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Directive Blogs

Directive has been serving the Oneonta area since 1993, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Using AI and What to Expect in the Future

Artificial intelligence is taking over enterprise computing. So much so that there is some degree of cynicism among CIOs and other technology leaders about what exactly AI can do for them. The reality is that AI can do some pretty remarkable things and is advancing pretty quickly, but if you are expecting it to transform your business with minimal effort, you might be in for a rude awakening. This month, we want to take a look at how AI is beneficial for businesses and what to expect from the technology in the near future. 

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Password Managers Have Become Essential Tools for Individuals and Businesses

Absolutely nobody likes dealing with passwords. They’re annoying, hard to remember, and yet, somehow, hackers seem to have no problem cracking them. That’s where password managers come in. They take the stress out of remembering a hundred different logins while keeping your business secure. If you’re still relying on sticky notes or using the same password for everything so you can remember it, it’s time to make the switch.

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Break/Fix Technology Strategies Set Businesses Back

Imagine owning an elevator that you would only service if it broke down? Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, that’s exactly what businesses do when they rely on a break/fix IT strategy.

Break/fix IT means waiting until something goes wrong before calling in the experts. While this might seem like a cost-saving move, in reality, it’s a fast track to frustration, downtime, and lost revenue. Let’s break down why this approach makes no sense in today’s business world.

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Tools that Promote Collaboration are a Big Boost to Organizational Productivity

Businesses run on collaboration, and thanks to technology, working together has never been easier. The right tools can make all the difference, helping teams communicate better, stay organized, and keep projects moving forward. Let’s go into the aspects that make some of the key collaboration tools businesses are using today work.

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Building a Plan for Business Mobility

It’s undeniable that the smartphone has transformed computing. In fact, not only is more computing done on mobile devices, they are by far the most purchased computers in the world. Well over 90 percent of people own some type of smartphone. So how do you use these devices for productivity? This month, we will discuss some ways to make this happen.

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You Need to Be Able to Spot Scams Before They Sink You

The Internet is a fantastic place to shop, connect, and learn, but people also have to deal with the minefield of scams—especially in 2025, where opportunists are getting even craftier with AI and other high-tech tricks. This month, we take a look at four simple ways you can spot an Internet scam before it drains your wallet or your personal data.

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Leaning on AI Isn’t Always the Answer

Artificial Intelligence is one of the most disruptive and innovative technologies that has come down the line in a decade. It can do things in minutes that would take people hours or days. It will only get more sophisticated from here. Unfortunately for business owners, the use of AI can mean that sometimes you lose sight of just how valuable your human employees are. This month, we take a look at why human employees can be an important part of keeping your automated tools in check. 

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Technology that Can Help You Get a Handle on Your Supply Chain

Running a small business is no easy feat, especially when it comes to managing supply chains. You’ve got to keep track of suppliers, shipments, inventory, and customer demands—all without losing your mind. Luckily, technology is here to help. Let's break down some of the key tech tools that small businesses are using to make their supply chains smoother and more efficient.

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Five Ways to Innovate Your Small Business

In business, innovation and productivity go hand-in-hand. When you think outside the box, you open up new ways to get things done faster, smarter, and more effectively. In this month’s newsletter, we thought we’d discuss five innovative strategies to help your business reach new levels of productivity.

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Cloud-Hosted Communications Can Have a Big Impact

Communications are an important part of any business’ offering. This can be as simple as having a phone line to as complex as to need integration of multitude of different tools designed to push your business forward.

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Three Tips to Better Manage Your Files

We manage all types of files in the course of doing business. Some are more important than others and often need better security, and they need to be filed a certain way so that retrieval is fast and painless. Today, we will go through three of the best practices in file management to help you get a better handle on the ever-growing amount of data you have to store. 

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Five Password Practices for More Secure Accounts

Passwords are one of the best ways to protect your online accounts and information. Strong passwords are especially important for small businesses because weak ones can cause significant problems, like security breaches. Let’s break down how to create and manage passwords the right way.

