Windows 8.1 is Only Kind of Windows 8 The difference between Windows 8 and 8.1 might seem slight at first glance, but it?s actually a pretty major one. Windows 8, released in 2012, was supposed to be Microsoft?s attempt at making an operating system for all devices, including mobile, laptops, and desktops. Unfortunately, this approach did not pay off, as the layout messed with peoples? expectations of what a Windows operating system really was. They much preferred to stick with their beloved Windows 7. Microsoft took the hint and released Windows 8.1, a huge update that restored features that Microsoft users expected of a new OS, including the Start menu. The 8.1 update was Microsoft?s big chance to effectively replace the failure that was Windows 8 with a better product that meet consumer expectations, and as such, they cut off support for Windows 8 well ahead of the schedule they normally adhere to when it comes to these end-of-life scenarios. There has not been a huge campaign to upgrade away from 8.1, and that is because it is only used by about 3.5 percent of the install base, unlike other major operating systems like Windows XP and Windows 7. What You Need to Know The important thing for you to know is that you must start considering your exit strategy for Windows 8.1 as soon as possible and at least start the upgrade process to Windows 10. While you could wait until Windows 11 launches later this year or into next, you will want to make sure that you have the hardware required to run it on. If you do not take action to upgrade away from 8.1, well, you?re risking your operating system going unsupported by Microsoft, and that end-of-life date stops for no one. Why Is It Important to Only Use Supported Software? Like other types of software, each new Windows operating system comes with modern conveniences and features that fit right into the business environment, as well as security features that take the fight to modern security threats. If you are not regularly updating your operating systems, then not only are you missing out on these features, but you are also leaving security on the table. Therefore, we recommend that you start thinking about your upgrade strategy now while Windows 8.1 is still supported by Microsoft. Failing to do so is putting your company at risk. For assistance with this process, White Mountain IT Services can help. Our trusted technicians can support you throughout the implementation process of any new operating system or the hardware it runs on, from procurement to deployment to continued maintenance and management. To learn more, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.

What is Outsourcing? Outsourcing happens when you hire an external company to handle certain operations or procedures for your business. IT is one of the most common ways that outsourcing is leveraged due to the technical knowledge necessary to perform the responsibilities of said role. Depending on the amount of internal talent you have, outsourced IT can be utilized on a spectrum where the external party might handle certain operations while the internal party handles others. Some people think that outsourcing is essentially admitting that your organization cannot handle things on its own, and while this might be a true statement, is that really such a bad thing? In the workplace, it is expected that you ask for help when you don?t fully understand something, so there should not be a stigma associated with outsourcing. It sure beats the alternative: expecting your employees to do jobs that they are not trained or proficient in. In fact, it can actually hinder progress and growth if left unchecked. How Can Outsourced IT Be Helpful? As we previously stated, outsourcing IT services is just one example of how outsourcing can be used by businesses, and it?s because of how encompassing and vital IT services are for businesses that this is the case. Here are some great benefits to outsourcing your IT management to a third party: Consistency with talent: Some areas struggle geographically with access to talent, but with outsourced IT, you have more options at your disposal. Efficiency with access: Most outsourced IT services can be performed remotely, allowing for greater accessibility. Affordability with budgeting: Most outsourced IT services will provide you with a monthly bill based on the services rendered, which is easier and more flexible with your budget than hiring in-house staff members. Flexibility with delegation: If you do have in-house IT resources, you can assign tasks to your outsourced provider that you would rather not have gum up your in-house staff, like routine maintenance. This frees them up to focus on innovation. Get Started with Outsourced IT Today If you are unsure of whether or not outsourcing is right for your business, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have about how it works, specifically for how it pertains to your IT management. Remember, you might not be sure if outsourced IT is right for you, but you should know that it?s better than inaction in regards to your technology management and maintenance. Let us help you make an informed decision about the future of your business? technology management policies and procedures. Contact us today at (603) 889-0800!

