Technology is an integral part of almost all businesses these days. However, many organizations do not find it feasible to have an in-house IT team. For those that do, many are unable to manage all the aspects of IT by themselves. That’s why many companies choose to outsource their IT needs. Hiring the right IT support can be one of the most challenging and important

As a small business owner, you’re likely used to wearing a lot of hats: you’re the business accountant, CEO, HR department, security officer, marketing agency, and IT department all at once. When you’re just starting out, it can be easy to fall into the trap of “cutting costs.” If the business is so small, why spend the money to outsource anything you can do

The more advanced and newfangled our tech gets, the more creative hackers and scammers get to take advantage of it. Multi-factor authentication “fatigue” attacks are the latest in a long line of access scams perpetrated by ne’er-do-wells around the world. This tricky – and extremely annoying – hack attack is typically the result of a successful phishing attempt or another way of accessing your

Do you know what “quiet quitting” is? Recently, the phrase has become widely popular on social media. It happens when employees just perform the tasks assigned to them without going above and beyond. Although we have heard a lot about it lately, this idea is not new. However, there are many reasons why it has become more apparent recently. For starters, many workers have

It’s safe to say that, at this point, there is an app for every conceivable need, thanks to the explosion of mobile apps that has followed the widespread use of smartphones. But unfortunately, there are a lot of malicious apps among the many helpful ones, and sadly no app store is safe from them. Luckily, there are ways to spot these malicious apps. What Makes an

We are living in the so-called information age. New technologies are developed daily to improve everyone’s lives by making them simpler, more advanced, and overall better. With the help of modern technology, businesses can reduce costs, enhance customer experiences, and boost revenues. Understanding the tech trends that will rule the upcoming year is the first step to achieving this so that you can utilize

Your organization is probably aware of cyberattacks, and most likely, you’ve invested in security measures to help reduce potential vulnerabilities. But unfortunately, there is still a component known as human error. Cybercriminals use phishing scams, impostor schemes, and other forms of social engineering to hack into people rather than equipment or accounts to get access. Therefore, organizations must take the initiative to ensure that their staff

One of the earliest forms of internet and software security is using passwords. However, in the current environment, when cybercrime is on the rise and hackers are starting to apply machine learning, passwords just aren’t enough of a defense for businesses. Here are four reasons passwords are problematic. Employees Reuse the Same Passwords Over 70% of employees reuse passwords at work, according to a Data

When it comes to cybersecurity, keeping a clean desk is often overlooked, even though it makes sense and seems so simple. It’s important to realize that very few (if any) workplaces are entirely secure. Vendors, cleaning crews, maintenance staff, landlords, and other service providers will all likely have access to your workspace. Additionally, some employees may be handling confidential information and documents to which

Developing a solid security culture is an essential, but often overlooked, component of building a successful business. Cyber threats like ransomware, hacking, and social engineering can wreck your organization’s reputation, are extremely costly, and might possibly take it offline for good. Even if you have excellent cybersecurity defenses in place, if employees aren’t taking their responsibilities seriously, a weak password or malicious link that

Spotting a phishing email isn’t as easy as it once was. From error-free text to accurate brand logos and images, these new attacks are highly successful at fooling even the savviest users and advanced email filters. So, what exactly are phishers doing differently? Everything! From the sender’s address to the footer. But don’t fret. You can still spot a scam, you just need to know

Managed service providers (MSPs) are becoming a go-to source for daily IT activities for businesses of all sizes. However, some IT directors might be reluctant to work with an MSP. They can sometimes be worried that the MSP will become their replacement or that they will lose control of the processes. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Quality MSPs will collaborate closely

The Christmas season is approaching fast. Millions of people will soon be searching for the ideal gifts, and many of us will do our shopping online. But, unfortunately, cybercriminals will also be active, setting up phony internet stores and other online shopping frauds to take your data or money. Here are some things you should watch out for when shopping online this holiday season.

Data protection has become an essential part of all business strategies, regardless of company size. Businesses collect vast amounts of confidential information from their customers and employees that must be protected from security breaches. Cybercriminals continue to evolve the way they execute cyber attacks. Many now use phishing and social engineering attacks to infiltrate a network and spread malware and ransomware. All they need is

Halloween might be upon us, but there’s nothing scarier than your business not utilizing all the features Microsoft Teams has to offer! There is a common misconception that Teams is most useful as a simple chat tool. However, it is much more than an instant messaging platform. Better yet, it has a seemingly limitless number of features and shortcuts. So, instead of dishing out candy,

Ransomware is on the rise as cybercriminals evolve and become increasingly savvy. The consequences can be devastating for businesses that become victims of ransomware attacks. If ransomware lands in some shared locations within networks, it can completely paralyze an organization’s operations. This is why a ransomware defense strategy is vital for businesses of all sizes, not just major corporations. What is Ransomware? Ransomware is a

