Sufficient security policies can make or break your small or medium sized business. But the truth is that many SMB owners are unsure as to the type of security measures needed to protect their organization. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the minimum security precautions that every SMB owner should follow to ensure their company is safe.

Recognize where your most critical data lies

Is it in the cloud? Hard drives? Backup disks? Mobile devices? Whether or not you have the budget and resources to adequately secure all of your data, the critical data that your business relies on must be sufficiently secure. If you’re unsure of what that is, ask yourself which data you would need to access within 24 hours of your business suffering a major disaster, in order to ensure your operations remained up and running. Once you’ve answered this question, talk with your IT managers to determine the security measures that need to be implemented to protect your most vital data.

Learn the basics

After you’ve bulletproofed your critical data, it’s time to arm your network with the basics. If you haven’t already done so, ensure that you have anti-malware protection on servers and endpoints, and firewalls for both wireless and wired access points.

If you have the budget, it’s worth seeking outside counsel from an IT expert fluent in today’s security best practices. They’ll ensure your business is protected from the latest cyber threats. However, if you don’t have the budget, then it’s time to take matters into your own hands. Read up on security trends, join technology networking groups, and ask your fellow business owners about their own IT security policies.

Cash a reality check

Bad things happen to nice people. Tornadoes, fires, thieves, and faulty technology couldn’t care less about how your business donates to local charities and supports your community’s youth sports clubs. What’s more, hundreds of small businesses across the country suffer severe data loss each year. Ignorance and turning a blind eye will not protect you, so make a wise decision and automate your data to be backed up daily. This allows your business to remain in operation if you’re hit by a security breach.

Dispose of old technology properly

Whether it’s a computer, server or tablet, any device that stores data on it must be properly disposed of when it conks out. Specifically, the hard disk must be destroyed completely. And remember, proper data disposal is not only limited to technology, as critical information is also revealed on paper files. So if you’re migrating the content of physical documents to the cloud, make sure to shred the paper versions too.

Mind your mobiles

The mobile age is here, and along with it come employees who may access your business’s critical information via their smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Recognize that many of these devices have different operating systems that require varying security measures. You and your IT manager should be aware of this, which leads to our last point…

Think policy

Have a policy for all your company’s devices. If you don’t inform your employees they shouldn’t access company information via their phones or tablets, then they’ll likely assume it’s okay to do so. But thinking policy doesn’t pertain only to mobiles. You should also determine acceptable online behavior for your employees, as well as how data should be shared and restricted. Put this in writing, and then have your employees read and sign it.

Of course, it’s not always wise to be overly restrictive. Rather the point is to have policies in place and make everyone in your organization aware of them because if you don’t each staff member will make up their own rules.

Are you concerned your business’s security isn’t up to par? Need the guidance of a seasoned IT provider who specializes in security? Talk to us today.

You’ve probably noticed the ever-changing landscape of mobile health, or mHealth. More and more patients are looking for some form of mobile care to supplement traditional office visits. Continued advancements in mHealth are allowing healthcare providers like you to care for patients more effectively than ever before. Numerous new mHealth apps have hit the market over the past few years, but here are three you’ll want to take note of.

Want to know which mHealth applications are making life easier for healthcare providers? Here are three HIPAA-compliant apps that have changed the way you can provide care to your patients.

Cohero Health

This New York-based company has helped transform how doctors and patients handle asthma. Cohero provides inhaler sensors that let doctors know when patients are using their respiratory medication, as well as how they are responding to their medication in real time. The technology gives medical professionals the ability to measure lung function metrics with the same precision they can in the office.

Cohero Health also has an app that lets users better understand what triggers their attacks, and provides other information patients can use while not under the direct supervision of their doctor. The result is comprehensive asthma care at all times, allowing doctors and patients to always remain informed.

Maven

Known as the digital clinic for women, Maven lets healthcare professionals from all backgrounds – including MDs, nurse practitioners and dietitians – connect directly with female patients. Users schedule an appointment with the healthcare professional of their choice, and then meet via a video chat through Maven’s app. Afterwards, the doctor and patient will continue to communicate through the app for post-appointment follow-ups.

