Computer Tip of the Day: Computer Speed

three computer monitors sitting side by side in front of a city

When a new business ventures out or when an older business requires renovation of their policies and procedures for better productivity, the owner would ideally have operations running smoothly before proceeding with normal business activities. This is especially true with regard to obtaining and maintaining equipment. This includes desktop computers, laptop computers, phones, printers, scanners, and other common technology necessities.

The last thing any business needs while dealing with its customers is to get “stuck upstream without a paddle,” as the old adage says, and lose out on potential business prospects and loyal customers due to preventable problems. Though some difficulties cannot be avoided, as is the case within most businesses, there is a way to minimize the overall impact.

Improving Computer Speed

A common and frequently misunderstood problem that can be mitigated, if not outright eliminated, is slow computers in the business. The problem of slow computer speed within the business infrastructure can be attributed to many things. Things that a tailored IT support plan could serve to eliminate. Addressing this problem saves time, which in turn saves money. For instance, when a new computer is purchased, it typically comes with a lot of preinstalled software. This is called trial software, a lot of which is never used. The unused software running in the background of the computer can noticeably slow it down. Excessive software installations can also cause a computer to outright break down.

Another common facet contributing to slowness is computer hardware. One might have scored what appears to be a good deal on a laptop. However, why was it such a good deal? Is there a catch? Could it be lacking something? Computers are often sold with an amount of RAM memory insufficient for what the user needs to accomplish her specific tasks within a reasonable time. Obtaining assistance to add more RAM memory to the computer can make a world of difference.

In summary, an employee could spend more time at a computer waiting for the computer to work than producing for the company. This could be due to unneeded software, insufficient hardware, or a combination of both.

Please contact us so that we may help mitigate these potential issues.

Tips For Picking a Managed Services Provider

a person using a mouse on a wooden desk

Your business is doing well. It has grown and continues to grow. Your system isn’t working quite as smoothly as you like and the amount of investment is expanding at the same or faster rate than your revenue. You’ve experienced a few minor outages and realize that if you have a more significant disruption, it will impact you negatively. Perhaps it’s time to get some outside help. Who do you turn to and how do you make that decision?

Turn to a Managed Services Provider

Managed service providers for IT are firms that specialize in helping small businesses get the most from their IT investments. They do this by providing expert coverage and support for your network, computers, applications, and security environment.

MSPs provide trained and qualified staff to augment your team in the crucial areas where you need support. They can provide consulting analysis of your current environment and then make recommendations for upgrades and improvements that will be cost-effective for you.

MSPs can negotiate with vendors from a position of knowledge because they know the industry and the best pricing structures saving you time and money in the acquisition of hardware and applications. They can determine if your business is a candidate to use cloud computing and reduce or eliminate the capital expenses for equipment. Using cloud computing also allows you to give up the headaches of server maintenance, take advantage of subscription model pricing for applications, and increase your security profile by ensuring that all of your hardware gets essential security updates automatically.

Your team deserves the time and systems to execute their work without interruption. A managed service provider can ascertain what the causes are and which solutions will work best for you. With 24-hour monitoring, they will see potential problems and fix them before you know they exist.

Bluwater Technologies

In the Fort Lauderdale area, Bluwater Technologies is the leading MSP for small to medium-sized businesses. Our staff is dedicated and experienced in all areas of system support and maintenance. We manage your network, desktops, mobile devices, and security updates to help you plan your future IT growth.

While we serve businesses of all types, we have specialized knowledge in the areas of Health Care and Law Firms which we can also apply in other areas. We can do as much or as little to assist you as you need. We have a variety of plans and services for you to pick from. They can reduce your team’s workload and keep them performing the tasks they love.

To learn more about our services, contact us today.

To Keep Your Company Safe, Don’t Ignore These Password Tips

a person typing on a laptop with their hands
password tips

Smack dab in the digital age: we are at the greatest advantage for data sharing, retrieving, recording, and deleting. Gone are the days of pen and paper, briefcases full of important documents, and hours of sifting through paperwork and filing folders. Along with this ease of access, it sets everyone up more easily for data breaching. You have every precaution available in place, but if you are sloppy with password security, your overall security on the Internet is extremely compromised. Many databases and websites now have requirements for passwords that weren’t around previously. To make sure you are navigating the web as safely as possible, read on for password tips on how to protect yourself and keep your passwords safe.

