I'm currently a lead ICT engineer, but I'm facing challenges due to limited resources in my company. I have one other IT engineer on my team, and we're managing about 1000 users across several clients. Unfortunately, we don't have proper MSP tools such as remote access, endpoint management, or patch management systems—just relying on Office 365 and Intune. I've even tried to get funding for an asset inventory system but have been unsuccessful. Has anyone else dealt with a situation like this? Any advice?
7 Answers
Have you considered using free or open-source tools? They might require a bit more setup, but they're worth exploring. It's hard to believe your management isn't investing in tools for that many users. Maybe educating them on efficiency and cost-effectiveness would help.
That sounds tough. I've been in a similar boat managing a large client base solo, and it wasn't fun. It took a toll on my health. Definitely push for a remote access solution—it's a lifesaver for avoiding onsite visits to all those clients.
You shouldn’t have to work without the right tools. It's crucial to communicate to your boss why these tools are necessary, and be prepared to justify the costs with alternatives you've considered. If they still don't provide what you need, it could be worth considering moving on. Don’t let your time fill in for the lack of resources.
You can utilize built-in Windows tools like VPN and Remote Desktop. If clients have Zoom or Teams, they can offer you remote access too. That could help bridge some gaps!
If you're using Intune correctly, you can accomplish quite a bit with it; you might only need a remote access tool to complement what you have. Look into that to lessen your workload.
Snipe-IT is a great open-source option for asset management. Look into that as a starting point!
It sounds overwhelming! How are you currently managing everything without a proper system? Is it spreadsheets or scattered tools?
Yeah, pretty much all manual work. We don’t even do daily checks on backups or patching—it’s a lot of hours checking everything!
Exactly! The issue is we're understaffed, and management prefers to pay me overtime instead of hiring. I like the extra pay, but I’m starting to doubt if it's good for my career in the long run.