9 Oct 2018

Which business computers are best?

2018-10-19T07:40:47-07:00

We know that IT plays a big role in reaching your small- and medium-sized business (SMB) milestones. When it comes to hardware, you don’t need to be an IT expert to find the best possible solution. Here’s a concise and helpful guide to the best hardware for your SMB.

Portability

Laptops allow you to keep working when you don’t have an electrical outlet. However, this ability to take your work anywhere can be counterproductive by creating more stress on employees who think they must work all the time.

Memory/Speed

Desktop computers used to have more memory and faster processors than laptops. And although high-powered laptops have caught up, they are more expensive. If work is limited to word processing and emailing, affordable less-powerful laptops should be enough. Anything more will probably require a desktop machine.

Security

Data security is necessary not only against data leaks but as protection from litigation, reputation damage, and loss of business. With a network security system and IT staff, vulnerabilities are easier to address for […]

Which business computers are best?2018-10-19T07:40:47-07:00
8 Oct 2018

Tips to protect your brand online

2018-10-09T04:59:08-07:00

Your brand’s online reputation is not helpless from negative reviews on consumer complaint sites. Though it’s nearly impossible to remove them from the Internet, there are online reputation management strategies you can use to deal with these pesky complaints.

Don’t engage site or users directly

Don’t send emails demanding to have the content removed or engage with the person who posted the content in an attempt to resolve the issue. The main reason: both users and content posted are not verified.

There have been reports of users posting fake reviews in an attempt to solicit money from businesses they criticize. A few of these sites also claim to offer paid services to remove bad reviews but business owners should be extremely wary of any site offering to remove or edit a review in exchange for cash.

Get on social media

If one of these negative reviews makes its way onto the first page of Google’s search results, create social media profiles to bury it. Not only do active and […]

Tips to protect your brand online2018-10-09T04:59:08-07:00
5 Oct 2018

Web conversion done right in 5 steps

2018-10-09T04:58:37-07:00

Are there surefire ways to attract prospects to your website and to convince them to sign up for your product or service? The first step is always to make your website easy to use. Read on for 5 tips that improve user experiences, site trustworthiness and conversion rates.

Make it mobile-friendly

More people are now surfing the web on the go – via smartphones, tablets, and laptops. If you want a piece of this traffic, you need to make your website’s design responsive to all mobile devices.

To give your visitors an enjoyable mobile experience, make sure your website design fits the screen of any device. Additionally, all elements of your website – pages, resources, actions, and so on – should be easily accessible. If not, visitors will get frustrated and click away to a competitor. And who can blame them? You’d probably do the same.

Make it easy for customers to contact you

This means displaying your phone number in the upper-right corner of every page and providing […]

Web conversion done right in 5 steps2018-10-09T04:58:37-07:00
4 Oct 2018

Forget these disaster recovery myths

2018-10-09T04:57:48-07:00

Disaster recovery (DR) isn’t what it used to be. Long gone are the days when a DR solution cost over a hundred thousand dollars and relied predominantly on tape backups. Cloud computing has dramatically changed the DR landscape. Unfortunately, there are still many misconceptions about DR. Here are a few of the myths that no longer apply. 

Tape backups are the best DR solution
Backup tapes are physical objects that deteriorate over time. Don’t believe us? Try listening to a cassette tape from the ‘90s. Over time, tape backups become distorted and stop working. Deterioration is slow and may only affect some files in the early stages, so don’t settle for a mere cursory check. 

Aside from backups in your office, another set of tape backups needs to be stored outside your premises. In case a natural disaster damages your office, not all your data will be wiped out. But if your storage space isn’t safe from the elements, this could […]

Forget these disaster recovery myths2018-10-09T04:57:48-07:00
3 Oct 2018

5 uses of the Android phone/Chrome combo

2020-07-09T10:44:42-07:00

The convenience provided by the iPhone/Mac combo is well-known, but syncing your Android phone with Chrome can give Apple a run for its money. Here are five nifty things you can do with Google’s combo.

Send directions from Google Maps to your Android phone

While Google Maps works great on smartphones, it’s often easier to use on larger screens. To send driving, walking, or commute directions from your PC to your Android phone, do the following:

  1. Click on a specific location on Google Maps (or enter a location in the search field and click on the desired result).
  2. Click on the Send to your phone button in the pane on the left side of your screen.
  3. Choose to have the directions sent to your phone via text or email.

Sync your computer’s Chrome tabs with your phone

This is especially useful when you need to bring your work outside of the office. Here’s all you need to do:

  1. Open the Chrome App on your Android phone.
  2. Tap the three-dotted menu […]
5 uses of the Android phone/Chrome combo2020-07-09T10:44:42-07:00
2 Oct 2018

What hyperconvergence means for SMBs

2018-10-02T18:03:54-07:00

Progressive SMBs are defined by how they use technology to achieve business growth. From acquiring new customers to managing suppliers to exceeding sales quotas, IT helps a lot. But traditional hardware and software solutions are expensive to purchase and support. Then again, you’re not a traditional SMB — you’re progressive. What you need is hyperconverged infrastructure.

