What to watch for when your IT provider is acquired
The IT industry is consolidating at an rapid pace right, especially in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) space. As a buyer we focus on acquisitions that will allow us to provide an enhanced level of services to the Clients and opportunities to the team members we bring on. If you find yourself the Client of […]
Quit trying to “get all the good” out of your computers: Proactive Hardware Lifecycle Management
Business managers continue to want to justify getting all the “good” out of their capital equipment purchases. Computer equipment should no longer be put in this category. Computers on a 4-year hardware lifecycle management will deliver higher productivity for your staff, reduced (or no) downtime, and more overall profit for your business. The computer has […]
Three cybersecurity standards most businesses are missing
Cybersecurity has finally been elevated to a “standard” in the business world. A business of ANY size needs to have a cybersecurity as part of their basic business planning checklist. This is especially important for businesses that are in the 50-500 employee size range, as these groups often are utilizing processes, and tools that have […]
MFA is like green beans, you just gotta eat them!
MFA is no longer optional in today’s threat landscape. Over three YEARS ago we started talking to our Clients about utilizing MFA, as passwords are no longer keeping your information safe. The number of IT providers that STILL do not ENFORCE this critical security configuration is very surprising. No one likes to be told what […]
The three illusions executives have about internal IT versus outsourcing
The first step to improve your business productivity is to understand the three illusions executives have about internal IT versus outsourcing. These illusions are reinforced by unsophisticated technology providers, vendors what want you to use their (on-premise) products, and internal IT’s need to stay employed. The illusion of control What is the first thing we […]
Netflix outsources their IT, what is your excuse?
Netflix has changed the way we consume video content, and grown into a streaming giant. A key to their success was knowing what parts of the business to outsource, and which ones to keep in house. Starting in 2008 they shifted their infrastructure over to a partner, and unplugged their last corporate datacenter in 2016. […]
Know before you grow, have a Strategic Technology Roadmap!
Congratulations, you are part of a growing business that is about to make an acquisition! All the financials are thoroughly reviewed, corporate culture is synergistic, and everyone is excited. Did anyone do a technology capacity and alignment review? Nah, we will let the “IT folks” figure that out later, no big deal….except that it is. This […]
Does your business strategy take technology consolidation into account?
Large technology companies are masters of technology consolidation, think Microsoft, Salesforce, and Apple. They watch new technologies emerge from other groups, and then buy or replicate that functionality. Over time, all the DIFFERENT technologies you need to accomplish a goal now show up under a single integrated application from a vendor. Your business strategy needs […]
Three ways you should STOP using email
Email is the defacto communication standard in business today. This is interesting considering the first email sent was in 1971, and the fax machine has come and gone since that time. Email continues to be useful in the business environment, BUT it time to consider alternatives for many scenarios. Here are three ways you should […]
Moving to an App-based delivery model
If what physical device you are using determines what applications and services you have access to, it’s time to reevaluate your technology setup! It still surprises me at the number of organizations still dependent on VPN, local file shares, and legacy applications. The “cloud” has become a common solution to many technology issues, but the […]
Do you still think the world is flat?
Digital natives will not hang around long with a company that still things the world is flat! This shift of mentality is real and happening now. Make sure that you are keeping an open mind about how technology can improve your productivity, profits, and results. If you agree with any of the following statements about […]
How to avoid technical debt
Debt refers to the state of owing something, usually money, to another party in the future. Technical debt is when you “borrow” from your company’s FUTURE PRODUCTIVITY by not making the proper investments TODAY. The justification is usually based on not having the actual financial capacity to invest in your business technology. This leads to […]