Throughout these blog posts, I’ve mentioned Auxzillium’s commitment to a cloud-based ecosystem. I have also mentioned our CEO’s mantra: “No one size shoe fits all.”
For Boston businesses evaluating cloud solutions and managed IT services, that philosophy is especially important. Ultimately, we’re trying to convey a preference while recognizing that you can’t fit a square peg into a round hole.
With all things being equal, that may hold true. But what if you shave the square peg down a bit? It will certainly fit. No?
The Right Technology Should Fit the Business
Deciphering if something can be modified to accomplish a purpose and meet a client’s needs is very important.
I’m not talking about shaving just enough off that square peg so it squeezes in. That involves resistance or friction.
In the world of technology solutions, that resistance or friction can come from vendors who believe you are operating outside the scope of their product—or end users who can’t work efficiently.
A good Boston Managed Services Provider (MSP) should be looking beyond whether a technology solution can work. The bigger question is whether it can work effectively within the client’s existing technology environment and for the people who actually use it.
Moving Identity and Access Management to the Cloud
In a recent discussion with a client, they expressed tremendous enthusiasm toward centralizing their Identity and Access Management (IAM) in Microsoft’s cloud.
At Auxzillium, we’ve been doing this for quite some time. In fact, whether it’s Microsoft or Google Workspace, cloud-based IAM is one way businesses can reduce their dependence on traditional servers.
However, it’s not something that can be done without careful consideration.
Cloud Migration Isn’t Always About Business Size
Size isn’t really the issue with this kind of migration. It’s more about complexity.
Although most applications can be configured to provide user authentication through a cloud-based IAM system, some cannot.
Therefore, the limitation isn’t necessarily the hole. It’s the solution—the square peg.
The question shouldn’t be:
“How can I make this work?”
The question should be:
“How can I make this work without violating the parameters of the solution or impacting the ability of users to work?”
That distinction matters when developing a cloud migration strategy for a Boston business. Moving technology to the cloud is one thing. Making sure the entire environment continues to operate efficiently is another.
Your Users Are Part of Your IT Strategy
In this particular scenario, the user base is quite broad, technical proficiency is limited, and working quickly isn’t simply a preference, it can literally mean life or death. That’s not hyperbole.
The friction for the end user might seem small: having a single password for every application in the environment but a different username and password for one.
But it’s not just another username/password combination.
It involves password complexity, passphrases, authentication requirements, and even whether NIST chooses to change its latest recommendations.
Small amounts of friction can become significant when multiplied across an organization.
Your Boston MSP Should Understand the Entire Technology Environment
Your MSP should have a holistic understanding of every element making up your technology system.
I’m not implying they must understand the nuances of every third-party application, but they should know how those applications integrate within the environment they are responsible for managing.
The lack of that knowledge can be catastrophic.
This is where managed IT services should extend beyond servers, endpoints and help desk tickets. Your MSP should understand the relationship between cloud infrastructure, identity management, third-party applications, security and end users before recommending significant technology changes.
Managed IT Services Should Be a Custom Fit
At Auxzillium, we don’t just know your environment. We know your users.
We understand how each element of the technology puzzle fits together.
In this way, you can be confident that whatever strategic decisions are required, there won’t be any squeezing or unnecessary friction.
Rather, the recommendation will be a custom fit for your business, just like we are.
Looking for a Boston MSP That Understands Your Business?
Technology shouldn’t be forced into your environment simply because it’s the latest solution. Your cloud strategy should account for your infrastructure, applications, security requirements and, most importantly, your users.
Auxzillium provides managed IT services for Boston businesses with technology strategies designed around the way your organization actually works.