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The Pros and Cons of Current AI Tools

Using AI is all the rage these days. Seemingly every opportunity software developers have to add some type of AI or machine learning technology into their offerings is being taken; not only for the benefits that it gives their customers, but also for the marketing clout it immediately provides. This month, we thought we’d go into some of the ways AI is helping create more dynamic software and if it really provides end user value or if it’s kind of a red herring used by developers to position their products better in a more competitive market.

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Three Very Common IT Issues Everyone Deals With

Any computer issue you have can be extremely frustrating, but when something happens you should know you’re not alone. There are a few things that anyone that uses a computer has dealt with. This month, we take a look at three extremely common technical problems people deal with and what to do about them.

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Tips of the Month: Five of the Best Computing Tips

Business is an increasingly digital experience. Let’s face it, we spend a lot of time on our computers, so why not use them like a pro? Here are seven simple tips to make your computer life smoother, faster, and less frustrating.

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The Database Management System is Essential to Modern Computing

Have you ever searched for something on Google, played a game that remembers your high scores, or checked your Instagram messages? These apps feel smooth and efficient thanks to something called a Database Management System (DBMS) working quietly in the background. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll explore what a DBMS is, how it works, and why it’s essential for creating a seamless user experience.

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Good Vendor Relationships Can Boost Your Business

Your business requires you to make certain compromises. Still, when it comes to building a network of vendors that can help you realize your goals, you have to take some time and carefully select the people you want to have long-lasting relationships with because constantly changing vendors can cause plenty of problems for you. In this month’s newsletter, we discuss how to get the most out of your vendor relationships.

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Let’s Align Your IT with Your Success

We want to make sure you can get the most out of your relationship with us. In this month’s newsletter, we give you three communication touchpoints so that the work we do for you helps foster more growth and efficiency in the work that you do.

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Tip of the Month: Create Better Passwords

Think about how many online accounts you have. With so many accounts, it’s important to make sure they’re secure. Creating strong passwords is one of the best ways to protect your accounts from hackers. Here’s how you can create passwords that are hard to crack and keep all your online accounts safe.

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An Up-to-Date Operating System is a Mandatory Piece of Software

Operating systems are the backbone of any computer or device. Whether it’s your phone, a tablet, or a computer, the operating system controls how the device works, allowing you to run apps, browse the web, and complete tasks. For businesses, having up-to-date operating systems is especially important. Let's look at why this is critical and what can happen if businesses don’t keep up!

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3 Ways BDR Can Help Your Business Survive Any Natural Disaster

b2ap3_thumbnail_backup_and_recovery_400.jpgData Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) isn’t your average data backup solution. In fact, it’s far from any traditional backup tool that you might have used in recent years. Here’s how BDR is changing the way that organizations approach business continuity and ensuring their continued success and sustainability.

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Two-Factor Authentication is a Must Have

Two-factor authentication (2FA) has become a critical security measure in the digital age, providing an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, relying solely on passwords is no longer enough. 

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How to Activate Two-Factor Authentication in Windows

Two-factor authentication has become a must-have for any online-connected account that relies on password protection. The benefits of the technology are pretty straightforward. Instead of just filling out your password for authentication, a user needs to have another method in order to access an account. In this month’s newsletter we thought we would take a look at how to enable 2FA on your Microsoft account, which includes Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook.

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Data Backups are Critical for Modern Businesses

You’ve probably heard us talk about the importance of backing up data for business owners, managers, and even everyday workers. This month, we’re focusing on incremental backups and why they’re a great choice for small businesses looking to protect their data.

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These IT Services Help You Compete with the Big Guys

Small businesses today are in a prime position to thrive, thanks to a surge in innovative technologies that are affordable and work to boost efficiency. In the past, access to cutting-edge technology was often reserved for large corporations, but today small businesses can now gain quick access to these technologies and can have a real positive effect on the way they go about doing business. Let’s take a look at some of the best technologies small businesses can use to try and compete with the big boys.

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Hello October

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, October brings us many exciting events.

From the spooky fun of Halloween to Cybersecurity Awareness, this autumn month is full of inspiration.

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The Passphrase is Better than the Password

Network security is a major issue for any business that relies on password-protected systems—and who doesn’t? With so much at stake, it’s important that every user uses passwords that are not only complex and secure but also easy to remember. This month, we will discuss how the passphrase is the answer to keeping your password-protected accounts secure. 

