Category: IT How To

The Need for Your Business to Set Up Network Security Is Urgent

In the early 20th century, if a crook wanted money, they’d rob a bank or steal a woman’s purse on the street. Real masterminds might devise an elaborate heist to hold up a Brink’s truck or befriend a millionaire, then make off with their riches.

Today, these crooks look much different. That’s because an increasing number of them are not out on the street taking gold, jewelry, and cash. They’re sitting behind desks, somewhere in an unknown room where they will probably never be found, hacking your data.

Why data?

If you didn’t realize it already, data is now one of the most — if not the most — valuable commodities on earth. And if you’re not protecting yours, you’re making yourself and your business a huge target for cybercriminals.

“Since when does every business need network security?”

Businesses, small and large, ask this question a lot.

“Since when do we have to have all this network security? I’m trying to run a business here. Why is everyone telling me to focus my attention on firewalls, data loss protection, adware, ransomware, phishing scams, etc.?”

We get it.

To help orient yourself to the critical importance of network security, however, you need to think of it this way: Say you own a jewelry store — a brick-and-mortar jewelry store. Are you going to pay attention to security? Are you going to invest in security cameras and highly durable doors, windows, and locks? Are you going to have a robust alarm system? Perhaps even a security guard on standby to investigate possible burglaries?

Of course, you are.

Well, the same preventive and recovery protocols need to be arranged for any business that deals either publicly or privately on the Internet.

Certainly, there was a “Wild West” phase of the Internet where cybercriminals hadn’t quite mastered their own art of hacking systems and stealing or corrupting data.

That phase is over.

Now, if you don’t have “locks on your doors and windows,” so to speak, you’re a sitting duck for a host of security issues that could bring your business to the ground.

“But my business is small/mostly offline/not in a typically lucrative industry. Do I still need network security then?”

Yes. Absolutely.

All businesses — no matter the industry or size — should have robust network security to protect their valuable IT data and network systems.

One thing to remember is that network security isn’t just to prevent hackers from stealing or corrupting your data. This is certainly a big issue that you want to prevent. However, network security also ensures business continuity.

Say, for example, a cybercriminal is able to hack your system but doesn’t obtain your data. That’s great, but they may have upended your network or impacted your ability to access your data for a time, which can severely impact your business productivity. Network security solutions incorporate data storage and critical backups that can be used if you lose access. These are crucial if you are ever hacked, but they are also useful if, for example, a technical problem crashes your system or a huge storm upsets your ability to access your network.

“What else can network security solutions do?”

Network security solutions can also improve your business’s performance. Managed service providers who know their industry inside and out have the best technologies at their disposal. Ideally, they also know your industry inside and out, so they can make recommendations on the best tools to enhance your productivity and ultimately, your profitability.

Finally, if you are in an industry that requires network security compliance (for example, if you are in possession of medical patient data or personal financial information), you already know that you need to abide by specific regulations in order to ensure personal privacy and data protection. Your managed service provider can help you establish compliance as well.

“Where should I go for the best network security solutions?”

It’s always good to look for a managed service provider in your specific industry. They’ll have experience with similar companies and be able to recommend the best technologies and security solutions for you and your company.

How Microsoft Dataverse Helps Your Organization Store and Manage App Data Securely

Microsoft Dataverse is a software as a service (SaaS) solution capable of resolving wide-ranging data management and businesses’ storage issues. As an ever-increasing number of organizations generate a large amount of data, there is a need to manage it securely and efficiently. Thus, businesses can rely on Dataverse to handle varying types of data from multiple sources.

By switching to Dataverse, organizations eliminate the need to invest in extensive infrastructure. The complexity of handling various types of data from wide-ranging sources is due to the implementation of multiple security protocols and APIs. With the data platform, it becomes easier to bolster data protection, maintain compliance, maximize scalability, and manage data more efficiently.

You can count on Dataverse to work well with all data types and business applications. It provides access to advanced analytics features, enabling your teams to glean insights from the data. More importantly, anyone can use the platform because no coding is necessary. Additionally, the platform is secure, compliant, scalable, and globally accessible.

Advantages of Using Dataverse

Dataverse comes with a wide selection of benefits, including simplifying data management, compatibility with Microsoft Power Apps, and the availability of productivity tools. The tool stores the data and metadata in cloud storage systems, which provides a convenient way to manage the data.

