The ACCENT Learning Hub

Have you ever wished you were better prepared for something? It all turned out okay, but I had a moment like that this week. Some of you may know that I’ve been a private pilot for about 10 years now. I didn’t fly much in the first few years, but the last two years have been much more active. The reason is mostly because we now have data center operations for our clients and ourselves in Las Vegas, as well as employees in Central California, Arizona, Colorado, and Louisiana.

General support for Microsoft’s Windows 7 Operating System was discontinued in 2015, so there has been loads of time during the current extended support season to plan for an update to Windows 10. Unfortunately, many companies haven’t felt the urgency to move forward and have delayed making a move in that direction. With shortages of labor and hardware predicted as we move closer to the January 14, 2020 end-of-support date, and security issues looming, the time to start planning is now. Need another reason? Your planning process is probably going to be more complex than you think and here’s why.

Here in Southern California, we take it for granted that growing season extends throughout the year. Did you know that our state leads the nation in agricultural production? Food grown here makes its way to grocery stores and food processors, not only all over the country, but all over the world. The reason why California has been able to become an agricultural leader is largely due to the climate, and conditions that are conducive to growth. As you seek to grow your business, it’s vital that you create conditions that are conducive to business growth. Here are seven ways that managed IT services helps you to do that.

It's not too early for business owners and managers to update their business plan for the coming year. Planning is necessary to not only make sure that you'll meet your 2019 goals, but to set up a realistic timeline for execution. For example, let’s just say that your 2019 goal is to add an additional million dollars to your business. How are you going to do that? What is going to be different about the way your business operates in order to make that happen? Can any functions be automated or outsourced? Will you be hiring any additional resources? Will you be moving or opening a new location?

January 14, 2020 marks the end of support for one of the most popular operating systems for businesses – Windows 7. It was released in 2009 and has served us well, but the end is near and it’s time to start planning your transition.

    Keeping up with technology these days feels impossible, or is it just me? It seems like every day there is a new acronym, or a term that has taken over a new identity, like the Cloud. With advancements happening so rapidly, it can be overwhelming, leaving your business hanging in flux. Trying to define what actually gives your small business a competitive edge and what's fluff is a full time job.

  Cyber security is much more than an IT problem these days - it's become a general business problem. Before we dive in, let's remember that cyber security is not just a topic for large corporations. It affects EVERYONE, especially those in the small to mid-size business (SMB) market. The revelation of the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities reminds us that cyber security affects everybody, individuals and businesses alike. Statistics are pointing towards hackers focusing a lot of energy on SMBs this year. Why, you ask? Good question.

In today’s fiercely competitive, technology-fueled world, there is one thing that businesses must provide their customers to survive: a great customer experience. This cyclical process begins with the sales cycle, follows through post-sale support, and then repeats itself when the customer is ready to buy again. It involves selling more, fulfilling orders faster, and offering the best customer service.

In the good ol’ days, backing-up meant saving files on a disk or tapes. Could you imagine doing a terabyte of data manually? Backup systems have advanced significantly, but their importance remains the same. What backup do you currently use? How is the continuity of this approach?  Can you access it on demand? If you can’t answer those questions, it’s time to check out image-based backups.

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.