In this blog, we will explore the transformative benefits of integration on your business operations. We’ll demonstrate how integration not only boosts efficiency and security but also optimizes cost management, comprehensively improving your IT strategy.

Understanding IT management software tools

In IT, success hinges on having a clear view of your IT infrastructure and efficiently managing it — and that’s exactly what IT management software tools deliver. These tools range from remote monitoring and management (RMM) to security and network management solutions, streamlining the way technicians oversee an organization’s IT framework.

These applications enable IT professionals to swiftly detect, diagnose and resolve issues, minimizing downtime and bolstering system reliability. Beyond troubleshooting, these tools also help refine operational processes, boost productivity and ensure that IT environments remain secure and scalable.

Common features and capabilities of IT management software tools

• Automated monitoring: Monitors system performance continuously, alerting IT staff to potential issues promptly.
• Cloud management: Manages cloud resources to optimize deployment, utilization and cost efficiency.
• Security protocols: Implements advanced security measures to safeguard systems, data and networks from threats and vulnerabilities.
• Performance analysis: Offers insights into IT operations to help make informed, data-driven decisions to enhance system efficiency and performance.
• Patch management: Automates the process of updating software with patches that fix vulnerabilities or enhance functionality.
• Asset management: Tracks and manages IT assets throughout their lifecycle to ensure optimal use and compliance with licenses.
• Backup and recovery: Offers tools to back up critical data and systems, ensuring rapid recovery in the event of data loss due to hardware failure, cyberattacks or natural disasters. 

The benefits of integration

By integrating IT management tools, businesses can take a more proactive approach to IT management. This approach not only prevents potential problems from escalating but also keeps organizations agile, enabling them to adapt to new technologies and customer demands easily and stay competitive in a digital-first world.

Some common advantages of integration are:

Efficiency and productivity

When IT management tools are seamlessly integrated, they empower technicians to automate and streamline routine tasks. This not only saves precious time but also significantly reduces the risk of human errors, boosting efficiency and productivity. Moreover, with more time on their hands, the IT staff can focus on more strategic initiatives, and rather than just being viewed as a cost center, the IT department transforms into a valuable strategic asset for the organization. 

Enhanced security

The integration of IT management tools plays a crucial role in enhancing an organization’s security posture by enabling real-time monitoring and threat detection. For example, integrated tools can correlate data from multiple sources, such as network traffic, user activities and application logs. This comprehensive view helps identify unusual patterns that could indicate a security breach, such as an unexpected download or an unusual login from a foreign location. By catching these anomalies in real-time, IT teams can react swiftly to prevent data breaches.

Cost reduction

Integration helps streamline operations and enhance resource efficiency, leading to significant cost reductions. For example, automating routine maintenance tasks minimizes the need for manual intervention, which reduces labor costs and decreases the likelihood of costly errors. Furthermore, with features like real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, these tools can anticipate and address issues before they lead to expensive downtime, saving companies money on emergency repairs and lost productivity. This proactive management ensures that IT budgets are spent more strategically, maximizing the return on investment.

Scalability and flexibility 

As businesses expand, their IT needs inevitably evolve. Scalable IT tools are designed to adapt, expanding their capacity and functionalities to accommodate growth. This scalability ensures that businesses can manage increased workloads and swiftly adapt to changing market conditions efficiently. Moreover, integrated IT tools enhance flexibility, allowing businesses to quickly implement new processes and respond to new opportunities or shifts in consumer preferences without completely overhauling their IT infrastructure.

Additional reading: Datto Networking and VSA 10: Your Shortcut to Smarter Networks

Real-world applications and success stories

Several businesses have reaped the benefits of integrating IT management software tools.

Take CST Group Inc., a managed service provider (MSP) based in New York, for example. They utilized the seamless integration offered by Kaseya’s IT Complete Platform to develop complex workflows and enhance operational efficiency. By leveraging VSA 10’s advanced automation capabilities, CST Group was able to onboard clients and manage endpoints more effectively. Automation is easy when you have a tool stack built on flawless integrations. This automation freed up their IT professionals to concentrate on strategic initiatives instead of routine tasks. Click to read their case study.

