Macro Systems Blog

Business leaders and decision makers have a lot to deal with… and that’s before factoring in all the problems and obstacles that arise over the course of their normal operations, especially when it comes to the technology their businesses rely on.

Of course, a smart business owner would want their technology to be as reliable as possible, available without requiring conscious effort. As it happens, one of the modern options for IT support enables circumstances to be as close to this ideal as possible… but the other predominant option ultimately gives you more to worry about.

Disruptions, from natural disasters to cyberattacks, can hit any business. A strong business continuity plan (BCP) is essential to protect your organization, employees, and customers. It’s an investment that helps you handle the unexpected and get back on your feet quickly.

Listed below are the vital dos and don'ts for building your plan.

Cloud computing has become a game-changer for companies of all sizes, making collaboration easier and more efficient than ever before. By offering a centralized, accessible platform, the cloud breaks down traditional barriers to teamwork, whether teams are in the same office or spread across large distances.

Listed below are four vital ways cloud computing enhances collaboration:

A successful business is a secure business. You probably have a good lock on the front door, maybe an alarm system, and secure cabinets for critical documents. You do all of this to protect your business' physical assets from threats. So why wouldn't you do the same for your digital assets?

Just as you have physical security measures, your company also needs strong cybersecurity policies. They help create clear rules for employees to follow and a plan to fall back on if an incident occurs.

As we try to get as much fun from the final months of summer as possible, many of us will find it increasingly challenging to disconnect from the office, even from miles away. We could be lounging on a quiet beach in Bora Bora, but instead of enjoying the tranquility, we’d still be itching to check our emails. Instead of being able to truly relax, many team members and business owners still feel the pressures of the office even when away, essentially undoing any benefits of the vacation.

Let’s discuss how this can be addressed for the mutual benefit of everyone, allowing you and your team members to step away from time to time without causing disruptions.

While data might be the new currency, your own business’ data may be a bit too messy to make full use of. You might be paying to store it and protect it, but you’re not doing as much with your data as you’d like. Here’s how businesses find themselves with these “data graveyards” and why it basically functions like a debt rather than an asset.

Business owners have a lot of responsibilities, and while you can hire a lot of people to cover some of the more stressful ones, it might feel strange to outsource your company’s technology management. You know IT is imperative, so that’s why you feel like you have to do it yourself, or at least in-house, but in reality, you’re the last person who should be working with your technology—and we’ll explain why.

The Internet is a staple in most offices around the world, and it'd be hard to find one that doesn’t depend on it in some fashion. A large part of seeing success with the Internet relies on your bandwidth, as well as your network’s capacity to reach the capabilities of your Internet service provider. Listed below is a breakdown of what bandwidth is, as well as how you can make the most of your Internet package.

You should want your team to be ready and able to accomplish as much as possible. So, when a team member approaches you with a request for a better laptop or a dual-monitor setup and the wish to do more with their time, you should agree. That being said, there may be that little voice in the back of your head, whispering, “Was that a wise investment?”

It can be hard to balance the need for employee satisfaction with your budgetary restrictions, but it must be done. Listed below are the considerations you need to make… as well as the pitfalls that must be avoided.

There’s a specific stress that comes from the disconnect between the money you invest in your business IT and the value that comes back from it. Sure, you know what the money is being spent on… but that’s a far cry from knowing how these investments are shifting the needle.

Listed below: the importance of comprehending what your IT is telling you and when you need to demand more information… politely, of course.

Your business wants to utilize every opportunity it can to increase its bottom line and eliminate unnecessary costs, but how often does printing enter into the conversation? You waste more paper, ink, and toner than you think by not keeping a close watch on your printing practices. The right technology can not only reduce these wasteful practices but eliminate them entirely, giving you more capital to invest elsewhere in your business.

With cloud computing, your business has access to tools that fundamentally change the way work takes place. Several of the biggest reasons to utilize the cloud include flexibility, efficiency, and scalability. How are you planning to use the cloud to add or remove resources to your business initiatives as needed? Listed below: how scalability works and how your business can fully leverage it with the cloud.

A disorganized workspace can lead to a disorganized mind. Whether you're working from home or in an office, keeping your workspace clean and organized can significantly boost your productivity, reduce stress, and even spark creativity. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about creating an environment where you can thrive.

Here are five tips to help you maintain a pristine and productive workspace:

The grind of daily business operations can feel relentless. From overflowing inboxes to endless task lists and scattered information, it's easy to get bogged down in the minutiae. That’s why it's imperative to know and utilize the right technology to transform tedious tasks into strategically streamlined workflows, providing you and your team with more time and clarity. Listed below is a look at some of the technology you can use to take a little stress off your grind.

You're in the middle of a critical presentation, and suddenly, your screen freezes. Or maybe your customer relationship management (CRM) system goes down during peak sales hours. Your first instinct might be to panic, to hit every button, or to call everyone you know. Listed below: how overreacting to your technology troubles can be just as bad as the troubles themselves. 

Tips are great as long as they actually work. Business owners need more technology tips than just about anything else, whether that is app-specific or general care of technology. Macro Systems tries to do our best to offer useful tips a couple of times a month, but this week we wanted to focus on what is probably the most critical tip we can provide.

Has this ever happened to you?

It’s late, after a long day of work, but you’re finally home and able to relax. Just as you get comfortable, your phone dings. You glance at your phone. It’s a work email… and if you’re like most, you’ll be itching just to check it and get it over with. The problem is, each time you do so, you whittle away the line between work and the rest of your life. This “always on” impression our technology offers has contributed to a few significant problems. 

Let’s see if we can address these problems.

You’ve probably heard the saying "work smarter, not harder". It usually describes the use of technology to bring time-and-money-saving advantages to the table that human workers can’t produce on their own. As good as technology is at enhancing productivity and efficiency, it only works if you are able to get your employees engaged. 

While the allure of shiny new gadgets and cutting-edge software is undeniable, the real magic happens when these investments directly translate into tangible productivity gains, transforming how we work and propelling businesses forward.

You probably utilize Google more than you care to admit, so what if we told you that you could be getting even more value out of your Google searches? Listed below are some strategies to customize your Google search results by making your searches more effective from the outset.

For decades, the business phone was a tether, firmly rooting you to your desk; Missed calls and unheard voicemails were just part of the deal if you stepped away. Today, when a lot of businesses depend on remote and hybrid work, that's no longer acceptable. It's time for a significant upgrade, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the answer.