What is a hyperconverged infrastructure?

In a traditional IT environment, hardware for networks, servers, and storage had to be purchased separately and set up to work together as one cohesive system.

Later, manufacturers started offering converged systems — pre-built “stacks” of hardware that work together right out of the box and come with advanced management tools and tech support. Now, hyperconverged infrastructure packs the entire stack into one box and lets everything be managed via a single interface. Not only is this box more affordable and easier to use, it can also be used as building blocks — just add more boxes as your business grows.

In a word, hyperconverged infrastructure allows […]

What hyperconvergence means for SMBs2018-10-02T18:03:54-07:00
1 Oct 2018

Are you HIPAA-Compliant? 4 Things to look for

2018-10-02T18:05:04-07:00

Electronic protected health information (ePHI) is extremely private and its exposure could lead to negative consequences such as social stigma and job discrimination. HIPAA protects this information and grants patients the right to view their own health information so that they can enjoy more control over their care. Healthcare practices must therefore make sure that they got all their bases covered when it comes to HIPAA compliance. Below are four of the most important ones to consider.

Telehealth and mHealth are not always compliant

If your practice has invested in, or is thinking about investing in, telehealth or mobile health (mHealth), you need to make sure that the tech you utilize is HIPAA-compliant. While most telehealth technology is HIPAA-approved, one or two additional measures might be required to make it compliant. An IT specialist should have no problem making sure your telehealth is up to code.

On the other hand, mHealth might be a little more problematic. While a lot of hardware and apps, including Fitbit and […]

Are you HIPAA-Compliant? 4 Things to look for2018-10-02T18:05:04-07:00
28 Sep 2018

Benefits of unified communications

2018-09-30T07:25:40-07:00

Is your company losing money because of bad communication? Don’t suffer in silence! Read on to discover how unified communications (UC) can save your business.

Companies in the United States and the United Kingdom have lost a total of $37 billion because of poor communication, according to The Holmes Report, the voice of the global public relations industry. The report added that the losses are caused mainly by employee misunderstanding, resulting in errors of omission and misinformation. 

Poor communication is definitely bad for business, more so if it is caused by disruptions in technology. Unsent emails, lost calls, and internet outages can leave clients and employees confused and disoriented. This, in turn, can disrupt the normal operations and daily activities of a company. 

Reliable technology

To prevent communication hiccups from happening, organizations must utilize reliable technology services so employees can remain productive and connected. This is where UC solutions come in. 

UC is a platform that […]

Benefits of unified communications2018-09-30T07:25:40-07:00
27 Sep 2018

Storage showdown: OneDrive vs SharePoint

2018-09-30T07:25:24-07:00

Both SharePoint and OneDrive help business owners manage and share data. But selecting the best platform can be difficult and give anyone a big headache. For instant relief, here’s a quick reference to help you choose wisely.

Looking for a secure platform to manage your files? Where do you go for help? Should you choose SharePoint or settle for OneDrive instead? If any of those terms sound Greek to you, don’t worry. You don’t need a degree in computer science to figure it out. This article will give you the lowdown on what to expect from these services.

Both SharePoint and OneDrive are cloud-based services from Microsoft that allow you to store, share, and sync files across different devices. SharePoint was released in 2001 and reportedly has over 190 million users. OneDrive, on the other hand, was launched in 2007 and has more than 250 million users.

SharePoint is marketed mainly as a document management and storage system, but it can be configured to do much […]

Storage showdown: OneDrive vs SharePoint2018-09-30T07:25:24-07:00
26 Sep 2018

What’s new in Windows 10’s next major update?

2018-09-26T11:28:06-07:00

Microsoft has confirmed that the next major Windows 10 update, codenamed Redstone 5, is coming out this October. Unlike the standard updates and bug fixes released every Tuesday, this Windows 10 update introduces new features that will make your life easier. Here are some of the most notable improvements.

Your Phone
Windows 10 is getting a built-in app called “Your Phone” that makes it easier to integrate your phone’s features with your PC. For instance, it will let you send texts and instantly access photos from your phone’s library on your computer.

There’s also talk about syncing notifications between devices in future updates. Currently, the iPhone has limited compatibility with this app, but Microsoft promises additional features will be added later.

Clipboard History
The Clipboard app has been revamped and now allows you to access a list of items you’ve copied to your clipboard, pin frequently used images, and sync your clipboard across your devices. All you have to do is hit Windows key + V to pull up […]

What’s new in Windows 10’s next major update?2018-09-26T11:28:06-07:00
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