Tag - Managed IT Services

Tech Provider Outsourcing
01Dec

Should Your Company Outsource to a Tech Provider?

A tech provider delivers the IT expertise small businesses need at a much lower cost than hiring IT staff. They can recommend, install, and manage technology according to business’ objectives and core competencies and ensure that critical data is safe.

That’s why nearly 70% of U.S. small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) work with a tech provider for some or all of their IT needs.

Offload tasks that are difficult and/or time consuming by working with a tech provider. That’s one of the reasons that managed data protection services are so popular today. Protecting company data through backup and restore is a pain point for companies of all sizes; An MSP ensures full protection for SMB company data. This reduces business risk by putting complex tasks in the hands of experts.

MSPs can also initiate new projects and implement new technologies quickly. They have the resources and flexibility to get projects off the ground which might take weeks or months in-house. Implementing new technology with your existing environment is complicated and time consuming. Because MSPs work with a wide variety of clients with different IT needs, they are uniquely equipped to take on complex IT projects. They also have vast experience troubleshooting the products they use—allowing them to resolve problems quickly.

At Profulgent Technology, our clients consider us a subsidiary of their IT department.

There are a variety of reasons that SMBs need help from third-party IT firms. IT skill and expense tops the list for smaller businesses. Very small companies stand to reduce IT costs while getting the IT expertise they need by partnering with a service provider. Larger businesses typically work with tech providers to offload a number of difficult or time-consuming tasks, allowing their internal IT staff to focus on mission-critical activities.   We have an ebook available which highlights the key factors required in deciding what's best for your company.  Contact Us today for a copy of the free ebook. 
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Computer Network Security Service
20Feb

6 Password Tips to Protect Against Business and Identity Theft

Ah, those pesky passwords. If you work in the corporate world or in an office, you have one for your PC/Network. And, unless there is a password synchronization application that combines them, you probably have more than one for other applications. Then, add those to the ones that you have for your home Internet, your banking and other websites that require passwords? Well, before you know it you have a nightmare on your hands in trying to manage them. So how easy a target are you for business and identity theft? Part of the frustration has to do with the different requirements for password formatting. Some systems only require four characters, some require eight. And some need a combination of alpha and numeric characters. Lastly, others do the same with the addition of a few capital letters thrown in for extra security. It can be positively maddening. The worst thing you can do with your passwords is to place them in a text document which can be accessed on the hard drive of your computer. Your files are vulnerable to business and identity theft- even if you think they are not. If someone is intent on finding them, they can. Even if you place them into a password protected document, those can be cracked, too. Writing them down has its own vulnerabilities, too, and there are varying opinions on this practice. If you do write them down on a piece of paper, put the document in a locked location whether it is in your home or at work.

Here are 6 tips on how to handle your passwords to protect against business and identity theft:

1. Make them complex. People who use easy to remember or short passwords are inviting disaster. Use a little imagination and pick a password that is very difficult to attach to your life. Stay away from birth dates, phone numbers, house numbers, or any other number that is associated with your life. 2. Keep passwords unique. When you change your passwords, make them unique from each other. Do not use the same password on all of your sites. If you do, then you are open to having every site that you have a password to being vulnerable to hackers to log on and steal your identity, money or destroy your reputation. 3. Be obscure. So use a combination of letters, numbers, capital letters and special characters if possible. And the more you do this, the more secure your passwords will become. Finally, create an alphanumeric version of a term you can remember. Using this technique the word "Spaceship" becomes "Sp@ce5h!p". 4. Change regularly. This is the singular tip that can save you if you do not heed any of the other tips. How often should you change your password? How secure do you want to be? The frequency with which you change your password will determine how secure you are from becoming a victim. The more often you change it, the better you are. The longer you leave it the same, the more vulnerable you become. Three months is a good cycle for a password, but certainly if you fear for the security of your identity, then a monthly change is not out of the question. 5. Password-protect your PC. Be sure to give your PC a password on power-up. This will help protect your files unrestricted access to your PC. 6. Password-protect your wireless home network. If you have a wireless home network, be sure to password protect it as well. And use the same principles above in order to secure your wireless network. This will prevent others from accessing your connection and using it maliciously to hack the personal or business PCs and laptops you and your family use at home. Finally, there are password programs that can help with this important task, but the best advice is to start with the tips above right away. Password software can be useful as an organizational tool. But it is no match for using sound methods to manage and make your passwords difficult to crack. Click here to learn how [contentblock id=company] can help protect you against business and identity theft with our Network Security Services for your business in [contentblock id=location].
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19Feb

