Where technology experts at Endsight share their expertise on IT Management, the issues that arise for clients, and the benefits of technology for medical practices, biotech firms, law firms, financial services and other small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Feb 10th, 2010
by Jason Clause Filed under: Business & Management, Managed Services, Marketing, Network Security, Outsourced IT Support
When I was in college, I had to move every year. I lived in a fraternity house and that really simplified the logistic. But even though I never had to move more than a few doors down the hallway, I still didn’t like it. The idea of a uprooting all of my things, transporting them, and then having to find new places for everything, was a daunting task that stressed me out every time.
As Endsight’s outsourced IT business has grown, we’ve been heavily involved in a staggering number of office moves. Every time, it’s easy to remember the stress I felt as an undergraduate with my mini fridge and futon. Obviously, the client has much more to consider which makes the stress level even greater.
No two office moves are ever the same. But having been through enough of these, I thought it would be helpful to list some of the key advisers and partner/vendor rolls to consider as part of your planning process.
Many of our clients begin the process by seeking council from key strategic advisers.
Contemplating a Move:
Commercial Realtor (Help you selected a new location)
Banker (Help decide the best way to finance the move)
Accountant (Help you decide if you can afford the move)
Lawyer (Help you avoid costly legal issues associated with the move)
Once a location has been selected, there are a number of other partner/vendors to involve in the process.
The New Office:
General Contractor (Tenant improvements)
Architect (Make it look fabulous)
Cable Installer (Network cabling)
HVAC (Server room)
Signage (Sign out front, names on the office Doors)
The Move:
Mover (To get from point A to point B)
Phone System Support (Take down and set up phones)
Computer System Support (Take down and set up computer systems)
Internet and Phone System Connectivity (Connect to the outside world)
Office Furniture (Acquire new and /or liquidate old)
Printers, Faxes & Copiers (Often times these are under contract)
Communication:
Marketing (Promote new location, update Website, send a news letter, and create a promotional item)
Printed Materials (Letterhead, business cards, marketing collateral)
Most businesses enjoy existing relationships to leverage as part of the planning process. If your company needs help filling in the roster, Endsight can help by facilitating introductions to our network of colleagues. If your small business is planning a move click here. We would be happy to meet in person with you to discuss your plan.
Tags: Endsight, move, Outsourced IT
Jan 28th, 2010
by Jason Clause Filed under: Managed Services, Outsourced IT Support
All of the Great War movies have a scene near the end of the film where the climactic battle is over and the Medivac or “dust off” choppers swoop in to tend to the wounded, including the film’s hero, who typically gets a bandage over his eye or a sling for his arm.
For many of us, the last two years must feel like a war of sorts. We’ve had to make lots of sacrifices in one way or another including being forced to say goodbye to customers and coworkers. Even if you were not distracted with the recent events, you were probably fully focused on receivables and finding new revenue and didn’t have extra time to tend to your computer systems.
Last year I blogged about keeping an eye on your computer infrastructure as the disposition of your small business changed. Employee layoffs and office closures unaccounted for in network directories were creating gaping security holes in lots of small business computing environments. If you’re concerned you might still have that problem and want to learn more, click here to read that post.
Today, as the economy begins to emerge from the recession, it might be time to consider calling in the “dust off” choppers. Most of the small business owners that I know agree that computer networks are temperamental and that they require a lot of care and feeding. When left unattended (as many have the last few years) they become unpredictable and that can be a formula for disaster.
To get started on a good network dust off, I recommend starting with an inventory of your existing network. This inventory should include:
- A list of computer users
- User Accounts
- Email, Mailboxes
- A network diagram that includes
- UPS / Backup power supply
- ISP / T1 lines
- Firewalls / Router
- Switches
- Servers
- Workstations & Laptops
- Data Backup
- Software Inventory
- Anti-Virus
- Anti-SPAM
- Operating Systems (Server & Workstation)
- Productivity Software
- Business Software
- Messaging Software
Once you’ve completed your inventory, consider asking yourself these diagnosis questions.
- Are there any performance issues?
- How old is the equipment?
- What is still under warranty?
- Is the software licensing current?
Determining the current disposition and status of your small business computing environment and combining that information with an assessment of the network’s limitations will help point you and your IT partner, should you choose to work with one, to the right questions to ask as you redevelop your IT strategy.
Endsight’s outsourced IT support model is layered to encompass what we believe are the four basic components of sound IT management and support. Planning, Plumbing, People and Projects build on one another like a pyramid. Planning, at the top of the pyramid, is typically the first casualty in a recession. Without a good plan however, it becomes very difficult to maintain a small business computer network consistently.
That’s why Endsight includes planning as part of its “all-you-can-eat” outsourced IT support methodology. Working with one of Endsight’s CIO level IT managers, our clients benefit from regularly scheduled IT strategy meetings where we collaboratively review the current status of the computer network and together map out the future strategy.
If you feel like Endsight might be able to help you with your long-term IT strategy click here to schedule an in person meeting. We can then discuss your needs in detail.
Tags: Endsight, it management, Outsourced IT
Dec 18th, 2009
by Jason Clause Filed under: Outsourced IT Support
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this was not an easy year for anyone. So as 2009 comes to an end, I want to devote a little time to looking back at what was accomplished at Endsight. We are truly thankful and proud for what transpired in spite of this challenging year.
Endsight completed an internal project to document our support methodology and to bake that process into our tools.
I’m most excited about this accomplishment. The result is a scalable, systematic approach to IT support that lets Endsight maintain our commitment to average response times of five minutes or less and client satisfaction scores of 95% highly satisfied. Good process, good documentation and the scale of a 30 person IT organization will assure our clients consistent, highly responsive outsourced IT support in 2010 and beyond.
Endsight launched an Electronic Medical Records practice.
Partnering with gloStream, the only EMR provider to use Microsoft Word as its note editor, Endsight launched itself into the health information technology space. Bay Area physicians have long been excluded from the benefits of information technology but with significant incentives from the federal government ($44,000 per physician in incentive payments over five years) their time has come. We are anticipating that 2010 will be a big year for Bay Area medical practitioner and we’re looking forward to partnering with local physicians to provide the same guidance and IT support our existing clients have come to expect.
Press Release: Endsight enters Electronic Medical Records space
Article in SF Business Journal: Tech companies hope to catch health IT windfall
Endsight received some outstanding attention.
Endsight was named number 61 on the San Francisco Business Times list of its 100 Fastest Growing Companies.
Mike Chaput was featured in The San Francisco Business Times: Entrepreneur Profile
Mike was featured again in this Article: Don’t rush to outsource IT just to solve a problem
The tough economic conditions of last year have been a proving ground whereby good companies get the opportunity to become great companies. As survivors of the “great recession” we’ve earned that opportunity. I encourage everyone to look back and celebrate the innovations that you incorporated into your business this year. There’s lots of opportunity on the horizon. We at Endsight can’t wait to see you in 2010!
I am including a few photos from Endsight’s holiday party at Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco. The menu included deep fried macaroni and cheese. Now, that’s something in which to be thankful!!
