508-909-5961 [email protected]

Server virtualization offers improved system utilization, workload flexibility, and other advantages for the data center. Today, many businesses have already adopted virtualization, but virtualization can still fail in some ways. Practices and policies that arise from virtualization can waste resources and drive administrators to give up. Here are the top problems with virtualization. Resource distribution […]

The post 6 Common ways virtualization fails appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Server virtualization offers improved system utilization, workload flexibility, and other advantages for the data center. Today, many businesses have already adopted virtualization, but virtualization can still fail in some ways. Practices and policies that arise from virtualization can waste resources and drive administrators to give up. Here are the top problems with virtualization.

  1. Resource distribution
    The way virtualization partitions systems can result in varied ways — some might function really well, and others might not provide users access to enough resources to meet their needs. Resource distribution problems often occur in the shift to virtualization and can be fixed by working on capacity planning with your service provider.

  2. VM Sprawl
    VM sprawl, the unchecked growth of virtual machines in a virtual environment, as any virtualization admin knows, can cripple an otherwise healthy environment. It is problematic because its underlying cause often stays hidden until it manifests in resource shortages.
    You should look at how virtual machines will be managed, who will be doing what, and what systems you’re going to use. One of the optimal times to develop an overall management plan is when you’re in a testing phase, before migration.

  3. Backward compatibility
    Using legacy systems can cause problems with newer virtualized software programs. Compatibility issues can be time-consuming and difficult to solve. A good provider may be able to suggest upgrades and workarounds to ensure that everything functions the way they should.

  4. Performance monitoring
    Virtualized systems don’t lend themselves to the same kind of performance monitoring as hardware like mainframes and hardware drives do. Try tools like VMmark to create benchmarks that measure performance on virtual networks and to monitor resource usage as well.

  5. Backup
    In a virtualized environment, there is no actual hard drive on which data and systems can be backed up. This means frequent software updates can make it difficult to access backup at times. Software programs like Windows Server Backup tools can make this process easier and allow backups to be stored in one place for easier tracking and access.

  6. Security
    Virtual systems could be vulnerable when users don’t keep them secure and apply best practices for passwords or downloads. Security then becomes a problem for virtualization, but the isolation of each VM by the system can mitigate security risks and prevent systems from getting breached or compromised.

Unlike some tech solutions, virtualization is not really a “set it and forget it” type of solution. You will need to manage it from the start if you want to be able to get the most out of your systems. This includes ensuring resources are being allocated properly, machines are created and shut down properly, apps and systems are updated, and more.

While virtualized solutions do require less management than their physical counterparts, they still require some management and you will need people to help you do that. One of the best solutions is to work with an IT partner like us who can help manage your systems and ensure that they are working efficiently.
In fact, we offer a wide variety of virtualization solutions. We can take on your virtualization initiatives so that you can focus on running your business. If you would like to learn more, contact us today to see how we can help.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post 6 Common ways virtualization fails appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

Many businesses struggle to get their name into the top ten search results in order to greatly increase traffic to their website or have a better image to potential clients. Those who are successful invest a lot of time and money in SEO and other inbound marketing to gain this prestige and online presence for […]

The post Get on top of search results with Google Posts appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Many businesses struggle to get their name into the top ten search results in order to greatly increase traffic to their website or have a better image to potential clients. Those who are successful invest a lot of time and money in SEO and other inbound marketing to gain this prestige and online presence for their brand. What if there was a free and simple way to improve your search rankings? There is, and it’s called Google Posts.

What they can do

Google Posts allow users to communicate directly in the search results. This differs from the Knowledge Panel since you can highlight content, information, products, or services. Google Post can appear on the search results, Knowledge Panel, or both.
Google simply describes it as “up-to-date posts from verified people, places, or things, directly in search results.” These posts can be text, images, videos, events, or even animated GIFs. You can even add links on the posts to drive traffic to a particular page, service, or product. This enhanced format enables searchers to get information directly from you while complementing existing search results across the web.

