kinetik IT blog spot

There are times when it’s obvious you need help with networking from an experienced Phoenix area IT team. When you’re staring at a pile of hardware that’s covered in water and giving off smoke, for instance. Or, when you try to load up your computers and see nothing but error screens.

However, when it comes to network maintenance and security, there are also more subtle indications you could use professional technical assistance. Sometimes, these little signals are clues that bigger (and more expensive) network problems are on the way. In other cases, they could simply be slowing you down and causing endless aggravation.

Either way, you don’t want to ignore serious network issues. They may get better on their own for a little while, but you’ll almost always end up with bigger headaches – not to mention IT repair bills – at a later date.

To help you understand why, let’s look at five clear signs that it’s time to call us for help with IT networking…

#1 Your Network Goes Down for No Identifiable Reason

If your network is unreliable, going off-line at irregular times and for no identifiable reason, it’s important to figure out what’s causing the issue. That’s because whatever problem you may have, it’s likely to become more prevalent the longer you wait.

Generally speaking, when a network isn’t as stable as it should be, it’s because there are hardware problems or conflicts in the configuration. In other words, you have a piece of equipment that is wearing out, or multiple devices or apps that don’t work together the way they are supposed to.

That might not seem particularly dire, but consider what happens when equipment fails altogether and causes more serious failures or data loss. Imagine that suddenly you can’t process credit card transactions, access account information, or save files you need to complete your projects. Why face that kind of situation when you can see it coming ahead of time?

#2 Your Network Performance is Slow at Times

A network that runs slowly from time to time might not seem like a big concern. After all, as long as it isn’t always happening, and performance turns back to normal, do you really need to worry about something that’s a minor inconvenience?

You probably should, if you want to get the most from your technology. Slow networks can be a sign that some of your hardware is on the verge of failing. Or, it could simply indicate that you have bottlenecks that are holding up the flow of data during peak periods of usage. It might even be a sign of compatibility problems between newer and older devices or software packages.

None of these common IT issues should cause you too much stress on their own, but they can lead to larger difficulties. For instance, if your network is too slow, it might prevent backups from occurring normally. Or, you could find that software updates can’t run the way they should, leaving you with security issues.

As a rule of thumb, it isn’t difficult to repair a slow or lagging network. Put it off for too long, though, and you might end up with a bigger issue than the one you started with.

#3 You Aren’t Sure if Your Network is Being Backed Up

No matter how big or small your organization might be, and what kind of hardware software you’re running, regular data backups are crucial to your long term profitability. That’s because you’ll eventually run into a situation where your primary storage devices fail.

A lot of business owners and executives fail to understand just how common it is to lose access to important data when it matters most. Something as simple as an electrical surge, hard drive failure, or an improper setting in the wrong place can all lead to years and years worth of files disappearing within moments. When that happens, you’re going to want the data you’ve been sending back and forth through your network to be accessible as quickly as possible.

If you aren’t sure where your data is being backed up, how often those backups are being run, or whether that backup data itself is being secured, now is the time to get the answers you need. Even a network that’s functioning perfectly at the moment can experience problems. That’s just a fact of life in the digital age. Whether such an event causes minor hiccups or major problems for your business will largely be dependent on what you have stored in the event of an emergency.

#4 Network Security Feels Like a Bit of a Mystery

It almost goes without saying that network security has become a top priority for businesses of all sizes in the past few years. For every high-profile hack and cybercrime that has made the news – and there have been dozens – there are dozens of other smaller companies affected by online theft and malware.

In the same way that locks, alarms, and cameras can help keep a retail business safe from shoplifters and break-ins, basic networking security protocols can prevent unauthorized third parties from snooping in on your files and communications. If you don’t have the right tools and procedures in place, though, you’re practically inviting thieves to see what they can steal.

A good IT team will ensure your network is as safe and secure as it can be. However, if you haven’t had a professional looking after your systems in the past, now might be a good time to ensure you aren't an easy target for hackers.

