Dymin Blog

Your business is ready to upgrade the phone system. You need something that is easy to use that won’t break your budget. What other features and functionality should you consider when shopping for a new phone system? We have compiled a list of eight things you should look for. 

One of the basics of running a successful business is to make and stick to a budget. We all know that is much easier said than done, but this vital tool can allow you to see the complete picture of what your small business is spending on IT services. Analyzing spending, profits, and cash flow enables you to anticipate future ways to spend your money—because, as you know, technology always needs updates and more or better software and hardware, all of which cost money. 

Here are 9 tips for developing an IT budget for your small business. 

HIPAA was designed to protect electronic health information, so making sure that your healthcare business technology meets HIPAA compliance is of utmost importance. Healthcare providers that are transparent with their HIPAA compliance instill more confidence in their patients, since they can rest assured that their information is private and secure.

Most small business owners think they have their digital security under control because they have a firewall or because they use a spam filter on their email. But the reality is, you’re more likely than not nowhere close to covering everything. In fact, 58 percent of malware attack victims are small businesses. Full protection is layered and multifaceted, requiring that your small business is covered by at least six basic security items.

Small businesses today need the flexibility to adapt to fast-paced marketplaces and changing client needs. As a result, businesses are seeking phone systems that do more than simply make and receive calls. Small businesses need communications systems that accommodate video calls, webinars, instant messaging, and even send emails and faxes when necessary. The following sections describe what small businesses should look for in a new phone system. 

To remain competitive, small businesses today need to combine efficient communication with flexibility. Instead of hosting expensive and labor-intensive phone servers, small businesses are increasingly opting to use cloud-based phone systems. Hosting phone services through an internet connection, these cloud-based phone systems are providing cheaper, more flexible communications options, increasing business efficiency and minimizing costs. 

Cloud storage can refer to both large public cloud storage options run by companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, as well as smaller private clouds run by individual businesses. Large public clouds like those run by Google have been popular because of their convenience and almost ubiquitous presence. However, IDC’s 2018 Cloud and AI Adoption Survey found that 80 percent of respondents reported that their businesses were moving data onto a private cloud or even ceased using cloud storage altogether. The primary reason for the migration, according to the study, is that many businesses no longer believe the large public clouds to be as secure as they need. This article explains the best practices to keep business data secure over the cloud. 

Windows 7 continues to play a major role in businesses around the country. According to Net Market Share’s data for December 2018, Windows 7 still constitutes 36.9% of the market share, while Windows 10 has just edged it out at 39.22%. As of August 2018, Windows 7 is still used by nearly 45 percent of businesses in the United States. Many businesses continue to use outdated operating systems in order to avoid the troubleshooting and expense of implementing new systems. Simply put, many businesses do not feel the need to fix what isn’t broken. Despite the success and prevalence of Windows 7, thousands of businesses will have to update their operating systems to Windows 10 and adjust their workflows to take advantage of its new features. 

If you'd rather we deal with this so you don't have to, let us know! Schedule a discussion here. 

Before business operations were transferred to networked cloud storage, the primary security challenge facing businesses was virus protection. Malware slowed down and often disabled devices, costing companies valuable time and resources. However, as more businesses conduct their business online or on cloud networks, securing data such as customer identities, login credentials, and browsing activity has become the primary security focus.  As a result, working safely and securely over the internet requires companies to both protect their company’s devices from viruses and secure increasingly vast amounts of data. 

Outdated, reactive IT services end up costing businesses untold amounts of revenue each year. We are all familiar with the old IT model. Employees submit a help ticket when their computers malfunction, and the IT department does their best to solve the problems. However, as business and technology innovation picks up pace every year, that system is simply too slow. Proactive IT departments anticipate problems before they arise and see opportunities before your competitors. 

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