MSPNetworks Blog

For the average business, upgrading technology comes with some risks. Will you get the return on your investment back fast enough to make your investment worthwhile? Will the technology solve the operational problems you are trying to confront? Do you have the available capital to make significant upgrades? These questions and more can keep a business from taking advantage of the amazing benefits many new technologies can bring. Today, we thought we’d outline four signs that will tell you when it’s time to upgrade your business’ technology.

Falling Productivity

The first sign that you need to do something about your technology is when you have the human resources in place to efficiently do the work, but the technology you have them working on hinders their ability to do it effectively. This has a negative effect on operations, sure, but it also has a negative effect on your team’s morale, which any business owner worth his/her salt knows is an important, albeit unquantifiable metric to running a profitable business.

Newer technology can bring a lot of productivity benefits. It can enhance workers’ productivity individually. It can provide the base for better collaboration. It can even take pressure off of your entire staff by working to automate tasks that are chewing up your business’ profitability. The fact is that if your business is constantly dealing with failing and antiquated technology, it’s probably going to be felt by your workers first, before it even shows up on the bottom line. 

Security Issues

Today’s threat landscape is arduous to say the least. Even the smallest business is now directly in the crosshairs of scammers and hackers looking to systematically scrape data and inject themselves into their process. This isn’t going to get better anytime soon. With a large chunk of the information services still being handled remotely, there are more opportunities than ever for hackers to get their greedy hands on your business’ information, or worse yet, saddle your business with malware that is sure to cause expensive downtime. 

If your business isn’t doing everything it can to keep these thieves off of your network, you will eventually have one come-a-knockin’. That’s just the reality of being a business in the 21st century. New technology typically comes with better security platforms, and ones that are constantly being updated and improved upon. Today, you can’t just ignore the security aspect of your business’ technology deployment. You need to upgrade your systems and keep everything monitored around the clock to give your business the best chance to succeed. 

Business Growth

The first two line items of this article are all doom and gloom, that’s true, and we do it because there are a lot of threats out there and if your tech isn’t good enough to keep your people productive, then you will fall behind. The last item, however, is sunshine and roses: You’ve found success. If your business is doing well and you are starting to consider new ideas to enhance your business’ profitability, one of the first places you should look is to technology.

It’s true that a successful business may not want to change what works, but today there are technologies that can take a thriving business to a whole new level. From building efficiency, to managing multiple revenue streams, to simply ensuring that the technology you have in place has the support it needs so you can continue to grow, making an investment in your business’ future through the integration of new technology is a responsible decision that, more often than not, will pay dividends. 

There are a lot of reasons why you may want to hold off on your new technology plans, but the more that you commit to your company’s future and its ability to support collaboration, efficiency, and dynamic productivity, the better off your business will be. If you would like to learn more about getting the custom technology solutions you need to solve your business’ most pressing problems, give the technology experts at MSPNetworks a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Modern businesses rely on a lot of technology to stay operational, much of which can be considered hardware, or the physical computing systems that contribute to your infrastructure, like workstations, routers, switches, and servers. Unfortunately, no technology lasts forever, and this is true for hardware as well. One of the most devastating problems that a business can face is hardware failure, and no matter how well you maintain your technology, you must be ready to face down this threat at any given moment.

Imagine going about your day-to-day business when your computer starts making some new noises. You think nothing of it, and it eventually goes away or fades into the background. It becomes the new normal for you to work with a fan buzzing incessantly in your ear. Several months go by and your computer is still working just fine… until one day, it isn’t.

PCMag defines hardware failure as the following: “A malfunction within the electronic circuits or electromechanical components (disks, tapes) of a computer system. Recovery from a hardware failure requires repair or replacement of the offending part.” In other words, hardware failure happens when something within your computer is not working the way it is supposed to. Hardware failure is something that occurs naturally over time. Due to the nature of technology, the components might start to erode or degrade with repeated heavy use, like in an office environment. It is an inevitable byproduct of running a business, and one that must be planned for, even under the best circumstances.

Thankfully, there is one thing that you can do about hardware failure that we have not mentioned yet, and that is to use proactive monitoring and maintenance to stave it off for as long as possible. Hardware failure comes with warning signs that should be acted on prior to its eventual failure. Doing so can prolong the life of your technology and give you time to respond before the failure actually occurs.

The biggest benefit to this is that it reduces downtime and costs associated with it, as well as the costs associated with hardware replacement. While you might have to find an alternative to your current hardware eventually, as nothing lasts forever, remotely monitoring your systems for signs of hardware failure and addressing them as they occur will put the power back in your hands, right where it belongs.

All that said, it is critical that you also regularly back up and save any data on your infrastructure. Imagine what could happen if a server were to crash or experience a critical failure. What would you do if that data were lost completely? The thought should make you nervous.

MSPNetworks can help your business remotely monitor and maintain its infrastructure to prevent hardware failure from throwing a wrench in your plans. Furthermore, we can help you implement and deploy a data backup and disaster recovery plan—yes, hardware failures count as disasters—to ensure that even if something does go wrong, your organization will experience minimal downtime. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

When it comes to implementing new technology solutions for your business, there is always a desire to solve some sort of problem. Maybe you are not as productive as you would like to be, or perhaps there is an operational inefficiency that you hope to address or streamline through the use of the technology. Either way, the end result is the same; you are trying to make progress and move forward, not over-complicate your infrastructure.

Believe it or not, businesses of all types have to grapple with issues that implementing new technology comes with, regardless of how much IT support or resources are available. It all boils down to the central question of, “What problem am I aiming to solve with this technology?” If you understand the problem, you can start taking steps toward finding the appropriate solution. Unfortunately for businesses, however, the solution to the problem is not always clear-cut.

For example, let’s say that two companies are looking to increase the accessibility of network resources for remote employees. The obvious solution is to host these resources in the cloud so that they can be accessed from any location, provided the device is familiar and is properly secured. In this case, the problem is the same, but the solution will vary depending on a variety of factors.

For one, in the above scenario, the business’s pre-existing resources will dramatically change the way that this cloud solution is implemented. If the company has the technology infrastructure to host its own cloud server, then that becomes an option, provided that the organization has enough technical know-how to deploy, manage, and maintain said infrastructure. On the other hand, if the company does not have these kinds of resources, then perhaps the best solution for their cloud needs might be to outsource this responsibility to a managed service provider. The provider would then be able to host, manage, and maintain the cloud solution for the company.

