by admin | Sep 14, 2017 | News
For any company with a recent batch of PCs on their desks, the arrival of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is another challenge in the changing world of Windows. While upgrades to new operating system editions seem to have been smoothed over and mostly run without issue, the new Redstone version of Windows adds a range of features that might cause issues for a company. At Nimbus we have a history of helping local companies out when it comes to Windows update time.
With Windows 10 updating very frequently to protect businesses against security risks, some users or part-time IT workers might mistake this for a simple update and expose new features to workers not ready to deal with them.
The new update adds powerful features
The addition of a Timeline mode, similar to that found on Macs, will help users who have deleted data or overwritten a file find that content, be it something they lost a few hours back or months ago and failed to notice. This will cause issues when it comes to people starting to work on old data that surfaced in that file, so users need to be trained in how to manage the feature.
Microsoft is also offering on-demand cloud storage to help when PCs start running out of disk space. Again, there could be issues where files are unavailable to other workers because one user has left them in the cloud, inaccessible to others, so some training is required.
One of the best new features enables you to work where you left off, featured across devices logged into the same account. Files will be available across your desktops, Windows tablets or all-in-ones and Windows Phones for power users. This freedom will be beneficial for those in an all-Windows environment, but needs careful device management and file archiving across any mid-sized business.
If your business is growing and the level of IT support is above what you can offer, then it might be time to look to outsource. We can provide all the help and support you need across multiple offices, helping to better manage your data and help when it comes to these tricky upgrades that can drop new features on unsuspecting users. Get in touch to find out how we can help.
by admin | Sep 6, 2017 | News
An efficient IT system is an essential requirement of every business, allowing your employees to complete projects on time and in full, and allowing your whole business operation to flow. The cost in terms of both time and money of having an efficient IT system is significant and, when you take into consideration the cost of upgrading systems and technologies, training, and personnel resources, it can have a heavy impact on your business.
There are so many benefits of outsourcing your IT support, especially if you’re a medium size business, which can help to improve the efficiency of your business and save you time and money. Below we’ve listed some of the main benefits you can look forward to by outsourcing you IT support.
1. Cost effectiveness
Outsourcing your IT support to a specialist company can help to save you time and money, as you don’t have the responsibility in house of employing IT professionals, or the pressure to upgrade IT systems and technologies. Outsourcing your IT means that all training required to upskill employees as technologies evolve is taken care of, and you have the expertise of not just one IT professional in house, but several within your outsourced team to utilise.
2. Security
Outsourcing your IT can also give you peace of mind that your data is being protected from the latest anti-virus, malware and spyware attacks that businesses can suffering from. To stay on top of developments in technologies to protect your business can be time consuming and overwhelming. By partnering with IT experts outside of your business, they take the pressure off you to ensure your company is protected as best as possible, every day, all year round.
3. Efficiency
Installing new systems, products and technologies requires a lot of time and forward planning, which – if you’re looking to current employees to take responsibility for – undoubtedly ends up effecting their day to day tasks. By outsourcing all your IT support needs, you’ll be increasing the speed in which new technologies can be implemented in your business and reduce the downtime the company is affected by.
If you want to hear more about how outsourcing your IT support could benefit your medium size business, saving you time and money, contact Nimbus CS today.
by admin | Aug 31, 2017 | News
No matter what your company does, almost all businesses are now reliant on PCs, mobile devices, cloud services or locally stored data. Regardless of its size, imagine if your company suddenly lost access to those devices or the data. That’s why any business needs to think of itself as a digital one, and protect those assets as it would cars, tools and other equipment.
Managing IT assets
Most SMEs start out managing IT in an ad-hoc fashion, but soon need professional help managing their assets. At this point, it is easier and less expensive to turn to outsourcing than it is to hire an expert. One IT person in your company creates a weak link – they may not understand the business, and what do you do when they go on holiday? Or, if they leave the company, they will create a void that is hard to fill and may take key knowledge with them.
Outsourcing is the solution
A professional IT outsourcing solution can provide constant IT support, improved networking, cyber security, managed services and other essentials that will keep your business running. We can provide accessible backups of all key data, improve productivity and efficiency by providing mobile working solutions and other benefits, and can grow with your business as its IT footprint expands.
Growing your business
We can also help plan your future IT expansion, saving your business money by providing hardware, software and cloud solutions at lower cost. Outsourcing may still sound scary to some businesses that have grown organically, but, when it comes to IT, you need independent advice away from shark-like vendors and expertise that is very costly to have in-house, especially for businesses with a modest range of PCs.
As your business expands, moves to multiple sites or acquires other businesses, our advice and services will be essential when it comes to wider networking, integrating different types of software or database, and other issues that will crop up as companies change.
Whatever your business size, low-cost, professional IT support is available to all and will help the company remain protected and running through any IT disaster or typical failure. We can also help your company grow smartly, and efficiently use its IT assets, which can be of immeasurable value. Get in touch with Nimbus CS today.
by admin | Aug 16, 2017 | News
Having multiple offices is a great way for a company to expand and increase its global outreach, particularly if they span a number of countries or even continents. Inevitably, however, there are a number of challenges that come with operating across a number of offices, and they are not limited merely to difficulties with differing time zones. Running such an operation requires meticulous planning, up-to-date technology and a near flawless IT support department to help it run smoothly and efficiently.
