to your clients' businesses as it is to yours. This can work for you in two distinct areas: The first is as a vendor responsible for administering client email processing; the second involves managing all client email devices remotely.

Surveillance – Protect client property and assets by monitoring digital video surveillance of client facilities. Such systems are easily installed. Video output can even be monitored remotely via cell phones.

Digital Signage – These display devices are available in a variety of formats such as LED, LCD, plasma displays and more. They allow you or your clients to display important messages, or information on vital metrics and measurements in a more dynamic manner. They are easily installed and managed.

Storage, Backup And Disaster Recovery – Managing and administering these vital functions help ensure that your clients maintain the ability to keep business operating. Typically, the client facility is mirrored at a separate remote location. Back-ups are stored off-site and at the remote location.

Printer Management – Remotely monitor printer performance and resolve outage situations. Take a proactive stance on printer maintenance. Increase efficiency by reducing outages.

Application Subscription – Make use of the web's ability to deliver commonly used business applications. Help clients by removing the burden of remembering renewals. Manage their technical support and anti-virus agreements, and help ensure that they are always in force.      

Infrastructure – Help your clients develop the infrastructure that will more easily facilitate corporate growth. Keep in mind that wireless capability, although not required for every business, is now the expectation. And wireless requires technical proficiency beyond your clients' likely capabilities. Effective planning is the key to building an infrastructure that will work for your clients today- and tomorrow.

The Cloud Office – An extension of the Modern Office, the Cloud Office features mobile capability, website maintenance and management, telecommuting and Cloud services. Each of these areas requires management and monitoring, as well as a plan to effectively integrate each into the client business environment.

As you can see, the advent of Cloud Computing has little impact on your ability to continue to provide your clients with essential services expertly delivered. Given this, there is more reason to welcome Cloud Computing than there is to fear it. With the power, flexibility and control ConnectWise provides, you can make these key contact points work in your favor. And we will be developing new technologies and tools that will help you accomplish your goals. Working together, we can all profit from the Cloud.