Another compelling example is of Credo Technology Group, LLC, an MSP from Northern Nevada. Initially, they struggled with an RMM and PSA solution that offered little automation and workflow capabilities, hindering their growth. However, by leveraging the integration between Kaseya’s IT Glue, VSA and PSA solution BMS, Credo was able to significantly boost its operational efficiency and deliver higher-quality services to clients. To understand their transformation, you can read their story here.

Challenges and considerations

Integrating IT management tools can significantly boost operational efficiency, but it comes with its set of challenges. The initial investment in terms of time and resources needed can be substantial. Additionally, there is often a substantial learning curve for staff, steeper for those who may resist moving away from familiar legacy processes. Compatibility issues between new and existing systems also present a significant hurdle.

To successfully navigate these challenges, businesses must select IT management tools that are not only powerful but also customizable and user-friendly. Opting for platforms that offer flexible setup and usage can ease the adaptation process, enabling a smoother transition for staff. Furthermore, choosing providers that supply comprehensive training and robust support during the transition period can mitigate many of the difficulties associated with these changes.

Here are some strategies to address the challenges of integrating IT management tools:

• Conduct thorough cost-benefit analyses to gauge the return on investment.
• Perform detailed compatibility assessments to ensure new tools mesh well with existing systems.
• Invest in extensive training programs to help flatten the learning curve.
• Implement new systems in phases rather than all at once to minimize disruption.
• Employ effective change management strategies to reduce resistance to change, including clear communication, involving staff in the integration process and emphasizing the benefits of the new tools to all stakeholders.
• Ensure strong vendor support is available for timely troubleshooting, regular updates and guidance on best practices.

By anticipating these challenges and planning strategically, organizations can facilitate a smoother transition to integrated IT management tools, ultimately leading to enhanced operational efficiency and better alignment with business goals.

Looking to the future: The role of IT management tools in business evolution

As we advance further into the digital era, the evolution of IT management tools and their increasing influence on business operations cannot be overstated. Future trends may include more advanced AI-driven analytics, increased use of machine learning for predictive maintenance and greater integration with IoT devices. 

Several emerging trends will play pivotal roles in shaping the future of IT operations:

• AI-driven analytics: Businesses will leverage AI for deeper operational insights and enhanced decision-making accuracy.
• Predictive maintenance via machine learning: Machine learning will predict system failures and automate maintenance, improving reliability and reducing downtime.
• Integration with IoT devices: Enhanced integration with IoT devices will allow businesses to manage and analyze real-time data from diverse sources, boosting responsiveness.
• Automated security protocols: AI-powered security tools will proactively counter evolving cyberthreats, ensuring robust, adaptive defenses.
• Customization and scalability: IT management tools will increasingly offer customization and scalability to adapt swiftly to changing business needs.

Businesses that continue to adapt and integrate new IT management capabilities will likely maintain a competitive edge in the evolving market.

Experience the transformation with IT Complete by Kaseya

Embracing the future of IT management requires a robust platform that not only addresses current needs but is also forward-thinking enough to adapt to emerging trends. 

The IT Complete Platform by Kaseya is the ultimate platform for “do-it-all” IT professionals, offering a comprehensive, all-in-one suite of tools that revolutionizes IT management. With a centralized dashboard, IT Complete integrates all IT management tasks into a single interface, providing technicians with a holistic view of their infrastructure. This integration is a game changer, simplifying monitoring and management while enhancing operational control and decision-making. 

Built to scale with your business, the IT Complete Platform offers customizable and adaptable solutions that grow with you, making it easier to expand operations, branch into new services or adjust to market changes. Sign up for a demo today and see these benefits firsthand. Explore IT Complete by Kaseya.

