When an organization struggles with supporting growth and IT seems to be getting out of control, a question often asked is: why choose a managed service provider (MSP)? Let’s first look at what an MSP is and what services they provide. Think of an MSP as an outsourced IT department that supports multiple business. They…

When it comes to allocating money for your business, creating an IT budget is of the utmost importance. When done right, an IT budget not only bolsters your IT department, outsourced or not, but it also helps in communication and planning for your whole business. IT is a huge part of the backbone of your…

Welcome to the last installment of our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! Even as this series draws to a close, Solution Builders is always here to help answer some of the most important questions to consider as you make this step toward business success! Of course, you need backups. However, Office 365 and Microsoft 365 products…

Welcome to our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! Last post, we explored access within your company. In this post, we’ll be talking about access form outside your organization. As you continue on your Microsoft 365 migration, we’re here to help answer some of the most important questions to consider as you make this step toward business…

Welcome to our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! We’ll be exploring file access and collaborating remotely through Microsoft 365. As you continue on your Microsoft 365 migration, we’re here to help answer some of the most important questions to consider as you make this step toward business success! Do you need access to work on documents…

Welcome to our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! We know that security is a top priority in all businesses, so this post will walk you through some considerations as you migrate to Microsoft 365. As you continue on your Microsoft 365 migration, we’re here to help answer some of the most important questions to consider as…

Welcome to our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! This post is all about the various applications and tools you can use within the Microsoft and Office 365 programs. As you continue on your Microsoft 365 migration, we’re here to help answer some of the most important questions to consider as you make this step toward business…

Welcome to our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! In this post we talk about what size mailbox users will require for business storage. As you continue on your Microsoft 365 migration, we’re here to help answer some of the most important questions to consider as you make this step toward business success! When choosing what size…

Welcome to our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! In this post, we’ll analyze what version of Microsoft Office will be best for you: desktop or web-based. As you continue on your Microsoft 365 migration, we’re here to help answer some of the most important questions to consider as you make this step toward business success! Do users…

Welcome to our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! Moving on from what licensing is best for your company, in this post we explore how you can securely store your data. As you continue on your Microsoft 365 migration, we’re here to help answer some of the most important questions to consider as you make this step toward…

Welcome to our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! Last week we explored the different Microsoft 365 business licenses that could be beneficial for your company. As you continue on your Microsoft 365 migration, we’re here to help answer some of the most important questions to consider as you make this step toward business success! Such as: How…

Welcome to our Microsoft 365 Migration Series! Last week we posed a series of questions you should ask yourself as you plan to migrate to Microsoft 365, and we’ll be exploring the answers in our next nine blog posts to help you make the right decision for your business. Which Office 365 license is right for…

Migrating to Office 365 can seem daunting. What license is right for your organization? How does subscription-based software differ from what you currently have? Where will your data be stored? These questions and many more will need to be answered as you work through the migration and, with a little research and the right partner,…

Like in every other industry, good IT customer service is key. Customer service can help you build lasting relationships with your clients, increase your revenue, bolster employee happiness, strengthen company culture, and secure business longevity.   However, when it comes to IT, staff may be more concerned with resolving service tickets and solving IT problems…

When it comes to protecting your IT infrastructure, it’s important to prepare for the worst. What does the worst look like? It could be a pipe bursting and flooding your network closet, an electrical surge knocking out power, or even an intruder who happens to stumble across your server rack. You can’t predict when something…

As many of us continue to work remotely, it’s important to consider the importance of ergonomics for your home office.   What is Ergonomics? Ergonomics is the applied science of designing and arranging items used on a daily basis (such as during your full-time job) in the most efficient and safe way. For example, if…

Understanding technology terminology is important to utilizing your technology in the most successful ways possible. So much so that it often drives a wedge between end-users and their IT department. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Let’s break down some commonly confused IT terms in this Technology Terminology Showdown:   Modem vs Router…

It’s been amazing to see how technology has changed the health industry in the last year. We broke down some of the most tech-impacted areas of health in the past year.   Livestream Fitness The onset of COVID-19 forced fitness clubs and gyms across the world to pivot their business models. 72% of them in…

Getting the most out of Office 365 can really help boost your business operations and overall business growth! Office 365 has been around since 2010, but if you’re like most, there’s a good chance you aren’t using this suite of tools to its fullest potential. Most people are familiar with Microsoft’s core products: Word, Outlook,…

Understanding your digital footprint is important for getting a sense of what information there is about you on the internet. What is a digital footprint? A digital footprint is anything that can be found out about you on the internet. There are two types of digital footprints you can leave: active or passive. Active is…

What is a vCIO? A virtual Chief Information Officer, or vCIO, is a resource that provides information technology consulting, planning, and reporting services. They come in all shapes and sizes, but most are outsourced employees, meaning they work as independent contractors or are employees of an outsourced IT support company. It is the vCIO’s job…

So, here’s what you need to know about password policies: they are one of many security tools to protect your company’s data. When putting together a security plan for your company, you should always consider adding a password policy for all of your staff to use for business accounts. What Are Password Policies? Password policies…

