AI has revolutionized the way businesses operate, streamlining numerous tasks and changing how knowledge-based businesses function in record time. One of the ways that businesses are utilizing AI is customer support, but how effective is it really? Is there any merit to maintaining the human element of your customer service, or said in a different way, what can human customer support offer that AI cannot?
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.
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.
Are you blindly sprinting forward where your technology is involved, picking things that sound good, hoping you have enough forward momentum to reach the next stop? Alas, this approach is often an option that many businesses take, usually to their detriment.
We want to remind you that there is a better way: creating an IT roadmap to strategically merge your technology with your more functional business goals, helping you progress with every dollar invested.
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.
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.
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.
The CIO or Chief Information Officer of any company has a lot of pressure on them to get their organization’s technology right. Not only do they need to put strategies in place that will help the company prosper; they need to take the brunt of the heat when these IT initiatives don’t work out in the way they forecast them to. A lot of their job is to say yes when their best instinct is to say no. Listed below is a look at three of the technologies that today’s CIOs are green-lighting.
How long has your workstation been in use? How long does it take to boot up, to access your user profile, to load the documents you need to work on?
It can be extremely tempting to put off any investment into new hardware… after all, it still works, doesn’t it? Well, depending on your answers to the above questions, it may not. Don’t fall into the classic trap of relying on hardware that is simply too old to support your needs. It’s more costly than you’d think.
For those of you making the leap from macOS to Windows, we know that while the fundamental principles of computing remain, the execution often differs. In our ongoing series, we're dedicated to guiding you through these transitions, ensuring your journey into the Windows ecosystem is as smooth as possible. Listed below is a look at a universal computing challenge: the frozen application.
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.
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.
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.
Do you know what goes into a successful data backup strategy? If not, understand that your business relies on these contingencies to confidently face the challenges of the modern business world. Listed below is a break down of the essentials of a sound backup strategy, which is more complicated than you think.