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According to research from TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group on technology spending intentions in 2023, the three top reasons respondents believe their organizations’ IT environments have become more complex in the past two years are:

• The increase in remote and hybrid work
• The changing cybersecurity landscape
• The increase in the number and types of endpoint devices

Given these more complex environments, MSPs and other service providers can derive significant competitive advantage by streamlining and centralizing remote management for their own IT teams while also ensuring a robust and secure RMM experience for their customers.

When it comes to delivering an efficient, cost-effective, simple and secure RMM solution, the partnership between Intel vPro® and Kaseya VSA offers benefits other solutions can’t match. With Intel vPro integration, VSA can now remotely discover and manage any Intel vPro-enabled asset. This makes it easier than ever for MSPs to get started with Intel® Endpoint Management Assistant (Intel EMA) and enables VSA to function as a truly unified solution for centralized RMM from a single dashboard.

Benefits of the Intel vPro and VSA integration

One of the most common and highly valuable use cases for the integrated Intel vPro and VSA solution is remote patching. VSA now leverages Intel vPro’s power control, alarm clock, remote secure-erase and configuration information capabilities. Through power control and alarm clock capabilities in Intel EMA, VSA customers can turn on an Intel vPro-enabled device, patch it and turn it back off — all without disrupting the user. This security protection is crucial at a time when most ransomware attacks are the result of outdated software with known vulnerabilities.

The partnership also enables more granular management of devices on home networks to support better user experiences and stronger security protections for remote and hybrid workers. VSA customers can now boot devices to BIOS, remote access a BitLocker bluescreen and remote control out-of-band hardware, such as keyboard, video and mouse.

A critical benefit of the integration: It is available at no extra cost to VSA customers, helping to lower the overall cost of endpoint operations. Additional cost savings come through increased productivity. MSPs can expect to gain two hours of productivity per month from IT teams while improving the endpoint-to-technician ratio by 15%. IT professionals can now seamlessly manage all Intel vPro devices with VSA — whether the IT environment comprises a single endpoint or 100,000 endpoints.

Taking the next step

At a time when MSPs and other service providers are looking to increase their efficiency and improve security, the partnership between Intel vPro and Kaseya VSA is an important step forward in remote management and monitoring.

MSPs can ensure that all on- and off-network devices — regardless of operating system state — can be remotely and securely managed without the hassle of adding more solutions to the security suite.

Learn more about how your organization can benefit from the Intel vPro and Kaseya VSA integration by visiting us here.

To learn more about Intel vPro and Kaseya Patch Management Solutions, check out this video.

This content was commissioned by Intel and Kaseya, and originally produced by TechTarget Inc.

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What is EMA and do I already have it?

Intel EMA offers a cloud-based portal to all the modern manageability of the Intel vPro platform and Intel AMT through VSA to simplify client management and help reduce costs. Almost half of the endpoints managed by MSPs are already vPro enabled. VSA works hand-in-glove with Intel EMA, a software feature of the Intel vPro platform, making it easier than ever to connect to devices inside or outside the firewall. This gives IT professionals the ability to remotely and securely control out-of-band devices within VSA for faster, more seamless management of PCs powered by Intel.

Unlocked Capabilities

Patching is vital to modern security posture since most ransomware attacks are the result of out-of-date software with known vulnerabilities. VSA now fully leverages Intel vPro’s PowerControl, AlarmClock, Remote Secure Erase and configuration information capabilities. Through PowerControl and AlarmClock, VSA customers can now turn on a (vPro-enabled) computer, patch it and turn it off again. This is an incredibly powerful capability that brings our vision of 100% patch compliance closer at hand with zero disruption to the end user. By improving patch compliance, you can significantly reduce risk to your organization.

With most organizations embracing long-term remote or hybrid work arrangements, there is a greater need for more robust security measures to be enforced to protect the highly distributed, complex IT environments of today.

