Technology service shouldn't be like speed dating

If your network is a confusing pile of techno garble you don't understand with errors and hang-ups around every corner, you may be on the rebound from a poor management relationship. Stop speed dating technicians with commitment issues, look for a comprehensive IT solution you can count on.

Speed dating drops your expectations. Simply having awesome technology isn't enough to guarantee your business will succeed. Your network requires an attentive partner to keep things running up-to-date and efficiently at all times. Calling a technician from the Yellow Pages when you have a problem may be an easy fix, but how do you know the technician is genuine and truthful? You don't!

It's OK to run screaming for the door! If your current IT provider leaves you pulling your hair out for days or keeps coming back to fix the same issue, drop them like a bad habit. You deserve the best! Don't lower your expectations of service, raise the bar for future relationships and find a solution that fulfills all of your company needs.

Take inventory and communicate your needs clearly. Relationship experts around the globe will tell you, a good relationship hinges on clear communication. So, it's time to take inventory of what you have, find out what your company requires for smooth operations, and learn how to get what you need out of your network so you can clearly communicate with your IT advisor. Start by reviewing the following:

• Policies: Rules in place to keep your network safe like an Acceptable Use Policy, Communications Policy, or a Remote Access Policy so everyone understands what is expected.

• Equipment: You wouldn’t wear pajamas on your first date, right? Your network should be made up of the right hardware and software to fit your company needs. Evaluate each component to ensure proper space, speed, and security.

• Backup: A comprehensive backup of all your data is priceless. When disaster strikes, your backup may be the only leg you have to stand on. Automatic offsite backup is a great way to ensure you have everything no matter what.



• Security: An antivirus protection program, a method to implement security updates and patches as well as an ongoing monitoring to assess and protect your company from potential threats.

Need help reviewing your network? Give us a call. We can help you turn that messy marriage of servers, computers, and peripherals into a harmonious work environment everyone will love.

Don't be afraid of commitment… Now that you know what you need and can communicate it clearly, it's time to create and implement a solution for the long haul. A managed service agreement provides you with big business technology solutions for a flat monthly fee without a large investment. Here are a few advantages you can expect from a great managed service provider:

1. Lower overall costs with one predictable monthly price tag

2. Higher levels of support and availability

3. Access to the latest technology and security

4. Adaptable and scalable business solutions

From the first date to the proposal and beyond…We vow to be honest, thorough, and reliable. We're dedicated entirely to your technology needs so you can focus on what really counts, your business.

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Clicker's remorse

Have you ever clicked on a pretty flashing link while researching a topic for work only to find yourself reading hilarious jokes, sharing kitten pictures and testing cupid's new game for two hours?

Losing blocks of time in the blink of an eye is just the beginning of clicker's remorse. Resist the impulse to "check it out" when you're on the clock. Casual browsing at work can invite infection and chaos into your company network.

Need help setting up web browsing policies and filters? Give us a call today! We can help you recover those countless hours of lost productivity each year wasted on social networking, joke sites, and other potentially harmful web pages with tools to evaluate and enforce your Acceptable Use Policy.

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Did you Facebook your password?

Social networking is fun, but also shares a lot of personal information and most of us don't adequately password protect these accounts because they are not linked to financials. Think again!

Social networking sites give away more than just info. Hackers have a billion and one ways to guess your password and most of them are pretty simple. Bad guys often start with the names of your children, spouse, or pet and then combine it with a significant birthday or anniversary. Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of highlighting these things on social networking sites.

A general rule of thumb. Change your password two to four times a year and always use letters, numbers and characters. In addition, make your password at least 20 characters long and protect all of your personal accounts with family information and financials.

Password tips to remember… You can use a favorite phrase (as long as it isn’t on Facebook or Twitter) and mix it up a little by adding some numbers and a top keyboard character and you're set. Or, try combining familiar things with an acronym. For example, use the initials of family members separated by a sentence like:

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Happy Valentine's Day!

Regardless of its questionable origins, Valentine's Day has always been associated with caring and love. Today, it's one of the most widely celebrated holidays.

Valentine’s Day began as a day to honor romantic love, but today it is an occasion to express love to anyone. Grade school children send Valentines to class members. Almost everyone gives a card or gift to their mother, grandmother or favorite aunt. And co-workers often give cards to each other, most of which are funny, or share sweet treats. After that, Valentine giving moves to sweethearts, spouses and partners. Getting a Valentine makes people happy.

A 14 billion dollar holiday. Makers of Valentine cards are happier than anyone. Hallmark creates about 1,200 styles of Valentines, many with the traditional hearts, flowers and cupids. For florists, the day is at or near the top when it comes to boosting income. Most say Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are two of the busiest times of the year.