#5 You’re Opening a New Location and Want to Install Networking Equipment

Expanding your business is a sign of prosperity, not IT problems. But, it can also present some logistical headaches. Do you need to buy new networking equipment? Is what is available on the market compatible with your existing hardware and software? Are you sure your new network will be reliable, and connect seamlessly between offices or locations?

Your IT partner can help you make sense of all of these questions. That’s because a technical team that knows your business can help you choose the right hardware at an affordable price, set it up correctly, and test it for both performance and security. In other words, they can ensure you are ready to step in and get to work from the first minute your new office or location opens.

We deal with bad network configurations every week. Usually, they come about because a company was in a hurry to get things set up and didn’t do enough planning. That leads to persistent (and expensive) networking problems that go on and on for months and years. Do yourself a favor and hire an experienced IT partner who can set your systems up correctly the first time.

Networking and IT Support Done Right

Most networking issues, if they are caught early enough, are easy enough to fix. That’s because a team of trained technicians can identify simple issues with routers, servers, and backup media pretty quickly. Additionally, these kinds of components are generally inexpensive to repair or replace.

On the other hand, once you get into a situation where your network is failing, the costs can spiral out of control quickly. If you’re dealing with issues like malware or corrupted data, the problem can spread from one drive or device to another. And of course, it’s worth pointing out that you and your team aren’t being as productive as you could be when you can't communicate with customers and each other.

Consider these details together and it’s easy to see why networking problems should be dealt with sooner rather than later. Luckily, we have a team of trained, experienced, and inexpensive technicians that can get you back online and working quickly. So, if you’ve noticed one of these five signs affecting your network, contact Kinetik IT in Phoenix today so we can get to work for you!

Reports have started to surface that a new strain of ransomware is spreading through Russia and Europe. This ransomware is called Bad Rabbit, and first surface up in Russia and the Ukraine, however is starting to spread through Turkey and Germany, but it’s not fully known how far this virus has spread.

Some targets that have been attacked and infected by Bad Rabbit so far include Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Kiev’s public transportation system, along with the Russian news groups Fontanka.ru and Interfax.

Bad Rabbit appears to be attacking news and media outlets, along with corporate networks – a method similar to the ExPetr attack. Yet, it cannot be confirmed if the ExPetr and Bad Rabbit attacks are related.

The way in which Bad Rabbit infects a computer, the virus first requires the potential victim to download and run a fake Adobe Flash Player installer file, that way infecting themselves. The fake Adobe Flash Player installer file is prompted to the user when they visit a compromised website, most of these websites that have been compromised with the Bad Rabbit virus are Russian news agencies.

The hackers that created the Bad Rabbit ransomware must have been fans of the television show Game of Thrones, as throughout the malware there are references to Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons and Grey Worm.

Computers that have been infected with the Bad Rabbit ransomware are then directed to a .onion Tor web domain where the user is then asked to submit a .05 Bitcoin payment which is roughly $280, this will then release all of their encrypted files and data. On the .onion Tor web domain that the user is directed to, there is a countdown timer shown before the requested ransom amount goes up.

At this point, it is not certain if the Bad Rabbit malware will decrypt all of the users encrypted files once the ransom has been received, although researchers have performed tests and believe that Bad Rabbit is unlike the WannaCry malware that will wipe all of the users data and files.

It is always recommended that anyone infected with a ransomware malware to not pay the ransom, as there are zero guarantees that once you have paid the ransom that your data and files will be decrypted and released back to you.

One way to be proactive and prevent yourself falling victim to the Bad Rabbit ransomware attack is to create a c:\windows\infpub.dat file and remove all of the write permissions. This will disallow the Bad Rabbit malware from encrypting your files if ever attacked.

The Bad Rabbit malware is bares similar resemblance to the WannaCry and Petya attacks that spread around the world earlier this year.

At this time not all anti-virus and anti-malware tools are able to detect the Bad Rabbit malware, allowing it to go undetected and continue to infect users’ computers. With this level of severity, it’s important to take proactive measures and do not download files from any untrusted sources on the internet. 

While business owners love talking about web design and Internet marketing, most aren’t that concerned (or familiar) with the details of their web hosting plans. That’s easy to understand, given that servers and hosting software work behind the scenes and under the surface. They aren’t visible in the way a social media profile or prime search engine spot would be.

