When starting or running a business, one would want to do everything they can to protect the valuable data on company computers and other devices used for work purposes. That is where enterprise antivirus software comes in. It can help protect the company and personal data that might be at risk if the business becomes the target of a cyber attack. A good enterprise antivirus software program can help protect sensitive data from all sorts of threats, including phishing attempts, trojans, worms, and other malware attacks. New types of viruses are introduced into the world every day, which is why it is necessary to always be protected. When protecting important information on company computers and networks, enterprise antivirus is the best solution for that problem.

Device Scanning: Humble Beginnings

Antivirus has improved and evolved since its creation. The original purpose of antivirus software was to scan every single file daily while running in the background to make sure there were not any infected files already on the device. Although this was a great way to secure a system at first, many malware creators found loopholes in the security system that made the antivirus software unable to detect and get rid of the infected code. On top of this, simply scanning existing files offered no way to protect against new files coming into the device or network. It took a long time before antivirus software truly became a game-changer in stopping malware.

Heuristic Scanning: The Game-Changer

One way in which antivirus software improved is the added capability of scanning both emails and downloads coming through any app connected to the internet. Now software security companies that offer antivirus protection have multiple security methods that make it difficult for someone to get access to personal data. The heuristic scan was the biggest game-changer in advancing antivirus software. This technological innovation has the capability of detecting new threats even if the software has never detected this type of threat before now. Although heuristic scanning can help protect someone from accidentally downloading a virus, it is not perfect. The heuristic might detect malware that is not malware. An example could be the heuristic flagging and reporting a new Apple update for the computer. While the heuristic is not perfect, it does make it easier to detect unwelcomed intrusions.

Compromised Devices & Inside Threats: The Weaknesses

Antivirus software offers protection for one’s data from many sides of the aisle, but there are some things it can’t protect the data from. One of the things antivirus software can’t protect from is compromised devices. If someone has an unprotected device and connects to a company’s WIFI or wired network, then the data on all connected devices could be compromised. Another thing the program can’t protect from is inside threats. The purpose of antivirus software is to protect from outside threats, not inside ones. If an employee decides to do a cyber-attack, or if a malicious actor obtains employee login credentials, then they could get access to the secure data from the inside. That is why it is very important to watch employees and their behaviors and educate them on best security practices.

Final Thoughts

Although even the best enterprise antivirus software is not perfect and can’t fully protect one’s business or personal files, it is the best thing available. Why take the chance of having information stolen when there are antivirus programs available to greatly reduce the risks? Anybody’s information can get stolen, and although no piece of software can magically protect against all possible threats, you can rest much easier knowing that a good antivirus program is doing its part to help protect your company’s valuable data around the clock.

If you’re looking for IT consulting services in Austin Texas, consider contacting tekRESCUE, your cybersecurity company, to see how we can help!

Among all of the previous options we have examined, with the exception of Slack (which is more communication than strictly Task Management), Trello will be the simplest and most pre-equipped program to handle the running and management of company projects.

Ease of Use

Trello is an example of a lightweight Task Management application. For some companies, it may be difficult to transfer from traditional pen and paper management to an online management system. Trello is focused on ease of use, and it doesn’t require an entire suite of features for maximum efficiency.

Trello’s Card System

Trello makes use of what it calls a “card” system for Project Management. Essentially, users can make columns of categories for different aspects of the business, and then create cards within those categories for the different aspects of each category. So, you might have separate categories for employees, ongoing projects, billing, and general items. You can create cards under each column, and then remove them when they are no longer needed.

Card Sub-Categories

With the proper labeling, users can actually convey a lot of information using this system. For employees, you may have separate cards for training material, hours worked, requested days off, etc. For ongoing projects (or support tickets), keep in mind that the most recent card will appear at the top. You can also assign specific employees to a specific card and control the privacy of the cards.

Distinguishing Cards

Another useful aspect of the card system is its ease of organization. For example, you may have a card for the company’s blog, one for company’s virus removal, and a card for the company’s training material creation. Users can even color code the labels to reflect information for separate brands or companies. For example, all cards pertaining to one company might be colored red, so if anyone wants to search for things related to that company, they just click the red label, and alternate companies can be assigned another color. This way, you can easily differentiate between projects. You can also assign a specific employee to each project, and when you click a card, see all related notes on the specific task the card represents.

