Category Archive: Uncategorized

  1. Embracing Cloud Computing

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    “[The] Cloud is about how you do computing, not where you do computing.”

    –Paul Maritz, VMware CEO

    Cloud computing has been around for quite some time and has had a steady effect on the way we do business. In layman’s terms, cloud computing is the delivery of different computing services (including servers, storage, databases, networking, and software) through the internet aka “the cloud”.

    While it may have taken some time for businesses to embrace the cloud, we see how much it has recently flourished, especially in a more digital working world. Check out these stats gathered by explodingtopics.com that support this:

    • The cloud applications market is currently worth over $150 billion
    • It is predicted that there will be 200 ZB of stored data in the cloud by 2025
    • It is forecasted that in 2023, $200 Billion will be spent on SaaS, $150 billion on IaaS, and $136 billion on PaaS
    • 54% of global tech leaders want a cloud service provider who identifies technology strategies that are meant to increase revenue and reduce cost
    • Post-COVID, 41.4% of cloud leaders say they are increasing their uses of cloud-based services, 33.4% are planning to migrate to cloud-based tools and 32.8% are migrating on-premises workloads to the cloud

    Cloud computing can bring a lot to businesses and proves popular for the ones that are ready to embrace growth, performance, and stability. Some of the immediate benefits businesses can experience from making the switch are:

    Cost Savings

    The initial switch to cloud services can be off-putting but its ROI makes it worth it. Hosting the cloud lets you offload costs on purchasing, installing, configuring, and managing on-premises infrastructures. Also, most cloud-computing services offer pay-as-you-go options ensuring you only pay for what you need, and the overall easy access saves time and money.

    Flexibility

    Due to the nature of cloud computing, businesses can access cloud services from anywhere, from any device, at any time. Not only that, but the cloud can also be easily scaled up or down to match what a business needs at that time.

    Security

    Businesses can see up to 94% improvement in security when switching to the cloud because one of the main features of cloud-based services is full-time security monitoring. Security monitoring could be extremely limited if it was strictly in-house, but once switched to an off-site, encrypted, and automated security monitoring, your information will never be safer.

    Disaster Recovery

    One incredible benefit of the cloud is disaster recovery. Data and information stored in the cloud are safe from any physical emergencies such as natural disasters or power outages. Cloud-based services also provide quick data recovery allowing for less downtime which leads to less productivity and revenue loss due to disaster scenarios.

    Better Insight & Quality Control

    Poor quality and inconsistent reporting can hurt a business but with cloud-based systems, all documents are stored in one place in one format allowing everyone to access and edit the same information in real-time allowing businesses to maintain consistency and have a clear record of revisions or updates. In addition, many cloud-based services also offer customized reports for a bird’s eye view of your most critical data.

    Sustainability

    Cloud computing has a direct effect on the environment by cutting down on paper and waste. With data stored in the cloud and not as physical copies your information not only takes up less space physically but addresses wastefulness at every level of business and results in less of a carbon footprint. 

    Man in business suit using a pen on a virtual screen to create a graphic representing cloud computing

    Cloud computing is great for maintaining a competitive edge as a growing business and is relatively user-friendly, but there are a few basics you need to know before implementing the best infrastructure for your business. To ensure you get the best cloud experience possible, you need to decide between:

    The Four Basic Infrastructure Types

    Public Cloud Infrastructures are maintained off-site. They are available to the public while data is created off-premises. This cloud infrastructure has less security but requires no need to buy or manage software and maintain efficiency. 

    Private Cloud Infrastructures are managed in-house and can only be accessed by a single organization. This method can address and handle security and privacy concerns more effectively.

    Community Cloud Infrastructures can support multiple businesses by sharing resources as a part of a community. This method closely resembles the private model and can support a large number of users who share in the costs.

    Hybrid Cloud Infrastructures are a mix of public, private, and hybrid. Combining the efficiency of public, the support of community, and the security of private, hybrids offer the best of all three methods.

    The Three Delivery Methods

    Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a software distribution model where the provider delivers applications through a web-based portal and is a pay-as-you-go model. Utilizing this model eliminates the need to buy hardware and software licenses while having your provider manage and store data.

    Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) delivers the full cloud infrastructure along with a software platform that allows clients to develop and manage business applications without the frustrations of building and maintaining the infrastructure.

    Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) has the capability to deliver networking, data storage, servers, and virtualization capabilities while allowing the client to access more data storage and computing power.

