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2020 Trends in Technology and Cybersecurity

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In 2010, consumers were introduced to the iPad. Facebook was rising in popular culture with Twitter hot on its heels. The BlackBerry withered on the vine while more smartphones stormed the market. Americans were just beginning to consider online privacy concerns.

A decade later, tablets and smartphones have revolutionized business. Social media is a must-have platform for businesses to connect with consumers. Cybersecurity and privacy concerns reached a fever pitch in 2019.

There’s no doubt that the rapidly changing digital world will bring new opportunities and challenges in the next year. We predict 2020’s technology trends and how they’ll shape workplaces.

IoT

The Internet of Things — interconnected devices able to transfer data over a network — will grow in 2020. The IoT is already represented in the workplace through smart locks, thermostats, cameras, printers, tablets, smartphones and wearable devices to track travel or employee activity. As automation grows and companies add or upgrade equipment, it will be increasingly important for professionals to understand their devices’ interconnectivity and how to secure them from cyberattacks.

Automation and AI

Automation programs and artificial intelligence will have an even greater impact on the workforce in the coming years.

AI — machines mimicking human behavior by basing actions on past data — is already a fixture of Americans’ personal lives. Streaming services offer algorithmically generated suggestions based on past views, and social media sites use AI facial recognition software to suggest people users can tag in photos. In business, AI is already used to filter spam emails, detect fraudulent financial transactions and for a variety of other tasks.

Simply put, AI technology can accurately perform these tasks much faster than people can, leading decision-makers to favor labor-saving tools. AI is part of a larger automation trend that which could obliterate as many as 73 million jobs in America by 2030, according to a McKinsey Global Institute report. However, experts such as Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired magazine, believe the growth in AI technology will also create jobs as employees are needed to create and manage the technology. Throughout the next decade, the tech industry will see a rapid expansion in the need for workers trained in automation programs.

Outside of the job market, workers can find comfort in the fact that automation will eliminate pesky daily tasks that distract them from larger projects. Automation can help generate sales leads, maintain office equipment, analyze reports, organize data, process transactions and answer questions among other tasks.

Accessibility

American workers are constantly on the go, and many workplaces have employees who work remotely. More and more workplaces will require virtual private networks — VPNs — for employees who access the company network remotely.

Hosted communications systems are another way for employees to easily work on the go and connect with customers. The system allows a group of employees to collaboratively edit a document in real time and facilitate a video or phone chat for employees working in different areas. Cell phones connected to the office communications systems allow workers to answer calls outside of the office. If the call is sent to a voicemail, the message is transferred from the individual’s cell phone to the voicemail connected to the hosted communications system.

Cybersecurity

As the IoT expands and hackers become more adept at deploying cyberattacks across devices, cybersecurity threats will be more prevalent than ever. More small and medium businesses are facing the same cyberthreats as large corporations, according to Ponemon Institute’s 2018 State of Cybersecurity in Small and Medium Size Businesses report.

For the report, researchers surveyed more than 1,000 small and medium businesses in the United States and the United Kingdom. The survey found that 67 percent of respondents — eight percent higher than in fiscal 2017 — reported facing a cyberattack in fiscal 2018. Additionally, 58 percent reported facing a data breach in fiscal 2018, an increase of four percent from 2017.

More businesses will recognize the dire need for advanced cybersecurity plans. Throughout 2020, leaders will devote more resources to security efforts. For comparison, Cyber Security Hub found that companies’ cybersecurity budgets increased 59 percent in the first half of 2019.

In 2019, 91.3 percent of the Cyber Security Hub respondents said the lack of trained talent was turning into a crisis.  As the workforce hurries to find employees skilled in cybersecurity, more organizations will turn to managed IT service providers, such as Infomax, to work with a ready-made team of cybersecurity experts.

To learn more about Infomax’s team of providers, message us or call 1-800-727-4629. We can help guide your workplace through the next decade.

Everything You Need to Know About Hosted Communications

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When you think of a cloud, are you the type that envisions fluffy white water vapor trapped in the atmosphere? Or do you think of bits of data consisting mostly of old selfies and pictures of your pets whizzing around in a figurative holding space? For many businesses, the cloud means their lifeline to reach customers and operate on a daily basis.

Efficient and effective communication is essential to a company, internally and externally. Hosted communications systems — or internet-based communication applications — ensure that the process remains smooth.

