Application management challenges: unburdening IT teams 

Toby Skerritt at Nerdio offers IT administrators some advice on simplifying their application management experience while balancing challenges including compatibility, cyber-threats and compliance

 

Organisations are in a state of chaos when it comes to application management. Many are using legacy systems, which means the process of transforming or replacing traditional applications with more modern SaaS or web-based alternatives can be a time-consuming endeavour taking weeks, if not months.

 

It’s estimated that the average business uses over 130 applications. It’s clear, therefore, that IT teams have a challenge to manage the lifecycle of software – regardless of the computing model they use, whether it’s on-premises or cloud-based – in a simple and streamlined manner. 

 

Application management is becoming increasingly complex as employees needing to use these applications become more dispersed with the rise of remote working, which is particularly the case for desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) and related remote access technologies. 

 

This dispersion of users introduces a number of challenges for IT teams, including ensuring secure access, maintaining consistent performance, and managing updates and patches across a range of work environments. 

 

As a result, modern application management requires a comprehensive approach that not only addresses the technical aspects but also considers the evolving needs and preferences of a dispersed and diverse user base.

 

This is crucial for processes such as onboarding, where users need to quickly gain access to the applications they need to do their job, to best support end users and overall business initiatives.

 

IT administrators need to focus on simplifying the application management experience. Here are four steps to follow:

 

1. Ensure application compatibility 

One of the primary challenges IT administrators face when migrating applications and desktops to the cloud is ensuring that applications are compatible with their chosen operating systems and computing environments. 

 

Ensuring application compatibility is crucial. Some applications have specific configurations that may not be compatible, for example, with Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) environments. In such cases, thorough testing and validation are crucial to avoid interrupting end user productivity. It’s essential to identify potential compatibility issues early in the planning phase to avoid disruptions in operations.

 

IT teams should begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment of application compatibility with their chosen infrastructure, whether that’s on-premises or cloud-based. This should help identify any potential conflicts or issues which may arise when deploying applications in their specific environment. This type of proactive approach will help in preventing disruptions and improving overall system stability.

 

2. Keep applications secure

Cyber-threats are an ever-evolving threat, posing a significant risk to businesses. As applications increasingly reside in the cloud and have access to private and sensitive data, keeping them secure is a big priority. 

 

Applications must be properly managed and kept up to date to ensure the entire IT environment is safe. Regular updates and patches should be applied promptly to address vulnerabilities and mitigate any potential risks. Staying updated on emerging cyber-security threats and adapting security strategies accordingly is key to protecting sensitive data and preventing possible breaches.

 

3. Adhere to regulations and standards

Organisations are typically subject to various industry-specific regulations and compliance standards. IT admins need to prioritise implementing the necessary security and privacy requirements to ensure compliance. 

 

This includes managing access controls, data encryption and auditing capabilities within applications to meet regulatory requirements. Non-compliance can lead to a wide range of repercussions, making it imperative for IT teams to stay abreast of evolving regulations.

 

Adherence to such regulations and compliance standards can be a challenge, particularly for DaaS environments for example. When choosing applications, IT teams need to make sure they’re selecting providers whose infrastructure meets necessary security and privacy requirements while managing applications in a compliant manner. 

 

Developing a clear strategy for compliance and governance can help. This should include procedures for data handling, user access and audit trails to maintain compliance and demonstrate adherence to regulatory requirements.

 

It is also important to ensure that applications which may contain or expose sensitive data run only in geographic regions where that data should be legally accessible. This requirement is often overlooked; therefore, a data sovereignty assessment should be included in any migration project.

 

4. Seek support from providers

Many organisations have adopted DaaS models, which offer flexibility and scalability. However, managing applications in large-scale DaaS environments can be complex. It requires seamless coordination and integration across systems to ensure that applications are deployed, updated and accessible to users across multiple virtual desktops.

 

If operating in this way, businesses should seek support from providers that help handling application deployment, updates, and user access within DaaS set-ups. These solutions can help reduce the burden on IT teams, ensuring a more efficient and cost-effective approach to application management.

 

Managing applications is critical for organisations

Today’s IT landscape can be complex – managing a plethora of applications is a significant challenge for businesses. IT teams must navigate compatibility issues, cybersecurity threats, compliance requirements, and the intricacies of DaaS environments. 

 

By following these four steps – assessing compatibility, prioritising security, ensuring compliance, and leveraging expertise from management providers – organisations can simplify application management and enhance their overall IT efficiency, ultimately contributing to a more productive and secure business environment.

 

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Toby Skerritt is Product Manager at Nerdio

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com