21 Oct 2019

Difficulties when backing up a virtual server

2019-10-21T08:00:57-07:00

Many small businesses have embraced data virtualization over the past few years. And as with any kind of business data, virtualized data needs to be protected from disaster, cybercrime, and human error and, therefore, needs backup. When backing up your virtualized data, there are some most common difficulties you need to prepare for.

Data virtualization involves taking all enterprise data stored in different local computers or systems, and moving them to a virtual server for centralized management and for on-demand delivery to business users. This provides multiple long-term benefits, including integration of various data types, centralized governance and security, minimized data replication, reduced movement of data across different locations, and real-time data delivery to consumers. But data backup can be a bit tougher with virtualized data, because of these hurdles.

Overwhelming rapid file growth

Before, businesses had to worry about managing servers containing millions of files. Now, they have to manage billions of files. For this reason, it has become almost impossible to back up servers of such immensity through traditional […]

Difficulties when backing up a virtual server2019-10-21T08:00:57-07:00
18 Oct 2019

Increase your productivity with these Gmail hacks

2019-11-07T13:03:32-07:00

For all its benefits, email frequently distracts small-business owners from increasing sales and improving the bottom line. If you feel like a slave to email, 2019 could be the year to shake things up. These productivity hacks for Gmail will help you do just that.

#1. Customize your email address and harness filters

Did you know that Gmail lets you customize your existing email address? Whether you have a regular @gmail.com or @company.com address, you can adjust your username depending on who you are giving it to and what you are likely to receive. For example, if your email address is theboss@company.com, you could give theboss+friends@company.com to friends and use theboss+blog@company.com to invite blog comments.

Combine this feature with Gmail’s native filters to label and group messages according to which address they are sent to or from. If you don’t want to see Facebook email notifications, just change your profile to use the email address theboss+spam@company.com and set up a filter to direct those messages to the trash. These compartmentalize […]

Increase your productivity with these Gmail hacks2019-11-07T13:03:32-07:00
17 Oct 2019

Security tips for Macs and other Apple devices

2019-10-17T08:00:32-07:00

Many Apple users believe that their Macs and iPhones are invulnerable to security threats, but this just puts them at risk of falling prey to hackers. Macs, iPhones, and other Apple devices are not unhackable, and the only way to truly protect all your devices is to observe safe practices.

Keep abreast of current security threats

Educate your organization about the most common ways systems are infected or hacked. Apple users in your organization must be aware of recent security updates on iPhones and Macs, for instance.

  • iPhones – Security and privacy are key concerns with every iOS update, which is why Apple highlighted its privacy and security features when it released iOS 13, the latest iOS version. However, in June, it was reported that 38% of Apple iOS apps contained critical vulnerabilities, which was only slightly lower compared to Android’s 43%. The vulnerabilities were reportedly caused by weaknesses in security mechanisms.
  • Macs – In 2017’s WannaCry/WannaCrypt ransomware attacks, only Windows machines were affected. This shows that Apple does a fairly good […]
Security tips for Macs and other Apple devices2019-10-17T08:00:32-07:00
16 Oct 2019

The laptop vs. desktop debate for small businesses

2019-10-16T08:34:01-07:00

Running a small- to mid-sized business (SMB) requires you to make important decisions. One of the biggest you’ll need to make in the early stages of your business involves your SMB’s computer hardware. Should you invest in a desktop computer or a laptop? Here are some considerations to help you decide.

Portability

Modern desktop computers aren’t nearly as immobile as they used to be. In many cases, the screen is thin and light, and all-in-one desktops are easy to unplug, move, and plug in on the road. But there are still places where the desktop cannot go. On the other hand, laptops allow you to go anywhere, even to places without electricity. But this ability to take your work anywhere can be counterproductive; in fact, it creates more stress on employees who think they must work all the time.

