In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, businesses of all sizes and across all sectors rely on seamless IT operations to maintain their organizations. PLANNET has established itself as a trusted partner for organizations seeking comprehensive managed services. With a dedicated Managed Services Department, PLANNET offers diverse solutions, ensuring that businesses can focus on their core operations while leaving their technological needs in capable hands.
To put a spotlight on this growing part of our business, we sat down with Joseph Harrod, Director of Technology and Account Operations, to discuss our Managed Services practice and how we help clients support their organizations.
Joseph Harrod, PLANNET Managed Services
Q- Good morning, Joe! Thanks for sitting down with us today.
Joseph: Thank you for having me.
Q- To start off, let’s get a 50,000-foot level of your service offering. How would you describe your practice and the people that comprise it?
Joseph: Our group is made up of a dedicated team of seasoned IT pros with an amazing understanding of various technologies and industry best practices. We understand how organizations use and rely on these systems, from Microsoft 365 to custom applications to the Cloud, and the various tools to get things done. We combine our knowledge with cutting-edge tools and methodologies that we’ve developed over time to provide very effective and reliable remote and on-premise tech support and management solutions that are tailored to meet the unique demands of each of our clients. Our approach allows us to develop remarkably close client relationships, and we become a fully integrated member of their team.
Q- How do you define your group’s essential responsibilities and objectives?
Joseph: Great question. First of all, we make every effort to understand what our clients do. How do they deliver their service offering or product? How do they define success? How can IT play a role in this success and then apply what we have learned about their business? Next, our team supports the technology that keeps our clients’ organizations operating securely, effectively, and efficiently every day. We cover a wide spectrum of needs, but our core responsibilities include general IT infrastructure management, on-premise maintenance, application management, data security, audits, and end-user support. We also function as an intermediary between vendors, and our cost management strategies save our clients, especially our non-profit clients, a lot of money that they can better reallocate elsewhere.
Q- What are examples of the specific services that PLANNET’s Managed Service team provides?
Joseph: That is a big question because we can do so much! We also take a holistic approach to delivering services and supporting businesses across virtually all sectors.
First off, providing 24/7 monitoring and support is essential to help our clients minimize their downtime and maximize performance. Our team and security software monitor IT infrastructure around the clock, ensuring early detection, preventative measures, and resolution of potential issues.
Another critical service area is our network and security management services. We implement robust security measures to safeguard clients’ data and critical assets. All our solutions are specifically tailored for each client, not out of the box.
Cloud solutions and migration have become a standard in business today, but many clients struggle with it. We assist clients in selecting, deploying, managing, and optimizing cloud-based services, and are a partner throughout the transition process to ensure a seamless experience and successful outcome.
We also offer robust backup plans partnered with expert disaster recovery solutions to guarantee minimal data loss and swift business continuity in unforeseen circumstances.
I feel it is important to point out that one of PLANNET’s key strengths is our ability to tailor managed services to different industries and variably sized companies’ unique needs. Our department collaborates closely with clients to understand their specific challenges and goals, ensuring that our solutions align with the company’s business objectives and long-term goals.
In addition, we take a very proactive and predictive approach by staying current on all our deployed equipment and software. This helps anticipate potential problems before they occur. We leverage advanced analytics and monitoring tools to recognize patterns and trends to keep our client’s operations at peak performance. We never implement equipment or software we have not tested or used in-house at PLANNET.
Lastly, everyone is familiar with the frustrations, drama, and downsides of automated responses, international call centers, and chatbots. Where PLANNET really stands out is our local support team. We believe in the human touch, and our team is renowned for its exceptional and familiar customer support. Clients have access to dedicated account managers who provide personalized assistance and prompt responses to queries. Clients consider us a member of their internal team.
Dedicated account management and culture of personal client support
Q- In your view, what sets our Managed Services apart? What makes it unique?
Joseph: There are a number of differentiators, but I would highlight the fact that we are a vendor-agnostic firm. Our team has no sales quotas or incentives to create an ulterior agenda. We only consider the client’s goals and budgetary needs to ensure a tailored plan that gets results. In addition, we balance good practice insights with what makes sense technologically to try and find a middle ground for an environment without it being too intrusive or expensive. Lastly, we are hands-on and walk the walk, so to speak, and test all software, programs, and technology in-house before client implementation.
Q- Can you share some successful client case studies or examples of how our Managed Services have significantly impacted their businesses?
Joseph: Journey Out is a great example! Journey Out is a nonprofit organization located in LA, and its mission is to provide direct services that help victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking leave a life of abuse and violence. Our team has created a custom support program for their varied technology infrastructure needs. Now, the Journey Out organization and the community they serve have a vastly improved and stable environment that supports all their needs so they can better focus on their primary mission.
PLANNET is proud to support Journey Out, a Non-Profit of the Year recipient doing great work in the community.
In Conclusion:
PLANNET’s Managed Services team is known for their reliability, knowledge, and customer satisfaction. With our team of experts, comprehensive services, and commitment to proactive support, PLANNET continues to aid businesses of all sizes and sectors to thrive in a technology-driven world. As organizations face increasingly complex IT challenges, partnering with our Managed Services department may be a strategic choice for those seeking to enhance efficiency, security, and overall productivity.
Click here to learn more about our Managed Service practice and how we help clients keep their business technology infrastructure performing as it should so their organization can perform at its best.