    Once you pick the right infrastructure and delivery method, your business can begin to really reap the benefits of cloud computing and help bring your business to a new level. If you are ready to learn more about cloud computing or ready to have it in your business, contact us today at MMIT so that we can get you on the right path to ensure your business gets the full benefits of cloud computing.

  2. Production Printing: Alive and Thriving

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    A common misconception is that print is done and while we might be flooded with technology and digital marketing, print still has its place in everyday business and has a significant impact both financially and influentially. Need proof? Check out these stats gathered by printful.com

    1. In 2021, the Global Commercial Printing Market had a value of $433.79 billion. By the end of 2027, it is estimated to value $484.22 billion
    2. 1 out of 5 customers is willing to pay up to 20% extra for personalized products and services
    3. A study shows that print advertising offers a 112% return on investment, making it a cost-effective way to reach consumers.

    Printer options can seem endless, but there is a perfect fit for every business. If printing plays a large part in your business, and you find yourself needing high-volume projects done quickly and reliably then a production printer might be the right choice.

    I know what you are thinking, production printers are found mainly in print shops or copy centers that must deal with high-volume requests without sacrificing quality. This is another common misconception and while they regularly are seen in print shops or centers, they have quickly been growing in popularity for marketing departments and are an optimal option for graphic designers to create and distribute flyers, banners, catalogs, mail campaigns, produce marketing materials, employee training manuals, business cards, envelopes and so much more.

    Now, every business has different printing needs and to figure out what is the best option for you, ask questions such as:

    • What are your printing requirements?
    • What do you need your printer to do?
    • Does your printer need to be secure?
    • How much time do you have to produce?
    • What exactly do you need to print?
    • How much are you printing/producing?
    • How large of a role does printing have in your business?
    • What device management, remote intelligence, and support are available to you?
    Illustration of different types of production printing equipment

    Production printers are heavy-duty commercial printers that are ideal for high-volume print projects. These printers can include wide-format and cut-sheet printers, digital presses, commercial printers, and industrial printing. They are reliable and continuously provide higher-quality print resolutions, faster output, and increased capacity. Beyond being versatile and having the ability to handle large-scale products, production printers offer plenty of other benefits including:

    Simplicity

    Production Printers are not difficult to set up and extremely user-friendly. They give users more control without over-complicating things. Though they look heavy-duty, they are far from intimidating, and even less tech-savvy people can learn and utilize the advanced features in no time.

    Productivity

    Production printers work faster to help meet the demands of your business. They are designed to be quicker and can handle larger quantity projects more effectively than normal printers which helps eliminate downtime, they have on-demand access to professional projects, and are perfect for printer-intensive businesses with them commonly being able to print thousands of pages in minutes.

    Sustainability

    Production printers offer high-quality prints where businesses have total control over the content meaning they are printed right the first time. Using older printers can mean settling for low-quality results and can be a cause of reprints and paper waste. Switching to a printer that delivers high quality is a good way to save precious time, money, and paper.

    Security

    Production printers offer better regulatory compliance, enhanced security over the content within your prints, and achieve better quality control. In-house printers also ensure that any confidential employee or customer information stays in-house.

    Flexibility

    Since they are reliable and user-friendly, production printers are incredibly flexible, putting you in charge of the entire printing operation. Have control over meeting your deadlines and never panic if something does not look exactly right because changes and a reprint can be easily done within the same day in-house.

    Cost Effective

    Outsourcing printing, especially high-volume jobs that require quality can be expensive. Production printers are a long-term investment that keeps your service in-house and allows you full control over your product. Giving you this control ensures no reprints, returns, or added time from an outsourced printing agency and that your product is what you expect.

    Is It Right For Your Business?

    Not every business will benefit from a production printer, but if you find yourself needing a large number of marketing materials or just find yourself printing large quantities often – a production printer could be the best fit for you. If you have any questions or are ready to bring production print in-house, contact us today!