The High Cost of Recovery from a Security Breach

Computer Network Security Services Small to medium size businesses are what keep this country moving. Unfortunately, for many of these business owners, budgetary needs force them to make cuts that the mammoth corporations do not have to consider. These budget cuts can often result in reduced security and sub par IT services. And in the long run, this can end up costing the company even more money. Reacting to; and the recovering from, a security breach or attack is always pricy. And this is more after it has happened than what it would have cost to prevent it. This fact has been supported by recent surveys, and may come as a surprise to many small and mid-size companies who are under the false impression that hackers and other security threats target larger corporations. It has been discovered that companies that have less than 500 employees are actually more likely to be at risk of an attack or security breach than a larger corporation. Of course, this becomes a problem when the larger corporation has the resources to maintain higher levels of security at a time when smaller companies are dealing with restricted or; in some cases, frozen IT budgets.

The benefits of hiring a Managed IT Services Provider in preventing attacks and security breaches

Security breaches are a real concern for small business owners. Many are making the decision to bring on outside providers to address their IT needs. Managed services providers can offer an affordable solution to small business owners who are struggling to manage an internal IT staff. In some cases there isn't even an IT person on staff, which can be just as costly for the small business when they have to bring in a professional on an as needed basis. Considering the money and time spend recovering from a security attack or breech, more business owners are realizing the cost of not having this level of protection is too high to pay.

How managed services providers can help

Here we look at how managed services providers can help business owners level the playing field against those who would infiltrate their security systems.
  • Increased knowledge. Managed services providers are in the business of technology. They have trained staff who are able to prevent security breeches. They also spot any activity that could be perceived as a threat. Moreover, they have the expertise to stop threats that can lead to costly recovery measures.
  • Less expensive than in-house IT. Other IT professionals can provide the same security. But it will cost much more to the business owner. What many owners realize is paying a flat monthly fee for security and other services is more cost effective than paying an internal IT staff or outsourcing per incident.
  • Proactive is better than reactive. There's a big benefit to having a quality managed services provider in your corner.  You act in a proactive manner to ensure all of your systems are managed properly. And this is less expensive and time consuming than waiting for something bad to happen first.
Any small business can benefit from a Managed IT Services provider. They can do so at a fraction of the cost. Therefore, this eliminates the fear and unnecessary cost of trying to recover from a breech in security. Click here to learn how [contentblock id=company] can help you prevent attacks and security breaches with our Network Security Services for your business in [contentblock id=location].
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15Jan

Save Time and Money with Managed IT Services

Most small businesses can agree on one thing. Time equals money. But small business owners are in a position where they have to be a jack-of-all-trades. And they spend most of their day wearing different hats. This is the nature of the small business. So while expected, it is not always the best use of time. But to be successful and remain competitive in an industry, there should be time to focus on growing and building the business. And in many cases, small businesses fail. This is a result of being unable to handle emergencies. Or even other situations that are simply beyond their control or expertise. However, leveraging Managed IT Services can help.

Many Benefits

Any business relies on technology. And this covers almost every business operating today, can benefit from managed IT services. Managed IT Service providers understand that not every business has the ability to pay for an internal IT department which can be very expensive yet necessary to ensure all aspects of technology are supported. Without this backup, many small businesses find themselves in a position where they have to foot a very expensive bill to recover from a disaster or emergency. In other situations, using out-of-date or ineffective technology is simply a waste of both time and money on the part of the small business.

Get Managed IT Services

First, we look at how small businesses can make the most of their time and money by hiring a managed services provider.
  • Focus on running the business. One of the major benefits of outsourcing your technology needs is that the owner and employees of the company can focus 100% on their individual duties. And this keeps the business moving in the right direction. This is the most valuable use of time for all parties involved, instead of hours or even days lost when trying to deal with technological issues that in house employees are not trained to handle.
  • Offer expert advise. There are many small businesses that simply do not know what they need to improve the functionality of their business. The old adage, "what you don't know can't hurt you" does not apply in all cases. By consulting with a managed services provider you may discover areas of your business which can be improved that you previously thought were working "just fine". Expert advice may be able to help you improve the efficiency of your business while positioning you better within the industry.
  • Support when you need it.  Managed IT Service Providers are there in the event of an emergency or recovery. But they also provide monitoring which can invaluable in preventing problems before they can impact the business.

