So how do we get this Monitoring happening?

These are the general steps by Brewstercat Technology Consulting to get you up and running: 

Firstly we can discuss the option of hosting the Monitoring Application in your own IT environment, or in the Vendor's Cloud.

If we go with an On-Premise model, I can provide you with the recommended specifications and assist you to procure the hardware for the Core Monitoring Server, as an independent Physical server is best for this purpose.

The server will need a Microsoft Windows Server license.

A separate Probe server is very helpful at each Branch Site office you have, so again we can assist with hardware choices, although this functionality can easily be run on a Virtual Machine, say in VMware for example.

To ensure a thorough, dependable and reliable implementation. we recommend a Server with a decent amount of CPU and Memory, Dual Network Interface cards, Remote Management (eg iLo, vPro, IDRAC etc), and a UPS for backup power.

I can then assist you with procuring a Monitoring Application License from the Vendor. 

Only one license is required that covers both the Core and any Probe servers.

If we use PRTG on premise, the software license is free for up to 100 Sensors (about 10 devices).  

For over 100 sensors, the first 30 days of licensing is free, including unlimited Sensors, after which you will need to purchase a one off Perpetual license which includes 12 months Vendor Support and Maintenance, then in the 2nd and subsequent years you just pay an annual Support and Maintenance fee.

(Note if you decide on a Vendor Hosted service, only the first 10 days are free before requiring a License, which can then be paid Monthly or Annually)

The License pricing is based on a package of Sensors based on the size of your IT environment (various set levels available).

We will then Install and configure a base implementation of the Core Monitoring Application (usually PRTG) on a Windows server in the Primary location (eg Head office)

Once the primary Application is up and running, we can then deploy a Probe Server instance in each Remote Site Office as required (which feeds back local site data to the primary Core Server)

The initial implementation generally takes up to 10 days (including documentation and settling in & Hyper Care) for a small business, to be mutually scoped as a Time and Materials engagement with Brewstercat Technology Consulting.

The implementation generally includes:

• Monitoring Application installation

• An online Discovery to search and collect data on all online IT devices within each location / IP Subnet

• A comparison of Discovery results to any customer provided Asset list, and add any extra devices as agreed

• Setup and configure a range of primary sensors for each device, service, or application etc (within the agreed time engagement)

• Configure Email/SMS  for alerting

• Create Notifications

• Create a basic standard Dashboard

• Setup a nightly Backup of the configuration and data

• Provide an As-Built document

•  Provide a Status Report of initial findings and concerns

• Hand over support to your in-house IT staff or MSP (unless engaging Brewstercat Technology Consulting going forwards)

• None that any Hardware/Operating system configuration required by us will need a separate quote of Time & Materials hours.

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Ongoing Support beyond the initial engagement would be as per a separate paid agreement based on some form of the below:

• Manage, maintain and develop the Monitoring instance on an ongoing basis, be it adhoc, part time or full time

• Inform you of major issues, alerts and alarms from within your IT environment during business hours

• Inform you of major issues, alerts and alarms from within your IT environment on an After-hours basis

• Conduct 1st and/or 2nd level troubleshooting support

• Note - No changes will be made on customer IT equipment without prior Management or CAB authorisation, including reboots

• Provide ongoing Technology advice and consulting