Today’s offices run on technology. Having reliable, up-to-date hardware is necessary, from the computers we use daily to the printers and copiers that keep documents moving. 

However, keeping pace with technological advancements can take time and effort. 

That’s where Hardware as a Service (HaaS) comes in—a model that simplifies tech management while ensuring you always have access to the latest tools.

Understanding Hardware as a Service (HaaS)

So, what exactly is Hardware as a Service (HaaS)? In simple terms, HaaS is a subscription-based model where businesses lease hardware instead of buying it outright. 

Rather than making significant capital investments in technology that will soon become outdated, HaaS allows companies to spread costs over time while benefiting from regular upgrades and maintenance.

With HaaS, companies no longer need to worry about the lifecycle of their hardware. A well-qualified HaaS provider offers a variety of HaaS options, including everything from printers and copiers to IT infrastructure. 

This model is particularly advantageous for small to medium-sized businesses that need top-tier technology without the hefty upfront costs.

How HaaS Differs from Traditional Hardware Purchasing

In the traditional model, businesses purchase hardware, maintain it, and eventually replace it when it becomes obsolete. 

This approach often leads to significant downtime during upgrades or repairs, not to mention the constant worry about depreciation and the need to allocate substantial portions of the budget for new purchases.

HaaS flips this model on its head. Instead of owning the hardware, businesses essentially rent it. This means that the provider—in this case, Forbtech—is responsible for maintenance, upgrades, and even replacements. 

As a result, companies can focus on their core operations without the constant distraction of managing their technology.

The Benefits of Bundling Your Office Technology with One Vendor

One of the most compelling reasons to consider HaaS is the ability to bundle all your office technology with a single vendor. This approach offers several critical benefits beyond the HaaS model’s basic advantages.

Seamless Integration

When all your hardware comes from a single vendor, integration becomes seamless. Imagine a scenario where your computers, printers, copiers, and other devices are all designed to work together perfectly. 

That’s the power of bundling. Forbtech’s expertise in providing comprehensive office technology solutions means that every piece of equipment is chosen with compatibility and performance in mind.

This seamless integration leads to fewer technical issues, reduced downtime, and a smoother workflow. Your team won’t waste time dealing with tech problems or compatibility issues, allowing them to focus on what matters—getting work done efficiently and effectively.

Simplified Support and Maintenance

Dealing with multiple vendors for different pieces of technology can be a logistical nightmare. Each vendor might have support protocols, maintenance schedules, and service contracts. Determining who to call can waste valuable time when something goes wrong.

Bundling your hardware with one vendor, like Forbtech, simplifies this process. Your technology is covered under one support agreement, and you have a single point of contact for all your maintenance needs. 

Forbtech’s support team resolves the problem quickly and efficiently, whether it’s a malfunctioning printer or a network issue.

This approach not only saves time but also ensures that issues are handled by experts who are familiar with your entire technology setup, leading to faster resolutions and less disruption to your business.

Cost Efficiency

Cost efficiency is another significant advantage of bundling your hardware with a single vendor. You can often negotiate better pricing and terms by consolidating your technology needs with one provider. 

Forbtech’s HaaS model allows you to budget for your technology needs with predictable monthly payments, eliminating the need for large capital expenditures.

Moreover, because Forbtech handles all maintenance and upgrades, you won’t be hit with unexpected repair costs or the need to purchase new equipment when your current hardware becomes obsolete. 

This makes budgeting easier and frees up capital that can be used for other critical business investments.

Why is HaaS the Future of Office Technology?

The demand for flexible, scalable, and cost-effective technology solutions will only grow as businesses evolve. 

Hardware as a Service (HaaS) is perfectly positioned to meet these needs, offering a model that aligns with modern businesses’ operations.

Scalability and Flexibility

One of the standout features of HaaS is its scalability. As your business grows, your technology needs will evolve. 

With traditional hardware purchasing, scaling up often requires significant investment in new equipment. With HaaS, scaling is as simple as adjusting your subscription. 

Whether you need more printers, additional servers, or upgraded workstations, Forbtech’s HaaS solutions can grow with your business.

This flexibility also extends to scaling down. If your business experiences a temporary downturn or seasonal fluctuation, HaaS allows you to reduce your technology footprint without the financial burden of owning unused equipment.

Always Up-to-Date Technology

In a world where technology constantly advances, staying up-to-date can be challenging. 

With HaaS, you’re guaranteed to always have access to the latest hardware without the hassle of frequent purchases. 

Forbtech ensures that your office technology is constantly updated, providing regular upgrades as part of your service agreement.
This means you’ll always work with the best tools, helping your business stay competitive in an increasingly tech-driven marketplace.

How AIS Makes HaaS Simple and Effective

At Forbtech, we understand that every business has unique technology needs. That’s why we offer customized HaaS solutions tailored to meet your office’s specific demands. 

Whether you’re a small business looking for basic IT infrastructure or a larger organization with complex needs, Forbtech has a HaaS package right for you.

Customized Solutions

Our team works closely with you to assess your current technology setup and future needs. We then design a HaaS package that includes all the hardware you need and the support and maintenance services to keep everything running smoothly. 

With Forbtech, you get a solution perfectly aligned with your business goals.

Comprehensive Support

One key component of our HaaS offerings is the ongoing support we provide. Forbtech’s support team is always on hand to address any issues that arise, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity. 

We offer proactive monitoring of your systems so potential problems are identified and resolved before they impact your business.

How to Get Started with HaaS at Forbtech

Getting started with HaaS at Forbtech is simple. It begins with an initial conversation, during which we assess your current technology needs and discuss your business goals. 

From there, we design a custom HaaS solution that meets your requirements.

Once you’ve approved the plan, our team handles the implementation, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal disruption to your operations. 

We provide comprehensive training to your staff so they’re comfortable with the new technology, and we’re always available for ongoing support.

The Final Say: HaaS, Office Technology, and Forbtech

Staying ahead of the technology curve is essential in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. 

Hardware as a Service (HaaS) offers a flexible, cost-effective solution that ensures your office is always equipped with the latest technology. 

By bundling your hardware needs with Forbtech, you can enjoy seamless integration, simplified support, and predictable costs.

