Even Monks who provide IT support for their brothers in the Abbey face similar issues to those providing computer support outside the brotherhood!
Looking for IT Support Services
Couple of months ago I came across a fantastic blog called The IT Manager Journal aimed at IT managers, support staff, users etc by Jason Slater. One of the things that makes Jason’s blog different from similar sites is his cartoon sketches of Monks facing typical IT issues. So I thought I’d have a bit of fun and use some of Jason’s cartoons to explain some common concerns that a computer support company or person may face when looking after business IT systems. More cartoons can be found at Monk and his IT junk.
Old Server
You know the one, on its last legs, you can’t remember how you fixed it last time and what’s more the budget is run dry.
Software updates
You know you need to do them, but sometimes they become more hassle than they are worth.
Site Visits
9 out of 10 problems can be fixed remotely, just that remaining problem needs a site visit.
Leave the computer alone!
You inform the user that you will be taking control of the desktop, they agree, you connect and they still insist on using the PC! Best still you ask them to leave the computer switched on after they leave at night so you don’t inconvenience them and they turn it off.
Always on call
You can document your IT systems to make Wikipedia look small and train your co-workers to the hills, but sometimes only you can fix the problem
It just stopped working
Okay users if you break something, switched it off by mistake just admit. They can fix the problem alot quicker!
IT Consultants
You can’t do everything yourself, you just hope the third party IT consultants know what they are doing.
IT Staff
Following on from that, your internal staff capabilities. It only takes one bad apple to let the whole system coming crashing down.
The Server Room
The heart and soul of your IT department is the server room. Which is either running out of space, too hot, air conditioning is leaking, swipe card door is broken, wire jungle or more than likely all of these things.
Passwords
You know the story, Top 10 Most Common Passwords In The UK
Kept out of the loop
Maybe your company is opening a new office or relocation your IT department, higher level management don’t think it would be wise to seek your advice on what makes a good location for your server room!
Keeping up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with latest hardware and getting rid off the old stuff.
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Great article!
Your observations have given me a few more ideas for cartoons.
Jas.
theitmanagersjournal.blogspot.com
Comment by Jason Slater — August 29, 2007 @ 9:33 am
Jason
I’m please you like it. Have you thought about selling the cartoons as Xmas cards for businesses (IT ones!) to give to their clients?
Looking forward to more cartoons.
Jamie
Comment by Jamie — August 29, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
That sounds like a great idea
I can just imagine Monk and Norris in a snow-ball fight.
I am experimenting with a 2008 Calendar at the moment. I have two ideas, either all 12 months on one page or the CD holder kind of calendar.
One point that I thought would be a good addition to your list would be Maintenance Cover - especially on those difficult to fix components like Laser Printers, and Servers.
Jas.
Comment by Jason Slater — August 29, 2007 @ 3:23 pm