Category: IT Services

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way businesses operate, offering unprecedented connectivity and efficiency. However, integrating IoT devices into your business network requires careful consideration to ensure security, scalability, and seamless operation. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key factors you should take into account when adding IoT to your business network.

Understanding IoT and Its Impact on Business

What is IoT?

The Internet of Things refers to the network of interconnected devices embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to collect and exchange data. These devices can range from everyday objects such as thermostats and refrigerators to industrial machinery and vehicles.

The Impact of IoT on Business

IoT has the potential to transform various aspects of business operations, including supply chain management, asset tracking, customer service, and more. By leveraging IoT technologies, businesses can gain valuable insights, automate processes, and enhance overall efficiency.

Key Considerations for Adding IoT to Your Business Network

1. Security

Security is paramount when integrating IoT devices into your business network. With the increasing number of connected devices, the attack surface also expands, making it crucial to implement robust security measures. Ensure that all IoT devices are equipped with up-to-date firmware and encryption protocols to protect against cyber threats.

2. Scalability

As your business grows, so will the number of IoT devices connected to your network. It’s essential to plan for scalability from the outset to accommodate future expansion seamlessly. Choose IoT solutions that offer scalability and flexibility to adapt to changing business needs without compromising performance.

3. Compatibility

Compatibility between IoT devices and existing network infrastructure is critical for seamless integration. Before adding new IoT devices, assess their compatibility with your current hardware and software systems. Incompatibility issues can lead to connectivity issues and hinder the effectiveness of your IoT deployment.

4. Data Management and Analytics

IoT generates vast amounts of data that can provide valuable insights into business operations. Implement robust data management and analytics solutions to collect, store, and analyze IoT data effectively. By leveraging advanced analytics tools, businesses can uncover patterns, trends, and anomalies to make informed decisions.

5. Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with regulations and industry standards is essential when deploying IoT devices in your business network. Ensure that your IoT deployment adheres to relevant data protection, privacy, and security regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS. Failure to comply with regulatory requirements can result in severe penalties and reputational damage.

6. Reliability and Redundancy

Reliability is crucial for IoT devices that are integral to business operations. Implement redundancy measures such as backup power supplies and failover mechanisms to ensure continuous operation, even in the event of network failures or outages. Redundancy helps minimize downtime and maintain productivity.

7. Cost Considerations

While IoT offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to consider the cost implications of deploying and maintaining IoT devices. Calculate the total cost of ownership, including initial investment, ongoing maintenance, and potential upgrades. Evaluate the return on investment (ROI) to ensure that the benefits outweigh the costs over the long term.

Integrate IoT at Your Business 

Integrating IoT into your business network can unlock a wealth of opportunities for innovation and growth. However, it’s crucial to approach IoT deployment strategically and consider various factors such as security, scalability, compatibility, data management, regulatory compliance, reliability, and cost. By addressing these considerations proactively, businesses can harness the full potential of IoT while minimizing risks.

If you’re considering adding IoT to your business network and need expert guidance and support, contact GEEK911 today. Our team of experienced professionals can help you navigate the complexities of IoT deployment and ensure a seamless integration tailored to your specific needs and objectives.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the need for innovation and efficiency has never been greater. SMBs face a multitude of challenges in their journey to stay competitive, ranging from marketing and customer service to streamlining operations. Generative AI presents itself as a powerful tool that can help SMBs tackle these challenges head-on.

Generative AI, with its capability to create content, solve complex problems, and streamline various processes, has the potential to transform the way SMBs operate and engage with their customers. In this article, we will explore six distinct ways SMBs can leverage generative AI to enhance their competitiveness in the market.

Leveraging Generative AI in Marketing

1. Content Creation

One of the most crucial aspects of digital marketing for SMBs is content creation. Regularly producing high-quality content can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Generative AI can be a game-changer in this aspect, automating the creation of various types of content.

By utilizing generative AI, SMBs can consistently generate blog articles, ensuring a regular online presence without the need for a dedicated writing team. This allows SMBs to focus on other critical aspects of their business while maintaining a strong content marketing strategy.

