OneNote is a useful but underutilized program that comes with Microsoft Office. With OneNote, you can create and share digital notebooks that contain handwritten or typed notes, drawings, screen clippings, audio commentaries, and more. This takes your note-taking to another level, allowing you to integrate multimedia as well as share notes and collaborate with other users. Here’s how you can master this remarkable app.

Organize your digital notebook

While both Microsoft Word and OneNote let you create text-heavy documents, they store and display saved information differently. Word displays one document at a time, but OneNote shows you all your documents at once.

When you open the desktop version of OneNote for the first time, it shows you a default Notebook called “My Notebook.”

If you want to create another Notebook, click on the < beside the name of your current one, then choose +Notebook at the bottom of your screen.

You can customize a Notebook by separating it into subcategories called Sections, which are like dividers in a physical notebook. For instance, you can dedicate one Section for the notes regarding a particular client. Sections are shown as color-coded tabs along the top of the screen, next to the name of your Notebook. You can add more by clicking on +Section at the bottom left of your screen.

You can add individual pages to a Section by clicking +Page, and you can use this feature to separate information. For example, you can add pages pertaining to a client’s contact details, project statuses, and billing information.

You can rename your Notebook, or any Section or Page, by right-clicking on it and choosing the rename option.

Start experimenting

There’s no hard-and-fast rule to enjoy OneNote because each person’s note-taking habits are unique. The only way to find out if OneNote works for you is to try out all the features and decide which method is most effective. Here are some things you can try to get a feel of the OneNote experience.

• Add tags to your notes so you can search for them efficiently
• Instantly turn your drawings into shapes or text using the Ink to Shape and Ink to Text functions, respectively
• Solve equations by using the Ink Math Assistant (which can help you graph or solve math problems)
• Use Immersive Reader to read texts out loud
• Write on a web page in Microsoft Edge and save your annotations to OneNote

Keep in mind, however, that these work only in OneNote for Windows 10. If you’re using an older version, you’ll need to upgrade to the latest version to enjoy these benefits.

Share your OneNote

So you’ve created a detailed plan for an upcoming event complete with visual pegs and handwritten instructions, and you want to share this with your team. That’s easy as pie with OneNote. Just go to the upper right corner of your ribbon, click on the Share button, and type in the email addresses of the people to whom you wish to send your notes. You can also set the sharing permissions to either “can view” or “can edit,” giving you more control over your data.

OneNote has numerous tricks up its sleeve and it can take months for you to master all of them. Call us today, and we’ll make sure you’ll get the hang of OneNote in no time.

Fire, flood, storm, and other disasters can lead to power failure and productivity loss. Using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for computers ensures you never lose unsaved work, but without the internet, you’re practically crippled. To avoid that dilemma, we highly recommend using UPS for your networking equipment, including cable modems, wireless access points, and routers.

UPS for network equipment

UPS systems provide backup power in case of outages and protect against power surges, which don’t just damage computers but also make you lose unsaved work. Deploying them for Wi-Fi routers and modems allows you to stay connected to the internet in what is typically a chaotic time.

Moreover, it makes sense not to just keep your PCs powered up, but to also have internet access during a disaster. This strategy works relatively well if your staff are predominantly laptop users, as that means you only need power for your Wi-Fi gear.

Better than generators

Although generators are indispensable for certain businesses, they also require greater upkeep. Small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) may not have enough capacity to maintain them because they typically require a utility crew who can manage high-maintenance equipment.

What’s more, extreme mishaps when misused or mishandled could result in generator-related fatalities. On the other hand, misusing a UPS unit could result in the loss of a day’s work, but it’s unlikely to lead to anything as extreme.

Why internet access is important during a disaster

UPS-supported modems or routers help you stay online for as much as 90 minutes, which should be enough time to get your bearings before power finally runs out. Internet service providers (ISPs) are usually prepared for catastrophes and would normally have an emergency power source to stay operational. And if you can stay online via Wi-Fi during an emergency, you get the following benefits:

• Internet speed that’s faster than cellular access
• No extra telecom costs resulting from overreliance on cellular data
• All devices stay online using a stable Wi-Fi connection
• Devices don’t have to rely on cellular data-equipped phones for internet connection

Plug in your network gear now

Businesses that aren’t located in disaster-prone areas probably don’t give much thought to installing UPSs for their computers, let alone their modems. But accidents and emergencies are inevitable. And when they happen, you’ll find that having internet access is one of the most important things you need to ensure business continuity.

