The convenience provided by the iPhone/Mac combo is well-known, but syncing your Android phone with Chrome can give Apple a run for its money. Here are five nifty things you can do with Google’s combo.

Send directions from Google Maps to your Android phone

While Google Maps works great on smartphones, it’s often easier to use on larger screens. To send driving, walking, or commute directions from your PC to your Android phone, do the following:

1. Click on a specific location on Google Maps (or enter a location in the search field and click on the desired result).
2. Click on the Send to your phone button in the pane on the left side of your screen.
3. Choose to have the directions sent to your phone via text or email.

Sync your computer’s Chrome tabs with your phone

This is especially useful when you need to bring your work outside of the office. Here's all you need to do:

1. Open the Chrome App on your Android phone.
2. Tap the three-dotted menu icon beside the search field.
3. If you’re not using multiple Google accounts, go straight to Step 4. Otherwise, tap Settings > your user icon > Sync > Sync to > your desired Google account, then press the back button until you see the three-dotted menu icon. Press it once more.
4. Tap Recent tabs. You’ll see all the tabs you’ve opened recently while logged in to a particular Google account regardless of device.

Finding your phone

Simply entering “find my phone” in the Google search bar will display the current or last known location of your phone. On top of that, you can also ring your device for five minutes — even if it’s set to silent — in the hopes that you or some kind soul answers it and tells you where you can pick it up.

Use your phone to control your computer

For this trick, start by installing the Chrome Remote Desktop app from the Google Play Store on your Android phone (or even on your iPhone) and the Chrome Remote Desktop extension app for Chrome on your computer, regardless if it’s running on ChromeOS, Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Each device you want to connect must have Chrome installed, and each Chrome browser must be signed into the same account. With everything in place, you can remotely control a system that’s switched on, such as your desktop, via your phone or Chromebook, or allow one-time access to give or receive remote support.

Set reminders for yourself via Google Assistant or Google Keep

You can use voice commands on your Android phone to set reminders. Say “OK Google” or press the mic icon to activate Google Assistant, then say “Remind me to buy milk at the grocery store” or whatever it is you want to be reminded of.

Once the Add a reminder screen appears, you can edit reminder details, such as when you want to be given a heads up or where you want to be alerted (such as when you enter a grocery store).

Alternatively, you can install the Google Keep extension app in Chrome or the Google Keep app on your Android. Simply open the app, click the Take a note field, type in your reminder, click the Remind me icon, then click on either Pick date & time to set when you want to be reminded or Pick place to set where you want to be notified.

As long as you have syncing turned on for your Google account, you can use Google Calendar, Google Assistant, or Google Keep on one device to unleash reminders across all your devices.

Syncing lets you make the most of your devices and makes you feel that you’re using one machine. For any questions regarding the Android/Chrome combo, feel free to give us a call anytime!

The post 5 uses of the Android phone/Chrome combo appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Progressive SMBs are defined by how they use technology to achieve business growth. From acquiring new customers to managing suppliers to exceeding sales quotas, IT helps a lot. But traditional hardware and software solutions are expensive to purchase and support. Then again, you're not a traditional SMB — you're progressive. What you need is hyperconverged infrastructure.

What is a hyperconverged infrastructure?

In a traditional IT environment, hardware for networks, servers, and storage had to be purchased separately and set up to work together as one 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 lets everything be managed via a single interface. Not only is this box more affordable and easier to use, it can also be used as building blocks — just add more boxes as your business grows.

In a word, hyperconverged infrastructure allows enterprise-level IT solutions to be scaled down for SMBs. Let's take a closer look at how it can benefit your business.

Software-centric computing streamlines upgrades

Putting everything you need into a single box and then wrapping that box 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. Whoever is managing your network can tweak storage, cloud, backup, and database settings from one place.

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, then purchase a smaller upgrade. But when you’re expecting rapid growth, a bigger box will ensure that your IT infrastructure expands with your business. More than this, 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 almost impossible. But, with a hyperconverged infrastructure, your servers and virtual machines aren’t built like a hodge-podge of third-party services with separate security vulnerabilities — they 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 is better equipped to handle the growth and evolution brought about by the benefits of hyperconvergence.

The better your technology, the faster you can make changes. And the faster you can accommodate your shifting needs, the less downtime you experience. Call us today to find the hyperconverged system that best fits your business.

The post What hyperconvergence means for SMBs appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Electronic protected health information (ePHI) is extremely private and its exposure could lead to negative consequences such as social stigma and job discrimination. HIPAA protects this information and grants patients the right to view their own health information so that they can enjoy more control over their care. Healthcare practices must therefore make sure that they got all their bases covered when it comes to HIPAA compliance. Below are four of the most important ones to consider.

Telehealth and mHealth are not always compliant

If your practice has invested in, or is thinking about investing in, telehealth or mobile health (mHealth), you need to make sure that the tech you utilize is HIPAA-compliant. While most telehealth technology is HIPAA-approved, one or two additional measures might be required to make it compliant. An IT specialist should have no problem making sure your telehealth is up to code.

On the other hand, mHealth might be a little more problematic. While a lot of hardware and apps, including Fitbit and the Apple Watch, are HIPAA-compliant, it is a field that is still very new and constantly changing. Your best bet is to consult with an expert to make sure your mHealth services are following all the necessary regulations.

All info, not just EHRs, needs to be HIPAA-compliant

If your office has individually identifiable ePHI data on site, including information like billing records, appointment information, and test results, they must be kept on HIPAA-compliant devices and servers. A lot of medical practices that use cloud-based storage for their EHRs overlook this fact and opt for low-cost platforms that don’t meet certain minimums. While it’s good to have your EHRs ready to go on the cloud, make sure that your non-EHR data is protected as well. If it isn’t, you could be facing a fine.

Your protected health information notice must be available online

If your practice has a website, HIPAA’s rules dictate that it must contain a copy of your updated protected health information notice for patients to access. If you have a website and this information is not currently posted, rectify this as soon as possible to avoid any problems.

Healthcare business associates must also be HIPAA-compliant

Conformity to HIPAA regulations is not just limited to medical practices, healthcare clearinghouses, and health plan organizations. Any business that has access, electronic or otherwise, to protected health information is also required by law to be HIPAA-compliant. This includes any accounting or law firms you work with that may already be accessing your files electronically to carry out work.

To avoid any potential trouble for your practice or its partners, it is best to ask them if they are HIPAA-compliant before partnering with them. If they aren’t, revoke all data access privileges, and make sure they take action to correct this issue immediately.

Still not sure if you’re 100% HIPAA-compliant? Our team of experts can run the necessary risk analysis and correct issues with your technology that may not be in line with current regulations. Just give us a call today.

The post Are you HIPAA-Compliant? 4 Things to look for appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..