MSPNetworks Blog

While it’s true that technology has become essential for businesses, organizations still often grapple with various technology issues that can impact how they do business. Many times organizations get turned around and it can cause some aspect of their IT to be problematic for them. Today, we look at five common technology issues that businesses frequently face.

Not Actively Confronting Cybersecurity Threats

Businesses must contend with the constant threat of cyberattacks. They are everywhere, and are a massive threat to any business. Malware, ransomware, phishing, and other forms of cyber threats keep businesses on their toes. Protecting sensitive data and ensuring the security of digital assets is a critical concern.

Keeping Data Private and Meeting Compliance

As regulations governing data privacy become stronger and more specific, businesses need to ensure that they remain compliant. Managing and securing customer data in accordance with legal requirements is a significant challenge.

Managing Legacy Systems and Integration

Many businesses operate with legacy systems that may be outdated and incompatible with newer technologies. This presents a problem, but it’s manageable by integrating these systems with modern solutions, or simply upgrading to new platforms. This can be expensive, and can lead to challenges in achieving seamless workflow and data integration if not handled properly.

Digital Transformation Challenges

Adopting new technologies and undergoing digital transformation can be disruptive. Companies may face resistance from employees, encounter skill gaps, and deal with the need to restructure processes. Managing this transformation effectively is crucial to being able to improve your customer’s experience.

Scaling and Agility

As businesses grow, their IT infrastructure needs to scale accordingly. Scalability challenges may arise when outdated or inadequate systems cannot handle increased workloads, leading to significant performance issues. Using cloud-based solutions do quite a bit to address scalability concerns that pop up, specifically those that tend to rear their head during short-term projects. 

Addressing these technology issues requires a proactive approach, strategic planning, and ongoing investment in both cybersecurity measures and employee training. It's important for businesses to stay on top of technological developments, and we can help. Our team of IT professionals have a lot of experience getting businesses the technology that works for them. Give us a call today at (516) 403-9001 to learn more.

There are significant benefits to be had by businesses that choose to seek out IT services and assistance from a managed service provider like us. We’re very aware that our word isn’t going to be super convincing on its own, of course, so let’s review what a managed service provider can do and how working with us can help your business.

Let’s begin by breaking down what we are as a managed service provider, and what we provide as such.

What are Managed IT Services, and What Makes Them So Different Than Typical Computer Support?

Managed services are the handling of a company’s assorted IT needs by an outsourced consultancy, staffed with subject matter experts who work proactively to prevent any possible IT issues before they interfere with a client business’ productivity. On top of this, true managed services also involve the active optimization and improvement of the business’ technology—not just preventing issues, but actually counteracting them through increased productivity that’s supplemented by on-demand technical support for a business’ employees.

Just a few short years ago, the term “managed services” was relatively niche. Today, the various attributes that MSPs—managed service providers—offer as an element of their business model have proven beneficial enough that the idea has become more noticeable, if you know where to look.

How to Spot an MSP

First of all, if you’re reading this, you’ve found one of the best options for managed services in New York. However, if you’re one who likes to do their due diligence, a real MSP will generally offer some version of the following services:

• MSPs commonly work remotely, only coming onsite when there’s a need that requires hands-on mediation. This not only cuts down on in-office distractions and interruptions, it allows your issues to be resolved much more quickly.
  
  
• While many traditional IT companies would operate on a piecemeal basis, the ongoing services of an MSP make the subscription model a much better option. Not only does this allow you to more confidently predict your IT maintenance costs and budget appropriately, it also gives the client clear expectations through a pre-arranged service level agreement.
  
  
• Relatedly, rather than offering their services in catch-all blocks, an MSP can customize their services and prices to more exactly fit the needs of a client. Then, if those needs ever change, the MSP can adjust to meet them. This eliminates the tendency for companies to either overinvest beyond their needs, or miss out on clearly beneficial services because the price is too high.
  
  
• Critically, most MSPs offer all-hours support and remote maintenance services, so regardless of when an issue needs to be resolved, someone is there to work toward a solution.

In addition to these services, many MSPs can step in and actively boost your existing in-house IT department. Let’s say you have a few legacy systems that are on their way to being replaced and upgraded, but still need to be supported in the meantime. An MSP is motivated to keep their team educated so they will be able to offer that support if you lack a team member with the required knowledge.

Alternatively, your existing team may not be sufficient to handle both the maintenance of your existing systems and also serve their equally important function of strategizing improvements for the future. With the help of a managed service provider, either one can be taken off your internal team’s plate, allowing them to more effectively serve their role.

Plus, MSPs regularly communicate with assorted vendors to obtain services for their clientele. In these cases, you and the rest of the MSP’s clients effectively join the MSP as part of a cooperative, as an MSP often has access to better deals due to their regular business that can then be passed to you. 

Do the Services of an MSP Sound Beneficial to You?

Now, I know you likely have options to consider, but my team and I would love the chance to talk to you more directly about your needs and challenges so we can better roadmap an approach that would work best for you. Of course, if you aren’t ready for that yet, we’re also here to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.

In either case, give us a call at (516) 403-9001 to learn more.

Laptops have emerged as the predominant workstations in the business landscape. While laptops offer unparalleled convenience, their batteries seem to be on a perpetual decline in terms of performance. This phenomenon is influenced by various factors, and the extent of battery life problems can differ based on hardware or circumstances. Today, we take a look at some of the reasons why laptop batteries aren’t performing as well as users expect. 