Security is a significant benefit of using Microsoft Dataverse. It employs role-based measures to maximize data protection. Thus, there is no need to worry about unauthorized access to tables. On the other hand, the tool allows your team to access information stored in sources like Dynamics 365. Your team leverages convenient access to building apps faster.

Rich metadata is another advantage brought about by the tool. Dataverse employs data types and relationships via Power Apps. Meanwhile, you can rely on the platform to help facilitate business processes and maximize data quality, thanks to its superior logic and validation capabilities.

Likewise, you will find it easier to define workflows, calculated columns, operational processes, and critical business rules. When it comes to productivity tools, Dataverse integrates tables as plug-ins for Microsoft Excel. The integration bolsters productivity while facilitating data accessibility.

Work With All Apps and Data Types

Compatibility with all data types and apps is one of Dataverse’s key strengths. This benefit enables you to incorporate various data technology categories to suit your company’s needs. Some major categories include images, relational, data lake, search, non-relational, and file.

Visual design features let your team create, edit, and enhance data interaction. In turn, team members easily and quickly define workflows, tables, forms, relationships, and business rules applicable to your organization. Deep integration with various cloud services and connectors provided by Microsoft is a breeze. This capability enables connection to applications, popular SaaS solutions, devices, and systems.

Integration supports various business use cases, including working with Dataverse in a blockchain network. Also, you can extract information from a spreadsheet delivered to you as an email attachment. The tool works well with virtual tables, enabling Dataverse to display external data in real-time. As such, it becomes easier to execute data operations via a link to external sources.

When it comes to compatibility with apps, Dataverse enhances functionality, thanks to the Power Apps integration. The latter leverages Dataverse’s rich metadata to help users create advanced business applications using the low-code approach. Once app development is complete, they become available on Microsoft Teams, the web, mobile devices, and desktops.

Dataverse comes with the mobile offline capability, enabling you to develop business applications capable of handling data offline. As such, users interact, query, and collect data, even when the app is offline. The tool provides access to a REST-based API, which is useful for developing applications using custom code. With the application programming interface, it is possible to integrate data from Dataverse into existing business apps.

Integrating Data Into Dataverse

App development entails working with multiple data sources. In many cases, developers collect the data and store it in a single repository for added convenience. This approach also involves one logic set used to operate and maintain the data. Storing data in a single location allows the development process to work smoothly in Power Apps.

You can also use the data in Power Virtual Agents, Power Automate, and Power BI. Regular synchronization keeps the data link working between Dataverse, Power Apps, and other apps. The tool transforms and imports data using Power Query, which plays the same role as Power BI and Excel.

If you occasionally import data into Dataverse, you can use Excel and CSV files. However, this approach is not ideal for the regular import and export of data into the tool.

Dynamics 365 and Dataverse

Microsoft Dataverse securely stores data used by various Dynamics 365 apps, including Talent, Customer Service, and Sales. For this reason, you conveniently tap into your organization’s core operational data to create advanced applications. In turn, you no longer need to worry about integration to access metadata and data.

When your team defines business rules and logic, Dataverse allows the related tables to transmit the settings to apps developed via Power Apps. In the end, your team leverages data consistency to achieve the desired objectives. The consistency applies to all business applications, irrespective of the apps and devices used to access them.

On the other hand, team members with experience using Dynamics 365 and Power Apps can employ their skills across the Dataverse platform. Some reusable skills across the three platforms include creating forms, charts, and tables.

Analytics, Reporting, and Security

With Dataverse, you can prepare paginated reports and basic charts. Interoperability with Power BI simplifies the process of creating interactive reports and dashboards. At the same time, the platform provides access to advanced analytics with artificial intelligence capabilities. Thus, it bolsters your organization’s capacity to analyze data more effectively.

The platform taps into the power of Azure Active Directory to manage users’ access rights. Doing so enhances data security and your environment. You can opt to associate access rights settings with individual users or teams and business units. Microsoft Dataverse also allows granular security controls by restricting access at the column level.

How IT Consulting Companies Can Help Overcome Technology Challenges

Information technology helps businesses of varying sizes to enhance operations and thrive. To maximize the benefits of technology, businesses often enlist the help of established IT consulting companies. With the assistance of highly skilled consultants, organizations empower themselves with the right tools to bolster innovation and overcome operational challenges.