Backing up your business data is just like testing the smoke detectors in your home – one of those things you should do regularly but isn’t always top-of-mind. With cyber threats like ransomware, malware, and phishing on the rise, targeting businesses of all sizes, it’s impractical to assume that you’ll always be able to prevent an infection. So, your best defense against these threats is

Data breach, ransomware, phishing… OH MY! These are just some of the terms that send chills down an IT manager’s back. And, if you’re a business owner, they should scare you too! Cyberattacks are a significant threat to businesses of every size and industry. They can damage a business’s reputation and even take it offline for good. But unfortunately, you may be unaware of the

Microsoft 365 has become one of the best collaboration and productivity tools around. It provides users seamless communication, scalability, and supports remote work with various features. In addition, Microsoft 365 provides a very secure environment with a wide array of defense mechanisms. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t be susceptible to cyber attacks. Here are five tips to take your data protection to the next

We all know how frustrating it is to open your inbox and be greeted with overflowing junk emails. Your workday just started, and already it’s stressful and overwhelming. Unfortunately, these spammy emails are so much more than just productivity killers. They can also be malicious attempts to steal your sensitive business information or corrupt your computer.  What is Spam? Spam refers to any unwanted

When you think of a cybercriminal, you probably think of an evil mastermind sitting behind a computer, launching sophisticated attacks over the internet. While some of today’s cybercriminals do use advanced technologies, many simply use the phone to trick their victims. Unlike other attacks, fewer security technologies can detect and stop a malicious text message. Plus, while we are constantly on the lookout for

You may think that cybercriminals are less likely to attack your company because you operate a small business. But, unfortunately, that “not much to steal” mindset is entirely incorrect. According to a study analyzing cybersecurity threats in America, 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, and 60% of those who fall victim to a cyberattack go out of business within six months. Fortunately, you can mitigate the risks and

When you store employee data such as social security numbers, bank information, addresses, and medical records, you are responsible for protecting this information. However, knowing how to protect employee data can be difficult. Cybercriminals are a constant threat not only a threat to your business but also to your employees. Therefore, you need to establish policies and processes that ensure everyone who has access

When you think about cybersecurity, you think about defending your business and personal information against hackers who use vulnerabilities in technology to attack data networks. However, another way into an organization’s network involves taking advantage of human weakness. This is known as social engineering. What is a Social Engineering Attack? An attacker uses human interaction to obtain or compromise information about an organization or

The safety of your network’s information is imperative to the success of your business. Often, a big IT disaster started as a minor problem that went undetected. Catching these issues as early as possible is the key to keeping company employees productive.  If you neglect your security, every minute of downtime could result in a loss of revenue and potentially your company’s reputation with its customers.  This

Businesses of all sizes are taking advantage of the many benefits that come with moving company data and applications to the cloud. Whether you’re looking to cut your company’s carbon footprint or you need to protect sensitive data, cloud computing can help. What is Cloud Computing? Cloud computing is a method for gaining on-demand access to computing tools, applications, data storage, networking capabilities, and more

Cybercriminals continue to evolve and develop new creative ways to fool people. Personalized scams have become more prevalent in the last couple of years. These types of phishing scams are harder to recognize since they seem so authentic. Cybercriminals find or purchase information about millions of people, then use that information to personalize their attacks. The more you know about these scams, the easier it

You may not realize it, but cybercriminals constantly find new vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the software people use every day. This software may run your computer, could be the mobile apps you use on your smartphone, or perhaps even the software in your baby monitor or other devices in your home. Attackers take advantage of these software weaknesses, allowing them to break into devices around the

Have you ever seen an ad online that seemed too good to be true? The price is super low, or the products available are out of stock everywhere else. It’s good to be skeptical, as more and more scam ads are popping up and leaving customers with no product, or a sub-par version of the product and no refund. These scammers lure unsuspecting shoppers

Remote and hybrid work has become the new normal for many businesses worldwide, and day-to-day collaborations have shifted to the virtual world. Whether you’re hosting a virtual town hall, carrying out a daily group or 1:1 discussions, sharing documents, or even co-authoring a document in real-time, you need to collaborate safely and effectively. That’s where Microsoft Teams comes in. Here are five tips and safety techniques to

Encryption can be a difficult concept to grasp, but it’s necessary to protect your business’ sensitive data. In simple terms, encryption is the process through which data is encoded so that it remains hidden from, or inaccessible, to hackers or other unauthorized users. It helps protect sensitive information and data. Even if an unauthorized person can access it, they will not be able to

Your business probably has comprehensive cybersecurity policies for all employees to follow. However, even with these protections, it’s important to stay vigilant when it comes to keeping your company’s data and network safe and secure. Cybersecurity best practices include being cautious when engaging in online activities, following company rules, and reaching out for help when you encounter something suspicious. It’s important to remember your

