In addition, we will share valuable insights into how Kaseya VSA, a unified remote monitoring and management solution (RMM), can enhance your virtual desktop experience. Stay tuned to discover how, with VSA in your arsenal, you can effortlessly navigate through the virtual desktop space, experiencing unmatched control and optimization. Let’s dive in!

What is a virtual desktop? 

A virtual desktop is an online desktop environment that mimics the nature and characteristics of a physical desktop. Users don’t have to lug around their work laptops wherever they go. Rather, they can access their virtual desktop environment, complete with work applications and operating systems, from any device at hand. It’s like being able to access your email from any device till you have your login credentials and a functioning internet connection.

Businesses use virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) or desktop virtualization software to create, deploy and manage multiple virtual desktop instances. These instances are hosted on remote servers or virtual machines, allowing users to access them remotely using an internet connection.  

Virtual desktops are more secure than traditional desktop solutions since they don’t require users to install any software on their device. They also provide higher performance and scalability, allowing users to access their desktops from any device. Virtual desktops also reduce operational costs as they require less hardware and maintenance.

Why are virtual desktops important 

Virtual desktops can transform an organization and the job of IT professionals in a number of positive ways. Implementing a VDI translates to enhanced business efficiency, substantial cost savings and improved customer satisfaction. A surge in demand for employee efficiency and enhanced data security is expected to drive growth in the VDI industry, which is projected to reach 19.8 billion in 2031.  

The ability to centralize desktop management streamlines IT operations, reducing the burden of traditional endpoint management. This not only results in financial benefits but also liberates IT professionals to focus on strategic initiatives, fostering innovation within the organization.

Financially, virtual desktops contribute to substantial savings by optimizing hardware resources, reducing maintenance costs and enabling a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) strategy. Enabling employees to access their desktop environments seamlessly from any location enhances business agility and responsiveness. This improved efficiency and flexibility directly contribute to heightened customer satisfaction.

Here are some key benefits of virtual desktops:

• Business applications: For businesses, setting up virtual desktop environments eliminates the need to purchase and maintain physical hardware, resulting in lower upfront costs and reduced long-term maintenance costs.
• Security considerations: As virtual desktop data is stored centrally, it makes it easier for technicians to secure and manage it. Since each instance is an independent instance, no user can access the data of any other instance. This further strengthens security as it prevents attackers from gaining access to the entire system in case one instance is compromised.
• Cost-efficiency and resource optimization: Virtual desktop environments are becoming the preferred choice for businesses looking for a secure, scalable and cost-effective solution. These platforms are also more energy-efficient than traditional desktops since they require less power to run. Furthermore, they utilize existing infrastructure, resulting in lower hardware costs.
• Integration with cloud services: Virtual desktops enable organizations and users to create easy collaborative workflows on the cloud and drive more efficiency.
• Future trends and innovations: With developments in technology, virtual desktops are only set to get better with new features and capabilities that will make the computing experience all the more powerful.
• Flexibility and remote work: Moreover, virtual desktops are scalable, allowing businesses to quickly add new users or applications when needed.

How does a virtual desktop work? 

In this section, we will broadly cover the steps involved in setting up virtual desktops. We will start by describing the necessary hardware and software requirements and also cover the installation and configuration process. 

Installation of a hypervisor

Hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMM) are software solutions that facilitate the creation, configuration and monitoring of virtual desktops on a server or in the cloud. Like any other software, hypervisors can be installed directly on hardware like a server or on an operating system. Once installed, it takes control of the hardware resources, such as CPU, memory and storage, and allocates them to VMs. Hypervisors also provide security features such as encryption, access control and authentication.

Creating and configuring VMs

Once installed, a hypervisor can create multiple virtual machines on a single instance of a physical machine, enabling more efficient use of resources. It then allocates resources, such as CPU, memory, virtual processors and storage, to each VM. Once this is done, users can install an operating system and necessary applications, after which the VM is ready for use.
 
Accessing VMs

Users initiate access to their virtual desktops using a client application installed on their devices. This client then establishes a connection with the server hosting the virtual machine (VM)/virtual desktops. The interaction between the user’s device and the virtualized desktop involves data transfer, display rendering and input commands. To facilitate this communication seamlessly, remote access protocols like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) come into play. These protocols ensure efficient and responsive communication between the client device and the VM, ensuring that users experience a smooth and reliable virtual desktop environment.

Managing VMs

Administrators centrally manage virtual desktops, making updates, backups and security measures a breeze. Furthermore, hypervisors play a key role in isolating virtual desktops from both each other and the underlying hardware to enhance security and stability. This isolation ensures that any issues or disruptions in one virtual desktop won’t affect others or compromise the overall system. Additionally, hypervisors offer the handy feature of creating snapshots, allowing users to easily restore virtual desktops to a previous state when needed. This flexibility aligns seamlessly with the dynamic requirements of businesses, where virtual desktops can be rapidly deployed and scaled up or down based on operational demands.

Benefits of virtual desktop 

Virtual desktops make IT management easier by allowing for quick deployment of standardized environments and reducing the need for hardware. In these contexts, desktop virtualization improves flexibility, security and resource utilization.

Enhanced flexibility: Virtual desktops offer enhanced flexibility to end users, allowing them to access their setup from any device and location without a hassle. This is a great fit for remote workers who need to maintain productivity while on the move or collaborate across geographically dispersed teams.

Centralized management: Since virtual desktops are hosted on a server, technicians can update and patch all virtual desktops uniformly from one location. This centralized control allows for efficient monitoring, troubleshooting and maintenance of virtual desktops, streamlining IT administration. By establishing a uniform configuration for all virtual desktops, IT teams can ensure system reliability and greatly reduce complexity.

Security advantage: Virtual desktop environments offer top-notch security features, such as data centralization, encryption and access control, which minimizes the likelihood of your data being lost or compromised by hackers. With access strictly controlled, you can rest assured that your sensitive information is well-protected.

Cost-efficiency and resource optimization: By leveraging hardware more effectively, virtual desktops contribute to cost-efficiency and resource optimization. Through server virtualization, multiple desktops can run on a single physical server, reducing the need for extensive hardware infrastructure. This optimization not only cuts down on initial hardware costs but also lowers ongoing maintenance expenses. 

Scalability and business agility: The scalability inherent in virtual desktop environments enables the swift provisioning of new desktop instances or the decommissioning of existing ones. This adaptability proves crucial for businesses with dynamic needs, ensuring that IT infrastructure can efficiently scale up or down without significant disruptions. Essentially, the scalability of virtual desktops directly enhances business agility. It enables companies to align IT resources with evolving demands, seizing opportunities in the marketplace without being hindered by rigid infrastructure limitations.

Disaster recovery and business continuity: In the event of hardware failures or disasters, the centralized nature of virtual desktop infrastructure allows for quick and efficient recovery. Since desktop environments are stored and managed centrally, organizations can rapidly restore services by provisioning virtual desktops on alternate hardware or in the cloud. In the face of unforeseen events, virtual desktops contribute to business continuity by providing a resilient IT infrastructure that can swiftly adapt to disruptions, allowing employees to continue working with minimal interruption. 

VDI is a desktop virtualization technology designed to assist companies in establishing and maintaining resilient virtual desktop environments for their employees or clients. Prior to embarking on the setup of virtual desktops, it’s imperative to comprehend the fundamentals of VDI. Our blog, VDI: Your Gateway to Anytime, Anywhere Virtual Desktops, provides comprehensive information and insights that will help you implement virtual desktops easily.

Different types of virtual desktops 

There are several types of virtual desktop infrastructures designed to meet the varying needs of users and organizations. In this section, we will look at the range of virtual desktops that organizations can use to customize their virtualization policies and meet their goals.

Hosted virtual desktops 

Hosted virtual desktops involve the hosting of desktop environments on remote servers. This model offers centralized management, scalability and reduced hardware requirements. Users access their desktops from various devices while IT administrators benefit from streamlined maintenance and resource allocation.

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) 

VDI employs centralized server infrastructure to run virtual machines, providing individualized desktop experiences. Resource optimization is a key benefit, allowing efficient utilization of hardware resources. VDI enhances scalability and simplifies desktop management, making it an attractive solution for organizations.

Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) 

DaaS delivers virtual desktops over the Internet as a service, offering flexibility, cost-efficiency and ease of management. Users can access desktops from anywhere, and organizations benefit from reduced infrastructure costs and simplified administration.

Remote desktop services (RDS) 

RDS, exemplified by Microsoft’s solution, facilitates remote access to desktop environments. It enhances collaboration and provides a platform for scalable virtual desktop delivery, catering to the needs of modern workplaces.

Application virtualization 

Application virtualization separates applications from the underlying operating system. This approach enhances compatibility, simplifies updates and allows for efficient management of diverse application landscapes within the virtual desktop environment.

Cloud-based virtual desktops 

Cloud-based virtual desktops offer flexibility and scalability. Integration with cloud services enhances accessibility, allowing users to benefit from virtual desktops regardless of their physical location.

Bare-metal hypervisors 

Bare-metal hypervisors operate directly on hardware, optimizing resource utilization in virtual desktop environments. This approach provides efficient performance and responsiveness, making it a foundational element in many virtual desktop deployments.

Containerized desktops 

Containerized desktop solutions, reflecting emerging trends, leverage containerization technologies. Containerized desktops also provide greater security, with containers providing a secure barrier between the underlying operating system and the application. It allows for faster deployment of applications, as well as better scalability and reliability. This system offers lightweight and scalable virtual desktop instances, aligning with the modern need for flexibility and efficiency in computing environments.

Check out our informative whitepaper, Remote Desktop Management: Resolve Issues Quickly, to uncover what makes VSA the fastest, most reliable remote management solution in the industry. IT professionals can access and manage computers, including virtual desktops, from anywhere instantaneously with extraordinary reliability, even over high-latency networks.

What to look for in a virtual desktop solution? 

When diving into the realm of virtual desktop solutions, several key considerations can make or break your experience. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it will give you an idea of what to look for.  

• Performance metrics: First and foremost, performance metrics are critical. You need to be sure that the virtual desktop solution you choose is capable of meeting your expectations in terms of speed, stability and reliability.
• Security features: Look for features like robust encryption, access controls and threat detection to ensure your virtual desktop environment remains a fortress against cyberthreats.
• Scalability and flexibility: You want a solution that not only meets your current needs but can adapt and scale as your organization grows.
• User experience enhancements: Choosing a solution that empowers your team by providing a smooth, intuitive interface that boosts productivity is vital.
• Integration with existing infrastructure: Integration with existing infrastructure is a game-changer. Compatibility with your current tools and systems ensures a seamless transition and avoids unnecessary disruptions.
• Cost considerations: Cost considerations should go beyond the initial investment – assess long-term expenses, including maintenance, support and potential hidden costs.
• Vendor reputation and support: Vendor reputation and support can’t be overstated. Look for a provider with a solid track record and responsive support services.     
• Trial and evaluation: Trial and evaluation periods are your chance to test drive a solution.
• Industry-specific considerations: For industry-specific considerations, think about regulations and compliance. Does the solution meet the specific requirements of your sector?
• User training and adoption: User training and adoption are often overlooked but are critical for a successful implementation. Ensure the solution is user-friendly and that your team receives adequate training.