The objective of the app is to let women consult with medical professionals without having to take time out of their schedule to go to the doctor’s office. The app is also designed to provide an environment in which women feel comfortable. Maven fully vets all potential practitioners, and you must pass a thorough screening process before being allowed to see clients.

Carmerge

This app changes how senior care communication and coordination take place by streamlining the entire process. The idea behind Carmerge is to allow care teams at senior facilities, patients and their families to stay connected and informed. The app serves as a hub for data and communication between patient, caregiver, nurses and families. Providers can merge EHRs with Carmerge’s calendar and messaging features, allowing staff to remain organized and families to see how their loved ones are doing in real time.

The app also acts as a social network of sorts for those staying in assisted-living or independent-living communities. It allows individuals to communicate with one another, schedule events, and stay-up-to date with what’s happening at their facility.

If you are looking for new ways to incorporate technology into your practice, we can help. Our team of IT professionals are experts in healthcare technology and can assist you in finding secure and compliant solutions.

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a new tablet, you will have two powerful options in the next few months. On October 26, Microsoft will release their Surface Pro 4, and Apple is rumored to be launching their iPad Pro in November. So how do these two options match up? And what’s right for you? Let’s break down the features of these two new tablets and compare them side by side.

Measurements and weight

When it comes to physical measurements, there is little difference between the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4. The Surface weighs in at anywhere from 1.69 lbs to 1.73 lbs depending on which version you get, while the iPad Pro weighs slightly less, coming in at 1.57 to 1.59 lbs.

The iPad Pro is also slightly thinner, at 0.27 inches compared to the Surface’s 0.33 inches. So at first glance, you may think that iPad has a slight edge in the measurements department, but the Surface makes up for its slightly bulkier size with a wide array of ports that include a microSD card reader, 3.5mm headset jack, mini DisplayPort, Type Cover port, and a USB 3.0 port. As for the iPad Pro, it lacks all of these and instead comes with only a Lightning port.

Display

As with the measurements (minus the ports), there is no extreme difference in display between the two tablets. The Surface Pro 4 has a 12.3 inch touchscreen with a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824 pixels, versus the iPad Pro’s 12.9 inch touchscreen of 2732 x 2048 pixels.

Keyboard

Both the Surface Pro 4 and the iPad Pro come with an attachable full-size keyboard. And the one key difference here is that Microsoft’s version comes with a trackpad, while the iPad Pro’s does not. For the iPad Pro you will instead have to use your finger as a cursor to navigate the touchscreen – which system is best will depend on your preferences.

Operating systems

This is where the big difference between these two lies. While the iPad Pro operates on iOS 9, the Surface Pro runs Windows 10. Because of this, Surface Pro has a lot more versatility and power than iPad Pro. It has the ability to run full blown desktop applications like Photoshop or Lightroom, while iPad Pro isn’t capable of this. However, for iOS lovers, iOS 9 provides new features such as improved multi-tasking and split screen.

Price

Here’s the breakdown of the price difference between the two tablets.

iPad Pro

• $799 – 32GB
• $949 – 128GB
• $1079 – 128GB + LTE cellular radio

Surface Pro 4

• $899 – 128GB (most affordable version)
• $2,699 – 1TB + Intel Core i7 + 16GB of RAM (highest-priced version)
• Prices range anywhere in-between, depending on storage, RAM, and processor options

Conclusion

It really depends on what you’re looking for. The Surface Pro 4 is more of a PC that looks like a tablet, while the iPad Pro is essentially a tablet. The operating system is the key difference that separates the two. If you want a tablet that runs like a full-blown computer, go with the Surface Pro 4. However, if you’re an Apple fan, the iPad Pro now provides you a larger screen than its predecessors, as well as more versatility and the option of a keyboard.

Still unsure which tablet is right for you? Need help with your current iPad? Call us today.

This fall, Microsoft and Apple are poised to release their newest tablets: the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4. While some consumers will quickly opt for their favorite brand without giving it a second thought, others may like to know how these two really stack up. So if you’re not sure which tablet to buy, here’s how the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4 compare.