The importance of cybersecurity extends beyond your desktop or laptop computer. When you think about it, many of our everyday electronic devices are computers, from cell phones and tablets to video games, car navigation systems, and more. With advancements in technology and more people using smart devices, there has been a corresponding rise in cyber threats. Each smart device is potentially another way an attacker can access your

Mobile devices, such as tablets, smartphones, and smartwatches, have become one of the primary technologies we use in both our personal and professional lives. What makes these devices so powerful are the thousands of apps we can choose from. These apps enable us to be more productive, communicate and share with others, train and educate, or just have more fun. Here are steps you

In the last five years, cloud technology has become very popular with businesses of all sizes. It gives organizations access to on-demand software and hardware managed by a service provider. Cloud storage certainly offers many benefits; however, some businesses still find local storage more practical. With advantages to both cloud storage and local storage, it’s essential to understand and weigh the options before making the right

If you’re thinking of migrating your company to Microsoft Office 365‘s cloud platform this year, you’re not alone. Cloud computing has changed the way businesses carry out their day-to-day operations and communication. It has also enhanced overall productivity by providing the tools your business needs to run smoothly and efficiently. Featuring apps that are customizable, user-friendly, and intelligent. Office 365 allows your business to streamline administrative tasks and

You would only call on your IT team when something broke or wasn’t working correctly in the past. However, thanks to technology and the internet, this department is leading the charge of innovating strategies to leverage technology and support business goals. But, unfortunately, not every company can afford the type of IT staff needed to remain up-to-date on changing technology, and even the ones who

Working from home can seem like a dream come true for many employees who are sick of their morning commutes and like the idea of spending more time with their family and pets, but it’s not without its own set of challenges. Digital miscommunications, time management problems, and technology issues are just some of the challenges you can face when working from home. In this blog, we’re looking

Choosing who to trust with the full scope of your organization’s information technology can be a daunting task. In today’s world, businesses live and die by their ability to embrace and use technology to their advantage. This is why it’s vital to choose a managed service provider (MSP) that can meet your business IT needs and have the experience and qualifications to take your company

Imagine coming home after a long day of work and finding your house key isn’t working, and you can’t get into your home. You look in a window, and you can see everything inside is being held hostage, but you’re completely helpless. Suddenly you get a text message on your phone saying, “Pay us $10,000 now to unlock your home.” This is exactly what

Your small business may only be open 9 to 5, but with thousands of cyber threats surfacing every day, your IT infrastructures needs to be monitored around the clock. For example, if a virus targeted your network in the middle of the night, would you know what to do? You would if you had a Managed Service Provider (MSP) monitoring your network 24 hours

For a business to run smoothly, safely, and securely, your IT infrastructure needs to be managed by experienced professionals. From updating devices and networks to ensuring data privacy and protection, overseeing IT operations can be challenging. Unfortunately, many small and medium businesses don’t have the time, talent, or money to keep their IT operations in-house. That’s why many companies have already outsourced their IT needs to

QR or Quick Response Codes can be found anywhere these days. From ads to business cards and billboards, even on product packaging, in magazines, and so on. These little black-and-white square designs make finding more information easy. With the help of your smartphone, all you have to do is scan the code and be instantly directed to a website or even a coupon. But, unfortunately,

Technology is constantly changing and evolving. Increased productivity, collaboration, and security are things every business owner wants. However, keeping up with this evolving technology can be challenging and time-consuming. In addition, as your business grows, so will its IT needs. But maintaining an in-house IT team is not always a practical solution. Allowing a managed service provider (MSP) to take on some responsibility can

Your small business probably doesn’t have to stamp “top secret” on its folders or have facial recognition to enter your building. However, you should develop an Access Control Policy to effectively protect your business and customer data. What is an Access Control Policy? An Access Control Policy establishes rules and guidelines detailing who can access data and resources for your business. It also outlines when

Like most organizations, small businesses have to handle customer data to run their operation. Unfortunately, small business owners don’t always have the resources to secure that data in the same ways larger businesses do – making them an easy target for cybercriminals. Even an amateur cybercriminal knows they will likely find a naïve user they can trick with a phishing email — or an

For most businesses, email is the most important communication tool. However, email remains a massive source for cyber security threats. Cybercriminals can spoof domains to appear as a legitimate source, distribute malware and spam via email channels, and use social engineering to trick users into making payments or giving up sensitive account information. So, what can you do to protect your business? Here are

It’s a fact that most data breaches occur because of human error. Cybercriminals are well aware of this, and they know exactly how to manipulate people into clicking without thinking. That’s why email scams — also known as phishing — have become so successful. Phishing has become an even bigger problem during the last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our stress levels are

Staying on top of your email can be an overwhelming, time-consuming, and tedious task. It doesn’t take long to rack up a bajillion unread emails – and that’s the scientific number. For that reason, many modern employees feel like they have to check the constant influx of messages, often at the expense of other tasks. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Here are some