Postings

Your posting instantly shows up in search results on both mobile and desktop platforms. You can then schedule the time and duration of the post with ease. This is a great feature that provides immediate access and can be particularly useful when you are planning to launch a product, open a pop-up store, or run a promotion. Also, Google Analytics will give you updates on how many people have seen and interacted with your content.

Move over Google+

Google is finalizing the transition of businesses from Google+ to Google Posts. Once part of businesses’ social media strategy, big changes came to Google+. April 2, 2019 marked the official shut down of the consumer version of Google+. Small business will still be able to use Google+ to interact with customers, but only those who are G Suite Android users. Those same businesses can now use Google Posts as an easier way to communicate directly with prospects and customers in Google’s search results.

Availability

Google Posts is available to everyone with a Google My Business account. Log in or create a profile for your business. Once you’re in your account, Posts will be an option on the left hand navigation. It doesn’t take a lot of time to create a Post, so you can make it part of your social media promotional strategy. But you will have to create one in real time, since Google doesn’t allow third party tools like Hootsuite to post for you.

Will Google Posts increase your SEO? Only time will tell if it will be as impactful as we hoped. As with Google + and Google Authorship, Google likes to test out new features, which sadly don’t always catch on. However, Google is always hungry for fresh content. As the number one driver of traffic for business, Google Posts makes sense.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Get on top of search results with Google Posts appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

Keep your Mac clutter-free with these 10 tipsEven the most high-tech and innovative computers can slow down when you store too many files on them. If you want to ensure that your Mac performs at its best at all times, you should turn decluttering into a habit. #1 Clean up your desktop The desktop is a convenient location for storing files and […]

The post Keep your Mac clutter-free with these 10 tips appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Keep your Mac clutter-free with these 10 tips

Even the most high-tech and innovative computers can slow down when you store too many files on them. If you want to ensure that your Mac performs at its best at all times, you should turn decluttering into a habit.

#1 Clean up your desktop

The desktop is a convenient location for storing files and shortcuts, so it tends to become messy within a short amount of time. To declutter, identify which programs you rarely use and remove their icons from the desktop. As for your files, keep a weeks’ worth of items in a single folder, which you will name using the current date. Create another folder for the following week’s files and store your weekly folders in yet another folder. This keeps all your files within a single location on your desktop.

Or you could use the Stacks introduced with the Mojave operating system. This feature organizes the items on your desktop into neat stacks classified according to file type.

#2 Organize your files

Files outside of your desktop that are not too important or you do not use often may be stored in external hard drives. Also, folders are ignored too often, so do not create a lot of them. If sub-folders are unnecessary, do not use them.

#3 Reduce downloads and trash

Your trash and download storage are probably two of the most convoluted locations on your Mac. Remove unnecessary files or, when possible, empty them altogether. This will not only tidy up your computer, but it will also give you back storage space for more important items.

#4 Recover storage space

In the Apple menu, go to About This Mac and click Storage. You will see how much free space you have and how much is occupied by different file categories. Clicking on Manage will show you ways to optimize your computer’s storage.

#5 Delete old bookmarks

Bookmarks are handy but most of them are just clutter. Identify the ones you do use regularly and delete the ones you don’t. In Safari, go to the Bookmarks menu and choose Edit Bookmarks. Right-click on the items you don’t need and remove them. You can also organize your bookmarks by placing them in folders.

#6 Sort your emails

Make it a habit to rid your inbox of unimportant emails. If you find ones you can answer within five minutes, do so. Those that would take much longer to respond to, you can transfer to a folder named “Work in Progress” or something similar and work on them when you have the time. Archive important emails using a separate folder. To reduce the number of emails you receive, unsubscribe to newsletters you don’t need.

#7 Clear your RSS feed

Updates from blogs and websites you follow take up space. Identify and sort out RSS feeds you don’t need.

