To maintain a competitive edge, critical infrastructure components must be easy to afford, deploy, and manage — all while eliminating the data and application silos that can prevent an organization from reaching its full potential. An IDC study found that reducing IT complexity resulted in annual cost savings of $3610 per user. Unfortunately, getting there… Read more »
Read the ArticleSMBs and other companies are facing many challenges and changes when it comes to present-day data storage. Big data is making it difficult and expensive to manage storage hardware, but the option to harness the cloud is improving storage infrastructures for small and large businesses alike. The solution to the storage crisis lies in infrastructure… Read more »
Read the ArticleHyper-converged infrastructure systems (HCI) are becoming a new standard for many businesses. Research firm Forrester even predicts that HCI will become a ubiquitous platform for on-premises deployments. If you’re not using it now, there’s a good chance you’ll want to soon. Like converged infrastructure (CI), HCI brings together virtualization, storage, compute power, and even network… Read more »
Read the ArticleOne of the tough things about data growth isn’t necessarily turning data into intelligence or finding a way to store all the information a business creates and gathers. Instead, it’s finding smart ways to store data. It’s not that data storage is necessarily expensive, it’s that data loss and poor data retention policies can be… Read more »
Read the ArticleIn our previous post, we talked about the importance of developing an effective process and keeping thorough documentation of client expectations, projects, as well as timetables. We also touched on defining the challenge and keeping a reasonable, realistic budget. This article will continue to showcase some effective policies and practices to help your IT team… Read more »
Read the ArticleAs more and more data is being produced, IT departments are having to deduce the best way to move forward with storage. The server rooms and hard drives of yesterday are proving to be far too bulky to provide the storage companies need to store, sort and protect their data. The future of data storage… Read more »
Read the ArticleAmazon Web Services (AWS) has maintained its grip as the leader in cloud computing with a 33% market share, according to Synergy Research Group. AWS has kept this margin now for 12 quarters while the cloud market has tripled in size. Microsoft, IBM, and Google have also grown their market share, but they have not… Read more »
Read the ArticleAre you happy with how you and your team manage projects? Are there ways you could be more efficient? Are you tracking enough even to know whether you’re effective? Certainly, larger IT projects are tough. When there are lots of people and tasks, project timelines deteriorate quickly if there isn’t someone managing the process. Projects… Read more »
Read the ArticleBig data is one of the latest victims of buzzword fatigue. Once the talk of the town, the term was dropped from the hype train years ago in favor of various other promising trends. Some pundits have even said big data is dead. In this post, we’ll examine three case studies that suggest big data… Read more »
Read the ArticleData analytics seem like a tough nut to crack, particularly for smaller businesses. The questions on the mind of many small-shop decision-makers are this: Why should you care about data analytics at all? What can they help you do and are they practical for your business? Data analytics can help businesses of nearly any size…. Read more »
Read the ArticleAs the saying goes, “Old habits die hard,” and that saying rings as true in IT as it does in life. Some old habits are still helpful. For example, it is always wise to avoid shopping on unsecured wireless networks as well as avoid simple passwords. That being said, we often cling to those practices… Read more »
Read the ArticleOnce business sectors can sort and analyze big data, their potential efficiency and earnings will skyrocket. Organizations in almost every industry can benefit. For example, retail companies will be able to maintain a useful database of customer information to hyper-target and personalize their communications, insurance companies will be able to simplify their premium calculating systems,… Read more »
Read the Article“The big data boom is the innovation story of our time.” That quote is from a story in the Atlantic nearly seven years ago. Yet it might as well have been made last month because we are finally watching big data transform industries from finance to health care. These and other industries which embrace big… Read more »
Read the Article2017 was an exciting year for the Internet of Things movement. The industry saw tremendous growth and is projected to experience an even bigger surge this year. According to IDC, global IoT revenue is on track to reach $772.5 billion in 2018, an estimated 14.6 percent increase from the $674 billion tallied for 2017. IDC… Read more »
Read the ArticleOne of the major challenges SMBs and big business face today is devising proper sorting and storing of Big Data. We’re at a point now where the number of emails sent, files downloaded, texts exchanged, etc. has overwhelmed outdated methods of storage. Methods like stand-alone servers and USB drives now need advanced storage and sorting… Read more »