At Forbtech, we’re committed to helping your business succeed. Our HaaS solutions are designed to meet your office’s unique needs, providing the tools you need to operate efficiently and effectively. 

Data has become the cornerstone of business operations in the digital age, fueling innovation, driving decision-making, and enabling organizations to stay competitive in dynamic markets. However, managing and securing vast amounts of data can be a daunting task for businesses, particularly those with limited IT resources and expertise. Managed cloud storage solutions have emerged as a strategic ally for businesses, offering a host of benefits that streamline data management, enhance security, and drive operational efficiency. Let’s explore the advantages of managed cloud storage and why it’s essential for businesses seeking to unlock their full potential.

Expertise and Support

Managed Cloud Storage solutions provide businesses with access to a team of experienced professionals who specialize in managing and optimizing cloud infrastructure. These experts possess in-depth knowledge of cloud technologies, best practices, and security protocols, allowing businesses to leverage their expertise without the need for internal IT resources. With 24/7 support and proactive monitoring, managed cloud storage providers ensure that businesses receive timely assistance and guidance, minimizing downtime and optimizing performance.

Cost-Efficiency

While Cloud Storage offers inherent cost savings compared to traditional on-premises storage solutions, managing cloud infrastructure requires ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and optimization. Managed cloud storage solutions eliminate the need for businesses to invest in dedicated IT staff or allocate resources to manage their cloud environment. By outsourcing cloud management to a third-party provider, companies can reduce operational expenses, optimize resource utilization, and achieve predictable monthly costs, enabling them to allocate resources more strategically and invest in core business initiatives.

Scalability and Flexibility

Managed Cloud Storage Solutions offer businesses the scalability and flexibility to adapt to changing business requirements and fluctuating workloads. With managed services, businesses can easily scale their storage capacity up or down based on demand without the hassle of provisioning and configuring hardware. Whether experiencing rapid growth or seasonal spikes in activity, businesses can rely on managed cloud storage providers to ensure that their storage infrastructure remains agile, responsive, and cost-effective.

Enhanced Security and Compliance

Security is a top priority for businesses, particularly when it comes to protecting sensitive data from cyber threats and compliance violations. Managed cloud storage solutions employ advanced security measures, including encryption, access controls, and threat detection, to safeguard data against unauthorized access, data breaches, and malware attacks. Additionally, managed cloud storage providers often adhere to industry-specific compliance standards and regulations, ensuring that businesses remain compliant with data protection laws and regulations without the burden of managing compliance internally.

Focus on Core Business Objectives

By offloading cloud infrastructure management to a trusted provider, businesses can redirect their time, resources, and expertise toward driving innovation, accelerating growth, and achieving strategic business objectives. With the peace of mind from knowing their cloud environment is in capable hands, businesses can focus on delivering value to customers, expanding market reach, and seizing new opportunities, ultimately driving competitive advantage and long-term success.

In conclusion, Managed Cloud Storage Solutions offer businesses a strategic advantage by providing expertise, support, scalability, security, and cost-efficiency. By partnering with a trusted managed cloud storage provider such as Forbtech, companies can streamline data management, enhance security, and optimize performance, enabling them to focus on what matters most: driving innovation, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and achieving business excellence in an increasingly digital world. 

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses of all sizes continuously seek ways to optimize their IT strategies and leverage technology for growth and efficiency. Enter the Virtual Chief Information Officer (VCIO), an outsourced IT professional providing invaluable expertise and strategic guidance to businesses looking to navigate the complexities of technology management. Let’s delve deeper into what a VCIO is and how it can benefit your business.

1. Strategic Alignment for Success: A VCIO is a strategic partner, aligning your technology strategy with your business objectives. Collaborating closely with your team, they help develop and implement IT strategies that support your company’s growth trajectory and drive operational efficiency.

2. Cost-Effective IT Leadership: Outsourcing the CIO role to a VCIO enables businesses to access high-level IT expertise without the significant expense of hiring a full-time executive. This cost-effective solution allows organizations to benefit from strategic leadership in IT planning, budgeting, and management.

3. Cybersecurity Expertise: In an era where cyber threats are on the rise, a VCIO plays a crucial role in enhancing your business’s cybersecurity posture. They can assess your current security measures, implement necessary protocols, and ensure compliance with industry regulations to safeguard your valuable data and protect your business from potential cyber risks.

4. Technology Roadmap for Success: One of the key advantages of having a VCIO is the development of a comprehensive technology roadmap for your business. By analyzing your current IT infrastructure, a VCIO can recommend upgrades, efficiencies, and new technologies that align with your goals and help optimize your operations.

5. Efficient Vendor Management: Managing relationships with IT vendors can be a time-consuming task. A VCIO takes on this responsibility, working with vendors to ensure you receive the best products and services tailored to your business needs. This efficient vendor management process saves you time and resources, allowing you to focus on core business activities.

In conclusion, a Virtual Chief Information Officer (VCIO) is a valuable asset for businesses looking to leverage technology for success and growth. By providing strategic guidance, cost-effective IT leadership, cybersecurity expertise, a technology roadmap, and efficient vendor management, a VCIO empowers businesses to navigate the digital landscape with confidence. Forbtech can assist in embracing the power of a VCIO, and unlock new possibilities for your business’s technological advancement and overall success.

There’s no doubt that technology is the driving force behind modern businesses. A solid IT foundation can power seamless operations and inspire innovation. However, having reliable support services can make your IT infrastructure even stronger. Below, we’ll provide you with what you need to know about IT support infrastructure and how it can change your business.

What Does IT Infrastructure Mean?

Before deciding which IT support services can take your business to the next level, it’s important to understand IT infrastructure and its components clearly. IT infrastructure refers to all the elements necessary to support and manage information technology in a company or organization. Think of it as the foundation or backbone that allows systems and processes to work as they should. As the basis for various IT operations, it helps keep any technology ecosystem running smoothly. There are common elements that make up most IT infrastructure systems. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Hardware – Includes physical devices like computers, servers, routers, switches, and storage devices. These tangible elements are used to store, process, and transmit data.
• Software – Programs and applications that run on the hardware. Collectively, they’re like the “brain” of the IT infrastructure, allowing users to interact with systems and perform tasks.
• Networks – The connections that allow all the devices within a company to communicate and share information with both internal and external systems.