Measurements and weight

When it comes to physical measurements, there is little difference between the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4. The Surface weighs in at anywhere from 1.69 lbs to 1.73 lbs depending on which version you get, while the iPad Pro weighs slightly less, coming in at 1.57 to 1.59 lbs.

The iPad Pro is also slightly thinner, at 0.27 inches compared to the Surface’s 0.33 inches. So at first glance, you may think that iPad has a slight edge in the measurements department, but the Surface makes up for its slightly bulkier size with a wide array of ports that include a microSD card reader, 3.5mm headset jack, mini DisplayPort, Type Cover port, and a USB 3.0 port. As for the iPad Pro, it lacks all of these and instead comes with only a Lightning port.

Display

As with the measurements (minus the ports), there is no extreme difference in display between the two tablets. The Surface Pro 4 has a 12.3 inch touchscreen with a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824 pixels, versus the iPad Pro’s 12.9 inch touchscreen of 2732 x 2048 pixels.

Keyboard

Both the Surface Pro 4 and the iPad Pro come with an attachable full-size keyboard. And the one key difference here is that Microsoft’s version comes with a trackpad, while the iPad Pro’s does not. For the iPad Pro you will instead have to use your finger as a cursor to navigate the touchscreen – which system is best will depend on your preferences.

Operating systems

This is where the big difference between these two lies. While the iPad Pro operates on iOS 9, the Surface Pro runs Windows 10. Because of this, Surface Pro has a lot more versatility and power than iPad Pro. It has the ability to run full blown desktop applications like Photoshop or Lightroom, while iPad Pro isn’t capable of this. However, for iOS lovers, iOS 9 provides new features such as improved multi-tasking and split screen.

Price

Here’s the breakdown of the price difference between the two tablets.

iPad Pro

• $799 – 32GB
• $949 – 128GB
• $1079 – 128GB + LTE cellular radio

Surface Pro 4

• $899 – 128GB (most affordable version)
• $2,699 – 1TB + Intel Core i7 + 16GB of RAM (highest-priced version)
• Prices range anywhere in-between, depending on storage, RAM, and processor options

Conclusion

It really depends on what you’re looking for. The Surface Pro 4 is more of a PC that looks like a tablet, while the iPad Pro is essentially a tablet. The operating system is the key difference that separates the two. If you want a tablet that runs like a full-blown computer, go with the Surface Pro 4. However, if you’re an Apple fan, the iPad Pro now provides you a larger screen than its predecessors, as well as more versatility and the option of a keyboard.

Still unsure which tablet is right for you? Need help with your current iPad? Call us today.

Thinking about buying a new tablet? You’re in luck. This fall, Microsoft and Apple are set to release the latest versions of their popular tablets: iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4. If you’re not an Apple fan or a Microsoft follower, and want to know how these two mobile heavyweights really stack up, we’ve compared the main features of these two head-to-head so you can see what you’re really purchasing when you choose your next tablet.

Measurements and weight

When it comes to physical measurements, there is little difference between the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4. The Surface weighs in at anywhere from 1.69 lbs to 1.73 lbs depending on which version you get, while the iPad Pro weighs slightly less, coming in at 1.57 to 1.59 lbs.

The iPad Pro is also slightly thinner, at 0.27 inches compared to the Surface’s 0.33 inches. So at first glance, you may think that iPad has a slight edge in the measurements department, but the Surface makes up for its slightly bulkier size with a wide array of ports that include a microSD card reader, 3.5mm headset jack, mini DisplayPort, Type Cover port, and a USB 3.0 port. As for the iPad Pro, it lacks all of these and instead comes with only a Lightning port.

Display

As with the measurements (minus the ports), there is no extreme difference in display between the two tablets. The Surface Pro 4 has a 12.3 inch touchscreen with a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824 pixels, versus the iPad Pro’s 12.9 inch touchscreen of 2732 x 2048 pixels.