By investing in IT and optimizing infrastructure, it becomes easier for firms to streamline processes. In turn, organizations reduce operating costs, enhance efficiency, boost productivity, and increase profits. Developing innovative products and services is a surefire way to attract more customers and gain a competitive advantage in the market.

The best part is that information technology consultants have the expertise to help your business achieve operational objectives. They typically come with business and technical skills. In many cases, you can find IT consultants with industry-specific experience.

You can count on the experts to guide you in matters such as IT infrastructure management, cloud computing, compliance, business app migration or optimization, cybersecurity, and business continuity planning.

Essential IT Consulting Services

IT consultants can help your organization solve challenges, improve IT project management, or enhance innovation by adopting a high-level view of your needs. In doing so, information technology experts can provide sound advice that helps you achieve specific objectives.

Some consultants specialize in assisting businesses to manage ongoing system maintenance, while others offer advice on the implementation of specific projects. With the former, you can replace your in-house technical team with external professionals.

Here are some of the ways that IT specialists can help your organization.

Consultants create value by empowering your team to make the right decisions at every stage of the business life cycle. You tap into their wealth of expertise in various ways, including solution consulting, software portfolio consulting, IT strategy support, enterprise architecture advisory services, and technology consulting.

Solution Consulting

With solution consulting, IT specialists help you make the right decisions by analyzing your operating processes and business needs. During the consultations, you receive advice regarding the implementation of business-critical solutions. In turn, your organization finds it easier to prioritize specific business objectives.

Depending on your technology goals, IT support experts may guide you on integrating a solution into your information technology infrastructure. You handle the integration without the risk of functionality duplication or cost increases. Expert guidance enables you to maximize the return on investment. Furthermore, you can manage ongoing solution support and evolution more effectively.

In the end, you bolster cybersecurity, achieve application reliability, and ensure compliance.

IT Transformation Consulting

With IT transformation consulting, experts help your organization boost business performance. They formulate a service delivery optimization plan and an IT strategy capable of driving value. Additionally, expert support enables you to prepare business cases for information technology initiatives and outline a roadmap on harnessing technology assets to achieve specific operational outcomes. All these transformation initiatives focus on ROI.

Software Portfolio Consulting

Consulting teams analyze your existing software and operational processes to determine the right integrations, optimizations, and new implementations. This type of consulting service is ideal if you intend to maximize value from your technology investments. Consultants bring in-depth knowledge and vast experience in software.

Expert guidance enables your company to resolve bottlenecks and inefficiencies caused by software issues. Well-chosen and optimized software acts as a nervous system that drives business processes. Customers, suppliers, internal teams, and clients interact with the IT infrastructure as part of day-to-day activities.

Hiring an IT consultant supports your long-term business objectives by bridging the gap between technical solutions and operational requirements. Consultants have the expertise to assist your organization in aligning your IT strategy with operational value.

IT Strategy Consulting

Technology specialists work closely with your team to devise effective IT strategies that ensure business success. Developing a coherent strategy requires extensive experience in various aspects of information technology and business. You can count on consultants to help your company become more resilient and innovative.

From IT development and implementation to adopting emerging technology, you need expert guidance to plan more effectively. To reap your IT system’s rewards, you need to outline its functions and benefits to your organization’s day-to-day operations. Your IT strategy should take into account how users interact with the technology infrastructure. Furthermore, outline how individual systems work with supporting infrastructure.

With the help of information technology consultants, you can examine plans for potential issues and devise viable solutions. When handled correctly, the strategy formulation phase ensures successful implementation of business applications and infrastructure.

Pros and Cons Of Outsourcing Your IT Support To A Managed Services Provider

Paper or plastic? Cash or charge? MSP or in-house IT? There are many choices that you need to make on a daily basis, some personal and some related to keeping your business running. However, the last question can have a serious impact on your business if you don’t get the question. But which option is the best one for your company’s needs? Here’s a quick look to help you decide which one is the best option for you.

Pros and Cons Of Outsourcing Your IT Support To A Managed Services Provider

Your company needs your technology to work. Whether you need to add IT staff to your company or want to free up the personnel used for IT in their business to turn their attention to other projects, one option you may be considering is adding a managed service provider to your options. By outsourcing these tasks, you can focus on running your business instead of solving technical issues. When you hire an MSP, you no longer need to worry about updates, network maintenance, and finding the right solutions to optimize your digital assets. Though they can be expensive, they’ll often save you money because you can avoid serious tech problems. But are they the best choice? Let’s start by learning what they are.