Having a strong infrastructure is crucial for running and managing internal and external IT services. This means it can help ensure that both your employees and customers can access and utilize all the IT resources they need.

Your IT Infrastructure Can Empower Your Business

Every business environment has its unique operational needs. The specific requirements will depend on the industry, size, and goals of the organization. However, most businesses rely on infrastructure services for their day-to-day operations regardless of the type. Below are some examples of common business functions powered by IT services:

• Processing transactions
• Handling customer data
• Gathering market insights
• Managing inventory and supply chain
• Overall performance analysis
• Enabling remote work capabilities

A strong IT infrastructure can be the key to unlocking the full potential of your business. It allows you to collect, analyze, and utilize data effectively to make informed decisions and share them with the rest of your team. Having a solid IT foundation in place can also empower you to change how customers experience your business. You can make interactions more seamless, offering personalized services and providing excellent support. It can also boost efficiency, helping you do more with less. A well-functioning IT infrastructure can even help redefine your business model, opening up new growth opportunities.

Why An IT Support Infrastructure Matters

Things change fast in the business world, especially when it comes to infrastructure and operations. And this change is only going to speed up in the coming years. New and exciting advancements are happening all the time. This means it’s important that your IT infrastructure can keep up with the demands of your customers and stay on par with your competitors. It needs to be set up in a way that allows for fast reaction time. Your IT systems should also be able to balance security with ease of use.

However, not all businesses have the resources to achieve this on their own. In such cases, partnering with a reliable managed service provider such as Forbtech can only be beneficial. Many small and medium-sized companies often choose to get help from outside experts for their IT infrastructure support. By doing this, they can free up their internal resources to focus on their core business operations.

A provider that specializes in IT support infrastructure can be a valuable asset for your business. They offer services like automation, server management, security monitoring, and database design, among many others. They can also optimize the performance of your systems, making them work more efficiently. Most importantly, they prioritize the safety of your systems and the data within them, protecting them from potential threats or loss. With their expertise, you can trust that your IT infrastructure is secure and well taken care of, giving you peace of mind.

The evolution of IT infrastructure in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable. With the help of IT support infrastructure, you can tap into the potential of infrastructure services that can take your business to the next level and leave a lasting impression on your customers. To learn more about how our managed IT services can help your business grow, get a free assessment today.

With Cloud Automation, you can have optimized processes and streamlined workflows for your business, saving you and your team time and resources that can be better spent elsewhere. Below, we’ll provide you with what you need to know about the basics of cloud automation and what it can do for your business.

What Is Cloud Automation and How Does It Work?

There are many different parts, services, and settings to manage within a business’s cloud environment, and doing it all manually takes a lot of time and can lead to errors. These errors can have detrimental effects, including delays in workload availability and potential security risks. Manual management also requires a lot of resources, like skilled personnel and time availability, which many companies don’t have. That’s where cloud automation comes in. Cloud automation uses intelligent software tools to streamline and simplify tasks in cloud computing environments. With cloud automation, you can effortlessly manage your cloud infrastructure, applications, and services, all while reducing errors and saving time. You can apply cloud automation to any type of cloud environment – private, public, or hybrid.

To make cloud automation work, the company’s IT team or IT service provider uses automation and orchestration tools. These tools work on top of the virtualized environment, which means they interact with virtual machines, containers, and other cloud resources to automate tasks and operations. With these tools, the team can simplify and streamline cloud management processes, making them more efficient and less time-consuming.

The Key Aspects of Cloud Automation

Here are some of the key areas where you can apply cloud automation to drive business growth:

1. Efficient Provisioning

Cloud automation makes it easy to allocate resources quickly and consistently without needing to do it manually. One of its core tenets is autoscaling, which allows you to adjust the amount of computing power, memory, or networking resources you use based on how much you need. This flexibility can help prevent businesses from wasting resources when demand is low and help prevent shortages when demand is high.

2. Configuration Management

With automation, you can define configurations through templates and code, and the system takes care of implementing them automatically. It simplifies the process of setting up and managing configurations in your cloud environment. By using tools that automate the configuration of cloud resources, you can ensure that they are consistent and compliant with your desired settings.

3. Streamlined Development

Continuous software development involves tasks like code scans, version control, testing, and deployment. Thanks to automation, you can enhance the efficiency of the development lifecycle while minimizing errors. Cloud automation helps integrate changes quickly and reliably, provides efficient environments for development, and allows infrastructure settings to be written as code.

4. Security and Monitoring

Automation allows you to enforce security policies as well as detect and respond to security threats in real time. It can also make it easier for your business to follow best practices and comply with regulations. Additionally, automation allows for continuous monitoring of your cloud resources, collecting and analyzing data on their performance and any security events. If something seems wrong, it immediately alerts the IT team, so they can quickly respond and fix the problem.

What Cloud Automation Can Do for Your Business

Save Time

Cloud automation helps you save valuable time by automating repetitive tasks. This means you and your team can focus on more value-added activities that drive your business forward.

Optimize Costs

With cloud automation, you can make the most of your resources and avoid unnecessary expenses. It dynamically adjusts the provisioned resources based on your needs, so you only pay for what you use. No need to waste money on idle resources when you have a cost-effective approach.

Enhance Reliability

By automating tasks, you can reduce the chances of errors caused by manual processes. This means you can ensure consistent and accurate deployments, making your systems more reliable. Additionally, you can set up automated disaster recovery measures to protect your critical data and reduce downtime.

Boost Agility

Cloud automation enables you to quickly set up and adjust infrastructure components. This agility allows you to respond faster to changes in the market and stay ahead of the competition.

In a world full of complexities and competition, cloud automation can be a game-changer for your business. By utilizing smart tools and optimizing processes, you can overcome the challenges that stand in the way of your growth and success. To learn more about the best practices for keeping your business and your critical data safe, get a free assessment today.

As more businesses embrace digital transformation, the importance of keeping IT systems secure is undeniable. By conducting an IT audit, you can identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and ensure your technology setup is strong enough to withstand potential threats. Below, we’ll provide you with what you need to know regarding the IT audit process so that you can take proactive steps toward a safer and more resilient digital future.

