Systems Management

Shouldering the burdens of software deployment

ISC’s Microsoft Systems Management services help reduce the complexities of modern IT administration whilst lowering your operational costs.

Fully Microsoft trained and accredited, ISC engineers and consultants can help smooth your systems management and embed the skills you need for gaining business advantages.

We will handle as little or as much of a systems management project as you need. From an initial scoping exercise ISC develop a project plan, explaining each phase of deployment. Then we help you decide which areas need input, removing the headaches of efficient systems management whilst you concentrate on core business priorities.

Delivering both knowledge and hands-on technical expertise, ISC is perfectly placed to advise which management tools are best suited to your IT infrastructure.

Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM)

MOM 2005 improves your IT efficiency by way of enterprise-class operations management. It enables you to devote more time to new business services, with less time wasted on crisis management. MOM 2005 is also key to the successful management of Windows Server technology. Drawing upon the developers’ own knowledge and expertise, MOM 2005 helps you identify and resolve issues before they arise, quickly restoring services and blocking potential IT problems.

Combined with Management Packs for SQL Server 2000, Exchange Server 2003 or Active Directory, MOM 2005 offers a variety of benefits:

• Database issues discovered quickly; administrators can fix ahead of users’ problems
• Synthetic transactions monitor Outlook, Outlook Web Access, Outlook Mobile Access & Exchange ActiveSync technology latencies; generate warning alerts when latency exceeds predetermined threshold; potential issues are neutralised
• Each Active Directory Domain Controller monitored for correct task configuration, site replication & end-to-end replication within SLAs, reducing log-on failures

MOM 2005 is available in Workgroup (10 servers minimum) and Enterprise Editions. Our consultants can advise which version best suits your business.

Systems Management Server (SMS)

Systems Management Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) is Microsoft’s comprehensive management solution for rapid, cost-effective software change/configuration and updates.

To manage Windows Server software, from device level to entire datacentres, SMS 2003 SP1 offers demonstrable improvements in the following areas:

• Application deployment: critical productivity applications delivered reliably & easily
• Asset management: helps reduce software costs & ease compliancy via better understanding of installed applications & usage
• Security patch management: improves Windows security through increased vulnerability awareness & reliable targeted update delivery
• Mobility: enterprise management to growing mobile workforce independent of connection or location
• Windows management services integration: reduces operational costs via inbuilt Windows management capabilities
• Integrating operations & technology: blueprint combining people, processes & technology to address key management issues

Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)

A component of Windows Server, WSUS is a quick, effective way to keep systems updated. It consists of the following:

• Microsoft Update: Microsoft’s web source for Microsoft products
• Windows Server Update Services: server component installed on computer running Windows 2000 Server with SP4 or Windows Server 2003 OS inside corporate firewall; provides features needed to manage & distribute updates through an easy-access web-based tool. Can be update source for other Windows Server Update Services servers
• Automatic Updates: client component built into Windows 2000 with SP3, Windows XP & Windows Server 2003 OSs; enables updates to both server & client computers