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How much are you spending on Microsoft Office software licensing, upgrades, support, and email hosting? In the past, businesses purchased individual Office licenses for each computer, which was installed once and then that version was used for years until the computer was replaced. Over time, this practice led to employees using different versions of Word,…

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the term used to describe all of the devices that connect to the internet. Although you may have read news stories about WiFi-enabled refrigerators, IoT has a lot more value to offer businesses. IoT devices include sensors, smartphones, smart home products, and wearable technology. The connection to the internet…

VoIP – “Voice over Internet Protocol” VoIP, also called Internet Telephony is defined as the technology that allows voice, fax, SMS and voice-messaging over the Internet rather than the public switched telephone network (PSTN). You can use VoIP with a traditional style phone, from your computer or an app on a mobile device to call…

You’ve been lucky so far with no major virus infections or cyber attacks! However, with 43% of all attacks targeted at small businesses, how long will your luck last? We Irish say “If you’re enough lucky to be Irish… You’re lucky enough!” Well… that’s almost true. This St. Patrick’s Day, don’t leave your computers, customer…

Many people tell me “I have a Mac and don’t have to worry about Malware”. Well…. those days are over. Actually, they’ve been over for some time but it’s becoming more common lately. Most recently I dealt with the “WeKnow” malware that hijacks your browser (all of them.. Safari, Chrome, Firefox). The malware changes your…

By The Numbers:  46% of Google searches are searching for local results, while 78% of local searches result in an offline purchase. Managed WordPress Hosting and Maintenance arielMIS maintains a dedicated server environment at WPEngine, which allows us to offer higher levels of performance and service to our customers at an affordable price, with options…

Resolution #1: Be Responsible With Customer and Proprietary Data Your customers trust your business to safeguard their confidential data including credit card information, contact information, and private customer details. Here are a few measurable steps to take in Q1 towards this resolution. Resolution #2: Be Prepared for the Unexpected The term “disaster” can refer to…

It’s that time of year when we gleefully allow a peculiar man promising presents to bypass our standard security measures and enter our homes. If Santa can get in so easily, how do we know more malicious characters, like the Grinch, aren’t entering to steal the presents we lovingly purchased for our families? Like Santa,…

What Happens When Small Businesses Experience Data Loss “Despite the major investment protecting data, 50% of organizations are not fully confident that they can recover systems/data today from all platforms.”  – http://bsf.co.za/the-global-cost-of-data-loss/ For small businesses, success is often tied to what you know and who you know. Intellectual property and knowledge needs to be at…

Password Management Tools The importance of passwords today can’t be understated. However, because we are faced with so many places to login it’s nearly impossible (and insecure) to keep passwords in your head. Well, unless you have an incredible memory to remember 50+ complex long passwords with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. A…

A question I often get from small business owners is “what does a Managed Service Provider (MSP) do?”. The short answer is that we help ensure your systems run smoothly, stay secure and up-to-date, and deal with the day-to-day technical issues so that you can remain focused and productive on your core business. The long…

It’s that time of year when students head back to school! While most preparation and promotions will be targeted to student supplies, dorm decor, and textbooks, it’s a good reminder for businesses and nonprofits to take stock of what they need to be successful in the upcoming year and ensure their IT plans and budget…