The Damages of Using Social Networking Sites at Work
It’s amazing how much technology has changed our lives. We can find almost any product or piece of information online in seconds. We can send messages via email in the blink of an eye. In technological terms, however, these services are so yesterday. We now rely on them and they are no longer novel – they are a way of life. So, what’s the latest and greatest new piece of technological communication?
Social networking sites.
To be fair, these sites have been around for a good long while. People have been sharing personal information, favorite songs, and finding old friends for a few years now. What’s changing is that these sites are no longer populated by just teens and college students. More and more, adults of all ages are also flocking to these sites, and many of these people are your employees.
Now, why should you care what your employees do to socialize in their free time? Well, we all know that when people are cranky about the workplace, they tend to tell a friend. Now, instead of a one-on-one conversation, these negative thoughts can be spread across the Internet. Depending on how your employees handle their privacy, these thoughts may come up when potential customers and clients search your site over the Internet. Not only that, but if you are a big name in your company, people may search on you personally as well. The Internet is a public space, and you need to maintain a professional image in every way.
So, what’s a company to do? Well, you should have a policy about company business being discussed outside of the business, and you need to educate your employees. Chances are they love the company and just have off days, but comments made on an off day can hurt your reputation. Take a little time to explain your expectations to your people, and you can keep your reputation safe.
Is It Time to Get New Software?
There’s a tremendous amount of software marketed towards businesses. From ways to organize data, to communicate, to process business, and to create new products, there’s a wealth of options. Sometimes, however, you find that the product you are using isn’t the best option for your company. Worse is when you realize that while you love the software, its creators are phasing it out and that you’ll no longer be able to receive support for it. Either way, you’ll need to find new software and implement it with the least possible disruption to your business.
The first thing you need to know is how much downtime you will have in implementing the software, as well as if this downtime can be minimized. Even if the transition can occur after hours, it may affect your web presence, and you want to make this as easy on your customers as possible. Are there ways of keeping both running until the switch? Do you have a backup plan in case things don’t go smoothly? How many people will you need on hand to handle the switch, and will these employees be enough?
No matter what, it’s probably time to call in the IT experts. Not only can an IT consultant help you find the best software for your needs, but they can help you implement the changeover. They have helped many other businesses with the same issues, and have streamlined processes to make the transition as easy as possible. Switching software is never fun, but with a little help, at least you can be assured it will happen smoothly.
You Know That Software Is Licensed, Right?
Your business uses a lot of software, and some of it is pretty expensive. You need it to communicate, to create, and to keep your business running, so doing without it isn’t an option. Did you know that there are limits to the number of computers you can run your software on for each purpose? If you are finding ways to get around this, you are effectively stealing the software. That’s not only bad for business, it’s breaking the law.
Even if you’ve properly paid for all of the software you are using, you may not be aware that some software licenses expire after a set amount of time. You may have to renew the license or purchase it again, but all the same, you’ll have to deal with it or the software may stop working. One way to avoid finding out too late that your software has expired is to use a tracking program. It will keep a record of the expiration dates on your licenses to make sure that the products you are using are legal and that they’ll continue to run.
Another option is free software. Freeware is sometimes an option for a growing company. Provided it’s available for use in a business setting, it can be a great way to save a little cash. Finding the good stuff in the piles of free software available, however, can be tough. It’s also hard to know if the download is reputable. One way to make this process worry free is to ask an expert. An IT consultant is up-to-date on all of the software you could want, both paid and free. By using them to help you sort through licenses and freeware, you can be sure you’re getting the best products and a great deal. After all, don’t you want less to worry about?
Training IT Staff
You’ve found the best IT people out there. You hunted for them, perused resumes and found the cream of the crop. You’ve done the best you could possibly do to get your IT department staffed, but you have a worry in the back of your mind. What if you need them to do something they have never done before? Can they handle it?
IT people tend to be bright, creative problem-solvers. If you have a need, they can probably find their way through data and procedures and accomplish the task. The real question is will it be done as well as it could be, or will it just be a patch? That’s a real worry for a business owner. Chances are you leave IT matters to your tech staff for a good reason, and aren’t sure what to do in this situation.
Have you ever considered getting them some outside training? You’re probably already helping them to stay current on their certifications, and you may be sending them to classes so that they can hone their skills. Did you know that you can bring outside help in?
