Managed Network

Businesses could benefit from allowing their employees to work remotely. Employees could be more productive and creative at home, work in an environment free of distractions, and maintain a positive work-life balance, making them a more engaged employee. To make sure businesses run smoothly, they can prepare for remote work.

Here are some need to know tips for managing a remote workforce.

Create a Series of How to Guides

Once everyone starts to work remotely, they may have the same questions and not realize it. The person in charge could receive emails from different co-workers with the same question, and their inbox would fill up. So that they don’t have to answer each email individually, it’s recommended to create how-to guides for the most used applications.

To prepare everyone for working remotely, have a group meeting either in person, over the phone, or through video chat to set guidelines. By going over this information once in the beginning, everyone will be on the right track and not waste time. Make sure users know how to login to their network on their PC or Mac computer and are familiar with the remote access solutions they’ll use at home, such as VPN or RDP networks.

Mobile Device Management, or MDM, software can be set up to give devices a standard configuration. The aim is to improve productivity for employees. Check out our IT solutions for secure remote access.

Mobile Device Management

Ensure proper management of mobile devices. Mobile devices are more likely to be lost or stolen when they are away from the home or office. Make sure that your team understands the risk of leaving devices unattended, especially in public places, and the importance of keeping their software and devices up-to-date. Encourage staff members to keep their devices in a safe location when they are not in use. One prevalent scam that is on the rise is sim card swapping.

In case this were to happen, use encryption to protect data. While most modern devices have encryption built-in, it may need to be turned on and configured. Fortunately, most devices have tools to remotely lock the device, erase the data stored on it, or retrieve a backup of its data. At the same time, if your organization allows for Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD, make sure your team backs up their photos and music. These items would be wiped from the device in the event that it was reported stolen.

Create a policy outlining what will happen if a device is lost or stolen, as well as the expectations. For instance, make note of who employees should report to, and encourage them in a positive, blame-free manner to report losses as soon as possible. Early reporting may help to minimize risk to the data, and staff members who aren’t fearful of reprisals are more likely to report promptly.

Avoid USB Drives and Removable Media

USB drives and removable media contain sensitive information and are easily misplaced. As they are openly shared, it becomes hard to track what they contain, where they’ve been, and who has used them. Hackers could also use USB drives to infect IT systems with malware. Reduce the likelihood of viruses by only allowing products supplied by the organization to be used. Another method is by using alternative means, such as corporate storage or collaborative tools such as OneDrive, FTP sites, or email.

Provide an Internal Who to Call List

Our last tip for working remotely is to make sure staff members know how to report any problems. This is especially important for security issues. If you work with a company like ThrottleNet, give them a call. If not, direct users to the appropriate support channels.

A Reliable Employee Who Can Work From Home

As a bonus tip, you need employees who can work remotely without supervision. Here are some interview questions that you can ask candidates looking to work for a remote position.

“How do you schedule your day?” looks for how a person schedules their time, perhaps by first checking emails, then having any meetings, and then working on daily tasks.
“How would you manage a project with a lot of people?” looks for how they work together on a project. This could be done through a document sharing service like Google Drive, where everyone can view and edit the same document.
“Why do you want to work remotely?” is a question that everyone answers differently. For example, some may want to stay at home with pets. Animal lovers will like to work with their furry friends by their side.

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IT Support for Mac Computers & Apple Devices

Mac users really love their Macs. It’s easy to understand why: Elegant, intuitive, and high-quality product design. Fewer viruses and cybercrime. All the best accessories. More than anything else though, most Mac devotees will tell you it’s the simplicity of Apple, Inc. technology they love the best. From simple user interfaces to seamless integration across all their devices, everything about the Apple ecosystem is made to be easy. There’s one thing about Macs that isn’t so simple, however: supporting them in the workplace. Many companies, especially those with a strong Windows PC-based technology legacy, struggle to adequately support Mac computers and macOS at work.

