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6 productivity hacks for Office 365

This post contains some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Office 365 subscription. We’ll also share some of the options you can take advantage of when migrating your system to the cloud, including how to streamline the entire process based on your business needs.

The post 6 productivity hacks for Office 365 appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

6 productivity hacks for Office 365

This post contains some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Office 365 subscription. We’ll also share some of the options you can take advantage of when migrating your system to the cloud, including how to streamline the entire process based on your business needs.

Declutter your inbox

If you’re having trouble managing the overwhelming amount of emails in your inbox, then using Office 365’s “Clutter” feature can clear up some space. To enable this feature, go to Settings > Options > Mail > Automatic processing > Clutter then select Separate items identified as Clutter. Once activated, mark any unwanted messages as “clutter.” After learning your email preferences, Office 365 will automatically move low-priority messages into your “Clutter” folder, helping you focus on more important emails.

Ignore group emails

Want to keep messages from an email thread you don't want to be part of out of your inbox? If so, simply go to the message and find the Ignore setting. Doing this will automatically move future reply-alls to the trash so they never bother you again. Of course, if you ever change your mind, you could un-ignore the message; just find the email in your trash folder and click Stop ignoring.

Unsend emails

In case you sent a message to the wrong recipient or attached the wrong file, use Office 365’s  message recall function. Simply open your sent message, click Actions, and select Recall this message. From here, you can either “Delete unread copies of this message” or “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message.” Bear in mind that this applies only to unread messages and for Outlook users within the same company domain.

Work offline

Whenever you’re working outside the office or in an area with unstable internet, it’s a good idea to enable Offline Access. Found under the Settings menu, this feature allows you to continue working on documents offline and syncs any changes made when you have an internet connection. Offline access is also available in your SharePoint Online document libraries.

Use Outlook plugins

Aside from sending and receiving emails, Outlook also has some awesome third-party plugins. Some of our favorite integrations include PayPal, which allows you to send money securely via email; and Uber, which lets you set up an Uber ride reminder for any calendar event. Find more productivity-boosting plugins in the Office Store.

Tell Office applications what to do

If you’re not a fan of sifting through menus and options, you can always take advantage of the Tell Me function in your Office apps. When you press Alt + Q, you bring up a search bar that allows you to look for the functions you need. Suppose you need to put a wall of text into columns on Word but can’t find where it is specifically, just type “column” in the search bar and Microsoft will help you with the rest.

These tricks and features will definitely increase productivity. And fortunately, there’s more coming. Microsoft is continuously  expanding Office 365’s capabilities, and if you truly want to make the most out of the software, don’t be afraid to explore its newly released features.

For more Office 365 tips and updates, get in touch with us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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How to protect your Mac computer

As a business owner, you work hard to succeed. But that can be difficult when you’re up against stiff competition and notorious cybercriminals. The future may be unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you should take the security of your Mac device for granted.

The post How to protect your Mac computer appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

How to protect your Mac computer

As a business owner, you work hard to succeed. But that can be difficult when you’re up against stiff competition and notorious cybercriminals. The future may be unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you should take the security of your Mac device for granted. Protect it with these helpful tips. 

The basics
First, let’s start with the basics and head over to the Security & Privacy pane in System Preferences. Here, you’ll find the General, FileVault, Firewall, and Privacy tabs, which control various aspects of security. To change your security settings, click on the padlock icon on the bottom of the screen and type in your username and password.

Firewall
Enabling the firewall will block unwanted incoming network connections. All you need to do is click Firewall in the System Preferences > Security & Privacy pane, click the padlock icon on the bottom left, enter your username and password, and click Turn On Firewall. Don’t forget to enable Stealth Mode by clicking Firewall Options then clicking Enable Stealth Mode in the dialog box — this makes your computer invisible on public networks.

Passwords
Make sure to set strong passwords for your user accounts if haven’t already. To do this, go back to the General section of the Security & Privacy settings. In this section, you should also consider setting the Require Password field to “immediately.” This will require you to re-enter your login credentials to unlock your Mac when it goes to sleep mode or when a screensaver is on.

Automatic login
It’s best to disable this function, especially if you are using a mobile Mac. If your Mac gets stolen, you don’t want to give thieves a free pass to your private data.

Applications
At the bottom of the General Settings tab, there are three options that authorize which apps can run on your Mac. The safest option is to allow only apps from the App Store to run, and the least secure option is to allow apps downloaded from unauthorized stores. Get the best of both worlds by choosing the option of running apps from the App Store and from developers known to Apple.

FileVault
The FileVault tab enables you to encrypt all the files in your account. To decrypt them, you must enter either your account password or the recovery key you created when you switched FileVault on. It might be tedious to type in a password every time to access a file, but it helps keep your vital data under lock and key.

