508-909-5961 [email protected]

Choosing the right computer for your small businessWith the rise of eCommerce and remote working, the importance of computers in business has never been more apparent. But what kind of computers does your small business need? Should you invest in desktops or laptops? Consider the following when weighing your options. Portability The pandemic has driven the majority of businesses to adopt remote […]

The post Choosing the right computer for your small business appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Choosing the right computer for your small business

With the rise of eCommerce and remote working, the importance of computers in business has never been more apparent. But what kind of computers does your small business need? Should you invest in desktops or laptops? Consider the following when weighing your options.

Portability

The pandemic has driven the majority of businesses to adopt remote work setups. If your business will implement a similar arrangement, investing in laptops is the smart move, as your staff can easily take their device with them anywhere they want to work. However, there may be instances when this can turn out to be counterproductive: if your employees can jump into work mode easily, they may get the impression that they have to work 24/7.

As such, you must not discount desktops altogether. While laptops are light and portable, modern desktop computers aren’t nearly as immobile as they used to be. In many cases, desktop screens are thin and light, and all-in-one desktops are easy to move around.

Memory and speed

Before, desktop computers had more memory than laptops, and they were faster because they had bigger processors. This has now changed, thanks to improvements in laptop technology. But until high-powered laptops become affordable to the general public, desktop computers are going to provide your business with more memory, speed, and power for your money.

How much speed and memory you need depends on the work you do. If your employees’ work mostly entails word processing and emailing, laptops should be enough. But if they need to run gaming software or access heavy media files, better invest in desktops.

Security

A desktop computer is more physically secure because it’s often kept in one location, making it easier to guard. And because a desktop’s internet access is often a single source (whether through Wi-Fi or cable), it’s easier to defend it against malware and cyberattacks.

If you choose to invest in laptops, make sure to have strict policies on how to protect devices that are used outside of the office. Don’t let your staff connect to unsecured networks, and use encryption tools to protect data from unauthorized access. You must also employ mobile device management software to enable your administrator to wipe data clean off laptops should they get lost or stolen.

Price

Laptops, especially the smaller notebook-style ones, are a lot cheaper than desktops. However, desktop computers are also becoming more affordable through local channels and lenient payment terms. And with a capable IT services provider that can provide you with infrastructure or offer cheaper desktop options, cost probably won’t be a deciding factor.

Quality

Although laptop computers provide the convenience of portability, they’re prone to battery and charging cord problems. They are also easily damaged, especially if they are dropped or mishandled. By contrast, desktops are generally sturdier. But when they do experience a problem, repairing them can be expensive.

Final recommendation

The desktop versus laptop debate is an old one, with supporters on both sides touting the advantages of their choice. A growing company usually needs a combination of both types of computers, especially as their needs evolve.

If you have questions regarding choosing the best computer for your company, give us a call. We’ll be happy to assist you in improving your business.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Choosing the right computer for your small business appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

How to extend your laptop battery lifeOne of the top considerations in choosing where to work with your laptop is the availability of a power socket. If you are not lucky enough to find an available outlet, you’ll have to depend on your laptop’s battery — assuming it still has enough power after your last charge. The following tips should optimize […]

The post How to extend your laptop battery life appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

How to extend your laptop battery life

One of the top considerations in choosing where to work with your laptop is the availability of a power socket. If you are not lucky enough to find an available outlet, you’ll have to depend on your laptop’s battery — assuming it still has enough power after your last charge. The following tips should optimize your laptop battery life so your device can last long enough for you to complete your tasks.

Some truths about your laptop battery

Most modern devices use lithium-based batteries that get damaged when they’re completely drained. But if your laptop uses an older type of battery that’s not made of lithium-ion or lithium-polymer, it's best to let it discharge completely before recharging it.

Laptop batteries also have limited life spans. So no matter what you do, yours will age from the very first time you charge it. This is because as time passes, the ions in your battery will become less efficient in flowing from the anode to the cathode, thereby reducing your battery’s capacity.

What else can degrade your laptop battery?

Besides being naturally prone to deterioration, your battery can degrade due to higher-than-normal voltages, which may happen when you keep your battery fully charged at all times. Even though a modern laptop battery cannot be overcharged, it will be damaged if you leave your laptop plugged in all the time.

Both extremely high temperatures (above 70°F) and low temperatures (32–41°F) can also reduce battery capacity and damage components. The same goes for storing a battery for long periods of time, which can lead to extreme discharge.

Another factor that can affect laptop battery life is physical damage. Remember that batteries are made of sensitive materials, and a shock from a fall or a similar incident can damage them.

How can you prolong your laptop battery life?

Now that you know some facts about your laptop battery, it’s time to learn how to delay its demise:

  • Never leave your battery completely drained.
  • Don’t expose your battery to extremely high or low temperatures.
  • If possible, charge your battery at a lower voltage.
  • If you need to use your laptop for a long period of time while it’s plugged into a power source, it’s best if you remove the battery from your device so it runs just like a desktop. This may not be applicable to newer laptop models that have built-in, non-removable batteries, however.
  • When you need to store your battery for a few weeks, you should recharge your battery to 40% and, if possible, remove it from your laptop for storage.

These are just a few tips on extending the life of your hardware. There are many more ways you can maximize hardware efficiency and extend longevity. Call our experts today to find out more!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post How to extend your laptop battery life appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

Optimize your new laptop with these tipsLaptop computers aren’t cheap, so you’d want to make sure you get every bit of performance for your buck. Bear in mind that they may not be set up to function at their best straight out of the box, so to do just that, you’ll need to take these steps. 1. Update your laptop’s operating […]

The post Optimize your new laptop with these tips appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Optimize your new laptop with these tips

Laptop computers aren’t cheap, so you’d want to make sure you get every bit of performance for your buck. Bear in mind that they may not be set up to function at their best straight out of the box, so to do just that, you’ll need to take these steps.

