Did you know only 3% of data loss results from natural disaster while 97% results from human error? Imagine going into the office, turning on your computer, and being unable to access your emails and files. Would you be able to keep working? 50% of companies that experienced data loss and couldn’t recover all of their files ended up filing for bankruptcy within 4 months. Yet so many business owners fail to prepare for unexpected, potentially business-destroying events, such as: Natural disasters that destroy or damage equipment Malware, ransomware, or virus infections Unexpected power surges or outages Employee errors such as accidentally deleting files Don’t risk the livelihood of your company and employees. You NEED a business continuity plan to avoid losing clients, business opportunities, and revenue when data loss occurs. Contact us at {phone} or send us an email: {email}. Your data is the lifeblood of your organization – letting you interact with and serve clients effectively; and when you lose your data, you’re unable to get work done, which often leaves your clients looking for another company that offers what you offer. Fortunately, we understand how important staying operational is. That’s why we offer business continuity planning, which includes: Backing up all important data, applications, user settings, and more – ensuring you’re able to quickly restore everything. Storing backups onsite and offsite in a secure cloud data center to prevent loss if onsite equipment becomes damaged. Creating a reliable business continuity plan with step-by-step procedures for simplified recovery. Monitoring and testing all backups on a regular basis to ensure they’re working and ready to restore. It’s only a matter of time before some type of disaster strikes. Contact {company} at {phone} or send us an email: {email}. We’ll help you prepare for the worst to maintain the livelihood of your company and employees.
Does any business really want to deal with their own IT equipment? Let’s start with the most superficial of drawbacks: your employees were perhaps already cramped into too small an office, and now you’ve got a bunch of big equipment taking up what little room you do have. And then there’s the money factor to consider (could there possibly be a more important factor in the world of business?). It’ll cost you thousands of dollars, more likely tens of thousands, to set up your own IT infrastructure. The expenses don’t end there: it takes a lot of power to keep all that equipment running… if you didn’t know that by now, you’ll figure it out soon enough when you get your next electricity bill. Another expense to consider is the ongoing maintenance it’ll take to fix all the technical issues you’re sure to eventually encounter. You don’t know much about IT, so you’re going to have to hire professional help to manage your equipment, and professional help isn’t cheap. Have No Fear, the Cloud Is Here The nightmare of being dealing with your own expensive IT equipment that you don’t even understand is no longer necessary. That’s because we live in the wonderful world of cloud computing. It’s a great time to be alive, my friends. Just a few years ago you had no choice but to set up your own network and manage your own equipment. But now, with the cloud, you have a better, more affordable option. Paying a flat rate for remote access to someone else’s server (that’s how the cloud works) allows you to get rid of the upfront, electricity, and maintenance costs that you had to put up with previously with your own in-house equipment. Now those expenses are someone else’s problem. Contact us at {phone} or {email} to hear us gush some more about the benefits of cloud computing.
Offering Complete IT Solutions to Help Members Leverage Technology as a Strategic Business Enabler! Hammett Technologies, LLC, the top IT consulting company serving businesses throughout Baltimore and Washington, DC, has recently joined the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce to get more involved with the local business community! We truly look forward to: Gaining a better understanding of technology issues facing companies throughout the area through attending various networking events, in order to help us better align our solutions with common challenges faced. Meeting local business owners and getting involved with the local business community to find out how we can help support them in meeting their goals and objectives. We look forward to getting involved and helping the local business community receive the same level of service larger companies have with internal IT staff – at a fraction of the cost. You Deserve an IT Company That’s Responsive, Doesn’t Leave You Waiting, And Most Importantly, Knows What They’re Doing… As your trusted IT consulting company, we take your needs seriously. We know you need a team of IT experts that understand how your company works, what goals you want to meet, and how to align technology with those goals to help you succeed. We’re here to help you: Develop a 3-5 year technology plan that works for your business goals. Protect your network, and all confidential data, against cybercrime. Leverage the cloud for greater flexibility, productivity, and cost savings. And much more! Contact us at {phone} or send us an email: {email}. We’d be happy to discuss how we can help you leverage technology as a strategic business enabler – helping you become more efficient and profitable than ever before.