Companies today need security capabilities that enable them to remotely monitor, manage and remediate all their on- and off-network endpoints. One such powerful security feature, Remote Secure Erase empowers IT professionals to execute commands under the operating system so that you can remotely brick up a rogue computer without requiring the machine to be fully logged in. With this feature, you will never have to worry about a stolen laptop being a major security risk again.

This partnership also enables more granular management of devices on home networks. VSA customers can now boot to BIOS, bypass a BitLocker bluescreen and remote control out-of-band hardware such as keyboard, video and mouse.

Simplified, Cloud-based Management

The VSA and Intel vPro integration helps lower the overall cost of endpoint operations and is offered at no extra charge for VSA customers. Additionally, IT teams can expect to gain two hours of productivity per month and improve the endpoint-to-technician ratio by 15%. IT professionals can now seamlessly manage all the vPro devices with VSA regardless of whether their IT environment comprises 1 or 100,000 endpoints.

With VSA and Intel vPro integration, you can rest assured that all your on- and off-network devices are remotely managed without the hassle of adding more solutions to your security suite. Want to know more about how the VSA and Intel vPro integration can help you efficiently manage your complex IT infrastructure without the added costs? Request your demo today!

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What is system integration?

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What Is Workflow?

A workflow is a series of event-triggered tasks or actions to produce the desired outcome. These actions are performed by people, applications and machines.

IT professionals frequently use multiple IT management applications in workflows, which sometimes involves switching back and forth between applications. They may also move data from one app to another during the process of completing a task. This leads to less-than-desirable results, which in turn leads to lower productivity and costly human errors.

Workflow integration empowers IT pros to operate more efficiently across multiple tools and get the job done faster.

What Is Workflow Integration?

Workflow integration connects one application with another, typically via their application programming interfaces (APIs), to make it easier to accomplish a task.

Once the applications are connected, it’s easier for people and data to move swiftly between applications, bolstering the efficiency of various business processes and saving time for IT professionals.

Workflow integrations are no longer just nice-to-have features. They are critical to the operational efficiency of a business. Multifunctional IT pros do not work with workflows that operate independently of other processes.

For instance, IT pros have found that’s it’s important to have workflow integrations between their Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM), PSA/help desk and IT documentation applications. Kaseya has developed several workflow integrations between VSA, BMS and IT Glue to streamline IT management.

Single Vendor vs. Multiple Vendor Approach

Workflow integrations from a single vendor or multiple vendors, which one is better?

Types of Workflow Integrations

• API Integrations: An API integration is a connection between two or more applications, via their APIs, enabling data flow within the applications without human intervention. API integration is becoming increasingly popular due to the rise of cloud-based applications. It allows seamless data flow, drives productivity and revenue.
• Native Integration: A native integration happens when two applications provide direct integration with APIs. Native integration typically comes for free since it is baked into the total cost of ownership of the application.
• Third-Party Integration: Third-party integration involves the integration of two applications with different APIs into an existing workflow. Developers do not need to create a new application from scratch in this case. They can add an existing application to an ongoing project. For instance, Kaseya has a third-party integration with RapidFire that allows IT professionals to monitor IT infrastructure remotely while enforcing compliance.

The Importance of Workflow Integration

The integration of multiple application workflows hugely benefits businesses across all verticals in the following ways:

Facilitates a positive employee experience

IT pros are often forced to use multiple, poorly integrated IT applications to perform common tasks every day. That’s why it comes as no surprise that a staggering 55% suffer from work exhaustion due to job overload. Workflow integrations make it faster and easier to leverage different application functions by avoiding the need to switch to another user interface (UI).

Builds operational efficiency

Data silos and application switching are kryptonite to operational efficiency. IT pros that can take advantage of tools that have seamless workflow integrations can perform tasks more quickly and accurately. However, non-integrated workflows can result in human errors, which hinder operational efficiency. Integrated workflows also allow information from one application to be readily available in another app. This avoids time wasted looking for information and helps speed up task execution. This, in turn, speeds up critical processes, such as IT incident resolution, which reduces mean time to repair (MTTR) and increases system availability.