Read the ArticleIt’s safe to say if you work in the IT world, you have probably heard about both the Internet of Things and Big Data. In a lot of ways, the two terms refer to completely different concepts. The IoT encompasses all things connected — like a smart home to a connected car. Big data refers… Read more »
Read the ArticleBig data is one of the hottest topics in technology today. An array of technologies has come together to make real-time analytics possible for companies both big and small. These include advanced NoSQL databases, data virtualization, and distributed storage along with many software tools that predict the most useful data. The amount of data each… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe amount of time people surf, stream and share online on a day-to-day basis is immense. Multiply that by the number of people using their computers and the web and you’ll be left with a number that is near-inconceivable. Now imagine how much data billions of computer users will develop and exchange at any given… Read more »
Read the ArticleIf there is one word, to sum up, the tech scene in 2018, transformative might be the best fit. This year has been dominated by trends with the sort of transcendent promise that demands attention from savvy business leaders and IT experts alike. On that note, here are some highlights from six of the most… Read more »
Read the ArticleWhether your head office location was hit by a hurricane, or your systems are locked by a cyberattack, downtime in all its forms can be incredibly detrimental to the revenue and reputation of a business. Some Scary Numbers Downtime costs a lot. Statistically speaking it is the second largest expense after HR. According to ITIC,… Read more »
Read the ArticleIT speak often comes off as an entirely different language to those who are unfamiliar with all the terminology and jargon. This is especially the case in a highly technical field such as disaster recovery. Never fear! Our disaster recovery glossary will help you keep up when discussing one of today’s fastest moving industries. Backup:… Read more »
Read the ArticleOn May 25, 2018, the European Union (EU) officially implemented the widely discussed General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The act applies to any business that collects, stores, and processes confidential information belonging to European consumers. This would explain why the collective internet was recently bombarded with emails regarding privacy policy updates from nearly every website… Read more »
Read the ArticleAs the saying goes, a good offense is a great defense. When it comes to cybersecurity, taking the correct measures before a cyber-attack occurs is a necessary first step in securing your data from a breach. Implementing preventative technology to thwart things like ransomware and phishing should be a large focus of your security strategy…. Read more »
Read the ArticleWhen people hear the word “cyberattack,” generally a few of the more popular hacks will come to mind. Ransomware is all over the news these days with some of the most prominent attacks of the last couple years being ransomware attacks, like WannaCry. Trojans are also a virus staple that tech users, from basic to… Read more »
Read the ArticleOver the past year I have met with hundreds of MSPs. Something that strikes me is the varying approach in how they sell disaster recovery products and services. At one end of the spectrum are those who are selling “backup,” and at the other end are those who are delivering disaster recovery (DR). In my… Read more »
Read the ArticleTranscript: Hello, this is Wes Gill from StorageCraft. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to configure a ShadowProtect SPX backup using ConnectWise Automate. Inside control center, select a computer that has SPX installed then click the plug-in icon and then the StorageCraft tile. Click on destinations and then new. Our first step is to… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe IT world is no longer a stranger to ransomware. All of us are aware of the vast amount of damage it can do, only having to look so far as last year’s WannaCry virus for an example of its destructive capabilities. But what happens when ransomware is used on platforms other than computers and smartphones, like connected… Read more »
Read the ArticleRansomware has gone from being unknown to one of the biggest threats in cybersecurity. By encrypting critical system files, it renders conventional security mechanisms virtually powerless and in many cases, leaves the victim with no choice but to pay up. While they all share the same malicious goal, not all ransomware strains are created equal. In fact,… Read more »
Read the ArticleTranscript: Hello this is Wes Gill from StorageCraft. In this tutorial I’ll show you how to activate a license of ShadowProtect SPX using the ConnectWise Automate control center. From the computer management screen, click on plug-ins and then on StorageCraft. Then click on the view link next to the license status below the SPX logo…. Read more »