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Six Benefits of Unifying Your Business’ Communications

Streamlining communications for small businesses can significantly boost efficiency and elevate overall performance. However, achieving this isn’t as simple as just deciding to implement it. This month, we’ll explore some key advantages that a unified communications platform can offer.

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Tip of the Month: Setting Up a Powerful Wi-Fi Network

Every business has to choose how they network their office. Most businesses choose the ease and convenience of wireless networking to allow their employees the freedom to use their mobile devices, IoT tools, and other devices. This month, we look at some of the best tips for setting up your organization’s Wi-Fi network. 

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Three Security Innovations Designed to Keep Business Networks Secure

Organizational cybersecurity is more important than ever, with an increasing number of threats requiring constant vigilance. To stay ahead of these dangers, cybersecurity experts and network administrators are continuously developing new solutions. This month, we’ll highlight three key innovations that are helping businesses navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

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Data is a Great Thing to Have (Assuming It’s Well-Managed)

There’s no doubt that data is valuable. It can improve many different aspects of a business, most notably operations, customer relations, and marketing. The more data you have, the more specific actions you can take to improve your business. But it can also be a real problem if you don’t have a plan for managing it. Let’s discuss some problems your data can present and how to avoid them.

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Small Businesses Should Keep Technology Simple

A business has to have people who know how to balance its spending to cover its bases and keep the company healthy. For the small business it is often a matter of choices. In this month’s newsletter, let’s go through some of the ways that keeping it simple might just be the best strategy in terms of their technology.

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The Main Benefits of Using a Private Cloud

Many organizations have become reliant on cloud computing due to its cost efficiency and accessibility to computing resources. However, complications with data security often arise. One way to gain control and maintain accessibility is to use a private cloud. This article explores why a business might choose a private cloud over more affordable public cloud platforms.

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Wireless Innovations You Need to Know About

Individuals and businesses alike are leaning heavily on wireless technologies to maintain near-constant connectivity. There have been many innovations in this space over the past few years. We thought we’d take a look at some of the technology that you should know about in the wireless space.

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Three Best Practices to Avoid Getting Hacked

Data breaches can cripple companies and can come from a lot of different directions. They can be the result of phishing attacks where your staff unwittingly gives hackers access to your business’ resources. It can come from a brute force attack where hackers use innovative tools to break into your network. It can even be the work of disgruntled employees who use their access to steal company data. This month, we want to outline the top three things you can do to keep your business from being hacked. 

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Automated Tools That Can Help Small Businesses

Automation has been a hot-button issue in the business world over the past few years. Many business owners have tried to find ways to automate some of their operations, while workers wonder if this strategy develops as people in the know suggest it will, they could be out of a job. We think that automation is actually a massive benefit for organizations and workers alike. This month we will go through a few tools that small businesses can easily leverage to use automation to their advantage by taking a look at some of the tools that companies depend on.

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Cloud Deployment Tips to Help Build a Better Infrastructure

Cloud computing has become a massive benefit for modern businesses, but every company has unique needs that require tailored technology solutions. A one-size-fits-all approach can be detrimental and leave you wasting money or worse—not getting the value out of your investments. In this month's newsletter, we offer five key tips for effectively deploying cloud services in your business.

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Top Five Cloud Deployment Tips

Doing business using the cloud is now commonplace, but every business is different and needs to fit its IT infrastructure to its operational requirements. This is possible, but trying to fit a one-size-fits-all solution into a complicated operational structure will cause more harm than good. In this month’s newsletter, we wanted to give five general tips to consider when you want to deploy the cloud in your business.

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If Your Business’ Technology Isn’t Working, Your Business Isn’t Either

Most businesses rely on their technology. However, a failure to manage that technology can lead to significant financial waste and operational inefficiencies. One major way a business can waste money is through over-investment in unnecessary or overly complex IT infrastructure. Let’s briefly examine how companies waste their money on technology and how to identify if technology is working for your business. 