Keyboard

Both the Surface Pro 4 and the iPad Pro come with an attachable full-size keyboard. And the one key difference here is that Microsoft’s version comes with a trackpad, while the iPad Pro’s does not. For the iPad Pro you will instead have to use your finger as a cursor to navigate the touchscreen – which system is best will depend on your preferences.

Operating systems

This is where the big difference between these two lies. While the iPad Pro operates on iOS 9, the Surface Pro runs Windows 10. Because of this, Surface Pro has a lot more versatility and power than iPad Pro. It has the ability to run full blown desktop applications like Photoshop or Lightroom, while iPad Pro isn’t capable of this. However, for iOS lovers, iOS 9 provides new features such as improved multi-tasking and split screen.

Price

Here’s the breakdown of the price difference between the two tablets.

iPad Pro

• $799 – 32GB
• $949 – 128GB
• $1079 – 128GB + LTE cellular radio

Surface Pro 4

• $899 – 128GB (most affordable version)
• $2,699 – 1TB + Intel Core i7 + 16GB of RAM (highest-priced version)
• Prices range anywhere in-between, depending on storage, RAM, and processor options

Conclusion

It really depends on what you’re looking for. The Surface Pro 4 is more of a PC that looks like a tablet, while the iPad Pro is essentially a tablet. The operating system is the key difference that separates the two. If you want a tablet that runs like a full-blown computer, go with the Surface Pro 4. However, if you’re an Apple fan, the iPad Pro now provides you a larger screen than its predecessors, as well as more versatility and the option of a keyboard.

Still unsure which tablet is right for you? Need help with your current iPad? Call us today.

Apple’s latest operating system is here, and you’re probably wondering if OS X El Capitan is worth your time. With a bevy of new features, it certainly talks the talk, but does it walk the walk? We’ll help inform your decision by giving you information on some of El Capitan’s new features and how to use them.

Mac users have another choice on their hands after Apple recently released OS X El Capitan. The company claims the OS will make tasks simpler but you, along with every other Mac user, are probably wondering just what has been done to make that statement a reality. Here is a quick look at some of El Capitan’s features and how you can utilize them.

Two for the view of one

One of El Capitan’s most anticipated new features is Split Views. By utilizing this feature, you can view two applications side-by-side simultaneously. Say you are working on a document but also need to communicate with colleagues via Skype; before, you would have to resize the windows yourself, and configure everything on your own. With Split Views, you can have both apps running next to each other in fullscreen mode, all in just two clicks.

To use Split Views, click and hold down the green button you see in the upper-left corner of any window you’re using. The current window will open in Split Views on the left half of your screen once you release the button. After that happens, thumbnails of non-minimized apps that are compatible with Split View will show up on your screen. All you have to do is click on the one you want to open. That app will then appear on the right side of the screen. From there you can adjust just how much of the screen each app uses.

Swiper, yes swiping

Apple has done its best to improve the Mail application with the release of El Capitan. The improvements aim to give the Mail app on your desktop or laptop the same functionality it has on your iPhone and iPad. The most notable of these changes to Mail is the swiping feature users can now utilize to delete or mark emails in their inbox.

A two-finger swipe to the left on the trackpad over a message header brings up the familiar red trash button, while a two-finger swipe to the right sees the blue button with Mark as Read or Mark as Unread appear.

Mail also has several new features in fullscreen mode, including the ability to create new tabs for emails you are composing. It works pretty much the same as any web browser; any time you hit the Compose button, a tab with a new blank email will open up at the top of the screen. You can switch back and forth between these by clicking each tab.

Make a list, check it twice

The Notes application has also received quite a few upgrades. The most useful of these is the ability to turn any list into a checklist with a click of a button. If you have an unformatted list in a note, highlight it, right-click, and click the checklist button to transform it. You’ll also be able to check each item off your list as you complete it.

Off the menu

Do you enjoy how the dock hides for most of the time and only appears when you scroll over it? Ever wish the menu bar would do the same? If so, there is some more great news for you. All you need to do is go to System Preferences and then to General Settings. Once there, you will see an option to Automatically hide and show the menu bar which, if activated, will see the menu bar disappear unless scrolled over.

