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How does Progent support the Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) process model?
While managing information technology projects for large companies, Progent uses a structured technique based on defined milestones in order to achieve budgetary, scheduling, and technical targets while avoiding business disruption. Progent's methodology follows industry project management standards derived from the best practices described in the
Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) and includes requirements definition, design and architecture proposals, pilots, required adjustments, and expert integration. All phases are documented to provide a detailed description of IT services delivered and to assist in ongoing system support.
How does Progent document the support services provided to my business?
Progent's comprehensive IT support reporting system provides detailed documentation for all client support. Every Progent IT support professional has complete access to all the details of IT support performed by any staff member to every client. This history of problems and solutions, plus false alarms and wrong turns, is organized as an easily accessible and searchable in-house information repository that enables Progent's network consultants to share their knowledge company-wide so that the overall effectiveness of Progent's service grows over time.
What pricing structure does Progent use for support services?
Progent's simple hourly service model requires no complicated contracts, retainers or invisible charges. Many service organizations have minimum billing or other extra fees that drive up service costs. For off-site service from Progent, you are billed only for the documented time spent fixing your support issue. If it only requires fifteen minutes to correct your problem, then you are charged only for fifteen minutes. For scheduled on-site support work booked more than 24 hours in advance, you pay only for the time when a Progent consultant is present on-site repairing your problems. No extra on location charges or travel fees. Just our affordable per-hour rate. For emergency same-day in-person support calls, you may have to pay for our consultant's travel time, but never an increased emergency rate. Because Progent has a large pool of expert consultants situated throughout the entire San Francisco Bay Area service territory, an available expert is typically close by to help.
What are some examples of small businesses saving money by outsourcing IT support to Progent?
Progent has created a white paper that summarizes the advantages a small business can receive from outsourcing IT management and other information technology services. The white paper includes detailed examples of the ways Northern California companies took advantage of Progent's outsourcing services by enhancing the business value of their IT networks and saving expenses for network management. To read a conveniently formatted Adobe Acrobat version of this white paper and find out ways outsourcing can lower costs and enhance productivity, click:
Small Business IT Outsourcing White Paper
(140 Kb PDF file).
Does Progent offer security consulting for UNIX environments?
If you have a mixed-platform system that supports UNIX/Linux and Microsoft servers and workstations, Progent can
enhance network security by offering a CISSP or CISM-certified expert to assist your entire organization in a broad array of security categories such as security management practices, security structure and paradigms, access permission solutions and processes, and business continuity strategy.
Who founded Progent?
Progent's founder and head of engineering, Les Kent, was the architect for a Windows network application that earned
Microsoft's “Best Application of the Year Award.” Mr. Kent is a 25-year computer industry veteran
and has been responsible for the creation and deployment of hundreds of innovative business solutions using Microsoft and Cisco technologies.
Mr. Kent founded Progent in order to meet the needs of small companies who can't justify the burden of supporting and managing a
large IT group but who still require reliable, secure, responsive information networks.
Why should a small business outsource IT support?
Whether it involves planning network infrastructure, establishing or outsourcing a Help Desk, deploying an updated email system, or creating an on-line eCommerce system,
outsourcing your system technical services can contain costs and minimize uncertainties, enabling network support expenses to expand in a more linear and gradual way than is possible by building up a big, all-purpose in-house IT organization.
Can Progent help maintain and improve my development environment for Linux applications?
Progent's Linux developer network support services give your Linux engineers access to experienced IT professionals to build and manage your IT network without the expense and distraction of keeping a large internal administrative and support staff. Progent's network support allows Linux developers to concentrate their strategic skill on vital business concerns while still enjoying the rewards of high-quality network service. Progent has produced a Small Business IT Outsourcing White Paper that details how outsourcing can save you money and enhance productivity.
Does Progent support Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) software?
Progent has extensive background both delivering
Microsoft
Operations Manager (MOM) consulting services and using this powerful server monitoring solution.
Progent offers Bay Area small and medium-size companies two basic outsourcing support programs based on Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM):
To download a single-page printable fact sheet about Progent's two outsourcing support packages for midsize businesses, click:
Network Monitoring Packages 69 Kb PDF file).
Does Progent offer help with specific Apple Mac applications?
Progent's Mac consultants can nurture the creative aspect of Mac networks by providing consulting services and training in graphics, sound, and multi-media. Progent's consultants offer education in a range of Mac software programs including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, QuarkXPress, Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects, Apple Motion, Apple Logic, MOTU Digital Performer, and Digidesign Pro Tools. Progent can also assist you with complex projects such as image capture or digitizing audio or video or setting up an commercial grade post-production facility.
Can Progent help me with Microsoft Customer Relations Management (CRM) software?
Progent offers in-depth Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) support and uses this powerful productivity solution as a core line-of-business application. Microsoft CRM helps mid-size organizations develop profitable customer relationships by offering built-in Sales and Service modules that allow employees to share information to help improve sales success and achieve consistent, responsive customer service.
Can Progent help my business customize applications based on Microsoft Great Plains software?
The open design of Microsoft Dynamics GP makes it affordable to createcustom Microsoft Dynamics GP applications that offer all of the basic functionality of proven Microsoft Dynamics GP solutions but also meet the specialized needs of your organization. With use of the Modifier with Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, software engineers are able to design with the most widely used customization environment in the IT world to adapt Microsoft Dynamics GP data views, add or modify business logic, produce custom forms and reports, or extend integration with Microsoft Office applications. Progent's experience with Microsoft .NET programming, SQL applications, and programming background with VBasic, XML and other developer environments make it possible to tailor custom line-of-business programs and eCommerce solutions that integrate seamlessly with Great Plains.
What are the advantages to my business of Progent's network monitoring outsourcing?
Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) improves the availability of business-critical applications by proactively detecting and helping to fix trouble spots before they can bring down a network. MOM can improve network performance by checking predefined performance levels and usage profiles on key servers, enabling network managers to be more proactive in integrating performance-related resources and to clean up problem areas before they bring about severe system bottlenecks. However, setting up Microsoft Operations Manager to take full advantage of this state-of-the-art monitoring solution can be tricky. With more four years of experience with the NetIQ software upon which MOM is derived, Progent's consulting staff can help you pick appropriate MOM features, deploy and configure MOM, and write specialized rules, scripts, reports and alerts for your enterprise. Progent can also document MOM's server monitoring rules and procedures for your IT organization.
How can Progent help improve the fault tolerance of my network?
Progent's fault-tolerant IT support professionals can help you create a sensible, fault-tolerant network that addresses critical areas involving a broad range of system infrastructure technologies and processes including fault tolerant Internet connections, server clustering, network load balancing, Data Center strategies, interoffice communication, and business continuity planning.
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If your small business is in Marin County
and you are in need of computer support, IT outsourcing, or high-level expertise from a Microsoft or Cisco certified consultant:
Call 415-526-1400 or send email to information@progent.com
