Integrated Business Systems (IBS)
81 Two Bridges Road
Fairfield, NJ 07004
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Release Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Media Contact: Christine Ziomek (201) 796-7788
IBS on Internet and Email Monitoring: Pros, Cons And Options
The Best Solutions Address Specific Needs; Employee Communication is Key
FAIRFIELD, N.J., March 10, 2010 - With growing frequency, businesses looking to maximize employee productivity are considering the pros, cons and options for Internet and email monitoring, according to the Integrated Business Systems (IBS) Network Services team. IBS provides full consulting, installation and support for computer and networking technologies; as a reseller offering monitoring products, the company is well versed on this topic.
"At its core, Internet monitoring helps to prevent abuse of a company's resources - in terms of both Internet bandwidth and employee time," explained Matt Weber, manager of Network Services. "Products that enable web filtering, i.e. that limit which websites employees can access, also can help block viruses from getting onto the company network. They serve as a first line of defense, even before antivirus software."
At the same time, Weber notes that steps to limit access can be perceived negatively. "Employees may well view the monitoring as mistrust by management," he noted. "For that reason, it is vitally important to communicate thoroughly about the policy in place. All employees should have access to a written document that outlines it clearly."
Weber adds that most monitoring products are only as restrictive as the settings selected. "Smaller companies may not be as concerned about employees being on the Internet, so maybe they just want to filter out social media sites," he said. "Larger companies may want to block IM programs."
Companies have options to maintain monitoring operations onsite or to go with a hosted solution. Onsite monitoring requires an initial capital outlay to purchase hardware and software, and ongoing allocation of employee resources to oversee it. At the same time, it provides the best control over the process, especially for organizations with remote sites.
Hosted solutions are more economical because they do not require onsite equipment or resources, yet close monitoring is more difficult for companies with multiple locations. "Many IBS clients opt for hosted mail security, which can be bundled with web security that monitors and filters Internet access," Weber said.
Monitoring should address a company's specific needs. "With so many variables and new products coming online, engineering the right solution is critical," Weber added. "Partnering with a knowledgeable network services provider who can help plan, configure and implement a monitoring solution can be highly beneficial while navigating this complex, evolving IT option."
Founded in 1979, IBS is nationally recognized as a leader in property management and accounting system software. Its Network Services department officially was established in 1999 as an outgrowth of services offered to the firm's residential and commercial real estate clients. Today, the team continues to serve IBS system users but also enjoys a diversified client base that reaches beyond commercial real estate to include attorneys; CPAs; HVAC contractors; coffee and paper suppliers; and companies in a range of industries from warehousing, vending and fragrances, to furniture, wallpaper and interior landscaping.
IBS Network Services embraces the newest and most powerful technologies to ensure reliable network infrastructures, from individual workstations to enterprise-class communication systems. This includes Microsoft Windows Servers, PC operating systems and associated applications such as Exchange and SQL. IBS has a long history of conducting business with large, national hardware and software distributors such as HP, Dell, 3Com, APC, Symantec, Cisco, WebSense and many more.
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