1. Update your laptop’s operating system

One of the first things you should do before using your laptop is to update its operating system (OS). Assuming you did not purchase the laptop when it was first released, it will still be running an older OS. Because important patches and fixes are released with each new update, you must install the latest ones to ensure your laptop doesn’t have vulnerabilities that malicious third parties can exploit.

2. Remove bloatware

When turning on your laptop for the first time, you might notice that there are several preloaded software in the system — some of which you will probably never use. These are known as bloatware.

These apps take up a lot of your valuable drive space, so consider getting rid of them. The easiest way to do this is by downloading a bulk uninstaller, which allows you to check all the bloatware apps you don’t want and remove them in one fell swoop.

3. Install protection software

It’s no secret that there are cybercriminals who would steal sensitive data, such as your account credentials, protected health information, and sensitive company files. It is therefore necessary to protect yourself from losing important data from your computer. The solution to this is very simple. By installing antivirus software that can scan your computer at a scheduled time or whenever you feel like it, you can thwart potential attacks.

Not only is the data stored in your laptop vulnerable to cyberattacks, but there is always a chance that your laptop will get lost or stolen. While there are preventive steps you can take — such as being mindful while using your laptop in public places — installing anti-theft software like Find My Device for Windows 10 can help you locate your device if it’s ever stolen or misplaced.

4. Optimize your power settings

One of the most frequent problems that laptop users have is that their batteries run out of juice too fast. However, you can actually extend the battery life by making a few tweaks to your power settings.

Reduce your display brightness, but not so much that it causes eye and mental fatigue.
Use the Sleep or Hibernate mode for your operating system.

5. Set up a backup plan

Imagine spending months working on an important project and suddenly finding it corrupted because your laptop crashed. Deadlines will be missed. Profit margins will decrease. Customers will leave unhappy. And if worse comes to worst, you’ll be out of business.

Why add stress if you can prevent it from happening in the first place? By setting up an automatic backup system, you can regularly save all your important files. This way, you’d still be able to recover your data should anything happen to the original file.

You can also store all your important documents in the cloud, which ensures access whenever you need it, even if your laptop crashes or gets stolen.

Getting a new laptop can be fun, but the joy might be short-lived if you don’t set up any preventive measures from the start. Call us for information on how we can help you secure your company’s laptops today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Optimize your new laptop with these tips appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

Top 5 benefits of using softphonesHaving a flexible communication system is more important than ever now that remote work has become crucial to a company’s survival. One option is to issue company phones to telecommuters so they can communicate with clients and colleagues. But the ideal solution for most businesses is to use phone apps or softphones, and here are […]

The post Top 5 benefits of using softphones appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Top 5 benefits of using softphones

Having a flexible communication system is more important than ever now that remote work has become crucial to a company’s survival. One option is to issue company phones to telecommuters so they can communicate with clients and colleagues. But the ideal solution for most businesses is to use phone apps or softphones, and here are several reasons why.

Anytime, anywhere business phone

Softphones are essentially a type of application that you can run on internet-enabled devices like a smartphone or laptop. This removes the need for a physical handset, allowing you to make and receive calls from any location with an internet connection. Even if your workers are homebound, softphones give them a lot of flexibility. They don’t have to waste time setting up lines for a traditional phone unit in their home office — they can simply turn their personal smartphone into a business-level communication tool. Employees also get to enjoy hands-free calls, provided their device has a decent headset or microphone.

Reduced costs

The best aspect of softphones is that they significantly cut costs. For one, instead of spending a lot of money installing and maintaining office phone equipment, you only have to pay a small subscription fee to get powerful softphone features on your mobile device and computer. All the expenses associated with server expenses and system maintenance are taken care of by the softphone provider. More importantly, softphones transmit communication data over the internet rather than traditional phone lines. This means you won’t have to deal with expensive local and long-distance rates. In fact, some softphone providers offer a reduced rate for international calls, while others allow you to make calls for free.

User-friendly interface

Softphones come with an interactive user interface that’s easy to learn. If you want to transfer a call to a colleague, you just have to drag and drop the call to their name — there’s no need to dial an extension on your phone. If you need to call someone, all you have to do is search for their profile via a search bar and just click on their name to initiate a call. Want to tell everyone that you’re too busy? Softphones let you enable do not disturb mode for specific time frames in which incoming calls are either sent straight to voicemail or forwarded to the next available person. What’s more, softphones provide incoming call notifications with caller ID and profile information so you know exactly who you’re talking to.

High-quality video conferencing

If you need something more engaging than a simple phone call, softphones allow you to host multiparty video conferences. These make it easy to conduct team and company-wide meetings even if people are miles apart from each other. Participants can also see important visual cues through body language, so conversations with clients and colleagues are clearer and more personal. The best softphone services even let you share your screen so you can better coordinate with your remote workers.

Tight integration with enterprise software

Another benefit of softphones is that they can complement your existing systems. When softphones are integrated with your customer relationship management (CRM) software, for instance, you’ll be able to compile previous call logs and relevant client information before making a call. This is particularly useful for customer service and sales staff who need contextual information to better serve their clients.

All in all, softphones are perfect for any business that wants to operate at peak performance. They’re intuitive, feature-rich, and cost-effective, so if your business doesn’t have this essential communication tool, get an upgrade today. Call us now to enhance your communication systems!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Top 5 benefits of using softphones appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More