Don’t Let IT Get You Down

don t let it get you down

A career in information technology (IT) has its benefits. It usually pays well, and you’ll often have the option to work flexible hours or remotely if necessary. But, there are also significant downsides, including having to spend all day staring into a screen and trying to figure out crashes and bugs that don’t make any sense. It doesn’t matter if you’re a dev manager or a help desk tech, because there are things you can do every day to keep your passion for technology alive and well (and your stress levels low).

Here are a few ideas:

Add to your knowledge base (or share what you know)

Technology changes rapidly, and what was innovative in 2018 may be outdated by this summer. This can leave you feeling out of the loop, which can contribute to feelings of career burnout. Make a point to stay up to date on the latest breakthroughs, rules, and regulations. This is especially important if you work in an industry that prioritizes security.

For example, if you work in the financial sector, you’ll need to be up to date on cybersecurity regulations. Staying abreast of this information will make you more valuable to your company, and can give you an edge if you decide to change careers later. Thinking about the cybersecurity example, you should know that people in these types of roles an average of $90,000 – $185,000 a year, and there’s room for career advancement.

As you continue learning new methods and processes, you can also reignite your passion by sharing your skills with others. If you have a degree, you might be able to find a part-time job teaching night classes at your local college. There are also websites that allow you to publish learning materials and earn a passive income by sharing your knowledge with up and comers in the IT world.

Relieve the strain on your eyes

Sitting at a computer for hours each day is part of the job. But the light coming from that screen can take a toll on your eyes. AllAboutVision.com explains that blue light, which is dominant in display screens, scatters easily. This means your eyes have more trouble focusing, and this can lead to ocular discomfort, headaches, and mental fatigue. It might seem like a small thing, but wearing special glasses that reduce blue light can have a positive impact on your workday.

Leave work at work

Although it’s true that one of the benefits of the digital age is that you can work remotely, it has made it so that we feel like we have to be on the clock and ready for action 24/7. Maintaining this mindset, however admirable, can actually hurt your career in the long run. Instead of constantly toiling over assignments (and then procrastinating later), make a point to disconnect during specific hours. This might be from the time you leave the office until the next morning, for example. Even a short timeframe, such as the two hours around family dinner time, can help you improve your work/life balance.

Another idea is to remove your work email from your personal phone. If you don’t already have a hobby, StormTheCastle.com offers this list of outdoor recreation activities, which are the perfect distraction to keep your mind off of work. You should find other ways to relieve work stress, such as eating healthy, practicing mindfulness, saying “no,” and getting enough sleep.

Most importantly, try to remember why you got into your particular profession. It may have been that you were intrigued by computers or wanted to flex your problem-solving muscles. Whatever the reason, the above tips can help you keep burnout at bay so that you can continue to earn an income and provide for your family.

Can You Do Your Own Tech Support? Yes, and No

can you do your own tech support yes and no

As a small business owner, you already know the value of technology. And you may try to do your own tech support. But, there are some areas that you are better off outsourcing to an expert. On the flip side, there are many things you can do without assistance to keep from dipping into your profits. Here are a few DIY IT dos and don’ts.

Do choose your own phones and computers

When it comes to selecting the right devices for your business, options abound. Your phone is a terrific example. In most situations, it is between Apple and Android, so look at each operating system’s top-of-the-line models.

The iPhone XS Max, for instance, is a lot in a small package. It offers a generous screen size, the fastest chip available in a phone, takes stellar pictures, and has a long-lasting battery life. Most new Apple phones also come preloaded with facial recognition and other privacy features.

For Android, you can’t go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, which is plenty fast and has a fairly large screen. What’s more, it includes lots of advanced security features, such as a designated file for sensitive information. It also functions through a platform designed to ward off cyber criminals – which Bentley University points out, these days cybercrime is of increasing importance, especially to small business owners.

Don’t try to handle data security unless you’re an expert

Data security is one of the most important aspects of your business. If you collect any personal information, you have to make this a priority. But, it is not as simple as just installing malware software to your computers, backing up your systems, and changing your passwords every so often.