All businesses today, big and small, handle an increasing amount of data. Unfortunately, data loss is pretty common and can have devastating effects on your company’s success and reputation. Imagine what would happen if all your employee, customer, and vendor information was wiped out or misplaced – without warning. It would be extremely difficult to keep your business running for any period of time without

In today’s business world, productivity, innovation, and efficiency are what drive success. The key to all those has become the use of technology in the workplace. It doesn’t matter whether your team is small or large, working in an office or remotely; you can always make technology work better for you. Here are a few ways technology can help boost your day-to-day productivity and efficiency. Fast

When you think about data security for your business, the first thing you picture is usually an outside intruder. It might be a cyber spy from overseas or some kid in his parent’s basement hacking into your servers. However, the greatest threats are most likely sitting in your office or, these days, those people in the boxes of your video calls. We’re not saying

We’re excited to share this press release! About four years ago we started a one-stop shop consortium of trusted, vetted small business consultants. We help business owners outsource all the services they need so they can focus on doing what they do best – growing their business! https://www.prlog.org/12867363-smb-turnkey-solutions-launches-new-website-to-support-northeast-florida-small-business-owners.html

Microsoft Teams has quickly become one of our favorite collaborative tools. With the majority of us continuing to work remotely, this app is a productivity gold mine! The best part, you probably already have access to it. The Teams app comes automatically with Office 365. Teams also offers a basic plan for free if you sign up or create a new Microsoft account. It’s

We live in a world that works, plays, and heavily relies on the internet for day-to-day tasks. Whether it’s connecting with coworkers from your home office during the day to hosting a virtual happy hour with your family or friends at night. We shop for groceries and goods, stream movies and TV shows, and even look for love with the latest dating apps. While the

We’ve mentioned in previous blogs that Office 365 offers great incentives for businesses of any size. Once you make the move, you’ll see a big change in the way you do business. You and your staff will be able to work from almost anywhere, using any device, and securely share files, calendars, and contacts with your team and your customers. While there are many

Over the last year, the workplace has changed significantly. Many companies were forced to move their employees from working in an office space to working remotely from home. While things are starting to return to normal, many businesses have seen the benefits of a remote workforce, and fewer are returning to the office lifestyle. Thanks to technology, it is possible to work collaboratively and

The term BYO usually means you’ve been invited to a party where the host wants to save themselves from supplying things like drinks or food. In the case of BYOD (bring your own device), the party is your small business, and as the owner you cannot only save yourself money but also increase worker satisfaction and productivity. Not sure if you’re ready to RSVP yet?

We’ve put together a list of five new year’s resolutions to take your small business technology to the next level.

If you’re a small business owner, you know that finding new and creative ways to save money whenever possible is just as vital to the success of your business as driving sales. Luckily, finding ways to cut costs is easier than you think, and the changes can be surprisingly painless. Here are some easy ways you can save money for your small business. Outsource as

As technology progresses each year, new solutions become available to help small business owners. These solutions can increase productivity, grow your business, and boost your revenue. Here are five technology solutions to fix in the new year. Problem: Excruciatingly Slow Internet Solution: Increase Network, Wi-Fi & Internet Speeds The Internet has become even more of a lifeline this year. Think of how frustrating it

With most computers attached to the Internet 24-7, the threat of computer viruses and other forms of malware are always present. Even if you’ve taken precautionary measures and installed antivirus software, how sure are you that it’s doing its job to keep you safe?  Here are some simple steps to make sure you are getting the most out of your security software. Keep Antivirus

We’ve all been there: We’re frantic to print out a report before a meeting, and nothing works. Then that pop-up strikes: Drivers out of date. You don’t have time to figure out the problem, but you know what this means – you’re not getting your report printed in time for that meeting. So, why does this happen? Why does our technology freeze up right

We’ve all had days where it feels like no matter how hard we work, NOTHING gets done. At that point, we tell ourselves, “It’s time to multi-task.” Although working on more than one thing at once may SOUND like a good idea, when we put multi-tasking into practice, we often get less done than we would have if we tackled one thing at a

What’s the point of shelling out for a custom email domain when you can get a free email account from Gmail or Yahoo? If you’ve asked yourself this question before, you’re asking the right questions. Many business owners who are just starting out choose to register a free email account for their business. This helps keep costs low at the outset, but eventually, our

Looking for a way to save your business money? Start by rethinking your approach to IT. In this day and age, a full IT department isn’t a necessary business expense. This is especially true for businesses with only a handful of employees. It’s much more efficient and budget-friendly to invest in IT services that support your business, rather than the salary and overhead that

In the era of coronavirus, businesses have learned to function mostly or entirely online. We’ve traded in-person meetings for Zoom conferences, quick chats at the water cooler for equally speedy emails, and more. But what would happen to your business if one day, with no warning whatsoever, your email accounts simply disappeared? For the team at McBride & Lucius, an instance like this turned

We get it! Managing a remote team is difficult, especially during times when what feels like your “normal” routine one day might be thrown out the window the next. As a manager or a business owner, it’s critical to develop top-notch communication skills for getting messages across to your employees. Particularly during times of change, these tips for better employee communication will help you