Capacity of Batteries

Fundamentally, the capacity of the laptop battery is a pivotal factor in determining its endurance. Smaller and slimmer laptops, designed for portability, frequently house batteries that may not be sufficiently large, compromising their overall longevity.

Power-Sapping Components

Certain laptops are equipped with power-intensive components, including high-performance processors, robust graphics cards, and ultra-high-resolution displays. These components significantly contribute to power consumption, swiftly depleting the laptop's battery life.

Processes Running in the Background

The presence of background processes and applications running when the laptop is not actively in use can lead to power drain. Managing these processes effectively is crucial, as constant updates, syncing, and resource-intensive background applications can impact battery life.

Not Controlling Screen Brightness

The display plays a major role in power consumption, with higher brightness settings demanding more power. Additionally, the prevalence of high-resolution displays in modern laptops can adversely affect battery life. Actively managing display settings is essential for maximizing battery longevity.

Power Management

As batteries age, their capacity naturally degrades. Older laptops may experience reduced battery performance, exacerbated by factors such as heat and charging patterns. Optimizing power management settings, including screen brightness and power profiles, can help extend battery life.

Multitasking and Resource Usage

The simultaneous use of resource-intensive applications and multitasking can significantly accelerate battery drain. Running numerous browser tabs or resource-heavy applications concurrently will inevitably lead to a quicker depletion of the laptop's battery.

Some Laptops Simply Have Poor Battery Life

Power-hungry desktop replacement laptops just drain batteries faster, and smaller laptops with smaller batteries have less to work with. Extremely efficient devices tend to use less power, but are sometimes a little slower, so when shopping around for a laptop, you’ll need to make the judgment call to decide what works best for you.

If you find yourself constantly seeking a power source for your laptop, it may be an indication that an upgrade is in order. Whether you're interested in enhancing your team's mobile workstations or seeking guidance on selecting a new laptop, feel free to reach out to us today at (516) 403-9001.

Smartphones and tablets have opened up a world of opportunities for small business owners, allowing them to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and boost productivity. Today, we\'ll explore how mobile devices are a great tool for small businesses and the myriad ways they contribute to success.

Accessibility and Flexibility

One of the most significant advantages of mobile devices for small businesses is accessibility. With a smartphone or tablet, business owners and employees can access essential data, applications, and resources from virtually anywhere at any time. This flexibility is invaluable, especially for small businesses that may not have the resources to maintain a physical office 24/7. Whether you\'re on the go, working from home, or meeting with clients, your business is always at your fingertips.

Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration are the cornerstones of a successful business. Mobile devices make it easier than ever for small businesses to stay connected. Email, messaging apps, and video conferencing tools allow for real-time communication with employees, clients, and suppliers, no matter where they are located. Collaboration apps enable teams to work together seamlessly on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, building a more productive team.

Marketing and Social Media Management

Mobile devices are a vital tool for digital marketing and social media management. Small businesses can create and execute marketing campaigns, monitor social media engagement, and even schedule posts from their smartphones or tablets. Apps can simplify social media management, while email marketing platforms provide mobile-friendly options for reaching customers on the go.

Data Analysis and Reporting

Access to data is crucial for making informed business decisions. Mobile devices enable small business owners to track key performance metrics and access analytics tools on the fly. Whether it\'s monitoring website traffic, sales trends, or customer behavior, mobile apps can allow for real-time data analysis and reporting.

Task Management and Organization

Mobile devices can serve as personal assistants for small business owners. Task management apps help entrepreneurs stay organized and prioritize tasks. Calendar apps keep track of appointments and deadlines, sending reminders to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. These tools help small businesses operate efficiently and meet their goals.

Customer Engagement and Support

Providing excellent customer service is vital for small businesses to thrive. Mobile devices facilitate customer engagement through various channels, including social media, email, and live chat. Small business owners can respond to customer inquiries promptly, address concerns, and build lasting relationships. Customer relationship management (CRM) apps also offer mobile versions for on-the-go management of customer data.

If you\'re a small business owner, don\'t underestimate the potential of your smartphone or tablet—it might just be the unsung hero of your success story. To learn more about how we can help your organization leverage mobile technology, give us a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Your customers expect not to be inconvenienced when doing business with your organization. Small businesses can use new technology to meet these expectations by offering online ordering, mobile apps, and e-commerce platforms. Such innovations not only improve the customer experience but also expand a business\' reach. Let’s look at some of the ways new technology can improve your business.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Data is often seen as the most important part of a digital business. Small businesses can gather valuable insights through data analytics tools that can inform strategic decisions. This technology allows companies to better understand their customers, track trends, and identify areas for improvement. By making informed decisions based on data, small businesses can adapt to changing market conditions and make more effective choices for growth.

Cost Savings

While adopting new technology may initially require an investment, it often results in long-term cost savings. Automated processes reduce the need for manual labor which lead to reduced labor costs. Additionally, cloud-based technology can eliminate the need for expensive on-site hardware and maintenance. Over time, these cost savings can significantly impact a small business\' bottom line.

Competitive Advantage

Staying ahead of the market is essential to positioning your business for success. Small businesses that embrace new technology gain a competitive edge by offering innovative products or services and providing a superior customer experience. This advantage not only helps attract new customers but also retains existing ones, fostering long-term growth.

Adaptation to Market Trends

Consumer preferences and market trends are constantly changing. Small businesses that resist adopting new technology risk falling behind as their competitors adapt and evolve. Embracing technology allows businesses to stay current and agile, enabling them to pivot and adjust their strategies in response to market shifts.

