Thought Leadership Archives - Thrive https://thrivenextgen.com/category/thought-leadership/ NextGen Managed Services Provider Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:03:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Opportunities Abound in M&A and Cybersecurity for MSPs with Rob Stephenson https://itbd.net/cybersecurity-for-msps-rob-stephenson/#new_tab Fri, 07 Apr 2023 20:21:12 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=25294 “It’s really now about the opportunity to build a cybersecurity program for customers,” shares Rob Stephenson, CEO, Thrive Networks, Inc. In today’s episode of “Sunny’s Silver Linings” podcast, Rob and Sunny chat about the state…

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“It’s really now about the opportunity to build a cybersecurity program for customers,” shares Rob Stephenson, CEO, Thrive Networks, Inc. In today’s episode of “Sunny’s Silver Linings” podcast, Rob and Sunny chat about the state of the channel and the future potential of M&A and cybersecurity in the MSP space.

Looking for an affordable way to implement or upgrade your security services? IT By Design and Vijilan have bundled their respective services and offer competitive pricing that will prove extremely attractive to MSPs and their customers. Click here for more details.

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Pandemic post-mortem: The 1-2 technology punch for financial companies https://thrivenextgen.com/pandemic-post-mortem-the-1-2-technology-punch-for-financial-companies-2/ Tue, 30 Nov 2021 15:29:39 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=18919 View the original article published on November 30, 2021 in the AIMA Journal – Edition 128. The beginning of the pandemic forced many companies to sprint toward achieving remote working capabilities to ensure business continuity.…

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View the original article published on November 30, 2021 in the AIMA Journal – Edition 128.

The beginning of the pandemic forced many companies to sprint toward achieving remote working capabilities to ensure business continuity. Remote access has traditionally been viewed as a luxury to be used essentially on weekends, nights, or in the case of necessity. We are in for the long haul of remote working and collaboration, and now, more than ever, financial companies must create a competitive advantage in this paradigm shift in the workforce.

According to PwC’s US remote work survey of 50 executives and 144 employees at US financial services firms, before the pandemic, only 29% of employers had at least 60% of employees working from home once a week. Today, 69% expect at least three-fifths of their workforce to telecommute at least once a week.

The knee-jerk reaction to moving business operations off-site quickly at the beginning of the pandemic didn’t account for the possibility of a long-term solution. This caused hedge funds to leverage specific sets of application stacks that weren’t designed for remote access. Now with the initial remote workforce setup hurdles behind us, quick thinking, technology enablement, and agility previously used are still vital for financial firms to remain competitive and move forward.

The initial onset of shifting to remote work uncovered critical gaps in business operations and collaboration capabilities. So, what does a sustainable remote environment strategy that can have a positive impact look like for the financial industry? The answer is a 1-2 punch of SharePoint and Microsoft Teams in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem with an extra jab from Microsoft Power BI. This powerful combination of technology tools is already in place at many financial companies. The difference is the power of utilisation to tap into the true potential of achieving seamless and real-time collaboration with enhanced financial business processes.

Pre-pandemic businesses were accustomed to ‘prairie dogging’ – where you’d pop your head over a cubicle for banter and a mini collaboration session. However, that method of ‘getting on the same page’ has since been sophisticated and institutionalised over the past year and a half. But, we’ve only scratched the surface.

For example, financial services companies have an abundance of files nested in folders, emails, and Excel spreadsheets, which can slow down the relay of information stored. Those systems began to migrate to modern toolsets to accommodate the distributed workforce, however, now the real work is beginning, and financial firms are starting to realize the muscle of the Microsoft stack.

Data is ever-changing and financial services companies are stepping up to ensure access to tools that display and unite information discreetly. Microsoft Teams in the Microsoft 365 suite powers collaboration by serving as the window into all data with customised applications specific to your business.