Read the ArticleSince the release of the first anti-virus software in 1987, cybersecurity has become a well-known staple for all computer users. Whether you use Apple, Microsoft, or Linux, your PC or laptop will come pre-installed with the proper tools to keep you safe. Otherwise, you’re told to visit the website of a trusted anti-virus company to… Read more »
Read the ArticleTranscript: Hello. This is Wes Gill from StorageCraft. In this tutorial I’ll show you how to expand the StorageCraft solution for ConnectWise Automate to create some simple but very effective internal monitors to ensure your ShadowProtect SPX backups are up-to-date and you can meet you SLAs. For those not familiar, StorageCraft ShadowProtect SPX is a… Read more »
Read the ArticleSo you’ve decided to move on-premises Exchange, SharePoint, and other Microsoft applications into the cloud. This gives you fewer things to manage and worry about, right? But how safe is your data? Sure, Microsoft works to prevent hardware and software failure, but what about accidentally deleted files, emails, and things like that? How can you… Read more »
Read the ArticleBackups alone are straightforward. But add recovery objectives, on-site and off-site backup options, encryption, and detailed plans for data loss prevention and suddenly there’s a lot to handle. Disaster recovery might not be your specialty as an MSP but that doesn’t mean you can’t provide outstanding backup and disaster recovery services by bringing on a… Read more »
Read the ArticleOne of the best ways to reduce security risks is to help end users understand how to spot and avoid threats they face. A popular method of amping-up user knowledge (whether it’s for security, company policies, or IT in general) is to host a quarterly or biannual training. This lets you coach users on things… Read more »
Read the ArticleBudgeting is one of those tasks few (if any) business continuity managers look forward to completing. After all, it is time-consuming, complicated, and often sobering after tallying up the final bill. Love it or hate it, devising a disaster recovery (DR) budget is a necessary evil which you just can’t avoid. On the bright side,… Read more »
Read the ArticleThink back to the birth of your IT management infrastructure. When did a true plan fall into place? Generally, components of infrastructure include computing, data storage, networking, and server virtualization. It’s likely all four of these were originally set up based on the needs of a particular workload. A certain method of storage would have… Read more »
Read the ArticleAs a mid-size business owner, you fully understand the importance of disaster recovery planning. You have your backups scheduled like clockwork and stand confident that your data quickly recovers if the unthinkable happens. That sounds good, but are you truly ready to respond? Have you demonstrated that preparedness by ensuring your recovery objectives and business… Read more »
Read the ArticleDropbox burst onto the scene just over ten years ago. Millions of people flocked to the service because it offered 2GB of free storage and promised to synchronize your files across all your devices. Like many personal cloud storage companies, Dropbox aimed its products at consumers and priced them accordingly. Only after Dropbox gained traction… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe introduction of the smartphone enabled customers to carry a single device that can run multiple applications, instead of carrying multiple devices that each work for one app (such as a music player, camera, calculator, phone, etc.). Similarly, it is time to collapse the islands of storage that exist in a company by having the… Read more »
Read the ArticleOn May 25, a new European privacy regulation called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect. This will change the way businesses are allowed to collect, store, and leverage customer data. If you have not heard of this new legislation, it’s imperative to inform yourself on its specifics and alter your customer relations… Read more »
Read the ArticleProtecting your company’s data against threats like ransomware, phishing scams, and the latest cyber-attacks should be at the forefront of your IT strategy. However, what’s the best way to keep your files safe? There are plenty of preventative measures you can take to avoid the costly risk of downtime. Arguably the most important one is… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe growing importance of data protection has made backup and recovery a fiercely competitive market. According to Markets and Markets, the industry is projected to reach $11.59 billion by 2022, nearly doubling the $6.58 billion value estimated in 2016. In recent years, this fast-growing industry has undergone a dramatic transformation and changed the way we… Read more »
Read the ArticleData is the lifeblood of every business. The inability to access that data could result in damage that takes some organizations years to repair. In some cases, that lack of access may very well spell the end of the road. Your future is only as promising as your business continuity plan, and your backup strategy… Read more »