But, that’s not the same as saying hosting doesn’t matter. In fact, the quality of your web hosting package will have an enormous effect on the performance and stability of your business website. To understand why hosting is a bigger deal than you might think, here are four things we’d like you to keep in mind…

#1 Web Hosting Affects Web Performance

Usually, when an Internet connection is moving slowly, we think to blame our computers, tablets, or routers. However, there are two sides to any online interaction. The disc or server your website is stored on can either speed the delivery of your content up or slow it down. Those differences in speed matter, particularly when your customers are coming to you via mobile devices and are impatient to get to your site. Better web hosting means customers spend less time waiting and you end up with more conversions.

#2 Google May Ignore You if You’re on the Wrong Hosting Platform

Google uses multiple elements of web hosting (like page loading speed, for example, along with website availability and SSL connections) as search signals. That means the better your website performs, the more visible you are going to be to potential customers. Having a faster, more reliable website won’t take away the need for lots of great and original content, but it can give you an edge over your competitors. The tighter your search market is, the more important the hosting -related details of SEO can make a difference.

#3 Better Web Hosting is More Secure

Security is a big topic in web design and online marketing, and for good reason. You need to know that your HTML – not to mention customer information – is being kept safe. An easy way to do that is by using a better web hosting package. That’s partly because premium web hosting can give you availability to its SSL connections, system monitoring, and automatic backups. It’s also because the cheapest web hosting packages tend to group lots of budget websites together on the same servers, meaning your site could become “contaminated” by less ethical or careful neighbors.

#4 Premium Web Hosting is Incredibly Affordable

For all that you get from upgrading to premium web hosting, it might surprise you to know that the difference between your average run-of-the-mill shared hosting plan and a premium package could be as little as a couple of dollars per day. And, better hosting means you’ll get more from the money you spent on your website the first place. Financially, that makes it one of the smartest and most cost-effective investments you can make in your business.

Web hosting will probably never be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re considering upgrades or improvements to your business. But, with a little bit of attention to the space where your site is stored – and a few extra dollars a month – you could gain big benefits in performance, security, and even search visibility. Knowing that, doesn’t it make sense to talk with a member of our team today to see whether a fast and inexpensive tweak could make your web presence stronger?

What Is Ransomware and Where Does It Come From?

Ransomware attacks are increasingly more common these days,  making ransomware protection such an important topic of discussion. You must understand ransomware, why you need ransomware protection, how to remove ransomware before it strikes.

The entire concept of a ransomware attack is a simple one - someone takes something that is rightfully yours and demands money in exchange for it. Ransomware malware, and particularly encrypting ransomware, takes all of the existing files on your system and overrides them with encrypted copies, making it near impossible for you to recover and access your important documents. With your files encrypted, the attacker will usually demand a ransom to be paid via Bitcoin to unlock  your files and documents, hopefully. 

Once you’re hit with a ransomware attack, you will usually not know until it’s too late, then you will need to figure out how to remove ransomware. The ransomware virus will infect your computer and system, taking over any and all documents, folders, and files, and once it has completed its mission of encrypting your whole system it will then kindfully let you know it has done so, asking for payment in exchange of returning your personal assets. 

These attacks are created by scammers and hackers from all across the globe, with highly trained and skilled knowledge in computers & network programming. The malware can easily enter into a PC’s system through spam email, maybe as a PDF attachment that looks like a legitimate invoice, or through a malicious website that contains the malware code. I If your PC is connected to a network at your home or office, an infection to a single system can rapidly spread to infect the entire network, making it impossible to recover those files held hostage. Not only do you acquire a financial loss in paying the ransom, but a direct hit in loss of productivity and billable hours. That is why ransomware protection is increasingly important in today's volatile cyberspace. 

Why You Need Ransomware Protection 

An encrypted malware attack without any ransomware protection can be a silent and deadly killer. These viruses encrypt all of your important and essential documents and render them completely inaccessible to you. You can pay the ransom and get your files back, right? Hopefully, but paying the ransom cannot guarantee you’ll get your files back. 