Potential Limits

Trello is a very simple tool, and though it is used by quite a few larger companies, trying to manage a hundred contracts using Trello would likely prove a bit complicated. It should be noted that a set of columns and cards are dedicated to just one “board.” It is possible to have multiple boards, possibly one for each project, each with its own columns and cards, but once again the ease of use limits the functionality at times. This can be a great tool for the individual or the small team working on one specific thing, but managing an entire corporate empire with Trello would likely prove challenging.

Versions

Trello does offer a free version, but is regularly $10 for the Business Version and $20 for the Enterprise Version. The main difference between the Business and Enterprise versions is that the Enterprise Version has a lot more security put in place, including 2-factor authentication (meaning you need a password and a working mobile that will send a code to you), and encryption. The main difference between the free version and the Business Version is the amount of storage space they give you and the amount of customization and privacy available between various boards.

If you would like more information about Task Management programs, contact tekRESCUE, located in San Marcos, TX.

Today continues our ongoing series on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Project Management software options by taking a look at the benefits of WORKetc.

Tickets and Billing

WORKetc is a great example of a fully functional CRM program. Some of its most useful features involve tracking tickets and billing. The program has a built in help desk for your website that immediately creates a ticket on the WORKetc app, which can then be categorized, either as a general ticket, or assigned to one specific client. WORKetc also offers billing features, for example, every time you enter a field note you have the option to enter in your time spent. From there, you can use those hours spent to create an invoice that will auto-populate with the relevant data and be ready to send to the customer, and track payment afterward.

Project Management

Another important feature offered is the projects feature. Each created project can be assigned to an existing client, so that when it comes time to send an invoice there is no need to work out the details of the project. This is especially useful because in reality, any one project is rarely just one task. Most projects require multiple tasks to reach completion for the success of the project as a whole.

For example, if you are building a house for someone, you can’t just assign “Build House.” There is a lot more than that one overarching task that goes into the project, usually in the form of several sub-tasks. Keeping track of the many sub-tasks involved in a project can be a challenge, which is why WORKetc’s projects feature is so valuable. Using this feature throughout a project enables users to keep track of all of their notes, all of the assigned tasks, logged hours totals, and all of the materials used in one organized and easily accessible space.

Customer Growth

You can see how having a process for Project Management and completion makes it easier to run a business. In addition to its Project Management features, WORKetc can also track leads on potential sales and buyers, and all of your employees can clock in from the available app, so payroll will also be simplified. Being able to have one centralized app for this means that you can take on growth and new customers without slowing down.

Enhance, Not Replace

Keep in mind that if you already have someone or something that handles payroll, someone that handles invoicing, someone for handling sales leads, etc, you don’t have to replace those positions with a program, which could cause confusion. You can use as many or as few of the WORKetc features as you want. Many companies already have outside firms handling accounting and payroll, and may prefer to use WORKetc specifically for handling customer support tickets and for the management of ones that come in.

Costs

Pricing starts at $78 for 2 users maximum for the most basic package that is mainly limited to task management. For a few more features, the usual cost is around $195/mo with 3 users included (each extra user + $49/mo), and $395 for 3 users for the full package, including website integration, and an additional $59/mo for each extra user.

If you would like more information about CRM and Project Management programs, contact tekRESCUE, located in San Marcos, TX

Sometimes it’s worth it to purchase brand name programs, but sometimes the off-brand is just as good. With software, there aren’t specific brand name and off-brand programs, just different visions. Often times those visions have been the aim of other designers before, which is why for every expensive Photoshop version, for every Vegas Pro, Adobe Acrobat, CRM, Cloud Storage, Dreamweaver, and more that you have to pay for, there are plenty of free and open source solutions available.

