Wednesday, August 31, 2016

5 Ways IT Companies in Atlanta Can Cut Costs and Increase Performance

IT companies in Atlanta have noticed businesses don't make the best decisions for improving their IT security and stability.


They either purchase software they never use or don't take full advantage of their capital expenditure. Such actions are not the signs of a growing business, but a failing one.


As such, we have compiled five ways in which you can cut unnecessary spending and streamline your business.


1. Use Your Servers More Efficiently


Many companies nowadays have moved on to virtualizing their workloads. Do you have a separate room where you keep your servers? Or does your business make use of data centers?


You probably use many inefficient servers to accommodate more workloads. Why do that when you can use virtual servers on Linux and Windows and virtualize your desktops instead? This allows you to use a smaller amount of servers.


IT companies in Atlanta can recommend a few virtualization solutions. Examples include Microsoft's Hyper-V and SharePoint.


The best part is virtual workloads are much easier to move around and expand. You are guaranteed a flexible solution to scale your data centers.


it-companies-in-atlanta-2


2. IT Companies in Atlanta Suggest Cutting Down on Storage Costs


A virtualized work environment allows you to move away from outdated storage methods. Bulky server storage is slowly becoming a thing of the past.


Moving to cloud-based storage helps with efficiency. IT companies in Atlanta report the following benefits straight from their clients:



  • Speedier data backup. Applications such as SharePoint allow you to retrieve files from Virtual Machines much faster. That streamlines many processes.

  • Similarly, you can retrieve data from the cloud at higher speeds than using standard storage methods.

  • You use much less bandwidth in the process of disaster recovery.

  • You manage everything from one location, saving you time.


3. No More Unused Software


How much software have you purchased in the past years? Now think of how much each bit of software has been of use to your business.


You probably realized that not everything with a license is automatically a boon to your company. IT companies in Atlanta can help you make better decisions regarding your software needs.


4. Think Long-Term


Creating a more streamlined technological solution for your company is good. But remember training costs need to be taken into account.


If you move your company towards maximum efficiency, your employees won't keep up with the sudden change. Retrain them, and that can seriously cost you.


That is why you should take it slowly, making sure you have proper technical support at your disposal. Managed service providers can guide you through the streamlining process.


5. Put Your IT Guys to Rest


The problem with an in-house IT solution is people get used to a routine.


You get used to the processes that go into your job and become oblivious to minor problems because “everything works just fine”. It's kind of like proofreading your own writing. It doesn't work as well as having someone else doing it for you.


This can be costly sometimes if your employees are not careful. Disaster recovery can only help you so much.


In these conditions, we recommend you get in touch with us. It will allow your current IT specialists to concentrate on other parts of your company – while we work at making your tech solutions more efficient.


The post 5 Ways IT Companies in Atlanta Can Cut Costs and Increase Performance appeared first on 1iX.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The Small Business Guide to Atlanta IT Services: What to Get and Why

Small businesses rarely require any special Atlanta IT services. Their in-house solutions are often enough to keep up with their needs.


But, as the company grows, so do your IT service requirements. At 25 or more employees, your tech people can get overwhelmed.


Unfortunately, small companies can rarely afford to add more support staff. The extra work is then assigned to someone else in the workplace – with less than ideal results.


As such, it becomes necessary to seek outside help. Depending on your business needs, there are multiple services you can consult. Here are a few that serve as a starting point in your decision:


General Repairmen and Tech Support


No company can say they never had tech problems that required hardware repairs or replacement. If you have met someone who made that claim, they were dishonest.


You can find many Atlanta IT services that offer to fix your hardware issues. Better yet, get one that can prevent those problems.


Prevention is the best cure most times, especially when you're on a budget. Monthly hardware replacement is simply not acceptable.


atlanta it services


Another good example is when someone in your company was not careful when installing a new motherboard in one of your PCs. These items can be very expensive.


Regarding availability, you have two options: 24/7 tech support and those that work on a schedule. It's up to you as a business owner to decide which one you need.


Atlanta IT Services Offer Remote Support


As we said, tech support can put a financial strain on a small company. Fortunately, many Atlanta IT services have now gone the way of remote desktop interfacing.


Instead of waiting for someone to fix your software problems, they can do it from anywhere in the world. That can be especially useful in case of an emergency. Some companies just can't afford the downtime.


When you choose how a support company will aid your business, you need to consider an important question. How much money is going down the drain for every hour your business is inactive?


Remote support can be a godsend. Remove the waiting times and get back to work in no time.


Data Security Services


We've talked about how preventing a problem is better than solving it. If you work with sensitive data (like law firms which use digital documents), you need proper security.


Over 32% of the world's computers are infected with malicious software. Data protection has never been more necessary.


Just using a good anti-virus software is no longer a reliable security strategy. Digital intrusion methods have evolved considerably over the past few years.


Besides using data protection software, you will need to protect your wireless networks. Moreover, you'll need a proper backup solution for your data in case something goes awry.


To prevent infections in the future, you also have the option of proactive network and system monitoring.


As you can see, there are many aspects to think about in your company's security and support needs. If you are not sure where to start, contact us for a consultation today. We'll get you up-to-speed with the latest security measures.


The post The Small Business Guide to Atlanta IT Services: What to Get and Why appeared first on 1iX.