Weekly Tech Tips
09/26/2023:
In this week’s tech tips we cover the true cost of having slow computers, why you should check out your Internet contract, what to do when recycling or selling your old computer, and more.
Take a few minutes, grab a coffee, and read through the tech tips we’ve gathered this week – let us know which ones helped you!
What Are The Weekly Tech Tips?
As a seasoned Managed IT Services Provider, we’ve encountered a wide array of IT challenges and innovative solutions. Harnessing our extensive knowledge and experience, we curate the best tech tips each week, tailored for decision-makers, technicians, and everyone in between. We invite you to take a moment and explore the valuable insights we’ve shared this week. Our weekly tech tips post encompass time-saving shortcuts, industry best practices, cost-effective strategies, and IT approaches that fuel business expansion.
If any of our tips prove useful to you, we would love to hear your feedback. Let us know which tip(s) resonated with you and how they helped. We also encourage you to share your own tech tips, so we can consider featuring them in our future posts.
Knowledge management will never work until corporations realize it's not about how you capture knowledge but how you create and leverage it. –Etienne WengerTech Tips: For The Decision Makers
In the ever evolving landscape of business, the responsibilities placed upon business owners, IT directors, office managers, and other decision makers are extensive and critical for success. Not only do they grapple with the relentless demands of day-to-day operations, but also shoulder the weight of shaping their organization’s future through strategic decision-making.
“Tips for Decision Makers” delves into often neglected, yet crucial, tasks and decisions. Our mission is to empower decision makers with insights that can streamline processes, increase IT security, optimize resource allocation, and enhance overall efficiency. The smallest of improvements can yield significant dividends in the long run, which is why our tips address a wide spectrum of challenges and opportunities that decision-makers encounter.
How Much Are Slow Computers Costing You?
The cost of older, slower computers is proving to be a substantial burden on businesses. According to a study by Microsoft, each old computer costs business owners more than $2,736 annually. This research indicates that small and medium businesses (SMBs) could realize significant cost savings simply by updating their PCs, yet many continue to hold on to older machines. The optimal age for PCs, the study suggests, is no more than four years old, beyond which the cost of repairs and lost productivity makes replacement a more cost-effective choice.
Older computers, beyond the four-year threshold, tend to experience a multitude of issues, including slow boot times, battery depletion, disk drive crashes, application crashes, and network connectivity problems. These problems lead to increased maintenance costs and substantial productivity losses. Despite the clear financial benefits of upgrading, 70% of SMBs surveyed still rely on these older PCs, often due to concerns about compatibility with existing applications or worries about the initial cost.
Additionally, over 40% of PCs within these businesses are still running older versions of Windows, like XP, Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8, which are no longer receiving security updates or technical assistance. This poses significant security risks and underscores the importance of keeping hardware and software up to date. Microsoft emphasizes the need for SMBs to refresh their PCs every four years or consider adopting a Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) model to ensure security, optimize productivity, and reduce overall costs. The research indicates a growing interest in HaaS among businesses with more than 50 staff, as it allows them to acquire the latest technology faster, transfer infrastructure costs from CAPEX to OPEX, and enhance business security and functionality. The financial implications of maintaining older PCs underscore the importance of regular hardware upgrades and adopting more flexible and cost-effective models like PCaaS to ensure business efficiency and security.
If you’d like to have a free assessment and inventory of your business’s computers, click the link below to schedule with us:
Why You Should Check Your Internet Contract
Regularly reviewing internet contracts is a smart business move for several reasons. Firstly, businesses might be missing out on faster internet speeds that were not initially available in their area when they first signed up for their internet service. Technological advancements and infrastructure improvements often lead to increased speed capabilities. By assessing their current contract, businesses can determine if an upgrade to faster speeds is now an option, potentially boosting their productivity and efficiency.
Secondly, businesses could be overpaying for their current internet service compared to what other companies are paying for the same speed. The competitive nature of the internet service provider (ISP) industry means that rates can fluctuate over time. A periodic contract review can help businesses identify if they’re getting the best value for their money. They may discover opportunities to renegotiate their contract for a lower rate, reducing operational costs and increasing profitability.
Furthermore, the landscape of internet service providers is continually changing, with new players entering the market and established providers offering updated packages. This means that there may be more alternatives available now at better speeds or lower costs. By exploring these alternatives, businesses can ensure they are getting the most suitable internet package for their needs, potentially saving money while enjoying improved services. Additionally, contract reviews can reveal if businesses are paying for unnecessary extras or services they aren’t actually receiving, allowing them to make cost-effective adjustments to their contracts. In essence, regular internet contract reviews empower businesses to optimize their internet services, ensuring they align with current needs and budgetary considerations.
If you’d like to see if you could save money and get better Internet speeds for your company, click the link below to contact Cyberficient and let us deal with your Internet provider for you:
Tech Tips: For Everyone
In today’s interconnected world, technology has become an inseparable part of our lives. It influences how we work, communicate, and unwind.
Whether you find yourself in a bustling office environment, working remotely from the comfort of your home, or simply seeking ways to optimize your personal tech experiences, each week we include a range of general tech tips and best practices cater to all these scenarios and more.
