Ferrum Technology Services Blog

There are often cases where businesses will implement solutions based on what they believe will be a benefit to their operations without consulting those who actually use the solutions. When implementing a new IT solution, be sure to consider the feelings of someone who is on the user end of this technology, as it might make all the difference when using it for the benefit of your organization.

Automation has helped many businesses improve operations, but at what cost to the people that work for these organizations? Many systems rely on the autonomy of artificial intelligence systems to keep certain tasks and workflows on point. Automation could replace up to a quarter of the current workforce in the next ten years, so people are naturally skeptical and worried about their jobs in the near future.

In business, making good decisions is a must. You have to manage risk well. Today’s business is using analytics to drive decision making, and therefore needs to design and implement platforms that make this possible. If a business doesn’t properly set up their analytics or intelligence systems, their decisions may not be made with a useful perspective. Let’s take a look at these systems to see if you may be being fooled by your own numbers.

Your business’ finances are something that weighs heavily on your mind at all times, whether it’s paying your employees or ensuring healthy acquisition of new hardware or software. Cash flow for businesses doesn’t have to be hard, though you wouldn’t know it, according to a recent report from Intuit.

When a business uses its technology the right way, it typically has positive effects on the business. That’s not to say that technology is a major priority for EVERY business. There are some business owners that don’t prioritize having the newest, shiniest technology on the market; and, that’s fine, if the business functions efficiently.

The cloud offers countless benefits and services to organizations of all kinds, so we want you to think carefully before answering this question: to what extent does your business utilize the cloud? Do you store all of your data and applications on local servers, or do you utilize cloud servers to an extent? You might be surprised by how much you stand to benefit by having a solution in place that allows for seamless access.

Properly handling cybersecurity is extremely important for individuals and businesses, alike, but if you are an organization that has to meet external compliance mandates, it could be a major cost for a business that has a tendency be a target for nefarious outside entities. How many times can businesses get hacked before they take network security seriously? The answer is usually one. Prior to their first hack, most small businesses implore a “we’re too small to worry about it” strategy, but after (if there is an after), security is a major priority.

All businesses need to be as efficient with their resources as possible. You might be surprised by the difference you can make simply by using your data more effectively. Stronger data management platforms, or DMPs, can put you in a better position to understand your organization’s needs, including its market and its customers. It’s time to look at how a DMP can make your business more effective and resource-efficient.

The latest technology can help businesses compete with even large organizations if it’s implemented properly. The cloud is one of these tools that helps new businesses take advantage of goods and services previously inaccessible to those with limited budgets and in-house assets. In fact, the cloud is one of the few solutions your organization can implement that actually grow alongside your business.

The cloud is helping businesses around the world break their own boundaries and achieve new heights, but not all businesses will utilize the cloud in the same way. Are you using the cloud to its greatest potential? We’ll help you determine what the best options are for your organization to take advantage of cloud-hosted computing solutions.

It’s no surprise that businesses will avoid spending money on things they don’t need at all costs. While it might seem harmless to avoid investing in certain technology solutions that just aren’t needed, one that you absolutely cannot go without is data backup and disaster recovery. A business that doesn’t survive disasters can’t succeed, so if you want a future for your business, it’s important to invest now before you can’t later on.

Your business has a lot of moving parts, and these parts need to be managed properly if you hope to maintain (or improve) operations. However, even the smallest parts of your organization could directly influence your business’ workflow. If these processes are getting in the way of your employees getting the most out of their workday, perhaps automation can provide a way to save time and resources.

When you’re making important decisions for your business, you need solid data to back them up. Through the use of business analytics, you can take advantage of your quantifiable data to find the right decisions for your business. We’ll discuss the process of using business analytics and how it can be used to your business’ advantage.

Modern organizations have a lot of threats that they need to secure themselves from. This is not something that you can ignore, as the slightest fault in your network security could usher in much more dangerous threats. If you haven’t implemented some of the most basic security solutions out there, you’re needlessly putting your business’ future on the line. We’re here to help make sure you don’t do that.

One of the most notorious error screens out there has to be the Windows’ Blue Screen of Death, the devastating fatal error that occurs when something has gone horribly wrong with your computer. But what actually causes this error, and what can you do to make sure that it doesn’t happen again? Let’s find out.

It’s no secret that technology is a big part of today’s business, but how much money should your organization really expect to spend on your IT? Of course you need to stay competitive, but can you justify dropping huge chunks of capital on solutions that may or may not come with a visible ROI, or that’s total cost of ownership (TCO) is going to affect your ability to spend elsewhere? Today, we’ll talk about what technology your organization definitely needs, and go into the corresponding cost of that technology.

Packing for trips can be frustrating because there’s always the chance that you’ll pack either too much or too little. This is especially true if you have multiple devices that you might be tempted to bring with you. It’s important to remember that you don’t always have to bring each and every device you own every time that you leave the office or go on a trip. We’ll help you make sure that you don’t overpack technology whenever you go on a trip.

Communication is one of the most important parts of running a business, and if you’re not communicating properly, it could spell trouble for your organization. Projects could be delayed and could ultimately cost your organization more money than they’re worth. Thankfully, technology makes communication better, easier, and more efficient. Here are some of the ways that the best communication technologies can improve the way your organization functions.

If you don’t take measures to secure your email, you could potentially give up crucial information to anyone lurking on the same network as you. This is inevitable on public Wi-Fi connections, or anywhere data is in transit. Encryption is the best way to make sure that your organization’s communications are secure, so you absolutely want to encrypt your email.

Depending on your business’ setup, you might have an in-house IT department that manages any of your technological assets, or you might have an outsourced vendor that you prefer to work with. Regardless, you know that as a business owner, you don’t have time to worry about managing IT--especially if you’re a small organization that has a limited budget and a limited workforce to do the work.