Rhythmic Technologies, Inc.

Rhythmic Technology

Data, Data Everywhere

Sometimes, things break without warning. But not most of the time. Modern equipment provides loads of information about how its doing, from temperature to utilization to capacity. Too much information, really. Even small applications can spit out hundreds of messages a day that usually end up in an unread log file until it is automatically deleted. This information is a goldmine for preventative maintenance. Rhythmic's Managed Care platform taps into the goldmine.

Monitoring

As Rhythmic starts managing a new client, we automatically install Rhythmic Agent on each machine (remotely, of course). Rhythmic Agent captures diagnostic information, like the messages described above, and forwards it to our Operations Center. There, it gets processed through a complex set of filters to isolate problems, trends and other points of concern. Once such a point of concern is identified, it is dispatched to a technician for immediate review through a service ticket, which is created on your behalf. Once reviewed, it is either flagged as normal and added to the filters, or it is tagged for additional work.

Software Updates and Deployment

Rhythmic Agent centrally manages all application updates, from Microsoft updates to custom software installation. Other routine maintenance also flows through the agent, such as checking your e-mail files to make sure you're not running out of space, ensuring no unauthorized software has been installed (or un-installed) and checking in on the virus scanner and personal firewall. While the Agent does a lot of work for you, it does not access your company information.

Ridiculous Security

In fact, the Rhythmic Agent is the model of secure beauty. The Agent connects to us to transmit non-identifying information and to look for instruction. Using aggressive 256-bit encryption with rolling keys, the entire communication path is both unreadable and tamper-proof. And because the connections are all outbound to the Managed Care platform, malicious users can't "spoof" us to gain access. Rhythmic Agent uses the same level of encryption and one-way communication for remote desktop sessions, as well. In fact, remote access can be disabled on any machine through the Agent, entirely blocking access.

Location Independence

Rhythmic Agent is entirely location-independent. Particularly useful on laptops that rarely see the office network, you will still get updates as long as you maintain a periodic internet connection. The Agent passes through firewalls, routers, and other devices to get to the Managed Care platform and find the updates it needs. The constant access to virus and software updates maximizes your security on the road.

New Device Monitoring

Agents scan several times a day for new devices joining the network, whether it be a new workstation/laptop, an unauthorized user, or a new networked printer. As such devices are found, Rhythmic is notified for response. If the new device is "expected", Rhythmic Agent is automatically installed so that updates can be applied. Other actions can include actively blocking the device, or ignoring it (useful for guests).

Even More Monitoring

Agents within the network can also probe devices other than workstations and servers. Capable networked printers, copiers, and multi-function devices can be monitored for duty load (to ensure maintenance is performed on schedule), toner capacity and availability. Similar monitoring for firewalls, routers, switches and hubs can help track health and load, providing early warning for many problems.

Reporting

Of course, with all this automation, you might start to feel like you are on auto-pilot. While we think it is important that you keep yourself out of the day-to-day pains of IT management, we also find it equally important to know what you're paying for. The Managed Care platform provides a wealth of reports to help with this. At a very minimum, all Managed Care customers receive a monthly IT health report, summarizing current conditions and noting any major activities that occurred during the month. In addition, customers can pull detailed on-demand reports, including service logs, asset reports, software license information, and more.

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