Ah, the joys of a rapidly growing MSP. One day you’re carefully organizing every aspect of your RMM, and the next you’re drowning in a sea of device groups named “New Group (1)” and scripts titled “test_final_FINAL_v2_USE_THIS_ONE.” If your RMM looks like it was organized by a caffeinated squirrel with a keyboard, you’re not alone.

But fear not, fellow MSP warriors! Today, we’re diving into the art of RMM standardization. Because let’s face it – “your way” isn’t always the best way, especially when “your way” involves folders named “Misc” that contain 80% of your scripts.

The Power of RMM Standardization

Think of your RMM like a library. Sure, you could throw all the books in a pile and eventually find what you’re looking for (probably), but wouldn’t it be better to have a system? One that doesn’t require a degree in archaeology to find that script you wrote six months ago?

Device Naming Conventions That Make Sense

Stop me if this sounds familiar: “DESKTOP-A7B8C9” sits next to “JanesLaptop” which sits next to “AcctPC4.” It’s like having a filing system based on whatever came to mind first. Instead, try this approach:

Good Naming Convention Example:

[Client]-[Location]-[Type]-[Number]
LOC-NYC-WKS-001
LOC-MIA-LPT-003

This isn’t just about satisfying your inner neat freak. A proper naming convention: – Makes devices instantly identifiable – Scales with your business – Helps new technicians get up to speed faster – Reduces the chance of working on the wrong device (we’ve all been there)

Folder Structures That Scale

Your RMM folder structure should be like a well-designed building – logical, navigable, and able to grow without collapsing under its own weight.

Example Structure:

├── Monitoring
│   ├── Core
│   ├── Security
│   └── Performance
├── Maintenance
│   ├── Daily
│   ├── Weekly
│   └── Monthly
├── Deployment
│   ├── New Device Setup
│   └── Software Installation
└── Recovery
    ├── System Repair
    └── Data Recovery

Notice how there’s no folder labeled “Stuff to Sort Later”? That’s intentional.

Script Organization That Doesn’t Require a Treasure Map

If your script library looks like the digital equivalent of a teenager’s bedroom, it’s time for an intervention. Here’s how to bring order to the chaos:

1. Consistent Naming Convention: [Category]-[Function]-[Version] MAINT-DiskCleanup-1.2 DEPLOY-ChromeInstall-2.1
2. Version Control That Makes Sense:
   • No more “script_new_new_FINAL”
   • Use actual version numbers
   • Keep a changelog (your future self will thank you)
3. Documentation That Humans Can Read: # Purpose: Automated disk cleanup for workstations # Requirements: Admin access, min 10GB free space # Created: 2024-01-15 # Last Modified: 2024-03-20 # Version: 1.2

Creating Your RMM Command Center

Organizing Monitors Effectively

Your monitors should be like a well-trained security team – alert when necessary, silent when appropriate. Not like that one guard who pulls the fire alarm every time someone microwaves popcorn.

Monitor Organization Tips: – Group similar monitors together – Use consistent thresholds across device groups – Create clear escalation paths – Document why each monitor exists (trust me, you’ll forget)

Structuring Device Groups

Think of device groups as the neighborhoods of your RMM city. You wouldn’t put a nightclub next to a library (well, you might, but that’s a different discussion).

Effective Group Structure:

├── Client Name
│   ├── Servers
│   │   ├── Production
│   │   └── Development
│   ├── Workstations
│   │   ├── Office
│   │   └── Remote
│   └── Network Devices

Setting Up Consistent Maintenance Schedules

Maintenance schedules should be like a Swiss train system – reliable, predictable, and running like clockwork. Not like that one script that randomly decides to run during peak business hours.

Real-world Before/After Scenarios

Before:

• Random script execution times causing client disruption
• Inconsistent naming making device identification a guessing game
• Alert fatigue from poorly configured monitors
• New technicians requiring weeks to understand the system

After:

• Scheduled maintenance during approved windows
• Instant device identification through standardized naming
• Relevant alerts that actually mean something
• New technicians productive within days

Making It Stick: Implementation Tips

1. Start Small:
   • Begin with new devices and scripts
   • Gradually update existing ones
   • Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your RMM won’t be standardized in one either
2. Document Everything:
   • Create a standardization guide
   • Keep it updated
   • Make it required reading for new techs
3. Regular Maintenance:
   • Schedule monthly system reviews
   • Clean up strays before they multiply
   • Update documentation as needed

Conclusion: Your Next Steps

Remember, a well-organized RMM is like a well-organized secret agent’s toolkit – everything has its place, and every place has its purpose. Though significantly less likely to contain explosive cufflinks.

Start with these steps: 1. Audit your current RMM organization 2. Create your standardization plan 3. Implement changes gradually 4. Train your team on the new standards 5. Regular review and maintenance

And remember, if you ever feel overwhelmed, just think of your RMM as a digital garden. A little regular pruning prevents it from becoming a jungle. Though unlike a real garden, your RMM probably won’t be improved by adding a garden gnome. Probably.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some scripts to rename. “test_final_FINAL_v3_REALLY_FINAL” isn’t going to fix itself.

Need help bringing order to your RMM chaos? Check out our resources section for guides that will make your RMM sing. Well, not literally sing. That would be weird.