GIMP – Photoshop Alternative

If you are a professional graphic designer, or a video editor, than it is probably worth it to get Photoshop. However, if you are a business owner just looking to make a quick flyer for an upcoming marketing push, then you probably don’t want to pay a few hundred dollars for Photoshop. GIMP is a great alternative. It does lack some of the predictive background editing and the easy to use lasso (image section selector), but it has almost all of the other features.

Since GIMP is open source, there are a lot of people who work to bring in plug-ins that ensure it has most of the functionality of Photoshop. Some people actually prefer GIMP to Photoshop. It has layers, ability to shade things to match the background, selection tools, effects, and the ability to read .psd files. GIMP is perfect for business owners who need 10 computers to all have a photo editor, but those 10 people have jobs mainly outside of graphic editing. There is the option to pay $30/mo per user for Adobe products now, but that adds up to be more than buying it after a year or two.

Notepad++ – Dreamweaver/Code Editor Alternative

Notepad++ is a code editor that is also open source, and completely free. It can double as an IDE for something like Java, and works with most forms of coding languages. It does have a preview button, but not the active mirror feature of Dreamweaver that shows you what your changes look like. However, Notepad++ is still perfect for many tasks, especially web editing.

ZS4 Editor – Sony Vegas Alternative

For Mac users just looking to throw together a video or a slideshow of pictures, iMovie is an excellent resource. For some simple tasks, Windows users could also consider using Windows Movie Maker. However, both programs are quite basic, and can make it difficult to produce advanced effects. ZS4 offers more advanced options. ZS4 is not as user-friendly as Sony Vegas, but it is powerful. You are not going to be able to make a CGI zombie easily, but for most film editing it makes a perfect free alternative to paid programs.

Foxit Reader and LibreOffice – Adobe Acrobat Alternative

If you do not need to edit the contents (which Adobe Acrobat free can do; it’s the paid that can edit), then Foxit Reader is perfect. You can comment on PDFs by striking out lines, and replacing them with a sticky note.

LibreOffice is perfect for those that want something that can read, view, convert, and edit PDF files. While GIMP also has the ability to edit PDFs, Libre is made for it. There are very few free PDF editors that can edit them and also convert the files. This is perfect for those that are playing an active role in editing contracts or documents, or when you have an office that will occasionally have this need, but not very often.

While many offices find it beneficial to invest in paid software for complicated, recurring tasks, for those with occasional needs, these free software versions can help get projects completed without having to purchase paid versions. If you would like more information about programs that can help your business, contact tekRESCUE, located in San Marcos, TX.

Previously this blog has covered a few lightweight project management apps, and a full featured Customer Relationship Management (CRM) app, but for those looking for more features and more functionality, stay tuned. Here, we will be going over Basecamp, a very powerful tool for companies working to improve their CRM. Basecamp is a fully featured project management software, great for managing productivity, communication, and ensuring on-time projects.

Basecamp

Price

Another popular suite, this program actually has quite a few ways to ensure that you get a great deal on your service. For starters, there is an option for students and teachers that is completely free, they offer 10% off for non-profit organizations, and are only $99/mo and $999/year for any size business. There is no cap on the number of users and no limit on features included because all plans have the same features across the board.

Project Development

Basecamp is an excellent tool for running project development. It has a host of communication features, which are great for ensuring accurate project planning and task allocation, as well as a ton of specific task and project features. Communication features include Message Boards, Campfires, and Check-Ins.

Message Boards are basically Slack-like communication hubs. Organize boards by topic (client, type of work, general, etc.), and have all communication recorded about that topic in one central place. This feature is especially useful if you don’t want to use Slack and another project management solution.

Campfires allow users to create a thread for each individual project, so that all communication for each specific task that needs to be completed on a project is recorded in one place. Users have the ability to share with as few or as many project members as needed, and attach code or files within the threads.

Check-Ins allow users to send a message to see what the team is working on, either that week, that day, or that hour, and then formats it into a report-style message for the user to read. This allows effective management and cuts down on communication time.

Managing Reports

For specific projects and tasks, some helpful management features include reports, to-dos, and scheduling options.

Reports are awesome because they allow users to view all of their tasks and due dates that are overdue, and helps to determine where to focus your business. The feature will also show data relating to what has been assigned to specific users, which projects have the most tasks, and more.