A great IT service provider isn’t just one single thing; it’s an entire package. When you’re searching for the best IT service, make sure you’re looking for a team that’s ready to give you their all. What does that encompass? Effective technology and solutions, support whenever you need it, guidance to use your IT to its fullest, and a partner that’s always looking out for you. We know how crucial it is to have great IT, and we’re here to provide it. Support and Solutions We tell you the secrets other IT companies are leaving out to make more money off of you. We know you can’t settle for generic services; we talk about your goals, concerns and objectives so that we know your business inside-out. You get the right IT to match your unique needs. Regular meetings and upgrades are part of the deal. We know your system can’t just be setup and left alone; technology requires regular maintenance to thrive, so we always ensure your systems are performing at their best. Technology is designed to make your life less complicated. That means simplifying management of your tasks and calendar, and making the way you do work more effective and efficient. With the right IT provider, you get the right tools to streamline work and improve the quality of your output. Your clients will be happier than ever and you’ll be confident knowing you’re turning out your best work. The Whole Package We’ve heard horror stories about unresponsive, unreliable IT companies. That’s why we assure you right away that as soon as you need support, we’re there. Your future is too valuable to skim over – when we get you setup, we talk to you about to you about business continuity plans. We know you work better with peace of mind knowing that your business is being protected with backups and encryption. When you’re looking for the best IT services in {city}, turn to {company}. We provide the support and services your business needs to thrive. Contact us at {email} or by phone at {phone} to guarantee you get the best return on your IT investment.
Many businesses believe that online security breaches are only a real problem for big businesses. You only ever hear about cybercrime on the news when it happens to a business as big as Target or Home Depot. This way of thinking seems logical on the surface: When international corporations like Target are apparently vulnerable to unauthorized access, why would any cybercriminal bother with a business that isn’t worth the assets of a single Target store, or (as is the case for many smaller businesses and one-man operations) even just a single department within a single Target store? Contrary to this belief, smaller organizations are actually more likely than large corporations to be the victim of a cyberattack. In 2014, 60% of cyberattacks targeted small to medium-sized businesses. Don’t be surprised. While businesses the size of Target do have more assets for cybercriminals to take advantage of, they also have the resources to invest in the best security tools available and hire top-tier IT talent to secure their network. On the other hand, smaller businesses have fewer resources and are more likely to skimp on their IT budget and neglect their network. Over half of businesses that sustain significant data loss from a cyberattack go out of business within 6 months of their breach. Make yourself an easy target with a weak security solution and you’ll eventually get hit too. All it takes is one successful attack to close you down for good. 300,000,000 Read any article about the current threat landscape and it will boil down to this basic point: there are a lot of web-based threats out there, so many that it’s stupid not to worry about network security. You may be wondering, just how many threats is “a lot”? Well, allow us to quantify the problem for you: in 2014 alone over 300 million new pieces of malware were created. If that figure intimidates you, it should. This isn’t a problem that antivirus software can solve alone. You need an expert that can help you navigate this crowded minefield and keep the integrity of your data intact. The Dark Side of Mobilization More and more businesses are mobilizing their workforces. The efficiency and convenience benefits of mobilization are clear, but there are also security concerns to consider. 17% of all Android apps will infect your phone with malware. Putting that stat in context makes it even scarier: there are about 1.5 million apps available to Android users, which means about 255,000 Android apps, any one of which might be downloaded by one of your employees, are malicious. There’s a lot of potential for an employee’s personal mobile device to be compromised, and depending on how much you’ve invested in the cloud, this mobile device may be used to access business data and share files with co-workers, taking a virus that started as an employee’s problem and making it your problem. It isn’t enough to just enable your employees to work remotely. You need to make sure to secure those remote communications, too. More access points through the popularity of cloud computing and mobile devices make your network more vulnerable. Contact {company} at {phone} or {email} and take the first steps towards truly securing your network.
Follow These 3 Simple Tips to Find the Technology Partner You Deserve! You’ve heard the stories: a business owner finds an IT company, thinks they seem great, and decides to work with them, but after a couple months, they find their calls aren’t being returned, their data isn’t being properly backed up, or worse, they try to change companies only to find their servers held hostage – leaving them stuck with a terrible IT company and no way to get out. Fortunately, not all IT companies do more harm than good. There are a lot of great ones out there that’ll act as your technology partner – being responsive and working with integrity. Here are 3 simple tips to help you find the technology partner you deserve: Ask About Their Credentials and Qualifications The IT industry has only been around for less than 35 years, and there’s nothing keeping unqualified people from entering the industry. Ask about credentials and qualifications before signing up. You want to make sure they’re qualified to help you achieve your goals and objectives through technology, and often, this means they should have the proper degrees, experience, and certifications to demonstrate expertise. Don’t Hesitate to Stop By Their Office for a Visit Make sure you stop by their office for a visit to get to know their staff, find out how each staff member treats you, and ensure you feel comfortable with their level of client service. A lot of IT professionals tend to speak in ‘tech-terms.’ Does it seem like they’re talking down to you or speaking in terms you simply don’t understand? You don’t want an IT company that can’t explain things in terms you understand. If they don’t have client service skills, don’t sign an agreement! Look for Signs of Credibility Don’t be afraid to ask how many clients they have, what type/size clients they have, and if you can speak to some of their existing clients. Also ask if they have any memberships with organizations in the community, publications, or media recognition. These are all great signs of credibility! Do they demonstrate thought leadership in the industry? Are they doing anything to stay ahead of evolving technology trends? Always look for signs of credibility. When you’re working with a great technology partner, IT becomes a business enabler – helping you take your business where you want to be. Call {phone} or email us at: {email}. Discover why we’re the technology partner you’ve been waiting for!
