XFER Blog

Businesses used to think that it was worth waiting around for technology solutions to break before servicing them. In fact, it was such a commonplace practice that it’s still prevalent (although to a significantly reduced degree) today. We want to look into why it just makes sense to leave the old break-fix IT model behind in favor of a more proactive approach.

Today, IT tools and services are essential for businesses of any size. They provide the direction, stability, and connectivity needed to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape… but what exactly are these "IT tools and services," and why should they be a priority for your business, specifically?

Simply put, they encompass the hardware, software, and expertise that enable your business operations, from managing customer relationships and streamlining workflows to safeguarding critical data. Let’s talk a little more about why they need to be prioritized.

In business, you generally know better than to make promises to your clients or customers. After all, what happens when you can’t keep them? Well, today, we want to highlight a couple of promises that managed IT can make—with confidence—for your business.

Who handles the tech decisions for your business? If it’s you, are you sure you have all the knowledge you need to make the best choices for your company’s tech future? If not, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a service called a Virtual CIO.

Downtime is easily one of the most prolific reasons small businesses take in less money than they otherwise could, making it an existential threat to many if a certain threshold is met. Making a bad situation worse, there is no shortage of reasons a business may experience downtime. Let’s examine some of these causes to better understand how to minimize this universal issue.

Professional services include a lot of the “experts” people depend on. Today’s professional services firms rely heavily on technology to enhance efficiency, client service, and overall operations. This month, we thought we’d go through four technologies professional services firms depend on. Let’s get into it.

SMBs need to be sensitive to their profit margins, as their ability to offer valuable services and products is directly tied to how many resources they have at their disposal. Therefore, you need to do all you can to save money where it counts—including your IT budget. It makes the most sense to take care of your existing IT infrastructure so you don't have to throw away resources needlessly.

When your employees struggle with their technology, who do they turn to? Do you have anyone at your business who is, without a doubt, the go-to IT resource who can help them address simple issues like changing a password or fixing a problem with their workstation? There is a name for this kind of support: the help desk. Let’s discuss why your business needs one and why it might be in your best interest to outsource this responsibility.

You might hear us discuss the benefits of “proactive IT maintenance” all the time, but what does the word “proactive” really mean for technology management? Today, we want to demystify some of the jargon surrounding proactive IT and show you just how great of a value proposition it really is.

We work with quite a few businesses, but one is a lot more remote than the rest of them. We wanted to share a story that one of our more discreet client organizations told us after we helped them resolve a particular challenge. Don’t worry, we asked, and sharing this won’t land us on the naughty list.

Businesses that struggle with managing technology have a lot to gain by working with a managed service provider, or MSP. These providers are able to help businesses just like yours maintain and improve operations through the use of technology management tools and services. Here are three of the greatest benefits that working with an MSP can provide for businesses just like yours.

Obtaining professional insights is invaluable and it can be difficult to do as fees for consulting have shot through the roof. IT consulting plays a pivotal role in providing businesses with a profound understanding of their technological environment. Here are various ways in which IT consulting enhances a business' approach to technology, fostering informed and strategic decision-making.

Your IT is a big deal, even if you don’t think it is. Managing IT is indeed a substantial and often complex responsibility that can be more extensive than some business owners initially realize. It demands your attention, and not just because you pay for it, but because a properly managed IT strategy can have major benefits for your business. A realistic perspective can go a long way toward setting you up for success. Let’s outline some ways your business can lose control over its technology budget.

Cybersecurity has become a paramount concern for individuals and organizations alike. With the constant threat of cyberattacks and data breaches, it is crucial to have robust security measures in place. This is where cybersecurity consulting comes into play. Below, we will explore the various ways in which consulting services contribute to enhancing cybersecurity.

If your business works with many different vendors, then you know that your vendor management strategy can very much take on a life of its own and spiral out of control. The more time you spend working with vendors, the more time you’re not spending on the actual tasks associated with your job responsibilities. This means that you’re leaving a lot of wasted productivity and time on the table. We’re here to help you get the most out of managing your vendor relationships, as well as one secret that can help you get the most out of them.

Even the most technology-literate of your average employees is not going to have the knowledge needed to manage and maintain your entire business infrastructure, and you shouldn’t expect them to, either. It takes a special kind of attention and training to manage complicated enterprise-level technology, but how can you make sure your business has access to these important resources?

It’s never a good time to deal with budget cuts, and unfortunately, due to its large costs and investments, technology management, maintenance, and infrastructure are often a victim of them. Let’s go over how you can lessen or mitigate the hit you take when dealing with an IT budget cut.

There is an inherent value associated with outsourcing the management of your technology to a managed service provider, or MSP. With your team taking a more hands-off approach to technology, they can instead focus on being more productive. If you’re still on the fence about this approach to technology and business, then we have some questions you should consider asking if you are thinking about learning more about MSPs and what they do.

Let me ask you a question: if you had a toilet that needed repairing, would you rather trust a plumber with a few decades of experience or a toddler that had just (mostly) learned how to use the toilet?

That’s what we thought… but when it comes to your business’ technology, finding someone with experience can be a bit more challenging. Let’s discuss the way that the right IT management produces improved business outcomes.

Hacking attacks can be stressful to manage, but when you add in that they can strike when you least expect them to, it gets a lot worse. You’ll never know how you respond to such an event unless you simulate it and replicate it somehow. This is what the penetration test is used for; it provides your business with a way to prepare for cyberattacks.