We can’t stress enough that Kaseya VSA 10 is the one and only unified remote monitoring and management (RMM) solution that lets you manage your whole universe of devices in a way where each device is treated as first class, including your VMs. The scope and capabilities of VSA are so vast that it’s impossible to put all of them down here. That’s why we have compiled The Ultimate RMM Buyer’s Guide, which will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

How can Kaseya help you with virtual desktop

When it comes to managing virtual systems, VSA offers unmatched speed and efficiency. Ahead of its time, it’s designed to help you easily discover, map and monitor virtual environments while providing increased security and scalability.

VSA connects directly to the hypervisor and offers a single, consolidated view of your entire virtual infrastructure across multiple platforms. You can create a new Connector for each Hyper-V and VMware hypervisor you wish to manage and view and manage all your virtual devices on a convenient topography map.

The beauty of VSA lies in its capacity to streamline operations, regardless of the number of endpoints or the nature of your IT infrastructure. Recognizing the pivotal role costs play in the success or failure of a business, we have priced VSA at 30% less than other solutions in the market. These cost savings show up in the top and bottom lines, resulting in a healthier financial outlook for your business. Before investing, you can initiate a 14-day free trial to assess how well VSA fits into your environment. Ready to transform your IT operations? Book your free demo today!

The post What Is a Virtual Desktop? appeared first on Kaseya.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the advantages of the cloud and why it has become an indispensable tool for organizations of all sizes and across sectors. Before we discuss its benefits, let’s first understand the cloud, its infrastructure and different cloud service and deployment models.

What is the cloud?

The cloud or cloud computing is a global network of distributed servers hosting software and infrastructure accessed over the internet. It enables organizations to operate efficiently without needing any extensive internal infrastructure. With the cloud, users and organizations can access the same files and applications from almost any device since the computing and storage take place on servers in a data center instead of locally on the user device or in-house servers.

For instance, users can access their Instagram account and emails with all their files and conversation history from a new device, all virtue of the cloud. As cloud vendors update and maintain the servers themselves, cloud computing is one of the most cost-efficient solutions for organizations, helping them save significantly on IT costs and overheads.

How does cloud computing work?

Cloud computing leverages virtualization technology that enables the creation of digital entities called virtual machines. These virtual machines emulate the behavior of physical computers, existing harmoniously on a shared host machine yet maintaining strict isolation from one another.

The virtual machines also efficiently use the hardware hosting them, giving a single server the ability to run many virtual servers. This transforms data centers into highly efficient hubs capable of serving multiple organizations concurrently at a remarkably economical cost. The efficiency also extends to the reliability of cloud services since cloud service providers back up their services on multiple machines across multiple regions to guarantee uninterrupted service delivery.

Navigating the cloud is a seamless experience for users, accomplished through the sophisticated gateways of browsers or applications, regardless of their device. Many elements work in tandem to ensure seamless cloud navigation experience for users. Here are some of the core components of the cloud that help it operate like well-oiled machinery.

Cloud infrastructure

Four integral elements define the backbone of cloud infrastructure:

• Servers: Servers are the core of cloud infrastructure, acting as the computational engines that process and deliver data, applications and services. The servers ensure an efficient allocation of computing resources to support diverse user needs.
• Storage: Cloud storage acts as a dynamic repository, offering scalable and resilient solutions for data management. From documents to multimedia, this cloud component delivers data integrity and accessibility, providing a robust foundation for information storage.
• Networking: Networking ensures seamless communication between servers, devices and users and helps establish the pathways for secure and swift data transfer.
• Virtualization: Virtualization optimizes the usage of hardware resources through virtual machines. The virtual machines ensure efficient utilization, enhance flexibility, and guarantee isolation and security within the cloud infrastructure.

The cloud services come with different service and deployment models, each tailored for specific organizational needs. Let’s unravel their distinct purposes and explore their roles in enhancing organizational efficiency.

Cloud service models

Cloud computing generally comes in one of three fundamental service models: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

IaaS provides a foundational layer in which the cloud services provider manages the computing resources, including servers, storage, networking infrastructure and virtualization. It eliminates the need for enterprises to procure, configure or manage infrastructure themselves and pay only for the services they use.

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)

PaaS is a complete development and deployment cloud service model that offers a comprehensive platform, including the hardware and the underlying software stack. Along with the computing resources of IaaS, PaaS also offers middleware, development tools, business intelligence (BI) services, database management systems and more. It allows users to focus on developing and deploying applications without concerning themselves with the intricacies of the infrastructure or software updates.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

SaaS delivers fully developed applications over the internet, eliminating the need for users to install, maintain or manage the software locally. The SaaS model allows easy access to a wide range of applications, from productivity tools to enterprise software, without the burden of handling underlying infrastructure or software maintenance. It promotes accessibility, collaboration and scalability, allowing organizations to quickly get up and running with an app at minimal upfront cost.

Specialized cloud services

Along with the basic cloud service models, some specialized cloud services offer distinctive features. Here are some of them:

• Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) or Serverless Computing: FaaS provides a platform that allows users to execute code in response to specific events without managing the complex infrastructure typically associated with building and launching microservices applications.
• Container-as-a-Service (CaaS): In the CaaS service model, the cloud service provider offers a platform for deploying, managing and scaling containerized applications. It simplifies the orchestration of containers for the users, enhancing efficiency and portability in application development.
• Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS): DBaaS offers fully managed database solutions that allow organizations to focus on data-driven applications without the burden of database maintenance.
• Storage-as-a-Service (StaaS): StaaS delivers a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional on-premises storage systems through scalable and managed storage solutions.
• AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) and Machine Learning-as-a-Service (MLaaS): AIaaS and MLaaS empower organizations with access to artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, allowing them to leverage advanced analytics without any extensive in-house expertise.

Cloud deployment models

There are various cloud deployment models that cater to diverse organizational needs. Here are some of the most common deployment models:

Public cloud

The public cloud is a globally accessible and shared infrastructure offered by third-party providers over the public internet. This model is ideal for startups and businesses with fluctuating workloads due to its scalability, cost-effectiveness and on-demand resource allocation.

Private cloud

Private clouds are dedicated environments exclusive to a single organization. They offer heightened control, security and customization, making them suitable for industries with stringent compliance regulations or enterprises handling sensitive data.

Hybrid cloud

The hybrid cloud deployment model is an amalgamation of both public and private cloud components. The model enables organizations to leverage the flexibility of the public cloud for non-sensitive operations while keeping critical data within the secure confines of a private cloud. The hybrid cloud suits businesses with dynamic workloads and diverse infrastructure needs.

Multicloud

Multicloud deployment involves utilizing services from multiple cloud providers to achieve flexibility, cost savings and reduced risk. This model is ideal for enterprises seeking a diversified and resilient cloud infrastructure.

Community cloud

Community clouds are a collaborative model in which infrastructure is shared between several with common objectives, such as security, compliance and jurisdiction. This deployment model fosters collaboration and resource optimization and is appropriate for organizations working on a similar project, research topic or application.

With the emergence of the modern cloud in the early 2000s, it gained widespread popularity among businesses of all sizes. Most businesses quickly joined the cloud bandwagon, recognizing its importance in fast-tracking their digital transformation journey.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the reasons for the proliferation of cloud computing.

Why do we need cloud computing?

Cloud computing allows organizations to transcend physical barriers and access computing resources on a scale, revolutionizing traditional IT infrastructures. This flexibility allows enterprises to seamlessly scale operations up or down, according to market dynamics.

Moreover, with data and applications residing in a centralized, easily accessible location, teams dispersed across departments and geographical boundaries seamlessly collaborate in real-time. As knowledge and insights flow freely, unhampered by physical constraints, it enhances productivity and fosters a culture of innovation.

Let’s explore the diverse applications of cloud computing and how they play a pivotal role in optimizing operations and fostering innovation for organizations.

Uses of cloud computing

Here are some use cases of cloud computing for modern businesses:

• Data storage and processing: Cloud computing provides a scalable and cost-effective data storage system made accessible by a web services API. It allows organizations to efficiently manage and process vast amounts of data without the constraints of on-premises infrastructure.
• Big data analytics: With enormous processing power and scalability, the cloud has revolutionized big data analytics. Organizations leverage cloud platforms to analyze complex data sets and make data-driven, informed decisions.
• Data backup and archiving: The cloud facilitates seamless data backup and archiving, ensuring integrity and real-time data availability. This eliminates the risk of data loss and provides a reliable mechanism for long-term data retention.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR): Cloud computing serves as a robust foundation for business continuity and disaster recovery strategies for organizations. It continually captures any changes to the data and transfers it to the disaster recovery server, ensuring rapid recovery in the event of disruptions or disasters.
• Remote work and collaboration: Cloud computing allows remote workers to access their work files and applications from anywhere, fostering flexibility and collaboration among geographically dispersed teams.
• Testing and development: Cloud platforms offer an agile environment for testing and development of applications. It enables developers to access resources on-demand, experiment with different configurations and deploy applications swiftly.

As the cloud operates through many interconnected networks, it raises security concerns among organizations, with cyberthreats at an all-time high. However, the cloud’s adaptive security protocols ensure that businesses can confidently navigate the digital terrain without compromising the integrity of their data. Let’s understand how the cloud safeguards an organization’s data.

Cloud security

Cloud service providers set an unparalleled standard for safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring the integrity of digital landscapes. They employ a multilayered approach, integrating robust encryption protocols, multifactor authentication and stringent access controls to fortify the confidentiality and integrity of stored data.

Moreover, cloud service providers also adhere to compliance regulations, perform security audits and monitor mechanisms regularly to identify and address any vulnerabilities. With these robust security controls, organizations can confidently entrust the cloud with their critical application, a boon in today’s ever-evolving threat landscape.

With many benefits, adopting cloud computing has become imperative for organizations seeking to thrive in the competitive business landscape. Let’s look at some of the ways cloud computing has impacted businesses.

Cloud computing in business

The inherent value of cloud computing lies in its capacity to transcend traditional constraints, adapt swiftly to market dynamics and optimize operational costs. It propels organizations’ digital transformation journey by unlocking new avenues for innovation, facilitating seamless scalability and helping them navigate future uncertainties with resilience and efficiency.

What are examples of cloud computing in business?