Within Microsoft 365, businesses are able to view, edit, and share data in real-time with permission management to protect critical financial data. In SharePoint, employees can transform Excel files into a modern cloud workplace application by eliminating multiple inputs and increasing the speed to drive business decisions. SharePoint also relieves time and fatigue by extrapolating data and communication from countless email threads to enhance business decisions.

Teams and SharePoint are revolutionizing collaboration, task management, and approval process workflows. However, there is one critical piece of the puzzle needed to transform businesses – that is often underutilised. The game-changing component to a financial business’ IT infrastructure is tapping into Microsoft Power BI, a data analytics powerhouse that enables companies to capture, visualise, and analyse data that matters to most.

With Power BI, you can scrap the lengthy reports and access current data that is readable and understandable with eye-catching charts and graphs at your fingertips. No more waiting on figures, using data from old reports or being unable to find specific data sets. Power BI leverages its business intelligence technology to retrieve data and reports quickly using the most current data without tedious file searches and human error. The robust tool enables reports to be built on the fly and embed them in almost any place within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Connecting to live data sources like SharePoint, Salesforce, or most other third-party apps and tools, enables businesses to take action using that data, identifying issues, trends, and opportunities.

Financial businesses recognise the urgency of unleashing the full potential of the Microsoft stack and go beyond just accessing the tool. However, this digital transformation journey to modernise business processes and data isn’t an easy path. An expert partner can help identify the key features of Microsoft 365 – whether it be Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Power BI, or more -to maximize your return on investment, empower a distributed workforce, and catalyse your financial business.

It’s important to note that remote workforces aren’t the only ones to reap the benefits of embracing technology innovation to achieve superior collaboration and performance. Businesses are embracing hybrid, on-site, and remote workers or a combination of all of the above. Whether it be fully remote, hybrid, or in the office, these Microsoft tools and power apps increase efficiencies in financial businesses – no matter what your workforce looks like. This forward-thinking IT architecture is a foundation that solves common challenges in modern workplaces and is a vehicle to untapped business processes and data that drive decisions financial companies can bank on.

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Return to the Office Part 3: How to Best Utilize IT Consulting Services https://thrivenextgen.com/the-return-to-the-office-part-3-how-to-best-utilize-it-consulting-services/ Tue, 26 Oct 2021 15:43:24 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=18681 In Part Three of our series, we help organizations identify why IT consulting services are an important part of the return to the office. Over the past few months, we have seen a significant increase…

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In Part Three of our series, we help organizations identify why IT consulting services are an important part of the return to the office.

Over the past few months, we have seen a significant increase in assessment-related work that helps organizations understand their current state and specific needs, while identifying critical issues and building a strategic roadmap for the future. Much of our assessment work is focused on cyber security, helping businesses maintain a strong security posture in direct response to the increase in breaches and attacks over the last year.

Now, as organizations help employees safely return to the office while bolstering security around hybrid work, it’s worth considering an external, independent review by Thrive’s consulting team to ensure end users can work securely no matter their location. All businesses should have a formal security program which includes a long-term strategic plan that the entire organization understands and can implement appropriately.

“What Is Your Organization’s Cyber Security Posture?”

This is a pivotal question that we pose to every organization. If it can’t be answered immediately, or at minimum in some general context, it is an indicator of risk and that assessment should likely be considered in the near future. When a formal security program has not been developed and is not backed by a recognized security framework, it is difficult to successfully protect the organization from the harmful impacts of cyber threats. In the assessment phase, we use automated tools combined with Thrive’s qualified consultants to understand your current assets, infrastructure, and environment, in an effort to provide specific, prioritized recommendations for the future.

Ongoing validation and review of your cyber security program is critical, particularly as employees return to the office and new cyber threats appear almost daily. If you have adjusted to remote work, was that strategic, or were temporary solutions used without consideration for the long term? As some workers return to the office, it will once again be time to update your security program with specific consideration for mobile devices, and remote management of company assets.