Understanding the Basics of IT Audits

An IT (Information Technology) audit is a comprehensive process that involves carefully examining and evaluating an IT system’s structure, procedures, and controls. It helps determine how well an organization’s IT setup is working and how reliable it is. On top of that, it helps ensure that the different aspects of the infrastructure align with business goals, security standards, and best practices.

During an IT audit, the IT system’s structure is analyzed for seamless and accurate operation. At the same time, the audit checks if the system follows the industry’s rules and whether it can defend against cyber threats. The audit looks at how the system is performing now and how it could be improved to grow and stay secure. The IT audit process doesn’t just point out problems. It also suggests ways to address issues immediately and proposes ways to improve the system in the long run.

Key Steps in The IT Audit Process

Conducting an IT audit involves a series of organized steps, each meant to look at the IT systems of a business carefully. Aside from fixing any security problems, it also provides practical ideas for growth. Here are the basic steps of the IT audit process:

• Planning – The first step involves setting specific goals and outlining the scope of the audit process. During this phase, the audit team collaborates closely with key stakeholders to understand the IT infrastructure, processes, and potential risks.
• Data Collection – During this phase, the goal is to collect relevant information about the business or organization’s IT environment. This includes details about the hardware and software being used and how the company uses them. The audit team conducts interviews and reviews documentation to understand how the tech systems work.
• Evaluation – At this point, the audit team evaluates the existing IT measures in place. These can include access controls, data integrity mechanisms, and more. The team checks whether these controls are strong enough to handle the identified risks and ensure that the IT systems operate securely and efficiently.
• Reporting – The audit team then compiles their findings into a report. This report details the identified risks, how well the security measures are working, and suggestions for improvement. The report is designed to be clear and useful for different audiences, such as IT management and leaders within the business.
• Recommendations – Based on the findings in the report, the next step involves coming up with practical recommendations for addressing the identified risks and weaknesses. These suggestions could include enhancing security measures, updating policies, or changing the IT setup.

How IT Audits Can Benefit Your Business

Conducting IT audits can contribute to the growth of your business in several ways:

1. Enhanced Security – IT audits help identify and fix weaknesses in your technology systems, making your digital assets more resistant to cyber threats and data breaches.
2. Improved Efficiency – By understanding how your tech systems operate, IT audits can suggest changes that streamline your processes, reducing disruptions and improving productivity.
3. Cost Savings – Detecting and addressing issues early can prevent costly problems, saving money on potential repairs or data recovery.
4. Strategic Insights – Through analysis, IT audits provide valuable insights that can guide your business decisions, helping you align technology with your overall goals.
5. Risk Awareness – Identifying risks helps you plan and establish strategies to manage potential issues, which helps promote business continuity.
6. Customer Trust – With stronger security and smoother operations, your customers will have more confidence in your ability to protect their data and provide reliable services.
7. Adaptability – IT audits offer suggestions for adapting to new technologies, allowing you to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

By investing in regular IT audits, you can proactively strengthen your tech infrastructure. The insights you can get from them can offer a roadmap for future growth and strategic development. With consistent attention to your IT systems, your business can stay secure, efficient, and well-prepared for what’s ahead. To learn more about the top IT practices that can help your business grow, get in touch with us today!

As we prepare for 2024, the demands for efficient and versatile phone systems have evolved. SMBs need advanced features to streamline communication, enhance productivity, and ensure seamless collaboration. 

In this article, we’re helping you look closer into each key feature, focusing on both innovation and practicality.

What’s Ahead For 2024? Your Business and Clear Communication

A new year sometimes brings new challenges and even fears for what’s to come for your business success. There’s a lot of pressure and expectations as we create our company’s plans and strategies and how to become a better organization than we were the previous year. 

Some of these thoughts have to do with office technology solutions for your business, and with that comes modern or digital phone systems. Is your company currently utilizing the best phone system solution? What cloud phone features are helping you increase productivity and efficiency with your customers? 

VoIP Integration: The Foundation of Modern Communication

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become the cornerstone of contemporary communication. In 2024, SMBs should increasingly adopt VoIP phone systems to leverage cost savings and enhanced flexibility. 

VoIP integrates voice and data, allowing businesses to make calls over the Internet, reducing traditional telephony costs. Look for a system that offers crystal-clear voice quality, scalability, and compatibility with other business applications.

Enhanced Voice Quality: Ensure your chosen VoIP system prioritizes voice quality. High-definition (HD) voice technology minimizes background noise and delivers clear, crisp communication, vital for maintaining professionalism and ensuring effective collaboration.

Scalability: Choose a VoIP system that grows with your business. Scalability is crucial, enabling you to add new lines and features and even integrate with other business tools seamlessly. This ensures your communication system remains adaptable to the evolving needs of your SMB.

Compatibility with Business Applications: Integration is key. A VoIP system that easily integrates with existing business applications like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, project management platforms, and collaboration software enhances workflow efficiency.

As we prepare for 2024, the demands for efficient and versatile phone systems have evolved. SMBs need advanced features to streamline communication, enhance productivity, and ensure seamless collaboration. 

In this article, we’re helping you look closer into each key feature, focusing on both innovation and practicality.

What’s Ahead For 2024? Your Business and Clear Communication

A new year sometimes brings new challenges and even fears for what’s to come for your business success. There’s a lot of pressure and expectations as we create our company’s plans and strategies and how to become a better organization than we were the previous year. 

Some of these thoughts have to do with office technology solutions for your business, and with that comes modern or digital phone systems. Is your company currently utilizing the best phone system solution? What cloud phone features are helping you increase productivity and efficiency with your customers? 

VoIP Integration: The Foundation of Modern Communication

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become the cornerstone of contemporary communication. In 2024, SMBs should increasingly adopt VoIP phone systems to leverage cost savings and enhanced flexibility. 

VoIP integrates voice and data, allowing businesses to make calls over the Internet, reducing traditional telephony costs. Look for a system that offers crystal-clear voice quality, scalability, and compatibility with other business applications.

Enhanced Voice Quality: Ensure your chosen VoIP system prioritizes voice quality. High-definition (HD) voice technology minimizes background noise and delivers clear, crisp communication, vital for maintaining professionalism and ensuring effective collaboration.

Scalability: Choose a VoIP system that grows with your business. Scalability is crucial, enabling you to add new lines and features and even integrate with other business tools seamlessly. This ensures your communication system remains adaptable to the evolving needs of your SMB.

