Outsourcing to an MSP: Custom-size Your Partnership | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support

November 2, 2021 by Tony Whitney

Outsourcing to an MSP: Custom-size Your Partnership

When it comes to business technology, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Managed service providers (MSPs) know this firsthand. That’s why you’ll find they make it easy to partner with them for different levels of outsourced IT. This article outlines the three tiers of MSP outsourcing typically available.

Small and mid-sized businesses share many challenges. They need to manage resources, follow regulations, and combat cyber threats. At the same time, they grapple with constant changes (e.g. growing workforce mobility). Yet for all these commonalities, the technology used in each business can vary, and so too can the level of in-house expertise to manage and maintain IT.

So, many businesses turn to MSPs to get to know their IT infrastructure. The MSP can act as an IT watchdog, offer specific value-added services, or replace an in-house IT team.

MSP as IT Watchdog

This level of MSP engagement is for the business that wants expert backup support. The MSP watches over the business infrastructure and makes sure everything runs smoothly.

The MSP will use remote monitoring to keep tabs on the IT environment. They won’t make any changes if an issue arises – that’s up to the business – but they’ll help detect concerns to avoid any business disruption.

Many businesses don’t have the personnel for around-the-clock IT monitoring. This basic level of MSP service is a good way to track critical networks, systems, and databases 24/7/365.

MSP’s Menu of Services

MSPs also offer a menu of value-added services on top of the monitoring. The added tasks outsourced can depend on your expertise, budget, and desire to be hands-on with IT.

Value-add services MSPs offer include:

taking responsibility for installing software updates;
fixing security vulnerabilities as they are detected;
suggesting current, reliable, and secure technology solutions to improve your operational performance;
handling data backup and disaster recovery;
serving as your IT help desk for employees.

Partnering with the MSP for these services can save the business time and money. Consider data backup: The MSP may have its own data centers for all its clients, which might mean a better rate on essential data backup thanks to economies of scale.

MSP as IT Team

Other businesses can benefit from handing over all IT to a trusted MSP. For one thing, this saves the business from having to recruit, train, and keep its own IT team in a tight labor market.

The MSP continues to remotely monitor and manage the IT infrastructure, but they now have full responsibility. It’s not a matter of picking from the services available on the a la carte menu above. All those tasks are the MSPs responsibility.

Many internal IT teams are reactive, as they don’t have the bandwidth to act otherwise. Yet with an MSP in place of an overwhelmed IT staff, you gain a proactive partner. The MSP secures applications and networks, manages mobility, and handles any incidents. They keep your business running by avoiding disruptions leading to revenue loss, customer churn, and reputation damage.

Putting an MSP in charge of IT can concern some business owners who are reluctant to give up control, but an MSP brings the benefits of specialized experience with technology (and, ideally, your industry). They have the tools to provide data analytics, improve cybersecurity and continually better your business.

An MSP Partnership to Suit You

On any of these three levels, you want to work with an MSP that will become an extension of your business. The right MSP becomes a trusted partner looking out for your business’s best interests. Contact us today to book an appointment:

What Does “Right to Repair” Mean, and Why Does It Matter? | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Help

October 26, 2021 by Tony Whitney

What Does “Right to Repair” Mean, and Why Does It Matter?

You may not think of yourself as “handy,” so the thought may not even have crossed your mind to take apart your cell phone or laptop to try and repair it. But did you know that in certain cases it might be illegal for you to even try? There is a debate raging over the “right to repair.”

The right to repair issue crosses many products. Car enthusiasts have fought to access parts and guides to repair their vehicles. Farmers are pushing for the right to fix their John Deere agricultural equipment. Now, there are people lobbying for the right to fix laptops, cell phones, and other electronics.

Manufacturers, meanwhile, maintain that doing so risks their intellectual property. There may also be safety risks.

Additionally, they make money from planned obsolescence. Many PC users know what this means already. Anyone on the widely popular Windows 7 operating system had to move to new software in 2020. Microsoft is on a ten-year cycle. It provides a software product its full attention for five years, then it begins offering new options and stops supporting the old one. At the end of the decade, the software is no longer updated or supported. That means no security patches either, which means vulnerability to cyberattack, so users must go to the next version.

Now, you’re not going to build your own operating system, but what about when something goes wrong with your smart phone or tablet? You don’t always want to have to buy a new one. Plus, trading out the old one for a new device runs counter to sustainability goals. You end up with one more piece of hardware destined for the landfill.

Right to Repair Activism

Consumers, repair pros, watchdogs, and green activists have all joined the right to repair debate. They want to be able to upgrade processing power, memory, or battery power in electronics.

