Education Center

In the days of the “Wild Wild West,” stealing was as simple as who had the most guts and the biggest gun. Cue a western bank robbery scene with tumbleweed included.

There have been some historically great duos. Try peanut butter and jelly. Batman and Robin. And who could forget IT and HVAC?

It’s time. You have out grown your server like an old pair of shoes. Or, perhaps your server has reached its end life, and you need to move on. No matter the scenario, getting a new server can be a MASSIVE undertaking.

Things are moving-and-shaking around your office, and it’s time for a big IT project. Whether it’s due to a new expansion or a new system, you are locked and loaded for some IT time.

This new project comes along with the age-old question – how long will it take? No matter how big or small the project is, it’s hard to predict a concrete timeline. Unfortunately, this isn’t a batch of cookies, and times will vary based on the type of project and any number of things along the way.

Before you call it quits on your project, let’s talk about expectations and reasonable ways to keep your business and IT department on track.

You’ve interviewed a couple of IT companies, and now you're ready to pick a service provider. Congratulations on narrowing your search to a top 3, but now what?

Staring at the contracts, they all look similar. And not just similar, but downright identical in some parts. So, how do you choose? Which is the best option for you? How do you really tell the difference between the contract options? Which one will be the best investment for your future?

You’ve probably heard the term “managed services.” You might have wondered what it meant and if it had anything to do with your small business. You’ve also probably heard the term outsourcing. Those words are often used interchangeably.

In a nutshell, outsourcing or managed services, means that a third-party acts as your IT department. Or in some cases, supplements your current in-house IT department. Do you have an IT department? Is your in-house IT team limited on time, resources, or ability?  It might be time to check out what outsourcing can do for you.

Small business has come a long way from the days of landlines and print only ads. Now, you spend much of your time competing with the big guys, thanks to technology.

Technology also helps small businesses attract and keep big talent. There are several strategies to keep your employees proactive, engaged, and happy. A great IT department, in-house or outsourced, is an unlikely, but important, part of keeping employee retention high.

There’s a philosophy that states everyone should spend 20% of their day working on their future. In the demanding world of small business, that isn’t always feasible. At times with limited staff and busy schedules, by the end of the day, you’re beat. There is something, however, that can work on that 20% for you. Technology.

Is your system getting slow? Have you outgrown your current equipment? It might be time to upgrade your network infrastructure.

If the questions of “how” and “who” come to mind, we've got you covered.

Outsourcing some of all of your IT management gives you a team of professionals who are responsible your network, including any projects that may come along. Many small businesses are thinly staffed in the IT department. Sometimes with 1 or 2 people. Or even more commonly, the IT manager doubles as operations manager or controller. These folks already have a lot on their plate.

One in five small businesses are affected by cybercrime each year. – The National Cyber Security Alliance.

Let that sink in. One in five. That is some serious risk. While companies like Target and Sony have the financial support to get them through this kind of scandal, do you?