Memory and speed

Before, desktop computers often had more memory than laptops, and they were faster because they had bigger processors. This has now changed, thanks to improvements in laptop technology. But […]

The laptop vs. desktop debate for small businesses2019-10-16T08:34:01-07:00
15 Oct 2019

Want To Be A Remote Worker? Get These Digital Skills

2019-10-15T10:06:58-07:00

Tired of being chained to your desk? Do your customers want to brush up on their digital skills so they can easily work remotely? Now, with #Teamworksolutions from #Microsoft, working remotely just got a whole lot easier. With #communication tools like calendaring, video conferencing, and instant messaging, you can enable your team to work from almost anywhere, on any device. Need help building the perfect teamwork solution? Contact our team at GeeksHD to get started today.

Want To Be A Remote Worker? Get These Digital Skills2019-10-15T10:06:58-07:00
15 Oct 2019

Unblocking Teamwork: Four tools and strategies to improve collaboration

2019-10-15T08:07:57-07:00

According to Cummins CIO, Sherry Aaholm, "Millennials--who make up 57% of our workforce--expect to collaborate in real time, with video calls, texting, and coauthoring." Do you have the right tools to support your employees? You may want to consider modernizing your workplace with solutions like Microsoft Teams. At GeeksHD, we want you to have a powerful collaboration and communication solution designed to meet the diverse work styles and needs of every group within your workforce. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you plan and implement a modern digital workplace.

Unblocking Teamwork: Four tools and strategies to improve collaboration2019-10-15T08:07:57-07:00
15 Oct 2019

Do you need VoIP this holiday season?

2019-10-16T08:34:34-07:00

The holiday season is upon us — and businesses are likely to experience their phones ringing off the hook. As a business owner, you need to make sure that your Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems are ready to cope with the holiday rush. To ensure crystal clear calls, follow these useful VoIP system tips.

Check your VoIP equipment

Sometimes, problems with VoIP don’t have anything to do with your service provider or even the underlying servers that host the solution. Instead, issues may stem from the physical VoIP lines and phones themselves. One common issue with VoIP is that if your equipment is stacked too closely, users may experience a degradation in call quality.

You can ask your employees to check call quality, especially if two VoIP devices are close to one another. If there are issues, moving them further apart should clear this up.

Beyond this, take the time to inspect all cables and connections to ensure they are in good condition and are able to deal with increased […]

Do you need VoIP this holiday season?2019-10-16T08:34:34-07:00
14 Oct 2019

Introducing Microsoft Teams

2019-10-14T17:06:30-07:00

According to IWG, as many as 70% of employees work remotely at least one day each week. With a distributed workforce, individual team members and diverse employees bring different expectations, preferences, and tool demands. That's why it's important to have the right tools that everyone knows. Adopting a familiar modern workplace with solutions like Microsoft Teams can help bring your workforce together. At GeeksHD, we have the expertise and experience to help you integrate the modern workplace you need to achieve more. Contact us today to learn more on how we can help.

Introducing Microsoft Teams2019-10-14T17:06:30-07:00
14 Oct 2019

Customer Story: Clifton Coffee | Work From Anywhere

2019-10-16T08:34:47-07:00

For most people, working from the beach is a fantasy, but we can make it a reality for your team. Do we have your attention yet? With #Teamworksolutions from #Microsoft, you can empower your employees to work from virtually anywhere, on any device. With features like video conferencing and instant messaging, you can always be connected to your teams. What are you waiting for? Contact our team at GeeksHD to learn how our Microsoft Teamwork solutions can make your work dreams a reality.

Customer Story: Clifton Coffee | Work From Anywhere2019-10-16T08:34:47-07:00
14 Oct 2019

How to solve Office 2019 problems

2019-10-16T08:35:00-07:00

Microsoft Office 2019 is one of the world’s most renowned cutting-edge office suites. It has a lot of productivity tools that can be used at work or at home. This may well be the single most powerful tool your business needs to succeed since you can use it to make and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. But if you need help with an Office program, here’s where to find it.

F1

Let’s assume you have Office installed and an application is running, but you need to figure out something. Put an end to your frustration with any of these options for quick answers to your problems.

First, press F1 to open the help database and search for a solution. Or click the question mark (?) in the upper right corner of any Office program to do the same thing.

MS Diagnostics

When an Office program crashes or fails to launch, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the software has been corrupted or needs to be reinstalled. To be sure, consult the suite’s in-house […]

How to solve Office 2019 problems2019-10-16T08:35:00-07:00
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