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How to Capture the Leads Your Business Needs

Generating and capitalizing on digital leads is crucial for business success. A well-thought-out strategy to attract leads through websites, emails, and social media can significantly enhance a company's ability to create a good customer experience and grow its business. This month, we’ll examine this element of a business and give you a step-by-step guide to getting the most out of your digital marketing efforts. 

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Strategies for Rising Above Adversity in Business

Adversity is an inevitable part of doing business. Every administrator, manager, and employee will face challenges at some point. Overcoming these obstacles is crucial for maintaining efficient operations and fostering a resilient work environment. Here are some effective strategies to help you navigate adversity in business.

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Social Engineering is Not a Risk to Underestimate

Cybercriminals will do anything they can to get what they want. They will lie and cheat to break into an organization’s network and siphon off the data or gain control. One of the most utilized tactics that cybercriminals use today is called social engineering. This month, we will discuss social engineering and how it puts everything you work for in jeopardy. 

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Dude, Use This RAD Method to Get Your Inbox Under Control

Do you have trouble keeping up with your email inbox? You’re not alone; business professionals all over the world struggle to get to the fabled “inbox zero.” If you want to change the way you manage your inbox for the better, you should consider the RAD method. It might just change your life.

The proposed ideas here come from Nick Sonnenberg, founder and CEO of Leverage.

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Get More Out of Your Business’ Technology

Every business is looking to technology to enhance their ability to support their operations and provide a better customer experience. Maximizing the value you get from your technology involves a combination of optimizing usage, staying updated, and using the tools and resources you’ve chosen efficiently. Here are some strategies:

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Machine Learning Explained

Emerging technologies offer significant opportunities for businesses to achieve their goals. However, understanding how and when to leverage these technologies is crucial. One of the most rapidly advancing technologies today is artificial intelligence (AI). Yet, AI encompasses more than what one might initially think. Many of the most impactful business tools are powered by a branch of AI called machine learning (ML). This month's newsletter delves into machine learning, its mechanics, and its applications within a business context.

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Big Data, Small Business

Big data has become an invaluable asset, not just for large corporations but also for small businesses. Using the vast amounts of data your business creates to help you make more effective decisions is easier than ever. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll look at how small businesses are tapping into the power of big data:

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Big Data Initiatives Can Give You a Better Idea on the Best Ways to Run Your Business

Big data is now a crucial resource for businesses of all sizes, including small enterprises. Today, businesses have unprecedented access to vast amounts of data, enabling them to make more informed decisions and operate more efficiently. This month’s newsletter explores how small businesses harness big data's power.

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Fringe Technologies that Can Benefit Your Business

Fringe technology encompasses innovative and unconventional tech solutions that are not yet mainstream but can potentially make a significant impact. Small businesses can utilize these technologies to gain a competitive edge, boost efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. Here are some examples of fringe technologies that small businesses can adopt.

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IT Security Concerns and How to Confront Them

Cyberthreats are increasingly sophisticated, and businesses have to do what they can to address these issues. Since cyberattacks can have a massively negative impact on your business, it stands to reason that you need a platform in place to enhance your employees’ awareness of Internet-based threats. This month we look at the top three IT security concerns businesses face and what should be done to confront them.

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These IT Threats Can Ruin Your Business

Technology is a major part of today’s business. It’s fair to say anyone that works in business today is at least semi-proficient with the technology needed to complete their tasks. Unfortunately, for many people, however, the fact that their business requires complicated technology is problematic. This is because at any given moment there are people looking to undermine their job, seeking access to accounts that will allow them to siphon money and data from organizations. 

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Ransomware Will Hinder Consumer Trust

One of the worst things that can happen to any organization is to be infiltrated with ransomware. Ransomware is a strain of malware that allows hackers to lock down files or computing systems and then ransom access back to the organization. It can really be a problem.

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How You Can Protect Yourself from the Aftershocks of Microsoft’s Security Issues

Microsoft's cybersecurity vulnerabilities have been making headlines recently. These lapses in security are causing concern for customers worldwide. The impact of these vulnerabilities is far-reaching. It affects network security and increases the risk of data breaches, causing somewhat of a ripple effect.

