iValley's Premium Managed Services offering provides your company with remote management of PCs and Servers, full 24x7 monitoring of critical services, monitoring of ant-ivirus / anti-malware / anti-spyware, automated tasks to keep your systems in top condition, system inventory, and quarterly reports on system health to help plan for future upgrades and expansion.

iValley's Premium Managed Services include:

Monitored Antivirus/Antispyware - This feature includes an antivirus platform, which is constantly monitored by the Network Operations Center (further abbreviated as NOC). If a PC becomes infected, the NOC will be able to notify iValley via an automated alert, allowing us to respond quickly and keep the infection from spreading. Antivirus definitions are also monitored and alerts are sent when workstations are not receiving updated virus definitions, which can be caused by other computer problems. We can then quickly resolve the issue. If antivirus definitions become long out of date, this increases the possibility of the system becoming infected with a new virus. Many times, these issues can be resolved without the necessity to disturb the user, or interrupt the company's work schedule.

Periodic cleaning of temporary Windows and Internet files - As the operating system, applications, and Internet Explorer are used, the system will save temporary files to the hard drive for faster access later. Many times, this data is never accessed again, but the temporary files remain on the hard drive, using storage space and causing file fragmentation (more on this later). As the file system becomes filled with these unnecessary files, the system begins to slow down. By periodically removing these files, Windows can continue to operate at peak efficiency.

Periodic file system defragmentation - As files are written and deleted from the hard disk, file fragmentation occurs. When a file is written to a disk, the operating system will find the first empty space on the drive to write the file. If the file is larger than the empty space, then after the space is filled, the next empty space is used, and so on. For instance, if you have 4 files (File A, File B, File C, File D), written to the disk and each is 5 kilobytes in size, you will have 20 kilobytes of contiguous data written to the disk. Now, assume File C is deleted. You now have 10 kilobytes of contiguous space with File A and File B, then 5 kilobytes of empty space, and finally 5 kilobytes of used space with File D. Next, you create a new file 10 kilobytes in size. The operating system will use the 5 kilobytes of free space made available by deleting File C to write the first 5 kilobytes of the next file. The rest of the file will be written in the free space after file D. Over time, this causes many files to become fragmented. So, what's wrong with fragmentation? As the fragmented files are read, the hard drive head has to bounce from location to location on the hard drive to read the entire file. This causes delays in reading the file, thereby causing the system to run slower and slower the more files are fragmented. The process of defragmentation takes all the little pieces of the files and restructures them so they are contiguous on the disk, allowing read operations to occur faster.

Verification and automation of Windows security updates - Microsoft releases new Windows updates and security patches every 2nd Thursday of each month. Many of these updates plug up security holes, which viruses and malware use to infect a system. By keeping the system current with Windows updates, it reduces the chance for the PC to become infected by new viruses which the antivirus definition is not yet available and attempting to take advantage of these security holes. This is also a catch 22. Microsoft has released security patches, which cause other programs to crash, or even the operating system to crash. There have been a few updates which Microsoft removed from the update site because they not only crashed the operating system, but made it impossible to boot up. The only fix was to reinstall the operating system from scratch, causing a loss of all data. With verification and automation all the Windows updates are first sent to our lab, where engineers install and test the patch for compatibility and functionality. The patch is then given 1 of 3 ratings. If the patch is found to have no issues after testing, it is white-listed and released to the desktops or servers for installation. If the patch is known to cause problems in very specific circumstances, the patch is grey-listed. All grey-listed patches can be installed at the administrator's discretion. Any patch that proves to be very problematic is black-listed, which means it is blocked from installation to any server or desktop.

Remote access to any PC at any time for administrative assistance - This allows the administrator to access a back end console on each machine. This console shows current CPU and memory usage, hard drive space, error logs, and what processes and services are running. If a user has a problem and needs assistance, many times the issue can be resolved with the back end console without the need to disrupt the user. For instance, if a user cannot print, the problem may be that the print service has stopped. With the back end console, we can restart the print service and the user will not have to stop working. The remote access from anywhere also allows us to take remote control of the keyboard and mouse of the PC to assist or walk someone through a problem quickly. The user would not have to wait for an engineer to arrive on site to troubleshoot a problem. This saves time and money, not only by providing quick problem troubleshooting, but also this allows iValley to bill at 15 minute increments, instead of a 1 hour minimum charge for an on-site visit.

Quarterly health reports - These quarterly reports show trends of disk, cpu, and memory usage. It also shows how many temporary files are deleted, and how many infections have been cleaned from systems. These statistics help plan for upgrades, or can reveal systems that are used contrary to company policy (extensive web browsing during company time). The trend analysis allows the company to take a proactive approach to planning for I.T. expenditures, rather than the more costly reactive approach where funds were not set aside for a system that shows signs of failure. * PC inventory - Each monitored system is cataloged with how much memory is installed, type of motherboard, CPU speed, and other data which can assist with planning for future upgrades. The question of "Will my PC run Windows 2015 (when available)?" Could be answered by looking at the inventory page on the administrative console for a quick answer.

 

The network consists of computers and devices which are interconnected to facilitate communication. Networks are the vehicle to allow devices to interact and exchange information.

Network support encompasses the services and devices required for this interaction. Types of networks include Wide Area Networks (WAN), which cover physically separate locations, Local Area Networks (LAN), which cover networks within the same physical location, and Wireless Area Networks (WLAN), wich covers areas of varying size, but wirelessly.

