Implementing the Best Technology Solutions for Your Business

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Technology is one of those parts of your operational infrastructure that plays a massive role, even if you don’t realize it. For quite some time, you’ve been using all of the standard fares for business technology, such as computers, server units, and networking components. All technology solutions for your business must eventually be replaced, so your company must have an established approach to make this happen in the most seamless and least stressful way possible.

It all starts by having a solid IT implementation strategy. Let’s take a look at some ideas you should consider when looking at your business technology strategy.

Identifying Your Technology Pain Points

When considering technology, you must think with intention. If you don’t, you might implement a “solution” that is entirely unnecessary and, thus, makes your network more complex or complicated than it needs to be. It is best to keep things simple when possible, as the more technology you implement for your business, the more opportunities there are for things to go wrong. To make sure you implement technology with intention, you must consider what problems the technology will solve.

Ask yourself, “What challenges does my business face today?” Your answer will determine which problems you want to solve.

Creating a Technology Plan and Moving Forward

Next, you want to consider how you proceed and what solution to implement. There are many choices to make, so you shouldn’t leave anything off the table. Consider multiple solutions to the problem and think about which one is appropriate for your specific needs.

Ask yourself, “How does my chosen option solve the specified problem?” If you can answer this question, then you know that you should seriously entertain implementing that option.

Implementing the Right Technology Solutions for Your Business

Now that you have determined which solution is the best forward, you can start the implementation process. This process might include a needs analysis or a cost breakdown, so whoever is in charge of the implementation process should have access to all of this information. Furthermore, you will also want to have a complete understanding of how much the solution will cost your business to implement and the expected timeline for that implementation.

Ask yourself, “Do I have the means to implement this technology?” If the answer is yes, then you can move forward with confidence.

Get Started Today!

AE Technology Group understands the frustrations of implementing new technology solutions for your business, so we make it our goal to provide accessible technology management and implementation services to all businesses, big or small. To learn more about how we can help your business get any technology solution off the ground, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006.

4 Reasons to Get Rid of Your Landline Telephone

close up image of a landline telephone focusing on it's keypad

Your landline telephone may have once been a prominent part of your business’ communication infrastructure, but chances are that it’s fallen on hard times since you last used it. In fact, you might be surprised to find that there are quite a few arguments against using a landline for your organization’s phone system, especially with more modern tools such as VoIP solutions eclipsing it in usefulness.

Here are four reasons why you might reconsider your business’s landline telephone setup.

#1: Adding New Users is a Hassle

Chances are that your office was designed to handle a certain number of employees at any given time. As such, there are phone lines wired across your office for those employees… But what happens when your business starts to grow? Adding new phone lines might require changes to your office setup and perhaps even construction, which is something that can be both timely and costly. In other words, you want a telephone solution that doesn’t rely on messing with pre-existing infrastructure in order to be effective.

#2: It’s Not Flexible Enough for Modern Businesses

When you use a landline in your office, your employees are essentially tethered to their desks in order to answer the phone. This is the exact opposite of what needs to happen in the modern office. Employees should be able to answer their phones and stay in touch with their coworkers even while out of the office, and especially while on the road for business trips.

#3: There Are Other Costs Associated with Landlines

Many businesses and consumers overpay for their landline telephone solutions, as they are often bundled together with other services that are not necessarily used. One key example of this is cable television being bundled with phone service. You need a solution that lets you customize it to suit the specific needs of your business, not what the provider thinks you need in order to be successful.

#4: There Are Better Options Available

Why bother with landlines when other (better) technology solutions are available? Using outdated technology is a surefire way to fall behind your competitors and lose ground in the long run. One way you can ditch the landline is by implementing a Voice over IP solution that utilizes existing infrastructure (your Internet) rather than running new lines all over your office. Plus, VoIP can be used on desktops, laptops, and smartphones, making it much more flexible and, by extension, useful.

Implement VoIP Solutions Today!

AE Technology Group can help outfit your organization with the latest VoIP solutions that are designed to improve operations. These solutions are most effective when they are tailored to fit the needs of your business. To learn more about how we can help your organization thrive, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006.

Don’t Let Data Backup Concerns Hold Your Business Back

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Your business is not unique in the sense that it stores and transmits data during its day-to-day routines. Whether it’s financial information for your clients or employee records, it is more than likely that your business holds some kind of critical data that your operations rely on throughout the workday. Would your operations be able to recover from a sudden loss of data?

While imagining this worst-case scenario might seem intimidating and downright scary, failing to do so is even worse for your business continuity. You owe it to everyone who works so hard to keep your business going to do all you can to protect it as best as possible. To work toward this goal, we recommend a solution that all businesses should utilize: data backup and disaster recovery. Data backup is one of those things that you don’t necessarily realize its true value until you need it most, and failing to have it could put your future on the line.

Data Backup vs Disaster Recovery

Data backups are copies of your business’ data that you can restore in the event of a disaster that destroys the original. These are particularly useful when you suffer a data loss scenario or security breach. Data backup has been done with tape for years, a process that involves setting the tape, running the backup, and storing the tapes in a place off-site in the event they are needed.

Tape is on its way out, however, due to issues that are prevalent in the way that it is fundamentally designed. Modern technology has addressed these issues, such as slow implementation and deployment speed, user error, and storage space. The cloud makes everything involved with the data backup and disaster recovery process so much easier by eliminating the possibility of user error, speeding up the process, freeing up on-site storage, and fully automating the process.

Data backup is only one part of a successful disaster recovery solution. You also need to make sure that you are actually able to deploy these backups when they are needed most. Since disasters can disrupt operations so profoundly, you want to have your backups ready to go in the event of data breaches, natural disasters, or user errors. Failing to have these data backups available puts your operations in jeopardy not just from an operational standpoint, but also from a cost perspective when you factor in downtime and lost productivity.

