Archive for category: Small Business IT

The Benefits of Microsoft Azure

The Benefits of Microsoft Azure

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Microsoft’s cloud platform, Microsoft Azure, is available in Canada through partner MSPs like The ITeam.

The advantages of Azure include attaining a Gartner rating as a leader for infrastructure as a service (IaaS).

As Azure gains momentum here in Canada, the benefits have become more apparent.

These three benefits stand out:

Simple Integration

The Benefits of Microsoft Azure

If your organization already uses SharePoint, Office 365, or Outlook, then using a cloud platform designed for perfect integration makes sense.

Familiar operating systems, such as Windows and Linux, work in Azure, so it solves many compatibility issues.

Speed and Scalability

Not only is Microsoft a reputable tech provider, but the deployment of Azure is rapid.

We help clients deploy Azure and scale up and down as needed.

In addition, we help clients test various features.

By having the ability to test different features without making a large investment in infrastructure, our Azure clients are able to be more agile and innovative, and therefore more competitive.

Lower Capital Output

We have been encouraging clients to consider the cost versus ROI of investing in their own infrastructure (capital expenses) as opposed to leasing equipment or relying on us to provide infrastructure for them.

Azure is an expansion of this idea, turning costs into more-predictable monthly expenses rather than unplanned, unexpected capital costs.

Microsoft Azure provides organizations with a reliable, scalable, and secure infrastructure environment, allowing organizations to improve customer experience, drive innovation, and manage costs.

With the availability of Canada-based data cloud services and storage, it is worth considering shifting your organization to the cloud and evaluating solutions like Microsoft Azure.

The ITeam is a Microsoft Certified Partner committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive IT strategies that keep them competitive. Contact us to learn more.

Network Assessment: A Tool for Your Business Growth

Network Assessment: A Tool for Your Business Growth

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Evaluating IT systems is no simple task.

However, it is essential to the success and health of your business that you have a sense of what is required to keep your IT infrastructure efficient and secure.

Think of an IT systems evaluation as you would a routine physical or checkup.

Just as you would visit a dentist every six months for a cleaning and x-rays, simply to make sure your teeth are in good health.

Network Assessment: A Tool for Your Business Growth

A network assessment ensures that your IT infrastructure is in good working order and capable of meeting the demands of your organization.

These assessments not only help you maintain IT security but they also help you remain competitive, by maintaining your efficiency and productivity.

A network assessment is also a powerful tool for growth, allowing you to leverage available technology to make smart investments for your organization’s capabilities.

Preparation for the future

As an essential piece of your business blueprint – conducted through the lens of your organization’s goals and objectives – a network assessment can help you prepare for the future.

A network assessment assures that you have the technology and infrastructure in place to meet your goals.

By working with a managed IT partner who understands your organization’s unique needs, you can develop and implement new tools that help you remain flexible, competitive, and secure.

A network assessment provides you with the insight you need regarding your organization’s ability to:

  • Expand,
  • Deliver new products and services, and
  • Improve customer experience

You’ll also understand how to prevent issues, such as security breaches and unanticipated downtime.

The offer of an outside perspective

Many opportunities to discover deficiencies and improve your IT infrastructure are missed simply due to a lack of information.

A network assessment from a managed IT partner will ensure that your business understands the options available and the solutions that are most relevant to your operation.

An expert from outside of your organization can conduct an assessment of your IT infrastructure to help you detect glitches that may not ordinarily be detected internally.

Risks can be addressed proactively – certainly more cost-effective than reacting to an issue after the damage has been done.

You will be provided with recommendations about the most recent tools and solutions necessary to keep your data secure and achieve business objectives.

Small changes can make a big difference

Each intricate piece of your IT infrastructure should be operating at maximum efficiency.

A network assessment can pinpoint even small issues that may have a big impact on that efficiency and your productivity.

Sometimes a small adjustment to the servers, communication tools, productivity tools, security and data solutions, and the infrastructure that keeps everything running can have a profound impact on the overall success and profitability of your business.

