Benefits of IT Support for SMBs

a group of people holding their hands together

The probability of thriving in an environment with huge corporations and established companies is minimal if you are a small business operator without the necessary support you need. Several strategies can help small businesses surmount competition in their respective industries, including the adoption of the right marketing strategy and investment in technology. Unfortunately, small enterprises do not have adequate resources to invest in IT services, which is a prerequisite for achieving success. Outsourcing your IT services from reliable vendors can help your small establishment achieve set objectives as it grows. Here are the benefits of seeking the help of external IT support for SMBs.

It Reduces Downtime

Experiencing lengthy downtimes is a severe setback for small businesses that rely heavily on technology. Since systems are prone to failure on various occasions due to diverse reasons, you cannot afford to remain without a backup plan as a small business operator. Engaging a credible third-party IT service provider in offering support services for the systems within your small firm will eliminate the frustrations of unnecessary downtime.

IT support service vendors can provide several services including data backups, regular maintenance, and system updates, in addition to ensuring quick response in case the unexpected happens thus taming system downtime.

Ability to Leverage the Latest Technology

Needless to say, in the world of technology what is relevant today will become irrelevant tomorrow. The demands of customers are also changing every day, and you need to remain informed to stay ahead of the curve. As a small business operator, you may have difficulties researching the latest innovations to incorporate into your operations to promote productivity.

A professional IT support services provider will help your small business leverage the latest advancements in technology so that you can compete favorably with others in your industry.

It Promotes the Achievement of Core Objectives

Most small business operators lose focus on what they should pursue as the primary objective of their enterprises when they shift attention to their IT requirements. Divided attention will undoubtedly lower the productivity of your business, and that is why you need to hire third-party IT support service providers.

Releasing the responsibility of IT support to a qualified vendor of these services allows you to commit more time and resources to projects requiring your attention for your company to achieve set objectives. If you need more information on the benefits of IT support for SMBs, contact us today!

How To Gain IT Support As A Small Business

a tablet and keyboard sitting on a table

As a small business, you may be envious of the large companies with their own IT departments. When something goes wrong with your computer technology, you feel as though it’s all on you to take care of the problem. However, IT support is available. You can be more proactive when it comes to your IT issues simply by finding the right partner.

Managed IT Services

One of the easiest ways to get IT support is to sign up for managed IT services. This essentially allows you to increase productivity within the workplace simply by letting someone else manage the IT components of your operations.

Your technology will grow as you grow, allowing you to have a scalable solution in place.

Additionally, you can rest easy knowing that both your data and network are secure. You can achieve a higher level of uptime simply because someone else will be monitoring your IT connectivity.

The IT services are managed remotely. Further, you can choose a service plan that meets the needs of your business processes as well as your budget.

Consultations

It may be time to sit down with an IT specialist to talk about the technology that you have and what you can benefit from in terms of making an investment. There may be new tools that can help you to boost productivity and lower costs. Creating a technology strategy is something that many small business owners miss when they’re running their business – and you don’t want to make the same mistake.

Regardless of what industry you are in, you can benefit from IT support. If you feel as though you’re missing various details, you probably are. Asking for support from a third party can be a smart business move.

Learn more about gaining IT support for your business by contacting Bluwater Technologiestoday.

You vs. the Hackers – Small Business Security

a man sitting in front of a laptop computer

Small Business Security

Large business data breaches, such as last year’s Equifax hack, always make headlines. However, small and medium-sized businesses are also vulnerable to data hacks. That is unless they put thoughtful security measures in place.  Even smaller businesses typically hold private information about their employees such as SSN, date of birth, family members, and other private information that hackers love.  Other private data such as email addresses, credit card and banking information, and other information about clients is typically gathered and stored by smaller businesses, just like major corporations.

In some cases, hackers deliberately target smaller businesses in the hopes their security defenses are not as robust as some of the larger targets.  In this post, we will outline some potential weaknesses that smaller businesses need to address so they can prepare a hacker-proof plan that will help safeguard them against potential threats.

PoS Systems

If your organization uses a point-of-sale system, unless properly secured, a hacker can try to use it to make unauthorized credit card charges.  These types of systems come with preloaded software that is easily hacked into through an unsecured access point.

Unsecured Wi-Fi

Some smaller businesses like to offer public Wi-Fi access in the hopes of garnering more customers.  However, this type of access should never be used to conduct any real corporate activity.  If an organization wants to offer public Wi-Fi, that’s fine. However, employees need to understand they should never use it for work-related activities. Even if secure company systems are down temporarily.