Additionally, generative AI can assist in crafting engaging social media posts, helping SMBs boost their social media marketing efforts. These AI-generated posts can be personalized to target specific audiences and encourage interaction.

2. Email Marketing

Email marketing is a powerful tool for SMBs, but creating personalized and effective email campaigns can be a daunting task. Generative AI can help by crafting personalized email campaigns that resonate with each recipient. This level of personalization not only increases customer engagement but also boosts conversion rates.

Moreover, AI-driven A/B testing can be implemented to optimize email subject lines, content, and delivery times. This data-driven approach ensures that every email campaign is as effective as possible, leading to better results for the SMB.

Enhancing Customer Service with Generative AI

3. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

Customer service is a critical aspect of SMB success, and providing 24/7 support can be challenging. Generative AI can come to the rescue by powering chatbots and virtual assistants that are available around the clock.

AI-driven chatbots can engage with customers, answer common questions, and even perform tasks like taking orders. This level of automation not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces the workload on support teams.

Virtual assistants can provide efficient and accurate responses to customer inquiries, ensuring that issues are addressed promptly. This enhanced level of service can set an SMB apart from its competitors and lead to increased customer loyalty.

4. Multilingual Support

As SMBs expand, they often encounter language barriers when trying to reach a broader customer base. Generative AI can break down these barriers by offering support in multiple languages. This opens up new markets and ensures that language is not a hindrance to customer satisfaction.

AI-powered language translation services can provide real-time translation of customer inquiries, enabling SMBs to cater to a diverse and global audience. This expansion of language support can lead to increased sales and brand recognition on a global scale.

Streamlining Operations

5. Data Analysis

Data is the lifeblood of modern businesses, and SMBs are no exception. Analyzing large datasets to derive valuable insights can be a daunting task, but generative AI can simplify this process.

Generative AI algorithms can extract hidden insights from vast amounts of data. Whether it’s understanding customer behavior, market trends, or operational efficiencies, AI can provide actionable information. Predictive analytics, driven by AI, can help SMBs forecast trends and make informed business decisions, giving them a competitive edge.

6. Automation

SMBs often grapple with repetitive, time-consuming tasks that are prone to human error. Generative AI can provide a solution by automating these tasks, saving time and reducing the risk of mistakes.

Routine processes, from data entry to order processing, can be automated, allowing employees to focus on more valuable, strategic tasks. AI can also optimize inventory management and supply chain operations, ensuring that resources are used efficiently.

Get Started With Generative AI Today

In conclusion, the incorporation of generative AI into SMB operations can revolutionize the way they do business. From marketing and customer service to operations and data analysis, the benefits of AI are evident.To explore how GEEK911 can assist your SMB in implementing generative AI solutions and to discuss how we can tailor these solutions to meet your specific needs, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to support your SMB on its journey to competitiveness in an ever-evolving business landscape.

In today’s world, sustainability and cost-effectiveness have become paramount considerations for businesses. As technology continues to advance at an astonishing rate, companies are constantly searching for ways to integrate sustainable practices while also saving money. This article will explore various cost-saving sustainable technology practices that businesses can implement to not only reduce their carbon footprint but also enhance their bottom line.

Cost-Saving Sustainable Technology Practices

The fusion of technology and sustainability has given rise to innovative solutions that can significantly impact a company’s operational efficiency and environmental footprint. As our society becomes increasingly aware of the importance of sustainable practices, organizations are compelled to adapt and evolve. 

This adaptation not only fulfills their corporate social responsibility but also presents economic advantages. This article will delve into key cost-saving sustainable technology practices that can be applied across various industries.

1. Energy-Efficient Hardware and Appliances

One of the most straightforward and impactful ways to reduce operational costs and energy consumption is by adopting energy-efficient hardware and appliances. By replacing outdated computers, servers, and other office equipment with energy-efficient alternatives, businesses can enjoy substantial cost savings. Some key points to consider include:

• Upgrading to Energy Star-rated devices.
• Implementing power management features to automatically turn off devices when not in use.
• Utilizing LED lighting to reduce electricity consumption.
• Regularly maintaining and cleaning equipment to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

2. Cloud Computing and Virtualization

Cloud computing and virtualization have revolutionized the way businesses store and manage data. These technologies reduce the need for on-premises servers and data centers, leading to cost savings and a smaller environmental footprint. Key benefits include:

• Reduced energy consumption, as third-party providers often operate data centers more efficiently.
• Scalability, allowing businesses to adjust their computing resources to match demand.
• Enhanced disaster recovery and data backup capabilities.
• Lower hardware and maintenance costs.