No more cursing at your cursor

One of the features El Capitan users are so far enjoying the most is also one of the handiest. You can locate your cursor quicker than ever before by moving your finger back and forth on the trackpad, or simply by shaking your mouse.The pointer increases in size, allowing you to locate it with ease.

We understand that switching to a new operating system can be difficult. Let our experts explain the pros and cons of an OS upgrade, and help ensure a smooth transition should you wish to make the change.

Climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park requires strength, stamina and fearlessness. Thankfully, Apple’s new operating system, OS X El Capitan, doesn’t require users to have any of these traits. In fact, the ability to click a mouse is all you need to accept the challenge of El Capitan’s OS namesake. Want to know what you can expect from it? Here are some of the new features El Capitan offers.

Mac users have another choice on their hands after Apple recently released OS X El Capitan. The company claims the OS will make tasks simpler but you, along with every other Mac user, are probably wondering just what has been done to make that statement a reality. Here is a quick look at some of El Capitan’s features and how you can utilize them.

Two for the view of one

One of El Capitan’s most anticipated new features is Split Views. By utilizing this feature, you can view two applications side-by-side simultaneously. Say you are working on a document but also need to communicate with colleagues via Skype; before, you would have to resize the windows yourself, and configure everything on your own. With Split Views, you can have both apps running next to each other in fullscreen mode, all in just two clicks.

To use Split Views, click and hold down the green button you see in the upper-left corner of any window you’re using. The current window will open in Split Views on the left half of your screen once you release the button. After that happens, thumbnails of non-minimized apps that are compatible with Split View will show up on your screen. All you have to do is click on the one you want to open. That app will then appear on the right side of the screen. From there you can adjust just how much of the screen each app uses.

Swiper, yes swiping

Apple has done its best to improve the Mail application with the release of El Capitan. The improvements aim to give the Mail app on your desktop or laptop the same functionality it has on your iPhone and iPad. The most notable of these changes to Mail is the swiping feature users can now utilize to delete or mark emails in their inbox.

A two-finger swipe to the left on the trackpad over a message header brings up the familiar red trash button, while a two-finger swipe to the right sees the blue button with Mark as Read or Mark as Unread appear.

Mail also has several new features in fullscreen mode, including the ability to create new tabs for emails you are composing. It works pretty much the same as any web browser; any time you hit the Compose button, a tab with a new blank email will open up at the top of the screen. You can switch back and forth between these by clicking each tab.

Make a list, check it twice

The Notes application has also received quite a few upgrades. The most useful of these is the ability to turn any list into a checklist with a click of a button. If you have an unformatted list in a note, highlight it, right-click, and click the checklist button to transform it. You’ll also be able to check each item off your list as you complete it.

Off the menu

Do you enjoy how the dock hides for most of the time and only appears when you scroll over it? Ever wish the menu bar would do the same? If so, there is some more great news for you. All you need to do is go to System Preferences and then to General Settings. Once there, you will see an option to Automatically hide and show the menu bar which, if activated, will see the menu bar disappear unless scrolled over.

No more cursing at your cursor

One of the features El Capitan users are so far enjoying the most is also one of the handiest. You can locate your cursor quicker than ever before by moving your finger back and forth on the trackpad, or simply by shaking your mouse.The pointer increases in size, allowing you to locate it with ease.

We understand that switching to a new operating system can be difficult. Let our experts explain the pros and cons of an OS upgrade, and help ensure a smooth transition should you wish to make the change.

First it was Mavericks, then it was Yosemite, and now Apple’s latest operating system is finally here, promising Mac users a bunch of new features to make your computing life easier. Much like climbing the real-life El Capitan in California, you will need to prepare yourself for the journey to the new OS. Here’s a quick look at some of the features of El Capitan and how you can use them.

Mac users have another choice on their hands after Apple recently released OS X El Capitan. The company claims the OS will make tasks simpler but you, along with every other Mac user, are probably wondering just what has been done to make that statement a reality. Here is a quick look at some of El Capitan’s features and how you can utilize them.