Value and Money

It is important for every small business to carefully examine their technical needs. They can see what services will be most beneficial to the company. Managed IT Services Providers can be a great value. They can reduce tech costs over time. Also, they improve functionality. In turn, it turn saves time. Achieve this balance and get in position to thrive and grow. Click here to learn how [contentblock id=company] can help you save time and money with our Managed IT Services for your business in [contentblock id=location].  
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24Sep

Why use a local Support company?

Learn how your business can benefit from working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) like Profulgent Technology. We are a local support company in Laurence Harbor, NJ.  And we use real people in our office. Our team responds to you personally and professionally for all of your IT support!  

Support Local!

There are far-reaching advantages to deciding to “shop local.” By supporting local businesses, you are in turn supporting your local economy. More money stays in a community when purchases are made at locally owned. Rather than nationally owned – businesses.
  • Local businesses are more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to non-profits.
  • Supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies.

Get Started

So get in touch with us today. Support your local economy! Furthermore, get the help you need!
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11Sep

When Is Your Business Ready For Managed IT Services?

Business Readiness

Are you a small business owner? And are you considering whether or not Managed IT Services will benefit your company? Well, the answer is almost always- yes. There is little doubt that most small businesses can benefit from Managed IT Services. Yet that in itself does not always justify the cost. Accept that they can offer solutions to common problems. So, the real question is: when does it make sense to switch from in house IT solutions to the next level which includes Managed IT Services? Managed IT Services

The Time Is Near

There is a good chance if you are already considering Managed IT Services the time might be near when you are ready to make the switch. Small business owners do not have the luxury of a never ending IT budget, therefore it is very important to recognize when your current IT management is no longer cost effective. For most small businesses this occurs when the business grows to the point of needing either a contract with a local service provider who is "on call" for IT needs or hiring a full time IT person to remain on staff. There is of course another option for small business owners to consider and that is hiring a Managed IT Services Provider to oversee their IT needs.

How To Decide

If you are still unsure that your business is ready for the switch, ask yourself the following questions:
  • Do you find IT costs are continually increasing?
  • Is it difficult to find and retain quality IT staff?
  • Is your network and workstation performance and speed decreasing?
  • Are your employees spending more time dealing with IT issues than focusing on job they have been hired to perform?
  • Do you have problems with viruses, spyware and other security issues that could threaten the confidentiality of proprietary information?
  • In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, would your network be at risk? Would recovery be a concern?
  • Do you find network downtime is increasing?
If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, then your business is ready for Managed IT Services.

Find the Right Provider

Now that you have determined Managed IT Services are right for your business, the next challenge is finding the right provider of these services. This is a decision that should not be made lightly or rushed as the wrong provider can end up costing your company more money than your current situation. Before you begin the search for a Managed IT Services Provider you should first consider your IT budget as well as issues or problems you want to be addressed. It is important to remember that Managed IT Services are not a one-size-fits-all type of solution to business problems. Each business and industry has their own issues to contend with and a qualified Managed IT Services Provider will work with you to find the solutions that will benefit your company the most. Is a potential provider is more intent on selling you services and not listening to your needs? Then move on to another provider. The point of outsourcing your IT management is to save money and while free up your time. So you should find the best provider to oversee your technology needs. Click here to learn how your business will benefit from Managed IT Services from Profulgent Technology.
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11Jun

What to Consider About Virtual Teams

The definition of team is evolving. It is now normal to see people from different countries collaborating. However, a growing number of companies are implementing virtual teams. So you may have heard the term but does this fit your business model? Do you know what's a common business misconception? That productivity is a result of being in close proximity. But companies now realize that productivity is better measured by employee quality. So if a team has individuals motivated by personal achievement? Then, they are now invested in their work. But what about people who just want to avoid being reprimanded? Well, they probably  aren't invested and won't push themselves. Virtual teams are often made of the former. Because of this, they are powerhouses. In many businesses, virtual teams are not feasible. But, some tasks require physical presence. However, many businesses are embracing this reorganization. So, consider virtual teams as a strategy. Lastly, here are some advantages and disadvantages to consider.