3. Remote Work and Telecommuting

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, and it’s a practice that’s here to stay. Allowing employees to work from home or remotely can significantly reduce a company’s carbon footprint and operating expenses. Key advantages include:

• Lower energy consumption in office spaces.
• Reduced commuting, leading to decreased traffic congestion and emissions.
• Attraction and retention of top talent from a wider geographic pool.
• Increased flexibility for employees, improving job satisfaction and productivity.

4. Renewable Energy Sources

Switching to renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, can be a game-changer for businesses aiming to reduce their carbon footprint and lower energy bills. Here are some key considerations:

• Solar panels and wind turbines can generate electricity and potentially lead to excess power that can be sold back to the grid.
• Federal and state incentives may be available to help offset the initial costs of renewable energy installations.
• Investing in on-site renewable energy systems can provide energy security and protect against rising energy costs.

5. Data Center Efficiency

Data centers are notorious for their energy consumption and environmental impact. However, there are several strategies that companies can employ to improve data center efficiency while reducing costs:

• Employing hot and cold aisle containment systems to manage airflow and reduce cooling requirements.
• Utilizing advanced cooling technologies, such as free cooling, to decrease energy usage.
• Upgrading to energy-efficient servers and storage devices.
• Embracing virtualization to consolidate servers and reduce the data center’s footprint.

6. Paperless and Digital Document Management

Transitioning to a paperless office and implementing digital document management systems not only saves money on paper, ink, and storage but also reduces environmental waste. Key benefits include:

• Streamlined document retrieval and sharing.
• Enhanced document security and backup capabilities.
• Reduction in printing and storage costs.
• Decreased environmental impact and lower carbon emissions.

7. Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Sustainability isn’t limited to internal operations; it also extends to supply chain management. Here are some sustainable technology practices that can cut costs and reduce environmental impact:

• Using software solutions to track and optimize shipping routes, reducing fuel consumption.
• Implementing RFID technology for real-time inventory tracking and reduced waste.
• Collaborating with suppliers to reduce packaging waste and increase the use of eco-friendly materials.
• Monitoring and reducing water and energy consumption in production facilities.

8. IoT and Smart Building Technologies

The Internet of Things (IoT) and smart building technologies offer substantial cost-saving and sustainability opportunities for businesses. These technologies enable better control over energy and resource management. Key considerations include:

• Smart thermostats and lighting systems that adjust based on occupancy and natural light.
• Water management systems that detect leaks and optimize water usage.
• Predictive maintenance of equipment and infrastructure, reducing downtime and repair costs.
• Real-time data analytics for informed decision-making.

9. Employee Training and Engagement

Engaging employees in sustainability practices and providing training on energy-efficient technology use can lead to better compliance and cost savings. Consider the following:

• Regular training and awareness programs to keep employees informed and motivated.
• Incentives for employees who contribute to sustainability efforts.
• Creation of a sustainability team or committee within the organization.
• Recognition and celebration of sustainable achievements and milestones.

Implement Cost-Saving Technology 

Incorporating cost-saving sustainable technology practices into your business operations isn’t just a noble pursuit; it’s a strategic one. Embracing these practices can lead to substantial financial savings, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced brand reputation. As we continue to face environmental challenges and economic pressures, it’s clear that sustainability and technology go hand in hand.

At GEEK911, we are committed to assisting businesses in their journey toward adopting cost-saving sustainable technology practices. Our team of experts is here to provide guidance, implement solutions, and help you reduce costs while leaving a smaller environmental footprint. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your sustainability efforts and drive your business forward. 

