Microsoft has announced that the current version of Windows 10, released in 2022, will be its final release.
If you’re currently using Windows 10, you might wonder what this means for your day-to-day operations.
The good news is that your computers won’t suddenly stop working. The current updates and security patches for Windows 10 won’t disappear anytime soon either.
However, you may want to consider upgrading to Windows 11 sooner rather than later. Microsoft has made it clear that it will be devoting all its attention to the new operating system from now on, so future developments and innovation will be focused on Windows 11.
Upgrading can be a daunting task, but moving to Windows 11 has so many benefits:
Enhanced performance
Windows 11 has been designed to maximize efficiency and performance across all types of devices, making it a no-brainer for businesses looking for faster and more efficient technology.
Improved user experience
The interface has been updated with a more modern look, making it easier to navigate and customize.
Increased security
Windows 11 comes with Microsoft’s most advanced security features, making it harder for cyber criminals to breach your system.
Better integration with cloud services
Windows 11 gives you access to a range of cloud-based services, making it easier to collaborate with other team members and enhance your business’ productivity.
If you’re still hesitant about upgrading, keep in mind that Microsoft will eventually stop releasing security updates for Windows 10. We’re expecting it to be in late 2025. This means staying with Windows 10 for too long could put your business at risk of security threats.
The sooner you upgrade, the better your protection against these threats, and the more significant the benefits you’ll be able to reap from Windows 11.
Like any big project, making the move to Windows 11 needs to be planned and implemented properly. Your hardware needs to meet certain requirements and, of course, you’ll need to make sure it’s done without affecting day to day operations.
If you’d like help making the transition with as little disruption as possible, get in touch.
Microsoft has just announced an option for people to trial new features before their general release in Windows 11.
This isn’t about fixes to security flaws – everyone gets those at the same time.
This is an opportunity for businesses to jump the queue to receive new features and updates first.
Sound exciting?
Yes!
Worth the risk?
Not quite.
Our advice?
Patience is a virtue!
Sure, it may be tempting to give in to the tantalizing prospect of new features… nobody ever wants to wait. But jumping aboard any trial phase comes with risks.
Bugs, errors, and other stumbling blocks could have a significant impact on your operations, potentially causing chaos in your daily workflow.
Waiting until features have completed a thorough trial process gives you the advantage of other people’s experience. They’ve already dealt with the complexities so, by the time you get the new features, they’ll be polished and dependable. And isn’t that more important for the smooth running of your business?
Trust us, the safe road is the smart road, especially when your business systems are involved. The benefits of being an early adopter may seem enticing, but you don’t want to end up being the guinea pig.
Remember the old adage… good things come to those who wait!
We’re all for keeping up with the latest technology and software updates, but there is a time to exercise caution, and this is one of those times. Don’t be tempted by the shiny new features.
Be patient
Stay safe
And ensure that when the time comes, you’re getting something that’s proven to work
Microsoft already has a lot of (tested and approved) features that can boost productivity and make your work processes smoother. We spend a lot of time helping businesses find the right ones for them. If we can do the same for you, get in touch.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, technology plays a critical role in ensuring smooth operations and optimal productivity. However, managing technology infrastructure can be challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. For small business owners, outsourcing their IT needs to a reliable business IT services provider is the best solution. To ensure you have the opportunity to find top-tier service, be sure to research if companies have these qualities and traits required for business IT services provider:
8 Traits of a Quality IT Service Provider
Comparable Industry Experience:
While there are many business IT providers out there, not all companies are the same, nor can they be treated the same. An IT service provider for an e-commerce store is going to need to provide different services from that of a local jewelry store. When choosing an IT service provider, we recommend hiring someone with comparable industry experience. A business IT services provider who understands your niche can offer valuable insights into the unique challenges and requirements of your business. They can leverage their experience to deliver tailored solutions that meet your specific needs.
Flexible Budgeting & Service Options:
Being in business requires continual flexibility. Your business will grow, face new challenges, and have new needs. No matter where your business is on its journey, a quality business IT services provider should be able to work within your budget constraints while still delivering high-quality services. They should offer flexible pricing models that suit your business’s unique needs and be willing to adapt to your changing service needs.
Proactive & Consistent Maintenance:
When it comes to technology, preventing IT issues before they occur is critical to minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity. A proactive and consistent business IT services provider can identify potential issues before they become significant problems, ensuring that your business remains up and running at all times.
Reactive & Reliable Support:
Even with proactive maintenance, issues can still arise. A reliable business IT services provider should offer quick and efficient reactive support when you need it most, whether it is something simple as a network connectivity issue to something as lethal as a cyber attack. They should be available 24/7 to handle any IT emergencies that may arise.
Long-Term, Trusted Partnerships:
The best business IT service providers are those that invest in long-term partnerships with their clients. The last thing you want to do is spend all that time and money connecting with a provider to have them leave six months later. A quality IT provider will be committed to understanding your business’s unique needs and evolving with you as your business grows and changes.