What are MSPs?

A relatively recent development, MSPs provide small businesses with an outsourcing option for a wide range of IT needs. Instead of being stuck with a single generalist or a small team working in-house, you’ll have a team of topic experts that provide a ton of value, often for about the same investment or even a bit less. This can range from supporting your business tech for a flat monthly fee to providing boutique consulting services focused on your business’ specific needs and strategy.

MSPs will handle issues that come up on your network, monitoring for problems and troubleshooting issues that arise. With the accessibility of cloud computing, most IT work can be handled through an outsourced MSP, which has remote access to networks and may deploy solutions from their location. When you work with an MSP, contracts are provided detailing what is included in the service and when the services start and stop. The services can include help desk support, mobile app development, software-as-a-service, backup and recovery services, as well as all-inclusive packages with unlimited resources.

Why do You Need an MSP?

MSPs are a popular option because they negate risks to your digital assets. Rather than waiting until there’s a problem to outsource your IT, MSPs allow your network to be consistently monitored, updated, and maintained by professionals who understand why specific strategies and techniques should be used. Instead of needing to focus on your company’s IT issues, you can focus on your business, while your MSP evaluates your current and upcoming IT needs, providing solid advice on products and services to implement.

Advantages and Disadvantages of MSPs

MSPs support many facets of IT for their clients. Because the cost is spread across many companies, you receive premium expert services without having to hire all the required professionals. This approach gives you more resources from a deeper knowledge base.

But there are some other issues to consider. Will the cost work with your budget? Do you need someone on-site to handle issues such as printer jams? Here’s a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of MSPs.

Advantages:

1. Change in mode: If the MSP operates efficiently, instead of having to react to technical issues that arise, it constantly monitors aspects of your digital assets to prevent them from happening, acting more proactively.
2. No new tech purchases: On some plans, the MSP provides all of your tech, including workstations, servers, and programs, essentially giving you assets-as-a-service as you pay to rent them, allowing you to spend capital where it’s needed.
3. Expertise: For about the same cost as you’d pay for one general computer tech for everything, you’ll get an experienced team with expertise in multiple areas, which delivers more value for your money while ensuring superior outcomes.
4. Continuity of business: Do you wonder how to restore your business systems and data in a disaster? When you work with an MSP, they’ll create a disaster recovery plan that makes the process easy.

Disadvantages

1. Lack of physical presence: Because the MSP may not be local to your business, they can’t handle physical issues that need to be done. If the company is local, they may or may not offer onsite support, which can be problematic.
2. Cost: Though the cost is comparable to hiring a professional, still costs a great deal, minimally a few hundred dollars a month, but the costs can end up being much higher. However, the MSP may save a lot for comparable technology.
3. Scope: The scope of your contract will almost certainly not cover all technology areas. Your contract will list the applications supported, with third-party software that isn’t supported still being your responsibility.

Whether an MSP will work for you or not, the decisions will be yours. If your company frequently requires IT support or you’re putting a lot of time into fixing problems yourself, an MSP can be a great option to consider.

How Can Business Executives Lead A Remote Workforce Through The Pandemic & Beyond?

The pandemic accelerated an ongoing remote workforce trend by forcing companies to pivot and conduct business with people from home offices and dining room tables. A reported 41.8 percent of the workforce was considered remote at the height of the outbreak, and 36.2 million people are expected to remain offsite through 2021.

Few organizations were prepared for the watershed events that changed the way entrepreneurs, CEOs, and other leaders manage operations and achieve business goals. Decision-makers faced substantial challenges sometimes marked by trial-and-error efforts. But business executives learned some valuable lessons with more than a year of experience managing remote workforces under their belts. If you rank among the many professionals still searching for the special sauce, compartmentalizing leadership into the following areas could prove invaluable.

Does Your Leadership Message Keep Remote Workers Energized?

Videoconferencing and electronic messages cannot replicate the passion executives inspire when addressing staff members in-person. The subtle voice inflections and body language typically doesn’t translate electronically. A recent Gartner study indicates that industry leaders would be wise to consider the following ways to maintain remote workforce enthusiasm.

