5 Reasons to Get Managed IT Services for Your Company!

Managed IT Services Boston

Learn How Managed IT Services Can Benefit Your Company!

Computers systems are an integral part of business in today’s world and it is no wonder that managed IT services has become popular among B2B companies.

Most managed IT service providers offer the following:

i) Helpdesk support

ii) Predictive and proactive system management

iii) Solving IT problems as they arise

iv) System notifications and alerts

vi) Maintenance of computer systems

vii) 24/7 monitoring

There are many benefits of outsourcing your IT support services.

The benefits include:

1. Reduced overheads. You can reduce your business expenses by outsourcing your IT services requirements. Having an in-house IT team can be costly especially if you do not need the services on a daily basis. By using managed IT service providers, you will only pay for support when you need it.

2. Increased efficiency. Unless your core business is providing IT solutions or services, you do not need an in-house IT department. You can run your business more efficiently by concentrating on your areas of expertise, ensuring your customers get the best products or services. Leave matters related to IT support to experts from a managed IT services company.

3. Scalability. Managed IT services are scalable depending on your needs. The service provider can allocate you a team based on the scale of your business. When you get more computers and upgrade your systems, you can request for additional experts that will be able to handle the new infrastructure.

4. Customized plans. You can customize your managed IT service requirements based on different factors such as pay as you go, pay per machine, pay by the hour, pay by number of experts and so on. This ensures your IT expenses are properly utilized in areas that they are needed most and an effective manner.

5. Quickly implement new technology. A managed IT services provider can quickly set up and implement new technology, ensuring your infrastructure is performing optimally and contributing to the successful operations of your business. Implementing new technology in-house may take months and it may be difficult to find people with the right expertise. You can save time and eliminate guesswork by relying on expert managed IT services providers.

You can outsource your IT requirements to a managed IT services provider with the expertise to manage, maintain and ensure your computing technology is operating optimally. B2B companies are engaging these providers to reduce their IT maintenance costs.

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Learn from IT Security Experts How to Keep Your Network Secure!

IT Security Boston

Here's How to Keep Your Network Secure

Most home and office routers are secure in their default settings. However, it is important to take extra measures to secure your network even further rather than relying on the default settings. The problem with not tweaking your router settings is that anyone with experience in using the router can find a way to penetrate your network.

There are two important things you should consider to keep your network safe: prudence and proper settings. Below are some IT security tips that will help you keep your network safe:

1. Encrypt your Wi-Fi network

Set a password to enable access to your Wi-Fi network. The password should only be provided to your team or authorized persons whom you trust. Make sure the password is easy to remember but hard to guess. Ideally, it should have a minimum of 8 characters, both numbers and letters.

Depending on your router, the password may be referred to as a passphrase, pre-shared key, pass-key or encryption key. Check the security standards supported by your router. The most secure standard is the WPA2 although most client devices are compatible with WPA.

2. Change crucial default settings

Since the default settings that come with routers are set by the manufacturers and are public information, they can be easily sidestepped. The default settings can make your setup process faster but your router will be easy to hack.

Two most important default settings you should change in your router are the log-in password and IP address. These two enable you to access and manage your router’s settings via a Web interface, for example, through your browser.

To change the router’s default log-in password via the Web interface, go to Administration or Tools. The log-in password you set should be different from the password you use to access your Wi-Fi network.

3. Disable remote access features

Most routers, especially those that come with a USB port, can be accessed remotely over the Internet. Keep remote access features turned off unless you really need and know how to secure them. Moreover, use proper IT security restrictions such as HTTPS for remote management. Another feature you should consider turning off is the UPnP, which can be easily exploited by web hackers.

The above are some of the things you can do to improve your IT security. The changes can be done in a matter of hours but are crucial to the security of your network.

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Boston IT Services Discusses the Different Types of Cloud Computing

Boston IT Services

Here are the Different Types of Cloud Computing

An IT services study carried out in 2012 by KPMG showed that more businesses are evaluating, moving towards, or using cloud computing. No matter which business you are in, cloud computing is becoming a necessary technology and it is good to know about.