Mac Strategies for Business - Avoidance Isn’t the Answer

In the old days, it was easy for a company to just purchase Windows software and PCs and force Mac users to conform. In the era of BYOD (bring your own device) IT policies, however, the avoidance strategy is no longer sufficient. Not that it was ever a great idea to begin with. All that famed Mac simplicity and security adds up to more productivity, lower maintenance costs, and less risk to your data and network. Even Microsoft’s old pal IBM has plainly stated on numerous occasions that Macs are very good for business.

IBM: Mac users perform better at work and close larger high-value sales compared to PC users

Greater productivity
Improved performance

Lower cost per user
Lower support engineer-to-user ratio

Better employee retention
Higher-value sales deals

Why Are Macs Challenging for IT Departments?

While the benefits of making Mac devices part of your business technology strategy are clear, the logistics of doing so are a little murkier. If everything about Mac is made to be easy, why are they so challenging for IT departments to support?

If you ask your IT manager, there’s a good chance you’ll hear a reply back about inflexible architecture, expensive cost, or availability of applications. They might try to explain why PCs are better. Many of these reasons will be based on inaccurate or outdated information. Technology has come a long way and Macs have, too.

Here’s the plain and simple truth: a lot of businesses and IT companies say no to Macs because they just don’t know how to handle them. Many IT departments – both internal and outsourced – simply aren’t equipped or qualified to handle Macs in the workplace. ThrottleNet is. We have Apple Certified Support Professional (ASCP) engineers and technicians on staff and a successful track record of helping companies integrate Macs in the workplace. We are one of only a few outsourced IT companies in St. Louis that can meet businesses’ needs for comprehensive Apple-related managed security, support and consulting services.

Mac Business Solutions from ThrottleNet - #1 IT Management Company St. Louis

vCIO consulting
Mac-based cloud & virtual environments

Managed macOS & iOS security
BYOD strategies

Google Apps & Office 365 software for Mac
Apple Certified Support

Supporting Apple devices and Mac computers can be a battle for your business, but it’s one that ThrottleNet can help you win.

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What is an outsourced IT company?

Outsourced IT companies are businesses you hire to manage your company’s information technology. Outsourced IT companies service some or all of your IT functions required for business, virtually. By outsourcing IT solutions, your company can meet all of its information technology needs today without the hassle of managing projects internally or hiring new employees.

As many St. Louis area businesses are now working partly or entirely from home during the coronavirus pandemic, now is a good time to assess whether outsourcing your IT is a good fit for your business. Let’s have a look at six big advantages of outsourced IT solutions.

Services Included With Outsourced IT Solutions

The tasks and services included with outsourced IT solutions can vary depending on your business and the IT company you choose. The services can be broken into two main categories, IT Management and Cyber Security.

IT Management

What aspects of my business can an outsourced IT company remotely monitor?

Servers
Routers

Computers
Backups

Networks
Software

Printers
Cloud

Cyber Security

Security risks to your critical business data and your customers’ information is an ever-increasing threat. Ransomware attacks and phishing attacks are among the leading security risks. By outsourcing IT solutions, you can get cutting-edge managed protection against:

Ransomware
Malware

Viruses & Worms
Phishing Attacks

Brute Force Attacks

65% of all businesses could not remain profitable for more than three months if they permanently lost access to essential data.

Knowing that the threat is high, and the risk is even higher every business should have a dedicated staff to combat threats and manage security. There are options to protect yourself, such as hiring one dedicated employee to oversee all IT management and security. That option is a very tall order for one employee. A company that is large enough might be able to shoulder the cost of an entire team. For companies that cannot bear the cost of an entire team, outsourcing IT solutions is their best option. Let’s look at some of the advantages of outsourcing your IT department.