IT consultants don’t just take care of your technological needs. They can also work closely with your permanent staff and help educate them on tools and techniques they’ll need to keep your system running in an optimal fashion. Your permanent staff does IT because they love it, and they’ll welcome the chance to learn new skills and chat up an industry expert. Not only is it a winning proposition for your employees, but it is for your business, as well. They’ll put what they’ve learned back to work for you, and the fabulous hires you made will continue being at the top of their game.
Just How Compatible Is Your Website?
It’s a common newbie error — you build the perfect website only to find that not everyone can access it. You’ve checked everything on your end and it looks fine, so what on earth is the problem?
Well, every search engine interprets data a bit differently. Firefox presents pages differently than Safari, or Chrome, or Internet Explorer, for example. Even different versions of the same software sometimes have differences, and it’s important that your site be accessible and look great from any browser. After all, your clients and customers find you through a variety of programs.
Another thing you should think about is which browsers you want to be compatible with. It takes time, money, and effort to make a site compatible with a browser. If your site is compatible with 99 percent of users on the Internet, just how much money do you want to throw at the other 1 percent? You’ll need to make some choices about how cost-effective it is to allow these potential consumers to access your site. It may be worth it, or it may be too much of a headache.
If these concerns are new to you, chances are you could use a little help. If you’ve built a good site, you probably just need a small amount of back-end assistance to get it running and compatible with all of the major browsers. Why not hire an IT expert to take care of this? You can delegate the task to a consultant and be confident that it’s being taken care of. Your customers will be impressed by your professional site, and you can do what you do best — handle your business.
Moving, Rearranging, and the Hazards of Reorganization
As your business grows, your space needs grow, as well. Sure, your data storage needs change over time, but we’re referring to your actual, physical space needs. Whether you are switching office space, warehouse space, or just need to rearrange the office, chances are you’re going to have to shift some vital computer bits as well. Moving your servers and your infrastructure around can be complicated. Are you ready?
The first thing you need is a game plan. Just how do you intend to accomplish this, anyhow? By developing a plan of action, you can save yourself a lot of time and effort. Knowing what connects where and how close the infrastructure needs to be to other parts is essential. Knowing what you plan to do, however, is only the first step.
No matter how well you’ve planned, sometimes things go wrong. While you probably already have a disaster plan in place for your company, it’s a good idea to have a mini plan for the move. What will you do if you drop a server? What if you don’t have the power available to run all of the equipment in the new location? Every moment your system is down is money out of your pocket. By planning for emergencies ahead of time, you can have the preparation already done if something goes wrong. This way you can implement the fix as quickly as possible, and get back to business.
Moving your infrastructure is never fun, but with a plan you can be sure that even if something goes wrong, you can handle it. Take a little time to do this before you start disconnecting, and you’ll be sure to complete the move and be back up and running in no time.
Considerations for Creating a “Green” IT Infrastructure
Turning to technology for things like virtual conferencing and streamlined communications is actually a great first step in creating a more environmentally-friendly workplace. That’s because one of the worst ways a company can leave a larger carbon footprint (and spend unnecessary money) is to send employees by plane for things like conferences, training, and meetings.
However, when it comes to really having a positive impact in the business world, there are additional considerations. Depending on where in the building and planning stages you are, you might consider:
- Switching to electronic record-keeping. If your business keeps all correspondence (such as emails and text messages) and routinely prints out receipts or other documents for storage in a filing system, consider using electronic versions as a way to save on printing. You’ll also want to ensure that you have a secure backup system, including offsite and possible even offshore storage options.
- Building data centers in areas that offer greater options in eco-friendly technology. For example, an area that is naturally cooler and already in touch with alternative energy options is going to allow you to reduce your energy input. Choosing a location that allows for easy commuting can also be a good idea. This is an especially important step if you’re in the planning states of your IT development.
- Plan for automated processes wherever possible. It doesn’t matter whether you automate your monthly vulnerability management program or a paper-based customer service process – when things are planned in advance to be streamlined and efficient, the result is good for both your bottom line and the environment as a whole.
Of course, if you’re really dedicated to turning your company into a more “green” place to work, you’ll also want to consider eco-friendly building codes, employee incentive programs, or even more advanced technology options. The good news about going green is that no effort is too small, and anything you do today will impact tomorrow for the better.