VOIP Phones: what are they and are they right for you? VOIP phones or Voice Over Internet Protocol phones are devices or software systems that use the internet to make calls. Instead of using traditional wired pathways and cell towers, data travels over your internet connection to your VOIP phone provider and then out to…

Staying organized while working from home can be a challenge. Whether it’s your kids distracting you or Zoom fatigue hitting during the workday, it’s easy to feel disorganized when your home and your work is in the same place. However, there are some helpful tools you can use to keep your work schedule and to-do’s…

PC Remote Login – What Method is Right for You? Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and Remote Desktop Protocols (RDP) are two popular methods of connecting to network resources while working outside of a physical office environment. If you’re working remotely now, there’s a good chance you are using one of these two methods to access…

Protect Your Accounts with Multi-Factor Authentication. Multi-Factor Authentication is the industry standard for account protection and information security. Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA, is a method of gaining access to an account you own (an application, website, network, etc.) by using both a traditional username and password login and a second, separate form of identify verification.…

Zoom Fatigue is real. It’s the exhaustion you feel after hours and hours spent on video calls. The term is relatively new and has been experienced at higher rates recently due to COVID-19 forcing many employees to work from home and attend meetings remotely. Even though it’s called “Zoom” Fatigue, it refers to any kind…

Just like a handyman has their tool bag when they head to a job, we have our own IT tool bag we use to support our clients. Through the 25 years we’ve been in this business, we’ve carefully selected tools that enable us to communicate efficiently, provide a high level of support, and maintain a…

Assessing your technology plan for the new year can help your business be adaptable for the year ahead. In 2020, one of the most important qualities your company can possess is adaptability. Harvard Business Review is calling it “the new competitive advantage.”  The big question is, how does one become adaptable? Short-term planning and goals…

Nonprofits focusing on mission should know about how outsourcing IT can help them grow. For most small nonprofits, many of your employees wear many different hats. And with that busy-ness and focus needed to serve the people you do for your organization, you need the best tools to help you do that as well as…

As a healthcare organization, did you know that ensuring HIPAA compliance is simple by outsourcing your IT services? Outsourcing your IT can take tons of stress out of your job especially in the current situation of dealing with a world-wide pandemic. With healthcare services moving into the cloud and virtual world, Zoom visits are now…

Outsourcing your IT team to meet your manufacturing company’s needs can really help your business grow as you invest in the best technology. Manufacturing and technology Some important tech tools and systems for success in the manufacturing industries are automation tools, accounting systems, phone systems, virtual manufacturing, and CRM software. Automation tools aid in meeting…

Here are four reasons your CPA firm should outsource its IT services: Cost efficiency because of outsourced IT, designed just for your CPA firm Simply put, outsourcing your IT services will save you thousands in terms of both time and money. By outsourcing your IT needs, you will not have to worry about hiring and…

As more lockdowns are possible, you should be thinking about how your business should prepare during another shutdown. Many local and regional governments are continuing to use shutdowns as a tactic in reducing the spread of COVID, causing businesses to ask more questions: What does more shutdowns mean for my business? How will more shutdowns…

Wondering why you should consider migrating the cloud? We have some reasons for you as well as some cloud basics we think you should know! What is the Cloud? Think of the Cloud as an offsite data repository. Instead of having a physical server in your office that houses all of your company’s information, you…

Working remotely for manufacturing companies isn’t always an option but technology has made it easier for some staff to work from home. So for the staff that can stay at home during this time and for your executive team, here are some things to keep in mind: Technology for Remote Manufacturing Workers If you haven’t…

As we move from traditional offices to home offices to a hybrid office, an ongoing challenge for foundations is making sure data and information is accessible to the organization and its employees; so today we address five reasons foundations switch to the cloud. Applications like CRM and other line of business applications need to be…

As we find ourselves in a “new normal” created by the pandemic, accounting and CPA firms have had to adjust everything about the way they conduct business and today, let’s address five reasons accounting firms switch to the cloud. As we move from the corporate office to home offices or a mix of them, the…

The health and safety of your employees is the utmost importance when returning back to work and we have a few ides on keeping your employees safe using technology. After all, they are the lifeblood of your business. Protecting them and providing for their needs seems like a pretty great investment of time and resources,…

Most businesses have been impacted in some shape or form because of COVID-19 and now is a great time to create a business disaster recovery (BDR) plan. COVID-19 impacted all aspects of your business like revenue, furloughs, your staff working remote, and how you use technology. Now that we’re seeing light at the end of…

It’ll most likely take months or years to get back to a semblance of normalcy and here are four tips to get your business back on track leveraging technology. Identify key areas of business The first thing to do is identify the key areas of your business that cannot work from home. That may include…

As we start to transition back to office work, we thought we would address three considerations for transitioning back to the office and opening safely. Bring your HR policies and procedures up to date First, you’ll need to consider risk factors that you hadn’t considered before. You’ll want to communicate social distancing policies, make protection…