Digital Guardian recently published more than 100 data protection tips; this clearly illustrates that protecting your data requires specialized knowledge and lots of it. Investing in a freelance consultant or company to help with your data security might not make you money directly, but it can help prevent a data disaster that could bankrupt your business.

Do fix common internet and equipment problems

Communications are cyberspace-centered these days, so you almost always need access to the web. But, before you panic and start shelling out money for a quick fix when your internet is down or a device fails, try troubleshooting things yourself.

Many common internet problems are solved by simply resetting your modem or wireless router. If things are suddenly slow, you might even check your internet provider’s terms of service to see if they lower speeds after X amount of usage. PC Mag also suggests changing the Wi-Fi channel if you are in a building with multiple wireless networks. Likewise, get familiar with how to fix paper jams on your office printer or copier. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that most issues can be fixed without expensive intervention.

Don’t design your website

A shoddy website is the equivalent of a brick-and-mortar building at the backside of an alley in the bad part of town. In other words, most people are going to steer clear of it. If your business is not web design, don’t try this at home. Look for someone to tackle it for you, such as a JavaScript developer with a solid grip on HTML, CSS, Grunt, Bower, and Gulp.

If you don’t know what any of those things are, that’s a sure sign that you need a pro. A great developer can create a compelling website that’s PC and mobile-friendly and will keep your users from clicking over to the competition. Remember, a top-notch, pleasing website is an investment that will bring a return, particularly if you have an e-commerce shop.

You don’t have to outsource everything, but you should put your money where it matters. Digital security and your online presence are not DIY tasks. Choosing your phone and office equipment, and tending them when needed, often are. Don’t be afraid to admit the things you can’t do, because the most successful business owners understand their specialties and are willing to pay for support where it’s required.

How Do Managed Service Providers Benefit Real Estate Companies?

how do managed service providers benefit real estate companies

Real estate companies typically perform a variety of functions including both the buying and selling of residential and commercial properties, along with minor or perhaps even major involvement in the rental markets as well. While the real estate industry has been somewhat reluctant to wholeheartedly embrace technology as an integral partner to help them provide services to their clients, there are signs of that changing.

Streamlining Communication

Real estate agents typically spread their time between the office, visiting properties with clients, as well as working from home. One of the ways a managed service provider can help make the work lives of real estate employees easier is by offering them a VoIP communication system. With one phone number accessed over the internet, real estate agents are much more available to both clients and other real estate staff. An added bonus is that VoIP is significantly less expensive than traditional methods of voice communication.

Simplifying Tenant Oversight

Managed service providers can also help set up applications that help automate tasks involved in tenant oversight. With property management software, the more mundane tasks such as running credit checks on potential tenants along with analyzing past payment records is now automated. Digitizing lease agreements can help real estate companies reduce their previously enormous paper use, down to a fraction of its former level. Property management software can also automate some of the processes involved in the tracking and collection of rental payments as well.

Expanding Globally

Professional MSPs typically view keeping abreast of the latest technology trends as one of their primary responsibilities. This allows them to provide the necessary support behind the scenes for these newer types of technologies. For the real estate market, this means MSPs can make suggestions regarding the best apps, social media outlets, and websites for reaching the widest audience available. Real estate agents can reach a wider audience by providing recorded video walkthroughs, along with photo close ups of unique features of a home or property, then uploading that information for viewing by a global audience.

If you would like more information on how to expand your real estate company by using a managed service provider, please contact us.

The Cost of IT Support for Small Organizations

practices for it service management. Small Organizations
Practices for IT Service Management

The familiar adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is”, often holds true for many different types of services and products. Especially for newer, rapidly growing industries like information technology, it is not uncommon for small organizations to be somewhat unfamiliar with what constitutes a fair cost, what level of service to expect, and so forth. Unfortunately, when searching for an IT vendor, some companies still allow themselves to be dazzled by extraordinarily low fees, coupled with a vague promise such as “we’ll always be there for you”. Later on they find out the quoted fees were merely a teaser rate, good only for a short period of time and the promise of “we’ll always be there for you”, well, that was only true if the client was willing to shell out quite a few extra $ to pay for steep overtime rates.

