by Felicien | Jul 31, 2018 | Education
Learn About Customer Relationship Management Software (CRM)
Customer relationship management (CRM) software offers a full suite of solutions together in one program that helps manage data. A great CRM program is able to manage email, create reports, make calls, store information about prospects and customers, manage your pipeline, and a whole lot more.
Today’s comprehensive CRM programs are more than just storage for customer contact information regarding purchases or inquiries. This software has grown from being a digital contact register to a very reliable tool that streamlines the entire customer management process from end-to-end.
Of course, there are multiple CRM programs on the market today. Each one may offer similar capabilities, but you get what you pay for. Those programs that are less expensive will not be able to handle all the tasks you need in order to do the best work. Depending on the type of business, you will need to choose something that includes the programs you need but fits within the budget.
CRM has been enthusiastically adopted across different industries and this has led to software companies competing to become the best and most reliable CRM software on the market. You’ll find many features and functionalities that you may not even need. Though most do require a level of training to use properly, all should be user-friendly. You should not need a degree in computing to use CRM software.
For large businesses with rapid growth, it is best to work with a highly customizable CRM system. The more flexible the programs are, the better you’ll be able to make them work for you. In the end, a good CRM platform should pay for itself in a short time frame.
What should you look for when choosing a CRM System?
The basic features that any customer relationship management software should contain include a dashboard, customer contact management, activity tracker, prospect management, report generation, and also opportunity management. Below are a few considerations to ponder before settling on a CRM platform for your company.
Usability
How easy to use are the solutions offered by the CRM? Your sales team won’t be happy with a complex system that takes months to master. Is there an intensive training required for them to understand how to work with the new system? What does the implementation process entail? It’s a good idea to check feedback from current customers. Users will tell you about their experiences and this can help you decide.
Pricing
Determine your price range for the new CRM program. Depending on the size of your business, there are a number of options to choose from. How many people will be using the new platform? Will you be able to get free training and consistent upgrades? It’s important to take everything into consideration. Training alone could be pricey.
For those big organizations, it’s easier to negotiate the price and the types of services that will be included. You can work with the software developer to customize the program so it delivers exactly what your company needs. Smaller companies may have to pay extra for a few things. Remember that a good CRM is an investment in making life easier for your sales force. It should deliver on all the services you need today while being able to provide expansion for the future. Be sure to ask about user limits. Some programs have a limit of up to 10 users maximum, as well as storage limits.
The Features
Lightweight solutions are usually meant for small businesses where the customer relationship is immediate, quick, and easy. They have fewer features and functionalities but this could be better because it means that learning to use the program will be easier as well. Start with a good checklist of what you expect from your CRM. Just ensure that when you finally decide on the right one, you do not have to pay extra for features that might never be of any help to your teams.
Do Your Research
Knowledge is power. Perform extensive research before making a decision. Once you check all the programs available in your price range, you can check to see what features they each have. A few websites have all the popular CRM’s listed in a comparison format. You can quickly view pricing and features. This makes choosing a less-complicated process.
Wrap Up
The main goal of purchasing new customer relationship management software is to give your sales teams the best tools you can afford to do their jobs. By selecting a program that automates many tasks, your sales people are free to make more calls or follow up with prospects. They can do more with less work. In the end, this should increase your bottom line. It should help your sales people to improve their numbers and this, in turn, increases your profits.
by Felicien | Jul 31, 2018 | Education
The United States is in the process of leveling tariffs against China, and those tariffs are going to impact the cost of electronics, either directly or indirectly. A good understanding of how these tariffs will affect the cost of computers and networking technology, including items such as laptops, servers, and routers, is vital. However, there is confusion about exactly what types of products the tariffs will apply to, how prices can be expected to change, and what the best course of action is for those in the market for innovative technology.
Background On The Latest Tariffs
The Trump Administration leveled a 25% tariff on over $50 billion in high-tech Chinese exports and 800 products, including technology solutions, on June 15th, 2018. The target of these tariffs is products that are a part of China’s “Made in China 2025” plan.
The “Made in China 2025” plan is a comprehensive strategy to upgrade Chinese industry and enable it to focus more on value-added sectors so that China can more quickly move toward profitable industries. Even though China is currently the world’s second-largest economy, it is still considered a developing country. China’s plan would make the nation far more competitive with the United States.
Targeting the industries highlighted in the “Made in China 2025” plan will impact information and communication technology, robotics, and automobiles, but will not directly impact smartphones or televisions. The effectiveness of the tariffs leveled against these industries in China is still being debated. However, that is not the end of the tariff issue.
On July 10th, a 10% tariff on $200 billion in Chinese-made products was announced and is set to be imposed by August 30th this year. The 10% tariff includes electronics and is poised to significantly affect the prices of information technology infrastructures here in the United States. This round of tariffs will include the building blocks of products such as laptops and modems, which can affect American-manufactured items that use Chinese parts.
The reason for these tariffs, according to President Trump, is to help reduce our current trade deficit with China, which hit an all-time high of $375 billion in 2017. President Xi Jinping of China has threatened retaliation, which the Trump Administration warned could result in even more tariffs.