Written policies and procedures are the foundation of every formal security program. This document should be comprehensive and align with the organization’s goals as well as with a recognized security framework. The need for the continual validation and testing of policies and procedures, including disaster recovery and incident response plans, cannot be emphasized enough. This testing leads to predictable recovery and response plans and best positions the organization to minimize the impacts of a security or other business impacting event.

The Benefits of Outsourcing IT

With nearly every business we engage, we often find there are missing key components or applications. The return to the office requires a review of the current technology stack, because no single tool will provide a solution for end users. A comprehensive approach includes multiple tools and processes, from backup and disaster recovery, to endpoint protection and beyond.

Beyond the initial assessment, it’s suggested that additional third-party assessments are performed at least every 36 months in addition to internal security review meetings that should take place at least quarterly. This ensures the environment remains scalable, reliable, and secure. With constant cyber security threats and vulnerabilities, any issue that leaves the door open for a hacker or breach can cause problems.

Having conducted many assessments, it’s clear that outsourcing management of risk-mitigating platforms to an experienced team like Thrive can benefit your organization. We will identify any potential issues and create the necessary roadmap that can be used by board members, CIOs, CTOs, and other members of the IT team.

Whether it’s a short or long-term IT project, our experts will ensure all of your strategic objectives are met, addressing gaps and providing comprehensive solutions and consultative services based on your needs. Get in touch with Thrive to learn more about our IT consulting services!

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The Benefits of Multi-Factor Authentication for the Remote Workforce https://thrivenextgen.com/the-benefits-of-multi-factor-authentication-for-the-remote-workforce/ Thu, 07 Oct 2021 18:48:24 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=18602 In this day and age, it’s more important than ever to ensure employees can access company resources in a timely manner. Meanwhile, businesses have a duty to protect every access point. By implementing Multi-Factor Authentication,…

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In this day and age, it’s more important than ever to ensure employees can access company resources in a timely manner. Meanwhile, businesses have a duty to protect every access point. By implementing Multi-Factor Authentication, organizations can put an authentication solution in place that only provides access to those who can verify their credentials.

If your organization is not currently using MFA, it’s time to consider the benefits of going beyond just a username and password.

Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication

With more employees than ever before working from home, increasingly unique issues are presenting themselves to IT teams everywhere. More applications and devices are in use, and the visibility into potential threats isn’t always clear, particularly when the end user may be on an unsecured home network.

When MFA is in place, even if an attacker gains access to credentials, they are unable to go any further without verification. Outdated hardware and manual authentication leaves employees frustrated and confused. Implementing MFA is easy, because users typically already have access to the tools needed to secure the access point.

Entering a username and password for an application or certain resource was, at one time, good enough. Now, with users logging in from anywhere, MFA can add that needed layer of extra security. Often when utilizing MFA, the username and password must be joined by a security code sent to a phone or e-mail address, or perhaps a fingerprint or scan of facial features. By verifying the user before providing access, organizations don’t have to rely solely on passwords, which can be susceptible to phishing, social engineering, and other related attacks.

Adding on MFA helps to protect access points, be it a VPN, SaaS app such as Office 365 or Salesforce, or other important business resource. There are even different MFA methods that can be implemented across the organization.

MFA: Finding the Best Fit for Your Organization 

Multi-factor authentication provides flexibility for employees, whether in the office or working remotely.

With two-factor authentication (2FA), a password is combined with another step, such as a passcode or a fingerprint swipe. While 2FA is a great starting place for many organizations, it can be limited; it may not fill the needs of users in different locations while taking into account the various personal devices in use.

Contextual authentication is another form of MFA. It takes into account various factors such as IP address, time of day, location, and device. For IT teams, it provides a better idea of log-ins, when they occur, and why they occur, so stronger MFA requirements can be put in place when needed. This kind of authentication learns patterns over time, so when a suspicious log-in is detected, an employee must authenticate to gain access.

