The break-fix IT model is one that has simply lost its flavor in the business environment. Organizations are leveraging technology in previously unprecedented bulk, and are now more reliant on technology than they ever were before. They want a more dynamic solution that doesn?t rely on them investing heavily in new technology whenever something breaks down. That, and the increasing amount of efficiency and productivity that organizations demand, requires a more conscientious approach to managing their technology solutions. Thus, managed IT services were born. Designed to proactively manage and maintain technology, the managed IT service model seeks to take a more active role in the upkeep of your business?s technology. In comparison, the break-fix IT model takes a reactive approach, only stepping in when major problems surface. Managed IT prevents the problems altogether by handling minor issues at their roots, preventing expensive downtime. Here are some of the top reasons that small businesses are choosing managed services as a quality alternative to traditional break-fix IT solutions: Fewer capital costs: Technology is expensive. There?s no getting around this fact. Naturally, you want to replace your technology as little as possible due to the immense up-front costs of doing so. This means that you need to take exceptionally good care of your technology if you want to limit your expenses in the long run. Plus, the amount of money that you invest in your managed services agreement can be recorded as an operating expense, further mitigating your capital costs. Reduced management responsibility: One of the key benefits of the managed IT service model is that your business doesn?t need to spend as much time dealing with technology repair problems, and can instead focus on improving business operations. In other words, the responsibility of handling your technology is taken care of for you, so you can concentrate on what matters most: running your business. Quality technology maintenance: If your team doesn?t regularly handle IT maintenance, and you don?t have an internal IT department, chances are that your technology isn?t getting the attention it needs in order to stay up to date. By outsourcing this responsibility to a managed service provider, you can rest easy knowing that your IT is being handled by seasoned professionals. If your business is ready to start handling your technology the smart way, give White Mountain IT Services a call at (603) 889-0800.

Rather than using telephone lines to transfer and receive calls, VoIP uses the Internet to send your voice to the recipient. Considering how most businesses need an Internet connection in the first place, using VoIP is simply utilizing a technology that?s necessary in order to eliminate an unnecessary expense. Differences Between VoIP and Traditional Phone SystemsDoes your business utilize VoIP? If not, you should consider doing so as soon as possible. It?s a great way to cut down on your operational costs and improve workflow. Here are some of the main differences and advantages that your organization can experience from using VoIP as a part of your communications infrastructure. Additional features: While your traditional phone system might support services like caller ID, user blocking, call forwarding, conference calling, etc, VoIP offers all of these services, plus some. Unlike the traditional phone system, which you need to be close to the receiver to use, VoIP works right from your desktop PC, laptop, or smartphone. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can use your work number from anywhere, allowing for flexibility that the traditional phone system envies. Plus, VoIP offers several other features, including video conferencing, which can be very helpful for bridging the gap between employees while working remotely. Decreased costs: If you?re paying for both a landline and an Internet connection for your office, you?re essentially paying for one too many services. Considering that landlines are often bundled with other services that you may not necessarily want, it?s more affordable and efficient to simply use VoIP as your preferred communications solution. Add in the fact that you can say goodbye to long distance, and you have a convenient and cost-effective package. Flexibility: Traditional phone systems require an immense amount of work to add new lines to an infrastructure. Depending on your office?s setup, new phone lines need to be installed, and you might even need to remodel your office. Both can be expensive, but with VoIP, you don?t need to waste time or money on improving your infrastructure. As long as your Internet connection and internal network can sustain the traffic and strain, VoIP will work as intended. If your organization is ready to implement a solid new communications infrastructure, a VoIP solution can go a long way towards improving operations. To learn more, give us a call at (603) 889-0800.