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You Don’t Have a Business Continuity Plan without Backup

Every organization faces operational challenges at some point. Numerous factors can lead to downtime, making a comprehensive data backup plan essential. This month's newsletter dives into the concept of business continuity and underscores the pivotal role of data backup within it.

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What Does Great IT Support Look Like?

Technology is a major pain point for just about all businesses, whether you’re a small mom-and-pop store or a medium-sized (and quickly growing) name in your community. You’ll always have the technology to upkeep, from computers and servers to software solutions or point-of-sale registers. This month, we want to discuss how managed IT solutions can help you maximize your resources by offering a simple, easy, and cost-effective alternative to hiring multiple in-house technicians.

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What Do Firewalls Really Do?

Firewalls are a mainstay of network security. At its core, the firewall acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the Internet. Its primary function is to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Think of the firewall as a gatekeeper scrutinizing every packet of data that attempts to pass through. Let’s take a look at the different types of firewalls and some of their key functions.

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Innovation Can Take You to the Next Level

Most businesses need to confront IT innovation, as technology moves pretty fast. If you don’t have a plan to at least consider the technology, you could be easily left in the dust. In this month’s newsletter, we will discuss some pretty transformative technologies that are evolving quickly and can help your business improve its overall innovation. 

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Improve Your Opportunities with Managed IT Services

We love to highlight how technology helps businesses thrive, particularly small and medium-sized businesses with a lot of growth potential but limited by their budgets. This is why we provide SMBs with managed IT services specifically designed to drive business growth. If you have yet to consider outsourcing your IT needs, you could be missing out on a golden opportunity to alleviate many of the pain points your organization suffers from on a daily basis.

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Three Types of Software Moving Business Forward

Software plays a major role in business, regardless of what type of business you run. Whether you use a CRM, a point-of-sale system, or your software profile is a little more complicated, you need to understand a few things about modern software in order to get the most out of it. Let’s take a look at three things you need to know about modern software. 

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Benefits of Virtualization on Your IT Infrastructure

Is your business frequently grappling with the challenges of implementing new solutions, whether software or hardware? Consider harnessing the power of virtualization in the cloud to address these issues head-on. With the right tools, virtualization can open up remarkable opportunities to enhance your business' operations while bolstering its security and flexibility.

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Understanding How to Secure Your Password-Protected Accounts

One of the first lines of defense against unauthorized access is the creation of a robust password. By now you understand that not all passwords are created equal, however. Here are five indispensable tips to keep your accounts secure.

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Proactive Management Has Several Benefits

All organizations rely on their information systems to be consistently available when required, with some businesses being unable to function without them. When these systems undergo necessary maintenance, such as software patches, it can pose challenges for employees who rely on their continuous availability. In this discussion, we delve into the proactive approach to IT maintenance, exploring its strategic benefits in preventing downtime for businesses.

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AR Sets Up a New Reality

You’ve probably heard of augmented reality by now. If you are a fan of sports on TV, especially. Every time your favorite team faces a 4th and 1, the lines that you may take for granted on the field is AR. It augments the image with overlays of information that makes what you are looking at more immersive. As businesses continue to evolve, integrating augmented reality can be a game-changer. Let's explore four compelling ways in which augmented reality can work wonders for businesses.

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You Can’t Win ‘Em All, but You Can Be Ready

For competitive people, hearing the words “can’t win ‘em all” is infuriating. You want to win! These words, however, are completely true. Sometimes in business, you just lose. You may not be able to meet every deadline or win every sale, but there are things you can do to put your business in the best position to meet your goals. Today, we thought we would list a few things having the right technology strategy can do to help your business.

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Four Strategies to Help Build Robust Cybersecurity

Your business' IT security effectiveness relies heavily on how well your technology works. With this in mind, educating your staff on their responsibility to safeguard your business’ digital assets is important. Let’s explore the key priorities businesses need to consider to establish a robust security training platform that works to protect those assets.

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How Scammers Try and Steal Your Business’ Data

Picture this scenario: while going about your daily routine, an email lands in your inbox, purportedly from a cybersecurity company. The alarming claim is that you've become the target of a hacking attack. Despite lacking IT expertise and being unfamiliar with your security agency's protocols, you trust the message and promptly respond. Little do you know, the email is a cleverly disguised cyberthreat, and you find yourself ensnared in their trap.