The ITeam provides essential IT support to Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses, with fully managed and customized services designed to meet the needs of virtually any business. The ITeam will work with you to customize a cost-effective solution and help you develop a comprehensive IT strategy that will help you survive economically stressful times. Contact us for a free consultation or schedule a network assessment today.

3 Resolutions for Economic Recovery in 2016

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3 Resolutions for Economic Recovery in 2016As oil and gas prices continue to slide here in Alberta – where we tend to rely on the industry to help strengthen our whole economy – the outlook heading into 2016 isn’t as positive as we’d like it to be.

Even so, we have confidence that the oil and gas industry will recover and that Calgary and Alberta businesses will thrive.

The economy is predicted to begin modest recovery, even in Alberta during 2016.

Organizations, regardless of industry, tend to have five primary areas in which they experience the most financial difficulty.

Addressing these financial areas are what we consider the three most important “New Year’s Resolutions” for every Canadian business.

  1. Improve cash flow.

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any organization, and there are several ways to improve cash flow, even when times are tough.

One of the quickest ways for businesses – especially small to midsize businesses – to improve cash flow is to improve receivables.

If you offer net 30, consider reducing it to net 10. You’re not a bank; you’re a business. Collect regularly and don’t overextend your business by carrying receivables for too long.

IT strategy to improve cash flow: Rather than make capital investments in IT equipment, lease servers or enlist the services of a hosted service provider.

  1. Take control of your operating budget.

Successful business owners are very aware of their operating budgets and maintain tight controls.

This requires running regular financial reports, identifying where cost overruns are occurring, and developing a meaningful, achievable, and realistic budget under which their organizations can successfully operate.

IT strategy to improve your operating budget: Reduce the cost of IT infrastructure by shifting risk away from your organization.

  1. Replace outdated systems and process.

State of the art equipment and systems allow you to operate more efficiently.

It’s a matter of getting the most out of your assets and your people by making everything work well.

Assess your policies and procedures, eliminate redundancies, and tighten protocols.

IT strategy to improve the

process: Address IT and security risks now, before they become an issue, by including IT in your procedural updates.

The economy will recover. But until it does, we’re dedicated to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses make changes now to remain competitive, flexible, and ready to face whatever challenges come their way. We do this by providing essential IT support and customized services designed to meet the needs of your business. The ITeam will work with you to develop a cost-effective and comprehensive IT strategy that will help you survive economically stressful times. Contact us for a free consultation.

Save Money, Improve Efficiency, and Survive the Economic Downturn with Better IT

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Businesses in Canada recently reported that they expect an unpredictable economic outlook for at least an additional 12 months, thanks to the oil and gas price drop that is severely impacting our region.

This dismal report on the future of our economy has everyone worried, but it also presents an opportunity for every business in every industry to reevaluate their approach to operations.

From analyzing inventories and renegotiating contracts, businesses can take this opportunity to develop lean practices that not only serve them well during economic downturns but will create better profitability as the economy improves.

From an IT perspective, the same reevaluation may be necessary for most businesses, especially those still relying on legacy systems or paying exorbitant costs to maintain and store their own on-site servers.

We’ve outlined a couple ways every business can take to operate more efficiently from an IT perspective:

Reduce Costs by Eliminating or Upgrading IT Assets

If you are regularly expensing money for repairs to equipment, consider the cost savings you can realize by converting to leased equipment or off-site, cloud-based storage.

This shifts the cost of maintenance and repair and creates an opportunity to shift more of your costs from capital expenses to operating expenses.

Increase Efficiency with Flexible, Customized IT Solutions

Cloud-based applications are scalable and customizable, giving you the flexibility to pay only for what you need while providing a risk-mitigating solution for business continuity.

This allows you to access your data and operate your business from anywhere.

The economy will recover, but until it does, we’re dedicated to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses make changes now to remain competitive, flexible, and ready to face whatever challenges come their way.

We do this by providing essential IT support and customized services designed to meet the needs of your business. The ITeam will work with you to develop a cost-effective and comprehensive IT strategy that will help you survive economically stressful times. Contact us for a free consultation.