Think of an emergency power supply source like a UPS as an investment that not just protects your systems from data loss but also keeps your Wi-Fi equipment functioning in emergency scenarios. Call us today for productivity-saving tips and other hardware hacks for your business.

Smart business owners use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for emergency situations like a storm, fire, or other disasters. Often, a UPS is deployed for desktop computers to give employees ample time to save their work and prevent losing unsaved work. An even better power-saving strategy in emergency situations, however, is to use UPS for networking equipment.

UPS for network equipment

UPS systems provide backup power in case of outages and protect against power surges, which don’t just damage computers but also make you lose unsaved work. Deploying them for Wi-Fi routers and modems allows you to stay connected to the internet in what is typically a chaotic time.

Moreover, it makes sense not to just keep your PCs powered up, but to also have internet access during a disaster. This strategy works relatively well if your staff are predominantly laptop users, as that means you only need power for your Wi-Fi gear.

Better than generators

Although generators are indispensable for certain businesses, they also require greater upkeep. Small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) may not have enough capacity to maintain them because they typically require a utility crew who can manage high-maintenance equipment.

What’s more, extreme mishaps when misused or mishandled could result in generator-related fatalities. On the other hand, misusing a UPS unit could result in the loss of a day’s work, but it’s unlikely to lead to anything as extreme.

Why internet access is important during a disaster

UPS-supported modems or routers help you stay online for as much as 90 minutes, which should be enough time to get your bearings before power finally runs out. Internet service providers (ISPs) are usually prepared for catastrophes and would normally have an emergency power source to stay operational. And if you can stay online via Wi-Fi during an emergency, you get the following benefits:

• Internet speed that’s faster than cellular access
• No extra telecom costs resulting from overreliance on cellular data
• All devices stay online using a stable Wi-Fi connection
• Devices don’t have to rely on cellular data-equipped phones for internet connection

Plug in your network gear now

Businesses that aren’t located in disaster-prone areas probably don’t give much thought to installing UPSs for their computers, let alone their modems. But accidents and emergencies are inevitable. And when they happen, you’ll find that having internet access is one of the most important things you need to ensure business continuity.

Think of an emergency power supply source like a UPS as an investment that not just protects your systems from data loss but also keeps your Wi-Fi equipment functioning in emergency scenarios. Call us today for productivity-saving tips and other hardware hacks for your business.

During a power outage, responsible business owners use emergency power to keep desktop computers from unexpectedly shutting down. While that’s certainly a good strategy for keeping machines operational and preventing data loss, there’s something else you can do to ensure that your staff remains productive while weathering a storm: uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for networking equipment.

UPS for network equipment

UPS systems provide backup power in case of outages and protect against power surges, which don’t just damage computers but also make you lose unsaved work. Deploying them for Wi-Fi routers and modems allows you to stay connected to the internet in what is typically a chaotic time.

Moreover, it makes sense not to just keep your PCs powered up, but to also have internet access during a disaster. This strategy works relatively well if your staff are predominantly laptop users, as that means you only need power for your Wi-Fi gear.

Better than generators

Although generators are indispensable for certain businesses, they also require greater upkeep. Small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) may not have enough capacity to maintain them because they typically require a utility crew who can manage high-maintenance equipment.

What’s more, extreme mishaps when misused or mishandled could result in generator-related fatalities. On the other hand, misusing a UPS unit could result in the loss of a day’s work, but it’s unlikely to lead to anything as extreme.

Why internet access is important during a disaster

UPS-supported modems or routers help you stay online for as much as 90 minutes, which should be enough time to get your bearings before power finally runs out. Internet service providers (ISPs) are usually prepared for catastrophes and would normally have an emergency power source to stay operational. And if you can stay online via Wi-Fi during an emergency, you get the following benefits:

• Internet speed that’s faster than cellular access
• No extra telecom costs resulting from overreliance on cellular data
• All devices stay online using a stable Wi-Fi connection
• Devices don’t have to rely on cellular data-equipped phones for internet connection

Plug in your network gear now

Businesses that aren’t located in disaster-prone areas probably don’t give much thought to installing UPSs for their computers, let alone their modems. But accidents and emergencies are inevitable. And when they happen, you’ll find that having internet access is one of the most important things you need to ensure business continuity.