Notice how in both scenarios, the companies are examining their problems and potential solutions, as well as the resources that will determine the initiative’s success. This is the key to making progress toward resolving problems with your IT infrastructure; if you can accurately gauge what must be done and what allows you to get it done, you will have a much greater chance of overcoming the issues associated with implementing new technology.

MSPNetworks understands the many pitfalls that organizations can face when implementing new technology solutions, and avoiding these starts with understanding your business’ current needs and the problems that must be solved. We can help you make these difficult decisions through a comprehensive network assessment and infrastructure audit that can identify potential areas of improvement. From here, you can use the information to make informed and educated decisions for your company’s technology needs.

You can count on MSPNetworks to be there for every step of the process, from identifying problems to recommending solutions, as well as implementing said solutions and training your team on how to use them effectively. To get started, give us a call today at (516) 403-9001.

With the ongoing fascination with cryptoassets that started with the cryptocurrency boom, the term “NFT'' has popped up again and again in the headlines. We wanted to help provide some clarity into what an NFT actually is, and why they have been such a big deal as of late.

Let’s begin with a hypothetical situation.

Let’s Say You Attended an Art Auction...

… and, as you were sitting in the bidder’s gallery, the original Nyan Cat GIF was put up for sale. You know, the cat with the toaster pastry body that travels the night sky propelled by a rainbow. You know, the image that can easily be obtained through a simple image search, by anybody, whenever they want.

Now, let’s say that Nyan Cat was ultimately sold for about $561,000 USD… because that’s precisely what happened.

NFTs Have Allowed for the Sale of Digital Assets

This sale, and countless others like it, have been made possible by use of NFTs (short for non-fungible token), which are a cryptoasset much like cryptocurrencies are. The big difference is that, while cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are fungible in that there is effectively no difference between Bitcoins, there are differences between NFTs… as their name would suggest.

Think of it this way: comparing Bitcoins (or other fungible tokens) is an apples-to-apples comparison. Comparing NFTs is more of an apples-to-ocean liners kind of situation.

Like cryptocurrencies, NFTs are powered by the blockchain, which means that each has its own record that effectively can’t be changed once it is created.

But What Is an NFT?

An NFT is effectively a seal of ownership, a token that stakes a claim to any digital asset. These tokens can be linked to anything digital—from images to articles to music to virtual real estate and beyond—to state that an individual owns that digital asset. Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, sold his first tweet “just setting up my twttr" for almost three million dollars. 

NFTs can have different impacts, based on who you are in the transaction. For instance, a digital artist can set up a piece of their artwork with an NFT so they can more effectively sell their work (and potentially get a cut of all future transactions). Casual buyers get the bragging rights of owning an original work and some basic usage rights, while also supporting artists in the financial sense. Collectors can also buy NFTs on speculation, hoping that the value will rise so they can make a profit.

NFTs technically originated when the Ethereum blockchain added support for them, leading to the development of a game/online community called Cryptokitties. Basically, each Cryptokitty is its own NFT, and can be used with another kitty (and a payment to a miner) to breed another unique Cryptokitty. Similarly, another platform rose up that allowed participants to collect virtual rocks.

Are NFTs Going to Be “A Thing?”

Honestly, only time will tell at this point. While the technology is only peeking into the mainstream right now, there has been some support for NFTs exhibited. The band Kings of Leon’s latest (as of this writing) album was sold in the form of an NFT, with different tiers adding different bonuses. Groups of athletes have teamed up to provide fans with digital collections of memorabilia, and numerous brands (including Marvel, DC, and Star Trek) have taken to releasing digital statues of their popular characters.

However, it is also important to mention that NFTs contribute to the environmental stress that other power-hungry blockchain processes do, so this will need to be addressed before many will help to convert the NFT craze into a more sustainable marketplace.

In Short, Technology Can Be Really Confusing…

...and, while your business may not need to worry too much about digital art being sold for $69 million dollars, there’s plenty that you do need to concern yourself with. That’s where we can step in to help. Give us a call today at (516) 403-9001 to find out how we would, and can, help make your business’ technology a better investment than ownership of someone else’s tweet.

Artificial intelligence has always been an intriguing concept, from the works of Isaac Asimov to the initial work at Dartmouth College in the 1950s. Nowadays, many of the technologies that we rely on each day incorporate some version of artificial intelligence… and more progress is made each day. Of course, for all its benefits, artificial intelligence can also create some problems for businesses.

Let’s explore these advantages and disadvantages, shall we?

A Brief Definition of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is more or less what it sounds like. Rather than having a computer system that relies on human input and foresight, artificially intelligent systems are trained to recognize patterns and potential outcomes in data and are given the prerogative to act on the insights it gleans, improving its success record over time as it does so. If you’ve heard of machine learning or witnessed image recognition processes taking place, that’s AI at work. 

As you might imagine, the term “AI” covers a variety of technologies and has an equally wide variety of applications to business processes. This is primarily where AI shows its benefits.

Advantages of Business AI

Let’s review some of the primary advantages that AI can offer a business.

• Business Pattern Optimization - When you consider all the data that your business generates in even a day, the thought of analyzing this data to find patterns, opportunities, or inefficiencies to resolve is understandably daunting. AI can handle this analysis, delivering predictions that can help improve a pretty comprehensive list of business concerns, like maximizing revenue growths, condensing sales cycles, and generating improved returns-on-investment.
• Cost Reduction - Artificial intelligence lends itself to automation, which means that the cost and/or labor-intensive tasks that your team currently performs might be able to be completed automatically. Not only can this help reduce costs, it can help you generate revenues by freeing your team to work on other tasks. Speaking of which...
• Revenue Increases - In addition to allowing you to improve your processes in terms of your human resources, AI can help you identify new opportunities to bring in capital by gleaning additional insights from your collected data. Furthermore, AI can be used to optimize many external processes, helping make your marketing activities that much more effective.

Of course, there are a few drawbacks to AI that need to be addressed and mitigated. 