Earlier this year there was a large scale ransomware attack called Petya, which was very similar to the WannaCry attack that  galvanized the IT community. Petya infected over 230,000 computers and systems worldwide, encrypting their files and demanding a $300 ransom to be paid via Bitcoin.  What the victims didn’t know was that Petya’s hosted email exchange server was shut down, thus preventing them from paying the $300 ransom to unlock their files! 

Even though ransomware attacks are on the rise, there are techniques and ways in which you can protect yourself and your organization from these sort of attacks. So what can you do?

Cloud Storage for Ransomware Protection

The best and number one defense against a ransomware attack is not to be vulnerable to these attacks in the first place. This can be done  with remote offsite backup in the cloud to store your entire system documents, folders and files. So if there is ever a ransomware attack on your personal PC or your company's  network, you won't be forced to pay the ransom to see your critical files and assets ever again. 

Even if you or your company has anti-malware, decryption software, or an on-site IT support staff, all in the event of a possible ransomware attack, the amount of time invested in restoring an entire system with these methods can take hours, days or even weeks. That’s why having a daily backup of your entire system in the cloud can leave your critical assets unaffected during the time of an attack, and restoring your system from the cloud may take only minutes, bringing your organization back to full production as soon as possible. 

The Best Protection Is Prevention 

With ransomware attacks on the rise, having a solid ransomware protection plan in place to save you and your organization from any disruption is crucial. Even when you're hit with a ransomware attack,  there is no guarantee paying the ransom will unlock all of your files. Even if you do get them restored, the amount of time lost can be insurmountable in comparison. By having a ransomware protection plan in place with anti-malware software or by bringing out the big guns and backing up your system remotely in the cloud, you  can keep your computer and your organization running efficiently and smoothly even when the waters are rough. 

Is your data as secure as it could be? Are you an easy target for hackers, either personally or through your business? Most of the men and women we work with don’t know the answers to those questions. And to be fair, there’s no way to know whether criminals are going to target you specifically.

Still, we find that many of our new clients have been neglecting their most important weapon against cybercrime: a strategy for setting and managing their passwords.

Believe it or not, just a little bit of attention to this one small part of your life can go a long way towards determining whether you’ll eventually be dealing with fraud and identity theft or if criminals will turn their attention elsewhere. That’s because taking the time to set strong passwords is the online equivalent of carrying a nightstick with you on the street. Conversely, using simple ones isn’t that much different than leaving your doors and windows open for anyone to come in.

Knowing that, let’s take a look at five solid password management rules you can use starting today…

#1 First, Use Complex Passwords

A lot of people don’t realize this, but hackers can use automated software to crack simple passwords (like names and complete words) within tenths of a second. Make your password at least 16 characters while adding in some capital letters, numerals, and symbols, and you could change that to months. Criminals don’t have that much time, so they’ll move along (or be discovered) before they ever get in.

#2 NEVER Use One Password for Everything

Yes, it’s convenient to use one password or security reminder question for everything. But no, you shouldn’t do it. No matter how secure your passwords are, you ought to have different ones for each website you use, and particularly for any financial institutions you do business with. That way, someone who finds their way into one of your accounts won’t be able to access the rest automatically.

#3 Change Your Passwords Frequently

It’s a good idea to change or update your passwords at least once or twice a year. If this is all starting to sound like a lot of work, remember that there are a number of free and low-cost tools you can use to generate random passwords and keep track of them. Whether you use software or not, though, it’s a bad idea to hold onto the same passwords for years on end.

#4 Keep Offline Reminders of Your Passwords

Of course, you don’t want the passwords you’ve set for all of your most important accounts and websites to disappear if you have an issue with your computer or mobile device. So, while your updating your passwords every 6 to 12 months, be sure to write them down (or print them out) and keep them in an insulated safe or another secure place. The whole process will only take you a couple of hours, which is a lot better than the weeks and months you’ll need to undo the effects of identity theft.

#5 Don’t Share Your Passwords With People Who Don’t Need Them

Finally, don’t let all of your hard work go to waste by sharing your passwords of people who don’t need them. Employees, contractors, and friends generally don’t need access to your accounts, and you should never send your passwords to someone else via text or email.