Compatibility with Business Applications: Integration is key. A VoIP system that easily integrates with existing business applications like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, project management platforms, and collaboration software enhances workflow efficiency.

Unified Communications: Breaking Down Silos

Unified Communications (UC) is a game-changer for SMBs seeking seamless collaboration. In 2024, integrated platforms that combine voice, video, messaging, and conferencing functionalities are gaining prominence. 

A unified system ensures that communication tools work together harmoniously, breaking down silos and fostering a more connected and productive work environment.

Collaborative Messaging: Look for UC systems that offer advanced messaging features. Real-time messaging, file sharing, and collaboration tools within the unified platform facilitate quick decision-making and enhance team productivity.

Video Conferencing: Beyond mere voice calls, video conferencing capabilities are essential for face-to-face communication in a virtual world. Ensure your UC system provides high-quality video, screen-sharing options, and the flexibility to host virtual meetings with ease.

Presence Management: Enhance communication efficiency with presence management features. Knowing the availability status of team members in real-time reduces delays in reaching out and fosters a more responsive and agile work environment.

Mobile Integration: Work Anytime, Anywhere

The shift towards remote and flexible work has accelerated, and SMBs need phone systems that support this trend. Mobile integration is no longer a luxury but a necessity. 

Ensure your phone system allows employees to make and receive calls on mobile devices, maintaining professional communication even outside the office. Look for features like mobile apps and softphone capabilities for added flexibility.

Mobile Apps for Seamless Connectivity: Choose a phone system dedicated to mobile apps. These apps should offer a user-friendly interface, ensuring employees can easily access essential features, contacts, and messages while on the go.

Softphone Capabilities: Softphones, virtual phone applications for computers and mobile devices, enable employees to make calls using the internet. Ensure your chosen phone system supports softphone capabilities, allowing for flexibility in work locations without compromising communication quality.

Call Handoff between Devices: Seamless transition between devices is essential. Your phone system should support call handoff, enabling employees to switch between their desk phone, mobile device, and computer without interrupting ongoing calls.

Advanced Call Routing: Efficiency at its Core

Efficient call routing is a fundamental feature that SMBs should prioritize. In 2024, advanced call routing goes beyond simply directing calls to the correct department. 

Look for intelligent routing options based on caller history, IVR (Interactive Voice Response) customization, and skills-based routing to ensure that calls are directed to the most qualified team member.

Intelligent IVR Customization: Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems are callers’ first point of contact. Ensure your phone system allows for intelligent IVR customization, providing a personalized and efficient experience for callers by directing them to the correct department or representative.

Skills-Based Routing: Implementing skills-based routing ensures that calls are directed to team members with the most relevant expertise. This enhances customer satisfaction, reduces resolution times, and optimizes internal resources.

Call Analytics for Optimization: Utilize call analytics tools to gain insights into call routing efficiency. Data on call volumes, wait times, and resolution rates enables you to optimize your call routing strategy continuously for maximum effectiveness.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Telephony: Smart Automation

As AI continues to evolve, its integration into phone systems is becoming increasingly prevalent. AI-driven features like chatbots, virtual assistants, and automated call transcription enhance efficiency and customer experience. 

In 2024, SMBs should consider phone systems that leverage AI to automate repetitive tasks, provide data insights, and offer a more personalized customer interaction.

AI-Powered Chatbots: Implement chatbots to handle routine customer queries. AI-powered chatbots can provide instant responses, freeing up human resources for more complex tasks and improving overall customer service efficiency.

Virtual Assistants for Call Handling: Leverage virtual assistants to handle call routing and basic inquiries. AI-driven virtual assistants can enhance call efficiency, reduce wait times, and provide a more personalized experience for callers.

Automated Call Transcription: Save time and enhance record-keeping with automated call transcription. AI-driven transcription services can convert voice conversations into text, facilitating easy review, analysis, and documentation of important information.

Integration with CRM Systems: Customer-Centric Communication

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integration is a must-have feature for SMBs focused on delivering exceptional customer service. 

In 2024, phone systems that seamlessly integrate with CRM platforms empower businesses to access customer information during calls, personalize interactions, and streamline the sales and support processes. Choose a phone system that enhances your customer-centric approach.

Real-Time Customer Information: Integrate your phone system with CRM platforms to provide real-time access to customer information during calls. This ensures that your team is well-informed and can offer personalized and efficient service.

Automatic Call Logging: Streamline your sales and support processes by enabling automatic call logging in your CRM. This feature ensures that every customer interaction is documented, providing valuable insights for future engagements.

CRM Analytics for Performance Tracking: Utilize CRM analytics tools to track the performance of your customer interactions. Data on call durations, customer satisfaction ratings, and follow-up activities can inform strategic decisions and improve overall customer relationship management.

Scalability: Growing with Your Business

The ability to scale is a crucial consideration for SMBs, especially those experiencing growth. 

Choose a phone system that can effortlessly scale with your business needs, whether it’s accommodating new employees, expanding to multiple locations, or integrating with additional software and services. 

Scalability ensures that your communication infrastructure remains agile and adaptable to changes in your business landscape.

Flexible User Licensing: Opt for phone systems with flexible user licensing options. This allows you to easily add or remove user licenses based on your business’s changing needs, ensuring you only pay for the services you truly need.

Multi-Location Support: If your SMB operates in multiple locations, choose a phone system that offers seamless integration across various sites. This ensures consistent communication and collaboration, regardless of geographical distance.

Integration with Third-Party Applications: Scalability extends beyond user licenses. Ensure your phone system can integrate with third-party applications and services commonly used in your industry. This flexibility allows for a customized communication infrastructure that grows with your business.

Analytics and Reporting: Data-Driven Decision-Making

In 2024, data-driven decision-making will be at the forefront of business strategies. Phone systems with robust analytics and reporting features provide valuable insights into communication patterns, call volumes, and customer interactions. 

This data empowers SMBs to make informed decisions, optimize workflows, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Communication Patterns Analysis: Utilize analytics tools to analyze communication patterns within your organization. Insights into call durations, frequency, and peak times can inform resource allocation and scheduling for optimal efficiency.

Call Volume Trends: Track call volume trends to identify busy periods and anticipate staffing needs. This data-driven approach ensures that your team is adequately resourced to handle peak call times, minimizing customer wait times.

