Waiting for the perfect moment to kick off improvement projects for your business? Now is the time. Don’t hesitate, take a look at these 5 common technology oversights you can avoid with a few simple improvements.

1. Overloading your network can lead to failures.  Computer systems are like a coffee cup…you add your beverage of choice, drink it down, and repeat. It’s a house for the caffeinated goodness you rely on. You wouldn’t continue filling your coffee cup if it was full, right? After all, you can’t drink the coffee off the floor.

With computers, we fill them with information, cycle out the old data, and work some more. Filling servers and computers to the brim can cause your systems to slow dramatically, programs may crash, or you may receive error messages warning you about low memory or disk space.  interrupting your workflow.

Make room before you overfill your cup.  Believe it or not, most people don’t know how much memory they have on their computers or company servers. Unfortunately, this is a huge risk. When you run out of room on your computer, there is simply no where to store things and there’s less memory for operations. This can cause your whole computing experience to come to a halt.

When was the last time you tested your servers to see what’s left? 
If you can’t remember, it has been too long! Have a trained technician determine the current memory used on your machines, the amount remaining, and the amount you need for your systems to continue operating effectively. Knowing what you’ve used, what you have left and what you need for the future will give you a clear picture to make informed decisions about your technology improvement projects.

2. Old equipment brings increased failure rates, compatibility challenges, and higher labor costs.  Pushing the life expectancy of your servers to the brink of its useful life is dangerous—You’re walking a tightrope with no net!  Yes, it sure looks good on your depreciation schedule, but your chances of a complete server failure dramatically increase and compatibility struggles as well as standard maintenance costs will skyrocket your operating expenses. Ultimately, using a server beyond its useful life can cost you more in the end than replacing the entire unit with something larger and more reliable.

Don’t underestimate the volatile nature of aging technology. Address errors, failures, and storage constraints before they become a burden your company can’t handle.

3. Rushing into solutions that won’t last.  Sometimes making a plan seems tedious. It’s just easier to implement something and see how it goes.  Hours of analysis and meetings to make decisions for the future can be time consuming and seem needlessly painful.

Enlist the assistance of an experienced advisor  to review your current operations and suggest reliable solutions for the future. Creating a plan for technology improvements before you dive into an overhaul will save you time and money. Put a system in place that offers the security, versatility, and scalability you need to grow your business without interruptions.

4.Underprepared for inevitable risks.  If you are in business, you know there are always risks. Some risks can be mitigated with simple procedural solutions like an evacuation plan for workers to safely exit in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, technology doesn’t allow the same level of visibility. You cannot always see the hazards ahead.

Invest in quality critical business services that support and secure your operations. Things like an automatic backup and recover solution, regular software and hardware updates, antivirus protection, a firewall, and ongoing network monitoring will help you head off disaster before it strikes. Take control of your essential operations so you can focus on more important tasks like serving your clients.

5. Ignorance is bliss.  When you see a new high-ticket item, do you simply take a deep breath and pay the price you see first? NO! These days, we are a society of wise shoppers. The Internet is a great resource to find great deals on otherwise grossly overpriced items you may see in stores. And, you might even find something more suited to you needs.

Technology is no different.  Shopping for items for your business shouldn’t be about the best sales pitch or the prettiest advertisements. If you have a need, ask. Reach out to your trusted advisor to discuss your business needs, technology goals, expectations, and general thoughts. Finding a solution that works doesn’t mean you have the best equipment for the long haul.

Business is business… and there will always be risks. Take charge! Avoid these five common oversights and save your company a bundle of money and a barrel of time so you can get back to what you do best.

If your network is a confusing pile of techno garble you don’t understand with errors and hang-ups around every corner, you may be on the rebound from a poor management relationship. Stop speed dating technicians with commitment issues, look for a comprehensive IT solution you can count on.

Speed dating drops your expectations.  Simply having awesome technology isn’t enough to guarantee your business will succeed. Your network requires an attentive partner to keep things running up-to-date and efficiently at all times. Calling a technician from the Yellow Pages when you have a problem may be an easy fix, but how do you know the technician is genuine and truthful? You don’t!