Two for the view of one

One of El Capitan’s most anticipated new features is Split Views. By utilizing this feature, you can view two applications side-by-side simultaneously. Say you are working on a document but also need to communicate with colleagues via Skype; before, you would have to resize the windows yourself, and configure everything on your own. With Split Views, you can have both apps running next to each other in fullscreen mode, all in just two clicks.

To use Split Views, click and hold down the green button you see in the upper-left corner of any window you’re using. The current window will open in Split Views on the left half of your screen once you release the button. After that happens, thumbnails of non-minimized apps that are compatible with Split View will show up on your screen. All you have to do is click on the one you want to open. That app will then appear on the right side of the screen. From there you can adjust just how much of the screen each app uses.

Swiper, yes swiping

Apple has done its best to improve the Mail application with the release of El Capitan. The improvements aim to give the Mail app on your desktop or laptop the same functionality it has on your iPhone and iPad. The most notable of these changes to Mail is the swiping feature users can now utilize to delete or mark emails in their inbox.

A two-finger swipe to the left on the trackpad over a message header brings up the familiar red trash button, while a two-finger swipe to the right sees the blue button with Mark as Read or Mark as Unread appear.

Mail also has several new features in fullscreen mode, including the ability to create new tabs for emails you are composing. It works pretty much the same as any web browser; any time you hit the Compose button, a tab with a new blank email will open up at the top of the screen. You can switch back and forth between these by clicking each tab.

Make a list, check it twice

The Notes application has also received quite a few upgrades. The most useful of these is the ability to turn any list into a checklist with a click of a button. If you have an unformatted list in a note, highlight it, right-click, and click the checklist button to transform it. You’ll also be able to check each item off your list as you complete it.

Off the menu

Do you enjoy how the dock hides for most of the time and only appears when you scroll over it? Ever wish the menu bar would do the same? If so, there is some more great news for you. All you need to do is go to System Preferences and then to General Settings. Once there, you will see an option to Automatically hide and show the menu bar which, if activated, will see the menu bar disappear unless scrolled over.

No more cursing at your cursor

One of the features El Capitan users are so far enjoying the most is also one of the handiest. You can locate your cursor quicker than ever before by moving your finger back and forth on the trackpad, or simply by shaking your mouse.The pointer increases in size, allowing you to locate it with ease.

We understand that switching to a new operating system can be difficult. Let our experts explain the pros and cons of an OS upgrade, and help ensure a smooth transition should you wish to make the change.

Love it or hate it, technology is an integral part of your business. Depending on how it’s implemented, it can either spur more productivity and growth, or do exactly the opposite and result in downtime and stagnation. So how can you ensure IT is helping your business instead of hindering it? Here are four technology traps to look out for.

Broken Flow

To grow your business, boost profits, and create a valuable product that people will love, you need to develop an extreme amount of focus. Psychology refers to a process known as Flow, where the brain gets into a positive psychological state and people not only become incredibly productive and creative, but also perform at their best. They achieve both quicker and higher-quality results. In fact, a study by the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company revealed that top executives were five times more productive when they were in a state of flow. So what does this have to do with IT? Technology that constantly breaks or malfunctions will prevent you and your employees from getting into a state of flow.

Distraction

Let’s face it, broken technology is a distraction for many small to medium-sized business owners and their employees. And between the daily onslaught of internal email, social media, and meetings, staff are already distracted enough. If you throw faulty internet connections and servers into this equation, it obviously makes the problem even worse. One researcher from the University of California even found that once an employee is interrupted from their original task, it can take around 23 minutes for them to return to it. That adds up to not only a whole lot of wasted time, but also wasted money. Do your business, yourself, and your employees a favor: get your technology working seamlessly, because it’s one less distraction for your staff to deal with. An MSP can help.

Lack of expertise

People are most productive when they focus on what they do best. If your staff is not equipped to handle your IT problems, they shouldn’t be dealing with them. And if IT issues are killing your productivity on a daily basis, then your tech department is likely understaffed or not knowledgeable or effective enough to handle your problems. This is where an MSP can come in. MSPs focus on cleaning up IT issues for dozens of companies day in, day out. This is all they do, and that means they are specialists. So why not hand off the chore of technology to someone who knows what they’re doing? Then you can focus on what you do best: managing, leading, and growing your business.