Website

Hackers especially like to target websites that gather credit cards and other personal information.  They might also attempt to find loopholes allowing them to gain access to company databases.

Email

Hackers still attempt to confuse employees by creating seemingly legitimate emails. This is an attempt to convince them to click on links leading to malicious sites. Or to impart private company information to untrustworthy sources.

Other Hardware

If the only thing between corporate data and a hacker is a four-digit password on a mobile device, the potential for hacking is enormous.  Especially if businesses do not enforce password policies, access to company data may be as easy as entering “1234” in a screensaver.  Hackers also look for vulnerabilities in servers and PCs in order to steal admin passwords and/or inject malware.

Clearly, every business needs to ensure a thorough IT security solution is part of the bedrock that forms their company foundation.  For more information on a total security solution, please contact us.

 

3 Ways IT Support Will Improve the Efficiency of Your Small Business

two people sitting at a table shaking hands

As technology evolves at an exponential rate, it’s crucial that your small business continues to adapt accordingly. To ensure you’re powered by the fastest, most secure network possible, you must integrate the latest software, applications, and antivirus programs when necessary.

However, this can be a difficult process for entrepreneurs like yourself, whose time is occupied mostly by tasks relating directly to their businesses. Though you may not have time to focus on enhancing the performance of your network, it nonetheless plays an integral role in the success of your company.

Fortunately, IT support providers are available to take on the responsibility of implementing, monitoring, and maintaining all your technology needs. Below are three ways IT support services will improve the efficiency of your small business:

Cloud Hosting Solutions

By putting your data up in the cloud, your staff can easily access, store, and share files and documents in one secure location. This application may be customized to the specific needs of your business. Therefore, helps to streamline your processes and create a more efficient workplace.

In addition, the cloud is scalable, which means it can easily grow alongside your business. Above all, your staff can access files and documents from anywhere, anytime via mobile devices. This enhances collaboration across your company and makes it possible to work remotely.

Regular Updates & Upgrades

With the technology world advancing so quickly, it’s no surprise that small business owners need to continuously improve technology at their workplace. Because, after all, your ability to adjust to the ever-changing technology landscape will make all the difference between either the success or failure of your company.

By staying on top of the latest developments, your IT support provider will limit downtime. Ensuring your staff has all the resources they need to complete tasks as quickly as possible. Say goodbye to slow loading times and welcome an optimal level of efficiency.

24/7 End-to-End Network Support for Your Small Business                                      

From cable installation and cloud services to data backup and disaster recovery, trained technicians handle everything related to your network. This means you don’t have to worry about software updates or installing programs yourself. Your team will do it all for you.

This way, you can spend more time focusing on what matters most: keeping your business running smoothly. When you’re backed by a reputable IT support provider, you have peace of mind about the performance of your technology every step of the way.

Ready to improve the efficiency of your small business? Contact us today to learn more about IT support services!

3 Reasons Why your Small Business Needs a VPN

a person sitting at a table with an ipad

Chances are your employees won’t always be in the office when they’re working. Even if they are, laptops and mobile devices free people up to work in small groups or in the break room if they need to meet up with someone they don’t sit next to. Your small business needs a VPN. Make sure your internet connection is secure and your business’s information is kept private by using a VPN to create secure encryption.

What are the benefits of using a VPN?

VPNs let employees access information remotely and securely. 

VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, are like firewalls and data encryption software for traditional networks. But if your employees are working from home or accessing data from a hotel room across the country, you can’t vouch for the security of the Internet connection and who might be reading the data. But a VPN works through a proxy server and encrypts both ingoing and outgoing information, no matter where someone is or what network connection they’re using.

VPNs are good for business growth. 

Not only do third parties and clients expect you to have a VPN, they can help you organize business growth itself. VPNs are more standardized than your in-house connection might be, so working through a VPN  better allows interconnection between different offices and business sites.

VPNs can act as a step-in, two-step sign-in to improve security. 

Data security is one of the most important tenets of business, and secure log-ins are one of the key facets to enforcing good security. By making information inaccessible for remote users unless they go through your VPN client, you’re making good security a habitual step.

VPNs are one of the best ways to increase computer security. No small business can flourish with a hardline internet connection, so make your employees mobile with a secured, encrypted connection. For more security tips and IT support, go to Bluwater Technologies here.