Dan Coppen's Posterous

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As a business owner, you have to consider many different aspects of your business if you want to be successful over the long-term. One area that is often overlooked is the type of tech help that you provide your employees. Giving your employees tech help can make a big difference in many different areas of your business. Here are a few benefits of giving employees the tech support that they need.

More Productivity

One of the biggest advantages of giving employees access to tech support is that they can be more productive. When your employees are struggling to figure out how to use their computers or some other piece of technology, they will not be able to focus on their jobs. Computers and similar hardware are provided to employees as tools to help them get their jobs done quickly. When a computer isn't working like it should, this can slow down the employees and make it so that they cannot do their jobs. If you want to make sure that your company is running smoothly and ensure that everyone is doing their job to the best of their ability, you need to give them access to tech support when they need it.

Better Customer Service

Regardless of what type of business you're in, you are ultimately in business to please your customers. If you don't please your customers, you're probably not going to be in business for very long. If you don't provide your employees with access to technical support, they will not be able to do their jobs in a way that pleases customers. For example, if a customer is waiting on a call back on a question about their order and one of your employees cannot gain access to the computer system to answer the question, it will inevitably anger your customer. Your customer will not understand that a technical problem has kept the employee from being able to answer the question and will instead think that your company is incompetent.

Affordable

Many business owners mistakenly think that giving employees access to technical support is going to break the bank. In reality, there are ways that you can provide technical support to your employees without having to spend too much money. For example, you could outsource your technical support to a dedicated technical support company. Instead of hiring a full-time IT person to handle this for you, simply outsource it for a nominal fee. This can help your company get the service that it needs and keep everything on budget at the same time.

 

Other Resources:

• Common Employee Benefits
• IT support in NYC

There are many excellent reasons to have secure memory available when you need it. The main issue is to use the external memory to back up your files, save personal or business data, and any other digital data that needs to be housed in an environment safe from hacking, loss or data destruction.

Using secure external memory can also give your data portability, to the end that you can easily transport the storage device from one location to another and from one machine to another. This can make sharing data and files easier and with the assurance that the data is securely stored where it cannot be accessed by unauthorized users. Setting rights on the user’s access to the files, so that they have different levels of ability to access, read and edit the stored data. This level of security can prevent the wrong eyes from seeing the files if the memory is misplaced.

It is wise to have several secure USB drives at your disposal. These are a quick and safe way to store files and data for transfer between machines and to save files for later access. Locking down the drive with password protection can make them totally private.

Another useful feature is the ability to store important program executable files a secure USB drive, as this allows for quick access to the important installation files that may be used often. Securing the drive will also make these files inaccessible by anyone without the specific rights to do so. For example, a system malware scanning program install file can be placed on a pocketed secure flash drive and ready for use anytime on any machine that it is needed on. Similarly, updates for much used software can be added to the secure memory for easy access offline. This frees up valuable server space and makes these programs extremely portable.

External hard drives are another secure memory solution that can be used to store larger amounts of data and files. These drives may use flash memory drives, or other hard drives to store many bytes of data, up to the terabyte range and beyond. Employing an array of secure external hard drives is a great way to archive files for long term storage. By utilizing back up software, these drives can be set to automatically save any data and store it in file folders. The folders will be updated according to the user preferences. A daily back up can be arranged, or a copy made each time the master is changed to assure that all edits are saved.

Secure memory solutions for data storage are much needed, easily obtainable, and should be used often wherever possible.

Managing employee profiles is one way companies keep their networks safe from viruses, Trojans, malware, spyware and other system threats. However, it can frustrate employees and cut into productivity, which ultimately costs companies time and money.

So, how can a firm maintain their network security, while keeping employees happy and productive? It’s a fine line, but one that can be walked with triCerat’s Simplify Profiles software.

First, let’s look at why profiles are such a security threat.

User Profiles: A Gateway for Trouble

Windows 7 mandatory profiles can contain numerous files and folders that store tons of information, e.g., application data, cookies, etc. Hence, a security breach can cause a host of problems – not only for one user, but for an entire organization, depending on how their system is configured. And, this is why companies have managed profiles.

But, if an organization manages its users profile too tightly, it can lead to costs in another area, e.g., IT support. For example, constant calls to IT to get access to certain programs/data; lost productivity time because users have to constantly reconfigure their workspace; etc.

Simplify Profiles offers a solution.

What is Simplify Profiles?

It has been called a “hybrid software” – one that bridges the gap between network security concerns and end-user productivity. A profile management tool, it allows user profiles to be saved from one session to the next. This way when an employee logs back in, changes (within certain parameters) they’ve made to their profile (within certain parameters), are readily available and they can immediately get down to work.

Because system administrators control and manage exactly which profile elements are discarded, and which are saved (e.g., recently used documents list and desktop settings), it’s secure.
Simplify Profiles keeps system administrators and end users happy and productive; a balance every organization strives for.