Here are some industry-wise instances of the efficiency of cloud computing:

• Healthcare: Cloud computing has revolutionized healthcare by enabling healthcare providers to leverage cloud platforms for data analytics, facilitating personalized treatments and improving patient care. Telemedicine services have especially witnessed exponential growth by adopting cloud computing, which has ensured broader accessibility of healthcare resources.
• Finance: Cloud computing has helped the financial sector streamline operations and enhance data security. Many financial institutions utilize the cloud for real-time data analytics, fraud detection and risk management. The innovative features of the cloud allow the industry to offer new services and products to customers at a rapid pace.
• E-commerce: E-commerce platforms use cloud-based analytics to understand customer behavior, optimize inventory management and deliver personalized recommendations, enhancing customer satisfaction and retention. It also helps them handle fluctuating workloads, ensuring seamless shopping experiences during peak times.
• Education: Cloud computing has transformed education by facilitating online learning platforms, collaboration tools and resource sharing. Several educational institutions utilize cloud-based services to efficiently manage student data, virtual classrooms and collaborative research projects.

Take advantage of cloud computing with Kaseya

While the benefits of the cloud are aplenty, its management can be arduous if you still rely on traditional endpoint management solutions. In order to leverage the cloud services to the fullest, your IT team needs an advanced endpoint management system that ensures seamless management of diverse cloud-based environments in a single UI.

With Kaseya VSA, you can automate the discovery of all endpoints and network devices, including virtual hosts and virtual machines. VSA is a next-generation, unified RMM solution that maximizes IT operational efficiency with complete IT asset discovery, monitoring and management. It gives you the visibility and functionality you need to manage all of IT in a single UI.

To learn more about Kaseya VSA, Request your demo today!

The post What Is Cloud Computing? Services, Types, Advantages and Use Cases appeared first on Kaseya.

What is mobile device management?

Fundamentally, MDM is an IT process implemented using an MDM tool to ensure the efficient and secure management of all mobile devices that have access to corporate data and networks.

Mobile devices like smartphones, laptops and tablets are ubiquitous in the corporate world and preferred over bulky desktops due to the flexibility afforded by their portability. About 71% of IP traffic in 2022 was from wireless and mobile devices, while wired devices accounted for only 29%. However, this very advantage also poses security risks since administrators need to ensure that all the devices and applications get updated with vulnerabilities patched even if the device is being used remotely. Also, what happens if a device gets lost or stolen? While mobile devices used for work are one issue, businesses must also manage their IoT devices, such as access and security systems.

An MDM solution helps businesses address all these security risks while aiding user experience and productivity.

Why is mobile device management important?

Even a small business with only a few hundred employees has thousands of devices connecting to the company’s network and database daily. The average number of devices per person has gone up to 3.6 over the past five years. MDM tools help IT administrators conveniently manage the rapidly expanding world of mobile devices even as resources and budgets for technicians remain the same.
Using an MDM tool, technicians can easily implement security policies on all corporate mobile devices, including users’ personal devices enrolled under the bring your own device (BYOD) program. The solution provides complete visibility into the IT infrastructure and helps technicians discover every device that connects to the network almost instantly. They can then access the device remotely to configure it, deploy security policies, change settings, reset passwords, troubleshoot glitches and even remediate security issues in real time.

Even on a regular day when there aren’t any security threats scaring everyone off, IT administrators have to field tickets from users, patch operating systems and applications, and undertake all sorts of tinkering to ensure the devices stay in top shape. No prizes for guessing that they manage all this with the help of an MDM tool. Moreover, updating applications allows users to benefit from the latest technologies, improving user experience and productivity.

How does mobile device management work?

In the case of new employees joining a company, their work device, whether company-provided or personal, is enrolled in the MDM program. The first step is installing an MDM agent on the device, which can even happen remotely, thus ensuring the device meets security standards and aligns with the company’s policies right from the get-go. Once the MDM agent is in place, the IT department configures the device according to the established security protocols. They install the necessary work applications, set up password requirements and grant user access permissions based on individual profiles.

How does MDM help keep track of policy breaches? The IT team receives alerts whenever a user breaks security protocols by accessing blocklisted applications or websites or when suspicious activity like unauthorized access is detected on the device. Once the alarm goes off, administrators can immediately enact the appropriate security procedure remotely and nip the problem in the bud, shielding the company from potential harm. In the event of a lost or stolen device, the IT department can remotely wipe out sensitive data, ensuring it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

How do the IT teams manage multiple devices at once? They make user groups based on various criteria and access permissions, allowing them to efficiently deploy updates and implement changes across a large group of devices with just a single click.

What is mobile device management software?

MDM software gives companies a way to track all corporate mobile devices centrally. It also helps automate routine tasks, such as patching and monitoring, reducing manual errors and making processes efficient. Some common tasks that IT teams undertake using an MDM are:

• Remotely managing, monitoring and securing devices and distributing applications, updates and content in a timely fashion.
• Keeping inventory of all the hardware, software and applications in use because what cannot be seen cannot be managed.
• Segregating the company network into subnets and spreading the data across them. This lowers internal and external security risks since employees only have access to the necessary data.
• Providing robust virtual private network (VPN) connection to ensure safe connectivity to home or other networks.
• Enabling device tracking so data can be recovered or wiped if the device is lost or stolen.
• Facilitating a flexible work environment for employees so they work from anywhere without a hassle.
• Boosting employee productivity by facilitating BYOD usage.

Key features to look for in a mobile device management software

Before selecting a mobile device management software, it’s crucial to consider the following key features:

Device and data security

Data encryption is imperative to protect confidential information from unauthorized access and malicious hackers. Data should not only be encrypted when being transmitted but also when stored on the device. Security of devices is equally crucial, which can be enforced by requiring users to set up strong passwords and use biometric access when possible. Despite preventive measures, devices can succumb to security lapses or go missing. For such cases, the MDM solution should have a fail-safe mechanism to remotely wipe out data, so your company’s secrets remain safe regardless of the circumstances.

Application management and integration

Application management involves distributing, configuring and updating work applications across all corporate devices while tracking proper usage. Automated app management helps quickly onboard new users while ensuring current users always have access to the most recent version of their apps. Application management also looks into the fact that only trusted applications get the green light for download. Last but not least, a good MDM solution should be able to harness the power of integration to streamline operations, boost productivity and supercharge your business.

Access management

The goal of access management is to uphold the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems by controlling and regulating access. Your MDM solution should help with:

• Identity and access management: This entails granting access to devices, data and networks based on user profiles. By defining user roles and permissions, MDM solutions allow administrators to precisely control who can access what, ensuring sensitive information remains protected.
• Profile management: MDM solutions simplify device enrollment and streamline user roles assignment so IT administrators can efficiently deploy policies to entire user groups, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Secure network access: MDM solutions bolster network security by implementing VPN technology. This ensures that all data transmitted over the network, whether through home Wi-Fi or public networks, is encrypted, safeguarding it from potential hackers and intruders.

Content management

You should be able to streamline the complete content management lifecycle, from creation to distribution and archival using your MDM solution. Besides granular permissions and access controls that define who can view, edit or share content, your solution should also provide features like version control and document tracking, enabling organizations to track changes, manage revisions and maintain a complete audit trail of content activities. This ensures greater security, data integrity, and swift identification and resolution of content-related issues.

Configuration management

The restrictions and configurations feature in MDM solutions safeguards the security of corporate data and devices while enforcing corporate policies. Your MDM tool should give IT administrators remote management capabilities, enabling them to configure mobile devices based on geographic regions, user profiles and identities, and deploy essential settings, such as VPN and Wi-Fi.

Conversely, restrictions are crucial in setting up devices in single-app or kiosk mode, ensuring they are solely used for productive work and not for personal purposes. The feature enhances productivity and reinforces security by protecting against potential distractions and unauthorized access.

BYOD support

Many companies offer BYOD options for benefits like quick onboarding, increased employee satisfaction and productivity through device freedom. The right MDM solution should help you harness the advantages of BYOD while maintaining control and security. It should enable the implementation of a comprehensive BYOD policy that sets clear expectations and guidelines for promoting efficiency and protecting sensitive data.

Device inventory, monitoring and diagnostics

Device inventory enables efficient tracking of all devices in use, whether company-owned or BYOD. It includes tracking details such as device specifications, location, warranty status and security settings.

Device monitoring capabilities help administrators ensure that work devices are used exclusively for company business, preventing personal usage that can strain network resources. Additionally, location restrictions can be enforced to limit device functionality to defined geographical areas or company networks thus enhancing security.

The device diagnostics feature empowers administrators to remotely detect and troubleshoot devices ensuring uninterrupted productivity.

Remote maintenance, updates and patching

In the era of hybrid work and round-the-clock availability, an MDM solution is vital for enabling over-the-air updates, configurations and device diagnostics. This will help your business minimize downtime and optimize operations at lower costs.

Tech support and training

Before investing in a solution, check if it supports a wide range of devices and operating systems rather than being limited to, let say, Apple devices and iOS operating systems. It’s ideal to have a solution that covers all bases such as Android and Windows solutions too. Secondly, ensure that the vendor can troubleshoot issues remotely, so you don’t have to spend hours dealing with MDM downtime. Lastly, don’t forget to evaluate the product hands-on. By carefully assessing these factors, you can ensure that you make an informed choice and find an MDM solution that aligns with your organization’s needs.

Admin reporting

Reporting plays a crucial role in maintaining data security and monitoring user activity within an MDM solution. It notifies administrators of any suspicious data downloads or uploads, enabling the tracking of potential data breaches and allowing for proactive action before valuable information is compromised. Furthermore, reporting gives administrators visibility into user activity, ensuring compliance with company policies and guidelines.

How does mobile device management compare to similar concepts?

Mobile device management is often confused with similar concepts such as mobile application management (MAM), unified endpoint management (UEM) and enterprise mobility management (EMM). We have demystified the differences between the concepts in this section.

Mobile application management (MAM)

MAM tools were developed in response to employees’ demands for security and privacy when using their own devices at work. In contrast to MDM tools, MAM tools are solely focused on specific applications rather than complete security and management of devices. A MAM solution helps create an enterprise app store, and only the apps within the store are monitored and updated remotely.

Unified endpoint management (UEM)

UEM is the next generation of endpoint management that helps organizations centrally manage and secure all endpoints, including desktops, laptops, mobile devices and IoT devices. It provides visibility and control over all your network devices (SNMP), virtual environments, cloud, mobile and even IoT. This basically enables you to “manage everything,” streamline your IT operations and do more with less. Deploying a UEM tool is easy, and as more devices get added to the network, scaling it is even simpler.

Enterprise mobility management (EMM)

EMM tools are designed to address the growing security needs of companies while accommodating employees’ demands for BYOD access. By seamlessly integrating with network directory services, EMM tools provide a range of benefits, including policy compliance, application customization and data security. One key advantage of EMM is its ability to combine the functionalities of both MDM and MAM tools.

What are the best practices for mobile device management?

Here are a set of best practices to follow to make the most of your MDM tool:

Implement strong policies

Strong policies should encompass rules for device usage, password complexity, data encryption and other relevant aspects. Additionally, organizations must establish policies that specify the criteria for enrolling, updating and managing devices. It’s equally important to have a well-defined plan for removing devices and applications from the network when they are no longer needed or those belonging to the denylist.