Think of an emergency power supply source like a UPS as an investment that not just protects your systems from data loss but also keeps your Wi-Fi equipment functioning in emergency scenarios. Call us today for productivity-saving tips and other hardware hacks for your business.

There are hundreds of office apps on Google Play Store, each designed to help workers everywhere boost their productivity and efficiency. To save you the hassle of choosing the one that best suits your needs as well as your teams’, we’ve come up with a list of some of the best office apps for Android devices.

Microsoft Office

View, edit, share, and collaborate on documents using the Microsoft Office suite of mobile apps. Familiar favorites like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be downloaded for free, and you can unlock additional features and functions by getting an Office 365 subscription. Any document, presentation, or spreadsheet you create or edit will be synced to OneDrive so you can access your files at any time, from anywhere, on any device.

Google Drive

More than just free cloud storage, Google Drive for Android offers a whole suite of office apps. Get Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Photos for free, and for as low as $1.99 per month, you can get additional storage for all of your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and images. Another great feature of Drive is that you can still view and edit documents even if you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi or mobile network, making working more convenient.

Office Suite

Office Suite supports all basic Microsoft formats (DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, etc.) as well as other common file formats (PDF, ODT, OOS, ODP, etc.). It also lets users access and sync files in Google Drive, OneDrive, Amazon Cloud Drive, Dropbox, Box, and MobiSystems Drive. The free version has all the basic features such as creating and editing documents. Meanwhile, the paid versions — which run from $19.99 to $29.99 — allow PDF scanning, spell-checking, and chat capabilities, among other additional functionalities.

Polaris Office

Polaris Office has a similar interface and features to Office Suite. It is compatible with other office apps for Android and supports different file formats, including PDF. Polaris Office has pointer and pen features that allow users to edit, create, and open files, as well as take down notes with ease. Users can sync all their documents on Polaris Drive, or access files stored in other cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive and Dropbox.

WPS Office

WPS (Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheets) Office is an all-in-one office app that supports all the basic features of Microsoft Office and Google Drive. Use it to create and edit presentations, spreadsheets, word documents, and PDFs, which you can save to and access from the cloud storage platform of your choice. It also has a free PDF reader, converter, and editor, allowing you to view and add annotations as well as your signature to any PDF file.

Docs to Go

Work from anywhere on your Android smartphone or tablet using Docs to Go. This document viewing and editing app allows you to connect to and sync files on your device to the cloud. It also enables you to send and receive supported email attachments using Gmail or other email apps. Docs to Go’s find and replace feature makes editing any document easy. What’s more, paid versions of the app give you the option to open password-protected Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files.

Smart Office

Not only does Smart Office have all the capabilities you’ll need in an office app, but it’s also an invaluable tool for meetings and presentations. Easily format and add graphics to your slides, manage their sequence and transitions, and present them directly on your mobile device or through a projector. Smart Office also has a wireless printing function, enabling you to print from thousands of supported printer models.

Enjoy the freedom of working on the go and on any Android device with these productivity-boosting office apps. Give us a call today if you need help choosing the right app for your needs.

Google Play Store offers a wide range of office apps for Android smartphones and tablets. Such apps allow users to work whenever and wherever, with some even allowing them to do work even when they’re offline. Read on to learn about some of the best office apps for Android.

Microsoft Office

View, edit, share, and collaborate on documents using the Microsoft Office suite of mobile apps. Familiar favorites like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be downloaded for free, and you can unlock additional features and functions by getting an Office 365 subscription. Any document, presentation, or spreadsheet you create or it will sync edit to OneDrive so you can access your files at any time, from anywhere, on any device.

Google Drive

More than just free cloud storage, Google Drive for Android offers a whole suite of office apps. Get Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Photos for free, and for as low as $1.99 per month, you can get additional storage for all of your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and images. Another great feature of Drive is that you can still view and edit documents even if you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi or mobile network, making working more convenient.

