“We are always working to secure our clients and to protect them against an expanding attack surface, malicious activity, morphing threat landscape; and above all else, to deliver peace of mind.”
“The engineer that led the process was phenomenal! He knew exactly what to do and demonstrated a high level of competence. The move went about as smooth as any transition could possibly go.”
A firefighter.
A technologist.
An entrepreneur.
Todd Holloway played all these roles.
Simultaneously.
The turning point was 1992 when Holloway stepped away from full-time fire-firefighting to apply more focus to the IT services world. Custom Technologies, Inc. was born, and the term ‘firefighting’ took on a whole new meaning.
“Initially, I started building computers - probably like every IT company back in the day. Slowly all those computers were selling, and I was getting asked to help manage them. I guess it naturally evolved into doing managed services.”
There are some obvious commonalties with firefighters and MSP owners: always on alert, ready to tackle any blaze, vigilant guardians, and constantly monitoring and managing to prevent issues and ensure smooth operations. Both roles require quick thinking, expertise, and a commitment to safeguarding their respective domains.
A Solution, A Partner: All-In-One with ConnectWise
From the outset, Custom Technologies focused on delivering tailored technology solutions to meet the unique needs of their clients, ensuring enhanced efficiency and performance.
“I had more business than I knew what to do with, but I wasn’t great at keeping track of time, billing, and everything else. I found ConnectWise [at IT Nation Connect], and an industry peer told me: ‘You don’t want to do this twice – invest now [in ConnectWise solutions] so you can set yourself up properly.’ I can say today, it’s been a winning combination!”
Building A Strong Security Posture
As the technology landscape continued to shift, Custom Technologies followed suit. The emergence of AI and bad actors have been a catalyst for MSPs to strengthen their security posture and increase their cybersecurity measures.
Custom Technologies was operating an on-premises infrastructure, but recently decided to move to a cloud-based model with a desire to:
- Strengthen Security Posture: Cloud providers offer advanced security features and compliance with industry standards, which can be more robust than on-premises solutions. This includes encryption, regular security updates, and 24/7 monitoring to protect against cyber threats.
- Propel Growth: Cloud solutions provide scalability, allowing businesses to easily expand their IT resources as needed without significant upfront investments. This flexibility supports business growth and adaptation to changing market demands.
- Increase Profitability: By moving to the cloud, businesses can reduce costs associated with maintaining and upgrading on-premises infrastructure. Cloud services often operate on a pay-as-you-go model, which can lead to more predictable and manageable expenses.
“We are always working to secure our clients and to protect them against an expanding attack surface, malicious activity, morphing threat landscape; and above all else, to deliver peace of mind.”
Enter ConnectWise.
A Seamless Shift
Holloway, a ConnectWise partner for over 20 years, recently completed the migration and provides insights into the process and outcomes. Seemingly dispelling common myths, his experience was described as ‘seamless,’ indicating a smooth transition with minimal disruptions.
The migration from on-premises to cloud was a success, largely due to the expertise and support provided by ConnectWise.
“The engineer that led the process was phenomenal! He knew exactly what to do and demonstrated a high level of competence. The move went about as smooth as any transition could possibly go.”
Why Cloud Migration Matters
Many MSPs weigh the challenges, risks and opportunities. This can be a big step for any organization, and it’s natural to have some of these concerns and fears:
- Data Security and Privacy: Many worry about the security of their data in the cloud, including potential breaches, data loss, and compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR or HIPAA.
- Loss of Control: Organizations often fear losing control over their data and applications once they are hosted on third-party servers.
- Cost Management: While cloud services can be cost-effective, there are concerns about unexpected costs and managing ongoing expenses.
- Downtime and Disruption: The migration process itself can cause downtime and disrupt business operations, which can be a significant concern for many.
- Compatibility Issues: Some existing applications may not be compatible with cloud infrastructure, requiring significant modifications.
- Vendor Lock-In: There’s a fear of becoming too dependent on a single cloud provider, which can limit flexibility and increase costs in the long run.
- Skill Gaps: Moving to the cloud often requires new skills and expertise, which can be a challenge if the current team is not familiar with cloud technologies.
Conversely, moving from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud offers several compelling benefits:
- Cost Efficiency: Cloud services often operate on a pay-as-you-go model, reducing the need for large capital expenditures on hardware and maintenance.
- Scalability: Cloud platforms can easily scale resources up or down based on demand, providing flexibility that on-premises solutions might lack.
- Accessibility: Cloud services can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, facilitating remote work and collaboration.
- Security: Many cloud providers offer robust security measures and compliance certifications, which can be more advanced than what many organizations can implement on their own.
- Innovation: The cloud enables access to cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and big data analytics, helping organizations stay competitive.
- Disaster Recovery: Cloud services often include built-in disaster recovery and backup solutions, ensuring data is safe and recoverable.
