Make the Switch to Unified Communications – The Top 5 Reasons to Help You Make Up Your Mind

Communication is essential to the success of your business. Whether you’re collaborating with team members or meeting with new customers, it’s imperative that you optimize the communication process. Unified communications (UC) helps optimize the communication process by providing features like video conferencing, call control and more. So, why haven’t you made the switch yet?

 

Adopting unified communications is a big decision that requires asking some tough questions: is it the best choice for your business in the long-term? Does it make financial sense to invest? How easy is it to integrate with existing solutions? There’s a lot to consider, so we found five reasons to help ease the decision process.

 

Reduce the cost of multi-platform solutions.

UC includes video conferencing, call control, presence and other solutions that are typically bought separately.  By integrating all of those features, you not only create a seamless technology experience, you reduce the number of fees you’re paying for each platform.

 

Connect your team with improved availability.

No matter where your team is located – different offices, states or countries – you’ll have a direct line to the person you need. Using instant messaging and UC solutions, see when someone is available or when they’re in a meeting, so you can stay connected with your team easier.

 

Provide a better customer experience with call control.

Nothing is more frustrating for a new or existing customer than being placed on hold for extended periods of time and experiencing multiple call transfers. With call control, you know exactly why a customer has called, who they’ve already talked to and how long they’ve been waiting before you say “hello.”

 

Clean up your workflow with employee accountability.

With traditional phone systems, it’s difficult to track which team members are talking to which customers. UC optimizes your work processes by minimizing the finger-pointing. You’ll see exactly which team member spoke to which customer and how long they conversed.

 

Improve productivity with streamlined communications.

By uniting your communications, you not only reduce the amount of back-and-forth between your internal team, but you minimize the call-holding times of your customers. UC uses direct communication methods to boost productivity, reduce wait times and help solve your customer’s challenges faster.

 

When it comes down to it, deploying unified communication solutions is easy with the right partner. Contact us today to learn more about our UC services and how we can help you optimize your telecommunications.

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How to Perfect Your Remote Workforce with Managed Services

Technology has introduced the “remote workforce”. And without innovative breakthroughs in technology, working from home would not have become such a popular option in today’s world. That’s why you need the latest technologies and expertise to succeed with your remote workforce.

Time, remote access, security and productivity – these are some of the biggest issues most businesses face when moving to a remote workforce.

  • Can files, data and communications be accessed remotely?
  • Is there a way to centralize and organize collaboration?
  • Are you putting your server and network at risk?
  • How do you keep everyone on the same page?
  • What happens when your system fails?

Some of the greatest challenges with your remote workforce can be overcome simply by understanding which types of systems and solutions you need.

That’s where an MSP (managed service provider) comes in to save the day.

Virtual Private Network

Can files, data and communications be accessed remotely?

A virtual private network (VPN) keeps you connected everywhere you go. VPNs not only do this but offer an added layer of security to your technology stack, and this type of network is ideal for those employing a remote workforce.

BYOD or “bring your own device” policies are one aspect of your remote workforce that leaves you vulnerable, but a VPN works to protect end-user devices no matter how mobile you go.

 

Office 365

Is there a way to centralize tasks and organize collaboration?

Some of the best tools for a remote workforce come from the cloud. Office 365 is a cloud hosted application package that includes everything your team needs to develop projects, set appointments and send messages all in one place.

The beauty of Office 365 is having one software solution that does it all. A managed service provider helps organizations install these applications, update them as needed and renew licenses to end tedious disruptions in your daily operations.

 

Risk Prevention Monitoring

Are you putting your server and network at risk?

Take extra precautions when working remotely. As with any type of business or organization, moving to a remote workforce tempts cyber criminals. For each additional remote worker, you add another gap in your security, because cyber-attacks tend to exploit the end-user most; and why wouldn’t they when it’s so easy to do?

Risk prevention monitoring with a managed service provider helps you prep for an attack or even deflect threats before they happen. This puts your remote workforce on the defense and minimizes the risk of downtime in the long run.

 

VoIP Phone Systems

How do you keep everyone on the same page?

Keep your remote workforce communicating. A voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system works to consolidate your communications and allows you to add or remove lines with ease. This phone system communicates over Wi-Fi connections to unite your workforce and offer you the option of dialing in to conference calls.

The best part about VoIP is how much you can save on your phone bills. With many businesses saving an upwards of 40 percent with VoIP, making the switch seems a matter of logic.

 

Technical Support

What happens when your system fails?

Remember Murphy’s Law – anything that can go wrong will go wrong. As much as we wish it wasn’t true, plenty of break/fix bills prove it. But the problem with waiting to fix it after it’s broken is that the solution to your problem often costs much more than it would if you had simply patched the holes in your security in the first place.

It is possible to prevent downtime events and slowdowns with a managed service provider. But when there isn’t time, emergency technical support is a much-needed service for your remote workforce. Not only does it give you a rapid response team, it gives you the tools and expertise you need to avoid future problems.