There’s even the possibility of password-free authentication. At least two factors of authentication are required, but no password is entered. For instance, a passcode and a fingerprint is required for log-in. It’s still MFA, but makes things easier for the end user; they don’t have to remember a password.

 

From applications to devices to workstations, enabling MFA allows you to secure any log-in from anywhere. Thrive will help design MFA solutions that work for your needs, so the entire organization benefits.

 

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Return to the Office Part 2: Is Your Security Strategy Up to Date? https://thrivenextgen.com/return-to-the-office-is-your-it-security-strategy-up-to-date-thrive/ Tue, 03 Aug 2021 16:00:57 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=18412 In Part Two of our series, we explore why IT teams must prepare for employees’ return to the office, and how to ensure they can continue to work safely from any location. Over the last…

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In Part Two of our series, we explore why IT teams must prepare for employees’ return to the office, and how to ensure they can continue to work safely from any location.

Over the last year, companies and employees have adjusted to a changing work landscape. As many transitioned from the office to a remote work setup, it presented challenges for organizations everywhere. Now, as more and more workers return to the office, IT teams must be prepared to take the steps to protect every employee and every device.

The pandemic moved workers from the corporate network to the great unknown of unsecured home networks, which presents issues for employees returning to the office. Is your IT team prepared for employees to return to the office in a full-time or hybrid role, while continuing to support the needs of those working remotely?

It’s important that IT security strategies evolve and change. The return to the office will be less rushed than the quick shift to remote work, but attention must be given to this latest pivot.

Preparing for the Return to the Office

Many employees have been away from their office for over a year. If their devices haven’t been properly maintained, it can lead to security concerns upon the return to the office. IT teams may have adjusted to allow employees to log in via Virtual Private Network (VPN), so work could be completed from just about anywhere.

As employees return to the office, every device on the corporate network must have the latest patches and updates. This includes not just the laptops that may have been in use during this time, but also the routers, printers, and other devices left behind in the office that were powered off for the last year. A health check can promote network security, and ensure the IT staff has the opportunity to certify every device and update it with the latest hardware, software, and antivirus protection.

Bad actors can sit around for weeks or even months, waiting for the opportunity to attack. Attackers understand where weaknesses exist, and seek to exploit them when most convenient. There’s no better time for malicious attackers to strike than the moment dozens of devices come back from unsecured home networks, ready to infiltrate the corporate network with malware. Thankfully, there are now next-gen solutions designed to prevent and mitigate attacks.

Building a Forward-Thinking Technology Infrastructure 

As organizations rushed to provide employees with the equipment needed to work from home, they may have had to make compromises in terms of security. Traditional antivirus software no longer provides the necessary protection against today’s sophisticated hackers.That’s why every organization should have Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) protection. NGAV is smarter than traditional antivirus tools, using machine learning and AI to detect even the smallest of changes to files and applications. When combining NGAV with endpoint detection and response (EDR), it’s easier to detect suspicious activity and mitigate an outside attack.

Legacy antivirus products slow endpoints down, and don’t provide the same protection as NGAV. Implementation of NGAV on the Cloud has no impact on endpoints, and there’s no need to procure additional software or hardware to protect devices.

The use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) has increased in the last year, too. Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of protection via a security question or combination of information only the user has the answer to. This makes it harder for hackers to infiltrate company networks to access sensitive data.

Now, more than ever, cyber liability insurers are looking into business continuity plans and organizations’ security resources. Some insurers may even deny coverage if best practices such as MFA, EDR, and NGAV aren’t in place. That’s why it’s important to ensure that your IT security strategy is prepared for employees’ return to the office, while also balancing the needs of those who will continue to work from home.


Thrive can build the cyber security solution that best fits your organization. If you’re preparing for a return to the office, get in touch with our team to ensure everyone in your organization can work safely and efficiently, no matter where they log on from.