New technologies can present your business with opportunities that you simply don’t have access to with your current IT environment. If you would like to talk to one of our IT experts about doing an assessment of your business’ current IT setup, give us a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Businesses create and need to handle more data than ever before. In the past, this would mean that there would be a lot of wasted data. Today’s document management system can completely revolutionize your business. Let’s take a look at the steps that go into creating a comprehensive digital document management system. 

Document Capture and Creation

The first step to creating a comprehensive document management system is to get the documents into your new system.

Create New Documents

This step involves the creation of new documents, which could be anything from reports and memos to spreadsheets and presentations.

Capture Existing Documents

Capture physical documents by scanning them or collect digital documents from various sources like email, cloud storage, or file servers.

Document Classification and Indexing

Getting started classifying the data can be one of the biggest speed bumps to the creation of a comprehensive document management system.

Categorize Documents

Assign categories or metadata tags to each document to make it easy to classify and retrieve them later.

Index Documents

Create an index or catalog of documents based on metadata, keywords, or other identifiers to facilitate quick searches.

Storage and Organization

Determining the underlying technology is something that the IT professionals at MSPNetworks can help your organization with.

Choose a Storage System

Select an appropriate storage system, whether physical file cabinets, network drives, or electronic document management software.

Organize Documents

Establish a consistent and intuitive folder structure or taxonomy to arrange documents logically.

Access Control and Permissions

Security has to be a major point of emphasis when dealing with any data, let alone the operational information of your business.

Define Access Rights

Specify who can view, edit, or delete documents. Implement user roles and permissions to protect sensitive information.

Encryption and Security

Ensure that documents are encrypted both in transit and at rest to safeguard against unauthorized access.

Document Retrieval

You would be surprised how much document retrieval can cost your business. Digital document management can mitigate these costs.

Search Capabilities

Provide robust search functionality, allowing users to find documents quickly using keywords, metadata, or full-text search.

Filters and Sorting

Enable users to filter and sort search results for better document retrieval.

Collaboration and Workflow

In today’s business, people need secure access from anywhere at any time. A document management system can deliver this flexibility. 

Collaboration Tools

Facilitate document collaboration by integrating with tools like document editing suites and communication platforms.

Workflow Automation

Implement automated approval processes, notifications, and routing to streamline document-related workflows.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Many situations can arise where data is unavailable or lost, having up-to-date copies can operate as a failsafe for many businesses. 

Regular Backups

Schedule regular backups of documents to prevent data loss in case of hardware failures or disasters.

Disaster Recovery Plan

Develop a disaster recovery plan to ensure the continuity of document access and management in adverse situations.

Compliance and Retention

Today, many businesses operate under government or industry-sponsored mandates and need to stay in compliance with these regulations for the good of the business.

Compliance Policies

Establish and enforce document retention and disposal policies to comply with legal requirements and industry regulations.

Audit Trails

Maintain audit trails to track document access and changes for compliance purposes.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Keeping a dedicated eye on your IT systems is nothing short of essential. Document management is no different. 

Regular Maintenance

Periodically review and update the document management system, including metadata, security settings, and access permissions.

Monitoring and Reporting

Implement monitoring tools to track system performance and generate reports on document management activities.

Training and User Adoption

It’s important that you train your employees quickly so that you can get the most benefit from your document management platform.

User Training

Provide training and support to ensure that users understand and effectively use the document management system.

User Feedback

Encourage user feedback to make continuous improvements to the system.

Continuous Improvement

You need to revisit your document management plan regularly, just as you revisit your other IT systems. 

Evaluate and Adapt

Continuously assess the document management process and technology, making improvements based on feedback and changing business needs.

We understand that managing your organization’s documents isn’t ever going to be cheap and easy, but with a dedicated document management platform, it can be much easier and more effective than more antiquated file management strategies. If you would like to learn more about what MSPNetworks can do in terms of document management or any other IT-related strategy, give us a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Tape backup has been used for a long time, and it was once the most prominent solution for data backup out there. Nowadays, it’s not used much at all, mostly in favor of better and more convenient solutions. However, there has been a slight resurgence in tape backup, so we want to look at why some companies might still use it, despite its flaws.

Why Use Tape Backup?

Data redundancy tends to fuel businesses and their data strategies, and this is even more true as the cost and availability of digital backup systems has decreased over time. Tape backup has mostly been phased out, but some businesses still choose to cling to it for a variety of reasons. Here are some of them:

• Reliability and Longevity: Tape backup is reliable, and has been for a while. It can last for a long time when it’s cared for properly, being less susceptible to corruption over time compared to some storage media.
• Long-Term Storage: Tape is also helpful for storing large amounts of data for long periods of time. The infrastructure is the initial investment, but ongoing costs are low compared to other solutions.
• Data Retention Regulations: Data retention is a point of contention for some organizations, entities, and industries. Tape backup is a way to meet those standards for the sake of compliance, if nothing else.
• Large Data Sets: Businesses that have a lot of data to work with will find cloud backups somewhat impractical, largely due to bandwidth limitations. Tape backup can skirt around this issue.
• Legacy Systems: If compatibility with legacy systems is a factor, then tape backup could give businesses an out while they migrate to newer systems.
• Offline Backups: Tape is stored offline and in a secure off-site location, keeping data loss low in the event of a system failure or natural disaster.