It’s a particularly joyful time for candy makers too. Did you know, one of the most expensive chocolates in the world goes for $2,600 per pound from Knipschildt Chocolatier?
And I thought diamonds were the most expensive gift.

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5 money-saving tips for small businesses

Take a look at these savvy money saving ideas for your small business. Everything from cash back to employee benefits can help you save throughout the year.

1. Merchant card savings. Take a tip from gas stations. Some offer a five-cent-per-gallon discount for using cash instead of a credit card. Whatever your business may be, you can offer customers who buy merchandise or services that will cost more than your predetermined amount, a 2% or 3% discount for closing a deal with a check or bank draft. It’s great for you because you will save up to 4% on the credit card transaction charge.
2. Save on large purchases for your company too! Ask vendors for a discount for paying by check. You should get it, since the vendor will pay at least 4% in fees to process a credit card too.
3. Charge expenses, get rewards. Charge all your business expenses to one credit card that offers hotel and airline rewards. Then you, or an employee, will be able to visit customers or attend business events in another city without paying for travel expenses.
4. Let workers telecommute. Most companies these days are working ‘in the cloud.’ That means employees can access company functions from the comforts of their home computers. Telecommuting can save on office maintenance, scheduling, and equipment. However, there are risks that can become very expensive. All telecommuting employees should be instructed on safe practices and bring their personal laptop or tower into the office to have it checked for viruses. Everyone accessing your company information needs the proper security tools and training to keep your data safe at all times.
5. Offer paid time-off. Some employers offer workers additional hours of paid time-off instead of getting a raise. Employees like the idea of getting paid for 40 hours when they only worked for 36 or less. Surveys show that many workers would like to work a few less hours, especially if they get full-time pay.

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Wireless network vulnerabilities

Do you use your laptop for business? Do you use wireless hotspots to connect to the Internet? Check out these three quick tips to keep you safe wherever you may roam.

1. Secure your Wi-Fi connection at the office and at home. Most people are careful about connecting to secure networks these days, but haven't given much thought to the two wireless networks they use most. Even at work or home, connecting to an open Wi-Fi network can be harmful because you have no protection from malicious attacks online. Make sure your connections have WPA, WPA2 protection or more and a secure password to keep unwanted traffic off of your connections.
2. Turn off the feature that allows you to automatically connect to open Wi-Fi networks on your phone and laptop. Otherwise, you could be connecting to and disconnecting from Wi-Fi networks at every stop light on your way to work exposing your devices to security risks you could take right into the office.
3. Update your devices regularly and use antivirus protection. You wouldn’t leave the house without your shoes, right? So, don’t leave your devices bare either. Equip your phone with the latest patches and fixes using updates and keep your computer safe with antivirus protection and regular maintenance to avoid infections and theft.

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Inquiring Minds...

2 ways to be Android cool! Hey, now you can be a power user – or just look like one – with these too cool built-in Android features. You are gonna love ‘em!

1. Don’t tap they keyboard, swipe (aka Swype).The keyboard’s Swype feature eliminates the problem of hitting tiny keys with big fingers. Swype lets you drag your finger from one letter to the next. A little line follows your drag. When you are finished with a word, lift your finger and the word you made appears on the screen like magic. It’s pretty darn accurate too. If you tried this and it doesn’t seem to work, it may not be activated on your device. Open a text field and pull down your device's notification bar from the top of the screen and tap ‘select Input Method’, then choose 'Swype'.
2. Unlock with your face. This is so sci-fi!! You can hold your Android up and stare into its camera to unlock the device. To set up, go to Settings>Security>Screen Lock>Face Unlock. Do yourself a favor and set a backup pin or pattern to trace to quickly unlock your devise if you're in a pinch or if the face detection doesn’t work. It’s fun, but sometimes it just doesn’t work.

Cheap thrills aren’t always cheap… You probably noticed those claw game machines at the front of a restaurant or grocery store, packed with little toys, perfectly tuned to the pleading 6-year-old you have in tow. It looks like a game of skill, but if you have 10 bucks and time on your hands, you're going to lose both.

The claw games are rigged! According to the manual for the Captain Claw crane game (Google it), the default setting is to make the claw strong enough so that one person in every 18 gets to grab something. Machine owners can choose the length of time the claw grabs, the strength it grabs with and how often those factors combine to allow a win.

California even has a law for that. Claws must be set to win at once chance in 12. In Nevada, one chance in 15. So, at a buck a try, that little treasure is going to cost at least $12, more likely $18 and that's if you manage to get it when the getting is good. Good luck!

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Call us today! Were here to help!

Concerned about old equipment?

Frustrated by slow responses?

Worried about data backups?

Upset with constant problems?

Sick of getting nickel and dimed?

Irritated with getting voicemail?

Call us today! Were here to help!

3330 W. Desert Inn Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102
702-605-6231

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