Disadvantages of Business AI

Let’s break down some of these drawbacks:

• Fear and Misunderstanding - We’re all too familiar with the reputation that AI has been given by pop culture. Heck, even Asimov wrote about the potential dangers that AI could present. It is either something to be feared or the deus ex machina that can solve any and all problems. Neither is the case. In reality, AI has definitive limits that prevent it from solving all of our problems or accomplishing world subjugation.
• The Data Required - Any automated system is only going to perform as well as the data it is referencing allows it to… and AI needs a lot of data before it can accomplish anything. On top of that, it needs to be the right data, organized properly. This alone can be a big hurdle for a business.
• How to Explain It - Some artificially intelligent systems don’t exactly give the user a full picture of how it came to its conclusions. While this might be fine if all goes as planned, it can create a real calamity when the system makes a mistake and there’s no way to figure out why.

So, Is AI a Good Tool for Businesses?

In a lot of ways, yes… so long as you understand its limits and put forth the effort needed to set it (and by extension, yourself) up for success.

MSPNetworks can help you manage the technology your business’ processes rely on, automating what we can (and properly) so that your team can accomplish as much as they can. Find out more by calling (516) 403-9001 today.

A lot has been made about 5G and the way that it is going to significantly alter what is possible, without much mention about the other technology that will fuel this complete digital transformation. We thought that we would talk a little bit about smart technology, how your business can use it to your advantage, and what this technology needs to do to be ready for the world to come. 

What Technologies Are We Talking About?

There are literally millions of different technologies that claim to be “smart”, but the smart technologies that can help the small business be more efficient and build revenue aren’t usually the things that you would go out and buy from the shelves of a big box store. Like any other technology, getting the most out of it requires a strategic approach. Some of the key smart technologies that are being used to improve efficiency, boost the speed of business, and control costs include:

• Artificial Intelligence - AI is having a profound impact on the way that technologically-savvy businesses operate. There are many applications AI is used for, but many small businesses have incorporated it into their supply chain and support strategies.
• Internet of Things - IoT devices have been around for a while now and as wireless capabilities continue to improve, you will see more small businesses looking to smart IoT devices like RFID chips to improve inventory control and make supply chains more efficient.
• Big Data - Larger enterprises are already using big data initiatives and other data technologies to get insights into their business. Smaller companies are just now scratching the surface of what is possible in this arena.
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality - AR and VR applications are just now being developed targeting costly employee training as well as for use in the retail industry to provide online shoppers a more interactive experience. 

How Your Business Can Use These Technologies

These four smart technologies are being implemented in all types of businesses. For the small business, who is often forced to do more with less, these technologies can initiate automated strategies that can give a business the flexibility to use their capital to build revenue streams and not use it to pay for people to do jobs that don’t really bring in any revenue. Businesses that choose to implement smart technologies will likely see visible changes almost immediately. 

The Future of Smart Technology

Interestingly enough, the future of smart technologies don’t just come in the form of wholesale IT changes. Many of these technologies will be integrated into solutions that small businesses already utilize, making them more apt to help businesses cut costs and manage their business much more effectively. 

These technologies (and others) will present a massive opportunity for businesses going forward, as the more streamlined a business can be, the more productive it can be with fewer operational investments needed to create the same amount of revenue. That’s good news for any business, especially the small business that has to cut corners to compete with the larger organizations that function in their market. 

Smart technology is the future of business, and getting on board now, before the monumental shift in wireless technology takes hold, is a really good idea. If you would like to learn more about how smart technology can help you run your business more efficiently, give the IT professionals at MSPNetworks a call at (516) 403-9001 today.

We believe that at the end of the day, employees want to do the right thing and accomplish their daily tasks without incident. However, technology can often break these plans with unexpected issues that prevent them from doing so. If you don’t take the time to provide the proper IT support when it is needed, you force your employees to either be unproductive or find unconventional (and often unsecure) solutions.

Employees Using Unsecured Devices

Generally speaking, your employees will use their work technology to fulfill their obligations, including their desktops or perhaps a work-issued laptop or mobile device. Unfortunately, depending on how well these devices are maintained, they may be slower than the technology employees use when they are out of the office. This may lead them to using technology that is not governed by your security solutions, such as their personal devices, simply because they work better than their work-issued devices.

Therefore, it is crucial that you manage and maintain your organization’s devices in a way that makes sure they are working optimally. You should follow this up with a comprehensive Bring Your Own Device policy that outlines how employees are allowed to utilize their mobile devices for work purposes. Doing so will save you a lot of grief in the long term.

Unauthorized Software Downloads

There are times when your staff will require specific tools in order to perform a function of their job. If they do not have the appropriate tools to accomplish the task, they may choose to download applications from the Internet that allow them to do so. These applications are often dangerous to utilize, as they are outside the scope of your company’s software infrastructure, and who can really tell if the application used is secure or not?

This is especially problematic for software that requires a software license. Imagine for a moment that one of your employees is going about their daily tasks without any disruptions, only to be brutally severed from the tools needed to perform these duties by an expired software license. In their desperation to keep working and meet required deadlines, they might download some free software or perhaps one with a counterfeit software license. While this solves the short-term problem of getting work done, it could come at a steep cost should your organization become subject to network audits or otherwise.

In the end, being proactive about technology support is the only way you can prevent these issues from breaking your business and budget. While your employees might feel like they are being proactive in finding a solution, you shouldn’t have to rely on them finding the solution for themselves; instead, provide them with a protocol to follow so that you know they will seek the help of experts when it is needed.

MSPNetworks can be those experts. We want to help your employees do their jobs in the most effective way possible, be it through implementing new and innovative solutions or assisting them with their daily duties through comprehensive IT support. Let your team focus on what they know best: their own jobs, not keeping their computers and other technology in proper working order.

To learn more about how we can help your employees stay productive throughout the workday, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

You may have been in a position where you tried to implement a technology solution in the past only to find that your staff is simply not responsive to it in any capacity. Maybe they do not see the value in the solution, or they do not understand what issues the solution resolves for your organization. To help you instill the correct mindset in your employees regarding technology, here are some training tips!

Explain the Value of the Solution

Before breaching the topic of new technology with your staff, it helps to have a bit of context for what issues the solution is actually solving. If your employees understand the value of the solution you are implementing, as well as how it makes their lives easier, they will be more receptive to the solution and more likely to buy into it.

