Macro Systems Blog

Hope is a powerful force and it constantly propels us forward and can brighten even the darkest days. We hope for good health, happy families, and that winning lottery ticket.

Alas, hope is a terrible cybersecurity strategy.

One of the greatest threats to today's businesses is a cyberattack and the consequent data breach. These types of threats usually target outdated systems that haven’t been patched or upgraded with fixes to vulnerabilities. Listed below are some of the most likely outdated hardware and software issues you may encounter on your own infrastructure so you can address them and keep your business safe.

Your organization lives and dies by the strength of its network. If it’s not running well, your entire business will feel it, and it could have serious implications for operations. You might end up with sluggish software or data transfers, among other problems. Listed below are some of the common holdups on your network that might be holding your business back.

There’s a lot of comfort to be found in familiarity. It’s why so many of us cling to the way we’ve always done things. It’s the root of the old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” In many contexts, this can be very good advice. One place it isn’t: your business’ technology.

Failing to improve the technology your business depends on can itself incur significant inherent costs that aren’t immediately apparent. Let’s explore them to truly appreciate the advantages of keeping your business’ tech up to date.

Proactive IT is something we talk about a lot, and that’s because it works… especially compared to the alternatives. That being said, what does proactive IT mean, and how can you get the most out of your business technology?

Perhaps more critically, how can you make sure your technology doesn’t become a liability rather than an asset?

With so many devices now connecting to the Internet, decreasing your business’ threat surface area is more critical than ever. Your threat surface area consists of any device that connects to your organization’s IT infrastructure, and if you’re not careful or forget a couple of oddball wearables, you could be looking at a data breach. Listed below is how you can prevent that from happening.

Fairly recently, news circulated that a data breach had exposed 16 billion passwords for numerous logins, including social media accounts, virtual private networks, corporate tools, and more. Effectively, every online service imaginable was represented in this breach.

This is very bad… arguably unprecedented.

That being said, this impression is at best misleading. Listed below is a look into the truth of the matter, while still acknowledging that there are some lessons to be learned.

Good cybersecurity is an important part of modern business operations. Business owners should be aware of several critical aspects of their digital security to help protect company assets and maintain the continuity of your operations. Listed below are four points every business needs to address.

Android 16 is now officially available for device manufacturers to implement, offering significant enhancements to security via a new mode: Advanced Protection. Listed below: how these enhancements have altered a user’s built-in security within the operating system. 

If you’re reading this on the day it's posted, it's Wednesday. How often have you had to rewrite the same messages, over and over, in your internal reporting and client interactions so far this week? Probably quite a bit, and certainly more than you’d prefer.

This is wasteful: not only does replicating this message over and over cost valuable time, but it also uses up mental energy… plus, simply copy-pasting can easily lead to errors and oversights. Luckily, modern email platforms provide templates that can be utilized to generate consistent and quality messages. 

Data loss is looming on the horizon, not just for you, but for all unprepared businesses. Are you confident in your ability to recover from a potential data loss incident? Like any IT challenge and risk, it helps to know what you’re up against. Listed below are three of the most common data loss scenarios so you can be prepared for them well in advance.

The point-of-sale (POS) system has evolved from a simple cash register into the dynamic hub of your business operations. Beyond that satisfying sound it makes (if you turn on that feature) it now handles inventory, customer data, and more. Your POS is working harder than ever, but is it working smarter for you? As a mission-critical system, choosing or upgrading your POS isn't just about processing payments; it's about future-proofing your success.

Productivity is one of the most common modern business goals, with many doing everything they can to optimize it. In fact, today is officially World Productivity Day, highlighting the significant importance placed on this specific metric.

Despite this, productivity can often feel unreachable… regardless of how busy one is throughout the day. Listed below are three habits that will significantly support your work and help make the most of your time.

When it comes to cybersecurity, organizations have a lot to keep tabs on, even small organizations. In fact, you wouldn’t believe just how much goes into cybersecurity and why your business needs to make it a priority. Cybersecurity is more than just a buzzword on the Internet; it’s a lifeline that will keep your business secure.

As the water cooler whispers about artificial intelligence grow louder, workers are actively becoming worried about the status of their jobs. The idea of robots taking jobs can sound alarming, but knowledge is power. By comprehending how AI works and what it can do for a business, employers and employees alike can gain some perspective and peace of mind. 

Business owners have to wear many hats. You're the CEO, the head of sales, the marketing guru, and often, the de facto IT department. It's understandable that with so much to do, dealing with a sluggish computer or a temperamental software program gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. A laissez-faire attitude towards your technology can have serious consequences, however. Listed below: why being lazy with your IT causes more harm than good.

In nearly every office, the printer hums along, a familiar backdrop to the workday. Have you ever paused to consider how much all that printing really adds up? If the average office worker might use around 10,000 sheets of paper annually, as some studies suggest, that is far too high with the modern technology available to us. That’s a significant impact on budgets and the environment.

Many (and hopefully most) businesses have a concrete view of the role that their IT plays in operations: cost center, money pit, necessary evil.

Something we’ve realized, however, is that these impressions are simply warning signs that a business’ technology strategy and approach need some attention. Listed below are three warning signs that might be all too familiar to you, and what can be done to change course and help turn your IT into a contributing part of your overall productivity.

It's common that people need to access the same websites repeatedly for their work purposes, including calendars, applications, and portals. Bookmarking these resources offers a simple way to quickly and easily access them on demand.

Listed below are practices that can help you take these handy utilities to the next level of usefulness. 

Technology is meant to be the wind in your company's sails, propelling you forward, simplifying tasks, and making operations smoother, right? Sometimes, it is! Other times, it feels more like a mischievous gremlin has been let loose in the engine room, and certain seemingly small habits can escalate into full-blown operational nightmares.

Here at Macro Systems, we've seen a pattern or two. Listed below is a look at three common technology mistakes that might be silently sabotaging your productivity or even worse, leaving your digital doors wide open.