Email

As already mentioned, email is undoubtedly a distraction that is a bane for many modern-day businesses. Email can consume you and your employees’ day if you let it. So doesn’t it make sense to try and get it under control? A few ways you can do that include checking your email only at specific times of the day, unsubscribing from email lists that you don’t often use, and signing up for email and spam protection with your local MSP – who can help you keep the unnecessary emails out of you and your employees’ inboxes.

If you’re interested in learning how an MSP can help resolve your technology problems, get in touch with our experts today. We have a staff of seasoned professionals who have the singular focus of making your technology run seamlessly. And we’re ready to help your business become more productive.

Technology can be a blessing or a curse. It can lead to more business growth and productivity, or it can become a stumbling block that leads to downtime and distracted employees. So what are some of the biggest ways technology can hurt your business? Let’s take a look at four technology traps that every business owner should be aware of.

Broken Flow

To grow your business, boost profits, and create a valuable product that people will love, you need to develop an extreme amount of focus. Psychology refers to a process known as Flow, where the brain gets into a positive psychological state and people not only become incredibly productive and creative, but also perform at their best. They achieve both quicker and higher-quality results. In fact, a study by the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company revealed that top executives were five times more productive when they were in a state of flow. So what does this have to do with IT? Technology that constantly breaks or malfunctions will prevent you and your employees from getting into a state of flow.

Distraction

Let’s face it, broken technology is a distraction for many small to medium-sized business owners and their employees. And between the daily onslaught of internal email, social media, and meetings, staff are already distracted enough. If you throw faulty internet connections and servers into this equation, it obviously makes the problem even worse. One researcher from the University of California even found that once an employee is interrupted from their original task, it can take around 23 minutes for them to return to it. That adds up to not only a whole lot of wasted time, but also wasted money. Do your business, yourself, and your employees a favor: get your technology working seamlessly, because it’s one less distraction for your staff to deal with. An MSP can help.

Lack of expertise

People are most productive when they focus on what they do best. If your staff is not equipped to handle your IT problems, they shouldn’t be dealing with them. And if IT issues are killing your productivity on a daily basis, then your tech department is likely understaffed or not knowledgeable or effective enough to handle your problems. This is where an MSP can come in. MSPs focus on cleaning up IT issues for dozens of companies day in, day out. This is all they do, and that means they are specialists. So why not hand off the chore of technology to someone who knows what they’re doing? Then you can focus on what you do best: managing, leading, and growing your business.

Email

As already mentioned, email is undoubtedly a distraction that is a bane for many modern-day businesses. Email can consume you and your employees’ day if you let it. So doesn’t it make sense to try and get it under control? A few ways you can do that include checking your email only at specific times of the day, unsubscribing from email lists that you don’t often use, and signing up for email and spam protection with your local MSP – who can help you keep the unnecessary emails out of you and your employees’ inboxes.

If you’re interested in learning how an MSP can help resolve your technology problems, get in touch with our experts today. We have a staff of seasoned professionals who have the singular focus of making your technology run seamlessly. And we’re ready to help your business become more productive.

Technology can bring a world of productivity and ease to your business, but it also comes with many disadvantages. If you don’t use technology wisely, it can become a constant distraction that prevents your business from moving forward. So how can you use technology more effectively? And what are the IT issues that are holding you back? Let’s look at four of them.

Broken Flow

To grow your business, boost profits, and create a valuable product that people will love, you need to develop an extreme amount of focus. Psychology refers to a process known as Flow, where the brain gets into a positive psychological state and people not only become incredibly productive and creative, but also perform at their best. They achieve both quicker and higher-quality results. In fact, a study by the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company revealed that top executives were five times more productive when they were in a state of flow. So what does this have to do with IT? Technology that constantly breaks or malfunctions will prevent you and your employees from getting into a state of flow.