What To Do Before Selling or Recycling Your Old PC
Before selling or recycling your old computer, it’s essential to take several precautionary steps to protect your data and personal information. First and foremost, ensure that you sign out of your Microsoft or Apple accounts and deactivate features like Find My Device or Activation Lock linked to your computer. This is crucial to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts and devices after you part ways with your computer. Failing to do so could leave your data vulnerable to potential misuse, as well as prevent a new owner from being able to set up and use the computer.
Another critical step is to back up and transfer any important data from your old computer to a secure location. Whether it’s cherished photos, essential documents, or valuable files, make sure you have copies stored elsewhere, whether on an external hard drive, cloud storage, or another device. This ensures that you won’t lose vital information when you part with your old computer.
Lastly, when selling or recycling your old computer, it’s highly advisable to securely erase and factory reset the device. This process wipes all data and settings, essentially restoring the computer to its original state. For added security, especially if your computer has held sensitive information, consider removing the hard drive entirely and either holding onto it securely or destroying it to prevent any chance of data recovery. Taking these steps ensures that your personal data remains protected and inaccessible to others, giving you peace of mind as you transition to a new computer or dispose of your old one responsibly.
What To Look Out For When Buying a New Computer
When embarking on the journey to purchase a new computer, it’s essential to be diligent and discerning to ensure you’re investing in the right device. Start by considering the reputation of the brand you’re interested in. Trusted computer brands often have a history of reliability, good customer support, and product longevity. It’s wise to read reviews and seek recommendations from tech-savvy friends or colleagues to narrow down your options.
Equally important is evaluating the features of the computer in relation to your specific needs. Consider factors such as screen size, processing power, and compatibility with any specialized software or applications you plan to use. For a versatile general-purpose computer, aim for a device equipped with, at a minimum, an i5 processor (or equivalent), 16GB of RAM, and a solid-state drive (SSD). These specifications ensure a smooth and responsive computing experience for everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, and multimedia consumption.
Lastly, while keeping your desired features in mind, be mindful of your budget. Striking the right balance between the features you need and the price you can afford is crucial. With a clear understanding of your requirements, you can make an informed decision that not only meets your computing needs but also aligns with your financial constraints. By following these guidelines, you’ll be better equipped to choose a new computer that serves you well and provides excellent value for your investment.
Tech Tips: For The Techs
The best techs are those who generously share the valuable tips they come across every day. This culture of knowledge exchange fosters growth and equips everyone to face new challenges.
When one tech invests a substantial amount of time in solving a complex issue, passing on the solution to their peers becomes a priceless time-saver for anyone encountering a similar problem. We believe in the power of collaboration, and if you have any tech tips you’d like us to share, we encourage you to leave a comment!
Follow The 3 Rules of Being an IT Technician
As an IT technician, adhering to three fundamental rules can greatly contribute to your success in the field. The first rule is simple but essential: “Don’t Screw Up.” Precision and attention to detail are paramount in the world of IT, where small errors can lead to significant consequences. By taking every task seriously and double-checking your work, you can minimize the chances of making mistakes that could disrupt systems or compromise security.
However, it’s vital to acknowledge that, despite your best efforts, errors can occur. This is where the second rule comes into play: “If You Screw Up, Admit it, Don’t Try to Hide it.” Honesty and transparency are highly valued in IT. When you identify a mistake, admitting it promptly allows for quicker resolution and minimizes potential damage. Trying to conceal an error can compound the problem and erode trust within your team or organization.
The third rule is a simple reality of working in IT: “You Will Screw Up.” It’s a humbling acknowledgment that nobody is infallible, and mistakes are a natural part of any profession, especially in the dynamic world of technology. Embracing this rule with a proactive attitude means learning from your errors, continuously improving your skills, and developing resilience to handle challenges effectively. By living by these three rules, IT technicians can build a reputation for reliability, integrity, and professionalism in their field.
Make “Backout” Plans for Any Important Change
Creating a comprehensive backout plan is an indispensable practice for IT technicians when implementing major changes. It serves as a crucial safety net, ensuring that if something goes awry during a complex project, there’s a clear path to revert to the previous state. It’s not merely about making backups; it’s about meticulous planning to execute a rollback efficiently.
In the world of IT, things can sometimes go south unexpectedly, leading to system disruptions or failures. Having a well-thought-out backout plan means you’ve already considered the “what ifs” and have a strategy in place for returning to a stable state. Whether it involves a simple “restore from backup” or a more complex process, having a predefined plan saves valuable time and minimizes the chaos that can ensue when trying to rectify a critical issue, especially in the middle of the night.
The peace of mind that comes with a robust backout plan cannot be overstated. It allows IT technicians to approach major changes with confidence, knowing that even in the worst-case scenario, they have a clear roadmap to restore operations promptly. This level of preparation not only safeguards the integrity of systems and data but also enhances the overall reliability and professionalism of IT operations. It’s a proactive approach that can significantly mitigate risks and ensure the smooth operation of IT environments, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
If you’d like Cyberficient to help out with large, stressful changes for your company, click the link below to reach out:
Who is Cyberficient?
More than just a catchy name, Cyberficient is a customer service focused Managed Services Provider (MSP) made up of seasoned tech professionals who pride themselves on being what your company deserves – the best of the best.
Our focus every single day is on our clients. We provide the guidance, support, and security in all aspects of technology that our clients need to succeed. Our guiding philosophy is that we’re not happy until our clients are happy. The growth and stability of your business is the cornerstone of our success.