• Watch for Signs of Distress: Communicate directly and monitor remote workers for indicators they are struggling with long-term changes. Ensure managers and key stakeholders that you have their back, come what may.
• Encourage Discussion: When experienced team members struggle, they may keep it to themselves because they don’t want to impact company morale negatively. While that sentiment is laudable, the pandemic calls for a more open dialogue. Encourage your seasoned veterans to vent when needed. Your office door might be shuttered, but your cell phone works.
• Goal Achievement: Take time to remind remote personnel about company values and goals on a regular basis. In these challenging times, people need more than a paycheck to stay motivated.

Although government officials and news reports point to eventual herd immunity, everyday people still live with a sense of uncertainty. One lesson worth considering is that people do not always remember precisely what you said. But they do remember how you made them feel.

Has Your Workforce Been Restructured To Account For Remote Productivity?

Organizations that succeeded during the early months of the pandemic implemented strategies that reimagined two things — structure and process.

Companies with inherent ambiguities in these areas quickly discovered the remote shift only amplified such disconnects. Remote workers appear more productive when groups are pared down because that helps them communicate well. Consider reducing large teams that functioned well in brick-and-mortar landscapes into more specialized outcome-driven subgroups.

Supporting that initiative, replicating the pre-pandemic process online remains essential. Although some outfits benefited from flexible hours during the early months, restoring on-time work starts, scheduled departmental meetings via online platforms, and reducing process ambiguity help define structure and expectations.

Does Your Organization Possess Sustainable Remote Infrastructure & Technology?

Business executives were widely tasked with ramping up remote infrastructure to handle workforce migrations. Work-from-home realities meant quickly increasing IT budgets and enlisting third-party experts to enhance Cloud-based capabilities, among other challenges.

Just as companies began settling into online productivity, hackers rolled out unprecedented attacks targeting newly-minted remote workers. To say that experience was something of a fluid battlefield would be something of an understatement. But the challenges of the initial workforce shift remain in place, and technology continues to evolve. Decision-makers would be well-served to support remote workers in the following ways.

• Offer cybersecurity awareness training and real-time threat alerts.
• Integrate the latest platforms that improve productivity, such as Microsoft Teams.
• Provide Virtual Private Networks to enhance security.
• Create a 24/7 IT support plan & help desk options.
• Enhance home-office bandwidth to account for increased business activities.

Wide-reaching tools exist that prove beneficial in terms of productivity. If industry leaders expect remote workers to adapt and overcome for the remainder of the pandemic and beyond, they will need the tools and IT support to succeed.

Leadership until the end of the pandemic and the remote workforce realities afterward call for a rethinking of methods. The basic concepts of motivation, structure, process, equipment, and support remain largely intact. Perhaps the critical difference involves leveraging online platforms and IT innovations more decisively.

5 Things Companies Need to Know About Adobe End of Life

Big Tech corporations have driven the final nail into the coffin of Adobe Flash Player. Its “end of life (EoL),” or “death,” if you will, was long expected. As the popular software timed out at the end of 2020, businesses that still house the program in networks would be wise to have it promptly uninstalled. Not only is Flash defunct, but it could create a cybersecurity gap that invites hackers.

Adobe Flash was a relatively commonplace program that drew little attention over its 24-year lifespan. Now that its death certificate has been signed, these are things industry leaders need to know about making funeral arrangements.

1: How Did Adobe Flash Work?

The multimedia software platform was widely recognized for facilitating the mainstream use of animation, video players, vector graphics, and Rich web applications, among others. Of course, its pop-culture claim to fame was that it helped video games and music work.

But as the use of devices and apps increased in business ventures, Adobe evolved with the times. It would enable a wide range of desktop and mobile applications to be coordinated with Flash. These and others would then be used with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and most videogame platforms. Adobe Flash became a standard element in the vast majority of electronic devices and business networks.

2: Adobe Flash Met Its Demise Through Agreement

The EoL of Flash was reportedly not a decision handed down by tech giants. Google, Apple, Mozilla, Microsoft, and Adobe leadership teams agreed that the end of an era was at hand. The decision to let Flash time out was made in 2017. For example, Google Chrome 88 no longer includes Flash, and Adobe has now begun blocking content. Now that the long run is over, support also comes to an end.