Office Suite

Office Suite supports all basic Microsoft formats (DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, etc.) as well as other common file formats (PDF, ODT, OOS, ODP, etc.). It also lets users access and sync files in Google Drive, OneDrive, Amazon Cloud Drive, Dropbox, Box, and MobiSystems Drive. The free version has all the basic features such as creating and editing documents. Meanwhile, the paid versions — which run from $19.99 to $29.99 — allow PDF scanning, spell-checking, and chat capabilities, among other additional functionalities.

Polaris Office

Polaris Office has a similar interface and features to Office Suite. It is compatible with other office apps for Android and supports different file formats, including PDF. Polaris Office has pointer and pen features that allow users to edit, create, and open files, as well as take down notes with ease. Users can sync all their documents on Polaris Drive, or access files stored in other cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive and Dropbox.

WPS Office

WPS (Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheets) Office is an all-in-one office app that supports all the basic features of Microsoft Office and Google Drive. Use it to create and edit presentations, spreadsheets, word documents, and PDFs, which you can save to and access from the cloud storage platform of your choice. It also has a free PDF reader, converter, and editor, allowing you to view and add annotations as well as your signature to any PDF file.

Docs to Go

Work from anywhere on your Android smartphone or tablet using Docs to Go. This document viewing and editing app allows you to connect to and sync files on your device to the cloud. It also enables you to send and receive supported email attachments using Gmail or other email apps. Docs to Go’s find and replace feature makes editing any document easy. What’s more, paid versions of the app give you the option to open password-protected Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files.

Smart Office

Not only does Smart Office have all the capabilities you’ll need in an office app, but it’s also an invaluable tool for meetings and presentations. Easily format and add graphics to your slides, manage their sequence and transitions, and present them directly on your mobile device or through a projector. Smart Office also has a wireless printing function, enabling you to print from thousands of supported printer models.

Enjoy the freedom of working on the go and on any Android device with these productivity-boosting office apps. Give us a call today if you need help choosing the right app for your needs.

More and more companies are adopting remote work policies, offering myriad benefits to both employers and employees. Having the right tools at your disposal will ensure that you and your remote staff can be as productive and efficient as possible. Here are some of the best office suite apps for Android devices.

Microsoft Office

View, edit, share, and collaborate on documents using the Microsoft Office suite of mobile apps. Familiar favorites like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be downloaded for free, and you can unlock additional features and functions by getting an Office 365 subscription. Any document, presentation, or spreadsheet you create or edit will be synced to OneDrive so you can access your files at any time, from anywhere, on any device.

Google Drive

More than just free cloud storage, Google Drive for Android offers a whole suite of office apps. Get Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Photos for free, and for as low as $1.99 per month, you can get additional storage for all of your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and images. Another great feature of Drive is that you can still view and edit documents even if you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi or mobile network, making working more convenient.

Office Suite

Office Suite supports all basic Microsoft formats (DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, etc.) as well as other common file formats (PDF, ODT, OOS, ODP, etc.). It also lets users access and sync files in Google Drive, OneDrive, Amazon Cloud Drive, Dropbox, Box, and MobiSystems Drive. The free version has all the basic features such as creating and editing documents. Meanwhile, the paid versions — which run from $19.99 to $29.99 — allow PDF scanning, spell-checking, and chat capabilities, among other additional functionalities.

Polaris Office

Polaris Office has a similar interface and features to Office Suite. It is compatible with other office apps for Android and supports different file formats, including PDF. Polaris Office has pointer and pen features that allow users to edit, create, and open files, as well as take down notes with ease. Users can sync all their documents on Polaris Drive, or access files stored in other cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive and Dropbox.

WPS Office

WPS (Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheets) Office is an all-in-one office app that supports all the basic features of Microsoft Office and Google Drive. Use it to create and edit presentations, spreadsheets, word documents, and PDFs, which you can save to and access from the cloud storage platform of your choice. It also has a free PDF reader, converter, and editor, allowing you to view and add annotations as well as your signature to any PDF file.

Docs to Go

Work from anywhere on your Android smartphone or tablet using Docs to Go. This document viewing and editing app allows you to connect to and sync files on your device to the cloud. It also enables you to send and receive supported email attachments using Gmail or other email apps. Docs to Go’s find and replace feature makes editing any document easy. What’s more, paid versions of the app give you the option to open password-protected Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files.

