Make no mistake about it, larger businesses, with their larger budgets and team-specific solutions do the best collaborating. That certainly doesn?t mean that smaller businesses will find collaboration hard to implement or track, it just means that the more useful a tool is for a job, the better the tool is and the better that the job tends to end up. Collaboration comes in a lot of different forms, and no business can last without some form of collaboration. After all, sales relaying orders can be considered a collaborative effort. What we?d like to highlight today are some technology trends that are used to build better collaboration. By mastering a strong culture of collaboration your business will improve. One of the most important concepts to understand when discussing business collaboration has to be overwhelming demand that today?s businesses have for them. Since collaboration comes in many forms, we will largely be talking about the type of collaborative efforts that build additional value for the operation end of the business. Some of the most utilized collaborative tools allow businesses to cut their overhead costs by hiring outsourced workers. With a lot of businesses willing to rely on outsourced talent, collaboration fuels the work they do with the in-house talent to produce products and services that have value to customers. Let?s take a look at some of the technology that small and medium-sized business decision makers are looking at to help fuel necessary collaboration: Communication Collaboration doesn?t happen without communication, and while your business has had a phone system since you opened, today there are other tools that a business can use to promote strong collaboration. These include instant messaging, video conferencing, and new tools that have been created with collaboration in mind. Integration Another strategy that many businesses are using to improve collaboration is software integration. Integration is the act of streamlining workflow by having development teams create connections between core line-of-business software and productivity software. Since software is a massive part of almost every business, getting the software that your employees depend on to work directly with your management software is one way to effectively collaborate. Management Speaking of management software, finding the right management software can do wonders for team collaboration. Project management software, like Microsoft SharePoint, or collaboration apps like Slack, provide teams all the tools any project team would need. When your business is talking about improving collaboration in your day-to-day product or service delivery, however, choosing the right line-of-business software for your collaborative needs is important. Many businesses choose to rely on Professional Services Automation (PSA), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to ensure that customers, administrators, and staff are on the same page. Collaborative efforts can be just the thing to take your business to the next level. If you have questions about solutions designed to solve your collaboration and productivity problems, call the IT experts at White Mountain IT Services today at (603) 889-0800 to get some answers.
What Is the Difference Between IT and OT? As time has passed, this distinction has become harder and harder to make. It was once as simple as determining whether it was more concerned with the data your business collects, or with the machines and equipment that your business uses. However, as these separate entities have drifted together over time, it is nowhere near that simple today. In fact, it isn?t even all that practical to refer to them as ?software? and ?hardware? anymore. Today, IT and OT work together to keep processes running, creating new challenges that businesses need to contend with. Let?s briefly review some of these challenges. Targeted Cyberattacks As IT has introduced the Internet to OT, attackers have embraced the opportunity to specifically target these systems? especially proprietary technologies and legacy solutions. In other words, operational technologies now need to be protected from threats once reserved for information technology. OT networks are also susceptible to the threat of disruption tools, like ransomware, botnets, and other attacks intended to suspend operations, but it is also important that IT networks are protected with network monitoring solutions. Compliance Complexity Numerous government bodies and industry authorities alike have laid down various standards for businesses to uphold, lest they be fined for non-compliance or fall victim to the circumstances these standards are meant to avert. Keeping your operational technology manually managed can become prohibitively expensive, so certain IT implementations can assist in maintaining the intricate requirements businesses are beholden to. Mounting Security Challenges As new devices rise in popularity, particularly the connected devices that make up the Internet of Things, the opportunities for an attack to take place see a similar rise. These increased opportunities put added strain on your cybersecurity. Selecting the right solutions to monitor and mitigate these threats is therefore crucial. Controls for Your IT and OT Security In order to properly prepare for the threats that the blending of IT and OT can create, you should make sure you establish the following practices: Hardware inventory controls Software inventory controls Ongoing vulnerability management Measured use of admin privileges Secure hardware and software configurations Audit analysis and maintenance White Mountain IT Services has the experience to keep your business on the right path as information technology and operational technology become more and more integrated. To learn how we can assist you, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800 today.