Prioritize password security

To enhance security, implement multifactor authentication for all devices and accounts and ensure that users regularly update passwords for each account. Enforce password expiration policies and monitor access attempts to detect any unauthorized activity. It would help to utilize a password manager to store and manage passwords securely. As an additional layer of security, encourage employees to use biometric authentication whenever possible.

Actively monitor devices

Regularly review and manage permissions and settings to keep track of who has access to sensitive information and periodically update access permissions to ensure that only authorized users can access the data. You can significantly reduce the risk of data compromise by limiting the number of applications users can download on their device and ensuring the downloaded applications meet the allowlist criteria.

Utilize a backup solution

Regularly backing up your files and data is crucial to safeguard against technical glitches, crashes or cyberattacks. By having reliable backups, you can quickly restore data and minimize disruptions, ensuring smooth continuity of work for users.

Focus on user experience

Leverage your MDM solution to strike a balance between offering users a seamless experience and effectively monitoring device usage. By maintaining a firm but non-intrusive approach, you can encourage employees to follow policies and work productively.

Update regularly and often

Ensure that your MDM solution, along with all other devices and applications on the network, is regularly patched and updated. Also, keep a close eye on users who delay updating their operating systems, particularly for BYOD devices, since this can create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are quick to exploit.

What are the benefits of mobile device management?

MDM solutions offer a range of benefits that contribute to the overall success of an organization.

Enhanced security

An MDM solution acts as a shield, defending against unforeseen cyberattacks, bugs and breaches that can compromise the privacy and security of a company’s data and networks.

Since mobile devices are often used for personal purposes as well, creating secure containers to separate company and personal data adds an extra layer of security. By enforcing strict application policies, such as allowlists and denylists, MDM solutions act as gatekeepers against rogue apps. MDM solutions also sniff out jailbreak attempts and identify malware, ensuring your devices remain untainted by malicious forces.

Increased productivity

MDM solutions unlock employee productivity and efficiency from the get-go. With pre-configured devices, users can skip the hassle of setting up their devices or seeking IT assistance. It’s a seamless experience that empowers them to hit the ground running and maximize their work hours. Embracing the BYOD or choose your own device (CYOD) trend, MDM taps into users’ comfort zone and supercharges productivity. No more time waste navigating unfamiliar interfaces or searching for elusive files and folders. Lastly, by automating the laborious tasks of monitoring and managing a fleet of mobile devices, MDM frees technicians for higher-level tasks.

Cost savings

MDM is a game changer for small and medium-sized organizations, offering a solution to secure devices without breaking the bank or hiring a dedicated IT guru. The MDM solution helps you save money by preventing the need to continually buy new devices or deal with the headache of replacing them. Instead, MDM streamlines device management for optimal performance and protection from potential threats.

Application and device control

MDM offers organizations unparalleled visibility into their device landscape, providing valuable data and insights. IT teams gain a comprehensive understanding of device usage and security levels to drive effective risk management.

Regulatory compliance

With MDM, IT administrators can set up automated processes to regularly scan devices for vulnerabilities and deploy necessary security patches and updates. This streamlines the process and ensures compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, ELD and CJIS.

What are the challenges of mobile device management?

While MDM solutions offer numerous advantages, organizations should be aware of the potential challenges they may encounter when implementing and using MDM.

BYOD maintenance

Implementing a BYOD program can enhance productivity and save costs, but it comes with challenges. Choosing an MDM solution that supports a variety of devices is vital for enhanced security. This also enables seamless integration of personal devices with company resources and aids productivity and compliance.

Increasing complexity

MDM solutions can be complex to set up and maintain, requiring specialized expertise. Managing diverse device ecosystems, including iOS, Android, Windows and Linux, adds another layer of complexity. To overcome these challenges, choose user-friendly MDM solutions with comprehensive support and seek vendors offering cross-platform compatibility.

User privacy and friendliness

Despite many valuable features provided by many MDM solutions, they often lack intuitive interfaces, impeding basic tasks like app installations and data backups. Opt for a solution that is easy to use so your administrators can implement policies without disturbing the end user or compromising on security.

Application management and integration

One of the biggest culprits of cybersecurity issues is unauthorized app downloads. Setting strict app download policies lets you keep your network safe from potential threats. Be vigilant and only allow low-threat apps on your users’ devices. Talking about integration — although Apple, Google or Microsoft may offer innovative MDM solutions, they usually do not support third-party apps. Trade-offs like this are not desirable and should be avoided.

Manage mobile devices effectively with Kaseya

Finding a solution that provides all the benefits and features listed above without compromising on challenges is hard but not impossible. You don’t even have to go anywhere searching for it. With Kaseya VSA, our unified remote monitoring and management solution, you can rock the task of mobile device management with ease. Regardless of whether it’s organization’s own or employee-owned mobile device(s) — with VSA, you’ll be ready to manage them easily and securely via your Kaseya console. Monitor, manage and secure iPhones and iPads today (Android device management will be coming to VSA at a later date).

Join the league of IT superstars by scheduling a demo today.

The post Mobile Device Management (MDM): How It Works, Best Practices, Benefits and Challenges appeared first on Kaseya.

Cloud services are a boon for the fast-expanding mid-market segment who can pay on the go and expand and scale their business without incurring high IT infrastructure costs. The report also highlighted that nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents spend as much as 25% of their resources on cloud infrastructure.

With cloud technologies becoming increasingly popular, this blog will aim to answer common questions such as what cloud migration means, why it’s important, top migration strategies and other key queries. Dive in.

What is cloud migration?

Cloud migration refers to moving company data, applications and other IT resources from on-premises data centers and servers to the cloud. Companies can either transfer their data to public cloud service providers like 2022 IT Operations Survey Results, set up their private cloud computing environment or create a hybrid environment.

With cloud services gaining popularity, there is also an increasing rise in cloud-to-cloud migrations in which companies move their resources from one cloud service provider to another. Another concept under the umbrella of cloud migration is cloud repatriation, or reverse cloud migration, in which users move their data and resources from a cloud environment to a local server.

Why is cloud migration important?

Cloud migration is important because it gives SMBs the capability to support a diversified and hybrid employee and client base efficiently. Cloud computing is the future of IT, and not migrating to it will result in you falling behind. Consider these points:

• Cost: Every company, big or small, needs a robust IT infrastructure to run its operations. Cost-sensitive small businesses may find it difficult to grow if they have to set up an entire infrastructure from scratch. The cloud, with services like Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS), gives small businesses, like MSPs, all the IT tools and resources they need to kickstart and manage their business for a fraction of the cost.
• Scalability and capacity planning: Moreover, capacity planning is difficult for businesses in the growth stage due to cyclical change in demand that places an unpredictable load on IT infrastructure. Cloud computing allows a company to scale up or down its usage based on demand and only pay for what it uses. By doing this, they do not have to spend money on expensive hardware that may result in the underutilization of resources during non-peak periods. As a result, operational costs shrink further and free up funds for revenue-generating projects.
• Automation and cybersecurity: On top of being a good fit for cybersecurity management, cloud technologies help automate processes. With cloud storage, businesses can quickly recover data in case of an incident while technicians can automate software patching for applications on the cloud to save time and improve efficiency.
• Digital experience: Cloud resources allow users to deploy technology in minutes and start working, testing and implementing their ideas and strategies immediately. The technology also provides users with a global reach, so they can deploy their applications and provide services anywhere in the world without hassle.

What are cloud migration strategies?

Cloud migration strategies are in-depth plans companies make to migrate their data and resources from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud or from one cloud provider to another. No two businesses will have the same cloud migration strategy. It will vary depending on their expectations from cloud adoption, its impacts on their business operations, the money they expect to save and other business factors.

The 5 Rs of cloud migration

Migrating to the cloud is not a simple one-size-fits-all process. For migration to be successful, each application, dataset and workload must be mapped out in detail. According to Gartner, there are five categories of cloud migration strategies, dubbed the FIVE Rs. Let’s take a look at what they are:

• Rehost: It is the easiest and simplest way to migrate workloads to the cloud by leveraging IaaS. Rehosting, also called lift and shift, is an ideal strategy for organizations new to the cloud who want a clean migration experience without undertaking major code modifications.
• Refactor: Refactoring is similar to rehosting, with the difference that organizations use PaaS instead of IaaS, which allows them to make small modifications to applications and datasets so they can be optimized for the cloud. For this reason, refactoring is also called lift, tinker and shift.
• Revise: Organizations can take full advantage of cloud services and capabilities by adopting this method, but it requires making major code changes to applications, database architecture and systems. Choosing this strategy requires careful and in-depth planning.
• Rebuild: In a rebuild, the old code is thrown out and rewritten from scratch for the cloud. As this process is time-consuming and costly compared to others, you should only do it when you are sure your current methods aren’t working effectively and starting over is more cost-effective.
• Replace: Replace is similar to rebuild, except instead of developing a native application from scratch, you move your data to an application provided by a third-party vendor.

What are cloud migration deployment models?

The cloud deployment model indicates how you’ve configured the cloud infrastructure, which determines how much access and control you have over it. A deployment model determines where and who controls cloud databases and servers. There are four primary deployment models, which are:

Public Cloud

The public cloud setup gives users access to comprehensive IT resources like virtual machines, computing power, application storage and data backup over the internet without requiring them to maintain the hardware themselves. The public cloud service providers share the computing resources with multiple tenants and charge them on a pay-per-usage or subscription basis.

Private Cloud

A private cloud setup is for use by a single customer. Companies create the cloud environment for personal use and do not share it with others. This option combines the benefits of public cloud with the security and control of an on-premise IT ecosystem. Although this setup is costly due to upfront investment in technology, many organizations find the security benefits outweigh the costs.

Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud setup is when a company uses a mix of on-premise, public and private cloud environments. Companies use data management processes to connect systems running on traditional architecture that they may not want to expose to the cloud. Often, companies keep confidential resources and data on-premises and use the cloud for services like analytics. The hybrid model is where most businesses end up.

Multicloud

Multicloud setups involve connecting multiple public clouds in one architecture to create a single user experience.

What is the cloud migration process?