Your disaster recovery solution should aim to minimize downtime through the use of a cloud-deployed backup to temporary hardware. It’s not meant to be a permanent solution; it just keeps you in business while you work to replace it. A common rule you might hear about is the 3-2-1 rule of data backup. You should have three copies of your data ready to go at a moment’s notice: one on-site or on-network, one located in the cloud for ease of restoration, and one in a secure off-site data center. This redundancy makes for an ideal solution and certainly one that minimizes downtime and data loss.

Implement BDR Today

A data backup and disaster recovery solution like BDR is the best way to approach your business’ continuity concerns. AE Technology Group has the knowledge and expertise to walk you through this process every step of the way, from determining your specific backup needs to the deployment of solutions. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006.

Aiming For a Healthy Workplace Dynamic: Understanding the Value of Respect in the Workplace

aiming for a healthy workplace dynamic understanding the value of respect in the workplace

A company’s success is not only determined by the quality of its products and services or customer metrics. Personal relationships and perceived behavior among employees in the workplace also have a significant effect on company productivity. With global conversation shifting towards diversity and inclusion, employee pools are now filled with differing perspectives, personalities and work style. A healthy workplace dynamic can determine if your greatly diverse employees perform optimally or contribute to a dysfunctional work environment.   

All employees, whether high in the hierarchy or low on the totem pole, want to feel respected and valued. People in the workplace want to know their feelings, ideas and presence, are respected by their colleagues. A recent study showed that globally, nearly 20,000 employees ranked respect as the most vital leadership behavior.

Being respectful in the workplace is not limited to employees alone. Employers must lead by example, also exhibiting acceptable conduct and a good attitude, as well as treating all employees fairly. Employers must be careful to find a good balance between showing owed and earned respect, with the former being accorded to all employees, while the latter is earned by those who have excelled in one way or another.  

There are several ways to demonstrate respect in the workplace. Some of these are;

  • Anger management: People in a group will inevitably rub one another the wrong way sometimes. Maintaining control during moments of anger is essential, especially in a professional setting. People in the workplace should avoid getting fixated on what makes them irritable and learn to let little issues go. They should also understand their triggers and avoid them. Looking up and learning some anger management techniques can also be of help.  
  • Proper Communication: Discourse that is laced with abrasive, belittling, dismissive or insulting language should be avoided at all times. Conversations among colleagues should always be polite, and any debates should be respectful and professional.
  • Pay Attention: Acknowledge colleagues as much as possible. Small actions like greeting them, holding a door open, and offering help are subtle clues that communicate respect and value.
  • Avoid Judging: Making hasty or unfair judgements about colleagues can affect how you talk and relate with them. Be willing to compromise and endeavor to be open to new perspectives, preferences and work styles. Most importantly, think about what you want to say or do and how it will make others feel.

Benefits Of A Workplace Culture Of Respect

The value of respect in the workplace cannot be overstated. Encouraging mutual respect in the workplace will:

Minimize stress, conflict, and communication problems

A consistent and strictly implemented culture of respect will improve communication between colleagues at every level of an organization. Such a positive atmosphere will optimize how well they work together. It will also reduce stress resulting from conflict and concern about negative perceptions.

Increase productivity

With respect to fostering mutual understanding and better communication, colleagues will be less focused on each other and more focused on company ideals and objectives. Business decisions will be suggested and respected, and tasks will be implemented eagerly. Less friction will also mean more time to improve individual growth and team productivity.

Improve knowledge-sharing

When there is mutual respect, and higher chances of positive reception, employees are more likely to exchange ideas and bounce suggestions off one another freely. This will lead to an increase in knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Decrease turnover rates

Feeling respected contributes to job satisfaction, commitment, and loyalty. Motivated employees will remain longer where they feel well treated and apply themselves diligently to their work, leading to company growth.

In Closing

Promoting a culture of respect in the workplace and improving employee dynamics will stop employees from being side-tracked by unimportant matters and enable them to unleash their full potential and remain highly productive.

At AE technology Group, we create customized and innovative solutions that foster team collaboration and build a stronger organizational culture. Contact us today!

Increase Productivity by Utilizing New Technologies

increase productivity by utilizing new technologies
New Technologies

It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day operations of a business, without taking a moment to consider whether there are better and easier ways to get tasks accomplished. Over time however, when it becomes obvious that productivity or customer service levels are declining, or sales, it’s definitely time to review whether there are better ways to accomplish tasks. By doing so, companies can take advantage of the latest technologies, thus freeing up the schedules of their employees to do what they do best, which is to support and grow the company.

Produce More with Collaboration

Easy-to-use tools such as shared calendars, Skype, and SharePoint, make it easy for teams to communicate with each other and share documents and files that require group collaboration.

Cloud Computing Platforms

Are you working with a cloud computing platform that automatically updates? If not, then your employees are not able to work with the latest, most up-to-date information, and that puts them at a disadvantage against competitors. Consider also whether you are satisfied with your internet connection. There’s no question anymore — a fast, reliable internet connection is an absolute must.

Cloud-Based Telephony

Switching from landlines to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a great way for businesses to cut costs while increasing productivity levels in mobile working scenarios.

Effective Management Tools

There’s little need for manual manipulation of information anymore. Whether it’s improving customer service levels with a CRM system, or having a better understanding of employee time management, there is likely an automated management tool that can provide helpful insight.

Reliable IT Support

Last but not least, having a reliable IT resource a company can count on to keep their technology processes running smoothly, as well as offer professional advice about investing in useful technologies, is really important. This type of support will only become more essential as the business environment increasingly relies on technology to retain a competitive edge. 

If you would like more tips on how to select technology tools that can boost productivity in the workplace, please contact us.