Small Business Owners
If you are a small business owner in today’s fast-paced world of technology and commerce, it’s good to get a jump on the new year. Many of us still remember the past Y2K fiasco, when we went from the 20th century into the 21st, and what a potential mess many thought that could have been! But it’s always a good idea to prepare over the next coming months, especially when you have the huge responsibility of running your own company.
IT Solutions in Demand
The recent pandemic has brought an entirely different set of needs for businesses to consider in 2022. One thing is certain: moving forward, more IT solutions are needed. With more organizations incorporating remote work and other more easily accessible features, for both employees and customers worldwide, IT services have never been in higher demand. For example, small businesses that let their employees work remotely are already much more common, post-pandemic.
The Computer(s)
The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to computers is security, especially when running companies! But as far as your main or actual computer(s), check hardware and performance specifics, then write them down on a piece of paper and tape it to the back, or keep it somewhere accessible. Remember never to install anything new without checking hardware requirements to make sure your system is compatible.
Operating Systems – Upgrade
First off, if you’re running Microsoft Windows 10 for an operating system, note here that the November 2021 update is now available, as Windows 11 has now been released, so be sure to check that out, if you’re interested. We don’t generally recommend updating right away as many other programs and peripherals will not be compatible yet, so you may find that some things suddenly don’t work as they used to if you upgrade immediately upon the new OS release. But there are some benefits — as long as you stay on top of your existing Windows operating system and get the proper Windows update, you will always have the most recent security updates from Microsoft. At Blue Oak Tech, we can take care of all that for you so you don’t have to remember these kinds of things.
In fact, Windows users who have operating systems with the most recent Windows update installed, are eligible for a free upgrade when it becomes available. Be sure to thoroughly check out the new upgrade for new features and tools to help your organization.
Cyber Security
There are more risks involving security these days than you might think and antivirus software is not enough by itself. You always need to check for security updates and patches and be on the lookout for malware (malicious software) of any kind, which can do permanent damage to your hardware and computer. There are hundreds of new types of cyberattacks and malicious software found every single day, so security updates are absolutely essential. Blue Oak Tech offers a number of tools and solutions for keeping threats from ever reaching you and your system secure.
Optimize for Devices
If you haven’t done so yet, make sure your website is optimized for mobile devices. These days, the vast majority of users access the internet on these devices. You want each customer, regardless of the device they may be using, to have a seamless experience on your business website. The bottom line is, sometimes a person’s only access to the internet is through a mobile device and not a PC. Optimize your website so customers, as well as employees, can have a perfect interaction on any device. And, if possible, integrate features such as chat or an easy-to-submit form for quick and easy contact from potential or current customers. Or, offer a texting contact option. Cell phone users are often more likely to attempt communication via typing than phone call, so anything you can do to facilitate that will be beneficial.
Disaster Recovery Plan
Another important part of preparing for 2022 for any business is having a good disaster recovery plan. This is a plan that involves backing up all your files and data to the cloud or to another location, in case something happened to cause either data loss or a catastrophic system failure. This can include multiple different possible events, but the thing they have in common is they are completely beyond your control. These are some examples of events that can result in significant data loss:
- Flood or storm damage
- Tornado and other natural disasters
- Human error (employee mistake)
- Accidental fire
- Theft
- Arson
- Computer virus
- Malware (malicious software)
- Ransomware
Backup Plan
As you have concluded from the above information, you’ll want to have your important data in more than one place, including at least one off-site location. The cloud offers great solutions for businesses and not just for data storage. Here at Blue Oak Technology Solutions, we can help you sort out all your options and decide which one is best for your business and your budget. We can also help you evaluate the technology solutions that would improve or increase your current capabilities for growth, scalability, and success. At the same time, it will create a more efficient workplace. Keep data and files safe with the support you need from Blue Oak Tech.
Blue Oak Tech
If you have Blue Oak Technology Solutions on your side, we can handle any or all of these things as part of your monthly managed services and you won’t have to worry yourself over these concerns again. We offer Microsoft products, plus via a significant group of vendor and distributor relationships that we can pull from, we can assist with both hardware and software acquisition when you need any type of network equipment. We provide the best tech support and customer service anywhere, as our clients really matter to us! Personal – customizable service.
Our Services
Here are some of our general services:
- Cloud Computing services
- Wireless solutions
- Security management
- Email hosting, archiving, spam filtering
- Computer and device repair services
- Equipment acquisition / certified Microsoft products and more
- Data recovery plan
- IT support and services
And many more! You can either choose the services you want, and nothing you don’t – for a package of monthly managed services, and be billed monthly, or you can choose just the service you need on-demand, on a pay-as-you-go basis. Whatever works best for you, works for us – give us a call today, at Blue Oak Technology Solutions.
Liking what you read? Read our other article on Data Backup and Recovery Strategy for Small Business