To-Do’s are the heart of this project management software, and they cover all the bases. Assigning tasks, due dates, categorizing tasks, assigning to-do’s within specific projects, and more. This option works well with the reports function for additional project management.

Another feature that functions side-by-side with to-do’s is the scheduling feature. Users can assign a date that a project needs to be completed by, allowing users to set milestones and ensure progress. This function also offers the ability to create due dates for specific tasks and to-do lists, in addition to creating calendar events for birthdays, pay-days, scheduled changes, and other company information.

If you would like more information about programs and tactics that can improve your CRM, contact tekRESCUE, located in San Marcos, TX.

There are several different kinds of project management software. Some are for personal use, some are basic and just include task-management, some are more like an all in one app for running your business, some are more for support tickets, and all kinds in between. Two applications that can be helpful for project management are Slack and Google Drive.

Slack

Slack is not a pure project management software; instead, it is more of a communication hub that can be used for a lot more than just task-management. Slack is more of a collaboration software than anything else. It is used by student groups, friends, and clubs just as much as it is used by professional groups like businesses and charities. It is possible to use this in conjunction with other management software, or as a primary means of communication. One great thing about this one is that it actually has integration with over 150 other services, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Trello (a task-management webapp), Github, and many more.

Slack stands for “Searchable Log of All Communication and Knowledge.” That sharing of knowledge that drives its development is one of the reasons that management software should be used. When you can keep detailed notes, if another employee needs to work on the same job then they won’t have to start from the ground. In Slack, the user can create different “channels.” There could be one for “Appointments,” “Customer A,” “Customer B,” or “General.” Having one for each customer means that all communication about that customer and their projects and jobs goes in that channel.

Any appointments for the day can be also recorded for the purpose of availability. A “General” channel can be for announcements and things of that nature. The channels can also be used to record field notes, which should include the hours spent on that customer for billing purposes. For getting full functionality out of Slack, you will likely need to use its integration features on platforms like Google Drive for hosting files, or an outside application for sending invoices.

Google Drive

Google Drive is not a task-management software, but it is great for collaboration on documents and files. Any changes one user makes to a document are immediately distributed to all of the other users that the file is shared with. This is another example of something that can easily be used as a supplement to full-featured software. It isn’t the best option for being your only app used, but even if you use something like WORKetc or Trello, you can use Drive to store files related to the projects you are handling.

Drive can be reconfigured to handle all of the features that a normal project-management app would, but it would take some work creating the processes. However, there is not a system in place for notifications being made to documents other than notice that it has been modified, and no system in place for true communication.

Good Drive could in theory handle appointments and scheduling, billing and invoicing, and project management. You can create a spreadsheet for entering in billed time and costs, and have a template to send to people for invoices. A simple document could be used to take notes for projects and jobs for clients, and a document could also be used to track all appointments. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be easy to show the newest first, and could get cluttered fairly quickly. The best use of Drive is to distribute the files and documents related to projects you are managing through a project management app.

For more information on applications and software that can increase the communication and management efficiency of your business, contact tekRESCUE in San Marcos, TX.

Technology is meant to be something that makes it easier to run your business, not one that makes it more difficult. It is not meant to complicate or to slow down business strategies, but to complement them. When properly utilized and taken advantage of, the right combination of devices, programs, tools, and other technology should make it easier to run your business and focus on the part of your business that makes you money. Technology can save you time, stress, and labor costs. Below we’ll look at several of those helpful technologies.

Why You Should Use Task-Management

A web-app that a lot of business owners can seriously benefit from is task-management software. Task-management can create scalable processes and help sustain growth in the long-run, as well as save on labor costs and ensure problems get resolved. When a business is just starting, it is easy to keep track of all of your customers and projects. If you only have 1-2 employees and less than 10 customers to keep track of, it can be easy to just use simple pen and paper and to just tell your employees what to do in person. But when your business starts growing, and you suddenly have more employees and a few dozen different jobs, projects, and customers to manage, suddenly things can start slipping through the cracks. Even if you can get all the work you need to do done, it will require a lot more effort on your end. You will have to keep track of all of the open jobs.

