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The laptop vs. desktop debate for small businessesRunning a small- to mid-sized business (SMB) requires you to make important decisions. One of the biggest you’ll need to make in the early stages of your business involves your SMB’s computer hardware. Should you invest in a desktop computer or a laptop? Here are some considerations to help you decide. Portability Modern desktop computers […]

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The laptop vs. desktop debate for small businesses

Running a small- to mid-sized business (SMB) requires you to make important decisions. One of the biggest you’ll need to make in the early stages of your business involves your SMB’s computer hardware. Should you invest in a desktop computer or a laptop? Here are some considerations to help you decide.

Portability

Modern desktop computers aren't nearly as immobile as they used to be. In many cases, the screen is thin and light, and all-in-one desktops are easy to unplug, move, and plug in on the road. But there are still places where the desktop cannot go. On the other hand, laptops allow you to go anywhere, even to places without electricity. But this ability to take your work anywhere can be counterproductive; in fact, it creates more stress on employees who think they must work all the time.

Memory and speed

Before, desktop computers often 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, the desktop computer is going to provide your business with more memory, speed, and power for your money. If your employees’ work is limited to word processing and emailing, laptops should be enough. But anything more will probably require a desktop.

Security

An SMB’s computer hardware needs to be secure to ensure that company data doesn't end up in the wrong hands. A desktop computer is more physically secure because it’s often kept in one location, so it’s 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. If you choose the laptop route, make sure to have strict policies on how to protect machines that leave the office, from physical loss (for example, theft) to unauthorized access (like using unsecured Wi-Fi).

Price

The laptop, especially the smaller notebook-style, is cheaper and available to more people. But desktop computers are becoming more affordable as more people have access to them through local channels. With a capable IT services provider, cost probably won’t be a deciding factor.

Quality

Although laptop computers provide the convenience of portability, over time, they’re prone to battery and charging cord problems. They are also easily damaged, especially if mishandled. By contrast, desktops are generally sturdier and stay only in one place. But when they do experience a problem, they can be expensive to repair.

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 the best choice 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 The laptop vs. desktop debate for small businesses appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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Do you need VoIP this holiday season?The holiday season is upon us — and businesses are likely to experience their phones ringing off the hook. As a business owner, you need to make sure that your Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems are ready to cope with the holiday rush. To ensure crystal clear calls, follow these useful VoIP system tips. […]

The post Do you need VoIP this holiday season? appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Do you need VoIP this holiday season?

The holiday season is upon us — and businesses are likely to experience their phones ringing off the hook. As a business owner, you need to make sure that your Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems are ready to cope with the holiday rush. To ensure crystal clear calls, follow these useful VoIP system tips.

Check your VoIP equipment

Sometimes, problems with VoIP don't have anything to do with your service provider or even the underlying servers that host the solution. Instead, issues may stem from the physical VoIP lines and phones themselves. One common issue with VoIP is that if your equipment is stacked too closely, users may experience a degradation in call quality.

You can ask your employees to check call quality, especially if two VoIP devices are close to one another. If there are issues, moving them further apart should clear this up.

Beyond this, take the time to inspect all cables and connections to ensure they are in good condition and are able to deal with increased wear and tear during the holidays. If your equipment is old and outdated, you may need to look for replacements.

Establish VoIP system monitoring

With people rushing to get their last-minute shopping done, your staff will likely experience a sharp spike in inquiries and assistance. A monitoring solution can help predict when issues may arise. Whether you are open or closed for the holidays, make sure to implement the following:

Busy periods
Set up call queuing with hold music or estimated wait time.
Leave recorded messages with complete information and an alternative way to contact support such as a hotline, an email address, or your website.
Change your configuration to help you manage shorter business hours.
Set diverts for reduced hours.

Closed periods
Set automated messages or announcements to say that your business will be closed during the holiday season and what day you will reopen.
Update receptionist greetings before Christmas to remind callers of your holiday hours.
Set up call diverts for employees who will be working remotely.

Enable dedicated support

The great thing about VoIP is the support that comes with it. You can keep call costs low as employees working from home can still communicate with the office. A good VoIP system can be configured to work for you and your customers no matter what hours you are open during the holidays.

Whether it’s diverting calls to mobile devices or remote machines, a good VoIP service provider understands that your business needs to be operational even over the holidays, and their support service underpins that.

