All businesses rely on technology to some extent. And as any business owner knows, technology is constantly changing and evolving.
What may have been cutting-edge a few years ago is now outdated and no longer supported by the manufacturer. That’s why it’s so important to keep your IT equipment up to date. Here are three reasons why:
1. Improved Security
One of the most important reasons to keep your IT equipment up to date is for improved security. Older equipment is more vulnerable to hacking and cyberattacks.
Outdated software can also put your data at risk. By upgrading to new equipment and software, you can rest assured that your data is better protected.
2. Increased Efficiency
Another reason to upgrade your IT equipment is for increased efficiency. Newer equipment is faster and more efficient than older models.
This means that your employees will be able to work faster and be more productive. Newer software can also automate tasks that used to be done manually, further increasing efficiency.
3. Better Support From Manufacturers
When you have up-to-date IT equipment, you’ll also enjoy better support from the manufacturers.
If you have an issue with your equipment, you can always contact the manufacturer for help. But if your equipment is out of date, the manufacturer may not offer any support at all.
This can leave you stranded if something goes wrong.
As a business owner, it’s important to keep your IT equipment up to date. Newer equipment is more secure, more efficient, and better supported by the manufacturers than older models.
So don’t wait – if your IT equipment is out of date, replace it as soon as possible!
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SorceTek Technology offers custom IT solutions for all industries.
We design enterprise solutions for small-to-midsize businesses in any industry, including highly regulated and particularly vulnerable sectors.
We’ll help you maintain compliance and surpass and go above and beyond your security standards to keep your data safe.
If you’re in the market for a CRM (customer relationship management) system, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. With so many options on the market, it can be tough to know where to start.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through some of the things you should keep in mind as you look for a CRM system for your business.
By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll know exactly what to look for in a CRM system—and you’ll be one step closer to finding the perfect one for your business.
What Is a CRM System?
Before we dive into how to find the right CRM system for your business, let’s take a step back and answer the question “what is a CRM system?”
A CRM system is a software application that helps businesses manage their customer relationships. CRM systems can track customer interactions, record customer data, and automate various tasks related to customer relationship management.
In other words, a CRM system is designed to make it easier for businesses to nurture and grow their relationships with their customers.
How To Find The Right CRM System For You
First and foremost, you need to identify your business’s needs. What are your specific goals for implementing a CRM? Do you want to increase sales? Improve customer service? Or both?
Once you’ve answered this question, you can start looking at different CRMs and see which ones offer the features and functionality that will help you achieve your goals.
Next, you need to consider ease of use.
A CRM is only as good as its adoption rate, so it’s important to choose one that’s user-friendly and intuitive. Otherwise, your employees will never use it—and it’ll be a waste of time and money.
To get an idea of how easy (or difficult) a CRM is to use, look at online reviews and ask for product demos from vendors.
Finally, you need to think about price.
As with most things in business, you’ll get what you pay for with a CRM. But that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank; there are plenty of affordable options on the market that will do the job just fine.
When evaluating price, be sure to consider the total cost of ownership, which includes factors like implementation costs, training costs, and subscription fees.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a CRM for your business. But by taking the time to find the right one, you’ll set yourself up for success in achieving your sales and customer service goals.
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With all the options available today, we know choosing the right system can be difficult.
Let SorceTek be your go-to advisors for everything technical.
A data breach is when an unauthorized party gains access to your personal data. This can happen when you least expect it, which is why it’s important to know how to find out if you’ve been affected by a data breach.
Keep reading to find out how to tell if you’re a victim of a data breach, and what you can do next.
How to Tell if You’ve Been Breached
There are a few tell-tale signs that you may have been the victim of a data breach.
First, check your inbox for any suspicious emails or messages. If you see anything that looks odd, delete it immediately.
You should also keep an eye out for unusual activity on your credit card or bank account statements. If you see any charges that you don’t recognize, chances are your information has been compromised.
Finally, keep tabs on your personal information. If you receive any calls or emails asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or other sensitive information, it’s likely that someone is trying to scam you.
If your bank or other institutions call asking for your personal information, don’t give it to them. First ask them who they are and how you can reach them through a known public number for their institution.
Remember it is fairly easy for criminals to change their caller ID and make it seem they are calling from your bank.
What To Do Next
If you think you may have been the victim of a data breach, the first thing you should do is reach out to your financial institutions and alert them of the situation, right away without delay. They will then be able to take steps to protect your accounts.
You should also change all of your passwords, both on your financial accounts and on any other accounts where you may have used the same password.
This is also a good time to institute a better password system for your personal passwords. You should never use the same password anywhere. All passwords should be highly complex and unique. We live in a new world and this type of protection is now necessary.
And finally, make sure to keep an eye on your credit report for any irregular activity.
A data breach can be a really scary thing. But by being proactive and keeping an eye out for suspicious activity, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim.
If you think you may have been breached, reach out to your financial institutions and change all of your passwords right away.
And finally, keep an eye on your credit report for any unusual activity.