Other Solutions Are Better, Though

We think it’s great that people are making the effort to protect their data, even if it’s with tape, and even if there are better options available. One such solution that we love to recommend to our clients is the BDR, or backup and disaster recovery solution. This system uses incremental backups that occur as often as every 15 minutes to save and store data both on-site and in the cloud or a secure, off-site data center. This provides the redundancy needed to guarantee recovery when it’s needed most.

In comparison, tape is labor-intensive and time-consuming. It could take hours or days just to restore a backup. It’s not reliable, and you can do so much better. Let us help you get there with BDR. To learn more, call us today at (516) 403-9001.

Your business only has so many resources, from its budget to its time to its employees’ capabilities. This is what makes it so crucial to properly manage all of them.

Let’s run through some basic practices that can help you make the most of what your business has at its disposal.

Resource Management Practices for Business Success

Focus More on High-Demand Resources, and Prioritize Appropriately

As we’ve established, you’re only going to have so much of any given business resource at your disposal. Your circumstances will dictate where you have feast and where there is famine.

As such, it is important that you are aware of where your resources are needed the most for your operations, and where they will be able to contribute the most to your success. The 80/20 principle is helpful to keep in mind.

Think about it this way: 80% or so of your resource shortages are going to refer to just 20% of your resources—the people, materials, time, or what have you that are in highest demand. Carefully planning how these resources should be allocated, based on which processes and outcomes are most important, will ultimately help your business accomplish more.

Apply Strategic Planning

Different tasks will need different levels of investment, in terms of your resources, and organizing them based on the aforementioned priorities we discussed earlier will help you to adjust your processes accordingly.

It’s important that this process takes the different levels of your tasks into consideration, with more resources spent where they are needed. 

Track Time

Tracking your time greatly helps define how resources are being used, giving you the data that you need to better plan for the future. 

Evaluate and Adjust

Finally, it’s important that you take the time periodically to take account of your progress and make improvements. Where did conflicts appear in workflows, specifically where your priorities and goals are impacted? Take note of these conflicts and address them in future repetitions of your given process.

We Can Help Equip Your Business with the Tools for Success

From the IT support to keep you in operation to the strategic investments to improve your technology as a means to further grow, you can turn to MSPNetworks. Give us a call at (516) 403-9001 to learn more.

Across the board, modern businesses rely on no small amount of technology to support their operations, making it key that you, one, have the technology your operations require, and two, have the means to keep this technology operational. Fortunately, managed services help you by providing both. Let’s review what managed services are, and how they work.

Managed Services are the Next Level of Outsourced IT Support

Traditionally, a business seeking assistance with its technology would either have to rely on any internal team members to fulfill their needs, or turn to an external provider to do so by coming in to service their equipment. Nowadays, there’s a third option.

Managed services shift the focus of IT maintenance away from repair and instead focus on mediation, working proactively to prevent issues whenever possible through modern remote monitoring and maintenance activities. As a result, the downtime that was inherently a part of the other methods can be largely avoided.

For a predictable monthly fee, you’ll have an entire team keeping an eye on your business’ technology, catching issues and spotting signs of impending threats before they manifest. This translates to increased productivity and employee efficacy.

A managed service provider also assists a business in its future technology planning, considering where its technology currently stands and designing a strategy focused on improvement and growth over time.

In a Very Real Way, This Makes Managed Services an Easy Way of Expanding Your Business’ Capabilities

To be honest, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what managed services can do for your business, and we’d love to have the opportunity to discuss it with you in more detail. Please give us a call at (516) 403-9001 to learn more about the benefits of a managed service agreement.

It seems that almost everyone owns a smartphone these days, and with smartphones come a multitude of apps. Mobile applications are the driving force behind the world\'s largest computing ecosystems. Consequently, the question arises, "Is it necessary for my business to have a mobile app?" Whether this is a wise decision depends on your unique business objectives, target audience, and available resources. Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of developing a mobile app for your business.

Here are a few advantages of developing a mobile app:

• Enhanced Customer Engagement - Mobile apps offer a direct channel to engage with your customers, enabling personalized notifications and exclusive offers, fostering enduring customer loyalty.
• Improved User Experience - Apps provide a smoother and more interactive user experience in comparison to mobile websites, leading to greater user satisfaction.
• Access to Device Features - You can harness the capabilities of the device, such as the camera, GPS, and push notifications, to provide enhanced functionality.
• Branding and Recognition - Having an app can elevate your brand\'s visibility and recognition, giving your business a more professional and tech-savvy image.
• Data Collection and Monetization Opportunities - Apps offer opportunities to gather valuable data on user behavior and preferences, which can inform your business strategy. Additionally, you can generate revenue through app purchases, in-app advertising, or premium features.

Here are a few disadvantages of developing a mobile app:

• Development and Maintenance Costs - Creating and maintaining a mobile app can be considerably more expensive than maintaining a website, especially if it needs to support multiple platforms like iOS and Android.
• Market Saturation - There are millions of apps available, and if you operate in a market that has a lot of competition, having just another app could actually work to your business’ detriment.
• Compatibility Issues - Ensuring that your app functions smoothly on various devices and operating system versions can be complex, necessitating continuous development to ensure updates are available for each platform. If your app becomes incompatible with newer versions of iOS or Android, it will require additional time and financial resources to update.
• Security Concerns - Apps, especially those not in constant development, can be vulnerable to security threats. You must invest in security measures to protect user data.

