Management Skills

Although most businesses dependent on computers and computer systems for their daily operations know that a system monitoring tool will help them to keep things running smoothly, it isnt always easy to find the right tool for the job. As with many information technology concepts, monitoring systems can be very complex and specialized, meaning that unless you have a degree in technology or extensive experience in the field, you may not know how to differentiate between your options, let alone choose the right one for your business.

Monitoring System Options

Most companies will find themselves choosing between proprietary and open-source monitoring systems, or any combination thereof.

Proprietary monitoring systems are generally targeted toward more complex organizations that support a large infrastructure. In most cases, these are offered through the big names in monitoring systems (the Big 4: BMC, CA, HP, IBM), although many smaller firms offer competitive and equally successful versions.

Open-source monitoring systems are simpler and operate on a much smaller scale than most proprietary systems. At their core, they are very similar to larger monitoring systems; however, they typically specialize in a specific functionality and service area.

At its most basic form, this means that businesses can either opt for a proprietary system, which costs more and is more comprehensive, or an open-source system, which costs less but is only useful for the particular niche it is in.

How Do I Know Which Monitoring System I Need?

This is one area where having an IT consultant can come in especially handy, as a professional who has a working knowledge of your system will be best able to make recommendations and even install monitoring software that runs automatically.

If you do decide to make your own monitoring system decision, its important to choose an IT firm or software provider that can meet your level of technical ability.

Consider whether or not the monitoring provider has a large user base, or if are you using one that is new to the market. If youre opting for an open-source system, a smaller user base means fewer programmers, which means fewer people working to solve any problems that arise. Going for a proprietary system means that you get the name brand behind it.

Youll also want to ensure that you get all the features you need. For example, are you monitoring computer, servers, external devices, or a combination of all of them? How will you be alerted of a problem, and who is the recipient of the alert? Will you need to schedule regular downtime for maintenance, or will it run automatically during a weekend or holiday?

You may also want to ask yourself how the system will be installed and updated. Will you be expected to install the system yourself and integrate it into the existing structure on your own? Are you or your IT department equipped to handle that kind of task, or is it better to hire someone else to do it for you? If you need an IT consultant to help you make the decision, you may also need one to handle the system implementation, as well. This is one area where its always best to err on the side of the professionals.

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