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Purchasing hardware and software can be a daunting task for any business owner.

The return of investment (ROI) for technology does not work the same as other business expenditures. To invest in technology, you must have a measurable return for your money.

There are a couple of key things to remember before making an IT upgrade or addition:

• Conduct a detailed analysis of the technology you currently have and what you are trying to accomplish with an upgrade or addition. Throwing money at a problem is not always the best way to arrive at the ideal solution.
• Try combining the upgrade or addition with additional objectives, like more productivity, less costs, less downtime, integration with existing systems, etc.
• Think of the total cost of ownership while comparing quotes. The total cost of ownership over a period of years is always the primary consideration for a technology purchasing decision.

To make the IT upgrade process simpler, IntelliSyn has created IntelliOffice. Our IntelliOffice managed office solution eliminates the challenges and the complexity associated with creating, deploying, managing, and maintaining an efficient and secure IT environment.

With IntelliOffice, all of your technology costs are packaged conveniently into a single monthly service fee with no monthly or yearly surprises. This gives you the peace of mind to focus on what you do best, knowing that the technology that helps drive your business is completely serviced and supported.

Contact IntelliSyn today to learn how IntelliOffice can streamline your business’ next IT upgrade or addition.

Switching from local file storage to cloud file sharing isn’t as daunting as it may seem.

Cloud computing is more efficient than the outdated method of storing files on local equipment.

Consider taking advantage of the simplicity of cloud file sharing for your business:

• Ease of use: Cloud file sharing is as easy as creating an account, pressing a few buttons, and sharing files instantly. The process of setting up equipment, protecting files, and saving, transferring, and sharing your files is simplified.
• No equipment needed: There is no need to buy storage equipment as file sharing occurs over one cloud network on the internet.
• Quick installation: Installation is as simple as downloading a cloud storage app and setting up an account. There is no lengthy equipment or software installation process.

IntelliSyn simplifies the file sync and share process with IntelliShare. This completely managed service is hosted in IntelliSyn’s secure cloud environment and customized to fit your unique business needs. IntelliShare enables secure access to business data from anywhere.

Contact IntelliSyn today to get all the cloud file sharing benefits IntelliShare offers.

Cloud-based file syncing and sharing is becoming the go-to method of storing, accessing, and exchanging files for all sizes of businesses, especially small. It’s fast, convenient, and simple.

Consider these benefits of cloud-based file syncing and sharing for your business:

• Accessibility: Cloud-based file syncing and sharing is much easier than storing, accessing, and sharing files on local storage devices because all files are stored on the same cloud network, which can be accessed from anywhere.
• Time efficiency: The cloud eliminates the time needed to set up, save, and transfer files by easily collecting everything in one place with minimal effort, preventing business disruption.
• Recovery: There is no need to worry about lost or corrupted files with the cloud. Most cloud computing providers offer backup options for all files that have been stored on the cloud, saving you time and stress.
• Cost reduction: Because files are stored and shared over the internet on a central cloud-based server, there is no need to purchase storage equipment, lowering business costs.

IntelliShare provides customizable, managed enterprise file sync and share (EFSS) for secure access to business data from anywhere. Increase productivity and improve collaboration with IntelliShare. This customizable, managed EFSS solution provides better performance and more control over file syncing and sharing compared to competitive cloud storage offerings.

Contact IntelliSyn today to get all the cloud-sharing benefits IntelliShare offers.

Cyberthreats are on the rise and your business should protect itself from the inevitable risks a lack of cybersecurity carries.

Implementing effective cybersecurity measures for your business ensures the protection of sensitive data and the elimination of threats that could affect business productivity.

Consider these five efficient and cost-effective ways to increase your business’ cybersecurity:

1. Activate a network firewall for your internet connection: Enable a firewall to prevent outsiders from accessing data on your private network.
2. Make backup copies of important data and information: Always conduct regular backups of all data and computers to keep your business’ data safe in the event accidental deletions or unforeseen disasters.
3. Secure Wi-Fi networks: Make sure your Wi-Fi networks are hidden and secure through encryption.
4. Employ strong passwords: Password protect everything, or consider a multi-factor authentication process for extremely sensitive data.
5. Train employees in security principles: Set up and teach security policies and practices to employees, such as appropriate guidelines for internet use and data access to prevent system and data corruption.

