Monitoring Internet Usage?

[bremen1874]

I've been asked if there's a way of monitoring individual Internet usage in a small office (roughly 10 users). They're running SBS 2011 with Window 7 and Windows 8.1 clients.

The problem appears to be time wasted rather than the type of content viewed.

There are obviously solutions out there, but they don't usually scale to such a small number of users.

My current stance it that this is something they should be handling via management control rather than technology.

The users mostly have laptops and they are used offsite.

 

[BigT]

I don't know any solutions but I do manage a lot of people and you're right; this is not a problem for technology to solve.

If they're sat remote with a way to connect the internet they'll just use their own devices to waste time if you use tech to monitor/lock down their work laptops.

 

[Caged]

Cisco Umbrella

 

[nutcase]

Webmarshall

 

[Armageus]

I don't know any solutions but I do manage a lot of people and you're right; this is not a problem for technology to solve.

100% this. This is a HR/People management problem rather than a technology problem.

 

[Semple]

The problem appears to be time wasted rather than the type of content viewed.

They would surely need to see what content is viewed to differentiate between what's time wasting and time working?

 

[Caged]

Not really, just needs managers who have a vague idea of the skill level of their staff so they can asses whether the time taken to complete tasks is too long or about right, and draw the same conclusion regarding the quality of the work. If someone is getting work done to deadlines and at the quality the company expects then their web browsing activity really shouldn't matter.

 

[bremen1874]

Thanks for the feedback on this. It does at least appear that there isn't a simple option I wasn't aware of.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that it was just a heat of the moment thing and they'll forget about it.