  3. Mitigate the Risk: The Importance of Risk Assessments

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    There are plenty of factors that go into maintaining and protecting a business to ensure future stability and success. While it is important to focus on the positives and how to achieve this overall growth it is equally important to focus on the possibility of unknown, hidden, or undetected risks. This can be done with risk assessments. With properly done risk assessments, businesses can experience benefits including:

    • Getting a clearer picture of where assets lie
    • Identifying potential threats and understanding the likelihood and impact of them
    • Implementing proactive processes
    • Recognizing and controlling workplace hazards
    • Creating awareness among employees
    • Reducing workplace incidents
    • Saving costs by being proactive

    The Basics

    Simply put, a risk assessment is the identification of hazards that could end up negatively impacting profit, stability, and how an organization conducts business. No matter what industry or size an organization is a risk assessment should always involve at least these five steps:

    1. Identifying the Risks or Hazards
      1. Risks
        1. Financial – this should include looking into compliance, credit, liquidity, and debt risks. This can include making sure your business is up to date on federal returns, that your business is run ethically, that your business has sufficient cash flow, that your business can meet short and long-term goals, and that all your loan agreement payments, if applicable, are paid on time and in full.
        2. Operational – this can be broken down into areas like IT and personnel risks. IT can address general risks and security risks by ensuring customer information is protected and that your organization has a strong security plan. For personnel risks, your organization should address factors such as salaries, benefits, contracts, HR policies, and basic employee needs.
        3. General – this can fall into a lot of categories, but examples include answering questions like is your organization prepared for growth, are finances managed properly and is it profitable.
      2. Workplace Hazards
        1. Safety – spills, heights, electrical, or any unsafe conditions that can lead to illness, injury, or death.
        2. Physical – extreme temperature, prolonged exposure to sunlight, loud noises, or any other physical hazards that are factors within the environment that could cause harm to the body.
        3. Ergonomic – frequent lifting, awkward movements, repeating the same motions, or any type of hazard when the type of work, body positions, or conditions put a strain on the body.
        4. Organizational – workload demands, respect, and any psychosocial hazards that cause stress, anxiety, or strain to employees.
        5. Chemical – vapors, fumes, gasses, or when a worker is exposed to any chemical preparation in the workplace in any form.
        6. Biological – bodily fluids, fungi, or bacteria or when working with animals, people, or infectious plant materials.
    2. Evaluating the Risks – answer the questions like who is at risk, what services/products/departments are at risk, how often are they exposed to these risks, how likely are these risks, how severe are these risks or how will these risks affect you long term?
    3. Deciding on Control Measures – come up with effective strategies and procedures that help protect both employees and the overall business. Implement these control measures and make sure they are communicated throughout the organization.
    4. Recording Findings – keeping a formal record of past risk assessments can help an organization keep track of hazards, risks and how to address them. These findings should include descriptions of the risks, how to assess them, outlines of evaluations, and detailed explanations of how conclusions were made and how they are to be addressed.
    5. Revisiting – take the time to review and update your risk assessments when necessary. New risks can be added if an organization has a significant change in staff or procedures, plans on some type of growth, or if it has been a significant amount of time since risk assessments were reviewed.

    The Best Fit For Your Business

    Now that is just the base of standard risk assessment but they still come in many forms. Finding the best risk assessment for your organization is critical in performing an accurate one which means the organization is identifying and addressing the proper risks in order to protect itself. Here are five common types of risk assessments:

    Qualitative Risk Assessment

    Typically used in high-risk industries, these assessments measure the severity of a risk and usually measure multiple risks at once. Qualitative data is gathered through personal experience, observations, and knowledge often by an expert or member of management. The benefits of this type of assessment are that they are simple in method, easy prioritization, and have clear presentation options but they have limitations such as subjective evaluation, limited scope, and lack of differentiation.

    Quantitative Risk Assessment

    This type of assessment puts a numerical value on a risk, allowing organizations to gauge the impact of risk and its cost to the organization. This could look like using 3, 2, 1 instead of high, medium, and low and utilizing the 3×3 or 5×5 risk matrix. This assessment is also essential to support the understanding of the exposure of risks to employees, company assets, and reputation. An organization can get a clear understanding of:

    • Potential accident scenarios
    • Predicted economic losses
    • Risk to specific main safety functions
    • Input to operation restrictions
    • Identification and assessment of prevention and mitigation measures

    The QRA can be calculated using the following equation:

    Risk = Severity x Likelihood

    Generic Risk Assessment

    This type of assessment typically will cover common types of hazards for tasks or activities in the workplace. These are typically not adapted for anything specific and can be used across different locations and industries. While it can be easy to find generic risk assessment templates online, if you use this route be sure to review, adjust and update them accordingly to be effective at mitigating risks.