IntelliSyn addresses all cybersecurity requirements with IntelliSecure, which includes managed firewall, data backup and protection, and managed VPN services tailored to your unique business environment.

Contact IntelliSyn today to learn how to best protect your business against cyberthreats.

Inefficient IT infrastructures increase the risk of losing valuable business data, external breaches or, in the worst-case scenario, the disclosure of sensitive data to the public.

An IT audit is an examination of the management controls within an information technology infrastructure. It is the best way to ensure that your business’ IT is secure and running efficiently.

But, does your business need it?

Yes. Every business should schedule regular IT audits. It is essential for all businesses — no matter the size — because it will help determine if any steps need to be taken to ensure IT safety and business productivity.

Information technology audits determine whether the IT controls that are in place are protecting data assets, ensuring data integrity, and are aligned with overall business goals. Without an IT audit, you’ll never know if your business’ IT infrastructure is optimized for your work environment and running at peak efficiency.

And it’s extremely easy and cost effective to get one done.

Information is power. Contact IntelliSyn today to get an IT audit and take the first step towards getting the information you need to protect your business and your data.

While Wi-Fi has become an efficient way to connect multiple devices to the same network — without all those pesky wires — there are still advantages to hardwiring your business’ internet connection.

An Ethernet cable connection offers three distinct advantages over Wi-Fi:

1. Speed: Although Wi-Fi has become significantly faster over the last few years, a hardwired connection is still the fastest and most direct link to a network. It’s the best way to get the speed you need to access information and multimedia services. Wi-Fi isn’t as direct and it’s slower.
2. Safety: A hardwired network connection is a lot safer than a Wi-Fi connection. With today’s advanced tools, hackers can get access to a Wi-Fi network easily. A hardwired connection is much harder to access and hack.
3. Interference: By its very nature, a Wi-Fi link is far more likely to be affected by interference than a hardwired connection. Neighboring networks operating in the same frequency and other devices using Wi-Fi can affect the performance of a Wi-Fi connection. A hardwired connection is free from this interference and is able to connect seamlessly.

Quick tip: If your business does have Wi-Fi, ensure the router is configured as a private access point so it doesn’t broadcast its existence to the world. This way, you significantly reduce the likelihood that an unwanted snooper will hop on your Wi-Fi network. Guests and employees can still access the router manually.

Contact IntelliSyn today to learn more about whether a hardwired or Wi-Fi internet connection is the best for your business.

One of the latest buzzwords in IT is SaaS. But what is it and do you need it?

SaaS is the acronym for Software as a Service. It is a software distribution model where a third-party provider hosts applications over the internet and makes them available to customers through a service model rather than a one-time purchase model.

With SaaS, the expense of hardware acquisition, provisioning, maintenance, software licensing, installation, and support is completely eliminated. Businesses don’t need to install or run applications on their own computers/data centers or worry about application upgrades and upkeep.

The benefits of switching to a managed service provider (MSP) that offers its products/services through a SaaS model include:

• Flexible payments: The SaaS model is built on monthly payment structures rather than one-time purchases of the software needed to enable business processes.
• Scalable usage: SaaS offers high scalability, which gives customers the option to increase or decrease the number of services they want to access. Best of all, businesses are never trapped with physical products that they can’t upgrade or return.
• Automatic updates: With a SaaS model, the MSP automatically performs necessary updates and patch management of all software. This frees businesses from the burden of purchasing software and managing the update process.
• Accessibility: Businesses who opt for a SaaS model have more flexibility and can increase productivity. They are able to access SaaS applications over the internet from any internet-enabled device and location at any time.

Contact IntelliSyn today to learn more about how SaaS will benefit your business!