3: Adobe Flash May Be Used By Hackers

One issue that hasn’t garnered splashy headlines is that back in 2018, hackers pulled off an attack by exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in Adobe Flash. The problem was dealt with promptly, but the lesson should resonate with industry professionals today. As support ends, it should already be considered an unpatched program.

For those who are not cybersecurity specialists, unpatched software is the equivalent of an open door for online criminals to walk right through. Without updates and fixes, digital thieves find ways to manipulate software and gain entrance to entire networks. Cybersecurity experts routinely patch programs and uninstall outdated ones for this very reason. Adobe Flash cannot be updated or fixed. Therefore, it creates a clear and present danger.

4: Uninstalling Flash Can Be Complicated

Business professionals would be wise to have an IT expert remove the program immediately. If you have yet to secure a third-party firm to manage your system, each operating system requires a slightly different process. Windows PC users can download an Uninstall program from Adobe.

Mac users will need to seek out a different version. There are also several Mac Uninstall programs available, depending on which MacOS version you are using. Tapping Uninstall in each device may not be effective. Because a misstep can leave your network vulnerable, it may be worth erring on the side of caution and working with an IT professional.

5: What Will Replace Adobe Flash Player?

The great technology meteor has effectively rendered Flash extinct, but people who relied on the program need not worry. The three-year EoL rollout appears to be time well spent. Browsers such as Explorer and Chrome, among others, have mechanisms to convert Flash-reliant applications. Alternatives such as HTML5, WebGL, and WebAssembly, are reportedly already in play.

If you own any electronic device and store valuable or sensitive data, it’s essential to take proactive measures and deal with the Flash issue. Tech giants may have killed it, but you are tasked with the burial arrangements.

What Are the Key Differences Between IT Services and Consulting?

When business leaders create annual budgets, IT typically ranks among the top investments. More than $4 trillion was spent globally in 2019, and the average company funneled 8.2 percent of its total revenue into IT. The primary focus for too many companies was IT services, without consulting support. Putting all of your eggs in the IT services basket could lead to work stoppages and problems that could otherwise be avoided. By understanding the key differences between services and consulting, informed decisions can be made about an organization’s IT health.

What Are IT Services?

There are plenty of technical explanations that define “IT services.” But a direct way to understand this term is from the customer’s perspective. You invest in IT services to help accomplish tasks and goals. Company leaders typically broker a deal with an experienced IT services firm to ensure things run smoothly. In other words, you hire someone to keep everyone on your team working at a high level and minimize disruptions. These generally include the following:

• Technical & Help Desk Support
• Backup & Recovery Services
• Software Management Services
• Cybersecurity Monitoring & Threat Response
• Cloud Migration & Maintenance
• Internet-Based Communications Services

The underlying premise of IT services is that a third party is generally under contract to help you maximize productivity and solve routine issues. Companies don’t usually invest in technology for technology’s sake. It’s a necessary tool that requires an expert to maintain.

What Makes IT Consulting Different?

The million-dollar question is that if you already have IT services in place, why invest in a consultant? That’s a fair question from the consumer’s point of view. Your email works, computer restarts are at a minimal level, and Cloud-based systems enable your outfit to connect with remote workers and business partners in real-time. If it’s not broken, why fix it?

The primary reason to invest in IT consulting is that it is proactive by nature. A consultant reviews your critical operations and makes an analysis of the next steps and long-term technology planning. An IT consultant may be only minimally interested in the software and services your organization uses to complete tasks and further goals today. Instead, they consider solutions for the future that deliver the following benefits:

• Bring an Objective Perspective: Your IT service provider and staff members have a way of conducting operations every day. While their methods may work at a high level, an outside perspective can help companies take advantage of emerging technologies.
• Proactive vs. Reactive: It’s essential to understand that IT services are crucial. They can react to technical problems and resolve them quickly. By contrast, IT consulting focuses on future disruptions and innovations and advises business leaders about preventative measures.
• Increase Leadership Focus: When management teams get bogged down with technical problems, they cannot devote the focus necessary to maximize an organization’s potential. An IT consulting firm brings a wealth of knowledge to the table that allows leaders to make high-level decisions about the state of their technology.