    Site-Specific Risk Assessment

    These assessments need to be carried out for either a specific activity or location and are necessary to be effective at eliminating and controlling risks. This is one of the most thorough methods of risk assessments that are meant to protect your workforce, the public, and your business safe from any possible legal liability and reputational damage due to any health or safety breaches.

    Dynamic Risk Assessment

    These risk assessments are based on essential decision-making because they are used to address unforeseen circumstances that are carried out on the spot due to any significant or sudden changes within the workplace. These assessments are crucial for circumstances such as:

    • Introduction of new equipment
    • Change of supervision approach
    • Threats to safety or security
    • Reallocation of work

    Key Takeaways

    Regardless of size or industry – understanding your business, the risks it is susceptible to, and which assessments to utilize are key to being proactive instead of reactive when it comes to addressing risks to an organization. All risk assessments should follow the five basic steps and once implemented, do not forget to revisit them for reassessment especially if there is a significant change within the organization.

  4. The Significance of Cyber Security in SMBs

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    Without a doubt, utilizing the internet and social media platforms allows businesses of any size and location to reach a larger market and provide more opportunities for growth and profit. While this reach is undeniably beneficial to any growing business, it also means that cyber security needs to be made a core aspect of a business strategy.

    To put into perspective the importance of cyber security, techjury.net recently gathered the following statistics:

    • There is an increase of 10% in the cost of cybercrime than the past year
    • 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error
    • There are 30,000 websites hacked daily
    • In 2023, the global annual cost of cybercrime is predicted to top $8 trillion
    • 47% of adults have had their personal information exposed by cybercriminals
    • The average total cost of data breaches in 2022 was $4.35 million
    • 43% of all cyber-attacks are aimed at small businesses
    • 91% of attacks launch with a phishing email
    • A business falls victim to a ransomware attack every 14 seconds

    The Truth About SMBs and Cyber Attacks

    As a small business, it is easy to fall into a false facade that since you are small and growing, you do not have anything worth hacking, but regardless of size, cyber attacks do not discriminate and small businesses appeal to hackers for their:

    Data – no matter how established you are, all businesses have data that hackers can profit off including medical records, credit card information, SS numbers, bank credentials, or other personal details.

    Third-Party Vulnerabilities – SMBs are often connected to larger businesses or third-party suppliers and at the bare minimum, they are digitally connected so that they can complete transactions, manage supply chains and share necessary information. Since more prominent businesses are harder to penetrate, hackers will target small businesses to get into a larger business system.

    Lack of Resources – this can range from not having the skills or staff to dedicate to proper IT security or having inadequate employee training or monitoring which can lead to cyber-attacks by human error.

    Cyber attacks can vary but there are a few common types that typically hit small businesses. Recognizing these threats, having a plan on how to resolve them, and having proper employee training can help save the future of your business. The most common types of cyber security to be aware of are:

    1. Phishing Attacks – typically masquerading as a trusted email or text message, phishing attacks aim to steal personal information like credit card information, bank credentials, passwords, and social security numbers by having the reader simply click an email attachment or URL that contains a virus.
    2. Malware (malicious software) – refers to any software that is developed with the intention to steal information or resources for monetary gain or for blatant sabotage. These can include viruses, worms, trojan viruses, and ransomware.
    3. Viruses – there are a variety of viruses that are all programmed to harm your software and hardware. These viruses have the ability to damage programs, delete files, and even slow down performance. They can be sent through file sharing, opening infected emails, visiting a malicious site, or downloading harmful applications.
    4. Ransomware – locking a business’ computers and encrypting data to hold them hostage, ransomware is a common cyber-attack that holds a business’s important information for ransom to be paid to a hacker in return for a decryption key. Typically with ransomware, you have 24-48 hours before files are lost or made public and it is most often spread through email spam or network attacks.
    5. Passwords – password theft is an ongoing problem and small businesses face threats when employees use weak or easily guessed passwords. Weak passwords include commonly used passwords or passwords that contain any personal information.