The team, hailing from MIT?s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, developed a security platform combining the strength of human involvement with the effectiveness of artificial intelligence. Given the name A.I.?, this new platform is capable of detecting 85 percent of incoming attacks while reducing reported false positives by 20 percent. How A.I.? combines AI and human involvement is actually quite genius. To begin, the ?untrained? machine reports a sample set of results to a human expert. These results are informed by machine learning and are checked against the 200 most important problems. The human expert then checks over and corrects the machine?s work, with the intention of finding mistakes and false positives. Subsequently, the human-checked results are inputted to A.I.?, the machine learns, and the next set of tests will have fewer errors. This process is then repeated with the security platform adapting each time to look for what its human teacher looks for. In a paper presented at the IEEE International Conference on Big Data Security, research scientist Kalyan Veeramachianeni summarized, “You can think about the system as a virtual analyst. It continuously generates new models that it can refine in as little as a few hours, meaning it can improve its detection rates significantly and rapidly.” Of course, the precedent of effectiveness set here by combining human expertise and oversight with A.I. has far-reaching ramifications for other A.I. initiatives currently in development; initiatives that have both humanity?s best and worst interests in mind. Although, for now, those of us in the IT world are celebrating this A.I.-enabled technology for being one giant leap forward in security analysis accuracy. It?s important to keep in mind that a platform like A.I.? is still years away from being available to the average business. Therefore, we recommend that you stay on top of your network security by following best practices, which combines automated software solutions and human vigilance in order to combat the latest threats. White Mountain IT Services is standing by to assist you with all of your company?s network security needs. To equip your business with the most comprehensive IT security solutions on the market, call us today at (603) 889-0800.

Chair SpecificationsWhile this may not be the first issue to enter your mind as you consider sources of discomfort in the workplace, it only makes sense to assure that the office chairs are as comfortable as possible. After all, it is where the employee will spend most of their day. A good office chair will have a cushion (preferably with breathable fabric) as well as armrests for the times the employee stops typing. The arms should be bent at 90 degrees and resting on the arms with relaxed shoulders. As for the backrest, height and angle should both be adjustable to keep posture upright – and the best will include some form of lumbar support. Desktop Hardware PositioningIdeally, the keyboards should line up to your employees? positions so that there?s a straight line from their navels to their ?B? keys; mouse at the same level, and as close to the keyboard as possible. Heightwise, the keyboard and mouse should be at a level where the typist will bend at the elbows, not the wrists. The monitor(s) should be positioned so that the top edge of the monitor is about two or three inches above the user?s eyeline. One last note concerning monitors: glare should be eliminated as much as is possible. Here is a handy chart for determining ideal desk proportions. Using the Right EquipmentOf course, using properly-sized equipment is only half of the battle – it also must be used properly. Posture is key to minimizing soreness and discomfort. Beyond the arm positioning and eye level of the monitors, leaning and slouching will cause stiffness. You should suggest that your employees position themselves to be sitting up straight, shoulders relaxed, and avoid reaching for items on their desks. Be Sure to Take BreaksIt is also recommended that those working with computers and screens take frequent breaks to reduce the strain on the muscles and eyes. Stretching, getting up and moving around, or at least looking away from the screen are all highly recommended. One might ask why they should invest time and resources into assuring that their employees sit properly. The simple answer: a comfortable employee is a productive employee. Without the distraction of physical discomfort, a team will accomplish more, treat your clients better, and generally improve the environmental experience of the workplace. So, how else could some small environmental adjustments improve office productivity? Let us know in the comments below!

EvernoteFor years, Evernote has been the predominant note-taking application on the Android platform, helping users keep track of their ideas and managing useful content. The app has always allowed users to capture and store sound bytes, but now it provides the option to convert those audio files into text format. The app allows users to keep both the audio file and the transcribed text file together so that they have access to both. This extraordinarily useful option provides an outlet in which to cross-check the two to ensure everything was translated properly. Besides capturing audio to text, with Evernote you can produce notes, collect information, and catalog that information in a way where a simple interface search can help you have any of the data you?ve saved at your fingertips in seconds. The app also has options to chat with collaborators and share files, providing the seamless cooperation tool you need in today?s fast-moving business environment. Dragon DictationAnother option that takes advantage of voice-to-text is the #1 audio dictation software Dragon. This app is very simple. In fact, it has only one button; tap it to record, and again to stop. Once you finish dictation, the text will show up, which can be a little discombobulating at first, but it doesn?t take long to do it. With the renowned accuracy of Dragon software behind the app, you will be able to produce lengthy emails, notes, status updates, and more. Copying the text is a cinch, as is saving it for later. Voice AssistantThe Voice Assistant app has been redesigned for iOS and is now easier to use than ever. Simply switch to your preferred option and you can convert your audio files to text. Once you have the text file available you can use the auto copy feature to send your transcripts to the apps you use most, making it a quick and easy solution when looking to transcend mediums. Voice assistant is a great alternative to the onboard virtual assistant-like apps such as Siri. Supporting over 22 separate languages and with integrations with some of today?s most important apps, Voice Assistant can be purchased for only $.99. If you are searching for a way to make dictation easier for you, consider these three options. Do you find speech-to-text useful? If so, what application do you frequently use to turn your audio files into text? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.