This includes any security patches and updates, system patches, and technical support. If you or someone you know is still running Windows 7 (or heaven forbid, Windows XP) workstations in their office, They are at a huge risk of malware or a ransomware attack. Atlas...
Products and Services
Why Should Your Business Consider Cloud Solutions?
Many businesses are skeptical of cloud based solutions. They hear stories of large cloud based hacks and conclude that keeping their data on-premise is better. It's true that there have been major news stories of some very large cloud hacks involving Microsoft (2010),...
Data Disasters: Making Sure They Do NOT Crash Your Business
Nobody likes to think about disasters, but they do happen--and usually at the most inconvenient times. Disasters come in all types and sizes: a fire in a neighbouring suite that spreads to your office; a police action that prevents your staff from coming to work one...
The Tale of Two Christmases (or Why I Need to Eat my own Dog Food)
Christmas has become a time for personal IT trials. Just before a Christmas flight in 2017, my laptop's motherboard failed. Granted, it was a 5 year old machine and had given me a good life; but it was still frustrating. The bright spot was that I had "eaten my own...
Getting the Most from Telecommuting
Telecommuting is growing across North America. Benefits include lower cost for office space and better staff retention. However, many managers and employers remain skeptical of its value. A study by Glenn Dutcher and Krista Saral from the University of...
The Benefits of G-Suite for Non-profit Organizations
Inglewood is an urban neighbourhood in northwest Edmonton, Canada. Its Community League has a few part time employees and is managed by a volunteer board. In addition to advocating for neighbourhood issues with the city's administration, it rents out its community...
Supporting Road Warriors
I acquired a new client yesterday. He owns a small business owner and is a frequent road warrior as he meets with customers. His list of frustrations from his last service provider was a long one: When he was away from Wifi, he needed to use his cell phone as a hot...
Why VoIP Should be on Small Business’ Radar
Maybe you've never heard of VoIP or if you have, your eyes glossed over and you turned your head the other way. Simply put VoIP is a telephone service. It rings phones and connects people. But unlike the phone service offered by your public telephone company: the...
Baking Security into Software
Today, in the best case, most software implements security and privacy as just one of many competing requirements along with functionality and usability. In the worst case, security and privacy are an after-thought—designed and installed to satisfy minimal regulatory requirements, user expectations, or avoid negative software reviews. That will all change—at least for software used within the European Union or for software or systems which stores the data of EU companies and citizens—by May 2018.
Decision Making
I once finished a engagement with a company that had a difficult time with decision-making. When employees would ask how a mandated change should be implemented, the manager might respond with, "I'm not a technical guy; be creative," and then walk away. I remember...
Demographics vs. Shared Values
I've lost count of the number of articles that have come across my feed with titles like, "Reaching out to Millennials", "Understanding your target market", or "What Boomers need." Traditional marketing models are based on carving up the universe of all potential...