    Implementing Cyber Security

    As a small business, it might not be possible to dedicate the time and staff needed for cyber security but that does not mean you have to remain vulnerable. There are several practices that businesses can implement in their overall cyber security plan that help reduce the number of attacks or be able to quickly identify and recover from them. It is also important to remember when creating a cyber security plan to:

    • Be proactive to prevent damage before cyber attacks get out of hand
    • Increase awareness of the significance of cybersecurity
    • Create a cybersecurity plan against a variety of attacks/human errors, be thorough, and have a game plan from discovery to solution
    • Protect your payment gateways
    Lock icon on shield icon on cloud icon, concept of cloud computing

    Start With Employees

    Since a large part of cyber security issues come from human error, establishing basic security practices and policies for employees is vital in a strong cyber security strategy. These practices can include:

    • Training employees to spot suspicious emails, email addresses, URLs, and attachments
    • Establishing internet use guidelines
    • Having a clear procedure for handling, protecting, and communicating sensitive data and information
    • Maintain physical security by locking server rooms and having strong, unique passwords for individual hardware
    • Have better password practices and require passwords to be changed frequently, using more complex passwords and, if possible, consider implementing multi-factor authentication

    Do Not Skip Your Updates

    A key role in cyber security is keeping your hardware and software up to date by having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system. Anytime you have a system update, be sure to do it when it’s available because having these up-to-date offers you better defense against a range of cyber attacks. In addition, businesses can use antivirus software as added protection from any malware attack.

    Firewall Security

    A firewall is a network security device that helps prevent outsiders from accessing data on private networks. While antivirus helps protect your files against viruses, firewalls block intruders from accessing your computer, to begin with. If you have any employees who work remotely, ensure their home systems are protected just like your office systems are. Firewalls also have the capability to block any unapproved websites, limit bandwidth for certain programs and they can provide VPN services.

    Cloud Back Ups

    Essentially all businesses use the cloud and beyond it being amazing for storage and cohesive workplaces, cloud backups can make sure a copy of your critical data stays safe in case of any cyber attack incidents. Data and files with confidential information are prime targets in cyber attacks and businesses without backups can face detrimental consequences.

    Secure Wi-Fi Networks

    Wireless networks tend to be less secure compared to wired networks so making sure your workplace’s network is secure, encrypted, and hidden is key for helping prevent cyber attacks. Risks to non-secure wireless networks can include piggybacking, wardriving, wireless sniffing, and unauthorized computer access. Be sure to not broadcast your network name and password-protect your router.

  5. Managed Print Services: Supporting HIPPA Compliance

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    Managed print services is an effective solution for security, efficiency, and organization–but did you know it can help with compliance, too? Here’s how managed print helps healthcare organizations comply with HIPPA regulations effectively and efficiently.

    How Managed Print Services Supports Healthcare

    Managed print services isn’t just for “desk jobs.” It also supports industries spread across multiple locations or with complicated regulations–and that’s especially true when it comes to healthcare.

    Hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other organizations have unique needs, especially when it comes to regulations like HIPPA. Managed print services helps balance those regulatory requirements with plenty of efficiency–that way, employees never have to choose between doing the right thing and doing the fast thing.

    Here are a few ways managed print services supports healthcare through HIPPA compliance:

    Encryption

    Encryption helps protect sensitive data as it’s being transferred to and from the printer, as well as while it’s stored on the printer’s hard drive. Managed print services helps make encryption quick and easy, so healthcare organizations can connect their favorite devices without worrying about security vulnerabilities.

    Visibility

    HIPPA regulations require a lot of visibility. With managed print services, it’s easier than ever to track what’s being printed, who is accessing machines, where data is being sent, and more. This improves security and compliance without adding extra hoops for employees to jump through when caring for patients.

    Follow-Me Printing

    Follow-me printing, also called pull printing, is a solution that protects sensitive documents from being stolen off the print tray. A user prints their file as usual, but the paper isn’t released until that same user walks to the printer and enters a unique code or PIN. This triggers the machine to print the appropriate document.

    Conclusion

    Healthcare has high stakes, which means it comes with plenty of unique challenges–like HIPPA compliance. Luckily, managed print is up to the challenge, helping organizations with solutions such as encryption, visibility, and follow-me printing.

    Managed print services has plenty to offer. Contact us today to see what else it can do for your healthcare organization (or any organization!).

  6. Did You Know Your Multifunction Printer Can Do This?

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    A multifunction printer can scan, print, copy, and fax–but that’s not all. Many machines also have finishing options that take their efficiency to a whole new level. Here’s what your multifunction printer is really capable of!