Before deciding to develop a mobile app for your business, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, take into account your target audience\'s preferences, and evaluate your long-term strategy. In some instances, a mobile-responsive website may be a more cost-effective and practical choice.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to invest in an app or opt for a website depends on the individual business owner\'s assessment of what best serves their business\' needs.

With organizations running on technology, it is important that it is reliably managed. It’s also important that your organization has the technology in place that will help your team be the most productive and that will keep your data secure. The best way to accomplish this is with help from certified and knowledgeable IT technicians. 

Understanding of Business Technology

There are people who know technology, and then there are those that work with it day in and day out. You can’t operate a business without having the right technology in place, complete with those who help to keep it in proper working order. Your IT technicians should be knowledgeable about how to set up and configure computer systems, troubleshoot hardware and software, and secure a network from both internal and external threats. With this expertise, your IT technicians should be fully capable of managing and maintaining small business technology with minimal incident.

Keeping an Eye Out for Potential Issues

Certified IT technicians can work to proactively monitor your systems for a variety of issues that could lead to more frustrating problems. The idea behind proactive monitoring is that these issues can be addressed before they become worse, allowing organizations to dodge the expensive frustrating downtime and data loss that comes from a halt in operations.

Responding as Quickly as Possible (and Necessary)

If you experience technology problems during the course of everyday operations, time is of the essence. You need technicians who can respond quickly and appropriately to minimize the amount of time and money lost during the downtime. With the right combination of expertise and knowledge, a certified IT technician can get your business back in proper running order as soon as possible.

Improving Data Security

Data security is an issue that plagues all businesses, especially small businesses that don’t have the same access to enterprise-grade security tools and solutions as larger organizations do. They also struggle to take advantage of the same level of IT security expertise due to limited budgets. Thankfully, certified IT technicians and managed service providers offer small businesses the same opportunities offered to larger companies, from security solution configuration to remote backups to ensure data security and integrity on all levels.

Scaling According to Need

Small businesses can grow rapidly, and so too do their technology needs and expectations. A certified IT technician can help SMBs adapt to their constantly changing technology needs to ensure it aligns with their goals every step of the way. This involves planning for future growth, too, and ensuring that changing technological requirements do not get in the way of further innovation.

MSPNetworks can give your business access to the certified IT technicians it needs to be successful. To learn more, call us today at (516) 403-9001.

Today’s businesses are heavily reliant on technology to streamline operations and do more to enhance workforce productivity. With the multitude of technology options available, however, finding the right solutions for your business can be more difficult than it seems at first glimpse. Let’s take a look at how technology professionals can help you navigate the technology landscape and find solutions that align with your business needs.

Understanding Your Business Requirements

Technology professionals play a crucial role in helping businesses identify their unique technology requirements. By conducting in-depth consultations and understanding the specific goals and challenges within your industry, these experts can develop a comprehensive understanding of your business needs. Whether you require software applications, hardware infrastructure, or cloud-based platforms, technology professionals can conduct a thorough analysis of your requirements and recommend the most suitable options.

Getting the Right Technology

The technology marketplace is brimming with a vast array of options, making it overwhelming for business owners and decision-makers to evaluate and choose the right technology solutions. Technology professionals possess a deep knowledge of current technological trends, industry standards, and emerging innovations. They stay up-to-date with the latest advancements, ensuring they can guide businesses toward the most relevant and effective technology options.

Choosing the Right Vendors 

Choosing the right technology vendor is a critical step in the process of finding the technology your business needs. Technology professionals have established relationships with various vendors and possess extensive experience in assessing their capabilities. They can help streamline the vendor evaluation process by comparing offerings and completing due diligence. By leaning on their expertise, businesses can confidently select vendors that align with their requirements, budget, and long-term goals.

Customize Technology to Your Business’ Needs

Every business has its own unique processes and workflows. Technology professionals understand this and can help tailor technology solutions to fit seamlessly within your existing infrastructure. They possess the technical skills to customize software, develop applications, and integrate normally disconnected systems. By ensuring smooth integration and customization, technology professionals can maximize the value of the chosen technology and minimize disruptions.xc

Ensure You Have the Right Support

Technology professionals provide ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure smooth operation and optimal performance of your technology solutions. From troubleshooting technical issues to applying necessary updates and patches, these experts are dedicated to keeping your technology infrastructure running smoothly. They can also provide training to your employees, ensuring they have the necessary skills to utilize the technology effectively.

Your business needs the right technology consulting, procurement, and support to get the tools needed to point your business in the right direction. Our knowledgeable technicians can help you get and manage all the technology you use on a daily basis. Give us a call today at (516) 403-9001 to learn more about how we can help your business.

Technology has touched nearly everyone over the past decade or so. More is done using technology than ever before. In this week’s blog, we go beyond individual uses of technology and discuss how technology is going to be used to improve infrastructure and the delivery of services that we take for granted. 

Smarter and More Efficient Cities

The rapid urbanization we see today demands smarter solutions to address the growing challenges of building and managing urban infrastructure. This is where technology comes in. Technology plays a crucial role in creating smart cities that are sustainable, efficient, and responsive. Through the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors and connectivity enable real-time monitoring such as traffic flow, energy consumption, waste management, and public safety. These data-driven insights empower city planners to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the quality of urban life.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Transportation infrastructure is undergoing a remarkable transformation thanks to technology. Intelligent transportation systems use advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and real-time data analytics to enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of transportation networks. From smart traffic management systems that alleviate congestion to the development of autonomous vehicles that reduce accidents and fuel consumption, technology is revolutionizing the way we move people and goods.

Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

The future of infrastructure heavily relies on sustainable energy sources, and technology plays a pivotal role in enabling this transition. Renewable energy generation, such as solar and wind power, is becoming increasingly affordable and accessible, thanks to advancements in technology. Moreover, smart grids and energy storage systems allow for efficient distribution and utilization of renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.

Resilient Infrastructure

In an era of increasing climate change and natural disasters, resilient infrastructure is of utmost importance. Technology equips us with the tools to design, build, and manage infrastructure that can withstand and recover from adverse events. Through predictive analytics, remote sensing, and real-time monitoring, technology enables early detection of potential risks, allowing for proactive measures to mitigate damages, ensure public safety, and minimize disruption.

Advanced Construction Techniques

The construction industry is not immune to the transformative power of technology. Emerging technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), robotics, and 3D printing are revolutionizing the way we design and construct infrastructure. BIM facilitates collaboration, reduces errors, and improves efficiency throughout the entire construction process. Meanwhile, robotics and 3D printing enable faster, more precise construction, reducing costs and increasing sustainability.

Technology will shape the future of our culture, including the way we go about improving efficiency in all walks of life. If you would like to have a conversation about how technology can push your business forward as it is pushing infrastructure forward, give the IT professionals at MSPNetworks a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Businesses today deal in contracts. Every agreement has a proverbial paper trail. Traditional paper-based contracts are not only time-consuming, but they also involve manual efforts and can be prone to errors. This is where eSignature tools come into play, offering numerous benefits that revolutionize the way we handle and sign documents. This week, we explore the key advantages of eSignature tools and how they can positively impact businesses of all sizes.

Enhanced Efficiency

eSignature tools eliminate the need for printing, scanning, and physically mailing documents, saving valuable time and resources. With just a few clicks, documents can be prepared, sent, and signed electronically, significantly reducing the turnaround time of legal agreements. Whether it's contracts, agreements, or invoices, eSignature tools streamline the entire signing process, enabling businesses to operate smoothly.

Cost Savings

By adopting eSignature tools, businesses can experience substantial cost savings. Traditional paper-based processes involve expenses more than paper and ink. With eSignature tools, any costs incurred by the organization are significantly reduced, as everything is handled digitally. 

Improved Accuracy and Security

Paper documents can easily be misplaced, damaged, or tampered with, leading to potential legal and financial risks. eSignature tools provide a secure and reliable way to handle sensitive information. They offer various security features such as encryption and authentication, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of signed documents. With eSignature tools, businesses can have peace of mind knowing that their documents are protected and legitimate.

Convenient Collaboration

eSignature tools facilitate seamless collaboration among multiple parties, regardless of their location. In a traditional signing process, coordinating meetings and obtaining physical signatures from all involved parties can be a logistical nightmare. By using eSignature tools, businesses can effortlessly collaborate with customers and employees, alike, enabling efficient document sharing, tracking, and signing. This seamless collaboration enhances communication and expedites decision-making processes.

Enhanced Customer Experience

Your customers expect prompt and hassle-free interactions. eSignature tools provide a convenient and efficient way for businesses to interact with their customers. By enabling customers to electronically sign documents from anywhere, at any time, businesses can deliver a seamless and personalized experience. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also strengthens the overall brand image.

eSignature tools offer a wide range of benefits that can transform the way businesses handle document workflows. If you would like to learn more about how to get eSignature tools that would allow you to conduct business digitally and gain all the benefits of doing so, give our IT experts a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Sports franchises have changed the way they use data to help them strategize. In the past, businesses used basic scouting to find and develop talent, but with the use of advanced analytics, not only can sports franchises improve their talent bases, they can save money and build a competitive advantage over organizations that aren’t so analytically inclined. 

Enhanced Analytics

The field of sports analytics combines statistical analysis, data processing, and predictive modeling to build competitive superiority. In fact, more and more teams are enhancing the way they view data as franchises that were at the forefront of this strategy have found success using them. Improvements in sensor technology gives teams the ability to measure anything to help with team construction, individual performance, and what sells the best at the concession stands. 

Data-Driven Decision Making

With data driving organizational decision-making, teams can identify metrics to help them get the most out of their investments. By creating key performance indicators an organization can make more informed decisions using objective data rather than subjective insights, often to the benefit of the whole franchise. 

Improved Player Performance Analysis

Advanced analytics replaces some of the more basic statistics that sports franchises depended on to track player and team performance like goals scored and batting average with more advanced algorithms and statistical data that is collected using IoT sensors that give team managers a more accurate representation of the product on the field. This helps players know what to work on and helps teams construct better game plans. 

The technologies behind these major analytical improvements can work to help you make your business better as well. From measuring individual employee performance to strategizing your sales and marketing improvements to using predictive analysis to improve your standing processes, data analysis can help any business be more successful. If you would like to learn more about how to use data to improve your business, give us a call today at (516) 403-9001. 

With things like cryptocurrencies and NFTs flooding the public awareness, the term “blockchain” has been brought up more than a few times. However, this association hardly covers what the blockchain is or what it is capable of.

Let’s briefly review what the blockchain really is, and what the technology can do.

The Blockchain is Nothing More Than a Distributed, Immutable Ledger

So, what does this mean?

