Basic Hardware Care: How to Extend Your Computer’s Lifespan

Your company's refresh strategy should be calculated regarding worst-case and best-case scenarios for your technology. You can get the most out of your budget by taking care of your hardware so that it continues to perform well over the long term. You don't have to be a tech guru to accomplish this – you can lengthen your computer's lifespan by practicing the following maintenance duties.   Avoid Jarring Movements   Unless your computers have been outfitted with solid state drives, you should be careful not to subject your hardware to sharp movements while they are powered on. Any moving parts that get jarred out of place can cause computer malfunctions and even further the damage by... (more..)

How to Futureproof Your Company’s Next Hardware Purchase

You company must carefully examine hardware specs, software requirements, and upcoming system updates as you move forward with a refresh strategy. These elements must balance each other carefully, if you want to maximize your tech budget throughout the next few years. Your field of work will also impact your ability to futureproof hardware – film professionals will often require newer hardware faster than most retail businesses.   Examine Existing Software and Accessories   Software licenses and peripherals aren't cheap, and you'll want to make sure that your new hardware can handle current versions and upcoming releases. Since most software licenses aren't returnable, you'll be stuck... (more..)

Securing Confidential Client Data with These Best Practices

Small and medium-sized businesses often interact with confidential client information during their daily operations. You might fill your customer relationship management (CRM) software with details about a business customer's professional needs, or you might collect a consumer's payment information to process an order. However, this data represents an enormous liability, especially if it is lost or access by unauthorized parties. You can manage data risks by performing these regular security checks and updates. System and Software Updates OS updates and software patches can be a strong line of defense against new digital threats and uncovered vulnerabilities. For example, the "goto fail" SSL bug in Apple... (more..)