Smart Office

Not only does Smart Office have all the capabilities you’ll need in an office app, but it’s also an invaluable tool for meetings and presentations. Easily format and add graphics to your slides, manage their sequence and transitions, and present them directly on your mobile device or through a projector. Smart Office also has a wireless printing function, enabling you to print from thousands of supported printer models.

Enjoy the freedom of working on the go and on any Android device with these productivity-boosting office apps. Give us a call today if you need help choosing the right app for your needs.

A new web browser from Opera launching today aims to help users get their chaotic mess of open tabs back under control. In the latest release of Opera’s desktop browser (codenamed R2020), the company is introducing a new feature called “Workspaces” that allows you to organize your tabs based on different contexts — for example, workspaces for work, free time activities, personal projects, research, travel planning, and more.

Today, it’s common for web users to keep open dozens of tabs — and even multiple separate windows, each filled with tabs — as an attempt to keep their web searches and research somewhat organized. This is particularly tough for knowledge workers who spend their days working from a PC or for the 66% of Americans who use the same browser for work and personal browsing, Opera says.

Opera’s study also found that 65% of people want to keep their browser more organized and 60% wanted to be able to group tabs.

Unfortunately, major browser makers have still not effectively addressed these problems, instead leaving users to design their own productivity solutions or to turn to third-party browser add-ons for help with organization.

For example, the browser extension OneTab lets you quickly close and save all your open tabs for later access. However, because extensions like this aren’t part of the core browser experience many users don’t know they exist. And even if you do use an extension to aid with organization, it’s easy to forget you’ve saved your tabs somewhere — often, you’ll just search up the same pages again instead of restoring them.

Opera’s system instead presents the concept of the workspace as a means of taming your numerous open tabs. You can create up to five workspaces in the new browser, name them, and designate their icons. The icons are accessible from the top of the sidebar, with the currently active workspace highlighted in blue.

You can also right-click any link to open it in a different workspace and move tabs between workspaces easily, the company says. That can help users not just start off organized but stay organized, especially since people tend to switch back and forth between contexts as they work. For example, users may take a few minutes to check on personal messages and social networks in between typing into online spreadsheets and responding to work emails.

“Opera invented browser tabs, and today we know that people need more support from their browser interface to handle them,” said Joanna Czajka, Product Director, Opera for PC, in a statement about the launch “Everybody wants their environment to be more tidy, ideally without having to clean. Workspaces let you get organized from the first moment you use them, without you having to learn how to use a new tool.”

While Workspaces is the major new feature in the beta browser, another addition lets you switch between open tabs easily by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Tab — similar to switching applications on macOS. And a third new tool will highlight if you have any duplicate open tabs when you hover over a tab with your mouse pointer.

Opera is well-known for its browser innovations, but many of its latest releases have been more focused on technology integrations, like the built-in cryptocurrency wallet or VPN. It has also released tools designed to protect privacy like the tracker blocker and debuted a browser for gamers, Opera GX. But it hasn’t been as focused on the day-to-day needs of browser users as of late.

Unfortunately, switching browsers can be more difficult these days since smaller browsers and beta builds don’t always support the variety of extensions users rely on.

Nevertheless, Opera claims its browser user base is growing. Its PC browser user base grew 17% from Q3 2018 to Q3 2019, the company says, reaching now more than 68 million monthly users.

The browser is a free download here. 

Microsoft’s Workplace Analytics uses data gathered from email, documents, calendar, and other Office 365 applications to present a clear picture of both employee and manager productivity. It’s a clear upgrade from MyAnalytics, which allowed employees to view just their own data.

How does Workplace Analytics work?

A paid add-on to Office 365 enterprise plans, Workplace Analytics extracts behavioral insights from data gathered from Office 365 email, calendar, documents, and Skype. This means any data an employee types into their email and calendar — whether the information is in the subject line or in the body itself — can be used to determine their productivity.