1. Change passwords frequently:

To prevent others from knowing your password, change it every 30-90 days. Doing so will ensure that anybody with old passwords will no longer have access to your information, and will deter cyber thieves from trying to continuously guess yours, forcing them to move on to an easier target.

2. Reusing old passwords:

Never reuse an old password when changing it. Always come up with something new and different.

3. Have a unique password:

Do not use something simple when creating a password. Make sure it has a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, along with special characters and a variety of numbers. This further prevents people from guessing your passwords as they’re longer and more confusing.

4. Don’t use dictionary words:

Again, do not use something easy to guess. You want to make it virtually impossible for your password to be replicated by another individual. Using dictionary words makes it likely that somebody could guess your password correctly.

5. Avoid using personal information in your password:

Doing so puts your personal data at risk if your password is stolen. Avoid telephone numbers, social security numbers, birthdates, addresses, and things of the like.

6. Protect your password and trust no one with it:

No one should have access to your account but you, regardless of their relationship with you. Passwords should be kept private to lower the risk of them being stolen or misused.

By following these tips, you are setting yourself up for online safety and success. For more information on password protection or general IT support, contact us today.

Bluwater Technologies Inc. specializes in tailor-made managed IT services that can help you achieve your business goals.

Cyber Security Tips – Is Your IT Support Company Looking out for You?

a laptop computer sitting on top of a black table

An effective IT support company possesses the knowledge and expertise required to design a comprehensive security strategy for their clients.  If you want to protect your organization from the increasing threat of all the various cyber attacks, it is essential to select an IT support organization that always stays vigilant.  In turn, their vigilance allows your organization to conduct its daily operations safely and securely.  In this post, we will outline 7 cyber security tips to review, in order to ensure your support team is supporting you.

1. Evaluating Hiring Procedures

Most companies are surprised to learn that insiders are responsible for 60% of cyber attacks.  Professional IT support companies will recommend background checks and other tips to their clients as part of their hiring procedures.

2. Educating Staff

A good IT support team will ensure your staff is properly trained on overall cyber security measures, including how to spot data breaches and how to handle them when they first occur.

3. Secure Hardware

Hardware devices such as laptops and other mobile devices like smartphones and tablets are always at risk for theft, loss, or damage.  A comprehensive security plan will include how to protect all these types of devices.

4. Password Protection

A good security plan will educate employees on the importance of password protection and a good support team will put measures into place to ensure employees adhere to a company’s password policy.

5. Data Protection Plan

Your support company should provide clear steps on how they plan to protect your company’s data.  Regular software updates, backup, and recovery procedures are just some of the points a comprehensive plan will cover.

6. Cloud Service Evaluation

A solid security plan will encompass any cloud services your company uses as well as on-site technology.  Measures for securing cloud data, backing it up and recovery are just as important for cloud data as it is for on-site data.

7. Encouraging Two-Factor Authentication

More and more companies are moving toward authentication that requires access to a separate device and authentication code before a user can gain log-in privileges to cloud data.

Contact us today for more cyber security tips on how to secure your organization.

Protect Your Hardware and Devices from Theft

many electronic components are displayed on a printed circuit board

Computer security revolves around software and encryption. Leaving an open network connection or choosing weak passwords can lead to a data breach that costs your business clients. But physical protection for your computers and mobile devices is just as crucial, maybe even more so. Take steps now to protect your hardware and prepare a plan in the event of theft or loss.

What can you do to prevent the loss of the actual devices?

If you have an office space for your small business, make sure the devices are locked or secured. You can either have employees take their laptops home or keep them in a secure drawer at night, and you can install security cameras around the exits. Installing tracking software or adding RFID stickers can also make stolen or lost devices easier to recover.

What software should you add in case of theft?

Losing a device is a little like losing a credit card: you’re unlikely to get it back, and even if you do someone can do a lot of damage in the brief window they have it. So install software that can remotely wipe a computer. This software should remove files, Internet history, and any caches, as well as any specific business information. You could also install programs that lock down a computer without erasing the data, but that’s potentially riskier.

Sometimes devices get lost, even with a small team of vigilant employees. Phones are small and constantly put on tabletops, and as business travel becomes more and more important there are just more opportunities for physical theft and loss. Prepare for the worst so you can keep your data secure, and go to Bluwater Technologies for managed IT support that can enable your security practices.