The world we live in now is not the world we were born into. This is because technology has taken over and shows no sign of stopping. In today’s fast-paced digital age, technology has become integral to our lives. We rely on various devices and innovations, from smartphones to smart homes, to simplify our daily tasks and stay connected with the world. 

In recent years, technology has transformed the way we interact with others, the way we conduct business, the way we shop, and the way we live and work. According to Forbes, 78% of survey respondents believe technology is a matter of survival. It has become an intrinsic part of our daily routine and is now an essential component of life. 

However, along with the rapid advancements in technology, numerous tech myths and misconceptions continue to circulate. These myths often create confusion and hinder us from fully embracing the benefits of technology. These tech myths, whether rooted in outdated information or perpetuated by popular culture, can shape our perceptions and decisions regarding the digital landscape. 

In this blog post, we will delve into some of the most popular tech myths people still believe, shedding light on the truth behind them. 

Some of the Most Popular Tech Myths People Still Believe

Here are some of the most common  tech myths that you might still believe:

More bars on your mobile phone mean better service

Seeing more bars on your phone’s signal indicator does not always indicate greater mobile reception. The signal strength displayed on your smartphone merely displays the connection between your phone and the nearest cell tower. It does not take into account factors like signal quality or network congestion. In some cases, you can experience dropped calls or poor internet access, even with a full signal. If your reception is persistently weak, consider contacting your service provider for assistance.

Private browsing prevents tracking of your data.

Private browsing modes, such as Incognito mode in Chrome or Private Browsing mode in Firefox, are frequently misinterpreted. While they prevent your browser history from being saved on your device, they do not provide total tracking protection. Your internet service provider, websites you visit, and other third parties can still monitor your online activities. To improve your privacy, consider using extra privacy tools, such as browser extensions, that prevent trackers and protect your data.

Using Incognito mode makes you invisible.

Numerous people believe that using incognito mode will keep them anonymous. However, you should be aware that this is a myth. Using incognito mode in your web browser may offer you a false sense of privacy, but it does not make you fully invisible online. While it prevents your browsing history from being saved on your device, your activities can still be traced by your internet service provider (ISP), websites you visit, and other third parties. 

To completely secure your privacy, try using a virtual private network (VPN) or Tor browser, which can help hide your IP address and encrypt your internet connection.

Macs are immune to viruses.

Another widely held misconception is that Mac computers are immune to viruses and malware. While Macs have typically been less targeted by malware than Windows PCs, this does not mean they are immune. As Macs become more popular, they become more appealing targets for cybercriminals. It is important to install reliable antivirus software and practice safe browsing habits regardless of the operating system you use.

Closing background apps extends battery life.

It’s a frequent misconception that shutting off background apps on your phone or computer might help you save battery life. However, this is not always the case. Modern operating systems are designed to maximize resource utilization, and shutting apps may actually use more battery power when reopened. Instead, focus on reducing screen brightness, disabling unnecessary notifications, and using power-saving settings to extend battery life.

Charging your phone overnight harms the battery.

A common misconception is that leaving your phone plug-in overnight will damage the battery. However, this belief is mainly out of date. Modern smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices have sophisticated battery management mechanisms. These systems guard against overcharging. Once your gadget reaches its maximum charge capacity, the phone automatically stops charging or switches to trickle charge. 

This is true even if it remains connected to the power source. In fact, it is frequently advised to leave your gadget plugged in overnight to ensure a full charge by morning. So, feel free to charge your devices overnight without worrying about battery damage.

More pixels equals a better camera.

This is another widely held belief myth in the tech world, particularly when it comes to cameras. Most people believe that the higher the number of Megapixels on a new smartphone from an OEM, the higher the camera quality. This is frequently not the case, as having more megapixels does not ensure greater image quality produced on that smartphone’s camera.

While megapixels are significant, other parameters such as sensor size, lens quality, and image processing algorithms play a role. A higher megapixel count may result in larger image files, but it does not always imply higher image quality. For a better photography experience, look for cameras with larger sensors and advanced technologies such as optical image stabilization.

