{"id":65921,"date":"2023-07-10T15:55:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T19:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=65921"},"modified":"2024-12-20T14:00:44","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T19:00:44","slug":"defining-identification-for-msp-centralization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/defining-identification-for-msp-centralization","title":{"rendered":"The MSP\u2019s Guide to IT Centralization: Defining Identification "},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The MSP\u2019s Guide to IT Centralization: Defining Identification <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article is part one of a three-part blog series that expands upon our recently released MSP\u2019s Guide to IT Centralization eBook. <\/em>Get your free copy today<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n IT tool sprawl is an all-too-common issue for MSPs, particularly those who had to evolve their systems quickly to support clients through the pandemic. But in order to give your clients the most streamlined, efficient user experience possible, your employees need to be utilizing a top-of-the-line, all-in-one tech stack. IT centralization is a means of eliminating redundancies in your stack to increase efficiency and ease of use \u2014 all while saving you, the MSP, money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That may make sense in practice, but taking the actual steps to streamline your tech offerings can feel daunting. In this article, we\u2019ll explain the three steps to IT centralization, and then focus in on step one: identification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we get into the steps to centralization, let\u2019s dig a little deeper on what the concept is as a whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n IT centralization<\/em><\/strong> is the process of auditing your current tech stack, finding redundancies, and eliminating them by combining resources into larger, more multi-capable platforms. <\/em>It\u2019s a way of streamlining your admin and vendor management processes by simplifying your technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At JumpCloud, we look at the process of centralization in terms of three main steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the concept of centralization isn\u2019t new, advancements in cloud-based platforms have made the process much easier to accomplish. Capabilities once only offered a la carte are now included in powerful, all-in-one platforms. And identification is the step where you\u2019ll discover the platform that\u2019s right for your organization and clients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Identification is the first step to IT centralization \u2026 but what precisely does that mean? Well, before you can centralize, you need to have a core that everything else will be organized around. And discovering that core is what the identification step is all about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Identification involves understanding your current setup\u2019s dependencies \u2014 which systems are integrated with which other systems \u2014 and determining which platform does the brunt of the heavy lifting for the rest of your tech stack. Note that while you may identify your current core, that platform does not have to remain the core. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After you discover which system does the most work, you can begin comparing it to other, more modern solutions. You may very well find that an open directory platform like JumpCloud<\/a> can handle all of the functions of your current core, and many others as well. Regardless of whether you decide to remain with your current core or upgrade to a newer option, identifying what the base of your tech stack is and should be is a critical first step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re ready to put your centralization plans into action, use this handy three-step process to identify and select your IT core, before continuing on to incorporation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step to identification is to figure out what you already have. Take stock of your current stack \u2014 not only which platforms, applications, and tools it includes, but what capabilities each component offers. It\u2019s very common to realize you\u2019ve been layering products on top of each other without fully utilizing all the features of one or more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have a list of all your products and all their included features, identify which platform manages the most amount of critical tasks for your tech stack. This product is your existing core. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve found your current core product, take a look at all the features included in your purchase or subscription package. Make a list of these features, and pay special attention to which features are critical to your business, and which features you could be better utilizing that you\u2019re currently not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This list should form the basis of your attributes list when comparing your current core to the modernized solutions now available. When you originally purchased your software, it was doubtless top of the line for the time, but open directory platforms have grown in leaps and bounds the past few years. When comparing potential new and legacy cores, look for a core that will handle all the same features \u2014 and more<\/em> \u2014 than your current core, plus offers the compatibility, automation, and security of newer programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve identified a new core platform you\u2019d like to switch to, the final step of identification is to ensure this solution is a fit for your stack gaps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To make the switch to a new system worthwhile, the new program has to do more than your old system. It should also have features that allow it to fill in gaps in your stack you\u2019d otherwise have to buy additional one-off products for, or include additional features you want to offer but currently cannot. Before making the switch, do a final check to ensure that your new core will serve all the old features, while expanding and streamlining your other capabilities, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve completed these steps, congratulations! You\u2019ve identified and chosen the ideal core for your centralization efforts, and you\u2019re ready to incorporate your new core into the stack in step 2: integration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Identification is the critical starting point for IT centralization, but it\u2019s still only the first step. Look out for the other three parts in this series, that will walk you through the centralization process from beginning to end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Can\u2019t wait? Modern open directory platforms combine cloud directory services<\/a>, privileged account management, directory extensions, web app single sign-on (SSO), and multi-factor authentication (MFA) into one streamlined solution. They offer centralized privileged identities instantly mapped to IT resources like devices, applications, and networks, regardless of platform, provider, location, or protocol. They also leverage multiple protocols such as LDAP<\/a>, RADIUS, SAML, and SCIM so IT admins can seamlessly provision and deprovision, while users have secure, frictionless access to their resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re interested in learning more about implementing JumpCloud as part of your IT consolidation strategy, download our Guide to IT Centralization<\/a> to get all the details. Need to see someone else\u2019s success with our platform firsthand? Check out our Combating IT Sprawl Webinar<\/a> to learn how JumpCloud helped MiQ conquer IT sprawl in their environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MSPs wanting to deliver the best client experience possible need to centralize. Learn about the first step to this process: identification.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":158,"featured_media":45834,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2782,2753],"tags":[],"collection":[2776],"platform":[],"funnel_stage":[3015],"coauthors":[2514],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Is IT Centralization? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Is Identification? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Identify and Choose a Central Core in 3 Easy Steps <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1: Audit Your Current Tech Stack to Find Your Existing Core<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2: Compare Your Existing Core with Modern Solutions <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3: Double-Check That Your New Core Fills In Your Current Stack\u2019s Gaps <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Centralize Your Tech Stack with JumpCloud <\/h2>\n\n\n\n