SMART Blog

Smart Services has been providing independent agents with proactive, fast, and expert technology services since 1991.

3 Ways to Tell if You’re Dealing with a Faulty Hard Drive

b2ap3_thumbnail_hard_drive_vector_image_400.jpgEvery business owner knows how imperative technology is to their success. Sometimes it’s the most common problem which can keep you from being as productive as possible. It’s not always evident when technology is about to fail, but there are some general signs you should look for when you’re skeptical that your hard drive is about to kick the bucket.

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Are You Budgeting for IT Security?

b2ap3_thumbnail_IT_security_budget_400.jpgIt’s the nature of technology to grow more complex over time, and as it does, the types of threats grow alongside it. Security is now more important than ever before, and if your business is not prepared to handle the threats that lurk in the shadows, your organization could be running with an unnecessary crutch.

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3 Concepts to Think About Before Adding Thin Clients in Your Workplace

b2ap3_thumbnail_virtualized_server_400.jpgSome businesses are finding hardware virtualization to be an effective alternative to hosting their own servers in-house, and for good reason. They save money that would ordinarily be spent on electricity and operating costs associated with owning machinery. Similar to these virtual servers and workstations are what are known as “thin clients.”

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How to Handle an Employee that Wants to Use their Smartphone at Work

b2ap3_thumbnail_bring_your_own_device_400.jpgRecently, we’ve been approached by clients asking us about an employee wanting to set up their company email on their iPhone. The business owner thought, “Hey, that’s great! They’re getting more work done and I don’t need to pay for the phone or the service.” We then brought up a crucial point: “What happens when your employee leaves the company or loses their smartphone?”

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It Might Be Time to Reevaluate Your VPN Strategy

b2ap3_thumbnail_vpn_strategy_400.jpgAccessibility and mobility are important parts of a business’s data infrastructure. To this end, some businesses take advantage of a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which has the power to extend a personal network over a private network like the Internet. However, with new services like cloud computing gaining traction, is it time for businesses to switch up their VPN policies to stay relevant in their industry?

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Can You Tell the Difference Between an IT Issue and an IT Problem?

b2ap3_thumbnail_what_is_the_problem_400.jpgWe often discuss why it’s important that a business takes proactive measures to resolve IT issues before they become problems, but these definitions might be lost on some of our followers. In order to understand the true value of our IT services, it’s imperative that you’re able to distinguish the difference between these two disruptive sources to your technology.

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In Business, It’s Dangerous to Go It Alone

b2ap3_thumbnail_business_partners_help_you_achieve_400.jpgSeasoned business owners understand the value of working with professionally-trained teams. Due to the complexities and time constraints of running a business, there’s no way that one person can do everything, much less doing everything well. Therefore, it’s ideal to have a professional team dedicated to every aspect of your business, especially when it comes to IT.

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Grow Your Business the Smart Way with VoIP

b2ap3_thumbnail_voice_over_ip_400.jpgIn a world where brief emails and instant messages inundate our day-to-day lives, there’s something to be said about taking the time to pick up the phone and talk to your customers. As your business grows and your client base expands, this can become increasingly expensive. VoIP is the perfect communications solution for your growing business.

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3 Qualities to Look For in Your Data Backup Solution

b2ap3_thumbnail_data_redundancy_400.jpgYour business’s data is one of the most important assets your company has, and with the bat of an eyelash, it could all be gone. Imagine an unexpected hardware failure causing your business downtime and severe data loss. All businesses should be aware of the importance of data backup and recovery, especially if they utilize personal or sensitive information.

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4 Pieces of Office Equipment That You Don’t Need to Replace

b2ap3_thumbnail_halt_do_not_fret_400.jpgThe IT landscape has changed so dramatically over the past decade that businesses need to stop and consider the latest solutions before cycling out their old IT equipment. In the past, when it came time to replace office technology, one would simply run down a standard list of IT equipment. Now, much of this standard equipment is no longer necessary.

