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.
Naturally, as an IT company ourselves, we have a horse in this race, but the point still stands: when selecting a provider of technology services, you need to go in with certain demands of your options so that you get the best services available. That?s why we?re going to provide you with some of the standards that you should expect from anyone you consider to attend to your IT needs. What You Should Expect of Your IT Provider One of the most important metrics for any business to consider is the return on investment for any investments made–and these returns might not always be financial. This is why it is crucial that you consider how well the provider you select measures up to the following standards: Minimizing Total Cost of Ownership The goal of IT services is now more than just fixing a malfunctioning computer. It now also encapsulates the more advisory side of technology, figuring out the right solutions for your needs, and preventing you from wasting money on more than you need. For instance, while sufficient storage is important to have, your provider should be able to estimate your needs and recommend the correct amount for you. Certain service models, like cloud solutions, even allow you to optimize how much you?re investing in your IT services based on how much you actually use, allowing you to invest precisely as much as you should be. Measurable Impact to Productivity and ROI It isn?t as though you invest in IT infrastructure and pay your employees for their time on a whim? each of these dollars is an investment into your business. Therefore, if your technology isn?t allowing your crucial processes to be completed efficiently and accurately, or if it is creating roadblocks for your users, you need to reconsider how your IT is being taken care of. Not only do certain providers recommend better solutions, they will work with you to ensure they are working as is needed to support your operations, while others will only install it before they make themselves scarce. By calculating how much more productive your staff and solutions are, you can ascertain if the investment into your provider was worth it. High Performance and Satisfaction Standards This one is pretty straightforward, and relies greatly on the other benchmarks you calculate: is your provider actually fulfilling the demands of your business and the industry, meeting the standards placed by you and the greater industry? Does their calculated ROI come out to more than 100 percent? Are you generally pleased with the results of their services? There you have it. At White Mountain IT Services, we prioritize meeting (and exceeding, whenever we can) these very benchmarks, in order to provide your business with support services of the highest quality. Learn how we can help you by exploring our website, or by calling us directly at (603) 889-0800.
Nowadays, a lot of the solutions that businesses rely on are hosted in the cloud. This is for good reason, as there is a laundry list of benefits that cloud-deployed solutions can provide. Assuming, of course, that you have access to the Internet at the moment. In addition to cloud-hosted solutions, the Internet proves its office utility in many other ways–all of which will have limited availability (if any) without a reliable internet connection. That?s why it is so important to keep your Internet speeds optimized. Here, we?ve put together a very brief list of the issues you could find yourself dealing with: Too Little Bandwidth Or in other words, you?re trying to use more bandwidth than you are allotted by your Internet service. As a company grows, its bandwidth requirements will also increase. This increase is exacerbated by the rise in Bring Your Own Device and the assortment of connected devices that people now bring into your business, as well as the increased use of cloud solutions. If you haven?t kept pace with your requirements, you could find that your Internet takes longer to process. Upping your plan will be necessary if this is the issue. Outdated Equipment If the router you are using in the office is on the older side (or was actually designed as a household model) it might just not be capable of supporting the bandwidth you should be getting. This is why it is important to consider all of your business technology when planning for upgrades and updates, as it only takes one component to cause a hang-up. Misconfigured Equipment and Environmental Factors If your networking equipment isn?t actually that old, there?s the chance that there is just a mistake somewhere in its configurations, and you may have to go digging to find it. Otherwise, your problem could actually be your office itself. Things like concrete and other electronics can make things difficult for a wireless signal to get through. If a select few are encountering problems, don?t rule out these considerations. Of course, this is just a select few reasons that your office may be suffering from slow Internet speeds. That?s why we have one final tip for you: give White Mountain IT Services a call. Our professionals are able to help you figure out your difficulties and mitigate them, all for the good of your business. Give us a call at (603) 889-0800 to learn more.