A successful cloud adoption strategy will vary based on unique business needs and requirements. However, all cloud migration takes place in the following four stages:

1. Planning: In this step, you determine what use cases transition to a cloud model will serve, such as backup, storage or DevOps. It’s essential to ensure that the vendor supports your use cases. Decide whether to work with a public, private or hybrid model. The next step is to determine which applications and data are critical, and it’s best to migrate non-necessary data first. You should also consider the issue of interoperability, data compliance and security. The more detailed your plan, the smoother the migration process will be.
2. Build the business case: After planning, the next step is to create a business case for each application, dataset or workload you plan to migrate to the cloud. Add up the costs of all the cloud services you plan to use and compare them with your current setup. Are there savings to be made? It would be best if you also considered which cloud services you plan to use in the future. Consider the operational and cost savings and the architectural benefits of going to the cloud. For instance, prices will go up when you implement new features, increase workloads or add capacity.Get to know the different cloud vendors and their pricing models, as well as the discounts you can get for long-term commitments or promising a certain level of cloud usage. The purpose of adopting cloud migration is to improve business operations and reduce costs. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that the cloud service vendor you choose will help you achieve the desired results.
3. Execute: You have the blueprint for cloud migration and have run the numbers that prove it’s a wise and profitable move. Next comes the execution phase, where you must ensure that the migration does not disrupt business operations, result in cost overruns and happens as quickly as possible.The best approach is to follow a phased migration process, allowing each dataset to be tested in the new environment before the next lot gets migrated. Public cloud service providers offer a range of tools that make migration easy and seamless.
4. Maintain: Successful cloud adoption is not the end of the story. The final step is optimizing cloud usage, keeping data secure and making it easy to retrieve. Additionally, it would help if you tracked KPIs to ensure that the results you expect from moving to a cloud setup are coming through.

What are the benefits of cloud migration?

Cloud computing technology and cloud-based services have matured. Their capabilities and reliability have advanced to a degree that for most organizations it’s no longer a matter of if they will launch a cloud deployment or expansion, but when. Here are some of the top benefits of cloud migration:

Cost management

With no upfront commitments or long-term contracts, you pay only for the resources (storage, compute power, etc.) you use. This reduces your IT operational costs and helps boosts profits. You can spend the money you save on introducing innovation at the workplace and improving your own services.

Easy scalability

Cloud services offer high scalability and availability to their users. It’s easy to scale your usage up or down, depending on the changing needs of your business. You can also modify the computing power required with just a few clicks.

Boosted performance

Cloud-hosted websites or applications run better for end users since the cloud provider will naturally have significantly more data centers. As these data centers are located around the globe, you can host your data in a market you want to serve and remove location-based latency. As a result, you will be able to provide better service to your users.

Improved flexibility

Cloud adoption provides businesses with flexibility and scalability by not restricting them to the physical limitations of on-premises servers. In addition, you can also take advantage of the reliability of multiple cloud data centers as well as responsive and customizable load balancing that evolves with your changing demands. This way you never have to worry about high fixed costs since everything is variable.

What are the challenges with cloud migration?

Even though migrating to the cloud has many benefits and is the inevitable next step in information technology, several challenges remain.

Inadequate planning

Successful migration to the cloud requires proper planning, and most companies don’t pay enough attention to this step. Whether it’s due to lack of time, inattention or management’s inability to get on the same page, errors during migration are preventable if all the wrinkles are ironed out during the planning phase.

Upfront costs

Technology adoption comes at a cost. Many technicians see migration as a net new cost rather than considering its long-term cost-saving benefits. When companies are on a tight budget, migrating to the cloud can be challenging. However, the cloud can be a great way for companies to save money and unlock efficiencies in their business.

Data security

Cloud operates on a shared responsibility model where the service providers supply robust security controls but the responsibility to configure them correctly is up to the users. There is also a risk associated with mass data transfers, as information can get intercepted during the transfer. When using cloud services, users must exercise all cybersecurity precautions.

Compliance maintenance

Compliance is another challenge. When deploying cloud technologies, you must ensure compliance with the various rules and regulations that will vary based on your industry and location. Ensure you’re compliant with the standards appropriate for your organization.

Support cloud migration with Kaseya

The migration to cloud computing has rapidly accelerated in the past year as organizations have digitally transformed their business. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) extends your IT environment from on-premises to the cloud. The global market size of IaaS is expected to reach nearly $82.2 billion this year. Needless to say, IT teams need an endpoint management solution that enables them to manage cloud-based environments on services such as Azure and AWS, as well as hybrid on-premise and cloud environments.

With Kaseya VSA, you can automate the discovery process of all endpoints and network devices, including virtual hosts, virtual machines and cloud infrastructure for services such as Microsoft Azure. You can deploy our automation agents to Azure Active Directory (AD), with more cloud providers on the horizon. VSA gives you the visibility and functionality you need to manage all of IT in a single UI. If your RMM can’t manage your hybrid IT ecosystem, it’s time to upgrade. Request your demo today!

The post Cloud Migration: Strategies, Process, Benefits and Challenges appeared first on Kaseya.

To manage your IT environment securely, efficiently and economically, you need to provide your technicians with an advanced remote monitoring and management (RMM) solution that will replace multiple point tools and provide complete visibility into your hybrid IT infrastructure.

VSA is the most powerful RMM tool in the market to help your technicians discover existing and new devices on your Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) platform and push agents to virtual machines (VM) with a single click. The advantages to Azure Active Directory (AD) users are even more significant. Using VSA, technicians can remotely control and deploy policy-based user access privileges to enforce security policies across on-premises devices and VMs.

Why should you care about the cloud?

Cloud infrastructure management involves monitoring cloud-based virtual machines, SQL instances and cloud services, troubleshooting issues, managing cloud usage and costs, and optimizing the cloud for higher efficiency. The pandemic precipitated an acceleration in cloud adoption with many small businesses aggressively moving to cloud infrastructure services such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Microsoft Azure, commonly referred to as Azure, is a public cloud computing platform formally released by the tech giant in 2010. It provides a range of cloud computing services and supports several programming languages to help users test, build, deploy and manage cloud services and applications. Azure Active Directory (AD) gives users access to a host of external apps like Microsoft 365, Azure portal and several SaaS applications, plus internal resources developed by the company.

In an organization, users need access to information and tools to complete their work. However, giving everyone indiscriminate access strains the infrastructure and poses security risks. An active directory is a database of users and devices connected to a network and helps IT admins control access privileges for user and device groups.

How can VSA help with cloud infrastructure management?

VSA automates the process of discovery of all endpoints and network devices, including virtual hosts, VMs and cloud infrastructure for services such as Microsoft Azure.

Discover the following Azure cloud resources using VSA

• Virtual machines: These are the scalable computing resources that cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provides.
• SQL instances: Discovery and mapping of SQL databases.
• Cloud services/app services: The Azure App Service is an HTTP-based service for hosting web applications, REST APIs and mobile backends, to name a few.
• Load balancers: These allow you to scale application resources, enabling you to provide high service availability.
• Azure resource groups: Azure resource groups are containers that hold resources related to a solution.

Discover Azure active directory database

• Users: It is the user profile entity within AD that can be included in VSA, as per policy, to allow direct logins and management functions such as disabling accounts or resetting passwords.
• Computers: Discover all computers connected to an organization’s network to deploy policies en masse.
• Domains: Domains are groups of computers, users or organizational structures that adhere to a specific administrative system. IT administrators can easily apply a uniform set of guidelines to all devices and users in a domain.
• Groups and OUs: Groups and organizational units help IT administrators apply a set of policies to a subset of users or computers in a domain.

Manage all with topology mapping in VSA

IT professionals cannot manage what they cannot see. VSA offers comprehensive visibility into your IT environment for more efficient remote monitoring and management of your systems and networks. The easy-to-understand network topology map provides direct visibility, including a detailed breakdown of asset information, for all endpoints (agent and SNMP) on any network. The topology maps also include all virtual hosts and VMs and display the health status of all virtual elements on the network. With this sort of visibility, technicians can quickly detect issues and start the remediation process, which will ultimately reduce the mean time to resolution (MTTR) of IT incidents.

Leverage policy-based configuration in VSA

VSA enables multiple sets of policies to be applied automatically based on any set of groupings you want ― by customer, device type, user role or even location type ― and that can check that each device stays compliant with its assigned policies. This way, you can standardize and update all infrastructure under your care with confidence. Leverage powerful and flexible automation to keep up with multiple policies and update many devices by simply changing a policy once.

Manage your hybrid environment with VSA

Kaseya VSA is a next-generation, unified RMM solution that maximizes IT operational efficiency with complete IT asset discovery, monitoring and management. It gives you the visibility and functionality you need to manage all of IT in a single UI. If your RMM can’t manage your hybrid IT ecosystem, it’s time to upgrade. Request your demo today!

The post Azure: In the Clouds With VSA appeared first on Kaseya.

Although this development isn’t a complete surprise, its pace was accelerated during the pandemic when technology adoption by small and midsize businesses (SMBs) got fast-tracked by five years. This left IT professionals in the lurch as the portfolio of devices to be managed increased exponentially. Markets acted quickly and developed bespoke solutions for each device type; for example, you could get a Mac tool for Mac management and a cloud tool for cloud management.

This became a boon and a curse at the same time. On the one hand, IT professionals had a way to manage various devices, but on the other hand, they had to juggle multiple device management tools, work with 10 different vendors and keep a tab on all of these contracts. Thus began the search for a unified tool that could do it all without a hassle.

This blog will briefly explain how IT professionals can effectively manage and control various network devices using a single cutting-edge solution. Dive in.

How To Remotely Control Network Devices

Multifunctional IT professionals require an integrated and unified IT management and security platform that is purpose-built to address their complex needs. VSA is that solution and offers complete IT management via a single-user interface. With a single click, VSA creates a secure communication channel to initiate a remote-control session for managing devices like routers, firewalls, switches and printers, on any network.

Networking devices are well-designed to be managed remotely, as even the old school routers could be configured and managed through a command-line interface (CLI). VSA’s remote control feature allows you to fully control/manage agentless devices without needing to install a VSA agent on them. So long as the vendor offers the option, you can remotely change anything about the current device configuration.

Use Cases for Network Device Remote Control

Network device management via remote access is not just quicker but more efficient, and you can manage security more effectively.

Rebooting

Besides your desktops, laptops and mobile devices, your network devices also need timely rebooting. It could be a bug fix, a performance improvement or a firmware update. VSA allows you to remotely reboot a network device, whereas, in the past, you had to have the device in front of you. The most compelling use case of the remote rebooting feature is the ability to shut down an interface to stop a broadcast storm, which can occur due to misconfigured networking switches.

Firmware or Software Updates

Firmware is a software that comes preinstalled on networking devices like routers and printers. It ensures networking devices follow instructions correctly and perform their functions as expected. Firmware also protects devices from malware and gives administrators a convenient way to manage device settings.

Just as you must update your operating systems (OS) and other software application regularly, firmware must be updated, too. Keep firmware patching up to date and remediate critical vulnerabilities remotely with VSA to maintain security of your IT infrastructure. It is a crucial security practice to keep your networking device from being used as a backdoor for a cyberattack. The firmware update can also introduce new features and fix performance-draining bugs. You can efficiently address the difficulties associated with patching firmware by automating the entire process using Kaseya VSA.

Configuration Updates

Networking devices may require configuration updates from time to time to either fix performance issues or troubleshoot a potentially dangerous problem. Consider the verbose logging feature. Whether you need to turn it on to troubleshoot an issue or activate it for additional logging, you can enable the function remotely using VSA to access information quickly.