If you’re looking to hire during COVID-19, you may be considering hiring remote employees. The best way to hire a remote team member is to be flexible: While much of the hiring process stays the same, there are things to think about when it comes to fitting someone new into a remote team. These tips break down what to do when you hire a

1 in every 99 emails is a phishing scam – for American employees, this comes out to 4.8 emails per employee in a five-day workweek. Can your employees avoid five phishing scams a week? There’s a way to find out. One of the best ways to assess your small business’s email security is to send out a simple test: a fake phishing scam. Phishing

In the middle of tumultuous times, many of our small business clients are asking the same question: How can my business save money in the middle of a pandemic? As all small business owners know, the unexpected costs of running a business pile up at the worst times. And when global economic uncertainty comes into play, the instinct can be to batten down the

As more and more brick-and-mortar retailers move their businesses online, the question of e-commerce security becomes ever more critical. What security features do you need to safely sell products online? The customer purchase funnel presents too many opportunities for security breaches.  Think about it – at every step of the customer’s purchase process, how many opportunities are there for identity theft, data breaches, or

If you run your business from the Southeast, the Gulf of Mexico, or certain parts of the East Coast, then you’re probably familiar with hurricane season. For people living in the Atlantic basin, hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th each year. Most permanent residents of these areas are familiar with hurricane prep, especially when it comes to our homes. However, it’s

Like iPhones, laptops, and useful programs, viruses and malware are constantly evolving. Today’s IT provider has to stay three steps ahead of hackers and malicious programs. A virus can make a computer slow, buggy, or even unusable. For the average Joe, viruses are a nuisance. For business owners, they can be catastrophic. Luckily, modern IT technology like antivirus and anti-malware is constantly evolving, too!

If your business is ready to expand, one of the first things you’ll need to address is workplace technology. But how do you know you’re getting the best bang for your buck, WITHOUT breaking the bank? Today, let’s break down the step-by-step process for creating (and sticking to!) a small business technology budget. Step 1: Take inventory. Before you start crunching numbers, take stock

How do your technology needs change when you switch to a remote work environment? When you’re ready to start hiring again, how do you know your team has the right technology in place? Today, we’re taking a closer look at the IT concerns behind hiring a new employee: what you should have set up before they arrive, how to boost security, and how to

In past articles, we’ve taken a closer look at some of our most sought-after offerings: GTS PhishGuard, GTS EncryptGuard, and GTS Office 365 Backup. These collaborative tools combine to create an all-in-one security package for small business owners who rely on Office 365 – and it will be a powerful part of your daily routine. That’s why we’re so excited to roll out GTS

How many times have you shared login info by email? We all know not to do it, but when the workday gets away from us, we’ll do just about anything to save a few minutes’ time. On the other hand, some of us take the time to encrypt our emails without realizing that encryption isn’t supported on the other end of the data transfer.

We all know the dangers of phishing scams—credit card fraud, dubious wire transfers, data leaks—but what if there was a way to safeguard your inbox from phishing scams in the first place? Four or five times a week—sometimes as often as three times a day!—our team receives forwarded emails from our clients, all asking variations of the same question: “Is this legit? Should I

What would you do if the work computer you rely on for everything—you know the one—suddenly decided not to turn on? Without backups in place, how many files, contacts, and critical programs would your business lose access to? This is exactly what happened to Curt Coenen and Belinda Casper. “Mine was a brand new laptop,” says Belinda. “It had all my files, presentations, and

Sometimes we come across an app or online tool that’s so awesome we can’t stop talking about it. Microsoft Teams is one of the best collaboration tools for remote businesses in 2020, and right now, it should be your go-to tool for getting things done. Hot take, right? Hear us out. It’s 11:39 AM on a Monday morning. Since 9:00, the GTS team has

Happy Earth Day! As business owners, we’re constantly looking for new ways to improve our efficiency and give back to our communities. However, most small businesses don’t have the resources or manpower to roll out an entire program devoted to corporate responsibility. One of the best ways for small businesses to boost their accountability is by practicing workplace conservation. If you’re ready for your

With so much panic and uncertainty in the news, the COVID-19 pandemic is a heyday for scammers. Don’t let your business fall prey to scammer panic! With a few minutes of research and a commitment to double-checking, you can arm yourself—and your business—against potential coronavirus scams. This week, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most common scams circulating in the wake

What’s your biggest pet peeve when it comes to virtual meetings? Holding a meeting by video or conference call can often feel like playing a game of “Uh Oh Bingo.” Mark off three squares if you’ve ever had someone drop off the call due to a bad Internet connection, get interrupted by a pet or housemate, or accidentally mute themselves in the middle of