Get the Technology Facts From a Reliable Professional

Whether you need help with an infected PC or setting up a corporate network, we’re here for you. We cut through the tech myths to bring you reliable and effective service. 

Contact us today to chat about your technology goals and challenges.

In recent times, connections between the physical, financial, and virtual worlds have become more linked. Web3, a plan for a decentralized internet, has driven recent interest in metaverse development. The word “metaverse” is a combination of two words; “meta” (means more comprehensive) and “verse.” Now, the idea of the metaverse for business is fast becoming a reality. 

According to the Metaverse Market Report, the global market value for the metaverse is $47.48 billion in 2022, with a CAGR of 39.44%, and is expected to increase in value to $678.80 billion by 2030.

Though still developing, the metaverse supports gaming and social media. But, aside from that, the metaverse also supports business IT, digital identity, decentralized government, and economics. From a business perspective, one of the main objectives of the metaverse is to improve communication between people and businesses. It opens businesses to new opportunities and can help them grow. 

Due to its decentralized nature, the possibilities regarding what can be done within the metaverse are endless. Continue reading to find out more about how the metaverse improves how you run your business. 

The Metaverse Explained 

Metaverse was coined from a sci-fi novel titled Snow Crash, written by Neal Stephenson in 1992.

The idea of a 3D, online, and virtual world called the Metaverse connects individuals from all areas of their lives. It would link several platforms, closely related to how the internet links numerous immersive, shared websites, and in a 3D virtual space using a single browser. 

The closest metaverse experience now is provided by video games, like Call Of Duty, Fortnite, and Second Life, due to their concentration on 3D virtual reality. Today’s video games include features and services that apply to various facets of our life. Roblox, a video game, even organizes online events and concerts in the metaverse. 

Players don’t simply play games anymore; within the metaverse, they perform other tasks and live some aspects of their lives in the games.

Advantages Of The Metaverse 

The idea of the metaverse gained popularity during the recent epidemic when people tended to avoid face-to-face communication. As a result, digital communication methods were widely used, and businesses embraced remote working procedures. During this period, people became interested in learning more about the metaverse and comprehending its use because of its several advantages. Some of these include the following:

• It allows the monetization of benefits.
• It allows for solving work challenges remotely.
• It makes online games more exciting.
• It is an excellent tool for healthcare professionals.
• It provides the experience of virtual tours.

Ways The Metaverse Could Change How You Do Business

The metaverse will be crucial to the development of marketing and business in the future. Businesses will be able to interact with customers, sell goods, and network with other businesses using the metaverse and the technology that supports it.

Below are the advantages that the metaverse offers your business:

Larger Audience Reach

The metaverse is one of the technology goals that will optimize your business. Marketing departments may expand their capacity to contact more people by employing multi-channel marketing techniques, such as combining the metaverse with traditional channels like social media and advertising. This, in a way, is referred to as brand awareness. The more people know of your brand, the more brand equity your business gets.

Display And Market Your Products

Several firms are already actively utilizing augmented reality (AR) to allow customers to try on virtual clothing, receive a makeover with a new hairdo, or see how new furniture might fit in their space. In the metaverse, your customers will have the same experiences, just better.

In the metaverse, there are also options to lease or purchase commercial property, where you may put up shops and showrooms where customers can view your goods. This brings about more visibility.

A New Strategy For Customer Involvement

The metaverse could advance existing digital marketing strategies by giving businesses additional ways to interact and connect with consumers. By using a metaverse approach, businesses may be able to plan live, immersive events that are far more interesting and engaging, including 3D webinars and virtual tours. 

With the personalization tools that the metaverse offers, companies can explore fresh approaches to draw in and engage their audience, resulting in more potent and profitable collaborations.

Provides More Brand Authenticity

Most customers prefer to buy from genuine businesses. With openness, confidence, and backing from others outside of your business, the metaverse can assist you in developing an authentic brand.

The metaverse also creates even more possibilities for educating clients about your business, your values, and how your products are manufactured. As many customers tend to buy from companies that reflect their personal beliefs, these insights will increase your sales.

Introduces Creative Advertising Methods

Storytelling is one of the most effective methods for increasing brand recognition and identification.

