TALK to your IT provider. That is what we are here for. Here is a real life example of what can go wrong when these are not planned. We were reminded again this week that we should have this conversation.Every Internet Service Provider (ISP) has its own quirks when changing from one provider to another. One ISP does not like you having your own email server, they block incoming email, you can ask to have the port unblocked, but this can take a day or three (which means NO INCOMMING EMAIL until this is allowed), Another ISP has a hard time providing static IP's, it can take a few days to arrange, Vocus and Voyager make it too easy to change to, that is why we use them.A few months ago, a customer with their own email server got a new ISP connection, this was a replacement connection meaning the old internet connection was no longer available. What happened next was the worst week of their business.All email stopped, the mobile phones could not find the email server any more and where constantly notifying that the server was not available, this customer was not in the fortunate position to have SMX mail filtering, so the emails kept trying to be delivered to the old internet connection. They called us in to help them out, as we had been recommended to them. The first thing we did was to ask the ISP for a static IP address, then we had to ask the ISP to allow port 25 to be enabled. This took three days for them to get back to us with what the new IP address would be. In the mean time, we had setup SMX mail filtering, this allowed the email somewhere to go and be held while the customer's email server was not receiving. then once we had the information, we had to make a change to the records held that tell you how to find www.yourcompany.co.nz or mail.yourcompany.co.nz once that was working then the mobile phones started working, email started flowing properly, but between the time that they made the change to the new ISP and us getting involved, they had lost a large number of emails, orders, request for quotes. All before getting us involved.Another customer was more fortunate, they did not lose any email, we had set up SMX prior to them changing ISP's, but they lost access to new email for three days while this same scenario played out.All this could have been entirely avoidable if they had of made ONE five minute phone call. 0800727929 or email on helpdesk@xsys.co.nzDon't your customers come to you when they need advice? You're their expert. Why shouldn't you do the same? One quick email or phone call can be the difference between success or failure. Here are some things you need to ask your self prior to changing internet providers.1. Why am I changing? if it is for cost savings, then for less than $10 per month, you will spend more than a years savings, in one hour, on an IT professional if things go south. Lost productivity will cost at least 2 years savings for every hour you are not working. Is it really worth it?2. Do I have an email server on site? if so you need to allow for a Static IP address, you may or may not know, the whole internet is made up of numbers. By default, most ISP's provide you with a new IP address every time your router reconnects, powers off, the wind changes, whatever the ISP dictates. This is called a Dynamic IP Address, running your own mail server on a Dynamic address is not feasible without mucking around. This will cost between $5 and $20 per month, depending on the ISP and plan you are with.3. Do I need people to access resources in my network from home or out on the road, if so you will need a static IP, you may or may not know, the whole internet is made up of numbers. By default, most ISP's provide you with a new IP address every time your router reconnects, powers off, the wind changes, whatever the ISP dictates. This is called a Dynamic IP Address, allowing remote access to resources on a Dynamic address is not feasible without mucking around. This will cost between $5 and $20 per month, depending on the ISP and plan you are with.4. What else am I missing? call or email us and we can help 0800727929 or helpdesk@xsys.co.nz