Read the ArticleData privacy is very important here at StorageCraft and we take protecting that data very seriously. This is one of the many reasons our partners, as well as their customers, feel secure in storing their data with us. We are currently updating our privacy policy to accommodate the new GDPR requirements. Because at StorageCraft, we… Read more »
Read the ArticleA significant portion of current tech news focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning and what they can do to help move society forward. From fighting malware to flying a drone, AI and machine learning are already at a stage of development where they can be incredibly impactful in a multitude of industries such as… Read more »
Read the ArticleTape backup has been around for a long time. Tape data storage is an archive, which is long-term storage of inactive or low-activity data retained for future use. Even though it’s prominent in the archive world, the demise of tape has been an annual prediction since the cloud pushed its way onto the scene. Taking… Read more »
Read the ArticleCloud computing has changed the way we deploy business applications and manage IT environments. While all cloud services share some common ground, not all cloud services are created equal. In this post we’ll take a closer at Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and why it may be the perfect cloud solution for managed service providers. IaaS Overview The… Read more »
Read the ArticleOf all the IT buzzwords to come around, none have been filled with more hype and promise that “the cloud”. Cloud computing took the world by storm, and in the process, proved that it was far more than hoopla. Though it’s still a big deal, there is talk that the cloud may soon be “edged”… Read more »
Read the ArticleWhenever we witness the rapid adoption of technology, we also must sift through the hyperbole and misconceptions that follow. Cloud computing is one of those technologies where everyone has an opinion, and yet there is still a lot of confusion when it comes to picking through the facts and myths. One might expect there to… Read more »
Read the ArticleBacking up mission-critical files is an important maintenance task for any IT team. The sting of a failed hard drive or malware infection isn’t as nearly as severe when your data can be quickly recovered. Backup software aims to make that possibility a reality by automating the process of backing up and restoring your data…. Read more »
Read the ArticleBig data is a double-edged sword. One edge of that sword shines bright with razor sharp insights and limitless reach. The other edge is rife with challenges and uncertainties. Ever-increasing volumes have many firms struggling to get a handle on their data. And with the influx of information flowing at such great velocity, controlling that… Read more »
Read the ArticleImagine, forty or fifty years ago, the vast amount of physical space SMB’s would have required to store the many paper documents they accumulated over the years. Pages upon pages of paper had to be housed and often secured under lock and key in an office. Cut to the present, where even small to mid-sized… Read more »
Read the ArticleData is exploding at an incredible rate and for many businesses it’s a new gold rush. Competitive advantages, more agility, better downstream planning, and a clearer understanding of customers and products are just a few of the benefits data can provide. But benefits like these are only for businesses that know how to store, protect,… Read more »
Read the ArticlePossibly the most unnerving and damaging event that can happen to an MSP is a server failure. If your server goes down, so does your business, until the issue is resolved, and downtime can cost you thousands. There are a variety of reasons your server may crash, including loss of power during an intense storm,… Read more »
Read the ArticleData growth is easy to ignore when most of it happens behind the scenes. In fact, until you run out of space on a hard drive or cloud platform, it’s not something you would think about every day. But given the rocket-speed of data growth, it’s wise to take note – you can’t ignore the… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe time of year has come when students and their parents anxiously await and receive results from the college of their choice. In academia, the ivory tower is an exalted place. The thought of your college student getting admitted into a prestigious Ivy League University is an exciting one, even more so when the acceptance… Read more »
Read the ArticleDisasters have a way of not only coming at the wrong time, but at a price. And as research shows, they become more expensive year after year. 2017 is on record as the costliest year for climate-related disasters in the United States, tipping the scales at a whopping $306 billion in damages. Hurricane Harvey alone… Read more »
Read the ArticleFew topics have captured the minds of technologists like Machine Learning (ML) has over the past few years. Walk through the booths at CES and you will find many new products and services promising to utilize ML in some innovative way to help distinguish their offering from the next. That has certainly been the case… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe Trojan virus can be traced back all the way to the 1980s. Though Trojans have been around for a long time, many people don’t know the first thing about them. This is proved by the fact that so many users around the globe are still fooled by hackers into downloading malware. To understand the… Read more »