Here are the main types of cloud computing you should know of:

1. Public Cloud

This cloud infrastructure is provided to public users by a provider hosting the infrastructure. Examples of public cloud include Google, Microsoft, Amazon AWS and others. With a public cloud model, users have no control over where the infrastructure is located. The service provider offers the same infrastructure to users, allowing only limited configurations, variable availability and security protection.

Public cloud should be an obvious choice when you need to test and develop an application code, are doing collaboration projects or you need incremental capacity.

2. Private Cloud

This type of cloud infrastructure is operated by a provider or organization for use by a defined user group. With private cloud, businesses can host their applications in the infrastructure and still have total control and security that often lacks in public cloud. Private cloud is only accessible to organizations that have the security pass to it.

Private cloud can be hosted on-premise (within the organization’s own facility) or externally.

3. Hybrid Cloud

This is a bundle of multiple clouds that are bound together but operate separately and can be deployed in different models. Hybrid cloud increases the flexibility of accounts by enabling users to wholly or partially leverage the resources of other cloud providers. For example, users can augment private cloud infrastructure with the resources of public cloud to manage unexpected increases in workload.

4. Community Cloud

This is a multi-user type of cloud service that is shared, managed and operated by a third party service provider or several participating entities. This type of cloud is a hybrid for of private cloud that is built for companies that have similar cloud requirements and aim at working together for common ends.

Community clouds can either be on-premise or off-premise. The cloud infrastructure offers participating users the benefits of public cloud with additional levels of security, privacy and policy compliance usually associated with private cloud.

In our Boston IT services opinion, the future of business operations, storage and collaboration is in cloud computing. Understanding the various types of cloud computing will help you know which technology to go for.

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IT Experts Boston on What are Virtual Servers and the Benefits!

IT Experts Boston

Here's What Virtual Servers Are and the Benefits!

The world is changing. You no longer need to have the power of a whirring supercomputer to to run specialized computing services, it's incredible, you could easily run a NORAD-like operation from your tablet, scratch that, your smartphone. I believe it begs the question: How is this possible? I would say virtual servers. When you define something as virtual, in the computing world it means that it is not where you are, it is otherwise located. A server is basically a specialized computer designed with more fire power for storage and processing. It is also designed to run all the time.

Services that would Run on Virtual Servers

The kind of services that run on virtual servers are mostly databases, no matter what the front end may look like, it all boils down to a list of tables that are connected to each other. These tables provide the information needed at the instance when it is requested for. Take for instance, you want to set up an encyclopedia for smartphone app, you would gather information on all the Smartphones there are, their features and characteristics, then you would list all the applications available for these Smartphones. You would then connect the applications table to the Smartphone table by defining which app runs on which Smartphones. You will soon realize that the information is becoming quite a lot, and it takes time to search and display information on a certain app or smartphone, that is where servers come in, you need the computing power to host and run your encyclopedia without fail.

How Virtual Servers are Set Up

Since you have the need for a server, you consider buying one. Upon inquiry, you find out that you need to pay quite a bit of money to set up the server in your garage, and it would need constant management to make sure that it keeps working. You would need to pay for a broadband internet service, and enclose the server in an air tight, cooled room. Besides that, you will need to upgrade your electrical system to provide backup power when your home supply fails. You can avoid all this.

Somewhere in the world, is an industrial-cooled vault-like room that contains equipment cabinets, inside them are virtual servers. They are maintained constantly and protected from unauthorized access, and are connected to the Internet. The same server you want to set up in your garage is already available over the Internet, you would only need to subscribe to the service and and upload your encyclopedia database and viola! you are live!

Benefits of a Virtual Server

·      It will obviously cost you less to set up and maintain

·      There is lesser risk for loss in the occasion of data and/or hardware compromise

·      You will not be the subject of exorbitant bandwidth fees

There are a few cons, though. You would need to ensure that you sign up with a reputable virtual server provider who will allow you privileged access to your information. Many providers have privacy policies that govern the information stored on their servers in the aim of protecting your interests. Since the virtual server is available over the Internet, you would not have access to it should your Internet services act up. You would also have no say to upgrade schedules should the company decide to improve the hardware or software.