Advantages

  • Recruitment based on expertise
  • Team members are more efficient
  • Teams consist of self-motived and driven members.
  • More accommodation for team’s personal lives
  • No commuting time or cost
  • No physical location means reduced overhead
  • Lower equipment costs as most teams use web-based tools
  • Managers can better evaluate the team’s overall performance because there are less social pressures

Disadvantages

  • Less social interaction demotivates some employees.
  • Loss of trust between team members.
  • Loss of physical dynamics may decrease creativity.
  • Team members may overwork themselves as managers can't see the time each task takes.
  • Managers may lose track of the team’s progress, i.e. out of site out of mind
Virtual teams make use of a selection of tech to interface. These include email, audio and video conferencing, and file sharing programs. So, below is a list of a few great programs.
  • Go to meetings – an economical option to have remote meetings
  • Yammer – a exclusive social network for businesses that makes it possible for quick communication and interaction
  • Drop Box – a free way to share files
  • Second Life – allows for interactive meetings with the use of avatars
If you would like more information on virtual teams in action, check out the articles below: http://www.theanywhereoffice.com/mobile-work/telework-viritual-teams-midmarket-companies.htm http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/19/virtual-teams-meetings-leadership-managing-cooperation.html http://www.openforum.com/articles/7-effective-tools-for-managing-a-virtual-team
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20May

Computer Backup Solutions – All Systems Go?

The subject of computer backup solutions has always been a topic of importance when it comes to preserving the data on your computer. However there are more options available to you in this arena. But this can be both a help and a hindrance. On one hand, having more options is helpful. Better solutions have been brought to the marketplace to fit your needs. But the multitude of choices might scare off users and cause them to avoid the issue altogether. That can have a disastrous ending.
Computer Backup
  It does not have to be complicated nor time consuming. So, there is no good reason not to tackle backing up your computer.

The Philosophy

We all know that backing up can preserve the information that is stored on your computer. But how far do you take your backup philosophy? It depends on what you can 'afford' to lose. To one computer user, just backing up periodically will suffice. The thought here is that if you lose your data? Then, you can restore it apart from your operating system. And the time that this takes is not a critical consideration. Many home users fall into this category. It makes sense as long as you are not dependent upon your computer for time-sensitive applications and tasks and/or for accessing and retrieving data relative to finances, etc. To another user this philosophy is not enough. Those who depend on their data and computer for more than just casual personal computing understand that if a hard drive fails, their business is down until they can get it back up and running again. Home users who store irreplaceable photographs and home video on their computers will also fall into this category. A more comprehensive backup plan is recommended to help recover from disasters in a timely fashion.

Computer Backup Solutions Options

There are several ways to tackle backups of your important data:
Built-in operating system options.
Microsoft Windows operating systems provide built-in back up capabilities that allows you to back up your documents or files onto external media. Beginning with Windows XP and its Automated System Recovery feature, each successive Microsoft desktop operating system includes the capability to help recover your entire hard drive if necessary. These backup solutions are reliable and provide a built-in way for you to back up your data without having to buy an additional program to do so.
Manual copying onto external devices.
You can always resort to the old stand-by method of backing up by manually copying your data onto an external hard drive, USB memory stick or other external device such as a recordable CD, DVD or even a floppy drive if you have one. This is cumbersome, but if you do not have a lot of files, it may be an acceptable solution for you. The pitfalls with this method are that if you have multiple files, you have to make sure you get all of them, and you may need numerous target media to save all of your files to.
Online options for backing up over the Internet.
The newest option in computer data backup solutions is provided by online companies that enable backup and restoration of your documents and files over an encrypted high-speed Internet connection to any PC. A small background application backs up and transfers your files to a hosted storage area in a remote datacenter when your computer is idle; however, this is not a comprehensive disaster recovery solution for your entire hard drive. This solution works best when targeted at protecting individual files and documents on a PC or a Mac, and is generally a subscription-based service for which you pay a monthly fee for use.
Making an image of your hard drive.
This is a more comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solution. However, it's generally performed by tech savvy users. This option includes using 3rd-party programs to make an image of your entire hard drive. Then, "re-image" the data in case of catastrophic failure to a new hard drive. Thus, it provides a hard drive disaster recovery plan. Using this solution? Well, within a short period of time, you can be back up and running with EVERYTHING intact. As if the disaster never occurred! So how do you find the best solution to fit your needs? Well, ask yourself how soon you need to be back up and running after encountering a disaster. Or how much you are willing to pay? If you can wait several days, then a computer back up program might be right for you. If you need immediate recovery, then an online solution might be the best way to go. Finally, if your business depends upon your computer and its applications and data, then you must have a more comprehensive solution. Click here to learn how [contentblock id=company] can help you protect your critical business data with our Remote Data Backup and Storage Solutions for your business in [contentblock id=location].
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11Jan