    4 Multifunction Printer Finishing Options

    To find out which functions come standard on your multifunction printer, it’s always smart to start with the user manual. However, you need to know what to look for–and these four finishing options are especially impressive. Quick, efficient, and great for versatile print projects, these options are offered by many machines:

    Folding

    Folding printed paper by hand can take all day, but it’s an important step in many print projects. Luckily, your multifunction printer may be able to help out. Read the user manual to see which fold types–from C-fold and Z-fold to the fun accordion fold–are supported by your device.

    Hole-Punching

    Hole punching is another task that could eat up valuable company time if you do it manually. Your multifunction printer may have what’s called an “internal hole puncher” to do this automatically. The machine punches two or three holes through entire stacks of paper at a time, making sure everything is neat, perfectly spaced, and–most importantly–finished in seconds.

    Stapling

    Can’t find your stapler? Not to worry–your multifunction printer can help. You might need an additional attachment to make this feature work, but if you’re tired of organizing papers, stapling them by hand, and then repeating the process seemingly infinitely, this is the best solution for you.

    Booklet Finishing

    The grand finale of finishing options is the booklet setting. It folds, punches holes, and staples to create booklets you can share with your customers or even your entire company.

    Conclusion

    So, can your multifunction printer do all this? It’s not just about printing, scanning, faxing, and copying; it’s about doing those things in ways that make sense–and often, that includes some combination of these finishing options.

    Want to see more of what a multifunction printer is capable of? Contact us today!

  7. Managed IT Services: What Is Co-Managed IT?

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    Managed IT services promises to fit businesses of all shapes and sizes–which means it can take a few different forms. Here’s just one example–co-managed IT–and what that could look like for your company.

    Sharing Responsibilities With Managed IT Services

    You’ve probably heard that managed IT services allows you to outsource your IT stress without completely giving up control. But what happens if you want to maintain a lot of control?

    Co-managed IT is an arrangement where you and your provider share the responsibilities of handling your IT environment. The key is to split those responsibilities clearly and effectively–just like in any other partnership.

    Here are a few things to know about co-managed IT:

    You’ll Get Similar Benefits

    Managed IT services in any form comes with a lot of benefits. If you choose a co-managed route, you’ll see most of these benefits–but the exact results depend on you and your partnership. For example, if you try to maintain control over too many things or if you don’t split responsibilities clearly enough, you might see reduced benefits until you reorganize. On the other hand, if you find the perfect balance, you could see increased benefits because you’re letting your own expertise complement the provider’s.

    Communication Is Key

    Communication is important in any managed IT services arrangement, but especially in co-management. To begin, make sure your provider understands exactly what your goals are. Then, discuss which responsibilities you want to keep and which will be handed over to the provider. From there, you should stay in constant contact about questions, processes, changes, and more.

    Responsibilities Can Be Shifted

    Nothing is set in stone when it comes to co-managed IT. You can generally change the distribution of responsibilities if you find that one approach isn’t working. This kind of flexibility allows you to keep up with new needs, evolve your business, and experiment to find exactly what fits your IT environment.

    Conclusion

    Managed IT services isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it can be altered in different ways–such as co-management. If you choose to maintain control over certain tech responsibilities, you could see even more benefits and create a valuable relationship with your provider.

    Interested in managed IT services? Contact us today to learn more about this solution and options like co-management.

  8. Scanning FAQs: Do You Need a Multi-Page Scanner?

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    Scanning is a great solution–but could it be even better? Here’s how to know whether a multi-page scanner should be in your future!

    What Is Multi-Page Scanning?

    Maybe you have a scanning solution in place already, or perhaps you’ve been trying to choose one that’s right for you. Either way, it’s likely that you have a pretty clear image of what to expect: Put a paper on the glass or in the tray, wait for the scanning process to be completed, and repeat.

    But what happens if you have a huge stack of papers to scan–and, worse, there’s a huge line of people behind you with the exact same need?

    That’s where multi-page scanning comes in.

    A multi-page scanner, also known as a production scanner, does exactly what it promises. Instead of handling one side of a document at a time, it scans both sides and races to the next at high speeds. That means you can put your stack of double-sided papers on the tray and sit back for a minute or two–no switching required. Many companies find this efficiency especially helpful now that paper and digitization needs are changing due to increased customer demands, remote and hybrid work, and more.

    Do You Need Multi-Page Scanning?