Manage Your Network Devices With VSA

If you’re using bespoke software for network device remote control or your endpoint management solution (RMM) can’t manage networking devices remotely, it’s time to upgrade. With VSA, you can access state-of-the-art remote network management features and more from the get-go. Request your free demo today to see how you can manage all your device from one platform.

The post The How and Why of Networking Device Remote Control appeared first on Kaseya.

IT infrastructure may be defined as a combination of software, hardware, network services and resources that are required to operate and manage the IT environment of an enterprise.  It is usually an internal aspect of an organization and enables it to deliver IT services and solutions to its customers, partners and employees in a smooth, hassle-free manner.

What are the 3 primary components of IT infrastructure?

The three primary components of IT infrastructure are as follows:

Hardware

Hardware comprises the physical components of an IT infrastructure such as personal computers, data centers, switches, servers, routers and all the other equipment required to support the functioning of devices and machines within the IT infrastructure. Facilities that are used to house, power and cool a data center may also be considered a part of the IT infrastructure.

Software

Software refers to all applications used by a business for both delivering services to customers and internal functioning. It includes web servers, the operating system (OS), content management systems, enterprise resource planning, productivity applications and more. The OS is the most critical piece of software that manages the hardware and connects the physical resources to the network ecosystem.

Network

Interconnected network components are imperative for establishing external and internal communication among all the devices and elements of an IT infrastructure. In other words, the network comprises all software and hardware elements required to enable security, internet connectivity, network enablement and firewall. It significantly reduces the risk of data theft by ensuring that the authorized personnel gets access to transferred and stored data only from strictly controlled pre-defined access points.

What are the 7 domains of IT infrastructure?

Let’s take a look at the seven domains of IT infrastructure below:

User domain

As the name suggests, the user domain includes all the end users (both inside and outside the organization) that have access to information in the organization.

Workstation domain

The workstation domain comprises all devices, including computers, that are being used by the end users. It represents the way in which end users interact with the IT infrastructure.

LAN domain

The LAN domain comprises all the elements that build the local area network such as routers, hubs, workstations, Wi-Fi, switches and access points.

WAN domain

WAN or Wide Area Network is the system that links all devices across long distances. It comprises both semi-private lines and the internet.

LAN-to-WAN domain

The LAN-to-WAN domain denotes the boundary line where the LAN connects with the WAN (internet). The LAN and WAN zones are separated by a firewall.

Remote access domain

In a remote access domain, a mobile user, such as a contractor, vendor or employee, works remotely (instead of within the office) and accesses the corporate local area network remotely with the help of a VPN.

System/application domain

The system/application domain represents the applications and technologies that are used to conduct business. It comprises of user-accessed servers such as database and email.

What is IT infrastructure management?

IT Infrastructure management refers to the management of the operational and technical components of the IT infrastructure, such as data, software, hardware, processes, policies, equipment and facilities, used to promote business effectiveness. Given its complexity, IT infrastructure management is further categorized as storage management, network management and systems management.

What is the role of IT infrastructure management?

By aligning IT infrastructure management with business strategy, you can leverage technology to create value for the entire organization. Instead of managing each line of business separately, you can converge the management of all the different IT facilities, storage, applications, servers, security systems and networks.

The purpose of IT infrastructure management is to bring control and structure to the processes and functions that are responsible for various technical operations in both physical as well as virtual environments. In addition, it also helps reduce duplication of effort, enhance information flow, ensure compliance with industry regulations, cut down overall IT costs, boost business productivity and minimize downtime.

What are the benefits of managing IT Infrastructure?

IT infrastructure management offers a slew of benefits for businesses:

Enhanced performance

IT management involves monitoring of systems and networks that lead to higher performance and lower chances of errors and outages. It allows for early detection and remediation of system vulnerabilities and eliminates technology limitations, thus minimizing downtime.

Increased productivity

By investing in technologies to optimize your IT infrastructure, you can ensure productivity gains for your business. IT management helps automate and streamline routine and critical processes and frees up time for technicians to focus on more strategic activities.

Flexibility and agility

Efficient IT management solutions enable you to get a holistic view of your computing environment, including cloud and virtualized infrastructure, and to practice business agility.

Improved employee and customer experience

With the right IT management tools, you can always be aware of the state of your IT environment and create a better, more meaningful experience for your employees and customers. You can deflect any unexpected downtime and even prepare your end users in advance for any planned downtime for maintenance purposes.

Cost savings

Managing your IT infrastructure allows you to predict and deal with any disasters before they aggravate. With this proactive approach, you can significantly reduce downtime, minimize disasters and save a ton of money by avoiding any unforeseen expenses.

What are the challenges of managing IT infrastructure?

While IT management is crucial for all businesses, there are a host of challenges that IT professionals face in order to efficiently optimize their IT infrastructure. Let’s take a look at some of the most common challenges of managing IT infrastructure:

Outdated systems and technology

Given the fast-paced evolution of technology, systems go obsolete very fast. As such, it is imperative to keep your systems updated with the latest technology developments in the industry. Upgrading your hardware and software frequently will help you boost productivity, enhance efficiency and gain a competitive edge over your peers.

Faulty networks and connectivity

Other major challenges with IT management are faulty networks and poor connectivity issues. In the digital age, it is imperative to continuously monitor network performance and focus on improving connectivity. This will help keep your infrastructure management relevant for the modern age where clients are more demanding than ever and you need to be on top of your services to compete with your peers.

Data acquisition, storage and management issues

In this digital age, both the collection and acquisition of data has become simpler, leading to an explosion of data volumes. As such, managing this sheer volume of data has become a major challenge for businesses. Data loss due to insufficient storage capabilities, clubbed with ineffective data management, turns out to be extremely costly for companies. It is therefore important to design a strategy that incorporates the need for more data storage space and better management of data.

Scalability limitations

A major concern for businesses aiming for effective IT management is scalability. While businesses typically require IT expansion, overconsumption can lead to a lot of wastage in case usage drops. You need to integrate with scaleable infrastructure monitoring software to ensure that your system is prepared to adapt and respond to your evolving needs.

What are IT infrastructure management best practices?

A well-functioning and efficient IT infrastructure is one of the core elements of building a successful digital-age business. Here’s a list of best practices for optimizing IT infrastructure management:

Gather knowledge and evaluate infrastructure

The first step towards effective IT infrastructure management is gathering as much information as you can about the process and how to make it work for your business. Exposing yourself to relevant information can be a great way of learning from experience and applying your knowledge to determine what your business needs and what it doesn’t.

Establish clear standards and goals

Based on the knowledge gathered in the first step, you can establish and create management and operational standards. You need to customize and personalize configurations and standards (such as security standards) to your business’ unique needs. In addition to creating these standards, it is imperative to ensure their consistent implementation as well.

Monitor consistently and often

Consistent monitoring of your management and operational standards is an effective way to ensure that they are working for your business. This enables you to proactively react to and resolve system and network issues as they arise and prevent any unplanned outages.

Document and communicate thoroughly

While most businesses overlook the documentation of IT infrastructure management configurations and standards, it is as critical a step as any of the other best practices. You must maintain in-depth documentation of the IT infrastructure management processes to ensure that even new IT professionals can onboard and get up to speed with the process quickly and efficiently.

Unified IT infrastructure management with Kaseya

Kaseya brings to you a powerful, integrated, unified IT management platform that combines the capabilities of endpoint and network management, help desk/service management, security, and backup and disaster recovery. With Kaseya’s next-gen solutions, you can view, monitor and manage your entire IT infrastructure from a single pane of glass.

Want to know more about IT infrastructure management with Kaseya? Get in touch with our IT experts today!

The post IT Infrastructure Management: Benefits, Challenges and Best Practices appeared first on Kaseya.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the Enterprise Mobility Management market was valued at $5.79 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $11.96 billion by 2026.

The purpose of this blog is to discuss enterprise mobility management, related tools, and how companies can use them to protect their data and employees from cyberthreats.

What Is Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)?

Presently, when mobile devices are the preferred tool at work, EMM is becoming a critical IT requirement. Smartphones and tablets have become much more advanced in recent years and offer numerous features that make them ideal for several business tasks. They also offer employees the convenience to work from anywhere and at any time. However, if not managed properly, they can put a company’s data and network security at risk. Therefore, companies need EMM solutions that let IT teams manage mobile devices across multiple platforms such as iOS, Android and Windows 10.

EMM solutions come with a set of tools and features that let IT teams monitor, control and manage mobile devices for enhanced security. Typically, an EMM tool offers solutions like mobile device management (MDM), mobile applications management (MAM), mobile content management (MCM) and mobile identity (MIM). Having access to both mobility and security services ensures that employees can access company applications, tools and data at any time without putting the integrity of the device or network at risk.

The Evolution of Enterprise Mobility Management

The roots of EMM tools date back to the early 2000s when Blackberry phones became hugely popular in the business world for bringing email to mobile devices. Businesses purchased these phones in large numbers to expand their mobile device infrastructure. It enabled companies to boost productivity through wireless capabilities. But it also necessitated the need for a mobile device management (MDM) tool to secure the various Blackberry models in use. You can think of MDM as a simple predecessor of the sophisticated EMM tools of today.

As iPhones and Android phones became more available, employees found they offered better functionality and connectivity than Blackberry devices and began using them for work purposes. Due to the consumerization of IT, employees started asking companies to let them use the same devices for both work and personal use, triggering the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) wave.

Companies realized that allowing (BYOD) had many benefits. It enhanced employee productivity, efficiency and happiness, while also simplifying and reducing IT costs. It was a win-win situation for everyone. 

A combination of the BYOD phenomenon and an expanding smartphone apps market led to the creation of mobile application management tools (MAMs) that managed the security and functionality of business apps. Over the years, MDM and MAM tools got coupled with mobile content management (MCM) and mobile identity management (MIM) features to provide enterprises with a more comprehensive mobile device management tool. 

In other words, an EMM solution, as we know it today, is an integrated set of single-feature mobile device management tools such as MDM and MAM. IT teams store business data and applications in containers on mobile devices that can be managed and secured remotely via an EMM tool. Nowadays, mobile device operating systems provide native device management support, commoditizing the EMM industry.

What Companies Need Enterprise Mobility? 

Enterprise mobility refers to the system where employees can work remotely and use whichever devices they choose. This system leverages cloud technology to share business applications and data wirelessly. Now, more than ever before, companies need a robust enterprise mobility framework to ensure business continuity under all circumstances. 

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to be prepared for all contingencies. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the number of mobile workers in the U.S. will continue to grow over the next four years from 78.5 million in 2020 to 93.5 million in 2024. IDC expects mobile workers to make up more than 60% of the total U.S. workforce at the end of its forecast period.