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Cyber Censorship is a Complicated Issue

The web is filled with all types of content, and depending on where you live, it can be regulated by a myriad of organizations from all sections of society. From internationally recognized trade organizations to governments to industry regulators, there are a lot of moving parts in data regulation as it now stands. That leads to people wanting more control over data and censorship. Let’s take a look at cyber censorship and how it's a bigger issue than you might think.

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Remember World Backup Day is March 31st

World Backup Day, observed on March 31st annually, serves as a designated occasion to underscore the critical importance of regular data backups for ensuring data continuity. Although this day effectively highlights a fundamental best practice, we firmly advocate for a continuous commitment to maintaining and safeguarding backups rather than confining such awareness to a single day.

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World Backup Day Promotes Solid Data Backup Practices

Annually, on March 31st, World Backup Day serves as a dedicated reminder to highlight the pivotal role of regular data backups in ensuring the seamless flow of information. While this awareness day effectively emphasizes a foundational best practice, we strongly advocate for an ongoing commitment to the continuous maintenance and safeguarding of backups, extending well beyond the confines of a single day.

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Prioritize Your Cybersecurity Hygiene in 2024

A New Year can be about self-improvement. Most of us make lofty goals to spend more time at the gym, or to stop sneaking spoonfuls of uncooked Pillsbury Cookie Dough right out of the tube from the back of the fridge at four in the morning. Some of us accomplish our goals, and some of us have gotten really good at hiding that Pillsbury Cookie Dough wrapper in the bottom of the trash so nobody realizes it’s gone. All joking aside, it feels good to make accomplishments, and I truly hope that anything you set your mind to is able to happen for you.

If you are looking for an easy resolution that will help you sleep better at night and is extremely easy to maintain, I’d highly suggest that you prioritize your own personal cybersecurity in 2024.

It will take a little effort, but trust me, it will save you a lot of headache down the road.

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How You Backup Your Data is a Crucial Consideration

Data Backup and Disaster Recovery are essential components of any modern business. As businesses become increasingly reliant on digital data, it's essential to have strategies in place to ensure that your data is safe and secure in the event of a disaster. Let’s cover the key components of an effective Disaster Recovery strategy to ensure the safety of your business' data backup. Read on to learn more about Disaster Recovery strategies and how to best protect your business data.

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Two Approaches to Collaboration Your Business Can Benefit From

Collaboration is the key to many businesses' success and through the use of technology, your collaborative success could improve exponentially. The problem becomes how to determine what kind of collaboration tools work right for your situation. Today, we’ll go through two different types of software that can help improve your organizational collaboration.

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Are You Innovating Too Much for Your Own Good?

Information technology has become a ubiquitous tool employed by almost every organization. The ability to adapt and improve operations has become critical for maximizing productivity and creating an environment conducive to success. The pursuit of innovation, however, often considered essential, may actually hinder productivity. This month, we explore how blindly innovating might not always be the optimal path for steering your business toward success.

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How to Move Away From Evernote (And Some Note-Taking Alternatives)

Sometimes, good things come to an end. For users who have been using the popular note-taking application Evernote, that time might be now. Let’s dive into why users are jumping ship from what was arguably once the best note-taking app in the world, and what options you might have.

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These Communications Tools are Driving Modern Businesses

Imagine doing your job without the advanced communications tools that you have access to. It would make things much less efficient. Most organizations use all types of different solutions to be able to support their workforce and customers, but in today’s business, there are three solutions most organizations have come to depend on. Let’s take a look at these three today.

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Improve Your Chances of Success with IT Consulting

Having a professional perspective always helps, it’s just that in today’s world of inflated rates for everything, it’s hard to find experts that don’t charge an arm and a leg. IT consulting plays a crucial role in helping businesses gain a better perspective on their technology landscape. Here are several ways in which IT consulting can contribute to a more informed and strategic approach to technology within a business.

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What is ChatGPT and Who Should Use It for Work?