As an industry thought leader, perhaps the best way to understand the differences between IT services and consulting is that they are different cogs in a machine that makes your company go. One without the other limits your potential to achieve goals and compete. Technology changes quickly, and companies require IT services to maintain operational integrity and consulting experts to get you ready for critical next steps.

Microsoft Makes Anti-Spam Changes

The year 2020 is not the only thing that is coming to an end. Microsoft is slowly rolling out changes meant to deter spam. This is causing some features to come to an end and changing the way a few Microsoft products, most notably email, is used. As a business owner, it is important to stay on top of changes with the software and programs that your business utilizes. Here is a little bit more information about the anti-spam changes and what those changes can mean for your business.

Why Is Microsoft Making Anti-Spam Changes?

Microsoft recently released an add-on: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2. Many of the anti-spam changes were made when this add-on released, and a few more are expected to roll out at the end of January 2021. The primary reason for these changes is to better protect your business against phishing attacks, spoofing attacks, and to limit the number of spam emails that are sent. Some of these changes affect all Microsoft products as a whole, while others are geared toward specific products, such as email.

Why Should Your Business Be Aware of These Changes?

Your business needs to be aware of these changes because they can alter the way your business operates. You may need to update software or you may need to retrain your staff on how to use products. As these changes roll out, many IT professionals are already receiving phone calls from those that they serve letting them know that they can no longer use certain features and asking for a workaround. Releasing an email to your staff or providing them training as a group can help prevent mass emails or phone calls to your IT professional.

What Types of Changes Is Microsoft Making?

One of the biggest changes that Microsoft has made so far is disabling automatic e-mail forwarding. This has changed the way that your office may forward emails to other employees in the business and clients outside of the business. One of the major changes that is expected to happen at the end of January 2021 involves no longer allowing the “allow list” or “block list” from the SPAM policy setting in Exchange Office to function. Instead, you will need to add your allow or block list elsewhere. Finally, Microsoft is making subtle changes to all license-level software to increase protection and decrease phishing and spoofing risk. While you may not necessarily see these changes, you may find that you need to update your software if it does not automatically self-update.

Microsoft is making anti-spam changes to decrease spam and to help prevent phishing and spoofing attacks when using Microsoft Office 365. If you own a business, you need to be aware of these changes, as it can impact these products. Your IT professional can help advise your office on the changes that are being made and update your software to ensure you are using the latest Microsoft Office products.

Top 15 Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks

Microsoft Teams is one of the most popular and influential digital team-building solutions available for startups and business teams of any size. Using Microsoft Teams as your company’s preferred collaboration tool provides access to myriad features, from private messaging and group chats to file and document-sharing. With a few tips and tricks, optimize your time and productivity whenever you and your team put Microsoft Teams to use.

How Can I Get Better Organized with Microsoft Teams?

In order to use Microsoft Teams as efficiently as possible, getting organized with the system is a must.

1. Bookmark Important Messages and Content

Whenever you receive a noteworthy message or content from another member of your team, select the bookmark icon next to the message. You can search for bookmarks by browsing for content within the message you are trying to find via your search bar or by typing the command “/saved” into the bar when searching for a list of your saved bookmarks.

2. Use Drag-and-Drop Features to Stay Organized

Use Microsoft Teams drag-and-drop features to organize messages, teams, files, as well as calendar events and important dates.

3. Create Groups for Users

Grouping members of your team or users who have joined you on Microsoft Teams is a way to keep better track of those you communicate with throughout each day. Create a new tag for specific groups to communicate with more team members in less time.

4. Select Favorites

You can also choose favorite channels and teams when using Microsoft Teams to gain quick access to those you use most. Favoriting or bookmarking channels and teams will keep them at the top of your list.

How Can I Increase Team Engagement?

5. Add Subject Lines

Adding subject lines throughout conversations and group messages can help to keep communications more organized and clutter-free. The icon for creating subject lines is located in the bottom left corner of the messaging section of Microsoft Teams.

6. Use Animated Graphics (GIFs) and Other Visual Media

Using visual media is a great way to break up conversations, make a point, and send a message without a wall of text. Use GIFs as well as other relevant imagery or visual media during conversations to keep track of the overall theme and direction of the conversation.

7. Use Urgent Messages and Notifications When Necessary

If you are looking to get in touch with a member of your team immediately, send an “Urgent” message from the messaging tab of Microsoft Teams.