Read the ArticleOver the years, phishing has become more and more popular, evolving in complexity from its conception in the 1990’s. At its core, phishing is a type of cyberattack hackers implement to obtain access to your private or sensitive information. Generally, a hacker will send an email that seems to be from a trustworthy source and… Read more »
Read the ArticleRansomware has become a hacker go-to in the world of cybercrime. Research detailed in the Cisco 2017 Annual Cybersecurity Report states that ransomware is growing at a yearly rate of 350 percent. The Ransomware Data Report, published by Cybersecurity Ventures, predicts that by 2019, ransomware will cause more than $11.5 billion in global damages and… Read more »
Read the ArticleData storage is so last decade. We’re in the throes of a data revolution and businesses are no longer satisfied with simply storing data. They need new tools and tactics that help them turn raw information into insights that let them out-fox competition, anticipate up-and-coming trends, and move confidently into a profitable future. The key… Read more »
Read the ArticlePicture this: You’re browsing a new website, click on an interesting link, and suddenly you’re bombarded with the following warning: “Uhh ohhh! Your files are encrypted!! Your documents, photos, and databases are no longer accessible. Don’t waste time trying to recover them. The only way to get them back is to pay us for the… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe digital landscape has changed in some big ways over the past couple of decades. The first wave brought in the Internet as businesses and consumers came online. A decade later the mobile Internet become the second wave bringing real-time connectivity to billions of people and devices. Today we are amid the third wave and… Read more »
Read the ArticleDisaster recovery and cybersecurity are two of the most important objectives for any organization. In disaster recovery, you have what is arguably the most important aspect of business continuity. However, cybersecurity is the key to protecting your IT assets from the litany of threats that haunt the digital landscape. While they are clearly two fundamentally… Read more »
Read the ArticleLet’s say you work in the accounting department of a mid-sized business and receive an email from your CEO. She says she needs $2,000 wire-transferred to account number xxx-xxx-xxx immediately. It seems urgent. The email address is hers, the email signature is correct, and there’s nothing else odd about the email, other than your CEO… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe viruses of the 1990s and early 2000s have evolved into subtler yet progressively more harmful attacks. As we transition to a world in which cyber war is increasingly detrimental to societies, the cyber threats we are encountering are becoming harder to defend against and even more difficult to eradicate. In a recent blog post… Read more »
Read the ArticleEver since Bitcoin arrived on the scene in 2009, the popular cryptocurrency has been shrouded in mystery and controversy along with a lot of investor hype. Few businesses gave Bitcoin much attention initially. Many viewed the currency as an extension of the black market or “dark web” which hampered its acceptance outside the tech community…. Read more »
Read the ArticleHarvard Business Review hit the nail on the head when referring to metrics as “The True Measures of Success”. Metrics currently play a prominent role in the healthcare field, the sports arena, and many other industries. Disaster recovery (DR) is no exception. When it comes to DR planning, metrics not only gauge effectiveness, but help organizations… Read more »
Read the ArticleNobody likes price increases. However, if you have not raised the prices lately, there is a good chance you are undercharging for the services you provide. Some MSPs never raise their prices due to the fear they will lose or upset a customer. You may very well do that. But if you follow a few… Read more »
Read the ArticleIn breaking down the true cost of file storage, we explained how an intelligent backup solution can help keep those costs to a minimum. One of the unsung heroes of that process is a data storage concept called deduplication. In this post we’ll provide an overview on deduplication and the role it plays in an… Read more »
Read the ArticleFinding tech talent has always been a challenge for companies, especially as the job market heats up. For the best MSPs, growth means they are constantly searching for new and experienced talent to balance their teams. But technical chops are not the only skill MSPs desire. The capacity to deliver excellent service that delights customers… Read more »
Read the ArticleCloud backup is steadily becoming a standard for small and large businesses alike. When cloud backup options can be affordable while also offering lots of options for quick recovery, it’s easy to see the benefits. But with vendors ranging from heavy-hitters like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, or Google, to smaller cloud providers and data center… Read more »