Business organizations are increasingly adopting enterprise mobility systems because they help reduce costs, increase productivity and offer employees better work-life balance. This framework is likely to benefit companies interested in switching permanently to a remote or hybrid working environment. It ensures that employee onboarding, training, data sharing and transferring, and collaboration activities can occur remotely and safely. Additionally, enterprise mobility frameworks can also help streamline and secure a blended work environment where employees work across different locations and time zones.

How Does Enterprise Mobility Management Work? 

Companies use EMM tools to monitor work-related applications and data on mobile devices owned by their employees. This helps protect enterprise data while safeguarding the privacy of employers.

With an EMM tool, device enrollments can be done in bulk both on-premise and remotely, saving the IT team time, effort and cost associated with individual sign-ups. Companies can even send SMS and email invitations to employees and have them self-enroll in the company’s BYOD or enterprise mobility management program. 

Using an EMM tool, companies can remotely implement security policies, change device settings and remove data and apps used for work. In addition, the tool allows IT professionals to wipe out sensitive business data in case a device is lost, stolen, hacked or damaged, without deleting personal data.

EMM tools combine a multitude of features and are improved continuously to meet the changing demands of businesses. EMM tools, as we know them today, are essentially amalgamated and upgraded versions of the single-feature mobile management tools of the past. While EMM tools offer holistic security and management for mobile devices used for work, when you look closely, you will see that these tools consist of many individual features, each focused on a specific aspect of mobile device management. Let’s take a closer look at single EMM features that can be used independently or combined with other features to form a more effective EMM solution.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) 

MDM refers to managing all mobile devices employees use for work such as laptops, smartphones and tablets. It involves using MDM software to remotely manage the entire lifecycle of a mobile device and its operating systems like device inventory, configuration management and remote wipe.

An MDM console can configure and manage devices only after the devices have been enrolled in the server using vendor-specific enrollment programs, such as those offered by Apple, Google and Microsoft, or manually through QR codes, email and SMS. Once enrolled, a device can be configured and managed remotely. The MDM software can either run locally or in the cloud. MDM solutions available as Software-as-a-Service are cost-efficient, scalable and easy to manage.

Mobile Application Management (MAM) 

MAM involves deploying, monitoring and patching enterprise mobile applications that employees use for work. IT professionals can deploy security and corporate policies on business apps and segregate them from personal apps to limit the sharing of corporate data among them. 

A MAM solution also allows employees to access the necessary application from the enterprise app store remotely. App configuration, inventory management, application lifecycle management and software license management are tasks performed using a MAM solution. In the event of a security issue, it can also help remove applications.

Mobile Content Management (MCM)

Employees need to access company data on their devices to be productive. MCM tools enable employees to access, share and store work files on their mobile devices without sacrificing security. An MCM can help determine access rights each employee has to the company’s data and network. By restricting access, companies can isolate the affected areas of their network during a cyberattack, saving the rest of the IT infrastructure from getting taken over. A good MCM solution will also integrate seamlessly with productivity tools so employees can collaborate more effectively.

Mobile Identity Management (MIM)

Data is valuable, and only authorized individuals should have access to it. Companies must adopt a zero-trust security policy as their workforces become more mobile, distributed and remote. They can do this by asking employees to authenticate their identity each time they log into a company network. 

A MIM solution can restrict or deny access based on policies in the case of a potential security threat. It relies on multifactor authentication (MFA), biometrics or device-specific information to verify user identity. MIM goes beyond password management to perform identity checks.

Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)

While EMM followed in the footsteps of MDM and MAM, the next stage of development in the enterprise mobility management industry is the Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) tool.

Using a UEM tool, companies can manage mobile devices plus all endpoints like servers, PCs, printers, wearables and IoT devices connected to the corporate network. Companies do not need to invest in an EMM tool separately if they have a UEM tool. It reduces IT costs and increases the IT department’s ability to manage devices on a company’s network from a single console.

What Is the Importance of Enterprise Mobility Management? 

The business world faces a significant threat from cybercrime. Since people now work from different locations and use a range of devices and platforms to accomplish their tasks, steps must be taken to protect and secure business data to avoid organizational risks. 

Organizations can use EMM tools to provide employees with secure and safe access to work apps and data. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that companies need to take steps to protect their employees, devices and data even outside secure office networks. A good EMM solution can be a valuable tool for the following reasons:

• Device Security: The cybersecurity threats a company potentially faces increase manifold as they add more devices to their network. Every connected device creates a node that threat actors can exploit to breach the digital perimeter of the company. With an EMM tool, companies can ensure that employees install an endpoint security solution on their device before registering it for the BYOD program or using it for work.Using an EMM solution, companies can monitor all systems on their network for unusual behavior that could indicate whether the device has fallen into the wrong hands. A company can limit the access of specific endpoints to its network and data with features like identity and access management and add another layer of security.

  Consider that according to the Verizon Mobile Security Index 2021 Report, more than half (54%) of the companies that had experienced a mobile-related security breach attribute the breach to user behavior such as falling for a phishing attack, downloading unapproved apps or making unintentional errors.

• Data Security: A stolen or lost mobile device can allow malicious agents to access a company’s network. As well as increasing the risk of data theft from the phone, it also increases the vulnerability of passwords saved on devices. With an EMM solution, your company’s IT team can remotely wipe corporate data stored on a lost or stolen device and use it to deploy location apps to find a misplaced device.

What Are the Benefits of Enterprise Mobility Management? 

By adding an EMM solution to the IT stack, companies can offer work flexibility to their employees and simultaneously protect themselves from modern and sophisticated cyberattacks. This section explains how EMM tools help businesses remain safe and secure while supporting agile enterprise structures.

• Better Control Over Mobile Data and Apps: When devices and work-related apps are not protected, hackers can exploit them and gain access to a company’s network. Using an EMM solution, companies can remotely manage devices and apps so that employees have access to the data and apps they need. The tool also ensures that data sharing takes place securely and that employees do not download apps that could pose a security risk. Additionally, the solution can be used to host a personal enterprise app store from which employees can download apps that have been verified for security.
• Supports BYOD Programs: According to the Verizon Mobile Security Index 2021 Report, more than one in three (36%) organizations opened access to corporate resources and systems to employees using personal devices — that’s on top of those that already allowed it.By using an EMM solution, companies can monitor and evaluate all BYOD resources from a single console. It allows them to act swiftly as soon as they learn about a device getting compromised. EMM solutions can provide businesses with the visibility they need to monitor external and internal threat actors, as well as ensure that their employees proactively adhere to their device policies.
• Improves Employee Productivity: Having access to company data and information anywhere and anytime helps employees respond to work tasks in real time and facilitates easy collaboration with peers. It also allows employees to use their own devices for work, with which they enjoy familiarity and comfort, and hence helps them produce better quality work in less turnaround time.

Who Uses Enterprise Mobility Management? 

Due to mobile devices, employees are no longer dependent on the office environment for work, which has improved productivity. Even though the needs of every company are different, EMM solutions will benefit companies that have a hybrid or remote work environment or employees who are always on the move. Let’s look at some industries where an EMM system would be a good fit.

• Healthcare: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare professionals provided consultation to patients over the phone. They shared prescription and test results over mobile devices. An EMM solution enables healthcare brands to secure patient communications while storing and sharing all patient information in a secure environment. Deloitte’s 2021 Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey found that virtual medical visits enabled patients to receive quality care during the pandemic — drawing positive feedback from them.
• Construction: Most construction employees like architects, site managers and engineers are always in the field. With access to company tools and applications on mobile devices, they can share ideas, designs and tasks from the ground and check on inventory without visiting the office or the warehouses. This helps streamline the workflow and increase productivity.
• Retail: Equipping sales staff at retail outlets with mobile devices will help them personalize the user experience on hand and maintain better communication with inventory teams, warehouse teams and sales staff at other outlets.

Having an EMM Solution that supports BYOD policies can benefit many small and midsize businesses that wish to scale while keeping their costs low.

Implementing Enterprise Mobility Management 

An EMM policy will not only improve security for your business but will lay the groundwork for a BYOD policy that can reduce IT costs, make your employees more productive and the work culture more flexible. A structured roadmap is key to ensuring your EMM plan carries more advantages than disadvantages. Here’s how you can go about it:

• Permitted Devices: To make EMM management simple and easy, you must first decide which devices you will allow employees to use. You need to consider the device models and operating systems that best suit your business needs. It will also help you determine how often employees must upgrade their devices. Also, you should decide if you will be subsidizing the device purchase and paying a certain amount for its upkeep and repair. Maintaining a consistent standard will help you simplify policy decisions.
• Type of Enterprise Mobility Management Solution: The next question to consider is the type of EMM solution you should purchase. Do you want a tool that offers a whole host of features or specific features like MDM, MAM and such?
• Device Management and Registration: When the type of devices is selected, rules will need to be established about registering and adding them to the company’s IT directory. It is a good time to figure out how much and what kind of access will be given to employees based on their job roles. This policy area will also look into how much access the company will have to the device if it is used for personal use as well.
• Information Storage: Do employees have the option of downloading and storing company data on their devices in a secure container? Would data access be granted only via a cloud application that is accessible only after multiple authentications? The trick is to strike a balance between productivity and security.
• Compliance: The government has different compliance and mandates that industries must follow. Know the compliance requirements of your company and ensure that mobile management fits within the guidelines. Compliance with security standards is essential, especially when employees have access to confidential client or customer information.
• Risk Management: How will the company secure devices and data if they are lost or stolen? A step-by-step procedure must be outlined and well documented so that IT technicians are not entangled in looking for solutions.
• Policy Stakeholder Involvement: A company should ensure that stakeholders from across sectors participate in the implementation of an EMM policy. This will prevent policy conflicts and ensure everyone’s goals are met.

Strengthen Your Enterprise Mobility Management With Kaseya

With remote work set to become a permanent and prominent feature of work culture, companies must develop policies regarding the safe and secure use of personal devices at work. Read our comprehensive eBook “BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): A Comprehensive Guide” to understand how BYOD can benefit your employees and company, and what policies, guidelines and practices you should be mindful of when building a secure and productive BYOD program.

Kaseya VSA, an industry-leading unified remote monitoring and management (uRMM) solution, provides your business with a complete solution stack to maximize technician efficiency. VSA, combined with Cortado MDM solution, delivers a simple, fast and secure way for MSPs and SMBs to manage mobile devices from a single pane of glass. By combining device management into a single platform, VSA offers MSPs the opportunity to manage all the devices in their fleet from one scalable product. 

Kaseya VSA leverages the power of automation, threat detection and seamless integration with crucial business tools all from a single console. It helps businesses operate more efficiently by automating common IT processes and eliminating manual effort for routine tasks, ultimately freeing up time for your IT team to focus on more strategic projects. Find out more about how Kaseya VSA can boost operational efficiency and save you money.

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While VMs boost IT scalability, agility and flexibility, monitoring and managing a virtualized environment requires IT management tools that support this technology.

