XFER Blog

Starting a new business is an exciting experience, but choosing the right technology from the beginning plays a big role in how successful and secure your business will be. A strong IT plan keeps your operations running smoothly, protects your data, and makes it easier to grow over time. This month, we’re sharing practical steps to help you build one.

Technology plays a critical role in how businesses operate today. From websites and servers to email systems and cloud applications, most companies rely on a wide range of digital tools to stay productive and competitive. But what happens when something suddenly stops working?

That’s where IT monitoring comes in; and it’s more important than many people realize.

Your desk can either help you get stuff done or totally drain your motivation. If your desk is messy, uncomfortable, or just boring, you might find yourself checking your phone every five minutes or suddenly deciding it’s time to reorganize your sock drawer. With a few simple changes, however, your desk can become your productivity power zone. Let’s break down how to set it up right.

Ransomware has evolved from a rare cybersecurity issue into one of the most damaging threats facing small businesses today. It’s no longer just a problem for large corporations with deep pockets. In fact, small businesses are increasingly being targeted because they often lack the sophisticated defenses of larger organizations. Ransomware doesn't discriminate, and for a small business, a single attack can be catastrophic.

Imagine owning an elevator and only fixing it when it completely breaks down. Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, that’s basically what businesses do when they rely on a break/fix IT strategy.

Break/fix IT is exactly what it sounds like, you don’t call in the experts until something goes wrong. On the surface, it might seem like a way to save money, but in reality, it’s a recipe for stress, lost revenue, and major headaches. Let’s talk about why this approach just doesn’t make sense anymore.

Video calls have become the norm, whether you’re working remotely, catching up with friends, or trying to explain to your grandma how to unmute herself. To be honest, some video meetings feel like an endurance test. Bad lighting, poor audio, and distracting backgrounds can make them unbearable. Do you want to level up your video conferencing game? Here are five tips to help you look and sound like the professional you are.

Ever feel like your office is being swallowed by paper? It piles up, clogs filing cabinets, and somehow multiplies overnight. If you’re always hunting for lost documents or drowning in paperwork, it’s probably time to go digital. But when should you make the switch? Let’s break it down.

A lot of businesses feel the pressure to jump on the latest and greatest tech out there. On the surface, that sounds like a smart move, who wouldn’t want cutting-edge tools? Just because something is new and shiny doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your business, however. So, let’s take a step back and talk about how you can make smart tech decisions that actually give you a return on your investment.

Artificial Intelligence is totally shaking things up—it's one of the coolest, most game-changing technologies we've seen in years. It can do in minutes what used to take people hours or even days, and it's only going to get smarter. That said, if you're a business owner, using AI can sometimes throw a wrench in the works.

Imagine waking up one day and finding your phone completely wiped—no contacts, no photos, no texts. Feels like a nightmare, right? Now, picture that happening to an entire business. All the files, data, and systems—gone. Scary stuff. That’s exactly why businesses need a Disaster Recovery (DR) plan. It’s like having a safety net to help you get back on your feet when things go sideways. Here’s how to build one.

Being able to navigate around the Internet browser is a must. Not only is it the front face of most of your Internet-based efforts, there are more security and privacy threats that people need to sidestep today than ever before. This month we thought we’d give you two of the top tips on how to be able to navigate your browser.

Imagine you're just going about your day when you suddenly get an email from a company that says a hacker is targeting you. Since you don't work in IT and aren’t sure about your company's security details, you believe the email and reply. It turns out the email was a scam, unfortunately, and now the hackers have tricked you completely.

Productivity is typically a top priority for any business, which is why there are countless technology solutions promising to help you work more efficiently. However, what happens when these solutions don’t work as intended? Your team’s efficiency can plummet, leading to frustration, downtime, and unnecessary costs.

Good communication is essential for any business. It can be as basic as having a phone line or as advanced as using tools that help your business grow. For small businesses, communication can be challenging. Limited budgets, growing teams, and the need to stay flexible often make traditional systems too expensive or outdated. That’s where cloud-hosted communications come in as a modern and better option.

Securing your network is essential in this age of near-constant cyberthreats. One of the best ways individuals and businesses have to secure their accounts is through two-factor authentication. How do you make the most out of it? Let’s discuss the best practices to ensure your 2FA setup keeps your digital life safe.

Keeping your smartphone safe for work is something that we all need to do. Not only do you have all of your personal data, if you use it for work, it probably has access to work emails, files, and other sensitive information, making it a target for hackers. To make sure it stays secure, here are some simple tips anyone can follow.

Imagine this: a factory floor is silent, machines are turned off, and workers stand around with nothing to do. Or think of an office where employees sit idle because the computer system is down. This is downtime—a period when a business’ operations drag to a halt. While it might not seem like a big deal initially, downtime is one of the most significant drains on a company’s resources. In this month’s newsletter, let’s take a look at why this is.

Using a computer can be frustrating when things go wrong, but you’re not alone. Everyone has dealt with annoying tech issues at some point. Let’s look at three super common tech problems and how you can handle them.

Have you ever used Google to look up something, played a game that remembers your high scores, or checked your messages on Instagram? All these apps work smoothly because they have something called a Database Management System, or DBMS, working behind the scenes. In this month’s newsletter, we take a look at the DBMS and how it works to improve user experiences. 

Taking care of your computer isn’t just about software updates and backups—it’s also about keeping it physically clean. A dust-free and tidy workspace helps your devices last longer and run smoothly. This month, we look at five straightforward tips anyone can follow to maintain a clean workstation.