The program has an overview dashboard that provides specific information:

• Week in the Life provides an overall view of how the entire organization spends time and how members collaborate with one another
• Meetings Overview shows the amount of time people spent in meetings
• Management and Coaching gauges one-on-one meetings between your staff and their manager
• Internal Networks shows how people within the company connect with one another
• External Collaboration provides insights into how people from your company connect with those from third-party organizations
• Teams Collaboration takes a look at how employees and managers communicate with their colleagues

What does Workplace Analytics aim to do?

According to Microsoft, Workplace Analytics addresses businesses’ most common challenges: complexity, productivity, and engagement.

Using Workplace Analytics data, managers and human resources departments can form productivity strategies for the entire company. If most of your employees spend 60% of their time attending meetings and not enough time doing creative work, managers can come up with a strategy to reduce meeting times and focus more on productive tasks.

Workplace Analytics also identifies how employees collaborate with internal and external parties. Suppose one of your sales staff frequently communicates with certain contacts. By using Workplace Analytics data, the manager would be able to determine whether this particular collaboration pattern is helping the employee hit sales targets or he or she is missing out on other more critical contacts. Based on this info, managers would also be able to determine which employees are most likely to meet or exceed their targets and set company-wide standards accordingly.

Workplace Analytics also allows managers to determine an employee’s level of engagement (i.e., whether the organization’s collaboration patterns are good for the company), and whether workloads are fairly distributed among workers and/or departments.

Is Workplace Analytics useful for small businesses?

Large corporations have been using Workplace Analytics, but small businesses can also benefit from it. The data used to provide insights are what employees generate themselves — how much time they spend on meetings, whom they frequently communicate with, and how much time they spend on productive tasks.

Aside from letting managers examine their staff’s work behavior, Workplace Analytics also provides an overall look at an organizational level. If you want your organization to further harness the capabilities of Workplace Analytics and other Office 365 tools, give us a call today.

Microsoft’s Office 365 Workplace Analytics gives teams a better perspective and control over their members’ productivity. Using the data gathered by the tool, managers can create effective strategies to improve employee engagement and output.

How does Workplace Analytics work?

A paid add-on to Office 365 enterprise plans, Workplace Analytics extracts behavioral insights from data gathered from Office 365 email, calendar, documents, and Skype. This means any data an employee types into their email and calendar — whether the information is in the subject line or in the body itself — can be used to determine their productivity.

The program has an overview dashboard that provides specific information:

• Week in the Life provides an overall view of how the entire organization spends time and how members collaborate with one another
• Meetings Overview shows the amount of time people spent in meetings
• Management and Coaching gauges one-on-one meetings between your staff and their manager
• Internal Networks shows how people within the company connect with one another
• External Collaboration provides insights into how people from your company connect with those from third-party organizations
• Teams Collaboration takes a look at how employees and managers communicate with their colleagues

What does Workplace Analytics aim to do?

According to Microsoft, Workplace Analytics addresses businesses’ most common challenges: complexity, productivity, and engagement.

Using Workplace Analytics data, managers and human resources departments can form productivity strategies for the entire company. If most of your employees spend 60% of their time attending meetings and not enough time doing creative work, managers can come up with a strategy to reduce meeting times and focus more on productive tasks.

Workplace Analytics also identifies how employees collaborate with internal and external parties. Suppose one of your sales staff frequently communicates with certain contacts. By using Workplace Analytics data, the manager would be able to determine whether this particular collaboration pattern is helping the employee hit sales targets or he or she is missing out on other more critical contacts. Based on this info, managers would also be able to determine which employees are most likely to meet or exceed their targets and set company-wide standards accordingly.

Workplace Analytics also allows managers to determine an employee’s level of engagement (i.e., whether the organization’s collaboration patterns are good for the company), and whether workloads are fairly distributed among workers and/or departments.

Is Workplace Analytics useful for small businesses?

Large corporations have been using Workplace Analytics, but small businesses can also benefit from it. The data used to provide insights are what employees generate themselves — how much time they spend on meetings, whom they frequently communicate with, and how much time they spend on productive tasks.

Aside from letting managers examine their staff’s work behavior, Workplace Analytics also provides an overall look at an organizational level. If you want your organization to further harness the capabilities of Workplace Analytics and other Office 365 tools, give us a call today.

Workplace Analytics allows managers to assess their employees’ performance using the data gathered from Office 365. Unlike past Microsoft productivity tools that showed only the user’s own information, Workplace Analytics allows both employees and managers to view each others’ performance data.