Offer Training Sessions on a Regular Basis

Once employees understand why you are implementing your new solution, they might be ready and willing to learn how to use it. These training sessions should be offered regularly for any employees who want to learn more about the technology and how to use it as effectively as possible for their particular roles. Training does not have to be a one-and-done thing, either; you can cover specific topics, accept recommendations from employees so you are teaching them what they want to know, and reinforce training on a regular basis for those who need a refresher. Training is best done in multiple different ways to accommodate different types of learners.

Use the Solution Yourself and Set an Example

Your employees will only use a tool that you yourself find some value in, so one of the best ways you can make any technology deployment successful is to show them what it looks like in action. Take some time before making the solution readily available for your team to learn the ins and outs of it yourself. This gives you the ability to answer questions about how it might be used, what some of the great features of it are, and what they might be able to expect from using it. Your staff will appreciate knowing that you have done your research and are committed to getting the most out of the technology solution, and leading by example is a great way to make them see this.

Of course, any new technology deployment will come with its fair share of challenges and roadblocks—t just takes a bit of time and effort to overcome them. Thankfully, you don’t have to do this alone!

Let Us Help!

Implementing new technology can be a hassle in and of itself, so don’t let your employees’ reticence to utilize it become a barrier to implementation. MSPNetworks can help your employees understand how best to use their new technology, and we can even offer training sessions to provide them with the support they need to succeed. To learn more, give us a call at (516) 403-9001.

Small businesses often struggle with technology, primarily because they either lack strong IT leadership or they lack the resources to ensure IT maintenance and management happens without a hitch. There are several mistakes that a small business can make when it comes to technology management. Here are four of the biggest and most common that you absolutely cannot afford to make.

Stay Focused

Too many small businesses get caught up in the next big thing, not thinking about whether or not the thing that they are actively implementing is actually needed. The more complicated your network, the more opportunities there are for things to go wrong, be it a security breach, hardware failure, or software complication. And remember, your business should not be implementing a solution that it cannot handle, so ensure that you stay focused on implementing only technology that facilitates your organization’s goals.

Plan for Longevity

Businesses that fail to plan for growth and for the continued success of their organization will inevitably fall behind and fail to sustain continued operations in the long term. Therefore, it makes sense that any technology solution you choose to implement will be scalable to accommodate the future needs of your business. On a similar note, longevity also means planning for the worst-case scenario; you must have solutions like data backup and disaster recovery in place to ensure that your company can complete a speedy recovery when needed. Even if you never need it, it’s better to have it than to regret not having it.

Don’t Skimp on Security

So many small businesses think that they are immune to the dangers that come from cyberthreats. They see the headlines and think, “That’s not me,” or “I’m not a big enough target.” Well, we hate to break it to you, but you are wrong. All businesses have data that is valuable to hackers, be it sensitive personal information, payment credentials, or password credentials. It’s more important than ever to keep your security as optimal as possible; otherwise, you run the risk of crippling security threats compromising your network, interfering with operations, and threatening your organization’s future.

Don’t Wait Until Things Go Wrong

IT maintenance is something that is best kept in a proactive state rather than a reactive one. Many businesses choose to stay with the same old tired strategy of break-fix tech; when technology breaks, they fix it. This is not the correct stance to take in terms of technology maintenance. If you add up the costs of replacing hardware and downtime, you get an astronomical price tag that could easily be mitigated through regular, proactive maintenance. 

Now, we know that not all business owners are technology professionals. We get that, which is why we make it our mission to provide high-quality business technology management solutions that make it easy for you to focus on your day-to-day business operations. By focusing on providing excellence in service, we free up you and your employees to do what they do best. It’s a low-cost, high-reward solution that is sure to bring value to your business.

To learn more about managed IT services, reach out to MSPNetworks at (516) 403-9001.

To say someone is adept at a task is to say that they are a professional, or someone with a considerable amount of knowledge that contributes to their ability to complete a particular task. In cybersecurity, this is extremely important, as the entire concept of cybersecurity is complex by nature. Your business too can improve its cybersecurity practices and shift focus to a more mindful approach to network security.

First, let’s consider some of the challenges that small businesses face related to cybersecurity. Then, let’s talk about what it means to be a security professional and how your organization can use this knowledge to its benefit.

The Challenges of Security for SMBs

Security is a huge problem for small businesses, especially those that don’t take it seriously or think that they are not a target. The truth of the matter is that hackers don’t care how many employees you have or what industry you are a part of. Your business has data that hackers would find valuable, period. While many want to take it seriously, there are barriers that many businesses perceive to be in the way, chief among them a lack of security expertise and a lack of funds to hire top cybersecurity talent.

What Does It Mean to Be a Cybersecurity Professional?

This might seem like an odd question to ask, but we want to make sure that businesses understand what they must look for in a cybersecurity professional. Here are some traits that a security professional will have:

• A focus on proactive, preventative defenses rather than a reactive approach
• A divorce from security biases that prevent one from making objective decisions
• The technical knowledge and expertise necessary to understand cyber threats
• An understanding that security also requires training of staff and higher-level executives
• The flexibility to adapt to new threats and learn from them

Ultimately, whoever is at the helm of your cybersecurity strategy must possess these personal and professional traits. Failing to do so puts your organization at risk.

How to Become a Cybersecurity Adept Yourself

We won’t beat around the bush with this one; you are not going to become a cybersecurity professional overnight. Technicians have to undergo extensive training that involves meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the countless threats out there, as well as knowledge on how to respond to each of them. Suffice to say there is a reason why so many businesses choose to outsource this responsibility.

In a sense, trusting your organization’s security to outsourced professionals does make you a cybersecurity adept. Not only do you acknowledge that there are professionals whose jobs are specifically to handle this responsibility, but you also understand that security is nothing to mess around with. It’s a win-win scenario. MSPNetworks can be the professionals you trust your organization to. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

Most of us take streaming media for granted. Whether you are streaming a movie on Netflix, binge-watching a show on Hulu, or using one of the growing number of streaming television networks to stream sports, shows, and news, there is quite a bit of interesting technology fueling your entertainment. Today, we thought we’d briefly go through some of the tech that makes these streaming services, and their millions of simultaneous streaming feeds, possible. 

Often, Streaming Media is Not Pushed Through the Internet

If you asked the average streaming service subscriber how they are able to get their entertainment on demand, they would answer that the companies that do it simply push it over the Internet. You have to be connected to the Internet to get the content so it stands to reason that they just beam it over the network connection, right? 

