While many companies, including small to medium-sized businesses, are moving operations into the cloud, many still rely on physical data centers. And, while cloud operations and platforms are certainly forward-thinking, they still may need work alongside physical data centers for certain businesses.
If your business has a physical data center, either on-site or rented via a colocation center, you and your team will want to be knowledgeable regarding remote hands services and smart hands services. Both of these services play significant roles in keeping your data center hardware up and running to its full potential.
In today’s blog, let’s explore remote hands and smart hands services, the differences between them, and why your business may require the use of both to keep your data centers powered up and working for you.
What Are Remote Hands Services?
Colocation facilities typically offer remote hands services (though this can differ from facility to facility) and involve basic maintenance tasks for your data centers and servers. If your servers are on-site, these services can be done by your in-house or outsourced information technology team.
Remote hands services usually include:
- Moving network cables
- Securing network cables
- Performing basic server reboots
- Receiving and handling equipment shipments on your company’s behalf
- Performing basic hardware and software replacements
- Power cycling
These services also come in handy if potentially problematic occurrences, such as your servers going down, happen overnight or during your business’s off-hours. Often, these tasks can be completed by technicians quickly without them having to open up your physical data centers.
Remote hands specialists can also report on the state of your data center, recommend any basic fixes, and keep your equipment safe from environmental hazards, such as heat and harsh weather.
What Are Smart Hands Services?
When more complex and technical tasks need to be completed, it’s best to turn to a smart hands IT services team. These services often require experienced IT technicians to get “up close and personal” with your data centers, servers, and other physical equipment.
Smart hands IT services include:
- Setting up firewalls
- Managing complex and internal cable connectivities
- Setting up automated maintenance capabilities
- Moving and handling complex (and expensive) equipment
- Performing advanced technical maintenance
- Threat detection
- Identifying and fixing any system errors (troubleshooting)
- Testing equipment
… to name a few.
Depending on your business, you may choose to have your in-house IT personnel perform smart hands tasks or call in trusted outsourced technicians. If your servers are stored and maintained off-site in a colocation facility, potentially miles away from your business, you’ll want to make sure that you have on-call smart hands services to assist when needed most.
Does Your Business Require Both Remote and Smart Hands Services?
Remote and smart hands IT services aren’t quite a this or that type of decision. If your business employs physical data centers and servers, especially in an off-site colocation facility, you’ll want to ensure that those servers are well taken care of by utilizing both services. This can save you and your business money in the long run and reduce any harmful downtime.
Categorised in: remote hands, smart hands