People enjoy hearing tales that reveal far more about the business’ beliefs than simple catchphrases. Imagine how captivating and engaging your brand narrative will be using VR and other metaverse technology.

Storytelling will gradually evolve into “story living,” in which users will no longer be passive listeners but active players who decide what happens and how.

More Revenue Streams

Utilizing the metaverse technology can provide businesses with an additional customer revenue stream. Companies may diversify their revenue streams, which is advantageous to all departments, by producing digital goods or selling tickets to virtual events through the metaverse.

The Metaverse, Not Just A Virtual World

Investing in the metaverse helps your business develop in numerous ways. GEEK911 can help you position yourself for the digital future. 

You can reach us at 1-866-433-5411 or send us a message.

Generally, we like to make the argument that nothing about your small business is too small. We do say it a lot in relation to cybersecurity — no size of business is immune. For example, In 2020, 47% of small businesses experienced some type of cyberattack, with 44% seeing more than one.

While you’re not too small for a cyberattack or to benefit from the use of technology, there is the chance your IT budget is too small. 

Every business wants to be cost-conscious. Saving money in one area can make funds available to expand, develop new products, or pay people more. That all makes sense.

Yet technology is the lifeblood of business success today. When you have the best tools available, you gain productivity, efficiency, and transparency. Plus, your people are likely to be happier, which helps retention, too. At the same time, with cyberthreats on the rise globally, IT isn’t the best area in which to flex your thrift muscles.

Not spending enough on IT today can mean high costs in the wake of a ransomware attack or downtime later.

Some costs facing businesses that don’t invest enough in their IT:

• Ransomware remediation costs now average $1.85 million per attack (up from $761,106 in 2020)

• IT downtime costs for a business can range from $140,000 to $300,000 per hour.

Are you shortchanging your IT budget? How can you know you need to pay more now to avoid spending an exorbitant amount later? Look for these warning signs.

Employees Are Losing Time to Tech

The right hardware and software make employees’ jobs easier. Robotic process automation can improve workflow to avoid effort spent on mundane tasks. But people struggling with slow, outdated technology are wasting valuable time.

If your people must find workarounds to get that project done on deadline, that’s only a short-term fix. It is frustrating for them, which impacts morale and retention. Plus, the band-aid approach to getting the job done can backfire in the long run.

There are Important Things You Can’t Do

You may be putting off upgrades to save on your IT budget. Yet in your effort to spend less on tech, you’re undermining your business interests. You put off an operating system upgrade because your current system is working fine, except that choice could make you more vulnerable to cyberattacks. 

You recognize the value of integrated customer relationship management (CRM) software but don’t want to splurge on that valuable tool. Still, you don’t want to save money on IT spend at the expense of business needs right now. 

Keeping up with your customers manually by stringing together email messages often costs more in productivity time and loss of efficiency than using the automation capability of a CRM.

Customer Experience Is Suffering

You may not immediately connect IT budget and customer satisfaction, yet consumers today want convenience and personal attention. These can be difficult for the overworked human employee to do. Providing improved data and analytics makes it easier to offer individual attention. Plus, chatbots and mobile apps can transform the customer experience because they save time and effort.

68% of consumers like chatbots because they offer quick answers to their questions.

You’re Struggling to Meet Industry Standards

Businesses face different industry standards to manage and protect personal and proprietary data. There can be requirements for backup practices, infrastructure testing, monitoring threats, and more. This can make the job of IT more complicated, but not spending to safeguard data or intellectual property risks a financial hit.

Improving operational efficiencies is a priority, of course, yet security spend needs to be part of the IT budget, too. Address risk exposure with recurring risk assessments and a strategic security framework.

Good Employees Are Leaving Due to Frustrating Technology

When people are held back by the technology tools they’ve been given to work with, they not only feel frustrated, they also often leave for more promising horizons.

Good employees want to do their best, and in today’s world, that means having the software and hardware support they need to do that. If a company has outdated software that is two versions behind or doesn’t provide the types of technology tools that other companies have, it can mean the loss of valuable employees.