Today’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) rely on a hybrid environment that consists of a combination of on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure. According to the Spiceworks 2020 State of Virtualization Technology report, 77% of on-premises server workloads are virtualized. That’s why it’s important to be able to monitor and manage virtual hosts and VMs across your IT environment.

VMWare and Microsoft Hyper-V

VMWare and Microsoft Hyper-V are two leading server virtualization vendors. Hyper-V is a type-1, native hypervisor provided by Microsoft. It allows you to run multiple operating systems (OS) and VMs on a single physical server.

Similarly, VMware is a virtualization technology that allows you to run multiple OSes and VMs on the same physical machines.

Discovery and Mapping of Virtual Environments

While many Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools have limited functionality, Kaseya VSA, a unified RMM solution, discovers and includes VMware and Hyper-V hosts and VMs on its network topology map. With Kaseya VSA, you can also see the host and guest VM relationships on the network topology map and get detailed VM information via the QuickView feature in VSA.

Kaseya VSA Network Topology Map showing the QuickView window for a Hyper-V VM

Virtual Environment Monitoring

Your RMM tool should not only leverage Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) but also application programming interface (API) and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) monitoring capabilities. WMI is specifically used for monitoring Microsoft Hyper-V environments.

A unified RMM tool monitors virtual hosts for the following:

• Operational Status
• Uptime
• System Health
• Alarm Status
• Software Version
• CPU Core Status
• Number of vCPUs
• vCPU Utilization
• Physical Memory Utilization
• Virtual Memory Utlization
• Disk Status
• Network Traffic Volume
• etc.

It should also monitor Guests (VMs) for the following:

• Operational Status
• Uptime
• CPU Utilization
• CPU Ready Time
• Memory Utilization
• Memory Balloon
• Network In/Out
• Disk Space Utilization
• Available Disk Space
• etc.

Your RMM tool’s monitoring capabilities should include the ability to perform various actions, like the ones mentioned below, when an alert occurs:

• Generate an alarm in the RMM tool UI (shows an alarm icon on a node in the topology map)
• Create a service ticket
• Execute a script (agent procedure)
• Send an email notification

Managing “everything” in today’s complex IT environments means you need the capability to discover, map and monitor your virtual environments. Knowing what is in your virtual environment and how it functions is key to quickly identifying and resolving IT incidents.

Learn more by downloading the checklist: 11 THINGS TO MONITOR AND MANAGE WITH YOUR UNIFIED REMOTE MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT SOLUTION

You can also request a demo of Kaseya VSA.

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As the name suggests, a cloud service provider is essentially a third-party company that offers a cloud-based platform for application, infrastructure or storage services. A cloud service provider generally establishes public cloud platforms, manages private cloud platforms and/or offers on-demand cloud computing services such as:

• Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
• Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
• Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS)

What Is a Public Cloud?

In a public cloud, all of the hardware, software, networking and storage infrastructure is owned and managed by the cloud service provider. The public cloud infrastructure is heavily based on virtualization technologies to provide efficient, scalable computing power and storage. The public cloud provider makes these resources available to customers over the internet.

Since you pay only for the amount of cloud services you use, based on your business requirements, adopting cloud computing can help in reducing business costs as compared to owning and operating on-premises datacenters.

Cloud adoption also provides businesses with flexibility and scalability by not restricting them to the physical limitations of on-premises servers. In addition, you can also take advantage of the reliability of multiple cloud data centers as well as responsive and customizable load balancing that evolves with your changing demands.

In this blog, we’ll compare the three leading public cloud providers, namely Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

According to a Canalys report, the global spending on cloud infrastructure grew a sizeable 33% to $142 billion in 2020, with AWS having 31% of the market share, followed by Microsoft Azure at 20% and Google Cloud at 7%.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Overview

A subsidiary of Amazon, AWS was launched in 2006 and offers on-demand cloud computing services on a metered, pay-as-you-go basis. It is one of the most comprehensive and broadly adopted public cloud platforms across the globe. As one of Amazon’s strongest revenue segments, AWS generated a whopping 45$ billion in net sales in 2020.

Common cloud functionalities offered by AWS that can help businesses scale and grow include:

• Networking and content delivery
• Analytics
• Migration
• Database storage
• Compute power
• Developer tools
• Security, identity and compliance
• Artificial intelligence
• Customer engagement
• Internet of Things
• Desktop and app streaming

What Are the Advantages of AWS?

Let’s look at some of the major advantages of AWS:

Ease of Sign-Up

One of the key benefits of adopting AWS is that the onboarding process is a breeze. All you need to provide are a few key credentials and you’re good to go. There is no need to sign an agreement. If you’re unsure, you can opt for the one-year free tier that includes a bunch of the most popular AWS services free of charge up to a certain limit.

Scalability and Elasticity

AWS offers the Auto Scaling service that allows you to easily scale up, down or out your computing resources depending on your changing business requirements.

Along with scalability, you can also leverage the Elastic Load Balancer service to distribute your incoming application traffic across several different targets including containers, messaging services, instances, IP addresses and more.

Access to a Diverse Range of Tools

AWS offers an array of dynamic services such as virtual private cloud (VPC), elastic compute cloud (EC2), simple storage service (S3), relational database service, AWS Lambda and more.

Easy Training and Certifications

Apart from detailed documentation for each of its services, Amazon also offers training and certification programs for the users to gain a better understanding of the usage and application of AWS.

Greater Security

AWS ensures end-to-end security for its cloud infrastructure by implementing software, physical and operational measures wherever required.

Cost-Efficient

With no up-front commitments or long-term contracts, you pay only for the resources (storage, compute power, etc.,) you use. This reduces your IT operational costs and helps boosts profits.

What Are the Disadvantages of AWS?

As with every technology, AWS has its own set of disadvantages as well. Some of these are:

Limitations of Amazon EC2

There are default limits set for AWS resources, such as snapshots, volumes and images, that vary from one region to another. As such, the user is allowed to launch only a certain number of instances per area. In addition, there is a limitation on the availability of information for the resources that are managed by Amazon VPC and Amazon EC2 consoles.

Charges for Technical Support

You will be charged a fee for technical support based on the package you opt for, namely developer, business or enterprise. There is a pricing list that defines the standard pricing for the packages.

Security Limitations

As a security measure, AWS has implemented limitations on some of its features, such as EC-2 classic and EC2-VPC, with no room for any customization.

Cost Management Limitations

One of the key disadvantages of AWS is that it can be difficult for users to optimize costs across on-demand and reserved instances.

Microsoft Azure Overview

Commonly referred to as simply Azure, Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service that was introduced by tech-giant Microsoft back in 2010 for the purpose of testing, building, deploying and managing services and applications. According to Forbes, 63% of enterprises are currently running apps on Azure.

Some of the key functionalities that Azure offers include:

• Computing power
• Database storage
• Content delivery network (CDN)
• Caching
• Business Analytics
• SQL database
• Virtual services
• Application and infrastructure migration
• Media services
• Mobile services

What Are the Advantages of Azure Cloud?

Some of the major advantages of Azure Cloud are listed below:

High Scalability and Availability

Owing to Microsoft’s vast global footprint, Azure offers high scalability and availability to its users. In addition, Azure is well-equipped to scale up or down, depending on the changing needs of your business. You can modify the computing power required with just a few clicks.

Analytics and Intelligence Capabilities

One of the key benefits of Azure is that it offers SQL and NoSQL data services and provides built-in support for gaining deep and meaningful insights into the strategies that businesses can adopt to improve their operations and decision-making. Also, it might be interesting to note that Azure is the only cloud platform that offers unique capabilities like cognitive APIs, bots, machine learning and Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS).

Cost Efficiency

You can opt for the pay-as-you-go payment plan offered by Azure to have the level of control you need to make sure that you don’t exceed your IT budgets. Leveraging Azure’s SaaS applications helps reduce your infrastructure costs and the expenses of maintaining and managing your IT environment.

Compliance, Security and Disaster Recovery

Azure is one of the most secure cloud platforms out there. With its array of compliance certifications, Azure has emerged as the preferred cloud platform for high-risk industries such as government agencies and healthcare. Azure provides high-end protection for its customers and offers additional services, such as multifactor authentication and enterprise-grade disaster recovery capabilities, that help secure and recover your critical business data with minimum downtime.

What Are the Disadvantages of Azure Cloud?

The disadvantages of Azure Cloud include:

Regular Management Required

In order to make efficient use of Azure, you need to hire Azure experts that can handle server monitoring and patching of your cloud infrastructure. That said, while you do save a lot of money from not having to purchase hardware or locally maintain your IT infrastructure, you will still need to spend on hiring professionals that can help you manage the platform.

Platform Expertise Required

As opposed to local servers, deploying Azure requires platform expertise for it to run efficiently. Over-provisioning of cloud services is one of the most common mistakes that admins make due to a lack of awareness and understanding of the inner workings of the cloud servers.

Google Cloud Platform Overview

Launched by Google in 2008, Google Cloud is a suite of cloud computing services that operates on the same infrastructure that is used by Google internally for its most popular end-user products including YouTube, Gmail, Google Search and file storage.

Major functionalities of Google Cloud include:

• Big data services
• Compute engines
• Live migration
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Cloud management
• Machine intelligence
• Networking
• Cloud storage
• Identity and security

What Are the Advantages of Google Cloud?

Google Cloud offers a host of benefits such as:

Google-Grade Security

One of the major advantages of Google Cloud is that it operates on Google’s unique security model that features an end-to-end security process, developed as a result of over 15 years of experience focused on customer security on apps like Google Apps and Gmail.

Live Migration

Unlike Azure and AWS, Google Cloud offers live migration of virtual machines (VMs). As such, there is no change in cloud performance even when the VMs are being migrated. Since your VMs will always be up and running, the Google Cloud engineers are better equipped to resolve updating and patching issues more efficiently.

Environment-Friendly

As compared to typical data centers, Google Cloud data centers run on relatively low energy and utilize 100% renewable energy wherever available.

High Reliability

In the event of an incident that disrupts a data center from functioning, the system switches to a secondary data center, ensuring that the users do not face any business interruption.

What Are the Disadvantages of Google Cloud?

A few of the aspects in which Google Cloud misses the mark include:

Insufficient and Expensive Support

One of the major drawbacks of Google Cloud is that the support offered for customer issues is not the best in class. All users of the platform are offered free-of-charge Bronze-level support by default. However, you can buy the Silver, Gold or Platinum package to avail additional support services. However, the charges for these higher-level packages are quite high.

Less Choice of Functionalities

Compared to its competitors AWS and Azure, Google Cloud offers a smaller range of cloud services.

AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud

In this section, we’ll do a service-based comparison of AWS, Azure and Google Cloud to help you better understand which one suits you best.

Compute Services

Database Services

Storage Services

Networking Services

Pricing

Conclusion

Regardless of which cloud platform you choose, you need to manage and optimize your usage to keep costs under control.

Want to know how Kaseya VSA can help you with that? Request a demo today!

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