Here are some of the benefits a hosted communications system can bring to your office.

Simplicity
 In a hosted communications system, the hardware and carrier services typically connected to a phone system are moved to the cloud, or data systems represented in various areas across the country. The clutter of traditional communication systems disappears. But hosted systems aren’t just for phone services. They encompass video, email, document and chat programs as well. With all those programs in one communications system, businesses have only one vendor that handles regular service and maintenance.

Security
Because the cloud is represented in multiple data centers, sensitive information is continuously stored. Disaster recovery is a cinch, and gone are the days of interrupted work because a phone line went down. Additionally, the data in a hosted communications system is encrypted, protecting against cybercrime.

“The security that we have with hosted communication is second to none,” said Doug Postel, Infomax’s IT director.

Accessibility
Ease of accessibility may be the best feature of a hosted communications system. The system can allow a group of employees to collaborate and edit a document in real time and facilitate a video or phone chat for employees working in different areas. Hosted communications systems are also key for offices that have employees working remotely. Cell phones can be added to communications systems so workers can answer calls outside of the office. If the call is sent to a voicemail, the message is transferred from the individual’s cell phone to the voicemail connected to the hosted communications system. Calls from cell phones through the hosted system also show up on caller ID as the business’ phone number.

“The mobility of the system is a significant benefit,” Doug said. “Very few business owners will tell you, ‘I don’t want to take a call if I’m not in my office.’”

A hosted communications system allows for better office collaboration and businesses are more accessible to customers.

“Chat functions are huge,” Doug said. “It’s vitally important for people to look at their business and say you don’t have to communicate with me the way I want to. As a business, I’ll work with you the way you want to.”

Cost effectiveness
 Because hosted phone communications consolidate services, maintenance and hardware, companies have only one monthly fee to one vendor. Additionally, companies get the exact number of channels they need. With traditional phone systems, companies paid for a set number of channels. If they needed to add additional channels, they had to purchase another large set instead of just one or two more channels.

“I don’t have a nickel and dime fee for upkeep or maintenance calls,” Doug said. “With the services that are in the cloud, I pay just for what I need.”

To learn more about how Infomax’s hosted communications systems, call us at 1-800-727-4629.

How Office Technology Can Drive Your Marketing Efforts

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To help reach their customer acquisition and retention goals, smart businesses rely on office technology. If you want to ramp up your marketing efforts in a cost-efficient manner, consider these three office technologies. Read more

The Benefits of MPS are Many

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Managed Print Services (MPS) is a cost-effective, time-saving solution for all aspects of your printing environment. MPS is all about optimizing and streamlining your devices to meet the specific needs of your business. MPS brings a load benefits to your entire printing fleet, including printers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines.

Print fleet analysis
An MPS program will provide a full analysis of your current print set up. This detailed analysis will lay out a plan to manage your printer fleet. It may call for upgrades to certain devices, removal of redundant or unnecessary machines, or changes in print device locations. In the end, the result of this analysis will lead to an increase in efficiency in your office space.

Reduced print volumes
MPS will provide you with ways to cut back on unnecessary printing and wasted supplies, lowering your overall printing costs. Utilizing rules-based printing, you can route print jobs to the printer best suited for the job type, set printers to default to black-and-white printing, prohibit printing of emails and web pages, and default to duplex printing to automatically print on both sides of paper.

Security upgrades
We all know the importance of security when it comes to our data. MPS will ensure that your devices have built-in user authentication and activity tracking. An MPS program will also encrypt device data and add comprehensive permissions to make sure only authorized personal have access to sensitive information.

Increased efficiency and reduced equipment downtime
Increasing efficiency is at the core of every MPS program; it’s all about doing more with less. For example, remote printing allows your employees to print from off-site locations. For businesses with remote employees and road warriors, this is a great option to improve the efficiency of your workflows. You can also eliminate equipment downtime through automatic supply restocking when the machine starts to run low on ink or toner. This allows your workflows to keep moving without bottlenecks occurring due to lack of supplies.

If your printing fleet could use some fine tuning, an MPS program is the way to go. A print fleet analysis with Infomax Office Systems will help optimize your printer fleet to streamline workflows around your office. Contact us today to learn more about an MPS program for your business.