Common Task Management App Features

The best project management software should combine several already existing program needs and put them in one place. This means that your customer help desk, billing and invoicing, and appointment scheduling could all be combined into one. The following shows what you should look for in suggested software.

Task and Project Management

Task and project management applications should have the ability to:

• Create projects and assign specific tasks related to the project to specific employees
• Record any notes related to the project and record extensive logs for any costs incurred from services or materials (proper usage of field notes should also save you labor costs by encouraging the sharing of knowledge and discouraging people doing the same work twice to rule out a specific problem)
• Store files related to the project. This feature is offered by some applications, but normally with somewhat limited storage space and feature functionality. A solution often used is using a CRM/Project Management Suite alongside something like a Google Drive

Customer and Ticket Tracking

These applications should be able to:

• Use the task and project management features to distribute workload
• Track when customers come in and what their problem is
• Organize the support tickets that come in

Billing

Billing applications can vary, but should include these features:

• Send invoices and track payments
• Compile accounting reports for end of the year taxes and reports

Communication

Many applications are also meant to improve communication between employees in a business, and feature abilities such as:

• Alerting employees to company policy changes
• Allowing employees to put in maintenance requests

Helpful Software To Be Covered:

• Slack
• Google Drive
• WORKetc
• Basecamp
• Salesforce
• Trello

Each one of these has a few unique features, and while some are complete suites of software that cover almost every aspect of business management, others are very basic and mainly just handle the management of specific tasks and projects. We will be going over the differences in the following articles.

If you would like more information about tackling your project management tasks efficiently, contact tekRESCUE in San Marcos, TX.

]]> /need-company-phone-android-ios-blackberry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=need-company-phone-android-ios-blackberry Wed, 27 Sep 2017 18:20:07 +0000 /?p=7250 Looking for a new company phone? One of the most basic decisions you will need to make is selecting the operating system that your phones will use. An example of an operating system is Apple’s iOS, Google’s Androids or Blackberry. These operating systems are the basis of all your phone’s programs. Manufacturers are different than...]]>

Looking for a new company phone? One of the most basic decisions you will need to make is selecting the operating system that your phones will use. An example of an operating system is Apple’s iOS, Google’s Androids or Blackberry. These operating systems are the basis of all your phone’s programs. Manufacturers are different than OS’s. For example, Samsung, HTC and LG all make Android-based phones. Keep in mind, making a choice based only on manufacturer is not very effective, whether the best way to approach it is to look at each phone based on it’s own merits, and on what OS it utilizes.

Android Devices

The Pros: Options and Customizations

Android-based devices are great because of the wide range of options and customizations you can make, meaning it will be more likely you find something that meets your needs, especially if you have very specific ones. The fact that there is so many manufacturers, also means there is a huge range of options. If you need to have a phone that can provide a hotspot for mobile employees, a long battery-life, a good camera for managers, or any other needs that your industry creates for you and your business. This competition also means you can get the fastest phone on the market, or the most affordable. Whether you need something with the most power as possible, or something that just takes calls and texts, the reality is that there is likely something on the market to meet your needs.

The Cons: Compatibility Issues

However, each manufacturer tends to have their own custom apps and overlays on top of the operating system, and sometimes an app might work on 80% of Android phones perfectly, but 10% may run it slowly, and the other 10% may not be able to run it at all. The huge amount of customization possibilities also means that if you allow your employees to pick any Android phone as their company phone, any company apps may have issues running on all of the phones. In the same way, sometimes updates for apps on the Google Play Store makes it break on certain devices. These problems were more common with older releases, but it can still happen with recently released devices as well.

The Solution: Stay Organized

These problems can be mitigated by either making sure all of the devices that you approve run the same version(all 1.6, all 1.7, etc) or all use the exact same device. But the fact that Android has grown so much, and become most popular option in the smartphone market, also comes with a lot of upsides. One of these is the fact that there is a huge app-store because of all of the users.