When catastrophe struck, Dennis Povloski found his business dead in the water—for two full weeks. A ransomware attack ground operations to a halt for DF Pensions, Inc.’s online provider. DF Pensions had recently moved its office to a cloud-based virtual server. When the office’s online provider was hit hard by ransomware, Dennis’s business suffered. “Fortunately, no data was compromised, but our provider had to

With everything going on in the world today, small business owners are really struggling. GTS is part of a business network group called SMB Turnkey Solutions (https://www.smbturnkey.com). We met over a Zoom conference this morning, and we wanted to let our Northeast Florida small business family know that we are here to help. Our group is made up of seven business experts, and today

With much of the world transitioning from office work to working from home, many small businesses are struggling to integrate virtual work platforms at the last second. If you’ve made the decision to send employees home, you can still keep your business running smoothly with a little technology magic. Whether you’re a new business with a small team or an established company with a

As a small business owner, you’ve probably got a good idea of goals for your business. Generate revenue. Follow up with leads. Convert sales. But with so much on your plate, how do you know you’re setting the “right” goals for your business? One of the best ways to boost small business efficiency is to commit yourself to goals that make sense for your

Going it alone in the world of business? According to statistics, you’re NOT alone! 80% of small businesses in the U.S. operate without any employees—meaning, one tough, whip-smart CEO runs the whole ship. When you’re the only employee in your small business, it can often feel like it’s you against the world. However, just because you wear a lot of hats in your day-to-day

GTS is growing, and we’re excited to welcome Michael Gregory to our team as our new Sales & Support Technician! Michael has a strong business background with more than twenty years of customer service experience (and that’s what we’re all about here at GTS!) With a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a strong technical skill set, Michael is a great fit

It’s the age of the remote employee! Many of today’s businesses operate across continents and time zones, with employees meeting in person once or twice a year—if at all. When everyone on your team works from different locations, it can feel nearly impossible to get everyone on the same page. However, many modern collaboration and security tools exist specifically for small businesses to keep

GTS is excited to announce a relationship with The Della Porta Group to offer Cyber Insurance to our customers! Cyber insurance is designed to help businesses recover from expenses that might occur as the result of a data breach. This includes forensic investigations, business losses, lawsuits, extortion attempts AND recovery expenses! A report by USA Today found that approximately 61 percent of data breaches

Data is everywhere. Employee bank information, client addresses, credit card numbers, style guides—how much sensitive information does your business process over a single day? All that data doesn’t stay in one place. It’s stored, transferred, analyzed, collected, processed, and accessed by any number of legitimate users. So, what’s stopping an illegitimate user from accessing all of those juicy credit card numbers? While a business

The business world is full of unexpected delays. Your project management platform shouldn’t be one of them. Especially when working as part of a remote team, an integrated project management platform can help your business stay on top of client requests, project updates, and time constraints. These systems are constantly changing—in this blog, we’ll take a look at five of the best project management

In the era of identity fraud, database leaks, and sloppy cybersecurity, committing to password strength is one of the easiest ways to improve security—and one of the most common steps working professionals forget to take. We all know not to set “password” as our password—but what makes a good set of security credentials, anyway? A strong password is complex, varied, and original. You can

When small businesses and IT collide, we come across a number of misconceptions about what business owners need. For example, many small business owners think their business is safe from cyber attacks because hackers have bigger fish to fry. Other small businesses believe they are “too small” to benefit from outsourcing their technology headaches. Still others might think all they need for a successful

The end of the year is an excellent time for planning: prepping for tax season, archiving old client information, and planning your budget for the new year. While you’re preparing your next year’s IT strategy, take the time to address your current storage system. How can improvements to your storage system help boost your business? Take a closer look at your filing system. Clutter

Picture this: you’re ready to start your workday and sit down at your laptop, coffee in hand. You’re halfway through your morning cup before your computer finishes its boot-up process, and you finish your drink in the time it takes Outlook to run. Then, when you’ve clicked on your first email and switched over to your calendar to see what meetings you have in

For business owners, the end of the year can seem like a massive hurdle to jump. With taxes, budgets, and vacation time to plan, it can feel like there’s no time to celebrate the holidays at all! However, the end of the year can be a great time to get a head start on planning, especially if you start early. This checklist will help

Whether you’re starting your business or looking for ways to upgrade in the New Year, it’s always a good idea to take stock of your current IT practices and find ways to improve. But what are those “current IT practices”? How do you identify areas for improvement without leaving anything out? And what if your “IT department” is just one business laptop? Our 15-point

November is all about boosting small businesses! This week, we’re diving into tools that boost collaboration for small businesses: Office 365, online meeting tools, and the GTS Password Management Portal. When you work as part of a small team, it’s critical for everyone to have access to everything they need, whenever they need it. To that end, online collaboration tools are the perfect tool

There’s a general assumption among small business owners that only large corporations have to deal with IT security concerns. In fact, small businesses face a range of vulnerabilities that many corporations don’t face at all—and if they do, they have an entire IT department dedicated to fighting those security concerns. To that end, we give all of our small business clients a detailed rundown

