Managed network services
Managed network services, from firewall to wifi
Your firewall, switches, wifi and the links between your sites, designed, set up, monitored and updated by our engineers. One team owns the whole network, so when something slows down or stops, you make one call.
- GoldWatchGuard partner, for business firewalls
- 24/7Monitoring of connectivity on our Assist, Manage and Partner plans
- 300+Businesses supported by our team
- ISO27001 certified ourselves, audited every year
01Where networks let you down
Signs your network needs an owner
Most office networks were set up once and then left alone. These are the four problems we find most often when we take one over.
The firewall has not been touched in years
Old firmware, lapsed security subscriptions and rules nobody can explain. The box still passes traffic, but it has stopped protecting you.
FixCurrent firmware, security subscriptions renewed and every rule reviewed, tidied and documented.
The wifi drops in half the office
Consumer routers, access points in the wrong place and staff, guests and devices all sharing one network.
FixA site survey, business grade access points where the signal is needed and separate networks for staff and guests.
Every site does its own thing
Branch offices with different equipment, links that fail without warning and remote access that only works on a good day.
FixOne design for every site, joined with managed SD-WAN and managed from one place.
Nobody knows how it is set up
The passwords went with a former provider, there is no diagram and every change is a guess.
FixA documented network, passwords stored securely, configuration backed up and every change logged.
02What we look after
Everything between the internet and the desk
We design it, install it, monitor it and keep it up to date, and we are the ones who get the call when it misbehaves.
Managed firewalls
Business firewalls with intrusion prevention, web filtering and application control, kept current with their security subscriptions.
Managed SD-WAN
Your sites joined over nbn, fibre and 4G, with traffic sent over the best link and automatic failover when one drops.
Switching
Managed switches that keep staff, guests, phones and cameras on separate networks, so one problem cannot spread to the rest.
Business wifi
Access points placed from a site survey, with guest wifi kept away from your business systems.
Secure remote access
A VPN protected by multi factor authentication for staff who work from home or on site, instead of systems left open to the internet.
Monitoring and updates
Devices monitored, firmware updated in agreed maintenance windows and configuration backed up, so a failed device can be replaced quickly.
03Network security
Network security services that close the easy doors
Attackers look for the easiest way in. On most small business networks, that is one of these three.
Separate what matters
Staff, guests, phones, printers and cameras on their own networks, so a compromised device cannot reach your servers and files.
Check what comes in and out
Firewall rules kept tight, with intrusion prevention and web filtering blocking known bad sites and traffic before it reaches a computer.
No doors left open
No remote desktop or admin pages exposed to the internet. Remote access goes through a VPN with multi factor authentication.
The network is one layer. Devices, accounts and staff need protecting too.
Cyber security services04Joining your sites
Managed SD-WAN, MPLS or a VPN
If you have more than one site, how they are joined decides how fast shared systems feel and what happens when a link drops. This is how the options compare.
| Compare | Managed SD-WANWhat we usually recommend | MPLSCarrier private network | Site to site VPNFirewall to firewall |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Your sites joined over ordinary internet links, managed as one network | A private network from a single carrier | An encrypted tunnel between two firewalls |
| Cost | Lower, because it uses standard business internet | Higher, with longer contracts | Low, but grows harder to manage with each site |
| If a link fails | Traffic moves to another link automatically | Depends on the carrier's backup service | The tunnel drops until the link is back |
| Best for | Two or more sites, or any site that cannot go offline | Businesses already locked into a carrier contract | Two sites with simple needs |
Swipe the table sideways to compare all three.
The internet links themselves are ordered and managed by us too.
Business internet05How we take over
From review to fully managed
You get a written plan and a fixed quote before anything changes. We keep what is still good and replace only what needs it.
- Review
Free network review
We check your firewall, switches, wifi, links and licences. We also walk the office to see where the signal drops.
- Plan
Design and quote
A plain English plan showing what stays, what changes and why, with a fixed quote for the hardware and the work.
- Install
Switch over after hours
New equipment is set up and tested before it goes in. The switch over happens after hours, so the office is not disrupted.
- Manage
Looked after from then on
Monitoring, updates, documentation and support from the same team that looks after the rest of your IT.
06Questions
Network questions
What owners and office managers ask before we take over their network. Anything else, call 1300 787 429.