And though it was presented as a potential downside, the huge amount of customization can also be a plus, if you make the device choices uniform. Things like root-access, restricting what the phone can be used for, and the amount of peripheral equipment available(mics, credit card swipers, keyboards etc.). The more you rely on free and open-source apps however, the less control you will have over security. As well, many Androids can upgrade their space by using a larger SD card.

iOS Devices

The Pros: Ease of Setup & Use

iOS-based devices likely qualify as the easiest OS to learn, the easiest to set up, and the least likely to provide problems later down the road. iPhones of course offer very little in the way of choices, though that has been getting better recently. For example, currently there are several on the market that provide at least some range. When the iPhone 6 made its debut, the total went up by quite a few. There was the iPhone 6(flagship standard), the 6 Plus(increased power and size), the iPhone 5C(the budget option, cheaper materials and slower hardware),and the iPhone 5S.

For those that are going to be tethering and running several apps simultaneously, and keeping the phone on the most recent update for security reasons, then the 6 Plus is the best performance-wise, though the flagship would get the job done. The 6 Plus is also great for those who use the phone to interface with the customer, whether it is getting signatures, displaying graphics or anything needing a bigger screen. The other choices come in the form of storage space. There is absolutely no external storage for iOS(unlike a lot of Android phones). Apple has integrated a lot of their applications to run flawlessly and natively in their ecosystem(iMacs, iPads, iPhones). This includes iCloud, solving the storage issues.

The Cons: Common Updates

Some of these native apps have better versions that can be downloaded on the iPhone app store, such as Google Maps, Chrome and Gmail. But for those who have made their own app, the fact that their is pretty much just one type of iOS, means that it will work on everyone’s device. Unfortunately, common updates have a bad habit of breaking companies apps completely.

Overall, the hardware is respectable. iPhone’s only release once a year, so they tend to fall behind before they release the next edition. It is still fast enough for most usage though. Cameras on the 6/6 Plus are great, even the 5S has a great camera, but the 5C has a camera more like the iPhone 4 or worse.

Blackberry Devices

Blackberry-based devices do not have the advantage of a huge app store like Android, or to a lesser extent over iPhone. Blackberry’s also are similar to iPhone’s in that they are all made by the same company who designed them, without multiple manufacturers. The real advantage and draw to Blackberry’s is their focus on corporate and governmental security protocols. They encrypt storage and messages and are notoriously hard to crack. These tend to not be flashy or have a huge amount of extra features though. What they do focus on however they do extremely well. If the CIA trusts them, well you probably can too if you are in an industry where security is the most important aspect of this choice.

For further OS consulting, call the experts here at tekRESCUE and stay up-to-date with our blog; we’ll be posting a new article soon to discuss alternatives and features to consider when buying a company phone.

]]> /easily-update-quickbooks-database-manager/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=easily-update-quickbooks-database-manager Sat, 28 Jan 2017 19:01:27 +0000 /?p=6568 Sometimes Quickbooks Database Manager won’t load when it is supposed to. There are many fixes for this but the easiest is just to update it to the latest version. This article explains how to do that. If you search for help on this issue it is very difficult to find. So here it is, plain...]]>

Sometimes Quickbooks Database Manager won’t load when it is supposed to. There are many fixes for this but the easiest is just to update it to the latest version. This article explains how to do that. If you search for help on this issue it is very difficult to find. So here it is, plain and simple.

How to Update Quickbooks Database Manager to the Latest Version 

1) Go to the following URL https://support.quickbooks.intuit.com/support/ProductUpdates.aspx



2) Select your Quickbooks product by clicking on [Change] next to the version that is preselected.



3) Scroll down to where the Update icon is and click on it. This will download the latest Quickbooks update for your device.

4) Run the update. After the update is finished, reboot if necessary. 

5) Open Quickbooks Database Manager. It’s now updated to the latest version.

About Quickbooks and tekRESCUE

We work with Quickbooks all the time at tekRESCUE and it’s not always the easiest software to deal with. It has been the #1 accounting software for so long and as a result it’s bloated and buggy and just all around messy. tekRESCUE has become an expert in helping companies solve their Quickbooks issues. Call us if you need help with Quickbooks issues such as backups, network connectivity, Multi-user mode, and making it work with other software.