It’s Time for New Office Technology

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Are your employees spending too much time on routine tasks? Is your office equipment constantly breaking down, resulting in bottlenecks in your workflows? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, it’s time to consider some technology upgrades within your office space. There is no shortage of revolutionary new office technology features out there that can help improve the efficiency of your daily workflows.

Here are some of the benefits you’ll realize by upgrading your office equipment and taking advantage of the advancements made in office technology in recent years.

Save time and money – New technology is designed with productivity and budgets in mind to save businesses both time and money. Everyday office tasks can be completed quicker than ever, giving your employees the chance to excel in areas that directly affect your core business rather than wasting time on mundane, manual tasks. For example, today’s copiers can do much more than make copies. They can e-mail, scan, fax, image archive, and much more. They also require significantly less upkeep than older devices, minimizing downtime and cutting back on maintenance costs.

Collaborate easier than ever – In order for businesses to succeed, it takes a team effort. Fortunately, today’s office technology makes it simple to collaborate regardless of location. Employees can work remotely, connecting to a central network from anywhere in the world via an Internet connection. Mobile integration technology allows employees to utilize smartphones, laptops, and tablets to email, video chat, conduct sales transactions, and much more.

Say goodbye to learning curves – New technology is designed to be user friendly. If your devices are too complicated for the average employee to operate, that’s a problem. Today’s software is simple, and much of it is customizable to your particular business. For example, you can set up monthly invoice requests to be sent out automatically to all of your regular customers. A small change like this limits data entry work, allowing your employees to get work done in other areas.

Today’s latest technology is designed to make your work life easier. Contact Infomax Office Systems to learn more about some of the exciting new office technology advancements that will positively impact your business.

Keep Your Team Connected with ConnectPlus

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Businesses have become increasingly dependent on technology to handle their day-to-day operations. Unfortunately, much of the technology we rely on is exceedingly complex, and employees with the knowledge, training, and skill set required to install, set up, and optimize our systems are hard to come by. Not to mention expensive. Few organizations can afford to keep someone on staff to keep their office technology devices connected, or to reconfigure equipment they already have in place.

Thankfully, Infomax Office Systems offers an affordable program to help keep all of your equipment connected. Our ConnectPlus program is a comprehensive service package for organizations that rely on interconnections between desktop PCs, networks, and imaging systems like printers, copiers, and multifunction printers (MFPs). ConnectPlus is a completely hands-off approach to your office technology, one that keeps your systems up-to-date and working together as efficiently and securely as possible, all for one flat fee.

When your systems are linked, as is typically the case in today’s high-tech office environment, you need each piece of equipment to perform as strongly as the next. There’s no room for a weak link in this chain, as it could result in unexpected and costly downtime, or inefficiencies in your business processes and workflows. ConnectPlus eliminates these headaches and hurdles, ensuring that all of your office technology devices are working correctly and economically, at maximum efficiency. Whether our service professionals are setting up new machines in your office or reconfiguring ones you are currently utilizing, ConnectPlus puts all of Infomax Office Systems’ invaluable resources at your disposal.

Our Connect Plus program includes:
• Basic Installation & Implementation Package
• Ongoing User Training on Document Output Devices
• Network Installation of Document Output Devices
• Ongoing Loading & Training on Print/Scan/Network Drivers
• Initial Software Enabler Installation and User Training (eCopy, Paper to Office, Essentials, PPDM)
• Installation of Remote Output Device Monitoring Software on Applicable Network Devices
• Ongoing Remediation Assistance for Print/Scan/Network Fax Issues
• Ongoing Assistance for any Infomax Provided Applications
• Unlimited Help Desk Phone Support.

Today’s businesses can’t afford inefficiencies or downtime when it comes to their office technology. Contact Infomax Office Systems today to learn more about how our ConnectPlus program will keep all of your office technology connected!

Are You Taking Good Care of Your Office Equipment?

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The old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The reasoning behind this axiom is that putting in a little bit of work to mitigate risk before a crisis strikes is preferable to the great deal of effort required to clean up the mess afterwards. This applies to your office technology, as well. You’ll be better served engaging in preventative maintenance and measures for your printers, copiers, fax machines, document shredders, and computers, rather than keeping your fingers crossed, hoping for the best, and reacting to a problem after the fact.

Why?