How does Workplace Analytics work?

A paid add-on to Office 365 enterprise plans, Workplace Analytics extracts behavioral insights from data gathered from Office 365 email, calendar, documents, and Skype. This means any data an employee types into their email and calendar — whether the information is in the subject line or in the body itself — can be used to determine their productivity.

The program has an overview dashboard that provides specific information:

• Week in the Life provides an overall view of how the entire organization spends time and how members collaborate with one another
• Meetings Overview shows the amount of time people spent in meetings
• Management and Coaching gauges one-on-one meetings between your staff and their manager
• Internal Networks shows how people within the company connect with one another
• External Collaboration provides insights into how people from your company connect with those from third-party organizations
• Teams Collaboration takes a look at how employees and managers communicate with their colleagues

What does Workplace Analytics aim to do?

According to Microsoft, Workplace Analytics addresses businesses’ most common challenges: complexity, productivity, and engagement.

Using Workplace Analytics data, managers and human resources departments can form productivity strategies for the entire company. If most of your employees spend 60% of their time attending meetings and not enough time doing creative work, managers can come up with a strategy to reduce meeting times and focus more on productive tasks.

Workplace Analytics also identifies how employees collaborate with internal and external parties. Suppose one of your sales staff frequently communicates with certain contacts. By using Workplace Analytics data, the manager would be able to determine whether this particular collaboration pattern is helping the employee hit sales targets or he or she is missing out on other more critical contacts. Based on this info, managers would also be able to determine which employees are most likely to meet or exceed their targets and set company-wide standards accordingly.

Workplace Analytics also allows managers to determine an employee’s level of engagement (i.e., whether the organization’s collaboration patterns are good for the company), and whether workloads are fairly distributed among workers and/or departments.

Is Workplace Analytics useful for small businesses?

Large corporations have been using Workplace Analytics, but small businesses can also benefit from it. The data used to provide insights are what employees generate themselves — how much time they spend on meetings, whom they frequently communicate with, and how much time they spend on productive tasks.

Aside from letting managers examine their staff’s work behavior, Workplace Analytics also provides an overall look at an organizational level. If you want your organization to further harness the capabilities of Workplace Analytics and other Office 365 tools, give us a call today.

Identifying opportunities in all areas of business is vital for growth. However, one area that’s often overlooked is technology. Although it’s tempting to adopt an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude with IT, conducting regular technology business reviews is necessary if you want to achieve your business goals.

A technology business review reveals the strengths and weaknesses of your company’s IT framework. It’s often performed by a third-party IT consultant who will give an objective assessment of your technology and provide recommendations to help you meet your goals. If done properly, technology business reviews allow you to:

Save money

Every review starts with a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether an implemented solution is worth the continued investment. If there are technologies costing you a fortune in management and maintenance fees, consultants will advise you to cut them from your budget. The best ones will recommend cost-effective alternatives so you can do more with less.

Increase productivity

System-wide reviews of your IT infrastructure show you what processes are hindering business operations. This allows you to formulate solutions to increase productivity. For example, if employees are mainly sharing files via email, consultants might suggest cloud collaboration platforms, like Office 365 or G Suite, that store data in a centralized location for seamless file sharing.

Enhance security and compliance

Technology business reviews can also uncover security risks within your business. Consultants look for missed patches, poorly configured networks, and other software vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited by cybercriminals.

They’ll then compile their findings to create a more robust cybersecurity strategy, usually one that involves implementing advanced solutions like intrusion prevention systems (IPS), file access restrictions, and patch management software.

If you operate a business that’s subjected to data regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), consultants will also pinpoint IT practices and solutions that are noncompliant and customize a strategy that ensures the privacy, integrity, and availability of your data.

Implement technologies that fit

Considering that new technologies are released at a breakneck pace, it’s important to pick those that will help you achieve your business goals. Technology business reviews keep you up to date on the latest technology trends and gauge the impact of implementing them so that you can make informed decisions.

Whether your goal is to increase profits, productivity, security, or all of the above, technology business reviews can put you on the right track. Our seasoned IT consultants can conduct these reviews for you and develop a strategy that gives you an edge over the competition. Just give us a call.