In this digital age, ensuring the protection of all your devices is crucial to your business’s success. Feel free to give us a call and we’ll help prepare your business for choppy waters.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Keep the cloud affordable with these tips

Small- and medium-sized businesses globally are adopting cloud technologies. However, there are hidden costs that some business owners might not be aware of. They might not seem like much at first, but those costs could eventually snowball. Follow these five tips to keep the cloud from breaking the bank:

No standalones

Cloud services come in various shapes and sizes, many of which are standalone platforms with rates that increase over time.

The post Keep the cloud affordable with these tips appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Keep the cloud affordable with these tips

Small- and medium-sized businesses globally are adopting cloud technologies. However, there are hidden costs that some business owners might not be aware of. They might not seem like much at first, but those costs could eventually snowball. Follow these five tips to keep the cloud from breaking the bank:

No standalones

Cloud services come in various shapes and sizes, many of which are standalone platforms with rates that increase over time. Opt for a service provider that offers a suite of products that all work together. They are often less expensive than a group of standalone products. Another benefit of working with a cloud provider is that you receive a single point of contact to resolve your issues quickly and effectively.

Experience matters

If you plan on integrating a standalone cloud service into your system, make sure you hire an experienced integration consultant to facilitate a smooth transition. Integration mishaps can cause serious downtime and cost a lot of money.

Backups are important

Unnecessary or inefficient backups will waste cloud storage space. Examine your cloud storage data by asking the following questions:

  • How many versions of this data do I need to store long-term? The more versions you store, the more it costs.
  • What regulatory demands do I need to meet? Some data may need to be accessible for up to three years, whereas other data can be deleted after 30 days.
  • How quickly do I need to access my backups? If it can wait for a day or two, archive that data to a less expensive service or offline at the provider's data center.

Remove users

Many cloud service providers charge by the number of users in your system. By neglecting to manage the list of users, you could end up paying for people who no longer work for you. Implement processes that remove users when they are terminated and consider scheduling a regular audit. Ideally, this should be once every six months to a year, to ensure your cloud user list is up-to-date.

Monitor proactively

Ask your cloud provider whether they can proactively monitor your account and notify you of potential issues before they cause problems. This is especially important if you have a pay-as-you-go license that charges based on resource or storage consumption.

Utilizing the right technology resources is vital to your business’s success, and so is knowing how to prevent them from racking up an overwhelming monthly bill. If you wish to enjoy all the benefits of cloud computing without breaking the bank, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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5 tips to get the most out of Mac OS

If you think using your Mac can’t be any easier, you have another think coming. Mac’s shortcuts not only help you save time, but they can also boost your productivity. Here are some tips and tricks that will make using your Mac easier.

Open programs and files faster

Want a quicker way to open files and programs? If you’re tired of opening Finder and scrolling through hundreds of apps and files, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a much more efficient solution, and that’s Spotlight.

The post 5 tips to get the most out of Mac OS appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

5 tips to get the most out of Mac OS

If you think using your Mac can’t be any easier, you have another think coming. Mac’s shortcuts not only help you save time, but they can also boost your productivity. Here are some tips and tricks that will make using your Mac easier.

Open programs and files faster

Want a quicker way to open files and programs? If you’re tired of opening Finder and scrolling through hundreds of apps and files, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a much more efficient solution, and that’s Spotlight.

To use Spotlight, follow these steps:

  1. Press Command + Space bar to launch your search.
  2. Type the first few letters of the app or file you’d like to open.
  3. On the drop-down menu that appears, scroll down to the app or file you’re searching for and hit Enter.

Force quit apps

When the pinwheel of death rears its ugly head, your application stalls and your productivity comes to a standstill. There’s no better time to make use of the Force Quit shortcut. Here’s how to do it.

  1. Press Command + Option + Esc to display the list of all running apps.
  2. Click on the one you’d like to quit.

Launch apps, files, and server connections automatically

Save time by automatically launching a program when you log in by following these steps:

  1. Go to System Preferences.
  2. Choose Users & Groups.
  3. Select your account.
  4. Click on Login Items.
  5. Use the plus and minus signs to add programs, files, folders, etc. you’d like to automatically launch upon login.
  6. Click Add to save.

Take a screenshot

Sometimes, sharing an image of what's on your screen is easier than describing it in text. Here are three easy ways to take a screenshot on your Mac.

  • For an image of your entire screen, press Command + Shift + 3.
  • For an image of an open window, press Command + Shift + 4 and the space bar. Click on the window you’d like an image of.
  • For an image of a portion of your display, press Command + Shift + 4. Click and drag over the area you’d like to get an image of.

If you’re already using Mac OS Mojave, the latest version of Apple’s desktop OS, press Command + Shift + 5 to see the controls you need to capture images and record videos of your screen.

Shut down and restart

If your Mac freezes or your mouse or trackpad stops working, the only fix may be to force your Mac to shut down. Press Control + Option + Command + Eject to quit open programs and shut down your computer immediately. Or, if you want to quickly reboot your Mac, hit Control + Command + Eject.

These are just a few of the dozens of tips and shortcuts that will make using your Mac even easier. If you’d like to learn more or need other IT-related assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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