In other words, the blockchain is a means of recording information in such a way that it is effectively impossible to manipulate, as this record is replicated across the network of devices that create the blockchain. Every transaction made (a block) is recorded in this network (the chain), which means that any attempt to edit information results in a new block being created.

The only way that this information can be changed is if every single block in the chain is simultaneously altered—requiring anyone trying to change that record to infiltrate each and every device in the chain simultaneously, which potentially means hacking dozens or even hundreds of endpoints all at the same time.

This Gives the Blockchain Assorted Advantages

For example…

The Blockchain is Very Secure

The distributed nature of the blockchain, and the fact that it relies on digital signatures, makes the prospect of fraud nearly impossible due to the scale of the network and the need for the digital signatures in order to change data as well.

The Blockchain Enables Automation

Transactions can be set up to be completed when different triggers are fulfilled, allowing you to focus on other matters with the confidence that the blockchain will attend to what you have previously instructed it to do.

The Blockchain Saves Time

Finally, while many traditional transactions need to go through numerous, time-consuming steps, the blockchain can reduce the time you need to spend on these processes from days to mere minutes.

How Can Your Business Put Blockchain to Use?

There are actually quite a few ways that the blockchain can be used by businesses of all sizes, from supply chain management, smart contracts, and others. Reach out to us to learn more about how you can use various technologies with our help to benefit your business. Give us a call at (516) 403-9001.

Businesses struggle with a lot of different issues, but when a problem hits you hard in the pocketbook, it can be disastrous for the whole organization. Let’s take a look at some technology that can help you make the most out of your time and effort.

Streamlined Operations

Efficiency is the cornerstone of a successful business. Implementing technology can help streamline various operational processes, reducing manual errors, saving time, and lowering operational costs. Here are a couple examples:

• Automation - Businesses can automate repetitive tasks such as data entry, invoicing, and inventory management. This not only reduces the risk of errors but also allows employees to focus on more value-added tasks.
• Data Analytics - Advanced analytics tools can provide valuable insights into customer behavior, market trends, and operational inefficiencies. This data-driven approach enables businesses to make informed decisions and optimize their strategies.

Improved Customer Engagement

Technology enables businesses to connect with customers more effectively, resulting in increased revenue opportunities. Here\'s how:

• Personalization - With the help of AI and machine learning algorithms, businesses can analyze customer data to deliver personalized experiences. This can boost customer satisfaction and lead to higher conversion rates.
• Chatbots and AI-driven Customer Support - Implementing chatbots and AI-driven customer support systems can improve response times and provide 24/7 assistance, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.

Enhanced Decision-Making

Informed decisions are pivotal to revenue generation. Technology empowers businesses with access to real-time data and analytics that can guide strategic choices.

• Predictive Analytics - Predictive models can forecast future trends and customer behavior, allowing businesses to proactively adapt to changing market conditions.
• Risk Management - Technology aids in identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring that businesses can protect their revenue and assets effectively.

Are you Ready to Get More Done Through the Use of Modern Technology?

MSPNetworks is here to help. Give us a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Have you considered the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for your business? If so, you’re not alone—many small businesses are opting to use these technologies in new and exciting ways, particularly as it relates to engaging customers, enhancing products, and creating better training experiences. Let’s look into how your business can utilize AR and VR to its advantage.

Product Visualization

Some of the more powerful applications for AR and VR consist of visualization, or the act of allowing potential customers to try their products before they commit fully to them. For example, let’s say you’re trying to buy something for a furniture store and you want to see how it would look in your home, or you want to purchase an outfit, trying clothes on virtually before clicking the “Pay” button. These types of visualizations allow businesses to cut down on returns and improve customer satisfaction.

Customer Engagement

These technologies are also incredible for customer engagement, offering interactive AR experiences that can entertain or educate customers. A restaurant might use an interactive menu that shows a 3D view of their dishes through a smartphone app, or a local museum might implement similar technology to bring their exhibits to life in new and immersive ways.

Virtual Tours

Businesses that are a part of the travel, real estate, or hospitality industries can use VR to offer virtual tours of properties or destinations without the customer or buyer’s physical presence. It can save time during the home buying process, something which any prospective home buyer who has had their dream property snatched away within minutes can appreciate. A travel agency can also give destination previews, allowing customers to make informed decisions while planning out their next vacation.

Employee Development

Small businesses might struggle to offer meaningful training and development exercises for their staff. VR can make this training immersive and cost-effective, leading to better training outcomes. A small manufacturing company, for example, can use VR to simulate potentially dangerous scenarios and allow employees to act them out or interact with them in a way that could prepare them for such situations in real time.

Advertising and Marketing

Finally, small businesses can use these technologies to great effect for marketing and advertising. With AR-powered ads, customers can interact with products, and with VR experiences, users can be transported to a simulated reality to experience a business’ offerings. These types of strategies work wonders for immersive experience and brand engagement.

How would your business use AR and VR? Do you want to get started with utilizing emerging technologies for your business? Call us today at (516) 403-9001 to find out how we can help.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is just one way of describing the concept of machine learning technologies. AI has grown considerably over the past couple of years, so much that automation as we know it today wouldn’t exist without it. Throw in some data-driven insights and you have a technology that has cemented itself for use in a business environment, but there are some concerns with how fast it is growing and evolving.

