Technology Unwrapped

Whether they have a flexible work schedule or are frequently on the road, more and more of the U.S. workforce is working from somewhere other than their office. In fact, 3.9 million Americans are working from home at least half of the week. If you have a remote or mobile team, then you know how important it is for them to effectively communicate and collaborate when they are on the go or working outside the office.

Are you paying too much for IT support? The answer may surprise you. The average cost of IT support for small businesses depends on the size and unique technology needs of the company. Though there is no magic number that each business should pay for tech support, average IT support costs and opportunity costs of not hiring professional help can give you a rough idea of how much you should be paying for support.

Are you trying to figure out what phone system is best for your business? It’s an important decision that typically comes down to a choice between on-premise or cloud-based solutions. On-premise systems are managed with infrastructure housed at your business’s physical location, hence the name. Cloud systems, on the other hand, are hosted by a third party platform in the cloud. Cloud-based phone systems are a strong option for small to midsize businesses. These systems feature top-of-the line ...

If you’ve read about cloud computing for your business, you’re well aware of the strategic benefits it offers, from improving data security and disaster recovery to scaling resources for your business when they are needed. But as you dig deeper, you’ll come across mentions of the terms “public cloud,” “private cloud,” and “hybrid cloud” — it’s important to know the difference before you settle on an option for your organization. Here’s what you need to know about the difference between public ...

Whether you spend most of your time working in your line of business applications, on your internal network or communication tools, in the cloud - the technology you use every day is critical to both your present success and your future growth. To support the effectiveness and efficiency of your technology, businesses need to create a dedicated budget for IT that takes into consideration both their size and specific needs — but how do you strike a balance with your IT budget to ensure that ...

Getting a sleek, shiny, brand-new computer is an exciting experience. You have the opportunity to customize it to fit your needs perfectly. You have so much space for everything you’re going to need and seek to accomplish. Every program and web page works instantly, making each task feel effortless. However, technology doesn’t stand still. Innovation constantly materializes and propels the industry forward. Within just a few years, computers become incapable of keeping up with the latest ...

Just last week, there were announcements of three large data breaches from well-known companies -- Panera Bread, Hudson’s Bay Company (Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor), and Under Armour (MyFitnessPal). All these breaches come just after the news of ransomware attacks on Boeing and the City of Atlanta. While many businesses may ignore these announcements with the thought that because they don’t use these sites or services as part of their business workflows, they don’t have exposure -- ...

PDF: Spectre and Meltdown FAQs

Are you concerned about security? Worried that your company isn’t keeping up? The basic elements businesses used to employ to secure their systems and data, even three years ago, have changed. Review these four “new” network security basics below and see if you have kept pace. 1. Passwords and Logins Thinking has evolved and continues to evolve on this topic. It’s not enough to simply have a complex password, it must be one that is unique among all of the passwords that you use.

When choosing an IT provider, you are probably looking for a reliable company who understands your business needs and is properly prepared and ready to assist. You may think you have found the perfect fit, but things can start to get spooky. So what are some things you should look out for to determine if an IT provider is not right for you? 1. Do they require long-term contracts? Although you don’t want to change providers frequently, it is far worse to be stuck with someone who is not meeting ...