Having good passwords won’t protect you from every kind of online crime or theft, but it’s definitely a start in the right direction. Put these five pieces of advice to good use and prevent hackers from taking the easy way into your website or personal life.

If you don’t have a backup and disaster recovery (BDR) plan in place for your technology, you could be closer to a major IT crisis than you know. That’s because “disasters” are everywhere. Along with the kinds of tragedies you see on the news, everyday calamities like power outages, electrical surges, hard drive failures, and simple employee mistakes can all shut your business down in seconds.

In some cases, though, having an inadequate BDR plan can be worse than having none at all, as it might leave you with a false sense of security. That’s because good BDR involves many overlapping layers of protection, each of which is necessary to keep your company covered.

To show you why this is so important, let’s take a look at a few things every business owner should think about…

Hope is Not a Plan

To start with the obvious, simply hoping that nothing happens to your technology isn’t a very good plan. Everyday mishaps get their name because they happen every single day. If you just hope that everything is going to work the way it’s supposed to when you press the power button on your computer, you’re going to be shocked someday when it doesn’t. Anticipate that you’re going to have some kind of IT problem sooner or later, and prepare for the eventuality.

The Right Equipment and Location Matter

A lot of business owners keep extra hard drives, or even tape backup drives, inside their offices with copies of important files as a hedge against disaster. That’s better than nothing, but it won’t do you much good if the disaster affects your entire facility. To get real protection from IT emergencies, you need backups that are encrypted and stored in a remote location that won’t be affected if something happens to your location.

Timing is Everything

The best BDR systems work on an almost continual basis. That means new backups are being run daily, if not hourly. In some companies, losing a day’s worth of data, or several, could be disastrous. Things like new invoices, sales receipts, and financial records could all be lost. You need to know that your saved files will be current and up-to-date if you ever need to rely on them in a pinch.

Testing, Testing

Regular testing is an often-overlooked part of the backup and recovery process. If you aren’t sure your emergency files can be recovered and put into place when you actually need them, then how valuable are they as an insurance policy? Your plan should include lots of tests so you’ll have the peace of mind to know that your data will be there waiting once the recovery process starts.

Don’t Forget the Plan Part

Good BDR isn’t just about having extra copies of your files – you also need a written plan to restore them and get your company up-and-running in the event of an IT emergency. Your plan should be detailed enough so you know exactly who to call and what to say when you’re facing a crisis. And, it should be printed out, with a hard copy stored in your IT vendor’s office, for obvious reasons.

If you don’t have a solid data backup and recovery plan in place already, now is the time to think about getting the protection you need. Call our office today, and let us put together a quote that includes a comprehensive BDR plan for your business!

When a piece of office technology stops working the way it’s supposed to, you might be tempted to forgo a call to your IT team and let an employee handle things… especially if they assure you they are “good with computers.” After all, isn’t it nice to save a little bit of time and money if you have someone with the necessary expertise in your office already?

That’s an understandable line of thought, but one that’s probably not going to do you much good. Unless the solution is as simple as turning a piece of equipment on and off, you generally don’t want non-IT employees “fixing” computers, networks, mobile devices, or hard drives. Here are just a few of the biggest reasons why…

They Might Make Your Problems Worse

This might seem obvious, but we see malfunctioning computers and devices that have been rendered nearly useless by meddling employees almost every week. They mean well, but they don’t have skills, equipment, or experience to properly diagnose a technology problem, much less fix it. And so, more often than not, they end up making things worse than they already were.

This is particularly important when you’re dealing with issues concerning software and data storage, as problems with one drive or device can be spread to others if you aren’t careful.

Most Things Are Easier to Fix Than to Replace

Usually, when business people try to fix things on their own, it’s because they’re looking to save money on an IT service call. However, simple repairs – and even most complicated ones – are much, much less expensive than replacing a piece of technology would be. That’s important because there is always the risk that someone without the right skills might do enough harm that something can’t be fixed.