As it turns out, about 85 percent of internet bandwidth is streaming video. That’s a lot of data to send across the internet, to the point where it would be wildly expensive to host these services in the traditional sense and expect it to work effectively for millions of users every day.

So how do they do it? The streaming services have spent a lot of time and money building out streaming infrastructure. Think about how you use your streaming services. You file through a catalog and then select something to play. Nearly instantaneously, the title you’ve chosen plays; on any device you want to view/hear it on. The process used to make this possible is called over-the-top (OTT) streaming.

OTT streaming is the act of delivering content to the user on a particular device. It has five steps. They are:

• Video ingestion - This is the process of adding content to the streaming platform. Streaming services are always updating their content to provide users with new entertainment. 
• Transcoding - With so many different types of devices being supported by streaming services, they need to alter the content’s code to play on the device you are looking to stream content on. Video files are wrapped differently for every platform. 
• Management - This process is simply managing the content for users. Some users pay more for 4K video streaming and other options. This process ensures that the users get the content they are eligible for.
• Delivery - Content Delivery Networks (CDN) is the hardware and software behind the service. Typically, the content is delivered through regional data centers to give users the speed and reliability that they demand. Netflix has their own CDN, as does Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. Most streaming platforms utilize third-party CDNs due to the cost to build and maintain. In fact, in some cases, Netflix actually sends an entire server with their content library on it to local ISPs so the video content can be delivered to users as effectively as possible.
• Playback - The end result, the playback of the content. Amazingly, all this happens extremely fast and users typically only wait seconds to get the entertainment they want.

Security is Not Cut and Dry

For streaming services—just like your business—keeping their customers’ personal and financial information secure is undeniably important. In fact, nearly 70 percent of businesses are now investing in some sort of video and audio streaming. As a result, finding vulnerabilities in the video dissemination process can be fruitful for the modern hacker. Moreover, for large-scale streaming services they also run into the issue of people frequently sharing their passwords, which is always a red-flag for cybersecurity professionals looking to keep networks secure.

These companies, like many others, also deal with your standard hacks, but when you consider how many people are lackadaisical about their Netflix or Hulu security, it can be much harder for these organizations. Let’s take a look at some of the hacks these organizations frequently deal with:

• Phishing attacks - Phishing attacks are a major problem for everyone, and with so much demand for streaming media, hundreds of lookalike websites have been established on the Internet looking to take advantage of people who are tempted with free subscriptions.
• Credential Stuffing - As mentioned above, it may not be too difficult to get ahold of people’s streaming media access credentials, this can cause major problems for the service itself.
• Brute Force attack - For those hackers who don’t have access, sophisticated software is used to attempt to login through simple trial and error. 
• Man-in-the-Middle - This is just the interception of account credentials and other information by getting between two communicating parties. This is why it is a sound strategy to utilize VPNs and always utilize the multi-factor authentication feature offered by a company.

Streaming media is one of the most utilized services and the number of people using it is growing rapidly. What are your thoughts on the technology used by streaming media? Do you utilize it regularly? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and return to our blog for more great technology information. 

For decades, technology has been the driving force behind some of the biggest and most radical shifts in business. Therefore, it makes sense to assume that the keys to your organization pushing past its limits and becoming truly exceptional lies in the implementation of new technologies that change operations in a profound way. The process of digital transformation does not have to be difficult, but it is important in a business environment so that you can stay competitive.

Digital transformation is the process of implementing new technologies and rethinking the relationship that your goods, services, and operations have with them. It can be seen as a way to innovate and make advancements in ways that might not otherwise be possible. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to accelerate their adoption of technology, so digital transformation is a trend that is rapidly increasing in popularity. To help your company make the best decision possible regarding technology, we have put together an easy three-step process you can follow when implementing new technology for your company.

Make Sure Your Objectives Align with Your Business Goals

The technology you implement should align with what you are trying to accomplish as a business. If your goal is to develop products, consider technology solutions that streamline that process. If your goal is to get the word out about services, consider ways that technology can help you get the word out. If your goal is to provide exceptional customer support, think of ways that technology can streamline the process for customers to receive the help they need when they need it. In other words, implementing technology without a clear and defined goal is not going to help your business; if anything, it will make your infrastructure more complicated and bogged down, so we encourage you to think about what your business does well and how technology can help you do it better.

Lean On Your IT Department or IT Resource

When it comes to your business’ implementation of new technology solutions, you want to take as hands-off a position as possible. Too often management and the C-suite get too involved in the decision-making process regarding IT. It is important to remember that you have an IT department or IT resource for a reason; respect their opinions and consult them on the implementation process. Understand that you may have a biased opinion of the technology because you want it to succeed and you think that it can be a great asset, but know that the ones making the cold and calculated decisions are often the IT resources implementing the solution. Just because something works perfectly for one organization does not mean that it will for you, and you should ensure that any solution you choose to implement is right for your organization well before the implementation process begins.

Get Your Staff On Board

Any new tools you implement will surely come with some resistance from your staff. Sometimes those who have been with you for a while are stuck in their ways and might not immediately see the benefits of implementing great new technology solutions. Therefore, it becomes your responsibility to show them just how much they stand to gain from not just learning your new tools, but mastering them as well. Implementing new technology is most beneficial when it’s done in a top-down manner, meaning the boss shows the employees just how confident they are in the solution by actively using it themselves. Employees are more likely to buy in when they know there is some passion behind it, and they will appreciate any training you can offer so they too can learn as much as possible about it.

Get Started with Digital Transformation Today

MSPNetworks can help your organization adopt new technology solutions and improve operations for the better. Our trusted technicians can be there for every stage of the process, from design to implementation to training and support. To learn more about how we can make a difference with your digital transformation strategy, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

In today’s ever-connected world, many devices are capable of utilizing an Internet connection to share and access information, including some rather unorthodox ones. All of these devices contribute to the greater collective which is referred to as the Internet of Things. While this type of unprecedented connectivity can be a great boon for businesses, it also represents great risks for business owners who do not take it seriously.

In today’s blog, we will explore what the Internet of Things is, how businesses might utilize it, and what the security risks of leveraging it are.

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things generally refers to any device that is capable of connecting to the Internet, including those that have traditionally not been connected to the Internet in the past. These devices can communicate with one another in ways that were previously impossible, allowing them to perform tasks that would otherwise have to be facilitated by people. In a way, it makes for great innovations when implemented correctly, as it lets devices “talk” to each other.

