What is Digital Watchtower?
Digital Watchtower is LANsultants' automated network monitoring program.
What does it do?
Digital Watchtower sends alerts for system outages and device failures, of course, but it also monitors critical system parameters and facilitates the scheduling of proactive maintenance to insure action is taken before problems arise. This combines the best of the "break and fix" and preventive maintenance support models. Though only-as-needed service can make break and fix appear less expensive, lack of monitoring can lead to excessive downtime when problems occur. Preventive maintenance programs suffer from an excess of unneeded check-ups and oversight time. Digital Watchtower allows us to combine the best attributes of both programs, maximizing system uptime and performance while minimizing costs.
What is monitored?
Currently, LANsultants monitors server performance, free disk space, RAID array status, backup status, virus definition updates, Microsoft patch level, Internet connectivity, power event logs, workstation performance, and Microsoft Exchange operations.
What technology is used?
LANsultants uses Managed Workplace from Level Platforms, "the world leader in remote monitoring and management software with over 3,000 IT solution providers in 30 countries choosing Managed Workplace to deliver managed services to their small and mid-sized professional services and business customers." Before selecting Level Platforms, we experimented with several other products and found that Level Platforms provides the best overall solution.
What does it cost?
For five (5) to nine (9) PCs and one server, the cost is $100 per month. For 10 to 49 PCs and one to two servers, the cost is $200 per month. For 50 to 99 PCs and two to four servers, the cost is $300 per month. Custom pricing is available for special needs.
Does it work with all computer systems?
Digital Watchtower is intended for the Microsoft 2000, 2003 and 2008 server environment. Peer-to-peer networks, Novell NetWare, and Linux/Nitix are not currently supported.