    So, do you need a multi-page scanning solution? Ask yourself these questions to find out:

    • Do we scan more than a few documents per day?
    • Do we anticipate scanning increases in the upcoming months or years?
    • Is there always a line at the scanner?
    • Do other print jobs have to be put on hold every time a big scanning job comes up?
    • Do we spend too much time scanning documents manually and/or individually?
    • Do we want to transition more smoothly to the digital world?

    If you answered yes to even one of these questions, it’s probably time to consider multi-page scanning. After all, paper isn’t going anywhere soon–which means you need a solution capable of keeping up.

    In conclusion, multi-page scanning is fast, efficient, and perfect for businesses with growing scanning or digitization needs.

    Contact us today to get started with scanning solutions like these!

  9. How to Go Green With Managed Print Services

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    Managed print services and even printing itself might not be your first stop when it comes to green initiatives. However, they should be–and here’s why!

    Managed Print Services: A Smart Way to Get Greener

    These days, one of your company’s biggest goals should be to improve environmental friendliness without impacting your workflows or bottom line. Easier said than done, right?

    Well, managed print services might just be the answer you’re looking for.

    Managed print helps you print smarter instead of more frequently, which is the same approach it takes to other parts of your business and workflow. That means you can reduce waste of all kinds–time, money, even paper, and energy.

    Here are a few more examples of how managed print services helps you go green the smart way:

    Learning more about your habits

    One of the first steps in any environmentally friendly solution is finding out why it’s necessary in the first place. Your managed print provider can perform a print audit to give you more information about your habits, needs, and challenges–and how they impact both the environment and your bottom line.

    Making sustainable choices

    Managed print services is a great way to evaluate your choices and be sure you’re making the right call. For example, your provider can help you choose recycling programs for paper and toner cartridges, buy from environmentally friendly suppliers, and more.

    Improving without complicating

    Another great (and green!) benefit of managed print services is its ability to implement earth-conscious solutions without giving you more work or otherwise complicating your day-to-day life. You’ll probably start with workflow improvements such as using digital communication tools instead of printing certain documents–and from there, you’ll make all kinds of progress toward a better, greener business.

    Conclusion

    Managed print services isn’t just about printing; it’s about printing the smart way. That creates rich benefits for your company, including the ability to go green without damaging your bottom line. Who knew printing could be the beginning of an environmentally friendly journey?

    Are you ready to get a little greener? Contact us today to see how managed print can help!

  10. How a Multifunction Printer Supports Remote and Hybrid Work

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    Remote and hybrid work are here to stay, so it’s time to find new ways of using existing equipment–like the good old multifunction printer. Whether you have one of these machines already or are in the market for a powerful tool, you might be surprised to find out just how helpful a multifunction printer can be for remote and hybrid work.

    Why a Multifunction Printer Is Better Than Ever

    Let’s be honest: At first, the transition to remote and hybrid work probably felt like the end of the world–especially if your workers weren’t used to it. There are plenty of benefits, sure–but the technical and organizational demands likely seemed a bit overwhelming.

    As it turns out, multifunction printers went through a similar ordeal. Like you, they had to adapt their skills to a new world–and like you, they pulled through and are even stronger for it.

    Here’s how a multifunction printer can help you win at hybrid and remote work:

    Better technology

    A multifunction printer is an impressive piece of technology on its own, but it’s more impressive now that it’s been proven to stand up to unique needs. Say, for example, you need a copy of a document that’s stuck at the office. One of your on-site coworkers can use a multifunction printer to scan it to the cloud, then you use your multifunction printer to print it at your home office. It’s the same tech, but better because you know how to use it for your new needs.

    Better security

    Remote and hybrid work introduce unique security vulnerabilities, so people thought more carefully about how their multifunction printer could be used as a tool instead of a weakness. Now it’s obvious that these machines can give you insight into usage habits, help monitor for red flags, and match up with secure settings from multiple locations–all because workers found new ways to utilize their devices.

    Better collaboration

    When people are spread across multiple locations, it’s more important than ever to prioritize collaboration. A multifunction printer makes this possible by providing access to a host of efficiency and communication apps, allowing you to fit it to your work style–for example, scanning straight to email.

    Conclusion

    A multifunction printer is the perfect partner in remote or hybrid work. That’s because it takes its existing benefits and adapts them to different needs, environments, and challenges, giving you a familiar solution in an unfamiliar landscape.

    Looking to add a multifunction printer to your fleet or upgrade to face new demands? We’ve got you covered. Contact us today!