Identify What Your Needs Are It is important that you scale your Wi-Fi in the way that best addresses whatever shortcoming you are trying to remedy, which means it is also important that you go into it with a full appreciation of your goals and what accomplishing it will require. How many users will need network access at any given time, and how will they be dispersed throughout the office space? How much bandwidth will their typical processes take up? Once you?ve determined this, you are in a better position to acquire the appropriate number of access points that you?ll need to provide sufficient connectivity. Establish Your Current Capabilities Before you add any other access points, it helps to have an appreciation of what you?re able to accomplish with your setup as it stands. A site survey is a smart strategy to start with, as it would help provide you with a baseline for your existing technology?s performance. How many devices would you expect to be hosting at maximum capacity? Are there any dead zones that could perhaps be resolved with an additional access point? On the topic, it is actually considered best practice to minimize the number of access points you have installed around the office, as it helps to cut back on the interference they could potentially generate amongst themselves. Using a Wi-Fi analyzer can help you to optimize the placement of these access points to achieve maximum coverage with minimal signal intermingling. It also doesn?t hurt to establish which of your connections can be wired ones, further minimizing the bandwidth that these connections take up. Adjust Your Existing Connections Did you know that you can adjust the range that your access points can reach? This allows you to keep your signal within reasonable limits, filling your business but not the surrounding area. This can help prevent unauthorized access and use of your Wi-Fi by outsiders. Alternatively, your Wi-Fi can be extended to slightly beyond your location?s walls, depending on your needs. We can assist you in optimizing your network so your Wi-Fi is configured to best suit your business? requirements. Give us a call at (603) 889-0800 to schedule an appointment today.

Let?s get down to the details; what is a content filter, what does it do, and what issues can it solve for your company? What is a Content Filter? A content filter is a solution that allows your business to block specific content on company workstations. The type of content blocked generally falls into three categories: harmful, inappropriate, and/or time-wasting. Content filters block these websites from loading and can also stop files from executing. These content filters are generally used to reinforce network security and company policies pertaining to workstation usage. Why Is It Necessary? The Internet is filled with distractions like social media and streaming services, so it goes without saying that employees might be tempted to check them out during the workday. To stop this, you can block access to them on an ?as needed? basis. Some content simply should not be viewed during the workday in general (you know, those websites), and not only are they inappropriate, they are often security risks. It?s safe to say that there is a solid reason to block these types of websites in the workplace. Since you can implement content filters on a case-by-case basis, you still allow your well-behaved and productive employees to use certain sites when needed, whereas the opposite is also true; you can use a content filter to keep those who have problems concentrating focused on the task at hand. Get Started Today A content filter is one of the many tools that all businesses can benefit from, allowing companies to shore up weaknesses and keep their employees from wasting too much time while going about their daily tasks. Even if your employees don?t like this solution, it?s to protect them, their jobs, and your business, so you should not feel bad about implementing one. White Mountain IT Services can help you implement and deploy a comprehensive security solution called a Unified Threat Management tool, or UTM. One of the big features of a UTM is content filtering, so it?s a great way to get the most powerful security solutions all in one place. To learn more about what we can do for your business, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.

Let?s define what that something is, right now. What Does ?Best Practice? Really Mean? For the definition, let?s turn to Gartner: ?Best practice is defined by Gartner as a group of tasks that optimizes the efficiency (cost and risk) or effectiveness (service level) of the business discipline or process to which it contributes. It must be implementable, replicable, transferable and adaptable across industries.? Techopedia defines it as: ?… an industry-wide agreement that standardizes the most efficient and effective way to accomplish a a [sic] desired outcome. A best practice generally consists of a technique, method, or process.? This is what we?re talking about when we use the term in reference to your information technology. We aren?t trying to inflate the solutions we?re recommending, we?re saying that as of yet, the method that we follow in our operations is currently the one that delivers the best result for you, our client. Let?s say you wanted to bake a cake. Generally, the instructions will say to bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for such-and-such time. This is because doing so will consistently deliver a properly baked cake, while cranking it up to 450 degrees in the hopes of cooking it faster is apt to get you a hunk of charcoal that no amount of frosting will save. In this situation, baking a cake at 350 can be seen as a best practice because it leads to the best outcome. When it comes to your business? technology, best practices (as Gartner said) are meant to make your processes either as efficient as possible or as beneficial as possible, generally striking the happy medium between the two. Best Practices Deliver Significant Advantages When Applied to Your IT There are multiple benefits to be had when your business? technology is maintained with a focus on best practices. Just a few of these benefits include: Improved productivity, as effective technology can deliver the resources your team needs more rapidly, allowing them to accomplish more with their time. Improved customer satisfaction and retention, as you?ll be able to spend more time focusing on their needs and fulfilling them with less time spent worrying about your IT. Improved resource management, as time (and as a result, money) and other business resources are being saved and can be redistributed to other priorities and tasks. Our Managed Services are Guided By Best Practice Naturally, we do our best to stay in stride with the best practices that the information technology industry stands by at any given time, keeping an eye out for any new developments that may change the way things are done. After all, as new technologies are developed and introduced they bring with them new opportunities to innovate on how things are done. Don?t believe me? Just consider that, at one point, keeping a tape backup was a best practice. Then cloud technology came to the fore, and tape is no longer the best practice it once was. We can help you be sure that your business? IT is maintained to the standards that these best practices (as well as any industry standards or mandates) require of it, along with a host of other tasks that would otherwise distract your business from its real goal. If you?re interested in learning more about how we could assist you, give […]