Seamless Workflow Integrations With Kaseya

Kaseya has a strong focus on seamless workflows across all of the products in its IT Complete suite of IT management solutions. Workflow integrations across RMM, PSA/Service Desk, IT Documentation, Backup and Disaster Recovery, and more, drive significant improvement in IT operational efficiency and operating cost reduction. This boosts profitability for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and stretches the IT budget for internal IT teams.

“The way the three tools — VSA, BMS and IT Glue are integrated and work with one another gives our team a great toolset to boost efficiency and save time.”

– Larry Robertson, MERIT Solutions

IT Complete delivers seamless workflow integrations for revenue-generating solutions to drive MSP profitability and technician efficiency. It allows SMBs and IT teams to enjoy better allocation of budgets resources, enabling IT managers to do more with less.

Ultimately, the workflow integration offered by Kaseya eliminates the “space between” — the valuable time IT professionals waste moving between disparate applications.

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Of course, higher efficiency means you can either reduce your costs or increase the number of customers you can manage with your existing staff, or both. In the current economic climate, efficiency and cost reduction are king. It could mean the difference between surviving and growing or throwing in the towel.

RMM and PSA Integration

The importance of a remote monitoring and management (RMM) tool is no longer up for debate. As we reported previously in a number of our blogs, 61 percent of MSPs consider RMM to be the most important application for their operations, followed by PSA and IT documentation, as per the Kaseya 2020 MSP Benchmark Survey Report.

While this result was to be expected, another key finding was that 71 percent of MSPs said that integration between their core MSP applications, such as RMM, PSA and IT documentation, was “critical” or “very important.”

This means most MSPs understand the importance of integrated applications while the successful ones know that the best results come from using RMM, PSA and IT Documentation solutions that have deep “workflow” integrations.

Workflow integrations allow technicians to move smoothly between applications and get access to the right information when and where they need it. This saves time and boosts overall IT efficiency.

RMM and PSA Integrations Across Vendors

It’s a lot harder to maintain integrations for tools from different vendors. An RMM solution from one vendor and a PSA solution from another will work together, but not at the level of integration that’s possible when both solutions are from the same vendor. We consider the deeper level of integration that’s possible between tools from a single vendor to be workflow integration. This means, for example, that IT technicians can click a button in their Service Desk and go straight to the remote management function of their RMM. This allows techs to immediately start troubleshooting the issue on the endpoint.

Look for RMM, PSA and IT documentation tools that offer these types of integrations that allow technicians to get the job done faster.

Kaseya VSA, BMS and IT Glue Integrations

Kaseya BMS is a powerful, easy-to-use PSA tool that is cost-effective and enables MSPs to deliver IT services that meet or exceed SLAs. BMS provides all common PSA capabilities, including service desk, project management, customer relationship management (CRM), and finance and billing.

With BMS you can easily create and manage service tickets. In addition, the workflow integration with Kaseya VSA, our RMM solution, allows you to define workflows in the BMS Service Desk that can auto-remediate service ticket issues. In other words, you can resolve and close tickets automatically by executing scripts (agent procedures). The workflow runs a script based on keywords in the description of the ticket and the automated process will be documented in the ticket and the associated log files.

BMS also integrates with IT Glue, the Kaseya IT documentation tool, allowing technicians to resolve incidents faster by having IT information when and where they need it. Another example of a deep workflow integration is shown in the screenshot below. This one shows that related IT Glue documentation will automatically be shown in the BMS ticket window. This means that documents that are specifically relevant to the IT incident in the ticket will be shown.

Access to IT Glue documentation allows technicians to resolve IT incidents more quickly. Quick resolution correlates highly with higher customer satisfaction, which means less customer churn for your MSP business.

Learn about selecting the right PSA solution for your MSP business by downloading The Ultimate PSA Buyer’s Guide for MSPs.

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