Basically, any physical device can be transformed into an Internet of Things device through the use of communicative technology. Internet of Things devices can also be controlled through the Internet; think about logging into an app on your phone to control a thermostat or unlock your front door. Internet of Things devices can also be much larger, though, like heavy pieces of machinery with sensors that collect data on operations and transmit them to a central hub where they are monitored for effectiveness and quality control.

In other words, when it comes to the Internet of Things, the sky's the limit. You never know what is connected these days and what is not. In fact, it is predicted that the Internet of Things will consist of 41.6 billion devices by the time 2025 rolls around.

What Are Some Uses for the Internet of Things for Businesses?

Most businesses are using the Internet of Things to streamline operations, glean more information from their products, and reduce costs whenever possible. For some, the Internet of Things represents opportunities to reduce spending on utilities through the use of smart appliances and technology. For others, it means keeping a closer watch on the supply chain and production line. Some businesses are even using the Internet of Things to collect data on products that they produce. This data can then be used to see how consumers are using the products, what must be addressed for the future, and other things like that.

What Are the Security and Privacy Risks of the Internet of Things?

Due to the connected nature of these devices, one has to consider the security risks and privacy issues that could surface as a result of too many of them being on your network. If an employee were to bring an infected Internet of Things device onto your network, who’s to say what could happen? This is why you have to have a policy in place that takes a clear stance on Internet of Things devices, as every connected device brought onto your network is potentially another window into your organization’s network.

Don’t let the Internet of Things complicate your security practices even further. MSPNetworks can help you secure your organization’s network against the threats that Internet of Things devices pose through comprehensive security solutions and consistent monitoring services. To learn more about what we can do for your business, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

Businesses use technology to varying degrees, but even small businesses have a lot of technology that must be tracked on a daily basis. With so many devices floating around the office, how are you making sure that you know who has which device, when it was issued, and how it’s being used? We suppose the question is not “how” you are keeping track of it all, but “if.” For this task, we recommend implementing an inventory tracking system for your business’ technological assets.

Do I Really Need One?

In short, yes, and for a number of reasons. Even small businesses have a ton of technology that is constantly being assigned, reassigned, and taken out of the office. Take, for example, the average employee. They might have a work desktop that stays at the office, a company-issued laptop for working remotely, and maybe even a company-issued smartphone to stay in touch while out and about. It makes sense to track who is in possession of which device from both a logistics and security perspective.

That said, your tracking system will be made up of two different components: the tracking method itself and the records you keep. You could, of course, keep a paper leger of technology, complete with manual sign-in and sign-out, but this system is just begging to be replaced by technology. Paper records are much less secure and prone to user error, so we encourage you to use one of the following methods for tracking your business tech.

Tracking (Barcodes, RFID)

There are two ways that your business can track inventory coming into or out of your organization. The first is through the use of a barcode scanner system. In this case, you assign each piece of technology, be it a laptop or smartphone, a barcode. When the device is assigned to someone, you simply scan the barcode. This records in the system that the device is “checked out,” so to speak, along with all other necessary details (which we will get to in a moment).

The other notable method of tracking your technology is to use what’s called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The difference between the two is that unlike barcodes, which are just pieces of paper with a pattern printed on them, RFID uses microchips attached to the device. There are two types of RFID technology that can be used: passive and active. In an active system, the microchip is tagged when the device moves through a reader (kind of like a scanner in the aforementioned system). In a passive system, the microchip is tagged when it enters or leaves a specific radius.

Electronic Record Keeping

Whichever method you decide to go with, it should be hooked up to automatically populate information into an electronic record keeping system. As for what information should be included in said system, you will want to know who is taking the device, what the device is, what the device will be used for, contact information for the employee taking the device, and any other information that you might find pertinent. Essentially, what you should be aiming for is enough information to be able to track down the employee should you need to retrieve any assigned devices.

Need Help Getting Started?

As you might have guessed, this kind of tracking system can be used for much more than just technology. MSPNetworks can help your business get set up with an inventory tracking system that will help you reduce waste, increase your bottom line, and improve redundancy. 

When we work with a business, we track every device we implement or touch. That way, we can track the overall history of support over the lifespan of the device. We’re big on documenting and linking all of our documentation to the device and user, because it helps us streamline and provide the best support possible.

To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

Many professionals see the word “informatics” and think of one of two things. First, what the heck is it? Second, isn’t that just computer science? While the two certainly are similar and often used interchangeably, they are quite different. Let’s take a deeper dive and see what the field of informatics entails, how it can be applied to computer science and business, and why it’s important to consider for your organization.

Defining Informatics

Pinning down informatics is a bit of a tricky one, as it is most commonly used when referring to healthcare. In regards to medical informatics, Merriam-Webster defines it as “the collection, classification, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of recorded knowledge.” Now, we know what you’re thinking. Wouldn't that definition be applicable in just about any other context? Well, you’re not the first one to think of this definition in a fluid manner.

The definition of informatics has shifted throughout the years to reflect this more abstract line of thought. Generally speaking, informatics can be referred to as the study of any system, artificial or natural, and how it shares or processes information of some sort. If we zoom out a bit with our definition, you can see how informatics can be applied in many different ways, whether we are discussing natural systems in the biological world (like neuroscience or the study of the brain), or computing systems (like computers or algorithms). By now it should be clear why it is so commonly used synonymously with computing, but what are some of its applications?

Informatics in Computing

In the case of computing, you can boil informatics down to the way that data is shared across either your internal network or across multiple networks (like the Internet). Data is spread out across your network, collected, classified, stored, retrieved, and distributed to workstations as applicable. This happens on a micro level on a day-to-day basis, but the scale and scope at which this happens is very flexible.

One of the best examples for how informatics can be applied to computing is through the use of big data. Traditionally, big data as a term refers to a large mass of data that is too expansive to analyze with traditional data analysis tools but can be used for the purposes of interpretation and extrapolation. Thus, businesses can learn a lot by analyzing their big data; they might even be able to identify trends that can be leveraged for growth in the coming years.

How Can Your Business Benefit?