What IT Consultants Have that You Don’t
In many cases, hiring an outside consultant for your business is all about finding and securing the type of experience you simply don’t have on your own team. In today’s business world, much of success is due to finding and perfecting a niche market; if you are really good at one thing, and you know how to make that one thing work, you can start to grow the kind of business that is synonymous with success.
When you really narrow your field, however, you might find that you’re missing out on certain skill sets required to succeed in today’s increasingly global and technological age. For example, perhaps you make and sell purses but don’t know the first thing about selling them online. Maybe you’re in the business of finance, and your tech employees are so busy setting up and maintaining your infrastructure that information security falls by the wayside.
It doesn’t matter how large or how small your operation is; there are times when that IT consultant can fill in the gaps left by your traditional staff.
IT consultants have a number of qualifications that make them especially suited for offering information technology and information security assistance. When you choose the right firm, you get:
- Higher levels of education, in everything from computer science and electronics to management information systems or even engineering.
- Greater specialization, particularly when it comes to types of software, programming, and security unique to your business type and size.
- More comprehensive services, including everything from infrastructure design and planning to full network administration.
- Quality professional control, since most IT consulting firms can only be as successful as their clients.
Perhaps the most important thing that IT consultants have that you don’t, however, is time. Because these professionals make it their business to see to yours, you can forget the hassles of technology to really get back to what it is you do best.
Consider IT Consulting to Save Time and Money
When you consider hiring an information technology consultant, you’re really thinking about ways to streamline the way you do business. After all, there is no better way to get an outside and professional opinion on your network and IT infrastructure, especially from a results-oriented approach designed to save you time and money.
Time and money are what businesses today are really all about. And while IT consultants can certainly help you find ways to lower your carbon footprint or increase job satisfaction among staff members, the most important thing is that they do it with an eye on your bottom line.
For example, building a “greener” company from an IT standpoint might just help you reduce your paper needs and even increase sales among a more youthful, environmentally-friendly demographic. When Starbucks turned its focus to using free trade coffees and offering their used coffee grounds for gardens, they weren’t doing it just to give back to the planet – they’re working at building an eco-friendly brand others will recognize and appreciate around the world. It’s a business move just as much as it’s a moral one.
At the same time, implementing new technologies that allow employees to do their work more efficiently (and without the hassles commonly associated with the IT field) can boost overall morale, which in turn increases employee retention. Consider an IT support staff member who gets a midnight call whenever the system goes down – while this might be in his or her job description, it can get pretty irritating to always be the one responsible for those late-night emergencies. Relying on an automated system or a consulting firm can be your way to give that employee the rest – and respect – he or she deserves.
There are other ways IT consulting can save you time and money, as well, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s done by filling a temporary staffing need or creating an information security network to protect your business and its assets. Like any type of business consulting, information technology support is about taking the work you do and making it better, easier, and more aligned with where you want your company to go.
Streamlining IT Solutions
Whether they realize it or not, most of today’s companies take a “patchwork quilt” approach to information and Internet security. This means that instead of relying on a unified program to oversee and track vulnerabilities, a company can have as many types of protection software as they do types of hardware and networks.
This sort of approach makes sense; after all, your company is growing and expanding, and the infrastructure you had in place two years ago might not be sufficient to meet current needs. The automatic response is to add new programs and hardware as your business grows, and to add the latest in information security to the new infrastructure at the same time.
While this can work as a short-term solution, information security is about a lot more than simply having any old barrier up in place. In order to really get the most out of your vulnerability protection, you have to take a more proactive and comprehensive approach. This means throwing out that old patchwork quilt and replacing it with a solid blanket of protection designed to grow with your company.
There are a number of benefits to this kind of capacity planning and vulnerability management:
- When your system is overseen by a single vulnerability protection plan, you get tracking data that is consistent and usable for the entire system.
- You can install vulnerability protection programs that allow for growth while still taking advantage of existing information security measures, saving you both time and money in the long-term.
- You reduce the possibility of patchwork “holes” that sometimes occur when an information security system is simply pieced together over time.
No matter what your current infrastructure looks like, your business can benefit from a vulnerability assessment and consultation. Not only might you find vulnerability holes you didn’t know existed, but you can streamline the way you run your vulnerability management program – and that can save you time, money, and the trouble of a system weakened by viruses or other outside threats.