Read the ArticleCompanies across the globe are making radical changes to put customers at the heart of virtually everything they do. For many, this fundamental shift in focus calls for adopting an all new arsenal of technologies and tools. In this post we’ll examine five IT trends organizations can use to transform their business operations around the… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe cloud is so common it’s easy for people to forget that it’s not some magic place where folders go to live forever in space. At least in theory, we all know it’s just some company’s computer. Because the cloud is so widely-used and generally reliable (though there are plenty of cloud outages), it’s easy… Read more »
Read the ArticleIntense competition and diminished profit margins have value added re-sellers (VARs) looking over the fence at managed service providers (MSPs) and wondering if they should join them. Some VARs have been running smoothly for years but see an opportunity to tap into a growing market by diversifying their products and services. Whether you are a… Read more »
Read the ArticleMaintaining an efficient IT environment is no easy task. Most IT departments approach such initiatives with their organization’s best interests at heart. However, communication issues, internal politics, and differences in management philosophies can stifle even the best plans. So how do you know where you stand? We have laid out four symptoms that indicate your… Read more »
Read the ArticleTime is a precious resource and always tight. Often, business owners and operators, no matter the size of their companies, try to find both the most efficient and cost-effective solutions to problems. Everyone starts small and we completely understand that predicament, having had our own issues to resolve as a business when we first started… Read more »
Read the ArticleAs an MSP, how do you gain an edge over your competition? Maybe you joined a Facebook group, or you follow topics on Quora that keep you on the cusp of technology and business ideas. Others might attend seminars or listen to audiobooks that give them the information they can use to improve their business…. Read more »
Read the ArticleRemember WannaCry? It was the ransomware that infected over 300,000 machines in 150 countries around the globe last year. Experts are referring to this data massacre as the most expansive ransomware outbreak in history. But WannaCry is just one of the hundreds of examples of ransomware that can wreak havoc on your data and cost… Read more »
Read the ArticleWe know downtime is costly. According to Gartner, downtime can cost as much as $5,600 a minute, which sounds terrifying, but how much does it really cost for you and your specific situation? There are dozens of downtime calculators online, but they’re typically too simple. Really, they’re marketing tools to help illustrate the cost of… Read more »
Read the ArticleCyber-criminals are smarter than ever, and 2018 promises to bring some of the most advanced attacks the world has seen. With an estimated cost of around $6 trillion per year attributed to cybercrime, it’s easy to see that digital crime is just as lucrative for criminals as it is damaging to businesses. Cybercrime isn’t going… Read more »
Read the ArticleMobile devices are a common accessory for millions of Americans. In its annual “State of Mobile” report, analytics firm Flurry found that U.S. consumers are glued to their mobile devices for an average of five hours per day. If you’re among the growing number of professionals who conduct business on the go, you probably understand… Read more »
Read the Article“Serverless” is one of those words that can be pretty misleading—because it does not mean what it sounds like it means. The server is still there, but it runs in the background like a resource that can scale up or down as needed. Someone else maintains the infrastructure, handles provisioning, and takes care of other… Read more »
Read the ArticleAs a successful VAR or MSP, you fully understand that data is the lifeline of your customer’s business. As your client’s trusted advisor, not only have you kept local backups of their data, but you have also replicated these offsite to ensure that your customer can access these at all times and keep their business… Read more »
Read the ArticleCyber security has been a hot topic for a while now, but its relevance absolutely blew up in 2017. In May 2017, WannaCry ransomware spread like wildfire across the globe crippling public utilities and large corporations alike, particularly impacting those that were still running older versions of the Windows operating system. But that was merely… Read more »
Read the ArticleWith new tax codes, there are a lot of changes for a tax professional to understand. And if new tax codes are already a lot for experts to understand, it is fair to assume they’re even more challenging for the average person. If you or your staff aren’t tax pros, or if you’re considering finding… Read more »
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