As your staff makes the transition back to your office you’ll find some of your employees are not ready due to personal health concerns and because of this, there are three remote workforce considerations to address. Securing your networks Securing your networks and data should’ve been part of your work from home plan, even before…

  The reality of working from home is the new normal for a lot of workers in the US and around the world. There has been much debate about working from home and whether or not it’s a productivity boost or productivity drain. Skeptical managers envision employees lying on their couches at home in Metallica…

We have started to see a few bad work from home policies start to be implemented and would to take a few minutes here to update you on a few of them. Companies that previously laughed at the idea of working from home haphazardly threw together policies and hoped they would work. Here are a…

In light of the sudden shift to working from home, here’s some essential tips for working from home to help you make the most of your time at home and still be as productive as you are in the office. And for companies that have never tried remote working this is a very valuable experience…

Working from home is here to stay, and in this blog, we’ll be addressing three essential technologies for working from home. A large part of preparing for a long term strategy of working from home is having a good plan in place. You Need a BDR Plan A Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) plan is…

Have you updated your IT and technology policies for working from home yet? We’re all being forced to work from home, like being shoved in the small of the back, into a reality only once imagined in an H.G. Wells novel. With the ongoing pandemic, companies are being forced into considering remote working as a viable…

The days of your employees and staff working 100% percent of their work lives under the same roof are gone, so let’s address some untrue myths about working from home. You might have a few employees who DO primarily work in one place, but the coronavirus situation has taught us all a few lessons about…

Businesses around the world continue to wonder how their business can thrive while staff is working from home. At Solution Builders, we believe that the safety of our employees and clients is paramount. We also believe that businesses can thrive no matter where their staff is located. So, we’ve created a list of six things that…

  We’ve previously addressed the vitality of working cybersecurity into your training program for new and existing employees, but let’s look at a way to enhance email security by training staff in phishing prevention When a breach in security happens, it can cause huge problems for your business and while your employees can be your…

Here’s what you should know about Windows 7 end of support. We all know that good things have to come to an end, and Windows 7 is no exception. What does Windows 7 end-of-support actually mean? Starting January 14, 2020, Windows 7 will cease to have support. End of support encompasses three main areas: technical…

What is the true value of training your employees in cybersecurity? Your employees are your greatest asset, but if they’re not properly trained in cybersecurity, they can also be one of your greatest liabilities. Training your employees in cybersecurity can help them practice best practices and protect your company’s data. What is Cybersecurity? Cybersecurity is the…

If you use Microsoft for your office, you may be wondering how Windows 7 will impact your business. Here’s what we know. Windows 7 no longer supported As of January 14, 2020, Windows 7 will no longer be available. So how will Windows 7 impact your business? So let’s first address why Windows 7 will…

There are some top reasons your business should be using the cloud. Not only is the Cloud useful for buying you back space with your hardware in backing up your critical files, but it can help improve the overall cost-effectiveness, flexibility and infrastructure of your entire business. Here’s how: Safety first Cloud-based storage can help you…

As you explore the process of managing the IT and technology inside your business, you might wonder what IT can do for your business success. You may have other questions come up in the process. Questions like: What is my IT and technology (or lack thereof) really costing me? Should my IT be a full-time…

Today, we have a different story about technical support for accountants and losing data and then we address three questions CPA firms should consider to avoid compromising client identities. A quick story…imagine walking into your office on a Saturday morning during tax season to find a staff member waiting for you with sweaty palms and…

Today, we’re going to talk about the three most important technologies of focus on in 2019. Cloud Technology Cloud computing is growing quickly. Gartner reports that cloud services spending is projected to grow 17% annually (upwards of $206 billion) in 2019, up from $175.8 billion in 2018. By 2022, 90% of organizations will be using…

What is a technology assessment and how does it help your business? Technology should function as a tool for your business, not a hindrance. One of the best ways to determine if your company has all the technology resources it needs is by assessing and evaluating what you currently have. Great technology, technology that’s working…

What is Cybersecurity for Businesses? Cybersecurity for business is defined is the protection of internet-connected systems, including hardware, software and data, from cyberattacks. In a computing context, security comprises cybersecurity and physical security. Cybersecurity for businesses will continue to be one of the top investments business owners will make for the foreseeable future. Too often,…

What is the Dark Web? The Dark Web, which is not accessible through traditional search engines, is often associated with a place used for illegal criminal activity. It’s a place on the internet only accessed using certain web browsers. Cyber criminals tend to use the Dark Web as a place to buy and sell stolen…

How Much is Your Business Information Worth to an Identity Thief? Today, let’s discuss what your business information is worth on the Dark Web. The Dark Web is known for the illegal activities conducted there, and while not everything on the dark web is illegal, it’s most appealing factor is its anonymity. It’s often a…

Human error occurs when an individual performs a task or does something with an unintended outcome and can severely impact the security of your business.  It’s easy to point the finger at employee’s as being an organization’s weakest link when it comes to security technology awareness, but without appropriate training provided by you, how can…