What solutions does your organization need to succeed with a remote workforce?

Our business specializes in managed services for your remote workforce. Contact us today, and let’s talk about the best IT tools for you.

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5 New 2018 CES Tech Products Will Change Your Life

Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) announces the latest technological breakthroughs and inventions by top companies around the world. Out of the hundreds of new electronics featured, a few of these reveals are sure to change the way you do business in 2018.

In case you missed out on the CES coverage, here is a quick rundown of innovations that will definitely be on your radar this year.

 

Aura Security

Physical security is constantly evolving, and Aura gives you the power to detect intruders without a camera or infrared sensors. You read the specs correctly! Aura uses your Wi-Fi network to create an invisible area of motion and detect disturbances, such as people entering or moving about in the space. When motion is detected, the system sends an alert to your phone, and if enabled, sounds a built-in alarm.

Aura offers a starter kit for $199, and its coverage extends across a 700 square-foot area. This system indicates the current direction security is taking and will shape the future of the way we view surveillance.

 

Samsung Notebook 9 Pen 

Do you currently use your laptop to sign documents? The Samsung Notebook 9 Pen is a sleek notebook computer that’s light as a feather (relatively speaking). This laptop is made from Metal 12, a new super light and amazingly strong magnesium alloy. The computer offers a system much like that of a Samsung convertible laptop combined with a Galaxy Note device – with a fancy stylus included!

The Samsung Notebook 9 Pen comes with the power of an Intel Core i7 processor and up to 16GB of RAM. You may have been struggling with tasks last year but signing documents, writing down your thoughts and taking care of daily business is a cinch in 2018.

 

Dell Mobile Connect

Are you missing calls? Dell just came out with a software that simplifies connectivity. You can now integrate your smartphones and tablets with your PC and accomplish more in one day. Simplify everyday tasks, such as checking messages and responding to inquiries by turning your computer into your digital dashboard. Checking all of your notifications in one place gives you a truly integrated solution that keeps you on task.

This Dell Mobile Connect software is included in new Dell computers and allows you to make calls, send texts and receive notifications while also giving you the ability to interact with your favorite mobile apps directly from your PC screen.

 

Moviphone

This mobile phone turns into your personal projector! Imagine pulling out a cell phone at your next meeting and using it to project your presentation or notes for a room full of people. That’s what you get with Moviphone, not to be confused with Movifone. This phone can be used with any wireless service provider and includes all the features of your current phone – and then some.

Moviphone works using a Wireless Mobi Solution (WMS) to offer a 50-lumen projector that supports 720p HD video streaming. It mirrors your device screen to project anything from YouTube and Netflix videos to PowerPoint presentations. Now you can use a 5.5-inch screen to display 100-inch projections wherever you go.

 

TiTAN AI Robot

Artificial intelligence is slowly making its way into our daily lives, and this particular robot recognizes your emotions and responds to how you’re feeling. It uses a combination of smart speaker and touchscreen to mimic the capabilities of Alexa or Google Home. But what separates TiTAN AI is the advanced facial and speech recognition features that adapt the way the robot will reply.

Not only does this robot come with the capabilities you need to make video calls, check surveillance, search the web, play music or control a smart home with voice commands, it also uses your personal preferences to make food, music and movie recommendations. TiTAN AI Robot also swivels with your movement and follows you throughout the room.

How do you innovate and keep up with the latest technology breakthroughs?

Get a free consultation to pinpoint the vulnerabilities in your infrastructure and determine which new technologies will benefit you in 2018 – contact us today.

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Don’t Break the Bad News – Be PCI Compliant

With all the recent incidents of data breaches across the country, the last email you want to see in your inbox is this one:

 

“Dear Valued Customer,

It was recently reported that we were attacked by cyber criminals. We’ve confirmed that our payment data systems have been breached, and this could potentially impact customers using payment cards at our stores…”

 

Does this make your stomach squirm? Maybe sweat begins to form on your forehead. You start to backtrack to what days you were at that particular business – thinking what’s going to happen if you’re one of the unlucky ones. It’s not a good feeling.

 

Now, here’s an email you would never want to have to send out on your company’s behalf:

 

“Dear Valued Customer,

It was recently reported that we were attacked by cyber criminals. We’ve confirmed that our payment data systems have been breached, and this could potentially impact customers using payment cards at our…”

 

Remember all those unsettling feeling from before, you’ve just made every one of your customers feel that way. Isn’t that worse?

 

Luckily, there’s a solve – making sure you’re PCI compliant and keeping up with it. Here are the six PCI regulations, you must comply with:

  • Have a secure card processing network
  • Protect all cardholder information and data
  • Protect your systems against malware
  • Put strong access control measures in place
  • Monitor and test your networks
  • Create and maintain and Information Security Policy

With these steps in place, you’ll be able to decrease the risk of security breaches, boost customer confidence and gain peace of mind. And, if you use a third-party processing system, don’t automatically assume you are protected.