Audits. The very word probably makes you shudder. No one likes it when the auditors come knocking at their door – you just know they’re going to ding you for something. But that only happens if you don’t take a moment to breathe and do a simple preparedness check ahead of time. Is your business prepared for a PCI compliance audit? If you accept credit cards, you must be compliant with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standard. That extends not only to you and your employees, but to any other companies or individuals with access to your IT systems. If someone can access your data, they’re obligated to meet PCI compliance too. First of all, you need to retain an audit-trail history for a time period that fits with your use and legal regulations. That’s different from business to business – you need to find out how long you need to maintain your records! The main thing that affects what you’re required to do for an audit is your PCI level: Level 4 – Less than 20,000 transactions per year Level 3 – 20,000 to 1 million transactions per year Level 2 – 1 to 6 million transactions per year Level 1 – Over 6 million transactions per year Additionally, you need to be able to prove that you have the right IT security processes in place to maintain confidentiality and security for all your transactions. Are you using the right firewalls to protect your networks? Do you have encryption on any emails that might involve payment card information? Are all your systems properly secured against unauthorized access of data? These are vital questions you need to answer before the auditors come knocking. If it turns out you’re non-compliant, banks and credit card institutions can impose fines ranging up to $500,000! So how do you ensure you’re prepared for a PCI compliance audit? It’s simple: DO ONE YOURSELF. If you run your own audit before a mandated one comes along, you’ll discover any vulnerabilities or missteps while there’s still time to fix them. The team at {company} is here to help. We’re the experts in PCI compliance for {city} businesses. We provide a full PCI compliance service: A risk assessment to improve your data security. Advice for staff training on security awareness, so your employees have the information and skills they need to meet the latest PCI standards and regulations. Notifications about potential vulnerabilities ranked by order according to their seriousness. This way, you can address the most important first. Protect your customers, protect your employees, and protect your livelihood – Contact {company} at {phone} or {email} to ensure your {city} business is prepared for a PCI compliance audit.
May 18 is Accounting Day 2015, an event for financial professionals all across the world to share their secrets and help each other succeed. Are you ready to find out how to improve your business, save your money, and better serve your clients? {company} is proud to serve accountants and other financial services firms all across {city}, and that’s why we’re going to share the big IT secret that accountants should be taking advantage of to get ahead for 2015: Cloud computing. The cloud can seem like a buzzword these days, but with the right team on your side helping you take advantage of its power, it can make huge differences in your productivity and bottom line: Work anywhere, anytime: With data stored in the cloud, you’re not tied to the desk. Access QuickBooks or other applications, and all your data on any device, whether you’re in the office, visiting a client, or kicking back at the cottage. Protect data from disaster: Applications and files saved in the cloud are safe from anything that could damage or destroy in-office equipment. Even if a flood or fire destroys your office, you can keep working on any computer, and business won’t stop. Hire the right people, regardless of location: Cloud computing makes remote work and collaboration easy – you don’t need to be in the same office to share work! Pick and choose your team with care, regardless of where they call home. Connect with clients from around the world: And it’s easy to choose clients regardless of location too! They can upload financials to your cloud with the click of a button, so you can manage their books from the other side of the world! Save your money: You manage your clients’ money, but you need to be smart with your own too. Cloud computing makes it easy to turn IT from a capital expense to an operating expense, with predictable monthly fees for applications and storage, and easy scaling to your size and needs. On May 18, you’ll be able to learn all kinds of tips and tricks to make serving your clients easier than ever before, but none of them will do as much for you as cloud computing – so long as you have the right partner by your side making it easy. The team at {company} are your go-to experts in cloud computing solutions in {city} for accountancy and financial services firms. We’ll meet with you, learn about your business, and help you find the right cloud solutions for YOUR needs. Contact us at {phone} or {email} to schedule a complimentary consultation for Accounting Day 2015!
