If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re using some sort of computer—be it a desktop PC, laptop, Mac, or otherwise (if you’re on some sort of fancy crystal space tablet thing then, well, good for you because that sounds pretty cool).
It’s an undeniable fact that nowadays we are all incredibly dependent upon our workstations in our day-to-day operations, and therefore we are incredibly (and legitimately) paranoid about contracting a virus, malware, or any other bug that will interrupt our workflow and cost us precious time. That being the case, we at Optimal often hear questions from clients about what it will take to place a protective blanket over all of an organization’s machines.
Since a “management” service (as opposed to “monitoring”) generally consists of several independent but centralized services, you’ll see variations in features and pricing that we’ll walk you through below.
What is Workstation Management?
Workstation management pulls together all of the services necessary to keeping your machines in good working order in one centralized console. These services typically include the following:
- Anti-virus
- Anti-spyware
- Anti-spam
- Operating system patch application
- Software deployment capabilities
- Inventory and asset management
- Activity reports.
In many cases, this service comes equipped with remote access software that offers two benefits:
1. It allows users to access their machines from outside of their office.
2. It allows outsourced IT provider to access the machine to see and troubleshoot issues that arise.
Providers also tend to bundle remote helpdesk services with their workstation management solution, though you’ll come across some (like us) who prefer to keep these two offerings separate.
Typical Workstation Management Price Ranges
There are both direct and indirect costs associated with workstation management services.
On average, you’ll likely pay between $50 and $100 per workstation per month for the service itself. The more expensive options are the ones that come equipped with the highest-level features, such as remote access software and 24/7 helpdesk support.
Once you get past the monthly charges, you’re also looking at an investment of engineering time to implement the solution (sometimes billed hourly, sometimes billed at a fixed rate), and an investment of your company’s time to train your staff on how to best use the services.
As always, make sure you dig into what exactly it is you’ll get out of your workstation management service before signing on the dotted line—not all solutions are created equal.