01Do we have to replace our firewall?
Not always. If your firewall is still supported by its maker and its security subscriptions can be renewed, we update it, review the rules and take it over. If it is out of support, we will say so and quote a replacement, because an unsupported firewall stops receiving security fixes.
02Which firewalls do you use?
We are a WatchGuard Gold partner and use WatchGuard firewalls for most new installs, because they are built for businesses of your size and managed centrally. If you already have another brand that is still supported, we can look after it until it is due for replacement. Read our guide to WatchGuard firewalls.
03What is SD-WAN and do we need it?
SD-WAN joins your sites over ordinary internet connections, such as nbn, fibre and 4G, and sends each type of traffic over the best link at the time. If one link drops, traffic moves to another without anyone noticing. It suits businesses with two or more sites, or a single site that cannot afford to go offline. A single small office usually does not need it.
04Can you fix our wifi?
Yes. Most wifi problems come from consumer equipment, access points in the wrong place or too many devices on one network. We survey the office, place business grade access points where the signal is needed and separate staff, guest and device networks so each one works properly.
05Do you look after the internet connection as well?
Yes. We choose, order and manage business internet, backup links and the connections between sites, so one team owns everything from the carrier to the desk. See business internet.
06Is network management part of our support plan?
Monitoring and management of your firewall, switches and wifi is part of our managed IT plans. New hardware, security subscriptions and upgrade projects are quoted separately, with the price agreed before any work starts.
07Will a network upgrade disrupt the office?
We plan it so it does not. Equipment is set up and tested before it goes in, and the switch over is done after hours, so staff finish on the old network and start the next morning on the new one.
What our clients say
800+ reviews from the people who call our Perth service desk every day.
700+
30+
70+
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“Turns every IT problem into a non-issue”
Arthur turns every IT problem into a non-issue and does it with real patience and professionalism. He explains things in a way that makes the process easy and always leaves us feeling supported. We appreciate the way he handles every request.
Bronte J.Indian Ocean Hotel
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“Patient, capable and a genuine listener”
The support was outstanding. Patient, capable and a genuine listener, which is rare in support calls. He took the time to understand the issue and work through it with care. You are fortunate to have him on your team and the level of service was impressive.
Peter MidgleyPowertech
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“Steady, thoughtful and stress free”
Jamie put in a great deal of effort to resolve the problem and it showed in the result. His approach was steady and thoughtful and the support was appreciated. It made the whole experience smooth and stress free.
Jason CavallaroCallidus Process Solutions
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“Resolved the issue within minutes”
The consultant knew exactly what to do and resolved the issue within minutes. He talked through each step so I understood what was happening and made the process simple. The clear communication and fast resolution made a real difference.
Kirk LentonPilbara Construction
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“The extra guidance made it more valuable”
Brady tracked down an email I could not locate and took the time to show us how to search more effectively in the future. The extra guidance was helpful and made the experience more valuable. His support was straightforward and appreciated.
Tony YoungOptimus Real Estate
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“Resolved quickly, with none of my work lost”
They resolved my issue quickly and efficiently, which meant I didn’t lose any of the work I had done today. The support was clear and straightforward, and the outcome made a real difference to my day. Thank you.
Warner PriestInterContinental Energy
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“Calm, patient and always willing to help”
Dev Sandhu is outstanding in his knowledge and support. He has a calm and patient way of working through any IT issue and is always willing to help at short notice. His positive attitude makes the whole experience easier and more reassuring. Thank you to Dev and the team at Austin for the consistent support.
Peter AlexanderKoch Solutions
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“A calm and methodical engineer”
Chris Wade is a great engineer and I have a lot of respect for his professionalism. He approaches every issue with a calm and methodical attitude and communicates clearly so I always understand what is happening. His steady approach and reliability make a real difference to our team, and his support is always appreciated.
Paul GreenGlobal Cardiology
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“Refreshing after two unreliable IT providers”
After dealing with two unreliable IT providers in recent years, it has been refreshing to place my trust in Greg and the team at Austin. They have been professional and highly competent, even under pressure. Their support has made a real difference. Thank you, and keep it up.
Mark HutchisonLifewood
07Managed network services
Get a network
that just works.
Book a free network review. We check your firewall, switches, wifi and links, then give you a plan and a fixed quote.