8. Use Polls to Increase Engagement

Increase the engagement of your team members by implementing a question or a poll with the messages you send out en masse.

9. Use Eye-Catching Headlines and Titles

Use appealing and eye-catching headlines and titles when communicating with your team to keep them focused and interested in the content of your conversation or meeting.

Improve Meetings Altogether With Microsoft Teams

10. Putting Together Mode to Use

Use Together Mode from Microsoft Teams to emulate a full conference room of participants.

11. Instantly Call a Team Member Within a Chat

If you are in need of more one-on-one communication, instantly call a team member from directly within a private conversation.

12. Record Your Meetings

Record your meetings from the main control panel in your Microsoft Teams account. It is also possible to use this section to transcribe each of your meetings for future use and reference.

13. Use Microsoft Teams Meeting Notes

Using Microsoft Teams Meeting Notes section is another way to keep track of conversations, topics that are covered, and tasks for teams and individuals alike.

14. Blur Out Your Current Background at Home or at the Office

Whether you are working remotely permanently or want to minimize and limit distractions during team meetings, you can blur your background from the main settings area of your Microsoft Teams bar.

15. Title and Log Meetings Appropriately

In order to maximize overall productivity, be sure to title and log all of your meetings and conversations in Microsoft Teams appropriately for future searches and use.

Using Microsoft Teams for your business, startup, or brand is a great way to effectively communicate with co-workers and team members remotely, regardless of your location and time zone. By taking the time to optimize Microsoft Teams for you, increase productivity and overall efficiency among all of your team members and employees.

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9 Meeting Tips for Using Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a simple, yet effective tool for hosting meetings. It has both audio and video capabilities as well as a chat feature. It can handle conference calls and one on one meetings, with members of your organization as well as guests. Plus, it has a convenient chat feature that can be used to share documents and spreadsheets. Here are a few tips for using Teams effectively in meetings.

• Send Invites through E-mail: Anyone in your organization who has access to your company communications can be easily searched and added when you create a new meeting. But if you’d like to add someone from outside of the organization, all you have to do is enter their email when you create an event or add it later on. They will receive an invitation in their inbox that will allow them to enter the meeting when it starts.
• Admit Guests from the Lobby: Members of your organization who are invited to the meeting will be able to join automatically when it starts. But those who are not must be admitted. When guests enter the meeting, they will be placed in the lobby to await your admittance. You will receive a notification and see them waiting in the lobby – all you have to do is click the checkmark next to their name and they will be able to enter the meeting.
• Keep the Noise to a Minimum: Conference calls can get noisy. A loud air conditioner or nescient conversations in the background of one guest’s location can disrupt the entire call. Attendees can mute themselves while others are talking to reduce interference. Or if one particular guest is not complying with the request, as the host you can mute them.
• Make Sure Guests Download Teams: To join a Teams meeting, guests must download the app or browser extension. It’s free to download and doesn’t require any fancy plugins. But guests may be confused if you don’t make them aware that the call is being conducted through an app.
• Decide on an Audio or Video Call: Teams has video capabilities as well as audio. It may be awkward for some if they are not aware that they will be visible during the meeting if it’s a video call. So, to make things run smoothly decide beforehand whether a video call is necessary and make sure everyone is on the same page.
• Share Documents in the Chat During a Call: The chat feature allows you to seamlessly share and view documents and text communications while on a call. If you have an important memo or chart you want everyone to see, simply drop it in the chat and participants can view it without leaving the call.
• Join with Audio Conferencing: Teams is generally run through Wi-Fi, but if you or a guest is in an area with limited internet access, you can always join a call through audio conferencing. Audio conferencing allows members to dial in manually using their phone line. Those who have audio conferencing available will see dial-in instructions provided alongside the meeting info.
• Record Your Teams Meetings: Teams has a recording function if you want a video of the meeting to reference or transcribe. All you have to do is select the “…” button in the meeting and press record. But keep in mind, you may want to make participants aware that they are being recorded, so no one feels uncomfortable.
• Share Selected Applications: Teams allows you to share selected applications with meeting participants, rather than your entire desktop. So, if you want to show your browser, but not your email, you can do so with application sharing.

Teams is a powerful app and there are a variety of innovative yet simple features you can play around with. Employ these tips in your next meeting to increase your productivity and efficiency.