In summary, a virtual server is the future of computing. Google Inc. have already launched their chrome book, a laptop whose data and applications are store on a virtual server, only accessible by the target device. 

Terminal, IT Experts Boston

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Windows 7 verses Windows 8 from a Boston IT Consulting Company

Boston IT Consulting Company

Windows 7 verses Windows 8 from a Boston IT Consulting Company Perspective

Are you confused on whether to upgrade your Windows 7 to Windows 8? Business owners looking to upgrade their tablets or smartphones will find Windows 8 a great alternative to iOS, Android and other systems. However, what if you are looking to upgrade your PC? Here is an overview of the differences between Windows 7 and Windows 8:

• Faster Start Up Mode. There have always been issues with Windows taking a lot of time to start up. Windows 8 starts much faster thanks to a new feature that functions like a cross between hibernation and cold boot.
• Improved Windows Explorer. If you noticed the ribbon interface that was introduced in MS Word 2007 and 2010, the same interface is now the default Windows Explorer UI. A couple of new buttons on the UI that make it easy to manage files are a welcomed improvement.
• Simpler Task Manager. Now, you can see the applications running in your PC in a more visual Task Manager. Moreover, the applications are highlighted with a heat map showing the extent of PC resources that each is using.
• No Start Button. The Start button we are used to is hidden by default in Windows 8. Instead, an intuitive Metro UI that features commonly used applications has replaced the Start button, giving Windows 8 a smartphone UI look.
• Improved Copy, Move, Rename and Delete. With Windows 8, you can now copy or move multiple files and have the information in one dialog box instead of every action in its own dialog box. Moreover, you can also pause and resume copying or transfer of files.
• Plugin Free Browsing. We are all familiar with the occasional message that we get requiring us to install a plugin when trying to access a certain type of content. IE 10 has been developed to support HTML 5 and this means no plugins will be required when viewing content online.
• ARM Support. Perhaps the notable technical difference in Windows 8 is its support for devices running on ARM Architecture. Traditionally, Windows has only supported AMD and x86-based Intel PCs. ARM chip architecture is increasingly being used on different devices and Microsoft is keen to have Windows 8 running on the devices.

Ultimately, we as Boston IT consulting users will be quick to note that there is no major technical difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8. Most of the differences are on aesthetics than technical capabilities.

Terminal, a Boston IT Consulting Company

Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!

IT Security Boston - How Secure is Cloud Security? Part 1

IT Security Boston

Learn How Secure Cloud Security is for Your Company!

There are numerous benefits to cloud computing. Backing up important data makes it easily accessible to everyone in your company and frees up space on your servers. You most likely have many concerns about cloud security and might be pondering if cloud security will protect your client’s data and adhere to HIPAA, PCI or Sarbanes-Oxley regulations.

It can be hard to tell if your cloud storage solution adheres to these requirements, as many don't state in their privacy policies. To help you navigate these difficult waters, let's look at this topic in depth below.

Compliance

More and more companies are using the cloud for storage. For obvious reasons, it is a very affordable strategy to use. Even so, improper handling of your client’s information can harm your reputation and lead to a loss of business for your company. If your company mandates that client data be handled in a regulated way, you need to first learn how secure the cloud service is and what regulations does the cloud service providers comply with. If a company has not specifically said they comply with certain regulations, it’s safe to assume they do not.

Who is responsible

Cloud security is vital when handling your sensitive data, but whose responsibility is it? Should you assume that if it is not spelled out in the privacy policy, that a service provider doesn't follow these regulations? While this is clearly the safest option, it may leave you unable to use cloud computing at all. Many services fail to provide detailed information in their privacy rules, possibly to lower their liability. The hope is that with time cloud storage and sharing will become better self-regulated and corporations will elect to disclose their individual practices to the businesses they serve. While such self-regulation is not required at this time, many businesses believe it is their duty to display clear warnings, explaining what they don't provide or guarantee.

Ultimately, as there is no current law that states that companies must divulge how tight their security is, the responsibility is in your hands. You must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage to decide if it’s right for your business. 

Cloud Security- Terminal IT Security Boston

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IT Support Boston - Learn What Private Cloud Services Are!

IT Support Boston

Here's What Private Cloud Computing Services Are!