Fixed Costs – Buying Peace of Mind

More and more companies are realizing just how dependent their organization is upon technology. That dependence is likely to continue, and perhaps even increase, if an organization hopes to remain competitive. Just as with many other aspects of running a business such as a mortgage, utilities, salaries, etc., IT costs are now simply an integral part of running a successful organization.

It is probably safe to say that most businesses do recognize the incredible value added by IT, including both software and hardware — it’s just a matter of finding the right IT vendor that does an outstanding job on delivery of their peace of mind guarantees.

Delivering Exceptional Value and Service

An IT vendor that refuses to perform the proverbial bait-and-switch tactics is the ideal IT vendor to look for. This premiere type of vendor will instead provide a comprehensive contract clearly defining all the services they provide. The emphasis will be on 24/7/365 availability in order to keep their clients’ IT processes running seamlessly and dependably. The ideal IT vendor stays on top of the latest technology trends, current issues, and challenges specific to the field in order to provide proactive advice and support to their clients. For a clearly defined fixed fee, a top notch IT vendor will provide all the technical expertise required by today’s competitive organizations, so these organizations can do what they do best — that is supporting and growing their own business. 

If you would like to know more about negotiating a contract for reliable, comprehensive IT services, please contact us.

Microsoft Teams Adds New Functionality in 2019

microsoft teams adds new functionality in 2019
Microsoft Teams

As we settle into the new year, many companies are beginning to roll out updates and upgrades to their tools and systems. Microsoft is no exception. Microsoft continues to add value to the Microsoft Teams tool with new functions and capabilities. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Communication

Effective communication within a business requires tools and products that can work together seamlessly. Teams is adding the new functionality of Teams Rooms and Teams-Only mode to further streamline Teams communication elements. Teams Rooms is basically a re-brand of the Skype rooms system with the added functionality of proximity detection so that nearby rooms can be added if needed. Teams-Only mode allows companies to make a seamless switch from Skype for Business to Teams by enabling Teams as the primary communication tool for their organization. IT Administrators will have the capability to upgrade only select people to Teams Only or enable an entire organization or group.

IT Administration

Teams is rolling out some new tools for IT administration of Teams. In order to help an organization run smoothly, the IT administration needs to have a good idea of how their tools are being used and be able to tailor tools to their users specific needs. With the addition of usage reports, IT Administrators can view Teams usage, user activity, and device usage to determine how well their organization is adopting Teams and if they are using it to its full capabilities.

Teams Templates

When you find something that works for you, you want to be able to replicate it, right? The Teams Templates function allows IT Administrators to pre-define channels, apps, and tabs that their organization can use as a template when building a new project in teams. This allows the organization to focus more on their collaboration and spend less front-end time setting up the system. Teams is also introducing a set of industry-specific templates for education, retail, and healthcare focused on the organizational areas where they are most likely to use Teams. IT Administrators will be able to customize and expand these template to better fit their organization by leveraging new APIs.

Employee Empowerment

Microsoft understands that everyone works a little differently and work styles change across role, function, and industry. Microsoft is committed to enabling Teams as a tool that everyone can use to meet their needs and work to the best of their abilities. The new Shifts functionality in Teams simplifies the process of planning and creating schedules by offering key capabilities to both managers and workers. You will also be able to integrate your workforce management system with Teams by leveraging a Graph API. Additionally, key mobile features such as location sharing, record and share audio messages, and smart camera are being enabled. The mobile experience is customizable to provide workers and IT teams the ability to choose the capabilities most useful for their organization.

Customization

Build and enable your bots to become more powerful and impactful by engaging new capabilities like retrieving a list of channels in a team, creating a 1:1 chat with a specific user, or accepting messages only from specific users.

Microsoft is constantly adding new and improved apps to Teams. Karmabot, MindMeister, The Connector for Jira server, and Atlassian’s Confluence Cloud are a few recent additions that have a made a big impact in furthering Teams’ collaboration capabilities.

Teams continues to grow and evolve as a communication and collaboration tool for businesses with new updates rolling our regularly. Reach out to 4CornerIT for your Teams enablement and IT needs.