Distraction

Let’s face it, broken technology is a distraction for many small to medium-sized business owners and their employees. And between the daily onslaught of internal email, social media, and meetings, staff are already distracted enough. If you throw faulty internet connections and servers into this equation, it obviously makes the problem even worse. One researcher from the University of California even found that once an employee is interrupted from their original task, it can take around 23 minutes for them to return to it. That adds up to not only a whole lot of wasted time, but also wasted money. Do your business, yourself, and your employees a favor: get your technology working seamlessly, because it’s one less distraction for your staff to deal with. An MSP can help.

Lack of expertise

People are most productive when they focus on what they do best. If your staff is not equipped to handle your IT problems, they shouldn’t be dealing with them. And if IT issues are killing your productivity on a daily basis, then your tech department is likely understaffed or not knowledgeable or effective enough to handle your problems. This is where an MSP can come in. MSPs focus on cleaning up IT issues for dozens of companies day in, day out. This is all they do, and that means they are specialists. So why not hand off the chore of technology to someone who knows what they’re doing? Then you can focus on what you do best: managing, leading, and growing your business.

Email

As already mentioned, email is undoubtedly a distraction that is a bane for many modern-day businesses. Email can consume you and your employees’ day if you let it. So doesn’t it make sense to try and get it under control? A few ways you can do that include checking your email only at specific times of the day, unsubscribing from email lists that you don’t often use, and signing up for email and spam protection with your local MSP – who can help you keep the unnecessary emails out of you and your employees’ inboxes.

If you’re interested in learning how an MSP can help resolve your technology problems, get in touch with our experts today. We have a staff of seasoned professionals who have the singular focus of making your technology run seamlessly. And we’re ready to help your business become more productive.

For the past few years, many doctors and healthcare practices have found themselves torn as to whether or not they should embrace telehealth. While the benefits of it are undeniable, there have been questions over its security and practicality since it started being implemented over 20 years ago. However, technology and acceptance have finally made telehealth a realistic option for everyone in the healthcare industry.

Telehealth is well past the days of when it constituted nothing more than a doctor and a patient talking over the phone. With the rise of mobile health, along with technological strides made in the past decade, telehealth has become a viable way for doctors to serve patients from all walks of life.

Not only is it a viable way to practice healthcare, in many places it is treated as an equal alternative to in-person doctor’s visits. There are 24 states, plus Washington D.C., that require private insurers to cover telehealth in the same way in-person treatment is covered. And that’s just the beginning. Here are a few other reasons it’s time to embrace telehealth.

It’s not just for rural patients anymore

The original goal of telehealth was to find a way to help connect rural patients to doctors when an in-person visit wasn’t feasible. While this is still an important function of telehealth, more and more city folk have determined it’s far easier to place a call to a doctor for a quick consultation than take time off work to visit one.

With a growing number of patients preferring a video-call doctor’s visit to the real thing, this has gone from being a fad to becoming the new norm. It’s not just the video calling that has proven to be a valuable tool in the telehealth arsenal, either. With countless health monitoring apps now available, it is easier than ever for doctors to get the information they need from clients in order to make informed decisions remotely.

Security and regulations are becoming settled

One of the biggest drawbacks of embracing telehealth was the fact that state and federal regulations seemed to change on a near daily basis, meaning you never knew whether you were compliant with them. Not only that, but you also had to worry about getting equipment and systems that were HIPAA-compliant.

However, regulations on both the state and federal level have become much more stable as telehealth has become more commonplace. Telehealth technology has greatly improved as well, since manufacturers continue to better understand the security requirements involved. Nearly all equipment on the market today is compliant with HIPAA.

It’s covered by insurance

We’ve already mentioned that almost half of the the country requires private insurance to provide full telehealth coverage. Medicare and Medicaid also provide partial telehealth coverage for patients. As the accessibility and acceptance of telehealth continues its upward trajectory, it would seem likely that more insurance companies will be required to cover it. Even if you haven’t noticed a surge in demand for telehealth at your practice, implementing it now can make sure you’re prepared when the rush does come.

If you would like to know more about what you can do to implement telehealth, mHealth or any other healthcare technology, get in touch with us.