Smartphones don’t just make doing business easier; they aim to impact, and improve, every part of our life. When you’re traveling, smartphones and laptops will certainly come in handy. Still, whether you’re traveling for work or personal reasons, you need to ensure your keeping your devices secure. Are you taking extra precautions to protect your data and information when you go on vacation? If not, you need to start following these tips. Lock Your Devices When They’re Inactive Mobile devices and laptops are lost every single day. In fact, around 100 smartphones are lost or stolen every minute in the US. Are you prepared to deal with the fallout of losing a device that holds sensitive business and personal data? Prevention is the best form of protection – make sure you lock your devices to keep all of your content and contacts private. Set your devices to auto-lock after the shortest delay you can. Pick a complex password or passcode. With your phone, think about enabling the “wipe device after 10 wrong guesses” option. If someone is continuously trying to break in, they’ll eventually be totally shut out. iDevices also offer Find My iPhone apps and Android offers Device Manager to track lost or stolen devices. Remember That Public Wi-Fi Isn’t Safe Public Wi-Fi is often a huge help – it keeps up connected when we’re away from home. Security bugs are common in Wi-Fi routers, though, and they infect any devices that are connected. A better alternative is using a prepaid SIM card when you travel and pay-as-you-go data. Many businesses also use VPNs to keep their data secure. Public Wi-Fi puts your business and personal info in jeopardy, so always use alternate methods when possible. Turn Off Location Apps like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram use geo-tagging which prompt your phone for a location. Even if your GPS is turned off, your phone will still figure out where you are by keeping track of Wi-Fi access points around you. Always consider leaving your phone in Airplane mode throughout a trip. Be Careful Using Public Computers When you’re using public devices, you never know what you’re getting. They may be infected with malware that will end up spying on your personal information. Hackers can also attach themselves to ATMs to steal financial information. Being cautious isn’t a bad thing, especially when you’re dealing with sensitive data. Layer Your Protection Don’t ignore prompts to update your computer and devices – new updates mean patched vulnerabilities and better protection. Remember that smartphones need security, too. Mobile solutions will keep you protected when you’re using your phone for work-on-the-go. Don’t let your guard down just because you’re on vacation. For more helpful IT security tips and tricks, contact {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.
Google may not be panicking just yet, but it is clear change is coming to the way we find information on the internet. There are other search engines out there, but really, Google continues to rule when it comes to searching online. Besides, you know that you’ve made it to the top of your field when you become a verb and “I’m going to Google that” becomes part of the vernacular. As a business owner dependent on the internet to build and grow your business, you already know the importance of maintaining a Google-friendly website to ensure your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts keep you at the top of the search rankings. But keep in mind, all things change over time, and if recent trends are a prediction of the future, then the way we use the internet is also going to change. SEO and Cynicism Efforts to improve SEO have long been associated with questionable tactics and finding ways to “game” the system to improve ranking have practically become a science. Google continues to change its search algorithms to punish those attempting to outright manipulate the search criteria, but the fact remains that Google receives a lot of money from firms paying to ensure they rank at the top of a search list. As consumers become more educated and understand how search results are now driven by the use of paid ads and paying for certain keywords, cynicism continues to grow. This cynicism is now bordering on mistrust and some consumers are actively turning to other ways to find information online. One area that has expanded greatly in the last few years is the use of mobile apps. Services like Uber, Airbnb, and – dare we say, Tinder – are but a few examples of how these niche sites are coming to the fore. If you have Uber on your smartphone, for instance, you do not need to search online for a cab and we will see even more segmentation like this in the future. The Power of Social Media Marketing types have always known about the power of the referral. This is especially true with service industries where a happy customer testimonial can be far more convincing than typical ad copy. What’s even more compelling is when that referral comes from a family or trusted friend. We are seeing this trend emerging within the main social media channels like Facebook and Twitter. Individuals now often turn to their social media contacts for information or advice on everything from a good restaurant or a movie to see on a Friday night and this is just another example of how reliance on generic web searches is on the decline. So what does this mean for SEO? Well, it may be a bit early to write off SEO altogether, but you definitely need to think about additional ways to engage your audience. Social media continues to expand its reach and you ignore the impact these channels will have on consumers at your own peril. Have questions? Give us a call. Not only are we your trusted IT partner, but we can handle all your business technology including making sure you have the right SEO team and partner.