What is Bloatware? Bloatware is third-party software that is installed on a computer by manufacturers or distributors. These programs can force a PC to run slower than anticipated; and, in some cases, can actually be harmful for the PC, the user, or the computing network the new PC is attached to. Companies justify the presence of this ?bloatware? as added value. Sometimes, it can be, like tools that aren?t natively found in Windows 10; but, far too often it is just a way for the PC manufacturer (or distributor) to make a little extra money. What Effect Does Bloatware Have? Bloatware seems pretty benign, right? It can actually have a big effect on the new PC?s performance. Microsoft sells ?Signature PCs?, which are stock Windows 10 machines sold directly by Microsoft. According to Microsoft, these devices start up 104 percent faster, shut down 35 percent faster, and have 28 more minutes of battery life than laptops that come with alternate software installed. This tells you that bloatware hinders PC performance. What Types of Bloatware Are There? Bloatware can be different from device to device. Today, even smartphone manufacturers and distributors are putting unnecessary programs on their mobile devices. As far as PC-based bloatware goes there are two different kinds you will see. The first kind are apps that are added to promote the ?tablet mode? usability in Windows 10. These will be found as Start Menu tiles and are simple to remove. The other kind are desktop mode-oriented apps that don?t come with a tile and are therefore mixed in with all the apps you would typically find on new PCs. Apart from the two kinds, there are three separate types of bloatware apps. They include: Utilities – Many manufacturers install software that has been developed (sometimes by them) to help keep the performance of the machine working optimally. The problem is that many businesses don?t need this software because they already have a solution picked out to handle these tasks. Media players and photo-video editing software are good examples of this. Trialware – Trialware gives users the ability to use the app for free for a certain amount of time, or it gives them limited access to the functions that can be unlocked if the full suite is purchased. Antivirus and antimalware programs are notoriously included as bloatware. Adware – Adware is the worst. Its only job is to launch ads, either from websites or via popups. Adware can also spy on your use of your PC, and has been known to cause major vulnerabilities. Bloatware Is a Security Threat Most people would agree that bloatware is more of a nuisance than anything else. This hasn?t always been the case. A few years back, Lenovo?s PCs came with an app called Superfish installed. Superfish was a piece of adware that not only spied on the user, but also left a gaping hole in the PC?s defenses. It made those systems susceptible to a hacking attack called a ?man-in-the-middle” attack. Hackers could spy on actions between the computer on–what should have been–secure websites. Getting Rid of Bloatware Fortunately, many bloatware titles can be eliminated quickly and easily. It may be a bit difficult to identify some bloatware. A good practice is to check every new system for software before you […]
Things have come a long way since 1994, but the Win Key still adorns the typical PC keyboard. Today, we wanted to give you some of the shortcuts possible with the Windows Key inside Microsoft?s latest OS, Windows 10. Shortcuts Featuring the Win Key Here?s a list of some of the most useful shortcuts using the Windows key: Basic Functions Win Key – Pressing the Windows Key alone allows you to open and close the Start Menu Win Key + Up – Maximize window Win Key + Down – Minimize window Win Key + Left – Orient window to left side of screen Win Key + Right – Orient window to right side of screen Win Key + Home – Minimize all but active window Win Key + Shift + Left/Right – Move an open window/application from one monitor to another Win Key + M – This will minimize all windows WinKey + Shift + M – This will restore all minimized windows Win Key + L – Lock your computer (this also allows you to switch users) Win Key + Tab – Open task view Win Key + E – Opens File Explorer Win Key + R – Open the Run menu Win Key + D – Hide/display the desktop Taskbar Functions WinKey + T – Cycle through the programs currently in your Taskbar WinKey + Number – Start pinned Taskbar program that corresponds to the number Shift + WinKey + Number – Opens a new instance of the corresponding Taskbar program Desktop Functions Win Key + Ctrl + D – Start a new virtual desktop Win Key + Ctrl + Left/Right – Cycle through your available desktops Win Key + Ctrl + F4 – Close the current desktop We think you?ll find this list helpful in your attempts to navigate Windows 10. For more great tips and tricks subscribe to our blog.
The Concept of a CRM Strategy With so many businesses relying on a CRM, it?s important to find a strategy that works to optimize your use of the software. Here are a few ways a CRM can work to help your business: It condenses data in context to help you be able to use it for reference. As its name suggests, a CRM helps manage the company?s customer interactions. Eliminating redundancy, it helps promote an efficient sales process. A CRM Strategy that works, starts with a plan. Here are some tips on how to go about planning out a solid strategy: Understand Your Goals and Strategize For ThemWhat are your business? goals? How can you use your CRM to make those goals possible? When you have considered what exactly you want and how you want to go about it, you should start setting up your CRM to reach these goals. Analyze and Organize Your TeamYour staff may not always share your optimism when incorporating new software, but when rolling out your CRM, you need to make them understand how it will change their jobs, and how the software will change the business as a whole. To get the best results you will need to set expectations early, so that your team knows their specific roles in the use of the CRM. Additionally, you will want to set some easy-to-track key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help you measure the progress they are making. Implementing Your New Solution and StrategyYou will want to determine how the different accounts will be divided up within your CRM and concoct a policy of collecting all the information you need from a contact that is going to be included. You should also strongly consider mapping out your sales processes for each of your services so it is easier to manage your brewing business. It is also a good idea to keep your software requirements in mind when selecting your CRM, as you will want to select a title that plays nicely with your existing solutions. Is your chosen email platform Outlook? You?ll want to be sure to find one with a built-in integration. If you need help rolling out a new CRM, or setting up your CRM strategy, the knowledgeable experts at White Mountain IT Services can help. Call us today at (603) 889-0800 to talk to one of our consultants about CRM best practices and management tips.
