Sycor.ManagedWorkplace

Operating end devices using Microsoft Intune is the current standard for companies that have turned to the cloud and digitalization. This cloud-based workplace operation offers a whole range of advantages compared to on-premise solutions.

Advantages of cloud-based workplaces:

Local infrastructure is not required
More centralized deployment
Management of common end devices via one platform
No need for staging centers for pre-patching
Simplified patch management via autopatch
Optimized application deployment via enterprise portal and simple integration of pre-packaged software packages
No need for golden image management
Extensive sets of policies for determining device compliance
The antivirus solution is already included with appropriate licensing

Challenge: Updating

Most SME customers have one thing in common: there is often a lack of resources, capacity and time to manage their environments. Sycor experiences in customer situations that the options for maintaining knowledge and the possibility for training and certification are limited. In concrete terms, this means that the installation of devices and software is not carried out correctly, a great deal of effort is required to handle software packages and security settings are often not configured or not configured correctly. In addition, Microsoft is constantly fuelling the range of functions with adaptations and extensions. In addition, there are requirements from specialist departments regarding devices, applications, access regulations and organized identity management. Finally, industry or legal regulations also ensure that the client must be hardened in order to protect the company, data, patents and therefore the DNA of the company.

The secure and future-proof cloud operation of your workplace

Managed Workplace Operation

The Sycor Managed Workplace Service covers the operation of all components and ensures that the customer is up-to-date across the board. Depending on the license model selected, the scope is extended to include additional security options (E5 license), for example.

In order to be modular, Sycor has clustered its offering in such a way that a basic service is provided first, the lowest common denominator, so to speak, which we find with almost every Workplace customer. This includes the operation of:

Access management using Entra-ID
The M365 basic configuration (tenant)
OneDrive - file storage for employees, groups and external parties
Intune for application and device management
Maintenance of licenses

In addition, the actual Workplace core functionalities are operated for the customer:

Mobile application management - secure provision of apps on smartphones and tablets
Provision of software - packaging and distribution
Antivirus - operation of the antivirus client
Device installation - individualized preparation of the device for direct use by the user

Sycor also provides virtual desktops as part of the service. With the current license model, Microsoft has launched an attractive alternative for scenarios such as front office workers or sub-service providers. We also provide standardized configuration, maintenance and support services for these types of workplaces.

On an individual project basis, we also work with our customers on other tasks in the cross-functional areas of security, governance and compliance.

The Sycor Managed Service also includes an ITSM portal for our customers' users, and our customers' hard disks are encrypted

What makes the Sycor Managed Workplace Service special?

Before taking over the service, we analyze the configuration of the tenant together with the customer. More specifically, we start the service process with a detailed assessment of the customer's current Azure infrastructure. This first step allows us to identify specific optimization potential. Among other things, we assess

Device compliance
Windows11 Readyness
Conditional Access Policies for devices
Device configurations

Quality of the deployment of software installations and driver updates
Settings for notifications
Password reset
Security settings

The settings selected and recommended by Sycor are based on Microsoft best practices and experience gained from many years of IT operations by Sycor customers.

After a test and pilot phase and a joint release, the customer switches to regular operation.

Sycor Managed Workplace - Service Perspektive

The Sycor Managed Workplace Service integrates seamlessly into the service management organization of our customers. Depending on requirements, it can be decided whether the first level is provided by the customer organization's service desk after training by Sycor.

The administration of the system can be split up according to location, country or organizational area. This is interesting for the first level if it is organized by location, for example.

Sycor provides 2nd level support and also takes care of 3rd level services for the workplace. Our Sycor Service Desk is permanently available as an entry point for this.

The delivery of standard requests as well as the processing of incidents are an elementary component of Sycor Managed Workplace.

A Sycor Service Manager is responsible for the fulfillment of the service for the customer. As part of service reviews, this manager introduces possible improvements and provides service reporting.

As an option, Sycor provides a dashboard that offers comprehensive visualizations of Managed Workplace.

A look at the Conditional Access Policies as an example
Device compliance

The data is further segmented by clicking on the diagrams. The detailed data from the dashboard can be analyzed in greater depth in other systems such as Power BI.