Customer Interaction Metrics: Evaluate customer interaction metrics to gauge customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. 

Metrics such as average call resolution time, customer feedback ratings, and repeat customer interactions provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your communication strategies.

The Final Say: Future-Proofing Your Communication Strategy for 2024

As SMBs navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business communication, investing in the right phone system features is paramount. In 2024, the convergence of VoIP, unified communications, mobile integration, AI, and security features will define the landscape of advanced phone systems. 

By prioritizing these features, SMBs can future-proof their communication strategies, ensuring they remain agile, efficient, and competitive in the years to come. Stay ahead of the curve by embracing the technological advancements that empower your business to communicate effectively in the digital age.

To learn more about phone system features and solutions for 2024, make sure to reach out to us today.

Today’s modern business landscape is rapidly changing, and managed IT services play a critical role in this evolution. But, as technology continues to integrate into everyday operations, the complexity of managed IT does as well. 

To help you better understand this landscape and position your organization for success, let’s explore the top information technology (IT) trends of 2024.

What Are Managed IT Services?

Managed IT services refer to the delegation of IT operations and tasks to third-party providers who specialize in maintaining, improving, and overseeing a range of IT processes for businesses. This includes key IT service segments:

• Cloud services
• Remote help desk 
• Network monitoring
• Application maintenance
• Server and desktop management 
• Device life cycle asset management

When businesses employ managed IT services, they can free up internal resources and people power toward more critical tasks while becoming more proactive toward IT management rather than reactive. This is especially powerful for cybersecurity efforts, where proactive measures are essential for safety and compliance. 

Top Managed IT Trends for 2024

As digital transformation efforts take center stage, it’s critical for businesses to keep a keen eye on the top trends in IT to stay ahead.

Rising Popularity of Cloud Services

While cloud computing is certainly nothing new to the world of managed IT, it’s set to dominate and become a top IT trend for 2024. The pull toward cloud services emerges from the need for flexible, scalable, and remotely accessible infrastructure.

As businesses migrate from traditional IT infrastructure, they’re expected to lean more heavily on cloud solutions for data storage, collaboration tools, and business applications. Worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services was expected to grow 21.7% in 2023. Matching the pace of adoption isn’t a choice but a matter of survival for most businesses.

However, the simplicity of the cloud and how managed cloud services handle data security, integration, and hybrid workflows make it an invaluable resource for any organization to explore and master.

Advanced Cybersecurity Approaches to Support Remote Work

With the boundaries of business operations expanding past physical office walls, traditional cybersecurity defense mechanisms will become inefficient. This year will bring more robust, dynamic, and proactive cybersecurity strategies.

These approaches will focus on securing endpoints like mobile devices to counter the blurring of boundaries between personal and professional devices. In 2019, around 68% of surveyed organizations were victims of an endpoint security attack.

Managed IT services will prioritize holistic security solutions that encompass not just reactionary measures but predictive threat intelligence. To support the future of remote and hybrid work, businesses need to approach cybersecurity comprehensively, with both reactive and proactive strategies.

Changes in Customer Experience and Technology

Customer experience (CX) is the cornerstone of modern business, and technology plays a pivotal role in shaping these experiences. Take the average customer journey. In 2016, the average customer would use five channels; in 2021, that number increased to ten. Omnichannel is the new reality — and businesses need robust IT infrastructure to support this new era.

One of the top IT trends in 2024, CX will be even more intertwined with technological advancements. This will result in real-time customer feedback loops, AI-driven customer insights, and chatbots that offer instant support.

As customers demand a more seamless experience, businesses will need to integrate more advanced tooling and infrastructure. The result will be more consistency and responsiveness across all touchpoints and digital channels.

AI, ML, and Other Advanced Technology Integration

2024 will see the further integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in managed IT services. These features will inevitably improve service delivery and efficiency. But, as the data influx continues to grow, businesses will need to employ and develop advanced tools for analysis and interpretation to harness the power of this data.

AI and ML will help automate routine tasks. From predicting market trends and personalizing customer experiences to automating approvals and customizing workflows for service requests, these technologies will quickly become a standard element of managed IT services.

Additionally, cybersecurity will significantly benefit from this kind of integration and automation. AI and ML will enhance incident management by proactively predicting and preventing potential issues and mitigating the risk of disruptions and downtime. Businesses should be exploring these types of integrations and working with service providers that are at the forefront of these advancements.

 Development of Advanced Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions

IoT has quickly become an integral part of business IT strategies — and its importance will only intensify in the years to come. With more and more devices connected daily, the IoT landscape will offer smarter solutions for businesses. Currently, there are around 13.2 billion connected IoT devices, with that number estimated to eclipse 34.7 billion in 2028.

These devices range in application from enhanced supply chain management systems to innovative customer engagement tools. Managed IT will focus not just on connecting these devices but also on ensuring they work in harmony, generating actionable insights for businesses.

Businesses need to approach IoT with cautious optimism. While it will bring profound changes, there are enhanced security risks with additional endpoints, hefty upfront investments, and the problem of integrating these devices into existing infrastructure.

Looking Ahead: Fostering Progress in 2024

While the world of managed IT is in constant flux, keeping an eye on these trends can help your organization stay ahead of the pack. The symbiosis of business and technology will undoubtedly deepen, opening up new opportunities and presenting novel challenges. By partnering with a seasoned managed IT service provider such as Forbtech, businesses can seamlessly navigate these trends and find solid footing in 2024 and beyond.

Most businesses get started by building their own tech stack. Patching together a few valuable pieces of business software and setting up a few workstations is something that most modern professionals can handle. 

However, once you get past the chaotic startup phase, a business benefits far more from having an organized and expertly implemented IT infrastructure.

You need optimized servers, securely networked endpoints, and software stacks configured to integrate smoothly. Creating an optimized workflow for your office takes more than throwing a few technical assets together.

Fortunately, you don’t have to hire an entire IT department to lift your team out of chaos. Managed IT Services can ensure that you benefit from professionally managed IT without the cost or hassle of internal hiring.

How can managed IT services optimize your office operations? Let’s dive into the operational benefits.