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Return to the Office Part 1: How COVID-19 Has Transformed Cyber Security Forever https://thrivenextgen.com/how-covid-19-transformed-cyber-security-forever-thrive/ Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:00:33 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=18407 In Part One of our series, we explore how COVID-19 has changed cyber security, and what the long-term effects will be. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated business changes and how organizations operate on a daily basis.…

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In Part One of our series, we explore how COVID-19 has changed cyber security, and what the long-term effects will be.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated business changes and how organizations operate on a daily basis. It also led many organizations to review their technology infrastructure and cyber security practices, as employees transitioned to work-from-home, bring-your-own-device, and hybrid work set-ups.

In the cyber security world, an accelerated digital transformation certainly can be seen as a positive, but it must be done in a manner that protects the organization and all end users. In many ways, COVID-19 has transformed cyber security forever, as temporary actions now have become permanent strategies.

What exactly is the “new normal”, and what cyber risk and mitigation measures can a business take to protect themselves? Here are some of the ways COVID-19 has changed the way we think about cyber security.

Work From Home: Here to Stay

There’s a case to be made for an increase in Cloud-based cyber security services, due in part to the number of people working from home. Many will continue to work from home for years to come. According to a survey by Tessian, 47% of people working in the technology industry reported clicking on a phishing email at work. And, 43% of people reported making an error that had security repercussions.

Without the protection of firewalls in the office, many end users are seeing an increase in cyber attacks. If a home Wi-Fi network doesn’t have proper security protocols in place, this can also lead to security concerns. The increase in BYOD (bring-your-own-device) has led to new concerns, as well. As more employees use personal laptops, phones, and other devices to access sensitive corporate information and other important data, it can leave organizations at risk.

Hackers will continue to adapt and develop new malware to breach systems. Businesses must be prepared to support a global workforce regardless of where and what device the end user logs on from.

More Training: A Must

Going hand-in-hand with the move from the office to the living room, it’s clear that more training than ever is needed to protect end users and the organization as a whole. As has been said in recent years, human error is every organization’s biggest cyber security threat.

Pre-pandemic, employees may have provided access to files or information to those who should not have had access. Or, a USB drive may have “accidentally” come from the office to the home and back again, not properly protected, putting critical information at risk.

IT systems must continue to adapt to workplace changes as more people work from home. Single-sign on and multi-factor authentication can be solutions, but training should be a valued piece of the process, too. Providing training for employees on phishing attacks and breaches can help them better understand the current cyber landscape.

The Cloud: No Longer an Option, But a Necessity

Organizations tend to purchase security tools they believe are doing the job. However, these tools aren’t always talking to each other, which can actually hamper the implementation of a comprehensive business cyber security plan.

Adding new tools may end up having an undesired effect, which hackers understand and look to exploit. If gaps exist between tools and weaknesses are found, breaches can (and likely will) occur. Plus, if vendors make upgrades while organizations don’t follow, security issues may increase.

On-premise solutions served organizations well for years, but the Cloud is built on the promise of scalability and adaptability. The Cloud provides a level of security not found in on-premises solutions, and helps streamline software, so no tool is left behind.


Thrive is here to be your partner in cyber security. Contact us to learn more about our services today!

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RSA Conference 2021: Important Lessons from This Year’s Meeting https://thrivenextgen.com/rsa-conference-2021-important-lessons-from-this-years-meeting/ Fri, 02 Jul 2021 16:00:34 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=18484 The 2021 RSA Conference certainly looked a bit different this year, as top cybersecurity professionals gathered virtually for keynotes, interactive programs, seminars, and tutorials. Now that we have had the time to digest the information…

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The 2021 RSA Conference certainly looked a bit different this year, as top cybersecurity professionals gathered virtually for keynotes, interactive programs, seminars, and tutorials.

Now that we have had the time to digest the information from sessions on privacy, machine learning and AI, analytics, risk management, and governance, we thought it would be important to share some of the key takeaways from this year’s conference, how Thrive is working to implement new strategies, and what it all means for your organization moving forward.