Effective & Enjoyable Communication:
Clear and effective communication is critical to the success of any business IT services partnership. A quality provider should be transparent, responsive, and provide regular updates on the status of your IT infrastructure. Additionally, you want to enjoy communicating with your IT services provider. Whether you are calling them in the middle of the night or during business hours, your provider should be helpful, kind, and willing to answer your questions as well as accept feedback graciously.
Competitive Research & Adaptability:
Technology is constantly evolving, and a quality business IT services provider should pursue continuing education and be able to adapt to these changes quickly. They should be aware of emerging trends and technologies, take an active approach to ensure a competitive advantage, and be able to advise you on how to leverage them to benefit your business.
Virtual and On-Site Support:
A business IT services provider should offer both virtual and on-site support to ensure that your IT needs are met no matter where you are. There is no going halfway. You need them to be both on the ground and in the “cloud.” Virtual support allows for quick and efficient issue resolution, while on-site support is necessary for more complex issues or hardware installations.
IT Haven – Superior Business IT Services
IT Haven is a managed service provider (MSP) that specializes in delivering high-quality business IT services to small and medium-sized businesses. With years of industry experience, IT Haven has the expertise and knowledge needed to deliver tailored solutions that meet your business’s unique needs. At IT Haven, we understand that every business is different, so we offer flexible budgeting options to ensure that our services fit your budget constraints. Our proactive maintenance services ensure that your IT infrastructure is always running smoothly, while our reactive support team is available 24/7 to handle any IT emergencies that may arise. For example, IT Haven provides Complete Network Infrastructure Solutions, including anti-virus and anti-malware, DNS filtering, encrypted email, dark web monitoring, HIPAA compliance, and even more.We pride ourselves on building long-term partnerships with our clients, taking the time to understand their unique needs, and evolving with them as their businesses grow and change. Our effective communication ensures that you are always kept up to date on the status of your IT infrastructure, and our competitive adaptability ensures that we are always at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies.Whether you need virtual or on-site support, IT Haven has you covered. Our virtual support services allow for quick and efficient issue resolution, while our on-site support is available for more complex issues or hardware installations.
Contact IT Haven for Your Business IT Services Needs
If you are a small business owner needing reliable and high-quality business IT services, look no further than IT Haven. Contact us today to learn more about our superior business IT services and how we can help your small business thrive in today’s fast-paced digital world. Our team is standing by and ready to help you take your business to the next level.
Cloud computing has quickly become a popular option for businesses that want to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and become more flexible.
But are you swayed by the idea that cloud services are automatically better for the environment? Could the need to do your bit ‘cloud’ your decision-making?
Sorry. Bad pun.
It’s true that cloud services have environmental benefits compared to using your own servers. These include reduced energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint.
Yet you shouldn’t view the cloud as a “green solution” without fully understanding the environmental impact.
One consideration of using cloud services is the location of the data centers where servers are housed. Some providers have made commitments to use renewable energy, but it’s not a guarantee. It is essential to do your research and choose a provider that sources renewable energy and uses energy storage where possible.
When thinking about switching to the cloud, there are other benefits besides environmental sustainability. They include improved data security, ease of collaboration, and scalability as your business grows.
Another key advantage of cloud computing is data backup and recovery.
With all your data stored in the cloud, the risk of data loss due to equipment failure, damage, or theft is virtually eliminated. It means that in the event of an unforeseen disaster, like a fire or natural disaster, you can rest assured your data is safe and can be quickly recovered.
Cloud computing also enables better collaboration and communication, helping your team to work together more easily and efficiently, no matter where they’re working from. This can increase productivity and reduce your costs in comparison to maintaining traditional on-site systems.
Finally, cloud services provide better scalability as you grow, with the ability to increase storage and processing power as needed.
Can you see the benefits of cloud computing are huge? It’s why so many businesses have already ditched their servers.
If you’re considering migrating, get in touch – we can talk you through the process and what happens when.
Airports, hotels, cafés, even shopping malls, offer public charging points where you can boost your phone or laptop battery on the go.
They’ve been in the news after the FBI recently tweeted advice to stop using them. Crooks have figured out how to hijack USB ports to install malware and monitoring software onto devices as they charge.
The security risk of “juice jacking” was long thought to be more theoretical than real, but the tech needed to carry out an attack has gotten smaller and cheaper and easier to use. This means less sophisticated criminals are now turning their hand to it.
So how does it work?
The most common charging cables – USB-C and lightning – are dual-purpose. They have pins for charging and pins for data.
When you charge your device, you only use the charging pins. But a compromised charging port – or a cable that someone has left behind – could use both charging pins and data pins without you knowing.
When they use the data pins, criminals can install malware onto your device that gives them access to your credentials and other data. It’s a little like plugging your phone into someone else’s laptop.
To avoid the risk, the best solution is to always carry your own charger and cable, and plug it into a power outlet. If you have no choice but to use a public USB port, invest in something called a USB data blocker. This prevents data being transferred, but the device will still charge.
We help businesses stay secure and productive at the same time.
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