Frustration and a lack of knowledge can be a dangerous combination, and one that usually leads to a more expensive issue than the one you started with.

Even Successful Employee IT Repairs Will Cost You Too Much

But what about the times when an employee can fix a technology problem? Aren’t businesses saving money then? Not necessarily. Depending on the time and attention it took to get to that solution, you might still be at a net negative when you consider the lost productivity of your employee (or group of employees) who should have been doing their jobs while they were looking up solutions.

That might not be money that’s coming out of your pocket right away, but it could do more damage to your balance sheet in the long run. 

Good IT Care Costs Less Than You Think

The final reason to leave IT repairs and installations the professionals is that you aren’t really saving all that much money by cutting the experts out of the picture. Good IT help doesn’t cost a lot, especially if you work with the right company. 

And, all the hidden costs and expenses we’ve already mentioned can add up quickly over time if you have recurring technology problems. A good IT vendor, on the other hand, is going to perform a bit of preventative maintenance to ensure all your hardware and software are running smoothly.

Need a technology team you can trust to help you keep your business moving forward? Call or email our team today and let us put our expertise to work for you. 

It’s not unusual for business owners to think of their IT budgets as something akin to a black hole on a balance sheet. It seems like it keeps going in, but they aren’t sure what, if anything, ever escapes out of the other side. They need technology, but aren’t sure whether they are getting good value for the dollars they’re spending.

We can understand. It’s hard enough to make the right IT budgeting decisions when you’re in the industry and know the features and benefits of each product. For an outsider, being bombarded with different ideas and buzzwords, they can easily become overwhelming.

That doesn’t mean you have to simply give up and accept that some of your technology budget is going to be wasted, though. We have a few simple pieces of advice you can follow to make the most of every expenditure…

Don’t Pay Hourly

While we love working with our clients, we hate sending them invoices for hourly IT work. That’s because nearly every business would be better served by opting for a managed services agreement, which lets us handle their technology proactively for monthly fee, rather than simply responding to emergency calls as needed. Those last-minute technology disasters come unexpectedly, and they can cost you dearly when you’re paying for time instead of expertise. Do yourself a favor, and sign up for a monthly rate.

Opt for Subscriptions When You Can

Speaking of monthly rates versus unexpected charges, most businesses are better served by renting equipment and paying for software on a subscription basis than they are replacing expensive hardware and applications on an irregular basis. With subscriptions, you get the latest and greatest technology, a predictable cash flow, and the luxury of stopping your service when something isn’t working. Shell out big money for an upgrade or version improvement, though, and there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself doing it again in the near future.

Get Good Technology, But Not the Newest Gadgets

Technology sales professionals can be great at helping you identify opportunities for efficiency and functionality, but they can also be guilty of selling you the latest and greatest gadgets when you don’t really need them. When you buy a piece of tech that’s fresh off the shelves, you’re probably paying top dollar for it. Why not wait months until it’s cheaper and all of the bugs have been worked out? A lot of salespeople won’t tell you, but that’s the “sweet spot” in the technology market where the biggest bargains can be found.

Find a Proactive IT Partner

Your hardware, software, and devices all cost you the most when they aren’t working. That’s because the minute they fail, you and your team usually stop working, too. From there, the losses (in terms of sales and productivity) just add up one hour after another. To avoid that kind of situation, you should find a good IT vendor who will work proactively to not just fix problems, but ensure you won’t have outages in the first place. That’s the ultimate IT money-saving tip.

When you need a team of committed technology professionals who will get to know your business and help you maximize your bottom line, we are ready to help. Call us to set up a free consultation and learn about the different ways we can make your company stronger.

Quick question: which would be the better long-term option for your company, having an in-house IT employee, or working with an outside company?

If you thought keeping a team member on your payroll would be the easiest way to ensure your technology is going to work the way it’s supposed to, then you certainly aren’t alone. We find that a lot of business owners tend to share the same opinion. Unfortunately, it’s not the best answer – and having the wrong notion could end up costing you lots of money.