Companies are shifting their activities to the cloud in a bid to improve efficiency and lower their cost of doing business. Both large corporations and SMBs are looking for custom cloud service solutions that will give them a competitive advantage in service and product delivery. While public cloud services are the most common in the market, companies looking for more control of their data are opting for private cloud services.

What is Private Cloud?

Private cloud refers to a style of computing where IT enable technologies are delivered via a common platform to a company. Unlike public computing where different companies can access the services provided by the cloud provider, private cloud infrastructure is only accessible to a single company or a chosen group of companies.

Also known as a corporate cloud or an internal cloud, this computing architecture is usually restricted to employees with assigned digital keys or passes. Advances in distributed computing and virtualization have made it necessary for some companies to operate their own networks and data centers to meet the internal needs of their staff, suppliers and other defined users.

The upside of private cloud is that companies using them are more comfortable knowing that their data is secure and can be easily accessed without fear of downtimes or glitches caused by third parties. With public cloud, data losses can result from the actions of third parties that are also using the same cloud infrastructure.

The Downside of Private Cloud

While companies that opt for private cloud enjoy higher encryption and better data security, there are still some costs to be paid. For example, businesses still need to buy, build and manage the cloud infrastructure. Some cloud providers like Dell offer customize private cloud solutions.

Companies also have to think of the cost implications of deploying their applications on private cloud. In most cases, this means hiring a full time IT support to manage the infrastructure and ensure the security of data and applications.

Is Private Cloud Right for Your Company?

CIOs are moving from public to private cloud due to various reasons, the main ones being search for better security, reliability and corporate values. Ultimately, the decision on whether to move to private cloud is more of a managerial decision than a performance issue. Greater control of your data and better security are the top benefits of using private cloud over public cloud services.

We would encourage you to talk to your IT support technician to determine the best options for your business.

Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!

Boston Computer Services - Let's Discuss Your Backup Options!

Boston Computer Services

Let's Discuss Your Backup Options!

Data security is one of the major concerns that the 21^st century CIO is worried about. The losses incurred as a result of data breach or loss far outweigh the cost of online or offline backup. While computer backup options vary in convenience, speed, security and price, no attribute is more important than the ability to safely store vital data.

Let’s look at common computer services for backup options.

Directly-attached Storage Drives

These are the most common storage options in many offices. The drives are typically connected to the PC through a USB port or an eSATA connection. If you want to back up your PC data, an external drive with maximum storage ranging from 500GB to 5TB can be sufficient. However, it all depends on the amount of data you want to back up.

Network-attached Storage Drives

A Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive is also a good option for small businesses. The drive enables users to access the data saved through the web or via FTP. After the initial set up, you may have to secure the NAS drive with passwords and encryption.

For the best performance, go for a drive that can be accessed via the web, that has a software for backing up local drives and that has Gigabit Ethernet connection.

Portable Storage

These hard disks are great for businesses that need to move large files around the office or for mobile workers. However, the storage drives can lead to large losses if they crash, get lost or are stolen. It is therefore important to secure the drives with encryption software before leaving the office with them.

Some of the portable drives powered through USB ports include Western Digital's Passport, Toshiba’s Portable External Drive, Maxtor’s One Touch III Mini, among others.

Online Backup

If you want to back up critical files and easily access them from anywhere in the world, you should consider online storage. Online data backup has come of age and there are many companies that offer the computer services.

If you need to backup a small amount of data, try free computer services such as Microsoft’ Skydrive, Google Drive or Dropbox which offer free storage reaching up to 150GB. You can later upgrade your plan to suit your needs.

Data security is of utmost importance for any business and computer backups are a must. Assess your needs carefully to determine which computer backup option will work for your business.

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Learn What Managed IT Services Usually Include!

Managed IT Services Boston

Here's What Managed IT Servics Usually Includes!

Have you experienced any IT disasters? If yes, how did you deal with them? To prevent such occurrences again, you need managed IT services. Wondering what managed IT services are and why you should bother?

In a nutshell, managed IT services will ensure your software and hardware are working accordingly and are protected from disasters. 

What is Managed IT Services?