Get Protected Today
When it comes to cybersecurity, simultaneous offense and defense is key.
Rapid detection of threats means better odds at preventing a major breach and safeguarding your assets from exploitation.
Skilled cyber criminals have been known to hide in networks for weeks or longer. As they sit in wait, changing, destroying or stealing valuable data while evading detection, no one may be none the wiser until it’s too late.
A threat can turn into an absolute nightmare for a business if not stomped out quickly.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a theory; it’s a reality that is changing businesses as we know them. In fact, AI is expected to have a profound impact on businesses in the next 10 years, especially when it comes to automating tasks, analyzing data, and making decisions.
Here’s a closer look at how AI will change business in the next decade.
Automation of Tasks
One of the most immediate ways AI will change business is by automating routine tasks. This could include anything from customer service inquiries to financial transactions.
By automating routine tasks, businesses will be able to free up employees to focus on more strategic tasks that require human interaction and creativity.
Analyzing Data
Another way AI will change business is by helping companies analyze large data sets more effectively.
Data analysis is critical for businesses as it can help identify trends, optimize processes, and make better decisions. However, manually analyzing data sets can be time-consuming and expensive.
With AI, businesses will be able to analyze data more quickly and effectively, which will give them a competitive edge.
Making Decisions
AI will also enable businesses to make better decisions by providing insights that humans may not be able to see.
For example, AI can predict customer behavior patterns and preferences based on past interactions. This information can then be used to make decisions about product development, pricing, and marketing strategies.
Additionally, AI can help identify risks and opportunities that humans may not be aware of.
In Conclusion
AI is no longer just a theory; it’s a reality that is changing businesses as we know them.
In the next 10 years, we can expect to see a profound impact of AI on businesses, especially when it comes to automating tasks, analyzing data, and making decisions.
Those businesses that embrace AI will be best positioned for success in the next decade and beyond.
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Many businesses have technology needs beyond standard systems.
Services for a variety of individualized needs can be customized to fit your requirements and bottom line.
From coding to robotics to on-site security, our professionals are ready to help you find solutions no matter how complicated the issue.
In today’s business world, the ability to bounce back from an unexpected event is more important than ever before. Having a plan in place to ensure your business can continue to operate in the event of an interruption is critical to your success.
But what are the biggest threats to business continuity for small businesses today?
Here are the top 5:
Natural Disasters
Cyber Attacks
Employee Error
Supply Chain Disruptions
Pandemics
Natural Disasters
From hurricanes and earthquakes to wildfires and floods, natural disasters can strike at any time and often with little warning. And while you can’t control Mother Nature, you can control how prepared you are for her wrath.
Creating a comprehensive business continuity plan that takes into account the specific risks associated with natural disasters in your area is critical to ensuring your business can weather the storm.
Cyber Attacks
In today’s digital age, businesses of all sizes are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks. From ransomware and malware to phishing scams and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, the threat landscape is constantly evolving.
As hackers become more sophisticated, so too must your defense mechanisms.
By investing in robust cybersecurity protection and training your employees on best practices, you can help defend your business against a potential cyber attack.
Employee Error
Believe it or not, one of the most common threats to business continuity is employee error. From accidentally deleting important files to losing laptop computers containing sensitive data, mistakes happen.
And while you can’t prevent them from happening altogether, you can minimize their impact by implementing proper security protocols and procedures – like data backup and disaster recovery – and by providing employees with adequate training on how to use them effectively.
Supply Chain Disruptions
In today’s global economy, supply chains are often complex and far-reaching – which means they’re also susceptible to disruptions.
Whether it’s a hurricane wreaking havoc on shipping operations or a supplier going out of business unexpectedly, supply chain disruptions can have a serious impact on your business continuity plan – not to mention your bottom line.
That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place for how you’ll maintain operations in the event of a disruption. This might include things like sourcing alternative suppliers or rerouting shipments through different channels.
Pandemics
In recent years, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating effect a pandemic can have on businesses of all sizes – from mom-and-pop shops forced to shutter their doors permanently to multinational corporations laying off thousands of employees worldwide.
While there’s no way to fully prepare for something like a pandemic, having a plan in place for how your business will continue to operate in the event of one can help reduce its impact on your bottom line.
This might include things like instituting remote work policies or cross-training employees so that essential functions can still be carried out even if key personnel are unavailable.
Let’s Build a Recovery Plan Together
Our solutions mean a quick return to “business as usual” after a crisis. Disaster recovery typically involves backing up data and processes to an off-site facility or cloud-based storage, ensuring business continuity as operations transfer to a second site or technology environment.
Prevention is the most important key to recovery; nonetheless, there is no such thing as perfect prevention. Anything can happen, be it accidental file deletion, security breaches, or even weather disasters.
We help identify and address potential technology risks, then build recovery plans that include considerations such as optimal backup solutions and climate-controlled facilities.
We’ll help you build these systems and tailor them to your industry’s and business’s specific needs.