By now, you’ve probably started hearing a lot about AI and how it’s doing a lot of things to disrupt the world. It seems like every modern software application boasts AI capabilities, social media feeds are plastered with generative AI content, and techy people everywhere are providing their two cents on this new technology. The main star of artificial intelligence right now is ChatGPT, so we figured we’d shed some light on exactly what it does in plain English, and how you might be able to take advantage of it.

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How Your Business Can Benefit from Inventory Management

Managing the large number of devices in a modern office requires effective tracking and monitoring. The challenge lies in keeping tabs on each device, identifying users, and monitoring usage patterns. If your technology isn't currently being tracked, it's important to start doing so. The implementation of an inventory management system offers a more efficient and streamlined approach to this task.

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Three Cloud Functions that Can Change Your Business Forever

We write a lot about the cloud; for good reason. It is one of the most utilized and valuable technologies available to business. The cloud plays a pivotal role in elevating mobile productivity, offering diverse services and features that empower users to access, collaborate, and efficiently execute tasks. Here are three key ways in which the cloud contributes to mobile productivity.

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Fake Browser Updates Pose a Dangerous Threat

It’s important to keep the software on your computer updated. If your operating system or web browser or some other important application is out of date, it could lead to things not working properly while also leaving you susceptible to threats. However, hackers are disguising malware to look like important web browser updates.

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You Need to Consider Inventory Management

Effectively managing the multitude of devices in a contemporary office is a big job. The challenge lies in meticulous oversight of each device, identifying users, and observing patterns of usage. If your technology assets are not currently being tracked, it is a good idea to implement some way of monitoring those systems. The adoption of an inventory management system presents a more efficient and streamlined approach to address this challenge.

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Seven Ways VoIP Makes Business Better

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become an indispensable tool for businesses, with over 30 percent of them adopting it as their primary means of communication. Beyond its telephony capabilities, VoIP plays a pivotal role in modern collaboration by seamlessly integrating with various communication and collaboration tools. Here are seven ways in which VoIP enhances collaboration.

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Cyberthreats Can Threaten Your Business in Several Ways

Every organization has a lot of things that could go wrong in the course of doing business. They can run into supply chain issues, employee turnover and poor performance, natural disasters interrupting your “business as usual”, but one of the most unassuming, yet worrisome threats to your business is the cyberattack. This month, we go into a few ways cyberattacks threaten your business and how they play out to give you an idea of how to prepare.

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Social Media Scams are on the Rise

Social media scams are fraudulent schemes or deceptive activities that take place on various social media platforms. Users of Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and dozens of others have been victims of these attacks. These scams can target users of all ages and backgrounds, and they aim to exploit people's trust, curiosity, or lack of awareness. Social media scams come in various forms, and here are some common ones.

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Why You Need a Custom IT Strategy for Your Business

A company’s IT strategy can define how it handles its entire operational strategy. That’s why it is so important to carefully consider your organizational approach to IT. Not only does it allow you to align your IT, and its support, to your business’ goals, but it also allows you to consider the circumstances that you operate under and find viable solutions to business problems. That’s not all. Let’s list some of the reasons that businesses should consider customizing their IT strategy to their business initiatives.

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USB-C? Thunderbolt? What Ports Should My New Laptop Have?

We’re at a weird point in the technology world (but honestly, when is it not at least a little convoluted?). Right now, modern technology has been slowly shifting between a few different technologies and consumers and businesses are stuck in the middle trying to figure out what to do and how to future-proof their hardware investments.

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Be Careful Not to Get Scammed on Social Media

Social media scams encompass fraudulent activities and deceptive schemes that occur across various social media platforms. These scams target users on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and numerous others, irrespective of their age or background. They exploit individuals' trust, curiosity, or lack of awareness. Social media scams manifest in various forms, and the following are some common examples.

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Cyberthreats Threaten Your Entire Business

Countless challenges arise for businesses, ranging from supply chain disruptions and employee turnover to the unpredictable forces of natural disasters. Among these challenges, cyberattacks stand out as an inconspicuous yet highly menacing threat. In this article, we delve into the various ways cyberattacks endanger your business and provide insights on how to prepare for them effectively.

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The Cloud Has Everything!

It was only a few years ago when many of us in the IT industry simply did not trust the cloud. There was too much at stake and there simply weren't the robust options that have come in the subsequent years. Obviously, this has changed pretty rapidly and today’s cloud options are quickly becoming the norm.