 

While being PCI compliant doesn’t mean you’re 100 percent safe from seeing the first email in your inbox, it does make sure you won’t write an email filled with bad news. Let us help you make sure your customers’ payment information is kept secure. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation PCI compliance audit.

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Upgrading Your Tech is Oh So Easy This Tax Season

Your technology may not have an expiration sticker but like a bruised banana, they often show signs of deterioration. It’s not uncommon for organizations to attempt to stretch their computer capabilities over the course of a decade, but they’ll become frustrated when a computer “unexpectedly” quits working. In fact, it’s costing you more money in downtime and wait-time than it would cost to buy new equipment.

So, when do you need to upgrade your equipment?

  • Computers – Every 5 to 7 years
  • Other tech, including printers and switches – Every 3 to 5 years
  • Company Vehicles – Every 6 to 10 years

What if we told you, you have the ability to make your upgrades right now and could deduct the full amount of your purchases this tax season? Well, it’s true. Section 179 allows you to deduct the full price of any qualifying equipment or software purchased or leased during the year, including:

  • Purchased, financed or leased purchases
  • Workstations, laptops, tablets, smartphones
  • Servers and printers, routers, network switches, network security appliances
  • Software (productive, antivirus, administrative, etc.)

All you need to do is use form 4562 to claim your deduction. The full deduction can be claimed until you’ve reached the allotted $2 million in equipment and software purchases. Past that point, the deduction decreases on a dollar for dollar basis.

Overall, with Section 179, your business has the opportunity to leverage new equipment right now instead of waiting and potentially slowing down growth and innovation. We want to help you do just that, contact us to request your free, no-obligation tax deduction consultation.

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Three Ways You Can Kick the Cost of Downtime to the Curb

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could spend your time running your business instead of worrying about unplanned IT outages? Well, get ready to tackle your to-do list, because here are three preventative steps you can take so you don’t have to spend your workday messing around with IT issues.

  1. Be Prepared with a Business Continuity Plan

According to a recent ITIC study, 98% of organizations say a single hour of downtime costs more than $100,000. So, whether it’s something as small as a deleted file or as big as a disaster that wipes out your data, you need to be back up and running as quickly as possible. A business continuity plan decreases your chances of experiencing downtime and ensures that if the worst-case-scenario does happen, your business can continue to operate.

  1. Make the Move to the Cloud

Your data is your most vital asset, so protecting it is critical to your future. The cloud provides secure and convenient solutions to your data storage and archiving needs. When you upload your important documents and files in the cloud, you have quick and easy access to them even when an unexpected outage occurs.

  1. Plan Regular Device Checkups

Your employees come to work in the morning ready to tackle the workday, not failing devices. You can dramatically reduce loss of productivity by regularly installing software updates and patches.

You don’t have to sacrifice tending to core business functions to prepare for downtime. When you partner with us, you get a team of IT experts who work tirelessly to identify red flags before they cause problems, so you experience fewer IT challenges and more uptime.  Contact us today and experience the difference of having a reliable IT partner in your corner.

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Three Reasons You Have Got to Upgrade Your PCs

Holding on to old PCs? You’re losing 42 hours of productivity time per year. Do the math—that’s a lot of money-per-hour down the drain.

If that’s not enough to convince you, here are three more reasons to upgrade your old computers before they do any more damage to your bottom line.

  1. Your Employees are Exasperated

You want your team to excel? Give them the tools they need to do so, starting with computers that don’t freeze or shut down every twenty minutes and watch how much more they get done in a day. Old technology leads to employee disengagement, which means your team is not giving your clients the high level of service you’re promising them on the front end.

  1. You’re Making Cyber Criminals’ Jobs Too Easy

Old PCs are the easiest to hack and they’re putting your entire network at risk. Firewalls and anti-viral software are designed to work with newer machines so no matter how much you invest in them, you’ll still have fundamental gaps in your infrastructure security. The chances of your business surviving a major data breach is slim to none, so saving on new computers can cost you more in the long run. You also have a responsibility to protect your employees and customers’ sensitive data. There’s too much at risk to hold on to hardware that can jeopardize everything you’ve worked for.

  1. You’re Spending Too Much Money

In a Techaisle survey of 736 SMBs, 47 percent reported lack of funds are the main reason they don’t upgrade to new machines, opting instead to repair them as they go. This may sound cheaper on the front end but the cost of repeatedly fixing the same computer is costing you at least double the cost of a new laptop, especially when you factor in productivity loss.

When it comes the machines, your employees spend most of their day using to get their work done, you’ve got to make smart decisions. Your office productivity and employee engagement will skyrocket if you give them the tools they need to get their jobs done without having to constantly stop and troubleshoot. If you’re worried about the cost of a major tech refresh, partner with managed service provider that can help you offset the cost of acquiring and maintaining new machines.

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