Asset Management is Growing

IT asset management is essentially the process of ensuring that all business assets are properly accounted for, maintained, upgraded, and replaced in a timely fashion. IT assets may include hardware, software systems, and mobile assets. With the increase in Cloud usage in recent years, that also plays a role in asset management.

Within a single organization, there may be desktop computers, monitors, laptops, all different kinds of software, and even items like printers, scanners, and copiers. IT asset management is becoming more and more necessary, as companies must keep up with what needs to be protected. The proliferation of Cloud services and increase in work-from-home setups post-COVID only makes this more challenging.

Thrive offers asset management solutions that reduce costs, improve compliance, and provide increased control over IT assets.

Security Awareness Becomes Security Appreciation

Sentiment is growing that some security awareness training platforms aren’t executing on the value that was hoped for. The general consensus is that end users will need to appreciate the need for security, instead of simply being aware of it. So, how can an organization ensure that end users are up to date with the latest security trends?

Many security awareness solutions are going back to the drawing board to make training more personal and engaging. When employees care about the security of company data, the overall security posture within an organization increases greatly.

Social engineering, phishing attacks, and credential theft will impact businesses for years to come. Thrive’s Cyber Security Bundle offers training through simulated phishing attacks, along with interactive videos that engage the end user and help them gain a better understanding about security posture.

AI and Machine Learning as an Attack Vector

Preventing ransomware is top of mind for chief information security officers. As security teams leverage off-the-shelf AI and machine learning tools, many security experts believe attackers will fight fire with fire, and we may see AI systems compete against one another. Data poisoning attacks against the machine learning technology used in security software could put many organizations at risk.

AI and ML rely on data and algorithms produced over time, and it’s what makes this technology so useful in preventing ransomware attacks. However, if threat actors can gain access to software, they can manipulate the AI and ML in ways that make it difficult to detect and react to.

Thrive partners with IT teams to implement Cloud-based Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) solutions, with 24x7x365 monitoring that protects critical systems and data.

Ransomware Everywhere

In the next 24 months, it’s expected that smaller-scale ransomware attacks on IoT and mobile devices will increase. Imagine a phone is taken over, but for a small ransom, it can be unlocked. If attackers can find a backdoor into devices and demand smaller ransoms, these hackers can be successful. It is unfortunate, but with the success of ransomware in the enterprise, it’s likely to trickle down to consumers.


Of course, with many end users working from home, this can lead to interruptions to work, particularly if a smartphone or tablet becomes unavailable. Thrive tailors cybersecurity plans for organizations, and includes protection for employees who may be utilizing BYOD (bring your own device) as an option. Thrive is prepared to tackle the cybersecurity issues of the present and future. For more information about our NextGen Technology services, contact us today!

Related News: Thrive Wins Coveted Global InfoSec Awards

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Maximizing Your Microsoft Investment https://thrivenextgen.com/maximizing-your-microsoft-investment-thrive/ Wed, 07 Apr 2021 13:00:23 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=18039 Digital transformation is not a one-time project, and does not occur overnight. It’s a continuous process that changes as technology evolves and organizational needs develop. Thrive offers tailored solutions, with a focus on bringing end…

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Digital transformation is not a one-time project, and does not occur overnight. It’s a continuous process that changes as technology evolves and organizational needs develop.

Thrive offers tailored solutions, with a focus on bringing end users into the equation, to drive long-term success for organizations. Our Office 365 Center of Excellence (CoE) is a managed services solution that understands moving targets and changing goals. When utilized properly, clients discover Office 365 improves productivity and maximizes their investment.

Leveraging the Digital Tools at Your Fingertips

A business assessment is the first step to understanding how to best leverage the power of Office 365. Is a basic business license enough, or should a more advanced license be used? How many employees use the products, and are they in the office or remote? Everything should be taken into consideration during the assessment workshop, as we gather key stakeholders and show opportunities for improvement on the road to digital transformation.