Expected Impact On Technology
Tariffs on electronics could directly impact what consumers pay for laptops, tablets, desktops, printers, copiers, network routers, modems, monitors, and more. As of right now, the expected change in prices for electronics is around 15%. If a Chinese manufactured laptop currently costs $1,200, then the price could easily reach $1,380 if not more. If a 25% percent tariff is imposed at the end of August, that $1,200 laptop would be $1,500 or more. Such price increases could quickly drive brands like Lenovo, which is manufactured in China and is the world’s second-largest maker of PCs, right out of the market.
Also included are printer and copy machine components, lithium batteries, electrical equipment, and imaging and navigational equipment. Electronic components that make up much of modern technology are also a target. These components include copper wire, resistors, capacitors, printed circuit boards, flat panel displays, LEDs, and rechargeable batteries.
If there is a tariff on semiconductors, laptop prices alone could rise by an additional 3%. Even the cost of motor parts and screws could be affected by the round of tariffs due to be imposed at the end of August. This means that electronics that are not made in China but use Chinese parts could also see a significant increase in manufacturing costs.
Those higher costs will eventually be passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. The tariffs on such components can also cause a reduction in supply as manufacturers scramble to find non-Chinese suppliers. If supply is impacted, then prices are likely to rise. Moreover, the lists of items are still being developed.
Consumer Course of Action
The additional tariffs, which are still being developed and could change for the better, will go into effect on August 30th. The immediate effect of the combined tariffs is not known, but the wisest course of action would be for IT departments and companies to complete their technology purchases before that date if at all possible. If not possible, then additional funds may be required to budget for future networking and IT technology purchases.
Conclusion
While exactly what items will be subject to tariffs remains in flux, the price of critical items such as laptops, routers, and printers is still expected to rise by about 15%, if not more. Not only are imports such as computers, tablets, and monitors affected, but individual parts for manufacturing them are also in the crosshairs of current tariff plans. If your company is looking to purchase electronics or planning to upgrade networking equipment, this should be done before the additional August 30th tariffs are enacted.
by Felicien | Jul 31, 2018 | Education
An IT manager’s work can be difficult at times. This is mostly because of the ever-dynamic nature of technology. There is always something new and better being developed every day. It is the work of the IT manager to know the best technology to use, one that functions on a 24-hour basis and also one that’s easy to manage by the employees. He must ensure that his employer stays current on the specific technology that delivers the desired results.
Change is a good thing, but not when it concerns IT managers. They are usually cautious of introducing changes that might cause chaos. So then how will they be able to overcome their fears and embrace change that will improve their employees’ working environment? Here are some useful steps to help IT managers improve their workplace, maintain modern standards, and give all employees a better work experience.
Introduce a Digital Task Force
This can be done through the labor model which gives employees the flexibility and freedom to work from just about anywhere. This, of course, depends on the specific tasks and what projects employees must get done each day. The only problem is that different employees have different preferences. Some prefer more advanced technologies because that is what they are accustomed to in their personal lives. Others would like to work with old-fashioned systems. This only makes it harder for IT supervisors to find solutions that work for everyone.
Using one software package in the workplace is no longer effective. The IT department should work alongside departmental heads in order to manage ever-changing demands in the digital workplace. They should work through and adopt technology that will boost employee productivity. Technology must be user friendly as well.
Combat Resistance
This is an obvious challenge because it is not easy to introduce something new and then get 100% acceptance. Some employees will still try to resist the changes, not because it isn’t beneficial, but because of the fear that they might not be able to master the new technology. The best way to deal with resistance is to get the employees involved right from the start, way before the organization makes an investment in the new technology.
Communication is also an essential part of the whole process. Discuss the advantages of the new technology and the positive impact it will have on them and how it will improve their work place in terms of productivity. Ask for feedback. Look to department supervisors to provide reports when they encounter any problem.
Security
Keeping a system secure is not an easy task, especially with the increased reports of data breaches. Limiting the access points to sensitive data is one way of ensuring that your system is protected. The employees should be made to understand the need to balance between easy access and the data breach threats. They should also be taken through an awareness training touching on accidental exposure, insider theft, phishing emails, and attacks like ransomware and malware. These coupled with other training will ensure that there is better service delivery and that necessary security measures are in place.
Systematically Deal with the Tech Stack
Tech stack is the overwhelming number of applications or software that are no longer useful but still remain installed in a computer system. There are always new upgrades made, but rarely does anyone follow-up and get rid of the software that is outdated. These software programs could be used as the backdoor entrance for cyber thieves. IT managers should always ensure that these “doors” are closed and locked.
There should be constant communications between the chief technology officers and the department’s chief information officers with a view to streamline the sharing of data and information on cloud-based platforms. The Cloud ensures that users are able to access documents, make edits to them and any changes are automatically updated ensuring accuracy across the board.
Show Your Importance
Today, software updates are easy to do since more technology is moving to cloud. Even with that, the IT manager still needs to ensure that new software is beneficial to the users and that it is a worthwhile investment. A lot of research should be conducted to ensure that the new technology is yielding the desired results.
