Bringing Hope to SMB Networks

NETGEAR helps Hopemate standardize their client management platform

  • By Richard Jonker
  • Nov 01, 2018

Hopemate is a small IT service provider located in the Greater Vancouver, Canada, area that brings IT support to small businesses in its community. Founder, Ian Chang, started as an IT freelancer and eventually decided to turn his work into a small business. Hopemate now provides IT integrations, installations and general troubleshooting services for their clients.

As Hopemate’s client base grew and expanded to managing customer networks, it became a challenge to oversee all the different sites. Chang knew the key to Hopemate’s future was to standardize the management platform. They needed a solution that was cost effective and consolidated all customer site interfaces.

Hopemate installed a variety of NETGEAR’s Insight managed devices (switches, access points and network storage devices) for four of his customers. They consist of businesses in real estate, medical and printing with 10 to 30 employees. Immediately following, Chang was able to remotely manage those networks from the Insight mobile app and web portal directly from his office.

The Insight network management app and portal have made Chang’s job easier, and more time efficient. He can initially configure his customers’ device(s) remotely and later guide his clients through the rest of the simple setup without having to allocate time traveling to different locations. Additionally, he is able to configure through a more advanced GUIs offsite.

Monitoring and troubleshooting have improved immensely for Hopemate. Before, Chang would have to wait for a call from his customers notifying him that their Wi-Fi was down, then drive over to troubleshoot. With the Insight mobile app he receives notifications when something goes wrong and can take action anywhere, anytime. Whether it’s rebooting a device, updating the firmware, or changing user access, he no longer has to be onsite to fix the simple problems.

This solution has saved hours of valuable time. Chang now uses to continue growing his business. Future Hopemate plans are to install the NETGEAR Insight Ecosystem to a few other customers this year, further expanding his MSP business.

About the Author

Richard Jonker is the Vice President SMB Product Line Management at NETGEAR.

Featured

  • UL Solutions Launches Artificial Intelligence Safety Certification Services

    UL Solutions Inc., a global leader in safety science, today announced the launch of artificial intelligence (AI) safety certification services, enabling comprehensive assessments for evaluating the safety of AI-powered products. Read Now

  • ESA Announces Initiative to Introduce the SECURE Act in State Legislatures

    The Electronic Security Association (ESA), the national voice for the electronic security and life safety industry, has announced plans to introduce the SECURE Act in state legislatures across the country beginning in 2025. The proposal, known as Safeguarding Election Candidates Using Reasonable Expenditures, provides a clear framework that allows candidates and elected officials to use campaign funds for professional security services. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

    Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.