#8 Delete unused contacts

You never know when you’ll need to reach out to someone in your network, so it’s great to have their contact details in your Mac. But if you have contacts whose face you don’t even remember anymore, it’s probably time to take them off your list and free up some space in the process.

#9 Erase bad photos

Photos are a great way to preserve memories, but they are taxing on your computer’s memory, too. Delete photos that are blurred or fuzzy, or those that you cannot use or do not consider valuable. You can also do the same to videos.

#10 Uninstall unnecessary software

If your computer has software you don’t use or is redundant, it’s best to just uninstall them. Besides freeing up space, doing so may also improve your computer’s performance.

Get the most out of your Mac with advice from our IT experts. Call us today!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Keep your Mac clutter-free with these 10 tips appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

Optimize Alexa for your businessUsers have a lot to like about Amazon's innovative AI technology Alexa. It can perform simple tasks such as answering phone calls and making shopping lists while controlling your smart home devices. But Alexa can also be helpful to business users. Here is a list of other things she can do, especially in your office. […]

The post Optimize Alexa for your business appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Optimize Alexa for your business

Users have a lot to like about Amazon's innovative AI technology Alexa. It can perform simple tasks such as answering phone calls and making shopping lists while controlling your smart home devices. But Alexa can also be helpful to business users. Here is a list of other things she can do, especially in your office.

Create and manage to-do and shopping lists

You have meetings to attend and deadlines to meet. Alexa has a straightforward To-do List feature that helps you stay on top of all your tasks. It’s ideal for busy professionals who prefer a no-frills checklist that allows them to simply view completed items, or to edit or delete items on the list.

You can also seamlessly sync third-party applications like Any.do and Todoist. Those apps offer more features for organizing tasks, adding subtasks and folders, creating reminders, setting due dates, attaching files, and prioritizing items.

To connect to a third-party app:

  • Go to alexa.amazon.com or access the Alexa app
  • Go to Settings > List, click Get Skill
  • Click Enable
  • Log in to authorize the app

Alexa also has a default Shopping List that works exactly like the To-do List. It lets you add or delete items that can be browsed in the Amazon store or searched for in Bing.

Reorder office supplies

Ordering supplies on an Amazon smart home device is especially convenient because you would already have an Amazon account. When voice shopping with Alexa, you can either add items to your Amazon cart (“Alexa, add toner to my cart”) or directly order a single item (“Alexa, reorder toner”) without having to lift a finger.

When you place an order, Alexa checks product availability, walks you through Amazon search results, and asks you to confirm or cancel the order. Voice shopping is enabled by default, but it can be disabled in Settings > Voice Purchasing in the Alexa app.

Sync your calendars

One of the best ways to maximize Alexa in the office is to sync it with your calendars. You can view scheduled appointments, set meetings, or have Alexa read the day’s entries with simple commands like “Alexa, what time is my next meeting?” or “Alexa, when is the company barbecue?”.

To add a calendar:

  • Go to alexa.amazon.com or access the Alexa app
  • Click Settings > Calendar
  • Select a calendar from the available platforms: Google (Gmail and G Suite), Apple (iCloud), or Microsoft (Office 365 or Outlook)
  • Log in to your account

Set a timer

A Pomodoro timer is a productivity enhancement tool that works by prescribing ideal work intervals and breaks. For example, you can set a timer that reminds you to take a 15-minute break for every hour worked, and setting this up in Alexa is easy.

To set a single timer:

  • Say “Alexa, set a work timer for 60 minutes.”
  • After the timer goes off, say “Alexa, set a break time for 15 minutes.”

To set several timers at once, say:

  • “Alexa, create a work timer for 60 minutes.”
  • “Alexa, create a break timer for 15 minutes.”

The commands we’ve included here work for simple instructions, but you can modify them and use tons of other Alexa commands to suit your purposes. If you need recommendations on how you can work smarter with AI and other productivity tools, get in touch with us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Optimize Alexa for your business appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More