In a survey for the Annual State of Work report by Workfront, 49% of US workers stated they would leave their job due to frustrations with the company’s technology.

Better Budgeting for IT

Many businesses looking to bounce back from the pandemic are struggling with tight budgets. Still, technology can improve remote work, increase productivity, and enhance customer satisfaction. IT can also save you money, thus providing a payback on your investment and ongoing ROI.

Not sure where to direct that IT spending? Our IT experts can get to know your San Jose / Silicon Valley area business and its objectives. We’ll identify cost savings and suggest transformations for the best return on investment. Call us today!

To schedule a consultation, call 1-866-433-5411 or reach us online.

“Downtime costs money.”

That’s no secret, but it doesn’t quite capture the whole experience when something goes wrong with your technology. 

You arrive to work in the morning, grab your coffee knowing you’ve got a hectic day ahead, and are ready to dive in. For some reason, your computer can’t access the database, and neither can anyone else’s. You restart the server while fielding calls left, right and center, but are unable to answer any client queries. 

Your hands are completely tied…and now the server is beeping furiously…what’s going on??! You’re not just in crisis mode, you’re on damage control as you call every tech you can think of, trying to find one who can come right NOW! 

This wasn’t exactly the day you had planned. You’re already way behind and it’s not even lunchtime yet.

The Break/Fix Days Are Gone

Before technology became so infused in daily operations, businesses only addressed their IT support needs when something broke. A few hours down meant little in the scope of things.

However, in today’s fast world, businesses rely heavily on IT and downtime just isn’t an option. Even the legalities of simply restoring financial, legal or medical files after a breach raises costly issues.

The cost of one data breach for a small business ranges from $120,000 to $1.24 million. 

The cost of break/fix is now too high, both financially and emotionally. Beyond the losses due to missed business, productivity at a standstill, and emergency IT costs are the emotional costs that keep anything from getting done.

Rather than being excited to tackle the day as you were when you poured your first cup of coffee, you’re now drained from putting out a major IT fire and playing catch-up to try to get to customers you missed during the emergency.

How do you avoid this scenario playing out in different ways on different days?

Simply put, this can be avoided if your IT services are remotely monitored and proactively managed by a professional, external business. As your Managed Service Provider (MSP) we run regular diagnostics on your computing and data network equipment to identify impending failure and resolve problems, sometimes even before they happen.

Benefits of GEEK911’s Managed IT Services

Small to medium businesses in particular benefit from managed services, because they don’t usually have an on-site technician to oversee the multiple systems in use. 

By subscribing to a managed services provider, businesses can have reduced labor costs, access to an instant knowledge base, future-pacing, better data security and reduced downtime. Businesses also know exactly what their upcoming technology costs are and can plan accordingly.

Some of the critical managed IT services we can provide for Silicon Valley area businesses are:

Remote Support

Remote support allows us to help you quickly without needing to be on-site. This saves you considerable time and eliminates the need to wait for a service technician to drive through traffic to get to you.

If one of your employees is having a problem with email or your server’s database is unreachable, we can be there in minutes virtually to diagnose and fix the problem; it’s just as if we are sitting in front of your device. We can solve 70% of issues remotely.

Hardware Monitoring 

We monitor your servers and workstations to catch hardware failures, sometimes even before they happen!

With health and threat monitoring, we can see a potential part failure before it happens and identify any possible conflicts or other problems and resolve them before they impact your operations. 

Managed Antivirus 

We make sure your antivirus is up to date and take immediate action if an infection occurs. 

Having your antivirus monitored and managed professionally is vital in today’s online world where threats are getting more sophisticated all the time and their volume is skyrocketing.

The FBI reported a 400% increase in cyberattacks last year.

Patch Management

We make sure your computer’s operating system (OS) is up to date, closing access to known vulnerabilities as soon as possible.

When updates and patches are left to employees to do themselves, it often ends up with them clicking “later” and then forgetting about it. Many data breaches happen when hackers exploit OS vulnerabilities that already had a patch issued, but it was never applied by the user.

How Much Downtime Can Your Business Afford?

Give us a call today to schedule a consultation at 1-866-433-5411. (Or reach out online)