Managed IT services are offered by service providers and ensure your network infrastructure and IT services are performing optimally. The service enables detection of potential problems in their early stages before they become disasters. In other words, a managed IT service provider is like your in-house team of IT staff. The service providers use various tools to ensure consistent network uptime and save your business from losses resulting from downtimes.

Managed IT services are crucial to the operations of your business. With the service, you will be assured of your IT data security. Imagine having to operate without business data? Production will technically come to a stand still. It is rare to recover data fast from a backup after a computer crushes. Do you even have a data backup? You could lose all your data in the process.

To determine if you need managed IT services, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are security updates on your PC effective?
• Is the network really secured by firewall?
• Do you have any measures that will ensure that your computer functions smoothly?

If you find it difficult to answer these questions, then you need managed IT services. This service will take care of the above and any other IT problems that you have in your computer or network.

Managed IT services are priced differently. Below are typical managed IT service plans you can find:

• Plans which feature monitoring only. This includes software installed in PC or server to alert you in case of a problem.
• Plans that feature monitoring tools, security backups, software management, desktop optimization, backup solutions, security patches like Microsoft updates, emails and updates. 
• Plans that include all the above and labor.

You no longer have to run around looking for an IT expert to fix your computer when managed IT services are here to solve all your problems.

Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!

Learn What IT Services Technicians Say About Virtualization!

IT Services Boston

Learn What IT Services Technicians Say About Virtualization!

When you hear the word virtualization, what is the first thing that comes into your mind? You may be thinking that it’s an operating system that is installed in your computer that boosts its performance. You’re right, but not completely right because virtualization serves as a hardware emulator that looks like running on your computer as if it is installed, but it’s not. As a hardware emulator, it is regarded as a virtual computer or a virtual machine.

Virtualization is applied to the most pressing challenge in IT services today. This challenge refers to the infrastructure need that makes IT departments channel 70 per cent of their budget to cost of maintenance, leaving only a few amount of resources to build business innovation.

How does virtualization works?

The hardware emulated in virtualization is a typical type of a generic PC that provides every virtual machine with its own hard disk, RAM, CPU, video adapter and I/O devices such as keyboard, CD network, floppy and mouse. The virtualization software runs through a host operating system that is also running on the computer machine itself.

The principles of virtualization are applied to different network resources by abstracting, automating and pooling them to go beyond the limitations of physical architectures. IT services are assigned to each network application and remaining with it while adapting to the changing requirements.

What is the difficulty faced by IT services?

This difficulty is the consequence of having today’s X86 computers that are only designed for one application and operating system at a time. Because of this, small data centers are compelled to deploy several servers. Each server only operates at 5 per cent to 15 per cent capacity, which is considered very inefficient based on any standard.

What benefits can be derived from virtualization?

Virtualization is the only most effective way recommended by IT technicians to reduce your IT expenses while enhancing agility and efficiency not just for big enterprises, but also for medium and small ones.

• When you adopt a virtualization software solution for your IT services, you can enable several applications and operating systems run under one host or physical server. You can get up to 80 per cent higher utilization for each server.

• Each virtual machine is independent from the others, so, it can maximize the use of computing resources of the host as much as it requires.

• Virtualization can turn your infrastructure much simpler and more efficient. For every server virtualized, you can gain an annual savings of up to $1,500, and your capital and operation expenses can be reduced to 50 per cent.

• You can launch your applications faster, and your performance is increased.

• Your IT services become automated through server consolidation resulting to decreased cost and easier operations.

• It minimizes your lost revenue by decreasing both of your planned and unplanned downtime.

• Builds up your business continuity by improving your disaster recovery solutions.

• You can virtualize your enterprise apps that include Oracle, SAP, SharePoint and SQL Server, delivering the highest level of performance and SLAs.

• You can run multiple applications and operating systems through a single computer that saves you a lot of money on maintenance cost.

• Consolidating your hardware gives you higher productivity, and fewer servers save you more than 50 per cent on overall IT services cost.

Hopefully, you have learned something from this article regarding virtualization. This is the current trend in IT services automation, and if you want your operations to become more efficient and cost effective, this idea is worth considering. Learn more about virtualization from IT experts, and start from there.

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