“A Win-Win All The Way Around” – An Interview with Michelle Spires Many small business owners believe that because their business doesn’t deal with a “techy” industry, they have no need for IT services. Life coaching and whole body wellness might seem like one of those businesses, but Michelle Spires has seen a huge improvement in her business flow since working with GTS. Through

Happy Computer Learning Month! This week, we’re tackling our second computer learning topic: the importance of regular, secure backups. Do you have a backup system in place? No matter what industry you’re in, your business handles some type of sensitive information. Whether that includes credit card payments, health insurance information, or client contact info (or all of the above!), every business needs a way

Let’s kick off Computer Learning Month by debunking a common myth of the business world. Many business owners think that hackers only target companies with the largest payoff, like banks and major financial organizations. In fact, this is about as far from the truth as it could be: hackers go after small businesses because they’re often considered easy targets. Many small businesses do not

Ransomware is one of the wilder forms of malware attacks circulating the technology industry today. The concept is simple: a hacker and a victim get into a malicious game of “monkey in the middle,” where the hacker holds sensitive files hostage until the victim pays a ransom, usually in the form of an online payment. Although it sounds scary, ransomware is a lot like

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When it comes to business technology, Sue Parten finds herself working with more than one type of Windows. Her company, WindowWears Inc., designs, fabricates, and installs custom draperies and shades for interior designers. While the work itself takes the skill of an expert craftsman, managing the business takes an extensive amount of technology. “We are completely reliant on technology for our day to day

Microsoft recently announced that it is sunsetting all support for the Windows 7 operating system. As of January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer offer technical support, software updates, or security updates for PCs running Windows 7. For some business owners, this change may be unexpected. Luckily, we have the perfect amount of time to prepare for it. If you haven’t started already, it’s

After a three-month implementation project, we are delighted to announce that Grand Technology Solutions is now a HIPAA verified company and has received the HIPAA Seal of Compliance from the Compliancy Group (https://compliancy-group.com)! This means that GTS is now utilizing some of the best data protection solutions and security policies available on today’s market. Using the security standards that address protected health information (PHI),

Many small business owners tend to ignore their IT and security needs, simply based on the idea that their business is “too small” for a full IT department. In some cases, the expense may not sound worth it – an educated, high-quality staff member, with health insurance and PTO costs. Instead, many business owners opt for a one-size-fits-all antivirus software. If they’re feeling fancy,

As a Certified Public Accountant, Celeste Grande has a lot on her plate when it comes to running her business. Celeste’s accounting advisory firm specializes in small businesses that are owned and operated by their shareholders. Her specialized approach encompasses proper planning and management for all her clients’ tax needs – and without the right technology and support, Celeste could not do what she

When you’re starting a business, your IT needs are probably the last thing on your mind. But whether you’re a solopreneur, a team leader, or one half of a rockin’ partnership, you need to be thinking about your technology. A polished online presence can set your business apart from similar companies in your industry. Effective IT can also give you a leg up on

When was the last time you looked at your smartphone? Are you reading this article from it now? Mobile devices are changing the way we do business. With the advent of new technologies, cloud storage, communications apps, and more, the tiny computers we hold in our hands seem to have endless possibilities. Today, many businesses operate under a “bring-your-own-device” (or BYOD) policy. This means

For most businesses, if an employee’s computer performance starts to drop, the first course of action might be to investigate that computer’s settings, antivirus, and storage. However, did you know it’s possible to make group updates to a business’s computers via a shared network? Establishing an internal network for your business technology is a great way to set your IT systems up for success.

For Andrea Rosenblatt and the rest of her three-person team at A. Chef’s Cooking Studio, an actual day off seemed like a far-off dream. In 2006, Chef Andrea opened A. Chef’s Cooking Studio as a studio for cooks of all experience levels – apartment chefs, professional cooks, and first-timers alike come together to sharpen their knife skills, learn the proper approach for mise en

Slow Internet speeds can be frustrating, but for a business they can be downright catastrophic. How often has a poor Internet connection disrupted a client video call, or made it impossible to process credit card payments? Your first instinct might be to turn to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, there are a number of other factors that could be causing a slow or

“Antivirus” and “antimalware” are two terms we hear a lot in the world of managed IT services. Most people know that certain software exists to block harmful programs and downloads, and remove them if they ever make it onto our computers. But how do they work? And what exactly are they? Let’s start by looking at the things these programs protect your system against:

If your connection to the Internet goes down, what happens to your business for the day? For most business owners, “no Internet” often means “no business.” That’s why it’s so critical to have IT support to get your business back on its feet as quickly as possible. Luckily, there are some Wi-Fi 101 quick fixes you can try if your Internet service is interrupted.

