BusinessWorks

Managed IT and cloud services for Australian small businesses

BusinessWorks is an Australian information technology and cloud managed service provider, founded in 1987. Its site says it has over 30 years of experience looking after the IT needs of small and medium-sized businesses and that it is a wholly Australian-owned company. It serves clients in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, and supports them through an Australian-based service desk.

Support agreements

The firm's central product is ongoing IT support under an agreement. In a typical arrangement a client has access to a service desk for urgent problems and a regular visit from an engineer for non-urgent issues. BusinessWorks also supplies hardware and software, so a business can buy equipment from the same partner that maintains its network, and it handles PC upgrades and moves of IT equipment to new premises.

Microsoft 365 and the cloud

Much of its current pitch revolves around Microsoft 365 for business. The tools it describes are Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and Exchange for email, Teams for chat, meetings and calling, and up to a terabyte of OneDrive and SharePoint storage for files accessible from anywhere. It encourages clients to reduce reliance on old on-site hardware by moving to what it calls a modern cloud workplace, and also to get more from existing on-site hardware with cloud solutions. Specialists are available for businesses unsure where to start with the cloud.

Data protection

The firm describes security features in the Microsoft platform that it sets up for clients: protection against ransomware, spam, malware, viruses and phishing, controls so only the right people see important data, and the ability to revoke access to an attachment after an email has been sent. It also notes daily backup as part of looking after systems.

Servers and migrations

BusinessWorks designs, sources and installs server environments, and manages migrations from one set of servers to another. It reviews an existing system before suggesting changes, and is willing to adjust a design as requirements are refined. Its clients include construction, property, finance and services firms.