The modern office runs on a tightly interwoven web of technologies. To centralize control of virtual resources and separate the end user from the complexity of the physical desktop, many environments use virtual desktop infrastructures or thin clients that allow users to connect to corporate computer environments. However, these systems present their own challenges. New operating systems and upgrades to existing ones, upgrades or replacements to applications, peripheral hardware use, and access policies can be nightmares for the underprepared office. Workspace management software is the solution to these challenges.

Managing application access is one of the most common and challenging tasks workspace administrators face. Group policies and software restriction policies are an inadequate solution to this problem; they do not prevent a user from launching or disrupting applications by slightly less straightforward means. For example, on a Windows system, any user can access the Task Manager processes with a simple key combination. Even if a whitelist attitude is adopted toward application access, then enabling access to new applications becomes another ordeal. Worker productivity suffers if users have to log in and out of different environments just to access the programs and documents they need. Also, application licensing becomes a nebulous and expensive issue in shared environments that are inefficiently managed. Workspace management software can provide users with a computing environment that is only ever as connected as it must be, and gives access only to the icons and executables needed.

Another problem often seen in complex corporate computing environments is difficulty accessing and using a real printer. This is the other side of the conveniences enabled by separating the user from the physical computer resources they are working with. However, incompatibilities can be mitigated with the proper workspace management software. When the user decides to print, the proper driver can be read from the client hardware, giving the users all the capabilities of the printer without exposing them to the actual driver or limiting them to a strict set of printers. Many workspace management solutions offer the ability to both remotely and locally access printers.

Workspace management software can even collect data on user activity for the benefit of administration. By knowing exactly how users are functioning in the system and detecting usability bottlenecks, administrators can help design a more efficient user workspace. Workspace management software makes the complexities of modern workspace computing more manageable.

Small businesses everywhere can use the new technologies to save money and stay competitive in today's market. Be aware of what's out there to enhance productivity and efficiency. Instead of hiring more people, renting more space, and buying new equipment, try these ideas on for size.

Be in the Cloud

Take the stress off the bank account by using cloud computing to store data and access from any location. Not only will this reduce the need for space for servers, tech staff to maintain them and upgrade software, it will also allow employees to telecommute. Using cloud based applications means no more buying software upgrades or licenses for workers to use the application. Managed service providers store servers, or rent server space to businesses, and their staff takes care of any maintenance. Colocation hosting also allows a greater degree of back up redundancy than onsite hosting.

Outsource the Helpdesk

One easy solution to more staff and less computer hassle is outsourcing helpdesk services. Not only will the business not need an IT person full time, but workers will have access to assistance anytime, all the time. Productivity will increase, and costs will fall.

Eliminate the Clutter

Go paperless and not only will the office be neater, but shipping, printing, and storage costs will go away. Faxes can be redirected to email, mail can be scanned to pdf, and postage will be irrelevant. E-signatures make contracts binding without the need for printing. Any worker can access data from the cloud, eliminating the bottleneck of finding filed papers stored in only one location.

Join the Crowd

Using social media to enhance and even replace traditional marketing and advertising can save a business millions. Websites, search engine optimization, and creating tribes of followers cost little and can pay off big. Direct interaction with clients, building relationships in a digital age, leads to increased sales and retention of current clients and attraction of new ones. Word of mouth is alive and well, as the digital buzz rather than spoken word.

With a little research, made easier by technology, businesses can decide what will work best for them. Create a plan, and implement it to start keeping up with competitors and saving money while you do it. Join the digital age and business will thrive.

Running a small business can be a challenging venture, especially if the parties involved have no prior experience in the field. From hiring the right employees to working out a suitable advertising campaign, a lot of things are necessary to make it successful. What does not occur to everybody, but should be included on the list, is the need for reliable IT consultants.

When professional IT consultants are added to the team, it is more cost effective. Instead of spending weeks attempting to hire and train people that will handle the technology elements of the company, IT consultants are already trained and ready to work. Bringing on new people can be expensive, and funds in the business that could be used for something else will quickly be depleted. The consultant's years of experience and knowledge will be indispensable when it comes to doing things right, and it is unlikely they will steer the business in the wrong direction.

In addition to adding real experience to the table of the small business, they can also save a lot of time and effort. Employees will not have to take time away from their assigned tasks to tackle extra problems. The more people that have to stop what they are doing to achieve something outside of their usual duties, the more the business could potentially suffer. Small businesses are already at a disadvantage compared to the bigger businesses, so this should be something to keep in mind. Leaving the extra work to an outside party will ensure that employees can focus on what is most important for them.

Finally, professional IT consultants can add security. The people that run the business will be too busy to handle any security issues, and this can increase vulnerability. They could find their technology system hacked or compromised as a result of their lack of time and inexperience; this is where the IT consultants come in. They can make sure that data and other items are safe from compromise; customer personal information will not be put at risk, and everybody can feel safe and free from worry as a result. This is vital for the success of any business, big or small.

 

Additional Resources:

• Information Technology Consulting
• IT Consulting Maryland
• Texas IT Consulting Services

It is absolutely vital in an information economy to protect company data and ensure that it is shared efficiently. For this to happen, a skilled IT department and experienced engineers are necessary. Unfortunately, small and medium sized businesses often do not have the funds to afford all of the necessary staff and equipment. This is where colocation services are extremely helpful.