]]> /essential-tech-knowledge-todays-business-owner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=essential-tech-knowledge-todays-business-owner Thu, 15 Sep 2016 22:12:34 +0000 /?p=6442 Today’s business environment is more competitive than ever before. This means than any business owner needs to be on top of all of the latest advancements in technology to stay relevant and avoid falling behind. With how rapidly business technology has been changing, however, keeping up with the cutting edge is much easier said than...]]>

Today’s business environment is more competitive than ever before. This means than any business owner needs to be on top of all of the latest advancements in technology to stay relevant and avoid falling behind. With how rapidly business technology has been changing, however, keeping up with the cutting edge is much easier said than done. In this article, we’ll go over some of the technological trends a savvy business owner should not only be aware of, but know how to use well. If you’re able to take full advantage of the following tech as a business owner, you’ll be more likely to have a leg up on the competition.

Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO as it is commonly called, is a topic covered frequently on this blog. SEO consists of a number of strategies and techniques that ultimately help people find an item or service more easily online using search engines. Since many people today use the internet as their primary means of finding what they need, the business owner who is easiest to find online has a significant advantage in any market. Using specific techniques such as the right keywords and a well-organized and labeled website can help draw in business locally and even around the world.

Read more about this topic in our previous blog post, “Search Engine Optimization Demystified”.

Cloud Services

Data access is absolutely crucial in the contemporary business climate. When data is lost, employees and clients alike can be affected by loss of productivity, inconveniences, and even security threats. Technological experts have fortunately come up with a solution to today’s data problems in the form of cloud computing. This is an easily available service that, through an internet connection, gives any business owner access to very powerful off-site machines where they can store and retrieve their data instantly. Because these machines are secure, this prevents loss of any important data. Additionally, cloud computing allows you to buy cheaper machines since most of your computing needs will be handled by the off-site machines.

Social Media

Many customers today spend much of their time plugged into various social media outlets, as this is where they turn to for news or to investigate a potential new product. The business owner today needs to be here as well. Accounts on multiple kinds of social media are a must, enabling the owner to communicate directly to customers and answer any questions they might have. The immediacy of social media allows you to efficiently update your customers with any change in your business such as a change in a seasonal restaurant menu or the creation of a coupon that customers can use.

Mobile Payments

People today expect to have a variety of options when it comes to making payments, the most recent of which being payment via cell phone when on the go. Make it easier for customers to pay with software such as Apple Pay and Android Pay, which make it much easier to make credit card purchases on a smartphone. Customers who can get in and out of as store quickly are customers who are likely to return there again and again, and the same applies to online stores.

Video Conferencing

When a company has clients and offices across the nation or across the globe, it can be hard for employees to communicate with each other. You can reduce air fares and keep people in touch with each other and on the same page using video conferencing software. This type of technology allows several people to video chat at the same time in the same call without anyone having to leave their office. Costs are minimal and the benefits are huge. Be sure to invest in a high quality resolution webcam and microphone to make the process flow more smoothly, and test your chat devices before the conference to avoid any possible mix ups.

Smartphone Apps

Nearly everyone today has a smartphone, but does your business take full advantage of everything these amazing pieces of technology have to offer? As an owner, you can look into various types of management and teamwork facilitation apps, and have all of your employees install them on their phones. There are apps that can allow team members to chat in a distraction-free environment, to-do-style checklists, and even mileage-calculating apps if you have drivers that need reimbursement. This is a golden age for software innovators, and there is likely software out there to assist and speed up any kind of work. Why not take advantage of the portable computer in your employees’ pockets and have them use software that will make them more productive?

These are just a few of the latest technological trends that you should look into to avoid falling behind as a business owner. Several of these topics have been covered more in-depth in this blog, and others will be covered further in the future. There will no doubt be newer business technology in the not-so-distant future, so stay up to date with all the tech relevant to you by following our blog!

