Regardless of what new technology may appear over the horizon tomorrow, successful Managed Service Providers (MSPs) operate under the basic tenet of, “you can’t manage what you can’t see”. However, at the scale of that MSPs operate, the automated documentation of endpoints & network devices becomes paramount. Having accurate and trustworthy inventory metrics is no longer optional but critical for efficient operations and high-quality service delivery.
Inventory Management: The Heart of MSP Operations
Inventory management is the cornerstone of MSP operations. It’s a broad term encompassing the effective organization and control of hardware, software, licenses, and other assets. Sound inventory management is vital to ensuring optimal security coverage, reducing downtime, improving service delivery, and ultimately, enhancing customer satisfaction.
But what happens more often than not is that the businesses MSPs manage don’t stand still. They continually add and replace devices, users, and licenses, which makes manual accounting nearly impossible to maintain. In such scenarios, MSPs can face many challenges, including under or over billing, margin erosion, and in turn, can lead to overall customer dissatisfaction, lost productivity, and financial loss.
The Liongard Advantage
Addressing the continual changes and shifts of inventory through automated documentation is what Liongard was built to do. The platform provides MSPs with unparalleled visibility and accounting of their endpoints, installed software, user accounts, and network devices.
Liongard goes beyond the capabilities of a typical RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) system by providing deep configuration and performance data over time. Unlike RMMs, which only provide current point-in-time data, Liongard keeps a historical record, providing a complete picture that is indispensable for tracking trends and ensuring accurate deployment of downstream investments like MDR (Managed Detection and Response) agents.
Liongard exponential increases the productivity of techs by automating documentation changes, reducing human error, and freeing up time for more critical tasks. This is especially crucial to an MSP’s customer’s level of satisfaction and trust. Moreover, with Liongard, MSPs can accurately reconcile assets and users under management, ensuring fair and accurate billing.
Among the many capabilities that Liongard enables include:
- Creating an inventory to audit the count of devices under management, including make, model, and serial number.
- Performing rapid onboarding to audit and assess new customers.
- Conducting an audit with Active Directory and Azure AD Inspectors across all endpoints on one report.
- Capturing details like processor, memory, and age (warranty expirations) with Dell, Lenovo, Windows Server, and Workstation Inspectors.
- Tracking the history and configuration changes for an endpoint over time.
Real World Effects
An MSP could neglect to keep an up-to-date inventory of all active devices under its management. This oversight might lead to unmanaged, unprotected devices being left connected to a client’s network, which could serve as an entry point for cybercriminals. A subsequent security breach could result in substantial financial and reputational damage for both the client and the MSP.
Key Metrics That Matter
With Liongard, you can monitor key metrics for various devices:
For Windows Workstations:
- Make, Model, Serial Number
- Processor
- RAM capacity
- Drives Free Space Percent
- Days Until Machine Warranty Expiration
- Connected Peripherals
For Windows Server:
- Processor
- Total Memory
- Hard Drive Summary
For Active Directory:
- Computers List
In conclusion, Liongard is not just a tool; it’s a comprehensive solution that brings unparalleled efficiency to inventory management with automated change detection and documentation. Its value proposition lies in its ability to provide deep system of record, continuously captured over time to facilitate audits and assessments. With Liongard, MSPs can significantly enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction, setting them apart.
Find out how Liongard’s Configuration Change Detection & Response Platform can help keep your MSP ahead of the curve. Click here for more information.