When devising a governance plan, guidelines, policies, and processes should always align with the vision and business roadmap. However, this roadmap alignment is not always carved into stone, and changes will occur. Opportunities arise to revisit the roadmap, implement feedback from end users, and make feature additions or software changes as new technology is released or business needs evolve. Your governance plan should account for this evolution.

A defined strategy and governance plan sets the stage for a proper architecture to be put in place. This architecture includes which Office 365 tools will be in use, aligning the necessary applications with strategy and governance, and ensuring the proper design and delivery with customization and configuration.

At Thrive, we seek to create a long-term, consultative partnership with clients, working in a manner that allows for roadmap revisions and reorganization when needed, while delivering value at every stage.

Best-in-Class End User Support Training

Targeted training prepares end users and gives them the ability to fully utilize Office 365 products. While generic training videos may explain general ideas and concepts, they don’t always meet the end user where they currently are. Thrive assembles training on common threads of how tools work based on governance policies, with custom materials designed around specific needs.

Thrive also supports multiple ways to complete the training. In the past, in-person training was a popular option (which will hopefully return in the future), along with Microsoft 365 learning pathways, a customizable training experience with step-by-step learning modules. If governance policies require revisions to the solution, training can be adjusted as needed, helping end users understand the full scope of new offerings.

Over the years, we have seen the bloat that comes with adopting new tools and programs from various providers, requiring administrators and IT staff to be experts on several platforms. This can, of course, also mean extra licensing fees and require further coordination among all users to achieve a desired end result. Thankfully, Office 365 centralizes many offerings for the user and the IT staff. For instance, OneDrive’s interface is similar to SharePoint, enabling users to become accustomed to a platform more rapidly, and to share documents and information more easily.

The Office 365 platform will continue to develop and evolve as time goes on. We will assist with integrating enhancements and new platform features as they become available, keeping your organization on a trajectory that ensures your digital transformation has ongoing impact. For more information about maximizing your Microsoft investment, get in touch with the Thrive team today!

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How Thrive Ensures Client Success https://thrivenextgen.com/how-thrive-ensures-customer-success-thrive/ Mon, 05 Apr 2021 13:00:52 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=18002 A managed services provider should be both an innovator and an advisor, helping to set the stage for its clients’ business growth and success. Thrive’s best practices and proven engagement model ensure our clients’ IT…

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A managed services provider should be both an innovator and an advisor, helping to set the stage for its clients’ business growth and success. Thrive’s best practices and proven engagement model ensure our clients’ IT infrastructure is well-managed, secure, and highly performant. By consistently delivering the best possible customer service experience, the Thrive team has become trusted partners for our emerging, mid-market, and enterprise clients.

To ensure client success, Thrive brings together the people, processes, and platforms that businesses need to succeed, making us valuable partners for our clients up and down the East Coast.

Our Customer Account Management Model

Our Customer Account Management, or “pod” model, includes virtual CIOs, Principal Consultants (PCs), Client Engagement Managers (CEMs), and Account Executives (AEs). When clients call, they speak to a well-versed team member assigned specifically to the account. There’s no need to wait around for a response, as we provide managed services coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Industry-Specific Knowledge

We’re proud to assist organizations across the business spectrum, to strategically implement IT infrastructure that meets industry-specific demands.

We serve leaders in several sectors, including:

  • Financial services
  • Life sciences
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Retail
  • Legal

Most importantly, we track the latest government, security, and related regulations to ensure clients have comprehensive protection and a tailored cyber security plan.

The Thrive Platform

Powered by ServiceNow, the Thrive Platform is a comprehensive IT service management resource. Not only does this platform automate previously manual tasks, but it also informs decisions and educates an entire workforce. When logging in to the platform, clients can see the latest system news and status reports, access product sheets, and learn about the latest trends in IT through our blog posts.