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Managed Services Prevents these 6 Common IT Problems

b2ap3_thumbnail_make_the_pieces_fit_with_solutions_400.jpgModern businesses are built upon their data. Therefore, you need someone you trust to oversee it. Having the wrong person handle your IT systems could turn into a number of time-consuming, costly, and irritating problems for you. Here’s a list of the six most common IT problems that can be prevented by going with a trusted IT service provider.

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IT Designed For the Busy Business Owner

b2ap3_thumbnail_it_for_busy_business_400.jpgIf you’re the owner of a successful and fast-growing business, you know what it’s like to have your time spread thin. With all of your responsibilities pulling you every which way, thinking about your company’s IT network tends to get pushed to the bottom of your list. We feel like you shouldn’t have to divert energy from money making ventures to worry about your IT.

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BYOD Expenses: Is it Worth the Investment?

b2ap3_thumbnail_bring_your_own_device_400.jpgIn the world of business technology, industries are looking to save money as often as possible while maintaining or improving the productivity of their employees. One such method is with a BYOD strategy, or Bring Your Own Device. Some businesses allow their team to bring in and use their own devices for work purposes, but whether or not this actually saves them money is another story altogether.

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3 WiFi Tips To Improve Performance and Troubleshoot Issues

b2ap3_thumbnail_wifi_internet_connection_400.jpgIn the modern business landscape, WiFi is more important than ever before. In recent years, the capabilities of WiFi technology have improved dramatically, prompting more businesses to utilize wireless technology. An increased dependency on WiFi means that a working wireless connection is critical to operations. This requires knowing how to both properly setup and maintain your wireless network.

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How Can You Tell if a Technology Vendor is Right for Your Business?

b2ap3_thumbnail_vendor_management_for_your_business_400.jpgIt can make a big difference for your business to partner with the right technology vendor. How can you know if you’re working with a vendor that’s looking out for your company’s best interests, or one that wants to rip you off? You can know for sure if you’re working with the right vendor if you have your trusted IT provider choose them for you.

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Is Lame Technology Killing Your Company’s Collaboration Efforts?

b2ap3_thumbnail_frustrating_old_tech_400.jpgCollaboration. It’s a buzzword that managers talk about all the time, yet few organizations will claim that they’ve mastered it. It’s often a company’s misuse of technology that attributes to their collaboration shortcomings--which is ironic because utilizing the right technology is the surest way to improve collaboration.

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3 Reasons Why Humans Screw Up Technology

b2ap3_thumbnail_human_tech_issues_400.jpgTechnology is reliable. With correct coding and high-level instructions, technology will do exactly what it’s supposed to do. Yet, technology has a reputation for failing and being hard to work with. Might we be so bold as to suggest that the majority of technology problems are actually caused by humans? Here are three ways that human behavior breaks perfectly good technology.

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The Underworld of Cybercrime, the Darknet

b2ap3_thumbnail_keypad_darknet_400.jpgHave you ever wondered how hackers become hackers in the first place? How are tools readily available to them? Business owners might be reluctant to find out that hacking has become easier than ever over the past decade. This is partly due to the increased sophistication of the black market known to some as the Darknet.

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Are Workplace Distractions Getting Worse?

b2ap3_thumbnail_distracted_unproductive_400.jpgTechnology is a double-edged sword. It provides businesses with powerful tools that can bring unparalleled organization and efficiency to their operations; yet, technology provides workers with a tidal wave of distractions. What's your company doing to manage this unique technological paradox?

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It’s Imperative that You Use Correct KVM Switches

b2ap3_thumbnail_kvm_switch_400.jpgYour company's IT infrastructure is much like a puzzle. There are many different pieces that make it up, and each piece is needed for the entire network to work properly. One piece of equipment that often gets overlooked is the KVM switch. Here are three tips on finding the right KVM for your business.

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