Advantages of Outsourcing IT Solutions

Reduce Labor Cost
Every business has the same goal to reduce cost and increase profit. Employees cost more than their salary. They take vacations, sick days, and mental health days. They need benefits and retirement packages.
Decrease Risk
Most companies cannot afford an entire team. A virtual IT company is a team of dedicated professionals that work around the clock to meet all of your needs. Experienced professionals at a Virtual IT company such as Throttlenet see related problems that you experience multiple times with other clients. An inhouse employee might be experiencing for the first time and on their own. Real-world experience is priceless.
Quickly Implement New Technology
Implementing new software or any new technology can result in downtime and long timelines. A quality outsourced IT service will have the resources to start right away without hiring new people and training them.
Increase Competitiveness
Large businesses have the advantage of having enough resources to implement cutting edge technology. By outsourcing, smaller businesses have access to those same resources for a fraction of the cost.
Focus On Your Core Business
You didn’t create your manufacturing, financial, real estate business, or a non-profit to spend time on IT management and security. Your passion is the core of your business. That is where your expertise is valued most and should be the focus of your time.
Technical Support Is Always Available
Peace of mind is priceless. By outsourcing IT solutions, there is a reliable team available for any unexpected crisis. Solutions to questions are a phone call, chat, or email away.

Outsourced IT solutions provide peace of mind from fax to cloud. If you’d like more information about what an award-winning Managed Service Provider can do for your business, get started with a free assessment of your IT network and cyber security.

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According to a recent study done by Ivanti, in many cases, network access is not always removed when an employee is terminated or leaves the company. This can cause concerns with the high risk of both data theft, and sabotage.

Many times, previous employees of a company take sensitive data from the previous employer to a new employer and conduct malicious attacks once they are terminated. With regard to new employee onboarding, approximately 85% reported not having access to all the proper resources needed to complete their work when first joining the company.

Access Rights

Compliance with employee’s access rights also can cause trouble with the on-boarding or off-boarding process of a company. Access rights to secured data and applications tend to take a while to be removed, leaving the terminated employee left with what has the potential to be sensitive data. Changes of access rights also tend to be slow to apply, if they are applied at all. This can make it difficult for new employees getting their daily tasks completed.

When a group of individuals was asked if they knew a former employee that still has access to company systems, over 50 percent said yes. This leads to risks of data leakage, cyberattacks through unmanaged accounts, and malicious data theft. Some of the reported causes of these IT issues were due to poorly defined processes, such as automation problems and a lack of resources.

Helpful Tips to Avoid Any Issues

Make sure your company has a specific process to handle employee changes, such as when employees are terminated, leave the company, or are newly hired
Document workstation requirements
Develop a detailed process for handling security access to internal systems to ensure the process is as timely as possible
Partner with IT professionals who can provide you and your company the resources and processes you need to avoid any issues

Working with IT professionals can make your life much easier when dealing with new and old employees. ThrottleNet can help ensure your company’s sensitive data isn’t going to be taken with the employee being terminated. Contact ThrottleNet today to keep your company’s data and applications secured!

ThrottleNet is known to offer high quality IT support, while also being a well-rounded team of experts that are there to help you and your business the most effective way possible. ThrottleNet’s full-time IT department is fast, friendly, and fixes tough issues with ease. Some IT service companies today don’t offer the support needed for businesses to run smoothly. ThrottleNet doesn’t just set you up, instead we support you throughout, and do it very well.

ThrottleNet’s Attentive & Helpful Team

Your IT support service should be properly staffed. This includes many trained employees that have the ability to handle any questions that clients might have. ThrottleNet can address the major problems initially, and then proceed with fixing the issues of lower priority efficiently. The team at ThrottleNet are able to provide solutions just as fast as issues emerge.

This is what our clients have to say:

“We LOVE ThrottleNet! We called with a computer problem and your team immediately resolved the issues, were prompt and very friendly. We have never had this type of experience with any other computer company we have worked with in the past. We are relieved that another vet recommended ThrottleNet to the Bridgeton Animal Hospital. You guys are the best!” – Dr. Kay Tung, Veterinarian at Bridgeton Animal Hospital

IT Support When You Need It

Do you feel like you tend to wait awhile for IT support? If there is one thing that is definite in any business, it is that they all need IT support that is reliable. Many complaints from clients show how their previous IT support service is slow. This can undoubtedly impact your business’s functionality and slow down daily activities.

ThrottleNet fixes problems rapidly, while also doing a good job. Just look to see what our clients are saying:

“ThrottleNet makes IT completely hassle free. Their proactive approach to network efficiency and security is integral to our achievement in the B2B marketplace. Delivering leading-edge online storefronts for enterprise-level businesses is at the heart of our print and marketing solutions. Therefore, a stable network and reliable connectivity is vital to the success of our business. Their cloud mail and backup solution has mitigated any risk of data loss and ensured we’ll always have access to our clients’ digital assets and files.”