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Business Disaster Comes in Many Different Forms

In business, there are always issues that need to be met. Often, there are so many that finding which ones to give priority is a chore all in itself. Choosing the best path forward depends on the situation, so when you are considering your organization’s disaster recovery you have to take into account every troubling situation your business can encounter. This month let’s go through some of the most prevalent disasters that a business can face. 

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5 Huge Benefits of Using the Cloud

Cloud computing has undeniably become one of the most important tools a business can use. Most businesses use some form of cloud computing, with 4-of-5 using multiple SaaS applications, virtualized computing environments hosted in the cloud, or other cloud-based tools. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using cloud computing.

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How You Can Use Technology to Free Up Capital

Businesses need money to operate and sometimes it can be awfully difficult to find enough financial wiggle room to do the things that you want to do after all the bills are paid. Finding the right technology can help. By building a more efficient business, tasks take fewer resources to accomplish and that provides opportunities such as better revenue generation or the ability to reallocate certain resources to better fit your organization’s immediate goals. Let’s take a look at some tech that can help achieve this goal.

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Which is Better? Wired or Wireless Connection

Make no mistake about it, connectivity to the Internet is paramount for any business. A surefire way to gauge this importance is to observe people's reactions when they are informed that the Wi-Fi will be down for a few hours. In such a context, businesses face a crucial decision: should they opt for wired connections or embrace robust Wi-Fi? To make an informed choice, it's essential to understand the benefits associated with both options.

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Why Routinely Patching Your Organization’s Software is Important

Technology is increasingly important for business, which is why when making decisions about what technology to use and how to use it, decision makers need all the information they can get. Since businesses today depend more on software than ever, it is extremely important that you know why it is so important to keep your business’ applications updated and patched. 

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It’s Probably Time to Consider a Change

Ask anyone that runs a business and they’ll tell you that it’s not one thing, it’s dozens of interconnected tasks that make up an efficiently functioning business. The smaller a business is, the more that the people that work in it need to do. This month, we wanted to discuss how even small investments in technology can make a massive difference in the way a business operates. 

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Four Tools Small Businesses Must Consider

Small businesses are increasingly dependent on technology. If your business is looking to invest its capital into operations, the following digital tools can go a long way toward helping you meet your short and long-term goals. 

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Advanced Cloud Platforms Can Improve Your Organizational Flexibility

The cloud computing landscape has witnessed remarkable advancements, offering businesses and individuals a wide array of advanced cloud options. These cutting-edge technologies have revolutionized the way we store, access, and process data, empowering organizations to achieve unparalleled scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. This week, we will delve into some of the most prominent advanced cloud options available today, highlighting their key features and benefits.

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You Should Make a Strategic Investment in Your Business’ Technology

All small business owners are searching for ways to ensure their organization's long-term success. The truth is that it takes a dedication to building strategies that allows your business to get in the fast lane and stay there; and these strategies aren’t always easy to find. Let’s discuss how leaning into solid technology investment can help bring you closer to your goals. 

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Copilot AI Set to Make Microsoft 365 More Powerful

Artificial intelligence is becoming an integral technology for modern businesses, but you can’t just roll up to the AI store and get some AI. The machine learning algorithms that make up modern AI are integrated into the software that your business relies on. Microsoft, long known for being amongst the top business computing companies, has begun to integrate AI into their software. One place that most businesses will get first-hand experience with this technology is through their Microsoft 365 subscription. We will introduce you to Microsoft Copilot and what benefits it ultimately brings users. 

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5 Technology Pain Points You’ll Need to Confront

Business doesn’t always go the way you want it to, so many will turn to technology. Unfortunately, without the right strategies in place, organizations can run into problems integrating the right technology. This month, we take a look at some of the biggest IT pain points your business can face. 

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Four Practical Uses of Artificial Intelligence

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool that can revolutionize small businesses. With its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and make intelligent decisions, AI has the potential to streamline operations, improve customer service, and drive growth. Let’s explore some practical applications of AI that can benefit small businesses and help them thrive in today's competitive landscape.

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