Another thing a managed service gives you over automatic updates is somewhere to turn if you have a problem. The ISP has a technical support staff available to you to help you figure out the source of the problem and resolve it quickly, almost always at no cost. Often they can do this by taking over your computer remotely (with your permission) and handling everything for you.

Anti-virus and anti-spyware software vendors charge you for tech support and after an initial period so does Microsoft. In addition, you have to figure that if you’re having a problem with an automatic update, so are thousands or even millions of other users. You may spend a lot of time on hold listening to the software company’s definition of inoffensive music, interspersed with dozens of messages assuring you how important your business is to that company. When you finally do reach someone, you have to walk through various changes and answer technical questions until a solution is found. You hope. Otherwise, it’s pack up the PC and take it to your local big box retailer with a tech support group.

Finally, even when everything goes right enabling automatic updates does nothing to help clean up your hard drive or improve general performance. The longer you use a PC, the more fragmented the data on it becomes. And the more old files collect in the recycle bin until you get around to cleaning it out.

An ISP managed service will get rid of old files, defrag your hard drive, and generally keep things running smooth. Depending on how long it’s been since your last hard drive maintenance was performed, the improvement in performance can be anywhere from good to “wow.”

The Cost of Vigilance

While the part of you that dislikes being a computer mechanic is thinking this sounds great, the business side by now is no doubt asking “Yeah, but how much?” After all, the local oil change place is convenient, but it’s a lot more expensive than draining the oil pan and putting in five quarts of 10W30 yourself.

In this case, though, the news is good. Many ISPs are starting to offer these services as part of their overall package, which means there is no additional cost. After all, it’s in their best interest to keep your PC running smoothly as well. Even when there is a charge, often it’s the same or less than what a yearly subscription to anti-virus or anti-spyware software costs. Only you get all the other services, and don’t have to do anything to keep them updated.

Whether it’s in the car or on our computers, for most of us maintenance is more of an afterthought than a part of our daily lives. Yet while the price we pay for ignoring the oil light can be a few hundred dollars, the cost of ignoring PC maintenance is far more.
Using an ISP-based managed service helps you save time, reduce expenses, and (most importantly) continue to do the things your customers want you to be doing. And you’ll never even have to get your hands dirty.

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