When we began serving small business clients in Northern Florida and around the country, many of our first customers told us that they felt their business was “too small” to need an IT company. Their initial impression of managed IT services was that they’d need to shell out thousands of dollars per month for a large-scale technology solution, like the armies of computers and

What would happen to your business if one day, you woke up and discovered that all of your critical data was gone? This happened to one of our clients recently – a server crash left their computers wiped, their data lost to the digital ether. Or so they thought. Because we had set up automatic data backups through our remote monitoring and management services,

Imagine this: you’re on a cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and you get a call from an employee back home. The office computer system just crashed! You’re cursing yourself because you know your computer had been sending you “Update Now!” messages all week, but you were too busy with work to pay attention to them. Now all of your client

How important is your email address when communicating with potential clients? If you’re just starting to build your business, you may be working with a free email account, such as Gmail or Yahoo. While these email clients are great for personal use, they tend to fall flat when used to run a business. Most professionals use email addresses tied to their business’s domain (such

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and practice management software has transformed the way we run small businesses. A CRM, such as Clio for law offices or MINDBODY for spas and yoga studios, manages customers across their entire journey through the sales funnel. Using applications like these reduces the time and effort it takes to reach new clients, manage their payments, and keep their information up

Learn how to protect yourself, your business, your family, and your data from cyber attacks. Watch our eighteen-minute Cybersecurity Basics video to learn what you can do to avoid becoming a cyber attacker’s next victim.

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Grand Technology Solutions – A Small Business Case Study Northern Virginia Appraisal Services (703) 978-2110 nvappraisals@cox.net 42949 Ridgeway Drive, Ashburn, VA 20148 www.northernvirginiaappraisalservices.com NVAS is a leading provider of real estate valuations for the mortgage lending marketplace. With many years of experience in the business, they have a proven track record of reducing lenders time, efforts and costs in managing the appraisal process. What

It’s only Tuesday, and we’ve already worked with two clients this week whose computers have been infected by malicious browser extensions. What is a Browser Extension? Browser extensions (sometimes called plugins or add-ons) extend your web browser’s functionality with additional features, modify web pages, and integrate with your web browser to create shortcuts that can save time. There are thousands of browser extensions available,

What would you do if your computer crashed and you lost EVERYTHING? Do you have backups of your data? If you’re a home user, are you willing to risk all of your family photos and important documents if your computer crashes? If you run a small business, how much time, money, and potential revenue would be lost if you suddenly lost access to your

With an affordable Office 365 implementation, you and your small business staff can work from anywhere, using any device and securely share files, calendars, and contacts with your team and your customers. We just finished moving another new client away from an old web-based email system and into an Office 365 platform. For a couple hundred bucks per user per year, we can help

We’ve had several business and residential clients reach out to Grand Technology Solutions for help recently after becoming victims of various tech support scams. Some of these clients questioned these random calls or popup windows and called us right away. In those cases, we have been able to help clients remove popup messages that seemingly locked up their Internet browser, scan systems for malicious

Grand Technology Solutions supports small businesses, home-based businesses, and families with technology improvements. We have lots of clients who would be happy to share their positive experiences working with GTS. Here are a few recent testimonials: “Grand Technology Solutions is a must if you are looking to protect and enhance your computer systems. Paul is both professional and great to work with, and he

Do you run a home-based business? Grand Technology Solutions can help! Declutter your work space by implementing secure cloud file storage. Work from anywhere using any device with an affordable Office 365 account. Share files and calendars with colleagues and clients Access your files, contacts, and calendars on the go from your smart phone, iPad, or laptop computer. Everything is automatically synchronized to all

“You’re a business owner, and no matter what your core business is, there is no denying that technology plays an important role in your daily operations. As we grow more dependent on modern technologies and systems, IT failures are starting to directly impact our ability to do business, in some cases with catastrophic consequences. While you might think of technology as being secondary to

Are you one of the growing number of iOS (iPhone, iPad, etc.) users experiencing a strange “predictive text” bug where typing an ” I ” automatically changes the text to ” A [?] ” (or something similar)? This problem came out with recent iOS updates, but it is not affecting all users. If your iPhone or iPad is one of those affected by the

Do you have an old desktop or laptop computer that you’ve been meaning to get rid of, but you’re concerned about making sure your data doesn’t get into the wrong hands? Grand Technology Solutions offers affordable data destruction services. For just $45 per computer, we’ll pick up your old PC or Mac, wipe the drive using three-pass industry-standard data destruction utilities, and provide you

As part of a new relationship with any new client (business or residential), we run through our Grand Technology Solutions 15 Point Technology Check. This allows us to document the existing network and equipment in place and make recommendations for improvement if needed. Give us a call to schedule our 15 Point Technology Check! 1. Inventory current PC and Macintosh computers to document model,

We’ve worked with several small business clients who carry both a cell phone and an iPad to meetings, both with paid data connections for access to the Internet. Most cell phones (and their data packages) now allow for “Personal Hotspot” connectivity, where you can turn on a Wi-Fi connection from your phone to provide Internet access to your iPad, tablet, or laptop (often up