Work with an experienced IT provider

Christmas is busy enough without having to worry about something like a phone outage. If you need help with your phone systems, or want to discuss how VoIP could help your business, call us today and we’ll make sure to recommend the best VoIP solution to ensure that your customers are happy and satisfied.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Do you need VoIP this holiday season? appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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How to solve Office 2019 problemsMicrosoft Office 2019 is one of the world’s most renowned cutting-edge office suites. It has a lot of productivity tools that can be used at work or at home. This may well be the single most powerful tool your business needs to succeed since you can use it to make and edit documents, spreadsheets, and […]

The post How to solve Office 2019 problems appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

How to solve Office 2019 problems

Microsoft Office 2019 is one of the world’s most renowned cutting-edge office suites. It has a lot of productivity tools that can be used at work or at home. This may well be the single most powerful tool your business needs to succeed since you can use it to make and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. But if you need help with an Office program, here’s where to find it.

F1

Let’s assume you have Office installed and an application is running, but you need to figure out something. Put an end to your frustration with any of these options for quick answers to your problems.

First, press F1 to open the help database and search for a solution. Or click the question mark (?) in the upper right corner of any Office program to do the same thing.

MS Diagnostics

When an Office program crashes or fails to launch, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the software has been corrupted or needs to be reinstalled. To be sure, consult the suite’s in-house physician called MS Diagnostics. This tool tests the program for existing and potential problems and provides repair options too.

Office Support

If the problems are not solved with MS Diagnostics, turn to Office Support. This is one of the six main tabs on the Office website.

Once you open Office Support, it asks: “What do you need help with?” Select a specific application or product or choose All products in the field. In the search box, enter the keywords that are relevant to the issue. This brings up a list of results that match the words you have entered. Many users normally find what they need on this page.

Community forums

Sometimes, the information on the Microsoft website is too general and doesn’t give you a clue to what’s wrong. For a more thorough fix, check out the online Office forums. Many of them tackle various issues about Office and offer solutions. Joining forums can be helpful, especially when you want to learn new things.

Tech support

If everything else fails, get in touch with Microsoft’s technical support. Air your concerns and an expert will come to your aid. In case of recurring issues, call us now and we will do our best to help you.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post How to solve Office 2019 problems appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

How to solve Office 2019 problemsMicrosoft Office 2019 is one of the world’s most renowned cutting-edge office suites. It has a lot of productivity tools that can be used at work or at home. This may well be the single most powerful tool your business needs to succeed since you can use it to make and edit documents, spreadsheets, and […]

The post How to solve Office 2019 problems appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

How to solve Office 2019 problems

Microsoft Office 2019 is one of the world’s most renowned cutting-edge office suites. It has a lot of productivity tools that can be used at work or at home. This may well be the single most powerful tool your business needs to succeed since you can use it to make and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. But if you need help with an Office program, here’s where to find it.

F1

Let’s assume you have Office installed and an application is running, but you need to figure out something. Put an end to your frustration with any of these options for quick answers to your problems.

First, press F1 to open the help database and search for a solution. Or click the question mark (?) in the upper right corner of any Office program to do the same thing.

MS Diagnostics

When an Office program crashes or fails to launch, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the software has been corrupted or needs to be reinstalled. To be sure, consult the suite’s in-house physician called MS Diagnostics. This tool tests the program for existing and potential problems and provides repair options too.

Office Support

If the problems are not solved with MS Diagnostics, turn to Office Support. This is one of the six main tabs on the Office website.

Once you open Office Support, it asks: “What do you need help with?” Select a specific application or product or choose All products in the field. In the search box, enter the keywords that are relevant to the issue. This brings up a list of results that match the words you have entered. Many users normally find what they need on this page.

Community forums

Sometimes, the information on the Microsoft website is too general and doesn’t give you a clue to what’s wrong. For a more thorough fix, check out the online Office forums. Many of them tackle various issues about Office and offer solutions. Joining forums can be helpful, especially when you want to learn new things.

Tech support

If everything else fails, get in touch with Microsoft’s technical support. Air your concerns and an expert will come to your aid. In case of recurring issues, call us now and we will do our best to help you.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post How to solve Office 2019 problems appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More