Too often businesses sit on a treasure trove of data that can be analyzed, extrapolated, and applied to various operations or business functions. MSPNetworks can help equip your organization with the tools to take full advantage of its data, from storage to dissemination. To learn more about how we can help your business, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

For some companies, their IT is like a boat to a fisherman: they could conceivably do the work without it, but they wouldn’t have a business. For this reason it is important to know how to ascertain which technology investments are right for your business at any given time. Let’s go through a few considerations decision makers should highlight when choosing new technology for their businesses. 

Start With Business Problems

There is very little reason to add new technology to a business if the business already functions optimally. You know that saying, “you can’t draw blood from a stone”? Many business owners will try to add technology to their business only to find out that it is more of a hindrance than a benefit. If you want to choose the most beneficial technology, start with the parts of your business that don’t function the way that you’d like them to.

The best way to go about ascertaining this knowledge is to ask your employees what the business can do better. You might find that your staff has the best insight on what you can do to make their jobs less stressful and help them to be more productive.

Prioritize Security

When deciding which technologies to add to your business’ IT infrastructure, it’s important to prioritize the ability to secure the solution. The sad truth is that each day more and more businesses become victims of cybercrime, and this makes adding technology that much more difficult. In order to successfully add technology that is secure enough to use for business, business owners must realize that cybersecurity isn’t just about having the right preventative technology solutions in place, it requires a great deal of awareness and efforts from the entire staff. 

It is important to have a well-thought-out information security plan in place that states the goals and priorities of the organization as it relates to cybersecurity. This extends to all aspects of the organization’s computing infrastructure, including social media, email, and other Internet-facing resources. Another consideration is to have a regularly-updated inventory that identifies all of the hardware, software, and sensitive data that the organization keeps. Beyond that, you’ll need an access control system in place and comprehensive employee training to ensure that your staff has all the necessary information and skills to keep your business’ data and infrastructure safe. 

Consider Long Term Costs 

Another important consideration is to figure out what the new technology will cost your business. Sure there is a price tag on new servers or workstations, you know what you pay for new software, but if you are looking to add to your business’ computing infrastructure, the actual cost of the solution is going to be much greater than the sticker on the box or what shows up on the invoice.

Is your new technology going to have to be replaced in two years? Five? Eight? You’ll need a plan of attack and an idea of what all the resources surrounding the new implementation will cost. While the point of new technology is to improve your business, what is an acceptable ROI for each new deployment? To do this most effectively, you’ll want to figure out the total cost of ownership (TCO) of any new technology. The TCO’s math isn’t always simple. The variables that go into it include:

• The cost of acquisition
• The cost of implementation
• The cost of operation
• The cost of improvement and maintenance

Each variable has several considerations. For example, the cost of implementation also includes the costs related to testing the technology and training your staff. These costs often dwarf the acquisition costs. You’ll need to figure out if a technology project provides the return you are looking for, or if adding the solution is going to cost your business more capital than it’s worth. 

Understand Your Limits

You may not even know where to start when it comes to adding technology. Fortunately, the IT professionals at MSPNetworks can help you choose the right technology, help you get it in place, and assist you in every part of the process. Give our technology experts a call today at (516) 403-9001 to learn more about how we can help you get the technology you need.

When you are looking to implement new technology solutions for your business, the last thing you should do is skip the planning process. You need to carefully consider all of your options, your business’ specific needs, and the various benefits that can come from all of these options. Today we will discuss how your business can choose the best technology that suits your organization and its operations.

This process involves conducting a proper analysis of your business’ needs, identifying how your new technology will fit into your existing payment structure, whether or not it leans into what your business does well, and what your employees think will help them do their jobs better.

Analyze Your Business’ Needs

You can’t make the right choices for your business technology if you don’t know what your specific needs are. Consider what challenges your business faces and how you might overcome them. In this case, however, one thing we want to emphasize is that you should only implement technology when you believe that it will truly make things easier. Sometimes businesses implement technology solutions that only make things more complicated, which does the exact opposite of what it’s supposed to do. 

Consider the Price Point

Small businesses often struggle with large up-front costs associated with purchasing new technology solutions, mostly due to the large payments not being particularly conducive to budgeting. We’re not saying that you can’t purchase technology or services up-front--sometimes there are benefits to doing so--but what we are saying is that you should look at other options, like Software as a Service or other services with a monthly payment model. These services tend to be more scalable and fit more easily into budgets.

Lean Into Your Strengths

You do this every day with your employees on a micro level by segmenting off duties and responsibilities based on their roles within your organization, but on a macro level, you can encourage your business to lean into what it does well with the right technology solutions. For example, businesses that pride themselves on great customer service can provide even better customer service by implementing help desk solutions and instant messaging chats. In other words, you are supplementing your business with technology that makes your efforts easier and more effective.

Ask Your Employees

If you are unsure of how your business can more effectively utilize technology, consider asking your employees for their feedback. Ask them what challenges they face and how they might address them. You can then use this information to make informed decisions regarding the technology that you eventually go to implement for your infrastructure. Plus, employees love it when their opinions matter, so if you can learn a thing or two about your organization by listening to their woes, you can make your business a better place to work as a whole.

Work with a Managed Service Provider

If you’re unsure of any of the above, MSPNetworks can help your business identify business technology solutions that you will find helpful for making progress toward your goals. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations were forced to transition to remote work, even though they would have preferred to keep operations within the office. While the transition was rough at first, these organizations may have found that remote work offers certain flexibilities that were impossible in the traditional office environment. That said, one looming threat was (and still is) a major concern for the remote workplace: security.

One of the major ways that businesses can protect their organization while working remotely is through the use of what’s called a virtual private network, or VPN.

What is a VPN?

When you connect your device to a virtual private network, what exactly is happening to the connection? It’s actually much more simple than it sounds; what it boils down to is that the device connects to an encrypted network over the Internet. This encryption allows for the secure transfer of data to and from the device, preventing onlookers from observing (or stealing) the data.

Think about it like looking at a pipe that is transferring something to and from a location. If the outside of the pipe is solid, onlookers cannot see what is in the pipe. When it is clear, you can see exactly what is inside it. Encryption in this case acts like an opaque pipe, obfuscating contents to the point where they cannot be seen clearly, but you still know that something is there. In VPN terminology, the pipe in the above scenario is referred to as a “tunnel.”

How Does It Help Your Business?

You can see how this would benefit the remote employee. Since the employee is not in-house working on the company network, they do not have access to the in-house security solutions that you may have implemented to keep your data safe. This is why encryption is so necessary; if you fail to protect your company’s assets through unsecured connections to your network, you are unnecessarily risking your company’s future.

