Gadgets are one of the most popular choices this season. Surely no one will be disappointed if they receive an Android tablet, but it is still ideal if they get one that best fits their lifestyle. If you’re considering giving an Android tablet as a present, you’ll quickly find the selection overwhelming. Here are some tips that can help you zero in on the right one.

What’s your budget?

Giving gifts shouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket. The great thing about Android is that there are tablets available for a wide budget range, from the ridiculously affordable yet highly praised Amazon Fire HD 10 (from $149.99 on Amazon.com) to the top-of-the-line Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (from $795.99).

What do reviews say about the product?

Consider expert reviews before buying an Android tablet. There are a ton of websites dedicated to reviewing tablets and other mobile devices. Take for example the well-known Engadget, or Trusted Reviews. Sites like these generally give a good overview of new and popular devices. However, pay close attention to the criteria used, as some review sites tend to only look at basics, such as battery life and design, without going too deep into the tablet’s usability.

It is also important to look at actual user reviews. The best place for these is Amazon.com, as almost all reviews of devices on the site are submitted by users. While some reviews may be overly positive or negative without actually revealing reasons, they provide an accurate real-life picture of the pros and cons of buying the device.

What will the tablet be used for?

Many tablets offer special features and functions aimed at different types of users. For example, if the user will use the tablet for artistic pursuits, then you should pick a tablet with pen support, which turns the tablet into a drawing pad. If the user is likely to use the tablet for gaming, then consider how well the device can display graphics, how fast it can run popular games, and how much storage it has.

Who will be using the tablet?

Tablets have become specialized, with specific designs catering to specific markets. You can narrow down your options by taking into consideration the age of the person you’re giving the tablet to. For instance, if the tablet is going to be used by kids, then shop for one that’s specifically made for them, like Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition and Samsung Galaxy Tab E Lite. These tablets have bright, kid-friendly interface and design as well as hard cases built to withstand boisterous play. Most kiddie tablets also come with a warranty should unfortunate incidents happen.

Consider also the user's technical ability. Older adults with limited technology knowledge tend to use tablets for non-complicated tasks like reading, taking pictures, and playing movies. Tablets like Lenovo Tab 4 and Dell XPS 10 have simple interface, big screens, and pre-installed apps that are perfect for them.

On the other hand, advanced tech users like programmers prefer tablets with high performance, long battery life, and options for keyboard and Bluetooth connection. For these users, you can get a tablet PC, or a PC with a detachable screen that can double as a tablet.

If you’re struggling to find the perfect tech gift or Android tablet this holiday season, let our experts help you find what you need. Contact us today.

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Electronic medical records (EMR) digitize your paper medical records and, when properly implemented, can generate a positive return on investment and improve organizational efficiency. The major drawbacks of paperwork are that it hinders a healthcare institution’s ability to treat patients, makes medical operations slower, and decreases overall efficiency. EMR eliminates the time required to record a patient’s medical information on paper, information that could also be misinterpreted due to poor handwriting. Here are just a few reasons to switch from paper records to EMR.

Better communication

Fast and accurate communication between medical departments is key to providing quality healthcare. From ambulance staff to emergency room doctors, a healthcare institution must have an effective means of communication, and this is where EMR comes in. EMR software enables frontline staff to quickly transfer a patient’s medical records to other departments in real-time. When the patient’s information is recorded in the system, other medical staff will no longer need to question his or her conditions again and can proceed to treat the patient in a timely manner.

Lower costs

Reducing operational costs is a must for hospitals operating on a tight budget, and cutting redundant expenses is therefore necessary. When it comes to paper records, a hospital could be using hundreds of thousands of sheets of paper each year. By implementing EMR, hospitals can reduce the labor behind recordkeeping and cut down on paper costs — in short, saving a large sum of money.

Scalable recordkeeping

Before EMR, hospitals needed to devote an entire room, if not more, for storing the paper records of patients. When a hospital grows, the number of patients increases along with it, and more space is required for physical data storage. EMR software provides a more efficient way of storing data on a virtualized platform compared to traditional paper records. The recordkeeping process is completely scalable, and it will not take up valuable space in the hospital as paper records do.

Efficient treatment

With the help of EMR, patient checkups take less time since doctors can quickly access a patient’s medical record and reference the information needed to schedule appointments. When turnaround time for the recording and prescription processes is reduced, a hospital can greatly improve its patient workflow. Moreover, if further consultation or testing is required, physicians in other locations can simultaneously view a patient’s medical record on their computers, and get the latest test results and recommendations from previous doctors. EMR enables healthcare providers to collaborate more efficiently with one another.

A hospital’s goal is to provide better patient care, and the benefits of EMR can help improve various medical processes, including quicker access to patient information, better collaboration between departments and healthcare providers, and improved patient workflow.

For more information on how to implement EMR software into your healthcare institution, give us a call today and we’ll be happy to help.