But many companies refuse to release the necessary parts (e.g. Apple). Manuals and product guides aren’t made available either. This makes it almost impossible to do-it-yourself repair the company’s products. The consumer must pay the manufacturer for repairs, or they can turn to a third party vendor (affiliated with the manufacturer).

When it comes to technology, the tide may be turning. Why? We are increasingly reliant on our phones and other devices. There’s more push back against a business model that forces us to upgrade every two to four years.

Plus, we’re more aware globally of the value of recycling and up cycling. One American grassroots group notes that repairing tech could bridge the digital divide. PCs for People wants to improve access to technology by rebuilding donated devices.

What It Means for You

Laws are in the works in many places to legislate the right to repair. In the U.S., Apple and Tesla are among those lobbying against state efforts. Nevertheless, 14 states have passed laws on right to repair. The EU has a law requiring companies to provide parts to independent repair workers. The UK’s right to repair regulations come into effect this year. Australia is currently assessing its laws related to right to repair, too.

Until laws change, consumers pay whatever the manufacturer demands for products that aren’t built to last. This also has each of us contributing to global technology waste. For more on the issue, visit repair.org, the site of the Digital Right to Repair Coalition.

Meanwhile, if you have technology that needs repairing, our IT experts can help. Book an appointment today!

Windows 11 Is Coming: Should You Upgrade? | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support

October 19, 2021 by Tony Whitney

Windows 11 Is Coming: Should You Upgrade?

Microsoft’s next version of Windows is being rolled out this year, and businesses’ are now wondering if the upgrade is right for their needs. This article looks at the changes and helps you weigh up your options.

Windows 11 simplifies Microsoft’s operating system and user interface. The new release is still only at the preview stage, but we know there’s a new startup sound and Start menu. Additionally, snap controls allow users to resize and reposition windows on their desktop. Microsoft also touts its content personalization tools and many widgets to choose from. Plus, an app store rebuild makes it easier to browse, install, and update applications.

For business, though, the big question is whether the upgrade makes sense. The full launch of the software is due in late 2021. In the meantime, those already using Windows 10 are wondering why they should upgrade. After all, Microsoft is promising to support the Windows 10 OS until October 14, 2025.

The Appeal of the Windows 11 Upgrade

Many advance reviews of Windows 11 focus on the new look of the desktop operating system, but there are also functionality changes to enhance productivity and security.

Employees today collaborate virtually and are always looking for ways to improve efficiency. Windows 11 aims to help by offering a new taskbar that integrates Teams right into the desktop. This simplifies multitasking and makes it easier for users to jump into a group chat or team meeting. Users can also mute/unmute or start presenting right from the desktop.

While remote working has grown, so too has cybersecurity risk. With more people seeking to access software from home, cyberattacks are rampant. Windows 11 embraces a Zero Trust framework. This validates both user identity and the platform to better safeguard access, making cybersecurity a default rather than an add-on. It offers hardware-based isolation, encryption, and malware protection with hybrid work in mind.

Proceed with Caution

The productivity and security enhancements are appealing, but they demand more advanced hardware. Windows 11 requires:

a compatible 64-bit processor;
a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip (to help protect encryption keys, user credentials, and data);
64 GB or more available storage;
4 GB RAM;
high-definition (720p) display.

The upgrade is free (right now) to those with Microsoft 365 licenses. Yet, buying new machines could prove costly.

Businesses can manually check device compatibility, or run diagnostic tests such as the DirectX diagnostic tool (DxDiag) or the PC Health Check App, or hire an IT consultant to assess systems (and needs) before making the decision to invest in new devices.

The move to Windows 11 could also impact other applications the business relies upon. For example, Microsoft has moved away from Internet Explorer and its ActiveX-based applications, which means employees may be using products and services that will be impacted.

Ultimately, Windows 11 has its benefits, yet there are drawbacks to consider, too. Before making an upgrade decision, contact your managed service provider. We’ll check you have the necessary hardware, and that your applications will remain supported.

We can help also with your Windows 11 deployment. Windows Autopilot or Microsoft Intune cloud and automation can help, but working with IT experts can also cut downtime. Book an appointment for help today!

Pushing Send? Know that Email Is Not Secure | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support

October 12, 2021 by Tony Whitney

Pushing Send? Know that Email Is Not Secure

We send an estimated 306 billion emails every day globally, personal and professional. Still, it’s not secure. Any private data, proprietary information or sensitive documents sent are at risk.