There’s a lot of talk these days about the cloud. It’s the current IT focus for many businesses. The cloud enables businesses to store, manage, and process data in a remote, virtual computing environment rather than on a computer or server on a business’ premises.

Should your business move its data to the cloud?
It may be time to make the move if:

• Your equipment — especially storage devices — is out of date. Upgrading hardware and software on your own is often expensive and time consuming. Switching to the cloud eliminates that task from your day and is less costly.
• Your storage is full and running slow. When your storage is no longer able to store data and is causing your system to run slow, it’s time to move to the cloud. On the cloud, you can determine the space you want today and expand when you need to in the future. This frees up space on on-location storage servers and improves network performance.
• You’re wasting time on IT maintenance instead of working. By switching to the cloud with a managed service provider (MSP), you can increase productivity and eliminate the need to spend time on implementing applications. The MSP does all the ongoing IT maintenance for you!
• Your IT costs are unpredictable. Reduce IT capital and operating costs by switching to a pay-as-you-grow model. You won’t have to pay for new equipment, new applications, application upgrades, or installation, and you’ll get consistent, predictable payments!

With IntelliServer, you get all the benefits of the cloud without the headaches. IntelliServer offers hosting and co-location services in state-of-the-art facilities. And it’s backed by complete network administration, maintenance, and reporting that simplifies network, data, and application management.

If you’re considering a move to the cloud, contact IntelliSyn today and find out how the cloud can help you improve your business.

Offering Wi-Fi to guests is common for businesses of all sizes. But is it safe?

There are advantages and disadvantages to your business offering “guest mode” Wi-Fi to visitors. It’s important to be aware of both so you can protect your business’ IT infrastructure and ensure that your network remains secure.

One reason businesses offer a guest Wi-Fi mode instead of access to their main Wi-Fi setup is that it allows for differentiation in the credentials used. Your guests can have a visitor password that differs from your company credentials — keeping control over guest usage and access separate from company usage.

Instating a guest mode also keeps sensitive data protected, as it does not allow access to the business’ main network. Guest modes only connect to the internet.

With guest mode, you may also limit the number of devices that can connect to the guest network, giving your business control over a Wi-Fi access point’s usage.

A downside to guest mode is that it is often an open and unencrypted network, meaning any network traffic may be vulnerable to “snooping”. Unless encrypted with a password every time a user logs in to guest mode, guests may be putting their data at risk. So be aware of what you and your guests send back and forth over this connection!

It’s also important to be aware that sometimes, even with an encrypted guest mode, it isn’t difficult for tech-savvy people to gain access to your network and sensitive data if your business is using unreliable routers.

To learn more about whether or not your business should offer Wi-Fi to its guests and how you can protect your business’ network from threats, contact IntelliSyn today!

With so many storage solutions available, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for your small business.

To ensure your business’ data remains secure, properly stored, and conveniently accessed, compare just some of the advantages of both cloud storage and local storage with the information below.

Cloud storage advantages
-Cost-effective
-Maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting are provided for you as issues arise
-Storage size scalability – Easy to increase or decrease storage as needed
-On-site disasters are not a problem, everything is safe elsewhere
-Easy, accessible access on any device with an internet connection

Local storage advantages
-Access speed is often a lot faster than cloud storage
-Full control of backups, which means better control over who accesses data
-Disconnecting the drives from the network keeps your data safe from attacks

There are advantages to both cloud and local storage, and the good news is that IntelliSyn offers the best of both worlds with its IntelliServer solution!

IntelliServer increases network efficiency while reducing operating costs and it’s backed by complete network administration, maintenance, and reporting that simplifies network, data, and application management.

With IntelliServer, you get the ideal balance of public, private, or hybrid cloud-based hosting. And you can eliminate the daily hassles associated with using and managing advanced IT so you can get on with your business.

IntelliServer ensures that you get the latest and greatest solution for all of your storage needs with its state-of-the-art facilities that keep your data secure.

Contact IntelliSyn today to reap the rewards of an all-in-one storage solution for your small business!