As it turns out, you don’t just make it easier to balance your budget when you work with an outsourced IT company, but you also get better service at the same time. How can an outside vendor do better work for you than an employee who is in your own office every day? We are glad you asked, because there are a few things you have to know to get to the answer…

Technology Expertise Costs Less When You Outsource it

When it comes to IT expertise, renting is cheaper than buying. Unless you have a very large and complex business, you don’t need a full-time IT employee on staff. And, you certainly don’t need someone to pay salary, benefits, and training costs to every single month.

With outsourced IT, you only pay for what you need, on an hourly or monthly basis. That’s a great way to save cash.

Many Minds Are Greater Than One

Learning about the hardware and software being used in a single business is easy; keeping on top of multiple systems, trends, and programming languages isn’t. That’s why it’s better to work with an outsourced IT team, with many different skills and specialties on staff, than it is a single employee.

No matter how sharp an individual might be, they can’t know about all the technology you’re going to use in your company (and if they tried, that constantly be training and seminars). But with a team of experts, you can have someone who knows your business and the latest technology on call when you need them.

You’ll Get Wider IT Coverage

Another disadvantage to having a single IT employee, or even an in-house team, has to do with time and coverage. It’s impossible for one person to be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And naturally, your technology is likely to fail when the employee you need is on vacation.

By spreading the costs of a large IT team amongst many different clients, your outsourced vendor can ensure there is always someone sitting by the phone when you need them.

You Can Scale Your Service up or Down

Hiring in-house IT employees takes a lot of time, and you’re going to be stuck paying for them for quite a while, even if business conditions aren’t as you expect them to be. And of course, if you grow, you’ll have to bring on even more team members (swelling your payroll at the same time).

With an outsourced IT vendor, you can scale your services up or down as needed. Simply change or plan, or get additional help as you need it, without being tied into years of salary and benefits.

If you want the best in technology care, and don’t want to pay more than you should, then it’s time to find the right IT vendor to work with. Why not place a call to our team today and see how we can help your business become more efficient?

When it comes to IT consulting, many business owners will tell you it’s something they either don’t need or can’t afford. In both cases, though, these men and women are losing the forest for the trees. That’s because regular IT consultations are inexpensive, and can be used to lower technology costs while meeting bigger business goals.

To help you understand why, and to convince you to meet with a member of our team for your own good, here are a few things you should keep in mind…

IT Consulting is Advice, Not a Sales Pitch

Many business people assume that an IT consultation is going to turn into a sales presentation very quickly. The reality, though, is that we charge for our time so we don’t have to push other services. Instead, we devote our attention to learning about your business and answering the questions you have about hardware and software. Don’t put off getting the advice you could use because you think you’re going to be sold something. A good IT vendor doesn’t work that way.

Technology Should be Part of Your Business Plan

Making the most of technology isn’t just a part of business these days, it’s a core strategy for maximizing your investments and getting ahead of your competitors. Whatever you are hoping to do with your company – such as sell more products, recruit new employees, or lower your customer service costs – you can do more easily and cost-effectively with the right hardware and software in place. For that reason, it only makes sense to review your business goals with an IT expert to see if we can make any personalized suggestions for the future.

You Can Save Money by Looking Ahead

Many new clients who come to us for the first time do so because they’ve had a difficult time forecasting IT expenditures in the past. What they don’t necessarily realize is that it gets a lot easier to create accurate budgets when you can assess what kinds of technology a business is already using, look ahead to see which pieces of equipment might have to be replaced in the coming months, and align the financial figures with other business goals. With some smart planning, your IT budget can become more effective and less of a mystery at the same time.

A Good IT Vendor Can Help Your Bottom Line

The more often your IT vendor works with you, the better they’re going to get to know your company and the technology you rely on. That means they can be proactive in making suggestions and looking for cost-saving opportunities. Lots of businesses are using hardware and software they don’t really need, and renewing subscriptions that aren’t helping them. During the IT consultation process, your vendor can help you trim the fat from your bottom line.

IT consulting is in about selling new services to your business, it’s about using our expertise to ensure you’re making the right investments for your business, and taking advantage of the opportunities that are in front of you. If you’d like to learn more, why not schedule a complementary technology review with a member of our team and see how we can help?