Working on a Fast, Well-Organized Business Network

The quality of your network configuration is at the heart of business efficiency. Your network defines how data flows through your business, and network configuration has become ever more complex as both on-site and cloud-based business operations must coincide.

Your managed IT team can optimize your routing, security, and quality-of-service configurations so that your team experiences the best possible performance when using the business network.

Routing configurations ensure that when data flows from one endpoint (laptops, devices, servers, etc.) to another, the traffic flows most efficiently without slowing other data.

Security settings close unused ports and block known bad actors so that your company can safely operate with internal and external business data traffic.

Quality-of-service prioritizes certain functions and systems—like video conferencing or necessary data transfers—so that high-priority traffic is allocated bandwidth first. In contrast, a smaller bandwidth channel is reserved for low demand but vital traffic flow.

Integrated and Maintained Business Software Stack

There is a big difference between business software that has been cobbled together and an adequately integrated software stack. A Managed IT Service can use a combination of APIs and shared server resources to ensure your business software operates like a single business technology system.

Your IT team will work to eliminate data silos and redundancy so that every team and department is on the same page, no matter what digital toolkit they use in your software stack.

Attentive software maintenance and updates also ensure that each element of the stack works optimally with your chosen technology’s latest version.

Regular updates can provide new features, better security, and improved performance. Having a skilled IT team to manage your software updates also ensures that your entire business software stack remains adequately integrated and fully secure when updates do not perfectly align from one stack element to the next.

Quick Solutions to Office Technical Problems

Managed IT services also include on-call technical support, often with specialists available for specific problems. From office cloud phones to on-site server errors, you have experts ready to immediately resolve any technical issues.

Should you experience a hardware issue, a computer or server specialist can walk your team members through the solution process. Or in some cases, the company will send someone over to enact repairs.

Suppose the problem is with your business software. In that case, the solution can often be implemented through remote server and desktop management or by providing quick guidance on navigating more challenging use cases for your chosen programs.

Copiers and printers are a notorious source of technical problems in the office. So, having a printer expert on-call can ensure your necessary office paperwork management is always on-point, with solutions ready to implement any time a device goes on the fritz.

Your managed service provider (MSP) should be able to quickly assess the situation and apply solutions as soon as a problem occurs. In most cases, your company’s employees can quickly receive the help they need to get office operations back on track before noticeable delays occur.

Proactively Cybersecurity

Data security is essential to optimized business operations because cybersecurity attacks can become significant setbacks.

You rely on your IT team to ensure that your firewalls, network routing, and integrated software are all securely configured to prevent malware intrusion. But preconfigured defenses aren’t the only way a Managed IT Service can keep your business safe.

As you probably know, cybersecurity also relies on the knowledge and capabilities of your entire team. Awareness of what a phishing email looks like and how to avoid infected links is essential, even in the best-fortified business networks. IT service providers are often your best source of employee cybersecurity training as experts in the field.

Your Managed IT Services team may also be an excellent source of cybersecurity drills, providing fake cybersecurity threats for your employees to catch and report.

This will keep your team on their toes and ready to resist phishing, social engineering, and infected link threats that may be real in the future. By rewarding successful drill responses, you can even make it a fun and enthusiastic “game” for the whole staff as they become an effective cyber-defense force.

Access to the Latest Business Technology

In addition to maintenance, problem-solving, and security, your Managed IT Service may also watch for the best software that provides the tools and services your business needs. Should a superior platform or tool kit be released, they suggest upgrading your CIO/CTO and then taking on the implementation process.

An attentive and involved Managed IT Service can always ensure your business has access to the latest business technology or help you decide exactly the right time to jump to the next set of tools when the newest software is stable enough for your operations.

Managed System-Wide Updates and Data Migration Projects

Every now and then, a business must undergo a significant technological upgrade process. Digital transformations, cloud migrations, and sometimes major software platform changes are all vast undertakings that an on-staff IT team typically does not have the time or manpower to implement.

However, as an outsourced team, your Managed IT Service can expertly plan, stage, and implement these major upgrades with minimal interruption to your business.

This is often achieved by duplicating your systems, creating a new working environment, migrating your data, and then smoothly transitioning your operations to the new infrastructure, all while your usual operations are maintained until the transition is ready.

Comprehensive Data Loss Prevention with Routine Backups

Last but never least, a Managed IT Service will ensure that your business takes comprehensive and routine backups with a backup-restoration plan in place.

This means that whether you are attacked by ransomware, a software update corrupts your data, or an employee accidentally deletes an entire database—your backups will be there for quick and easy restoration of anything that might be lost.

Infrastructure backups are taken periodically as full images of endpoints and system configurations. These make it easier to reload an entire computer, server, or network after it has been wiped to factory settings (getting rid of malware) or a new system is set up.

Archival backups are records of static data your company keeps in large storage servers and databases—essential but not often changed. Routine backups are then paired with daily logs, making it easy to restore recently added or changed data to a specific date with the minimum possible data loss in the restoration process.

The Takeaway: The Ability to Focus on Your Operations, Not Your Tools

We have deeply explored the benefits of Managed IT services for your business, but how does this all contribute to optimizing your office operations?

When your software and technology stack is fully handled, your team can focus on your operations, not the tools they use. Your business will have access to efficiently configured business software, integrated company data, and robust cybersecurity, so your primary focus can be on your production, customers, or whatever your company does best.

To learn more about our managed IT services and office technology solutions, contact us today!

In today’s digital business environment, security has become a necessity. It is no longer safe to coast on business software solutions alone. 

Even if your software has security features and your SaaS providers tout secure operations, a business needs a comprehensive IT security solution to remain safe from the landscape of hackers and automated malware now common in the digital environment.

To safely handle customer information or keep your operations private, even the smallest business requires a comprehensive security strategy.

Hiring a managed IT service is the best way to safeguard your office’s digital assets. This is done by taking on the role of your IT department, providing multi-layer infrastructure, monitoring, and support to ensure your business data and digital assets are continually secured.

This article explores how your managed IT service can provide a comprehensive digital defense.

Building a Secure Network and Software Stack

The first step to securing a business’s digital assets is securing the network and the company’s software stack.  Business networks today are typically hybrid systems, a combination of on-site networking using physical routers and workstations combined with a cloud network that connects employees no matter where they are located.