Networks, just like servers and workstations, require maintenance and monitoring to extend their lifespan and allow systems to work together efficiently.

iValley Technology Partners network support offering covers all, and is not limited to:

Routers
Switches
Hubs
Cabling (CAT-5, COAX, Fiber, etc.)
Wireless Access Points
Repeaters

The desktop PC is the workhorse of your environment. Just like a car, the PC must be regularly maintained in order to perform at peak efficiency. New applications may also require more resources, requiring upgrades to RAM, hard drive space, video cards or even CPU speed.

iValley can handle all your desktop support needs, from questions about applications to hardware upgrades. We support Windows, Macintosh, and Linux.

We have support programs for small companies with 1 to 50 computers and larger companies with hundreds of PCs. We can be your complete I.T. solution, or work in conjunction with your in-house I.T.

Common desktop support calls include:

PC freezes
PC will not boot
System infections
Cannot print
Programs wil not open
Error messages

 

The travelling user needs to be connected to the main office as much as possible for effective communication. This not only includes connectivity for laptops, but also smart phones and PDAs. Many devices allow the user to retrieve email from a POP or IMAP account, or even in real time using push technology.

Whether you use Blackberry Enterprise Server, or Microsoft Exchange with Activesync, iValley will keep you connected.

Common mobile devices include:

Blackberry
Palm O/S devices, like the Treo
Windows Mobile deivces, like Palm Treo "W" series or AT&T Tilt.
Apple iPhone

 

Is your server old and outdated? Are you planning on upgrading to a new version of software? Do you have a new business in need of a computer and network infrastructure?

Our experts will design a network system to meet your needs and your company budget. Whether you need a multiple server solution, or one server to handle everything, we will design the system which best fits your needs, as well as providing a system that can handle growth and expansion.

Before spending hundreds of dollars on a new application, just to find out your current computer systems won't support it or allow it to run efficiently, have our experts perform an evaluation. We can speak on your behalf to your software vendors to insure a smooth implementation.

Whether you are in need of a high end workstation or server, or if you just need a simple PC, we will handle the entire process from gathering the specs, ordering and installing the system.

We have partnered with Dell to provide industry proven hardware at reasonable cost, with exceptional warranties.

We also provide custom-built PCs,and servers, utilizing industry standard hardware. Unlike many "big name" systems, we will not use 3rd party hardware from unknown manufacturers to lower our cost. Instead, we build systems to last by incorporating hardware from manufacturers like Intel, ASUS, and NVidia who have been in the industry for years. The reason for using this hardware is to ensure the hardware will be supported on future upgrades and replacement for failed parts will be more readily available.

All systems we provide are verified to function with the leading operating systems and tested for compatibility.

Out team is constantly researching new hardware to make sure your next system order will perform exactly as you expect, now and for years to come.

 

Security covers many different aspects of your computer systems and networks. It ranges from securing your files from unauthorized access to securing your computers and networks from viruses, malware and hackers. By utilizing proper access protocols and equipment, protecting your network from outside intruders can be done easily and without high costs. Internal threats are just as important and dangerous as external threats. Your company can be held legally responsible for any illegal activities performed by your employees on your network. One of the largest infractions is peer to peer file sharing, where users on your network allow external internet users to use your computers and network resources to illegaly share music, games, and other retail applications.

We will design a security system to fit your company's needs and budget. We have partnerships with industry leaders to provide security appliances and applications to protect your network from outside threats, as well as internal threats. Our solutions allow us to block virus and malware infections from infecting your internal network, which cause downtime and repair costs to your company. With our web filtering platforms we can even block your internal users from intentionally or unintentionally accessing web sites that can cause damage to the operating system.

Wireless security is a subject widely overlooked by many small and medium-sized businesses. Did you know that with the proper tools a hacker can break into a WEP encrypted wireless network in under 15 minutes? Information like this is vital to network security. Just a few years ago WEP security was considered strong and unbreakable. Our experts constantly watch for new information vital to your company's security and keep your company informed on upcoming technologies.

Security covers, but is not limited to:

Firewalls
Web Filters
Antivirus
Antimalware (antispyware)
File security
VPN (Virtual Private Networks)
Wireless access
Remote access

 

Computer systems and other network devices are similar to your vehicle with respect to proper maintenance. Would you run your car without oil? Not for long. To make sure your car is getting the best gas mileage and performance, it must be regularly inspected and maintained. This rule also applies to computer systems.

Over time, computer systems tend to slow down without proper maintenance. This is caused by creation of temporary files, which do not get deleted, random internet applications, which become loaded automatically from visiting a web site (malware), and disk fragmentation.

Regular PC maintanance includes running processes to remove items which can slow down your systems, defragment the hard drive, and install patches to the operating system, whch resolve stability and security issues.

By performing regular maintenance on servers, PCs and other network equipment, your systems can continue to function at peak efficiency.

Proper maintenance includes, but is not limited to:

Temporary file deletion
Hard drive defragmentation
Regular scans for virus and malware infections
Operating system and other software updates

 

Web sites are a great way to offer a point of information for your company. A web site that is properly designed and is constantly updated with new content will spark the interest of your current and prospective clients. This keeps the user on the site for longer periods of time, creating a captive audience for your company's services.

iValley has partnered with top hosting companies to provide web site hosting on redundant, reliable servers with direct high-speed connections to the internet backbone. These hosts maintain 99.9% uptime, allowing your web site to be easily and quickly accessed at any time.

We can handle web sites of any size or design. Let our team handle everything from domain name registration to setup and maintenance of your web site.

Have no need for a web site at this time, but still want email access with your own domain name?

We will handle your domain registration and email configuration through your own local email server, or even a hosted solution.