Nashville-based cybersecurity service provider ImageQuest shares that remote work technology systems such as Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) have helped nearly 3,200 workers transition to a remote working environment amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The new virtual desktop environment is working great,” says Tom Richardson, Director of Information Technology for Houchens Insurance Group. 

“Our employees have been able to transition to working from home seamlessly during the social distancing situation. We have received a lot of positive feedback and have quite a few working from home today.

“This situation would have been a nightmare if we hadn’t have migrated to the virtual desktops. Thank you and your team for getting us here!”

Another client writes, “Thankfully we implemented the DaaS last year which is allowing us to have a portion of our teamwork remote to hopefully prevent contagion.”

DaaS is a cloud-based model that allows users to work from anywhere using any laptop or device. Multiple users can access files and software applications, all of which are hosted on a third-party cloud provider. DaaS providers manage virtual desktop infrastructure deployment, maintenance, security, upgrades, data backup, and storage. 

More enterprises are adopting DaaS solutions because of the following benefits:

It is flexible. Workers can access desktops and applications from virtually anywhere, ensuring productivity.

It is scalable. Businesses can scale up or down depending on their requirements, and they can augment their workforce during peak seasons or when deploying satellite offices.

It reduces business disruptions. Enterprises can stay up and running even in the event of a natural disaster since there are no hardware dependencies.

It is cost-efficient. DaaS providers offer monthly or annual subscription models; businesses only pay for what they use.

It is secure. DaaS offers secure user access points and simplifies desktop and app management processes.

For organizations working with proprietary information such as intellectual property, personal and health information, and trade secrets, it might take some time to deploy DaaS since it requires more in-depth preparation and planning than Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). While VPNs allow users to download data to their devices so that the user can work without an Internet connection, there is a higher risk of data theft, and businesses would be dependent on their workforce to keep devices updated and secure.

DaaS ultimately empowers teams to work safely from anywhere, even at home. Data remains in the cloud, away from unauthorized downloads, duplications, and transfers – providing the same level of protection as a corporate environment.

Servicing Nashville, Louisville, and Bowling Green, ImageQuest’s curated suite of technology solutions include managed IT, cybersecurity, IT compliance, and IT consultancy.

If you are looking for a managed IT service or IT Compliance service in Nashville, TN,  Bowling Green, or Louisville, KY, your first consideration might be cost. However, as ImageQuest explains, this is one field where you most certainly get what you pay for. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with companies that are just starting out, when it comes to your business, you cannot trust your network to someone that uses your systems and information for on-the-job training.

We recently sat down with techs from the Nashville-based managed IT service provider. Keep reading for what they had to say on what to look for when it is time to bring a little assistance to the technology department.

Q: Thank you for sitting with us today. We will start with some basic information. What are some common IT services?

ImageQuest: Your company’s helpdesk, or IT services provider, does a lot for your business. We can not speak for other companies, but ImageQuest offers a laundry list of management and support services for companies of all sizes. We provide everything from live tech support to software installation. In general, a business owner should expect responsive support along with security solutions and network management.

Q: Nashville has dozens of managed IT service providers; how do business owners know which one is right for their company?

ImageQuest: That is certainly a difficult question to answer; however, it comes down to experience and ethics. A good tech support company will understand the complexities of networking. They will prioritize regular maintenance and monitoring and go well beyond installing simple firewalls and antivirus programs. We like to think of a computer network as a fine-tuned machine – if you are going to work on it, then you have to know how each individual component functions, otherwise you risk causing more damage.

Q: You mentioned experience and knowledge, but we notice that you said nothing about cost. How far down on the list of importance is that?

ImageQuest: All businesses want to save money, but there are some areas that you cannot afford to cut costs. We would never suggest that a business spend more than their budget can handle, but would encourage doing extensive research before selecting a managed IT service. One Nashville, TN or Bowling Green, KY-based company may be much more expensive than another, but you have to look at the value they bring to the proverbial table. If IT is not their only focus, you will essentially be paying them to gain experience.

Q: So you are saying that all technicians are not the same?

ImageQuest: Absolutely not. Just as in any industry, you have to have passion, dedication, and, most importantly, experience to accurately diagnose problems and complete repairs expediently. We choose to be very selective during our hiring process, and more than 99% of applicants are rejected. To be fair, many of them show promise, but we believe that our clients deserve only the best.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about some of ImageQuest’s technicians?

ImageQuest: We are very fortunate to have one of the most professional staffs in the managed IT service industry. Our crew, which travels between Nashville, TN, Bowling Green, KY, and Louisville, KY, consists of Josh, Jamison, Davis, Damien, Erick, and a handful of other select IT pros and help desk support personnel. Our clients regularly remark that they were able to resolve problems not identified by previous vendors. We often receive praise thanks to their willingness and enthusiasm to respond after hours.

Q: We appreciate everything you’ve mentioned here today. Is there any additional information that you think may be of interest to our readers?

ImageQuest: We believe that everyone should know that the managed IT services industry is not regulated like other sectors, such as financial services and automotive. For this reason, it is vital that business owners do their research and ask lots of questions before signing a contract. When they have narrowed down the list, they should look for things like a money-back guarantee, readily available reference list, and around-the-clock availability. Those who are on a tight budget may want to pause for just a moment and consider the ramifications of going with a company that is ill-equipped to handle their networking needs.