How to: Hide Google Chrome address bar auto predictions

Google has been putting pressure on Firefox and IE by having great success with their Chrome browser. It has only been available for a short while and has already surged in usage. Chrome is sleek, fast and free. One of the features they offer is a search bar integrated into the address bar. This makes searching a breeze and it even offers predictions on what search terms or web address it thinks you are entering. To some, however, the prediction feature is more of an annoyance than a benefit. Thankfully, Chrome makes it very easy to enable and disable this feature. Below is a "How to" from Google Chrome support that explains these simple steps in detail.
When you type in the address bar, Google Chrome can use a prediction service to help you complete the web addresses and search terms that you're entering. For example, typing new york in the address bar could bring up http://www.nytimes.com as a predicted site or [ new york city ] as a predicted search. To help you differentiate between web addresses and searches, a search icon appears next to searches in the address bar menu; a suggested sites icon appears next to web addresses. Unless your default search engine uses a different prediction service, the search terms that show up are the same ones that would show up if you were searching on Google. Learn more about Google's autocomplete algorithm
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04Sep

Small Businesses Benefit From Managed IT Services

Managed IT Services

From start-ups to multi-billion dollar businesses, everyone is looking for ways to cut costs while turning a profit. In fact, many companies are just trying to keep things in the black, however that does not eliminate the need for practices that will improve and grow these businesses. Since few people have the expertise to manage much of today's technology, a certain percentage of their budgets should be allocated to IT and software applications maintenance. Here are ways that Managed IT Services benefit small and medium businesses.

Benefits of Managed IT Services for Small Businesses

  • Increased productivity - Businesses are established to fill the need for a product or service while providing a livelihood for the business owners and their employees. In order to do this, businesses have to ensure they are working at full capacity at all times. Downtime or work performed at reduced levels is time and money wasted. Managed IT Services can help businesses not only quickly repair problems when they occur but also act as a proactive measure to spot and treat potential problems before they have an impact on productivity.
  • Supports in-house IT - Many businesses do not want to relinquish all IT maintenance control to an outside party, and small businesses do not always have the resources to support the type of IT department needed to keep their business running at full speed. A majority of businesses can benefit from adding the expertise, tools and availability of a Managed IT Services Provider to help support in-house IT departments.
  • Remote services - Managed IT Services Providers work from a remote location, providing desktop, email and back-up and recovery support services without adding to the actual number of "employees" on site. The services provided are unobtrusive and in the majority of cases, have no impact in the day-to-day activities of current in-house employees.
  • Affordable - Generally when you bring on a Managed IT Services Provider, a consultant will perform an onsite assessment of the company, its workflows and processes and the current state of its supporting technology to determine what services are needed to meet organizational goals. Business owners often have a choice between several different levels of service, making it possible for a company with a limited budget to choose a package that best suits their needs.
Security is a big concern for business owners and individuals alike. In the past, business owners have been reluctant to entrust secure or private information to a third party, offsite vendor. As Managed IT Services Providers continue to prove their value, more companies are realizing the benefits and value of their services. Managed IT Services Providers continue to improve technology to provide secure, quality services for businesses of all sizes. As a result, smaller businesses which operate with leaner budgets find themselves in a position to reap the benefits of these services. Business owners often have to make difficult decisions regarding how they will improve their business while sticking to the budget. As the market for Managed IT Services experiences continual growth in the next few years, this method of IT maintenance and service delivery will likely become the "norm" for small to mid size businesses looking to reduce costs and improve uptime and business continuity. Companies that recognize the benefits of Managed IT Services will have a jump on their competition. Click here to learn how [contentblock id=company] can help you save reap these benefits and more with our Managed IT Services program for your business in [contentblock id=location].
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