Suffolk Computer Consultants, Inc. Blog

Does the new year have your business relocating offices sometime in the next 6 to 12 months? One of the most expensive mistakes a business can make when moving is treating IT like the last box to be packed (or unpacked). Instead of running the risk that your IT won't work as intended in your new space, we’ve compiled the three most important IT considerations for your new office location so your team can hit the ground running.

We’ve all been there: You’re deep into a complex problem, finally finding your rhythm, when, bing.. A quick question pops up on one of the platforms you use to communicate (we all have several). You answer it in thirty seconds and try to get back to work.

If this happens one time, it might be okay, but if it happens repeatedly as the day goes on; the damage is already done.

Disruptions to your operations are no longer a possibility, but an inevitability. Situations like natural disasters, major IT failures, and security breaches happen every day for businesses all over the world, and you can bet that each of them is scrambling to minimize downtime to keep their reputations and bottom lines in check. What they might not know is that a business continuity strategy is at the heart of any successful recovery, and despite what you might think, it’s easier to carry out than you might suspect.

We’re several years past the COVID pandemic at this point, and many companies are calling their remote workers back to the office. Still, there is merit in having a remote workforce, even if it’s not strictly “mandatory” or “necessary” any longer. Today, we want to share some tips to help your business thrive with a remote workforce and what you can do to optimize your odds of success with this work environment.

The concept of a four-day workweek has long been debated, with strong anecdotal evidence supporting its effectiveness. The nation of Iceland provides one of the most compelling real-world examples. 

Their journey began small in 2015 with initial trials involving about 2,500 workers; or, just under one percent of the population. These efforts have dramatically expanded, however, and today, nearly 90 percent of Icelandic workers have moved to a reduced work schedule, typically around 36 hours a week for full-time workers. What’s more, this shift has occurred without any negative impact on the economy. In fact, Iceland's society has seen significant benefits.

Let’s face facts… once you’ve spent enough time and money investing in your business, you’re going to want to see some return when the time comes for you to move along and let someone else take the reins. Whether that time is now or years away, there’s a critical element to keep in mind: any buyer won’t just be buying your business and its resources… they’re also buying any problems that come with it.

Therefore, instead of having your asking price suddenly chopped down when a potential buyer conducts their due diligence and discovers significant risks, investing in your IT now can generate significant returns when the time comes to divest from your company.

Is your business prepared to square off against ransomware? It can be scary to even imagine your business becoming the target of an attack that essentially takes your operations hostage. Are you going to let ransomware extort money, hold your data for ransom, and threaten your business’ future? The answer is no, and we’ll show you how you can not only prevent ransomware attacks, but respond appropriately in case you can’t completely prevent them.

Do you feel sluggish, achy, or just plain tired after a long day of sitting? A simple change to your workday could be the key to improving your health and boosting your well-being: the standing desk.

The popularity of standing desks is growing for good reason. They are an easy way to combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Standing for even part of your day can make a big difference, and here are five of the top benefits you can expect.

The time may come when you find yourself in the position to expand your business through the acquisition of one of your competitors or contemporaries. You may be in this position now. Either way, congratulations! This process can be rewarding and potentially quite profitable, provided everything goes according to plan.

One of the most important aspects to pay attention to during this process is the technology you’ll suddenly be adding to your toolkit. After all, you don’t want to find yourself with a huge, surprise mess.

Picture your team for a moment and consider the experience a new hire might have during their first hours on the job. How effective are they at accomplishing tasks, or is their time spent jumping through hoops and getting set up with their technology?

Similarly, what does one of your team members’ last days look like? Amicable or not, a poorly managed departure can lead to considerable problems. Let’s talk about why properly managing technology during the onboarding and offboarding process is so crucial, and how to get it right.

How many vendors does your small business work with on a daily basis? Chances are, it’s quite a few, and managing them all can be exhausting. You don’t have time for it, and we get that, so why don’t you let us lighten the load with our vendor management services?

When your business is operating the way it should, it can feel like a well-oiled machine. Unfortunately though, the second something goes wrong, it starts spitting and sputtering, and before you know it, operations are impacted to the point where you’re left wondering what to do next. If you’re constantly reacting to server crashes, downtime, and data loss, you’re not running a business—you’re prolonging the inevitable, and that’s not serving you or your customers the way they deserve.

If you have a lot of complaints about your IT, you’re not alone. Turns out, business technology complaints are one of the most common frustrations for companies. We’re here to tell you, however, that you don’t have to live with broken technology; you can instead take steps to fix it, and it’s not as difficult as you might think.

Malware sounds like one of those tech words people throw around, but don’t understand. Still, if you’re running a business or even just using the internet for work, you need to know what it is and how to deal with it. Malware is any kind of software designed to mess with your devices, steal your info, or hold your data hostage. Not fun.

Nowadays, it is especially critical for every business to optimize its operations, boosting productivity while eliminating setbacks and obstacles. The information technology available today can make this process much easier if utilized correctly.

Let's discuss a few ways to take advantage of it for your organization’s benefit.

There is no shortage of events that can throw a business off track, from severe storms to human error to cybercriminal activity. Fortunately, a little preparation can make them much easier to navigate.

Let’s discuss creating a crisis plan to address these kinds of events.

Certain information needs to be well-known in the professional workplace at every level of an organization. Cybersecurity best practices are examples of such pieces of information.

Unfortunately, a recent survey has shown that a significant portion of adults in the United Kingdom—about one in three—failed a cybersecurity test. What’s worse, this test was designed for 11-year-olds

Let’s discuss what this means about modern security and how prepared modern businesses are… or aren’t.

While there are plenty of cybersecurity protections for your business’ technology, it is just as critical that you and your team are prepared to stay as secure as possible. To accomplish this, we wanted to share a collection of cybersecurity basics to get you started on the right foot.

Software is a big part of how businesses operate today. It helps with everything from managing schedules and paying employees to creating products and selling them. Simply put, businesses need software to run smoothly.

Today’s businesses need an established cybersecurity strategy. It’s as simple as that.

However, many businesses need guidance to create this strategy, which is why the National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed a framework for proper cybersecurity protection. Let’s walk through this framework and discuss what you need to do to meet its requirements.