Defining Artificial Intelligence

If you’ve seen the AI on display in movies and on television, the kind that quickly becomes so advanced that it threatens all sentient life, you’ve seen a science-fiction depiction of AI that is not necessarily grounded in reality. AI is often characterized as a technology that grows too fast and spirals out of control, eventually overthrowing humanity and acting of its own volition. One recent leak from the US Air Force in which the AI system saw the human operator as an enemy is one such instance that has been, at this time, denied by the U.S. Department of Defense. Whether or not this is a true story, however, is not why we are here today.

The kind of AI used by businesses is built around automation. Many tools use machine learning as a way of automating specific tasks that would typically slow down processes and systems. This is the type of AI we are examining today.

Let’s look at some ways that businesses use AI and automation to improve their processes and productivity.

Better Customer Experiences

A business cannot last long if they don’t have a consumer base, especially in today’s competitive business environment. The biggest use of AI in business is perhaps the use of AI chatbots on the support side of the house to help consumers get the help they need, when they need it. This means that the human typically responsible for such work can instead focus their efforts elsewhere, or help consumers with more complicated requests.

Improved Business Knowledge

AI and automation can be used to help improve countless processes within your organization, and it’s all thanks to AI and automation allowing for data insights and analytics. Collecting all of the data is one thing, but sifting through it and gleaning insights from it is another story altogether. AI can handle it faster and more efficiently than any human resource could, allowing businesses to both learn and act much faster than they typically would be able to.

But How Fast is it Advancing?

Some industry leaders believe that these technologies are growing too fast for comfort, depending on who you ask. As demand for these solutions increases, people feel like they are losing control over their technology, and since AI tools are growing so fast, humans often feel like they have to slow the technology down to keep it from going too wild with the data at hand.

Here are some of the major concerns people have with AI:

• AI-fueled automation creates problems for organizations to keep workers.
• Making workers depend too much on technology and are less productive.
• Information that is unreliable is being shared because of its prevalence of it.
• A complete lack of oversight.
• The creation of dangerous malware.

Are you considering implementing artificial intelligence systems for your business? MSPNetworks can help you make the most of them. To learn more, call us today at (516) 403-9001.

The use of technology is one of the things that brings most people together. For the past couple of decades people have depended more and more on technology as a way to manage their lives, socialize, and get the goods and services they choose to purchase. This has led to the development of a lot of solid technology-related television shows. In this week’s blog, we thought we would take a look at three shows that cover multiple genres that are solid viewing for the technology enthusiast. 

#1 - Silicon Valley

Developed by Mike Judge, the comic genius behind Beavis and Butthead, Office Space, and King of the Hill, Silicon Valley is one of the best comedies created over the past decade. Silicon Valley is set, you guessed it, in Silicon Valley. It centers around software developers that live in an “incubator” in Palo Alto, California. The main character, Richard Hendricks, is developing an app hilariously called Pied Piper that is being developed as a tool to search for copyrighted music. The real value of the app, however, is that it has a revolutionary lossless compression algorithm that allows people to keep huge databases that can run just about anything. This overlooked feature opens a bidding war that quickly gets out of hand. 

Silicon Valley ran for six seasons on HBO and wrapped up in 2019. It is laugh-out-loud funny for the entire run of the show. Some of the highlights of the show are Hendrick’s ineptitude at running a company, his running rivalry with the head of one of the biggest technology companies, Gavin Belson, and incubator developers Dinesh and Guilfoyle’s back and forth banter throughout the series. 

Silicon Valley
Created by: Mike Judge, John Altschuler, and Dave Krinsky
Starring: Thomas Middleditch, T.J. Miller, Josh Brener, Martin Starr, Kumail Nanjani, Zach Woods, Amanda Crew, Matt Ross, and Jimmy O. Yang
Network (years active): 2014-2019
Where to watch: Max

#2 - Mr. Robot

Created by Sam Esmail, Mr. Robot is a character study in schizophrenia. The show follows Elliot Alderson, a cybersecurity engineer and cyberterrorist with several mental illnesses and a drug addiction. Elliot is recruited by Mr. Robot, a manifested characterization of his late father to head up “fsociety,” a hacker collective that is attempting to encrypt the financial records held by the world’s largest technology company, ECorp. 

Mr. Robot is fashioned as a thriller and has been universally praised for its representation of the alienation that can sometimes come through the use of technology. Throughout much of the run, the show uses the dissociation of its main character to great effect, providing intrigue and ambiguity. The show ran four seasons from 2015-2019 on USA Network. 

Mr. Robot
Created by: Sam Esmail
Starring: Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Portia Doubleday, Carly Chaikin, Martin Wallström, Michael Cristofer, Stephanie Corneliussen, Grace Gummer, BD Wong, Bobby Cannavale, Ashlie Atkinson, and Elliot Villar:
Network: USA Network
Where to watch: Amazon Prime

#3 - Black Mirror

Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology that is centered around the view of technology in future societies. The series started in 2011 and has won critical acclaim for its representation of situational speculative fiction. The series covers multiple genres and has touched on many different technologies and how they will affect humanity in the future. 

Black Mirror started on Channel 4 in the UK, but after season two it was picked up by Netflix. They have produced four more seasons as well as one of the very first interactive movies, Bandersnatch. The series was created by Charlie Brooker and he has written most of the episodes himself taking inspiration from authors such as Philip K. Dick and Issac Asimov. 

Black Mirror
Created by: Charlie Brooker
Starring: Anthology series, multiple stars.
Network: Channel 4 and Netflix
Where to watch: Netflix

Technology is now ubiquitous in our culture, and as time progresses there will certainly be more shows and series created centered around it. For more great technology-related content, check back weekly to our blog.