The Datamax Thinking Blog

If your IT partner isn't doing these four things well, it might be time to look for another partner.

How is your IT service provider doing these days? Are you happy with the job they are doing?

In a perfect world, your network is running smoothly, resting safe and sound from malware attacks, and emails and communications are pinging back and forth like a well-orchestrated symphony.

We all have certain expectations when we sign on for a service, and there is nothing worse than the anxiety you feel when they don’t meet the mark — especially when it comes to IT.

Every company is vulnerable to cybercriminals – especially SMBs because their infrastructure is usually less secure. Use data backup as part of your security strategy against ransomware.

Cybercriminals want to hold your information for ransom. And they are coming after your small to medium sized business because your networks are usually less secure than larger businesses.

Don't just take my word for it.

The FBI estimates that the “ransomware industry” was worth $1 billion in 2016. That number is expected to grow in 2017. 

Every disaster is different. Before doing anything, understand the underlying issues and how it may affect you.

Prepare yourself before disaster strikes. Why?  Because it’s comin’. In many forms and guises you can count on it — it’s comin’.  When it comes to data backup and disaster recovery (BDR), you need to be prepared for potential disasters to keep your business running. It’s not only important to have a disaster recovery solution you trust, but to make sure you test it as well.

The Technology Advocate provides client-focused advise grounded in the business case and tailored to address the unique needs of each organization.

Are you making good decisions about investments in your technology infrastructure? What business goals are you trying to accomplish? For many companies, the answer to both questions is a resounding "um..."

Organizations of all sizes use technology to conduct business functions ranging from simple communication to complex "big data" data analysis. Sometimes the adoption of technology is well conceived and cost effective, however all too often the acquisition and deployment of new

Keeping your patient data properly backed up and protected will help you focus on what matters most — the patients you care for.

As a healthcare provider, you know your patients are the number one priority. Part of your obligation to them is to keep their health-related information as confidential as possible.

Because tornadoes can have catastrophic impacts on physical facilities, businesses must plan ahead for an alternative way to carry out everyday processes such as answering phones, processing orders, issuing invoices, signing checks, etc.

Every business has to prepare for the worst. Those that don’t may never fully recover from a disaster. But not all disasters are created equal. And not all businesses are at risk for every kind of disaster. That’s why we’ve put together this quick Natural Disaster Survival Guide to help you ensure that your business can keep operating even if a natural disaster strikes.

If you don't have a plan currently, please join us at the upcoming Datamax Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Seminar (June 20th) and learn more on how to protect your business from human error, hardware failure and natural disasters that can bring your company to its knees.

As a proactive CEO, you know that implementing a solid business continuity and disaster recovery plan, also referred to as BCDR, is essential for your business. After all, why would anyone in your esteemed position ever put a business at risk to downtime or data loss when prevention is so easy? While some CEOs fail to give BCDR the proper attention it deserves, we’re not worried about you.

But if anyone asks, here are four critical reasons that you, the CEO, care about business continuity and disaster recovery.

Establishing quantifiable, standardized benchmarks which are then scored will allow senior business executives to begin assessing, and managing, their technology infrastructure as a whole.

Working with small and medium-sized businesses and helping manage their technology is as challenging as it is rewarding. Although every business is different, there are aspects common to all. For example, the business of an architect is different than a CPA, yet each must communicate, each must meet payroll, and each must be able to manage finances.

When firms in the legal industry understand that they should focus on law and let experts handle legal IT, they save time and reduce expenses in the long run.

Do you feel you're not getting the most out of your technology spending? Or that your legal IT departments are not helping you meet your business goals?

First, rethink your strategy, and your mindset.

When it comes to technology, there are a few key things that firms in the legal industry do in order to improve their business processes:

• Be smart. Select only technology that supports your business objectives.
• Your IT infrastructure must retain its critical pieces: copiers and print output.
• Hire professionals to manage your IT so you can focus on work that brings your firm revenue: practicing law, acquiring new clients, and retaining current ones.
• Remove distractions. Don't try to handle copier repairs in-house, as this only slows down your work.

Here's an overview of how law firms are spending on IT, from the InsideLegal/ILTA Technology Purchasing Survey (click here to read the complete survey).

Obviously in order to secure your business and sensitive data you have to know your points of weakness.

How many printers, scanners, copiers, computers, laptops, webcams, tablets, and smartphones are in your office right now? Every one of them is a ripe target for hackers. 

So, if you truly counted, and I know you did because what better way to spend your already limited time, then that’s how many points of penetration the cyber-thieves of the world have to gain access to your network (and your data). Oh, and if you have any videoconferencing systems, smart TVs, or DVRs, go ahead and tack that on to your list of hacker-vulnerable equipment.