“Ultimately, ThrottleNet’s quick response and expertise has been crucial in supporting our infrastructure at RBO PrintLogistix.” – Jim Riley, CEO & President of RBO PrtingLogistix

Qualified at Fixing IT

The team of specialists at ThrottleNet thinks through tough problems. Sometimes, missing the tiniest details can create a whole different problem. With almost two decades worth of exceptional experience, ThrottleNet has the resources, knowledge, and experience that you are in need of. ThrottleNet is known for its knowledgeable and friendly team, that is always ready to provide solutions to your IT issues.

Here is a glimpse of some of our client’s reviews:

“Thanks to the knowledgeable support team at ThrottleNet, our network is running faster and more efficient than ever before. I can trust them to resolve technical issues that might otherwise get in the way of running my business.” – Dr. Richard Goldberg from St. Louis Orthodontic Group

“I wanted to reiterate how happy we here at Condominium Property Management are with ThrottleNet. Several employees have seen immediate and dramatic improvements in their computers’ boot times. Instead of waiting 20 to 30 minutes to boot, our computers now boot up in about one minute. They also set up a Web backup for us, which is something we’ve discussed for a long time, but never implemented. We look forward to a long relationship with ThrottleNet.” – Jane Oliver, President of Condominium Property Management

Start Your ThrottleNet IT Experience

Are you in need of an IT support service that will be there to fix problems when you need it most? ThrottleNet is happy to help with all things IT related. Give us a call today to set up a consultation and see how we are the best option for your business.

In video three of our TNtv 3Qs series on Microsoft Azure services, ThrottleNet’s Sales Director, Chris Montgomery, and Cloud Services Manager, Aaron Oliver, discussed the process of migrating from your current storage software system to Azure. Migrating to Azure services is actually quite simple, whether you make a complete transition or take a more gradual approach.

Azure Pt 3 – The How and Why from ThrottleNet, Inc. on Vimeo.

How Does Transitioning to Azure Work?

Azure transitions are very flexible. You can choose to gradually move to Azure’s cloud, migrating individual services or servers at a time, or make a complete transition all at once. Important services and servers can be moved to Azure’s cloud storage while others can be kept on-site.

Azure also allows you the option to create a virtual network with a VPN connection. VPN stands for virtual private network. Virtual private networks provide you with a secure connection to other networks over the internet. With the ability of creating a virtual network, businesses can permit either a service provider network or a data center to make changes to your networking structure in order to make it the most efficient without needing changes in physical hardware connections.

How Should I Begin the Transition to Azure?

Users who make the transition to Azure will still connect to the same applications and services they were previously. Many users that make the switch begin by decommissioning file servers and moving to Azure’s Active Directory. Businesses decommission file servers when either removing a server permanently or combining existing servers.

Azure’s Active Directory, also known as Azure AD, is a data storage service that can be accessed by the cloud on your mobile device. Azure Active Directory allows employees sign in to access both external resources, such as the Azure portal, and internal resources, such as apps within your corporate network. Azure AD users tend to include IT admins, app developers, and subscribers of Microsoft 365, Azure, and Dynamics CRM Online. As subscribers, users automatically have the option to begin to manage access to the integrated apps within the cloud storage.

What are the Benefits of using Azure?

Azure users have access to choose which individual applications to move to the cloud, where some might not require servers at all. Benefits of making the switch to Azure includes reduction in capital expenditures, and server maintenance costs, removal of warranty renewals, and reduction in data center hosting costs. Additionally, businesses can be better protected while using Azure. Azure increases server security, allows you to meet compliance requirements, improves scalability, and generally, has you pay for what you need and not for what you might not be using.

Make the Move to Azure with ThrottleNet

If you’re in need of some help with your company’s storage software, contact ThrottleNet today! ThrottleNet specializes in IT management and security systems, providing businesses and organizations with a full-time IT department. To get the information you’re looking for, reach out today to get the help you need from our experts.