Hybrid networks support multiple business locations, remote workers, hybrid schedules, and a widespread network of connected users.

Securing your network, on the other hand, is a matter of router settings, firewalls, access control settings, and sophisticated routing permissions. Your managed IT service will also audit every piece of software in the company’s tech stack to ensure that they are, together, handling company data securely and streamlined.

Implementing Regular Updates and Security Patches

Once the company’s infrastructure is complete, the next step is ensuring everything updates smoothly. Software updates are essential to digital security because of the evolving nature of cyber threats.

New attack vectors are introduced daily, often targeting popular business platforms and tools. Fortunately, your software providers usually have a live team ready to design new defenses released in each update. Extremely specific reasons are sometimes released in optional security patches, as well.

A great managed IT team will watch for updates and software patches, ensuring that your business software stack has the latest defenses available. They will also monitor the update process to prevent update-related data corruption and other problems that sometimes occur when company software is updated.

Testing for Vulnerabilities and Closing Security Gaps

Of course, no software stack is perfectly secure. This is why vulnerability tests are a necessity. Managed IT services will put your defenses through a battery of tests seeking any possible security gaps or vulnerabilities in your workflow.

If a problem is discovered, they will then devise the correct solution to overcome the risk. This can mean adding external defenses over a weak point in the software stack, seeking security patches, or even writing their own security solution to ensure your digital assets are fully secured.

New tests will be run regularly whenever a change is made to your network or digital infrastructure.

End-to-End Encryption Protection

Encryption is a business’ best defense against a successful data breach. In the event that malware slips through an employee’s email or a hacker manages to crack into your servers, encryption is what can keep your data safe.

When encrypted, data is parsed into “gibberish,” a hashed code that cannot be read unless you have the key. Modern encryption keys are so randomized and complex that hackers can only crack them with their own counter-software.

This means that even if hackers copy a significant section of your servers, the data inside might still be safe because it is unreadable.

Managed IT services can ensure your business has end-to-end encryption, meaning that data is always encrypted in storage, transit, and when in use.

Providing Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Identity and Access Management, or IAM, is how businesses maintain the internal security of digital assets. The system involves assigning specific access permissions to each individual employee account.

Employees have access to the files and tools they need but not to digital assets outside their job scope. This protects the company if an employee account is hacked or otherwise misused because each account can access only a tiny portion of the company’s total digital assets.

A managed IT team can help your company allocate employee and partner accounts, assign the correct access permissions, and keep those permissions up to date when employees are promoted, change teams, transfer to new locations, or leave the company.

Dedicated Protection of Sensitive Data

Your managed IT services can also provide exceptional protection for more sensitive digital assets. Personal, financial, and medical information, along with proprietary business data, are all classified as sensitive.

Through both human and programmatic identification, these elements of your digital assets can be kept with more robust defense measures, and access to these assets can be actively monitored.

Dedicated protection of sensitive data can ensure that only the right accounts and use cases are authorized to view or edit your company’s most sensitive data.

Security Training for Your Company Staff

No cybersecurity solution is complete without employee training. Hackers today know that firewalls and network defenses are robust and often seek to go around these challenges by targeting employees instead.

Infected links in emails, customer service tickets, or commonly visited websites, as well as more direct attempts to scam a business through its employees, are all matters that your staff needs to be aware of.

Through knowledgeable cybersecurity training from your Managed IT Services provider, you can elevate the security level of your entire business.

This will allow your staff to become a security force in their own right, recognizing and reporting attempts to use ‘social engineering’ hacking methods. A well-trained staff closes any hacker’s final route once your business’s digital systems are made into a fortress.

Employee Device Security Management

Device security is another aspect of managed IT services. Your IT team will not only handle the configuration and security of the company’s network and computers, but they can also administer security for the company’s many laptops, phones, and tablets.

Technicians can set up employee devices with security programs and configurations. They can also help employees prevent malware infections and remove any malware on company devices.

Through these measures, it becomes possible to create mobile devices that can safely access the company’s secure platforms and digital assets for remote, traveling, and active employees who are not always using networked company computers or workstations.

Live Monitoring for Suspicious Network Activity

Network monitoring is an advanced security service performed over a specific device, server, file system, or a company’s entire hybrid network.

Using manual and AI-driven monitoring tools, it becomes possible to identify suspicious and unusual network activity that may indicate lurking malware in the system or a live hack in progress.

Managed IT provides detailed network monitoring, making it possible to identify threats in real-time and take preventative actions amid a breach before damage is done.

Network monitoring can lock down a hacked account showing unusual behavior, shut off access to your most secure digital assets in the event of a threat, isolate an infected device, and learn new red-flag behaviors for the future if an incident occurs.

Incident Response Plans for Malware and Data Breaches

Incident response planning is a way to prepare for potential malware threats ahead of time. Your IT team will determine the steps to take and assign roles to help your entire company take immediate action in the event of a cybersecurity incident.

Response planning can play a vital role in stopping an attack in progress or enacting swift recovery after a breach.

Routine Backups and Comprehensive Backup-Recovery Planning

Lastly, your managed IT services should ensure that there are always comprehensive and recent backups of your business’s entire digital operations.

System backups can allow you to reinstall a server, computer, or entire network swiftly if natural disasters, corrupted data, or ransomware attacks damage your systems.

Daily data backups of live file systems make it possible for your business to pick right back up where you left off should an interruption occur.

For example, in the event of a ransomware attack that encrypts/corrupts vital digital systems, backups make it possible to restore your business without paying the ransom or losing a single day’s worth of data.

With comprehensive backups (regularly tested for operability), your IT team can wipe the affected systems back to factory settings, restore your programs and configurations, and then reload recent data to have your teams back up and running in a matter of hours without ever considering paying a questionable ransom.

Responsive Resolutions to Technical and Security Matters

Every business in operation needs a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, continuously implemented by a skilled team of IT professionals. With Managed IT Services, you don’t need an internal IT team or dedicated security specialists on the payroll. Instead, you can partner with technicians and admins who specialize in securing the digital assets of businesses in your industry.

Forbtech is here to keep your company’s network, accounts, and digital assets safe from your deepest archives to your company phones and everything in between. Contact us today to learn how we can fulfill your business’ need for active and skilled cybersecurity through Managed IT Services.