Now, think about the possibilities that open up when you don’t have to worry about network security while out of the office. Employees can travel for business trips (when it’s safe to do so, of course) without fear of data being stolen while communicating with your home office. They can perform work from anywhere at any time, allowing for enhanced productivity without sacrificing security. They will not need to rely on public Wi-Fi connections or other unsecured networks to connect to your office.

We don’t want to beat a dead horse, but from a security and longevity standpoint, it just makes sense to implement a VPN.

Get Started with a VPN Today

If you are ready to take the leap and implement a virtual private network for your business, don’t wait any longer. MSPNetworks can help you deploy a solution that is specific to the needs of your organization. We’ll work with you to get the most secure solution at the best price point. To learn more about how a virtual private network can benefit your business, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

Software runs our lives. It certainly runs your business. What if I told you that this essential cog in your business’ operations can also be the thing that is most susceptible to being exposed by outside attackers? It’s true, software can be the very door that hackers and scammers need to get into your network and run amok. Let’s take a look at the unsung service that is patch management and why it is so important. 

For the first years of managed IT services, patch management was more of a value proposition than it was a crucial part of the offering. Today, the script has officially flipped and it is no longer perfunctory, but crucial. This is because threats have changed. In fact, they’ve changed for both the business and its IT service provider. 

MSPs and IT departments use software known as Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools to cover all the ends of a business’ IT infrastructure and network. As the core software that allows IT experts to keep a watchful eye over their domain, IT providers were horrified to learn that hackers with a keen eye for opportunity, hacked into unpatched RMM software and were able to not only able to access that company’s information, but other companies that were being managed by the platform. These hackers exploited these vulnerabilities and injected malware into all managed systems. We don’t have to tell you, that’s not a good look for any service provider. 

That’s just an anecdote, sure, but it goes to show what can happen if your software isn’t patched and updated properly. 

Challenges of Patch Management in 2021

Managing software updates isn't a very easy process anyway, but with all that has happened recently, patch management has become extremely difficult. With growing complexities of remote workers, cloud platforms, the immense amount of software that an organization uses, and the rapid-fire updates being developed, it isn’t as simple as signing in and updating eight files once a month. You really have to stay on top of it to ensure that your network and infrastructure are properly protected. 

A big challenge for IT teams concerning patch management is actually downtime. When software is patched, systems typically need to reboot. This can be a real hindrance to productivity if it is done while someone is working. Most IT administrators won’t make people restart in the middle of the workday, but then they have to remember to reboot these machines when they are not in use. Forgetting is just like not patching the system in the first place, so coordinating patches and reboots at a time when people aren’t working is its own challenge. 

It’s a fact that most vulnerabilities that are exploited are over six months old. This tells you that somewhere along the way that either patches and updates were overlooked, or they weren’t properly coordinated in the first place. Combine all that wrangling with the fact that sometimes patches simply don’t “play nice” with corresponding systems and cause more headaches and hand wringing and you have a complicated and often frustrating task list that is just a fraction of the IT admins’ responsibilities. 

Some MSP Patch Management Tips

Of course, the best way to get comprehensive patches and updates is to outsource your patch management to a managed IT services provider like MSPNetworks. Any business can save time and money by relying on our certified technicians to ensure that your systems are up-to-date and patched correctly. Furthermore, we won’t cause any downtime as we will schedule patches for times when traffic is low or non-existent. 

If you insist on doing your own software maintenance, a couple of tips that you should adhere to include:

The first thing you should consider is to understand all the software your company is using officially and ensure that you are up to date with all the relevant patches. Missing software updates, while probably not the end of the world for an individual, is a horrible practice for any business. 

You’ll also want to schedule maintenance on some machines as soon as possible after official software updates are released and if there are no problems, schedule maintenance on all other machines the following week. The test group will go a long way toward exposing any possible hiccups you may be facing. 

Software is extremely important to your business, and your business is extremely important to your employees and customers. In order to keep it that way, you will need to ensure that your software systems are patched and updated regularly. To talk to one of our It professionals about patch management, co-managed IT services, or comprehensive managed IT services, give us a call today at (516) 403-9001.

By now you’ve heard of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), the telephone system that runs through your Internet connection rather than a phone line. VoIP can save your business up to 60 percent off your current phone bill. What many people don’t know—even ones that utilize a VoIP platform—is that there are many available options that can have major benefits for your business. Companies that have VoIP typically only use between one-third and one-half of the available options. Today, we wanted to showcase five VoIP features that you may not be taking advantage of.

Call Screening

Of course, nobody will ever really admit that they are screening their calls, but most people are guilty of it. Whether you just don’t cop to it or not, it can keep you from having to have conversations that you just don’t have time for. With VoIP, you can send the call to voicemail, disconnect it without giving the caller the chance to fill up your email with solicitation, or you can push it to your mobile phone. Either way, you have complete control. 

Auto Attendant

One useful feature is the auto attendant. It’s basically a simple automated receptionist that can facilitate call transfers, send callers to voicemail, or even provide basic information and support. A lot of businesses completely forego having an actual receptionist and use the call attendant feature as a call hub to direct calls. It’s extremely useful. 

Find Me, Follow Me

Some members of your staff are always on the move and it can be difficult for clients and other people to get them on the phone in their office. The find me, follow me feature is a sophisticated form of call routing. It provides a person to go where they are needed and still get the calls that come through for them by calling multiple phones at one time. 

Hold Music

Many VoIP platforms don’t just make the people you put on hold listen to the same ol’ elevator music, you can pick your own. This may be a completely aesthetic feature, but it can be a benefit and fit in nicely with the company culture you are trying to cultivate. Insert marketing messages, promotions, and helpful advice for your callers.

Do Not Disturb

This is a feature that is not used enough. If you want to stay productive you need to be able to eliminate distractions. Nothing is more distracting than your phone blowing up constantly. In fact, studies have shown that people take over ten minutes to get back into the flow after a call. If you want to shut it down and focus on the task at hand, using the do not disturb feature can help you get in the headspace you need to be truly productive. 

With other features like text messaging and video conferencing, VoIP can add a lot of value to your business’ roster of communications tools. If you would like to learn more about VoIP or other productivity-boosting tools, give us a call today at (516) 403-9001.