]]> /7-tips-every-windows-10-user-know/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7-tips-every-windows-10-user-know Wed, 06 Jul 2016 15:04:30 +0000 /?p=6392 As a Windows 10 user, you are probably familiar with the most basic concepts behind the new navigation and design; however, if you have yet to really dive deep into the OS then you may be missing out on some powerful features. If you can learn these seven tips that every Windows 10 user should...]]>

As a Windows 10 user, you are probably familiar with the most basic concepts behind the new navigation and design; however, if you have yet to really dive deep into the OS then you may be missing out on some powerful features. If you can learn these seven tips that every Windows 10 user should know, you will find that your productivity will increase making it possible to increase your workload, work flow, and your ability to work smarter.

• #1 – Screenshot Power
  Every Windows 10 user should know how to take a basic screenshot by using the buttons Windows + Prt Scn or Alt + Prt Scn on their keyboard. However, if you use the new Windows 10 Snipping Tool you can not only capture the standard full screenshot but also capture specific aspect ratios or draw your own rectangle to capture just what you need.
• #2 – Cortana
  If you haven’t yet worked with Cortana, you need to start now. You can talk to Cortana like you would to an actual person and get help with everything from your calendar to directions and even help finding your latest download. This is a great feature for people who are less tech-savvy and need help finding items on their computer or for people who simply want to be more efficient with their tasks.
• #3 – Metro Start Screen
  Were you frustrated with the latest task bar? Do you want to go back to the Windows 8 Start screen? Now you can. Windows 10 gives you the option of using the old Windows 8 touch-friendly start screen. Although the start screen has been updated, the basic “click and go” aspect remains the same as does the colorful block design.
• #4 – Battery Saver Mode
  When you set the new battery saver mode feature to “on” in Windows 10, it makes the mode turn on automatically. When your device reaches a battery level less than 20%,Windows 10 will automatically go into battery saving mode and help you stay powered up longer so you have more time to work.
• #5 – Find My Device Feature
  You can use the Find My Device feature in Windows 10 to find your device. Set up your Windows 10 related device and choose the “Change” button found in the Update & Security section to “Save my device’s location periodically.” This will allow you to locate your device if it goes missing by reviewing the device’s last known location.
• #6 – Edge Browser Can Now Cast Media
  With the new November Windows 10 update, the Edge browser can now cast the new media to Miracast, which can then play on your TV! You can cast Vimeo and YouTube videos easily but DRM-protected streams will not work such as Hulu and Netflix.
• #7 – Schedule Updates and Restarts
  This may sound like a simple tip but the ability to schedule your update installation and you restarts means that you can choose a time when you are not actively using the Internet (such as while you are at work or while you are sleeping) to complete your updates. This means that your Internet connection never suffers and you don’t have to take a break from your screen when you are at home.

With these seven power tips there is no limit to the amount of work and personal tasks that you can quickly zip through with the new and improved Windows 10 OS.

]]> /how-to-create-your-own-customized-version-of-android-with-xposed/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-create-your-own-customized-version-of-android-with-xposed Mon, 18 Nov 2013 06:38:29 +0000 /?p=255 http://feedly.com/k/19lJcEx]]>

http://feedly.com/k/19lJcEx

]]> /security-of-java-takes-a-dangerous-turn-for-the-worse-experts-say/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=security-of-java-takes-a-dangerous-turn-for-the-worse-experts-say Fri, 13 Sep 2013 12:35:28 +0000 /?p=217 Big reasons to keep your java updated or to not even use it at all. http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/09/security-of-java-takes-a-dangerous-turn-for-the-worse-experts-say/#!]]>

Big reasons to keep your java updated or to not even use it at all.

http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/09/security-of-java-takes-a-dangerous-turn-for-the-worse-experts-say/#!

]]> /mailstrom-helps-you-clear-out-thousands-of-messages-from-your-inbox-in-about-an-hour/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mailstrom-helps-you-clear-out-thousands-of-messages-from-your-inbox-in-about-an-hour Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:00:18 +0000 /?p=190 http://m.lifehacker.com/5983474/mailstrom-clears-out-thousands-of-messages-from-your-inbox-in-about-an-hour]]>

http://m.lifehacker.com/5983474/mailstrom-clears-out-thousands-of-messages-from-your-inbox-in-about-an-hour

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