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.
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.
Do you ever wonder why some businesses seem to have endless technology issues? It’s not by accident. It's usually a matter of not having the smart, simple habits in place to combat problems that present themselves. Listed below are three ways that your business can avoid large technology headaches.
Deals are great; offering some money and getting more than you’d expect in return… It’s the next best thing to free. It’s also really nice to get something fast.
Not so fast, though. As nice as they can make things seem, “cheap” and “quick” aren’t often synonymous with “effective” or “valuable.” In fact, selecting the presumably easy route regarding your business technology can ultimately lead to bigger problems in the form of something called tech debt.
Technology doesn’t just support today's businesses, it drives them. Whether it's handling customer transactions, storing data, or running day-to-day operations, businesses depend on their IT systems to work reliably. But what if you could spot problems before they actually cause trouble?
Running a small or medium-sized business means juggling countless priorities. You're focused on your customers, team, and bottom line… but what about the technology that powers it all?
Usually overlooked, your IT infrastructure is far more than just the computers on desks. It's the complex web of network equipment, essential software subscriptions, cloud services, and even the personal smartphones and tablets your employees use for work. Keeping this entire ecosystem running smoothly and securely is a significant challenge for many SMBs.
It is great to have pride and confidence in your organization, especially in the team you’ve assembled… including your in-house technical support team. However, even the most capable IT team may not fully meet a business’ needs.
Listed below: an IT team's responsibilities and what can be done to correct any deficits they may encounter.
When Microsoft rolled out Windows 10, it was a huge deal, especially since Windows 8.1 wasn’t exactly a fan favorite. Ten years later, Microsoft is officially pulling the plug on Windows 10 support as of October 14th. If you're still running it, it’s time to start thinking about your next move.
If I were to ask you what technology your business possessed and where it all was right now, could you give me an answer? If not, you’ve demonstrated the importance of keeping an accurate inventory of your business’ IT.
Listed below are some best practices to make managing your business’ IT inventory more effective.
Do you ever feel at home in your business’ server room? Assuming you have a server room, and it’s more than just a stuffy closet in an isolated part of your office, that is. If you’re not confident that you can provide your servers with the management, maintenance, and monitoring they require, we recommend you work with a managed IT company to ensure you get the most value you can from your server units.
The big thing in business computing is AI, or artificial intelligence, and businesses are implementing it to solve a lot of repetitive issues that free up their employees to serve other roles. One such area is for IT support. But is it worth it to chat with a robot when something as imperative as IT is on the line?
Technology is a large part of how businesses run today, but that also makes them prime targets for cyberattacks. These attacks can shut down operations and steal sensitive data. Listed below are five common cybersecurity issues businesses deal with:
Computer problems can be very irritating, especially when they slow you down while working. Many times, it is something that can be fixed quickly, but then there are issues that an experienced IT professional has to address. Listed below are some of the most common computer problems professionals run into.
It’s natural for businesses to depend on their tools, like IT, to achieve success, but if you don’t take care of your systems, it could lead to downtime. You can bypass many of these challenges with the right approach to technology maintenance. Listed below are some of the proactive methods you can use to keep downtime to a minimum.
Managing servers can be a challenging task for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Despite being essential to your operations, servers are complex technologies that, if not managed properly, can lead to wasted time, energy, and resources. Listed below are the vital functions of server management and how to maximize your current resources.
Most businesses rely on their technology; thus, a failure to manage that technology can lead to significant financial waste and operational inefficiencies. One significant way a business can waste money is through over-investment in unnecessary or overly complex IT infrastructure. Listed below is an examination on how companies waste their money on technology and how to identify if technology is working for your business.
There's a lot of pressure on (usually understaffed and overworked) internal IT teams to manage and maintain increasingly complex systems. For businesses noticing signs of strain on their IT staff, seeking assistance from managed services providers (MSPs) could be the remedy. Listed below are tips an MSP like us can use to alleviate the pressure and contribute to workplace wellness for all.
Information technology provides businesses of all sizes significant benefits, very much including small and medium-sized organizations. Listed below are five modern tools that offer this kind of inclusive utility to the point that we see them as essential for successful business operations today.
Do you have employees who struggle with their technology? Chances are that there will always be individuals who are not as proficient with it as you might expect, and without a dedicated IT resource to ask for assistance, they might get frustrated and disengage with their work. You need to provide the right support to your employees. Fortunately, Macro Systems has just the right solution to your problems: a help desk!
Cost/Benefit is a term you hear a lot. It’s always used in conversations about potential investment and means something. Well, at least it should. One of the places that many people can gain benefits from their investments is by outsourcing some of their responsibilities to an outside vendor. This works especially well with IT management. Listed below is a look at why outsourcing your technology support and management is a good investment.