Video or phone meetings
Possibly the most common problem faced by office workers employed by global companies is in regards to how they can keep communications with colleagues in other offices efficient and swift. Indeed, there is nothing more frustrating or stressful than being unable to reach the one colleague with the document you need or being unable to communicate key aspects of a project adequately. To combat this barrier, businesses should provide employees with the tools to set up meetings via video or phone link, and instruct them on how to use such applications. Many professionals are now familiar with applications such as Meetupcall and Join-Me, which even allow for screen-sharing sessions in which employees are able to watch what is happening on their colleague’s screen in another office. Getting workers up to speed with this technology can work wonders.
IP phone systems
An IP phone system is another great way for employees to get in touch with each other. Purchasing such a system will save a business money on international calls and offer extra capabilities such as chat and conferencing, meaning employees do not have to go through the rigmarole of digging out colleagues’ numbers and punching them in the phone every time they would like to make a call.
Web-based management tools
Finally, it is most likely very important that a global business should take advantage of a web-based sales management tool such as Salesforce so that it can keep track of the activity of all of its salespeople. Purchasing this kind of programme will provide complete visibility in regards to the degree to which salespeople are benefiting the company and help business owners to develop strategies based on the data they draw out of it.
Nimbus CS
by admin | Aug 7, 2017 | News
In the last of our IT insights for businesses we discuss how smart hands can help your business.
As a mid-sized business, you’re always looking for ways to grow the company. What can you do to expand your reach? How can you attract major clients? Well, part of that could come down to time. By simply having more time, and by keeping your business operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can plan effective ways to grow your business. A smart hands service can provide you with eyes and hands on for custom installations and troubleshooting in your remote locations. Here are some ways smart hands could help you take your company to the next level…
Minimise downtime
A smart hands package provides vital assistance to your company by reducing the amount of downtime and interruptions to your service throughout the year. You can get someone to your systems quickly should issues arises with them. It also heightens the chance of the problem being resolved quickly, sometimes it can be fixed even before there’s a significant impact on your operations. Having minimal downtime is vital to growth, because employees can complete tasks knowing there won’t be any interruptions.
Frees up employees
It’s counter productive for a business to have trained and talented members of staff performing maintenance tasks that don’t really have much to do with their core duties. Smart hands can take care of this by carrying out maintenance, letting the employees you have in-house get on with their core tasks, which can lead to you improving the business and even creating innovative new services or products.
Extra manpower
If you have a roll out that requires systems installed in multiple location then a smart hands service can help. You systems can be installed in your satellite locations while your core tech staff are freed up to do what they do best, your bespoke configurations. The smart hands service can access locations, transport equipment, install equipment and get it up and running to hand over to your tech staff .
Support
As with all of our services, we’re on hand to offer any support you may need. Nimbus CS has been involved in roll outs across Ireland, so give us a call if you have a project coming up, we’ll be on hand to come up with a plan that will work for your company.
by admin | Aug 6, 2017 | News
The 5th in our series to mark the launch or our new Nimbus CS company website. Follow our social media channels to keep up to date.
The cyber world is developing at a rapid rate and opportunities abound for those in business who are willing to embrace technology and use it to their advantage. Unfortunately, there are those who seek to exploit companies whose online security is not adequate, resulting in the theft of valuable data and even money.
Here are a few ways of protecting your business from cyber-attack:
1. Always check potential employees’ references
Cyber theft is not just perpetrated by shady hackers in far off countries. You could be at risk from employees, ex-employees and temporary contractors who have access to sensitive information held on your computer systems.
Always run thorough background checks on potential employees to ensure that they are trustworthy.
2. Train employees in data security methods
Hold annual training sessions for your staff to educate them in data protection procedures and why they are so important. Include details of your company policy in the event of a threat and guidance on how to handle such a situation.
Make sure employees understand how to recognise that a computer may have malware and what action they should take, as well as ensuring that they are conversant with the company’s IT security guidelines and internet safety protocols.
3. Data encryption
If you hold personal client data on your systems you must ensure that it is safe and secure. Data encryption is probably the best means of achieving this.
Encryption technology can protect information wherever it is stored: on your network, laptop computers or removable data devices. Statistics show that an alarming 77% of small businesses are not concerned about cybercrime and have little or no structure in place to prevent it. Small businesses are responsible for 90% of all reported computer network breaches – pretty scary, not to mention expensive for those affected.
4. Protect your banking
Payment fraud is a big problem for small businesses, with over half suffering some kind of cyber-attack during 2015 according to research by the Business Banking Trust. To help prevent this, have one computer dedicated to banking which is used for nothing else.
Did you know that, even though the fraudulent activity actually occurs through the bank itself, your business is liable for the consequences? Many small companies don’t survive such attacks and go out of business as a result.
It’s devastating enough when your personal computer is hacked or has a virus implanted through a spam email, but this is nothing compared to the havoc a successful attack on your business can cause. Follow this advice and you will add another level of security to your business that will go a long way to preventing the theft of data or money.
Hacker IT Computer Security by Christoph Scholz licensed under Creative commons 5