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Thorough IT infrastructure builds tend to be cost-prohibitive and consequently, difficult to justify for many businesses. Hyperconvergence is a great alternative to traditional IT builds, both in terms of cost and robustness.

What are hyperconverged infrastructures?

In a traditional IT environment, networking, server, and storage hardware need to be purchased separately and configured to work together as a cohesive system. Later, manufacturers started offering converged systems — pre-built “stacks” of hardware that work together right out of the box and come with advanced management tools and tech support.

Now, hyperconverged infrastructure packs the entire stack into one box and configures everything to be managed via a single interface. Not only is this box more affordable and easier to use, but it can also be used like Lego — just keep adding boxes as your business grows.

Streamlined upgrades through software-centric computing

Putting everything you need into a single box and then wrapping it with a flexible and adaptable management software makes receiving regular patches and updates more convenient. Restructuring or adding more hardware later is also easier than ever before.

Unified administration

Hyperconvergence consolidates a number of separate functions and services into one piece of technology. Your network manager can tweak storage, cloud, backup, and database settings from one control center, saving time and effort.

Simple scalability

Different hyperconvergence boxes come in different sizes and capabilities, and all it takes to scale up is to install additional units based on your forecasted needs. If all you need is a little extra, you can simply purchase a small upgrade. But when you’re expecting rapid growth, a bigger box should help you cope with the demands of bigger operations. An added benefit — hyperconverged boxes make for faster deployment of IT services to remote offices as well.

Stronger data protections

Complexity is the Achilles’ heel of IT networks. Staying on top of a mounting pile of account management settings, malware definitions, and data storage settings is next to impossible. A hyperconverged infrastructure combats this problem, as your servers and virtual machines form an all-in-one service.

Keep in mind that while hyperconvergence is simpler than most virtualization solutions, rarely is it simple enough to be handled by in-house IT departments of SMBs. A managed services provider (MSP) is better equipped to handle the growth and evolution of technology catalyzed by hyperconvergence.

The better your technology, the faster you can respond to business challenges. And the faster you can address your shifting needs, the less downtime you’ll experience. Call us today to find the hyperconverged system that best fits your business.

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Although a majority of ransomware attacks usually target Windows computers, this doesn’t mean Mac users are completely safe. Ransomware attacks for Macs are a rarity, but they do occur. So how can you prevent ransomware from infecting your Mac? We’ve compiled some helpful security tips for you.

What is Mac ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious program that forcefully holds computer systems hostage until the ransom is paid in untraceable cryptocurrency. It’s typically distributed using phishing emails, but it can also spread via unsecured networks.

When Mac computers are infected by ransomware, users won’t be able to access their data since it’s fully encrypted. Ransomware messages will also threaten to release the information to the public or destroy sensitive data if victims don’t pay by a certain deadline. Healthcare and finance organizations, in particular, are more likely to pay the ransom because they need constant access to critical data.

Types of Mac ransomware

Even though Mac ransomware is less prevalent than Windows ransomware, there have been some cases in the past couple of years.

In 2016, KeRanger ransomware was distributed through popular BitTorrent app Transmission. KeRanger was signed with an authorized security certificate, allowing it to evade the macOS’s built-in security measures. The ransomware also infected more than 7,000 Mac computers.

Patcher was another strain of Mac ransomware that was discovered in 2017. This type of ransomware disguised itself as a patching app for programs like Microsoft Office. When opened, Patcher would encrypt files in user directories and ask for a ransom paid in Bitcoin. The problem was the ransomware was so poorly built that there was no way to retrieve the decryption key once the ransom was paid.

Attacks like these can make a resurgence at any time, which is why you need to learn how to deal with them.

An ounce of prevention goes a long way

Preventive measures are the best way to keep your Macs safe from ransomware. This involves updating your software regularly to defend against the latest threats and only installing programs from the official App Store.

Since ransomware initially infects computers using phishing emails, make sure to avoid suspicious links and email attachments. Always be on high alert even if the email appears to come from a legitimate company or someone you know.

You must also maintain backups and have a disaster recovery plan to keep your business running in the off chance that ransomware successfully infiltrates your systems.

Responding to ransomware

If your Mac is infected with ransomware, never pay the ransom fee. There’s no guarantee that hackers will release your data if you give in to their demands, much like what happened with Patcher ransomware.

Instead, use an up-to-date antimalware program to remove ransomware on your computer. Cybersecurity experts will also release free ransomware decryptor tools to clean up the infection, so keep an eye out for these on the internet. If these programs and tools are not effective, contain the spread of the ransomware by disconnecting from the network and run data recovery procedures — provided you’ve backed up your data in an external hard drive or the cloud.

Mac ransomware attacks may not be common, but they’re still a threat you need to prepare for. If you need more guidance, contact our team of security experts today. We stay abreast of the latest Apple threats and know just how to keep your business safe.

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