Companies rely heavily on their office technology to keep their workflows moving along smoothly. Regular preventative maintenance will help keep your office equipment in peak condition, ensuring it operates at maximum efficiency and that you get the highest return on your investment. By taking care of your equipment it will function as it was intended to and last longer. Preventative maintenance will save money compared to service calls to fix an ad hoc repair every time you have a device go down. In addition, you’ll save time and productivity lost due to downtime resulting from unexpected malfunctions or breakdowns that bring your workflow to a halt.

How?

What are some of the preventative measures you can take to keep your office equipment in top-notch condition? Regular maintenance, of course, is a no-brainer. You change your oil, rotate your tires, replace hoses and filters on your vehicles to help keep them running, why should your office technology be any different? Another way to take care of your devices is by frequently cleaning them. Dust your equipment regularly, using a fine brush on internal pieces such as paper trays and ink cartridge bays. Finally, position your devices properly. Place them away from high-traffic areas and extreme heat or cold.

Taking care of your office equipment will keep it in optimal condition, and more importantly, up and running. Infomax Office Systems’ ConnectPlus program can help keep your devices operating as efficiently as possible. Contact us today to learn more.

Essential Hardware Products for Every Office

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Regardless of the industry you’re in, there are a handful of essential hardware products the average office can’t operate productively without. Just as office furniture is a requirement in any workplace, office equipment is also a critical investment. If you’re planning on starting your own small business, here’s a checklist of the hardware products that will prove indispensable to you and your staff.

Computers – Modern computers not only provide you with access to your information, but are also essential components of business communication. Whether it’s a multi-user workstation, desktop, or laptop computer, purchase models from a reputable brand and buy the latest versions of software you plan to utilize.

Business Telephone Systems – Despite the myriad of different ways technology provides us to communicate with each other, much of business is still conducted these days over the old fashioned telephone. Whether your service is via Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) or your local phone company, be sure your system features the ability to transfer calls, place calls on hold, and accommodate voicemails.

Multifunction Printer – The multifunction printer (MFP) is often the workhorse of the modern office, enabling users to copy, scan, and fax as well as capably handling all of their printing needs. In addition, finishing options such as collating, duplex printing, automatic hole punching, folding, and stapling can save a tremendous amounts of time by automating previously manual tasks.

Document Shredder – Every business, small or large, is responsible for protecting the sensitive information it works with. Shredders are an effective yet affordable way to ensure the confidential information you handle doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.

Wireless Router – The modern office requires Internet connectivity. A good wireless router will ensure high-speed connectivity while limiting the amount of wires running through your workplace.

When starting a new business it’s important to control your expenditures and maximize your startup budget by only purchasing what you really need. Stocking your new business with these essential hardware products will help ensure organization, efficiency, and productivity in your new office.

Why a Comprehensive Management System Makes Sense

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Today’s office is a connected office. PCs, printers, scanners, and fax machines all communicate over the network. While this connectivity enables remarkable productivity, it also comes with costs, namely the need to manage network system components. Unless your company’s primary business is managing computer systems, consider adopting a comprehensive management system like Infomax’s ConnectPlus.

Hassle-Free Additions
Getting a new computer, printer, or other network device can throw your day into chaos, but a comprehensive management system handles the headaches for you—including system integration and connection to other devices in your network. With our basic installation and implementation package, we’ll manage the assignment of ports, defaults, and connections.

Installation & Training
With ConnectPlus, you’ll get complete assembly and testing of your new equipment, accessories, and related software. Our technicians will handle the fine-tuning of system components, loading drivers and training your staff. We make sure new devices integrate seamlessly into your network and your personnel are trained to run it.

Ongoing Support  
Once you’re up and running, we’re here for problem-solving on your output devices and we offer assistance for every application we provide. You’ll get installation of new device drivers and you can call on us for unlimited help desk phone support. We can add supplementary training in systems, administration, and software on an as-needed basis. We can also manage system reconfiguration, memory installation, and other services—just ask!

Free to Focus
Teaming up with a comprehensive management system gives you and your team something priceless: the freedom to focus. Instead of wrangling new machines, you can concentrate your resources on activities that truly add value to your bottom line. Your IT specialists can be writing custom apps that serve your clients instead of crawling under desks to connect cables.

In today’s hyper-competitive environment, working with a systems management partner can mean the difference between surviving and thriving. Programs like ConnectPlus make it possible for you to focus on your core business, so call Infomax today about getting started with ConnectPlus—and leave the tech to us.