The platform also includes a full training library, which helps align an entire organization’s IT and cybersecurity operations, limiting end user downtime and business disruption.

NextGen and Traditional IT Services

Thrive’s NextGen managed services accelerate any IT program, optimizing business performance and future-proofing digital infrastructure in the process. Managed Cloud, cyber security, and disaster recovery offerings bring clients into the 21st century and help them prepare for future growth.

Of course, our traditional IT services, which include hardware and software, server infrastructure, and office firewalls, also provide a level of customization for clients. With each service, we leverage the latest technology to deliver the most beneficial solution for each client’s needs.

Our Mission – Serving Clients Every Day

Over the years, we’ve built a corporate culture around client success, which drives us every day. We are constantly evaluating, building, and delivering the best IT solutions to our clients, and staying up to date with the latest trends in the marketplace.

The dedicated engineers and team members on our staff are committed to serving the needs of Thrive’s clients and have a passion for knowledge that informs their decision-making.

We strive to deliver an engaging and welcoming client experience every day. Get in touch with us to learn more about our services and see how we can transform your IT infrastructure.

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How to Maximize the Benefits a Hybrid Cloud Solution Offers https://thrivenextgen.com/how-to-maximize-the-benefits-of-a-hybrid-cloud-solution-thrive/ Tue, 02 Mar 2021 16:00:17 +0000 https://thrivenextgen.com/?p=17856 Want the best of both worlds when managing the cloud? A multi-cloud approach allows for the strategic use of services from different Cloud providers to optimize performance and cost when running different workloads on different…

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Want the best of both worlds when managing the cloud? A multi-cloud approach allows for the strategic use of services from different Cloud providers to optimize performance and cost when running different workloads on different platforms. Thrive recently launched Hybrid Cloud Director to provide clients visibility and management capabilities across the private ThriveCloud, public clouds like Azure and AWS, and on-premise virtual server deployments.

Why the Multi-Cloud Approach Works

We’ll use the example of a thriving e-commerce company to help illustrate the value of the Hybrid Cloud Director. This hypothetical organization wants its resources secured and available 24/7/365, with a need for performance certainty, knowing the resources contracted for are performing at the level required when traffic spikes or seasonal events occur.

These environments will typically be placed in private Clouds. However, if a development team writes new software code for a temporary e-commerce site that is not in the private Cloud, it may lead to the IT team managing workloads in different locations. Plus, it can be a challenge to move the development workload on Azure or AWS to a production workload on the private Cloud without a lot of heavy lifting.

Thrive’s Hybrid Cloud Director does the hard work, and provides visibility into the state of virtual machines, resource usage, and any potential resource conflicts across each Cloud service to ensure smooth performance for users. The platform can work with all of the different environments an organization may have deployed, be it in ThriveCloud, Azure, or AWS, and not only manage workloads, but seamlessly move them between services. It takes only a few clicks to move workloads between clouds, while the platform facilitates everything on the back end.

Cutting-Edge Self-Management Solutions

Thrive has the capability to fully manage multi-cloud deployments, but self-service and direct control of environments may be preferred in many instances. We’ve heard the feedback from those who want that instant access to perform tasks such as virtual machine creation. The old way? Calling a sales representative to create an order for a new virtual machine can take days just to complete the contract. The new way? Within minutes, that machine can be up and running by using the Hybrid Cloud Director.

It’s easier than ever to create new virtual machines, remove machines, or add resources. It’s also easy to log in to the Hybrid Cloud Director and add more storage to machines on the fly if needed, too.

There are Cloud-related challenges, and retaining control over resources and knowing where they’re stored is one of them. Through this single platform, however, clients have visibility and control over their ThriveCloud, Azure, and AWS servers. It’s sort of like the air traffic control platform for diverse cloud environments.

To learn about Thrive’s NextGen Services and what we can do for your organization, get in touch with us today.

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