Sending an email is convenient and quick, but when it comes to confidential data, you’re better off choosing another method of delivery, one that doesn’t have as many potential points of access for an ill-intentioned actor.

Think about the path an email travels:

First, you write it on your PC, laptop, tablet, or phone. This stores the information in your email program. A hacker who has accessed your device using malware could read it.
The email then goes out to your email server. If that server is hacked, your data is at risk.
Your message then travels through online networks to reach your recipient, but there’s no guarantee those networks are secure, especially not if you are crafting and sending that email from a public network in an airport or at a coffee shop.
The email then hits the recipient’s email server, then their email program, and then their device. But the same risks that arose at your end are replicated on their side of the exchange, too.

Basically, when you send an email you lose control of the security of that communication, and potential problems abound:

Hackers could be intercepting and reading your email.
You can’t be certain that your recipient’s server or storage is encrypted at all times.
A bad actor could impersonate a server to intercept messages, and you wouldn’t know any better.
Your recipients may save that email in their mailbox for months or even years. Down the road, if they are compromised, your email is vulnerable.
Recipients can inadvertently forward that email on to unexpected parties.
You can’t assign permissions or password protect that email.

The Solution to Email Insecurity

Stop sending sensitive information via email. Instead, select a method that allows you to check and control who has access to that data. This could mean uploading the information to a private portal or sending using an encrypted file-sharing service such as Google Drive or Dropbox. There are also encrypted messengers such as Signal, Wire, and Wickr Me, which offer end-to-end encryption and autodelete data to cut the risk of email exposure.

If the recipient needs a username and password, send the two credentials separately. You might text them the password, mail it, or call and give it to the individual directly. When using a system that sends a password email to the user, contact that individual direclty. Ensure that they receive the email, log in, and change the password to something else.

A virtual private network (VPN) is another good tool for securing email. A VPN is like an online tunnel that keeps your email traffic safe. The message sent or received is encrypted from the rest of the internet. In fact, the VPN masks your internet protocol (IP) address, too, meaning you are also protecting your original location.

Sending information online is a tricky business. Don’t put your sensitive information at risk by relying on email communications. Instead, use the solutions above to protect your private and proprietary data.

A managed service provider can set up the solutions you need. Book an appointment today to protect your conversations online.

Choosing the Right Computer Monitor | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Repair

October 5, 2021 by Tony Whitney

Choosing the Right Computer Monitor

Your hardware, software, and internet connection shape your computing experience. The last essential piece of the puzzle? The monitor you use.

The first thing you need to consider is what you’ll be using the monitor for most. Gamers will have different requirements than those professionals or families viewing photos. [Read more…]

Avoid Having Your Emails Flagged As Spam | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB

September 28, 2021 by Tony Whitney

Avoid Having Your Emails Flagged As Spam

The Monty Python “Spam” sketch makes us laugh, but business emails filtered as spam do not. Your business wants to reach its prospects and customers. This article shares tips to help you ensure customers get your messages. [Read more…]

A Good Internal IT Person Is Hard to Find | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support

September 21, 2021 by Tony Whitney

A Good Internal IT Person Is Hard to Find

Technology is everywhere, yet we don’t always understand it. When things go wrong or get challenging, we turn to IT Services for help, but it’s becoming difficult for businesses to hire internal IT support staff. Here’s why and what to do about it. [Read more…]

Beware These Social Media Scams | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Help

September 14, 2021 by Tony Whitney

Beware These Social Media Scams

Huntington Volvo? Rowe Subaru? What will your hilarious quiz results be when you enter your fourth-grade teacher’s name and first model of car? You may think it’s silly entertainment – until it isn’t. Many fun social media questionnaires are set up by hackers to steal your identity. [Read more…]

Signs You Aren’t Budgeting Enough for IT | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support

September 7, 2021 by Tony Whitney

Signs You Aren’t Budgeting Enough for IT

Generally, we like to make the argument that nothing about your small business is too small. We do say it a lot in relation to cybersecurity – no size of business is immune. Yet, there is the chance your IT budget is too small. Consider these indicators that you might need to invest more in your IT. [Read more…]

6 Uses for Your Old, Extra Computers | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Help

August 31, 2021 by Tony Whitney

6 Uses for Your Old, Extra Computers

When you’ve upgraded to a new computer, the old one is a bit of an albatross. You paid good money for that desktop or laptop, and you want to continue to see a return on investment. Plus, disposing of that technology feels wasteful. It’s not as if a computer is going to compost itself! To help, we’ve provided six solid ideas for how to repurpose your old, extra computers. [Read more…]