Ferrum Technology Services Blog

Data privacy is one of those issues that people find more serious the more they know about it. Most people don’t think much about it because they figure they are just one person and don’t move the needle for people looking to collect data. They couldn’t be more wrong. This week we’ll discuss individual data privacy, considerations individuals should have, and what to do to keep your data safe.

A business with workers who stay productive is usually a successful one. There are tons of tips out there on how to stay productive, but one that often gets overlooked is patience. This month, we're focusing on how patience can actually boost productivity.

Every organization relies on its IT to be available when needed. Some businesses can’t function at all without them. However, if a business isn’t keeping up with the management and maintenance of its IT, it can lead to downtime. Today, we’ll explore proactive IT maintenance strategies and how they help businesses minimize downtime in various ways.

Business is not always a good time. There are times when things are going well, and then one problem pops up that leads to other problems, opening what seems to be an endless cycle of issues that you need to deal with. Some of these problems seem like they are catastrophic. While it may seem impossible, keeping a positive frame of mind can make all the difference when facing a river of problems. Today, we’ll go through a few things you can do to keep a positive frame of mind when things seem to be falling apart right in front of you.

Mobile malware might not have a lot of attention on it, but it can be a significant problem for organizations that rely on smartphones. This goes double for small businesses that typically don’t have the large teams and big budgets for their mobile strategies that include devices, data and phone plans, and security controls. Today, we’ll look at mobile malware and how an organization with a limited budget can keep it from impacting its business.

Password best practices (and common sense, if we’re being honest) tell us to always use a strong password for every account we have. This is because, unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to crack a weak one anymore. A bit of software on a standard computer can crack millions of passwords in a matter of seconds… so the more complex and randomized a password, the better and more secure it will be.

However, this can also make it a real challenge to create and then memorize sufficiently complex passwords. To help, we wanted to share a fun trick.

Businesses today need to worry about people outside their business trying to break into their network and steal their data. Unfortunately, that’s not the only direction that theft can come from. In this week’s blog, we’ll take a look at the types of technology theft you need to be aware of inside of your company and what you can do about it.

Ideally, your business will last for years and years, but your information technology will simply not be able to do the same. This makes it essential to rework and update your business’ IT regularly. Let’s discuss a few warning signs that you need to pay attention to so you know when to do so.

Productivity. To business owners, it can be a mantra. You can judge the success of your organization by productivity, as it often translates directly to profits. You’ll notice a lack of productivity in your operations, and potentially even your pocketbooks, so it’s incredibly important to know whether your business is being productive or not.

Technology plays a crucial role regardless of a company’s size or growth stage. Therefore, having an IT infrastructure that can adapt to changes in business scale is essential.

Let's discuss the significance of a suitable IT infrastructure and explore best practices for tailoring it to fit your business needs.

Sometimes, you might see a folder on your desktop that has a zipper on the icon. These are ZIP files, useful for certain purposes. Today, we want to show you how to effectively use a ZIP file for its intended purpose.

Passwords have long been a cornerstone of online account security, paired with usernames to form the basis of most login systems. Consequently, they are prime targets for hackers seeking to steal credentials and gain unauthorized access to accounts or networks. The inherent weaknesses of poor passwords have become more apparent in recent years, however. This has prompted the growing adoption of additional security measures available to users.

Printing is often a source of consternation for businesses. Unfortunately, printing costs have been rising rapidly for years due to a combination of factors impacting the entire supply chain. This month, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons these costs continue to rise.

Certain businesses have taken a much closer interest in cybersecurity… those businesses being business insurance providers. Many will now only provide coverage if your business maintains certain cybersecurity standards. One key tool they want to see is multi-factor authentication, or MFA.

If you are a consistent reader of this blog, it will not surprise you that we think of phishing as one of the most significant threats that impact businesses today, regardless of their size or industry. Understanding this threat and implementing effective prevention measures is vital for safeguarding your organization. Let's go into how you can minimize the impact of phishing schemes and protect your business.

Today's consumers are exceptionally knowledgeable, which makes you need to prioritize a proactive approach to creating exceptional customer experiences to build lasting relationships. Let’s explore strategies for enhancing customer satisfaction and retention.

Technology presents a significant challenge for businesses of all sizes, whether you're a quaint family-run shop or a swiftly expanding enterprise. The upkeep of technology—from hardware like computers and servers to software solutions and point-of-sale systems—is a perpetual task. This month, we aim to explore how managed IT solutions can optimize your resources by providing a straightforward, convenient, and cost-efficient alternative to hiring multiple in-house technicians.

Regarding business logistics, inventory management is a significant contributing factor you cannot avoid. It keeps your operations running well, regardless of what type of business you run. Your company will always need its inventory, and managing it effectively and efficiently can save on costs, improve service levels, and promote overall business success.

Travel has become a common occurrence for many employees and business professionals. Yet despite the travel, their responsibilities do not get put on halt. Whether it’s for a conference, a professional development workshop, or visiting a potential client or vendor, chances are you’ll bring technology with you. It’s up to you to ensure that it is kept safe from today’s rampant cyberthreats.

How often do you struggle to talk about potential issues your business faces when you reach out to IT for help? Conversing with technicians can be especially challenging when you don’t necessarily understand the problem yourself, either. Thankfully, we have some tips to help you lead more productive conversations with your IT staff or managed service provider.