A colocation service allows companies to share these services with one another, which dramatically reduces the necessary costs for each individual business. Businesses ranging in size from small start-ups to large enterprises can benefit from the expertise of this type of service. Not only do these services save a business money, they also provide them with access to technologies that they would not otherwise have access to.

Source: http://www.cpw.net/Images/colocation.jpg

The most important financial element of maintaining in-house servers are the fixed costs. These fixed costs are often larger than the technology budget a business can afford to spend. A colocation service can afford to pay these costs, allowing a business to pay only for the variable costs.

One of the greatest benefits of the service is the improvement in the cost effectiveness of bandwidth. Since the operators of a colocation service are highly specialized in optimizing server resources, the cost per byte of information stored or transferred is much lower. With more technological resources available, the service is also faster and more reliable, providing dual benefit.

The security provided by this type of service is much greater than is otherwise attainable. The information is protected from threats such as power outages, as well as hackers and other unwanted intruders. Firewalls are in place to protect the information from outsiders, while backup generators and disk space protect against downtime and data loss.

Colocation also offers a great deal more flexibility than an in-house IT service. Business operations can be expanded without facing the obstacles of relocating data. Information can be accessed regardless of the location of your business, meaning that data posses no limitations on where you can open new offices or storefronts.

The upfront costs of servers and other data center technologies are often prohibitive, preventing businesses from gaining access to technologies that could offer a competitive advantage. The costs of vital features such as firewalls and backup are often enough to prevent a business from taking advantage of them, which can prove fatal in the long run. While some businesses fear that moving the data center off-site will provide them with less control over their data, the truth is often the opposite.

 

Additional Resources:

• What is Colocation?
• The Benefits of Colocation
• Colocation Services DC

In the last decade, there has been a real push in the healthcare community to move to electronic medical records. The benefits are numerous. Chief among them is that physicians will be able to quickly and easily access medical histories. When seconds count, this can save lives. Thin client computers are helping to make this, which was once just a pipe dream, a reality.

However, as with all things virtual, security is one of the chief concerns. Following are some ways network security is being increased in the healthcare industry to protect medical information.

Centralized Database: Much like banks keep your financial data stored in a centralized place, network security for the healthcare industry is no different. Thin computers make this possible because they use a central server. This provides a heightened level of security because it can be monitored at all times from one place.

Access Only by Necessary Parties: Thin client computing reduces the need for unnecessary access by other parties. Would you expect or want a surgeon to be in your firm’s IT department? Likewise, pointless access by IT personnel (and other parties) to medical data is lessened by thin clients.

Reduced Testing and Deployment Time: The more a program has to be tested, deployed and retested, the greater the chance for data and security breaches. Thin clients are automated and centralized. This greatly reduces time spent testing and deploying, which reduces the risk of such breaches.

Network Security in the Healthcare Industry Helps to Save Lives

Thin clients inspire trust in the medical community. And because medical professionals trust this technology, they are more apt to use it. This means that medical records can be accessed easier and informed, life-saving decisions can be made quicker.

And isn’t that the ultimate advantage of any “network security?”

There may have been a time when a company could start a business and invest in the latest technology without a lot of assistance. During the early days of technology there wasn't a lot to choose from. Companies had to buy the little that was available or wait for something better to come along.

Today is a much different day. The problem is not that business owners do not have any variety to choose from. In fact, the opposite is true. Technological advancement has become like a great wave that has finally came ashore with a little bit for everyone that is interested. There's Microsoft, Linux, Slackerware, Open Office, Solaris, Red Hat, Ubuntu and a growing host of other software applications and operating system platforms that give clients a huge range of technology options.

The hardware vendors have even changed. IBM is no longer the only name in town. Several decades of technological growth has allowed major players like Dell, HP and Toshiba to enter the market place. Local area networks are larger. Wireless networks are faster. Every aspect of technology is growing in leaps and bounds, and each step of the journey presents clients with more options.

What does a company do in the mist of all this change? The best thing that organizations can do is ride the wave with the direction of technical support firms. Companies that specialize in tech support are the best sources for managing all of the changes that are constantly occurring with software, hardware and network changes. These companies can successfully take clients through all of the technology hoops and save them money as they do this.

Organizations can truly benefit from what technology support firms have to offer. These companies have a foundation that is centered in changes in technology. These firms know about the changes in operating systems, and they know exactly what their clients need. They can work with organizations that have small budgets and present ideas to help them save money. They can also work with organizations that have large technology budgets to help them get the best hardware on the market for network operations.

Tech support firms can extend their knowledge in the areas of training as well. They are instrumental in helping companies grow because they can provide a plan for more computers and large networking platforms. Firms that support technology are a huge asset for all.

The field of Information Technology is a rapidly growing industry, and the competition for jobs in this sector is fierce. It is anticipated that the IT field will create an additional 600,000 positions by 2012.