Some of the greatest productivity tools for business are mobile computing devices. Tablets, smartphones, and laptops keep employees connected to the office and to customers and enable round-the-clock support. These same mobile devices also can create a headache for IT personnel. The IT staff has to provide access to mobile users and secure the network from wireless intruders. While supporting a mobile workforce can substantially increase office productivity, your network also needs to be hardened to accommodate mobile users. Read More >
Qualified IT personnel are expensive, but if your business runs on computers, then the expense is worth it, at least theoretically. For many small to medium-sized organizations, having dedicated IT personnel may not be cost-effective.
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You have already determined that it makes more sense to outsource your CIO than try to hire a knowledgeable IT professional. Your organization certainly needs the IT support, but your network may not warrant having a dedicated professional as part of the executive team. Depending on the size of your operation, you may determine that using a virtual CIO, usually a trusted integration service provider, will save you a bundle in staffing overhead and in-house resources. However, you do want to make sure that your IT partner can fill the role of CIO and that you can maintain network and operational uptime without a hitch. Read More >
Every hire a small business makes is important. You want a sales staff that is friendly, knowledgeable and can close/retain sales. You want a human resources staff that is organized, responsive and has an eye for talent. You want an office manager that can greet customers, schedule meetings and organize a lunch order for 20 in a snap. Read More >
More businesses are opting for wireless networking to connect their operations. Wi-Fi can be cost-effective, and it’s ideal for supporting bring-your-own-device (BYOD) strategies, where users can access the company network from their smartphone, tablet, or laptop. For smaller offices, Wi-Fi can save the cost of installing cable and maintaining a more complex network infrastructure. Most computer workstations come with Wi-Fi built in, and wireless networking is delivering more bandwidth and better security, so if your business only needs to support a small number of users and you don’t need for high-bandwidth applications, such as streaming video, then Wi-Fi could be an excellent way to network your office. Except, of course, when it fails. Read More >