It’s OK to run screaming for the door!  If your current IT provider leaves you pulling your hair out for days or keeps coming back to fix the same issue, drop them like a bad habit. You deserve the best! Don’t lower your expectations of service, raise the bar for future relationships and find a solution that fulfills all of your company needs.

Take inventory and communicate your needs clearly.  Relationship experts around the globe will tell you, a good relationship hinges on clear communication. So, it’s time to take inventory of what you have, find out what your company requires for smooth operations, and learn how to get what you need out of your network so you can clearly communicate with your IT advisor. Start by reviewing the following:

• Policies: Rules in place to keep your network safe like an Acceptable Use Policy, Communications Policy, or a Remote Access Policy so everyone understands what is expected.
• Equipment: Your network should be made up of the right hardware and software to fit your company needs. Evaluate each component to ensure proper space, speed, and security.
• Backup: A comprehensive backup of all your data is priceless. When disaster strikes, your backup may be the only leg you have to stand on. Automatic offsite backup is a great way to ensure you have everything no matter what.
• Security: An antivirus protection program, a method to implement security updates and patches as well as an ongoing monitoring to assess and protect your company from potential threats.

Need help reviewing your network?  Give Biz-Net a call. We can help you turn that messy marriage of servers, computers, and peripherals into a harmonious work environment everyone will love.

Don’t be afraid of commitment…  Now that you know what you need and can communicate it clearly, it’s time to create and implement a solution for the long haul. A managed service agreement provides you with big business technology solutions for a flat monthly fee without a large investment. Here are a few advantages you can expect from a great managed service provider like Biz-Net:

1. Lower overall costs with one predictable monthly price tag

2. Higher levels of support and availability

3. Access to the latest technology and security

4. Adaptable and scalable business solutions

From the first date to the proposal and beyond… We vow to be honest, thorough, and reliable. We’re dedicated entirely to your technology needs so you can focus on what really counts, your business.  Marco

2 ways to be Android cool!  Hey, now you can be a power user – or just look like one – with these too cool built-in Android features. You are gonna love ‘em!

1. Don’t tap the keyboard, swipe (aka Swype).
The keyboard’s Swype feature eliminates the problem of hitting tiny keys with big fingers. Swype lets you drag your finger from one letter to the next. A little line follows your drag.  When you are finished with a word, lift your finger and the word you made appears on the screen like magic. It’s pretty darnn accurate too. If you tried this and it doesn’t seem to work, it may not be activated on your device. Open a text field and pull down your device’s notification bar from the top of the screen and tap ‘select Input Method’, then choose ‘Swype’.

2. Unlock with your face.  This is so sci-fi!! You can hold your Android up and stare into its camera to unlock the device. To set up, go to Settings>Security>Screen Lock>Face Unlock. Do yourself a favor and set a backup pin or pattern to trace to quickly unlock your devise if you’re in a pinch or if the face detection doesn’t work. It’s fun, but sometimes it just doesn’t work.

Social networking is fun, but also shares a lot of personal information and most of us don’t adequately password protect these accounts because they are not linked to financials. Think again!

Social networking sites give away more than just info. Hackers have a billion and one ways to guess your password and most of them are pretty simple. Bad guys often start with the names of your children, spouse, or pet and then combine it with a significant birthday or anniversary. Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of highlighting these things on social networking sites.

A general rule of thumb. Change your password two to four times a year and always use letters, numbers and characters. In addition, make your password at least 20 characters long and protect all of your personal accounts with family information and financials.

Password tips to remember… You can use a favorite phrase (as long as it isn’t on Facebook or Twitter) and mix it up a little by adding some numbers and a top keyboard character and you’re set. Or, try combining familiar things with an acronym. For example, use the initials of family members separated by a sentence.

Example:   ACM20thawi2009.JC  comes from Anne Carter (aunt) My 20th anniversary was in 2009. John Carter (uncle)