Wrap Up
When it comes to the introduction of new technology in the workplace, IT managers should treat this like a team effort long before it is introduced. Throughout the necessary training for employees, to the follow-up process once the technology is in place, everyone needs to be included. A savvy IT leader will take strategic moves to make changing over to newer systems a positive process for everyone.
by Felicien | Jul 30, 2018 | Education
Studies conducted by CareerBuilder Harris Poll in the US showed that at least 22 minutes a day are wasted by an average worker dealing with IT-related issues. According to the poll, the leading cause of time wasted in the workplace is related to cell phone use, which ranked the highest at 50%, gossip which followed at 42%, and closely behind was internet use at 39%. This article will briefly outline how companies can work through IT issues so that they can save on time. And time is money.
How Much Time Is 22 minutes Really?
Going by the average time in a 40-hour workweek, 22 minutes a day is close to two hours of work time lost each week. Imagine what that equals for a full year or 52 weeks. It comes out to be over 95 hours per year. When translated into days, that is close to two weeks spent dealing with IT-related problems.
What Are These IT Issues At The Work Place?
Some of the IT-related issues are technical in nature and they include:
Software malfunctions
Freezing computers
Scanner or printer issues
Old computer systems
Annoying pop-ups
Internet traffic delays
These are just a few of the issues that cause frustration for employees. If not handled well, they can lead to time wasted and low productivity, not to mention grumpy employees.
What Is The Solution To The IT-Related Problems?
Companies should have a help desk where employees can go and report IT issues as soon as they occur so that they can be resolved in the earliest instance. This is to ensure that a problem is resolved before it escalates, thus saving time for everyone.
Apart from fixing the problem, IT staff should be encouraged by the employer to share tips on preventive measures to similar problems to avoid them from recurring. Educating employees is always a good idea. It’s cost-effective and just makes sense.
Companies should also invest in modern technical equipment. This way, computer systems, and networks are easier to maintain, less problematic, and also ensure efficient work delivery. Companies should confirm that the IT staff is well skilled. Hire trainers or allow employees to enroll in various training programs so they can learn all about the changing trends in technology.
Technology is meant to save time and make work more efficient, but when it decides to act up, it can actually cause headaches. Lack of knowledge is another major cause of employees wasting too much time on simple things that can be avoided in the first place. Whoever provides your IT services should have an in-house department or a third-party firm hired to conduct regular training for employees. They should be performing regular maintenance and upgrades to all systems. Training the employees regularly or after installing a new system can make a big difference when it comes to saving time-related to IT issues.
Training employees might not be the first solution a company thinks of but it’s often the most cost-effective way to avoid wasting valuable time. Of course, it can help to hire savvy employees with proficient computer skills. But even if they know how to fix common IT issues, you don’t want a bunch of amateurs working on your valuable software and hardware systems. When the same IT guy does all your upgrades and maintenance, he becomes familiar with your business. This is where you’ll get the best return on your IT investment.
The IT department in an organization should ensure that regular updates are installed to prevent cyber-attacks. Outdated software can malfunction, thus slowing down work efficiency and delivery. This is also a major gateway for cyber thieves to enter your system and take it down.
Wrap Up
The best way to resolve IT-related issues is to treat the problem as a team effort. The stakeholders, such as heads of departments, should be well aware of the necessary steps to be taken to protect your data and keep all systems running smoothly.
The secret to avoiding costly IT errors is to detect an issue and have it attended to as soon as possible, so it doesn’t grow into a bigger problem. Communication is also very important. Make sure employees are aware of how to handle IT problems. Teach them to report these issues right away. Help them do their jobs better with good cybersecurity training. At the end of it all, employee productivity is the ultimate goal. This will improve your bottom line and make sure your staff is happy and productive.
by Felicien | Jul 30, 2018 | Education
Almost every single PC is hosted on some server or online platform such as the cloud. It’s hard to use a computer without uploading and downloading data. But this can open the door to malware. It is alarming to know that someone might infiltrate your system and access personal data or sensitive information and then use it against you. The truth is, we cannot avoid the internet these days. So then, what can we do to ensure that our systems are secure? This article will outline some of the simple things we can do to ensure that we do not fall victim to ransomware and virus attacks.
Test Your Settings
This is the very first step and it will show you how vulnerable your computer system is. Most hackers target weak anti-virus or even disabled passwords by using software such as the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer. This program allows you to easily detect the status of your passwords. Other important things to test for include your account settings. This includes such things as how many administrators can access your computer and what automatic updates are activated on your computer.
Create Secure Passwords
When creating online accounts, always use the two-step verification option. It works in a way that, whenever you log into an account, it will automatically send a unique code to your personal device, such as a cell phone. You are then required to enter this verification code into the account within a specified time before it expires. This adds an extra layer of security. Since the verification code expires after a few minutes, that prevents someone from using it later.
Update Your Operating System
It is always recommended that you acquire and install the latest version of your operating system because it is more secure. Hackers are developing better and more powerful viruses and malware. Most computer operating system companies such as Apple and Microsoft are trying to improve their features so they are better and more secure. All you have to do is turn on the automatic updates feature for your operating system and each time there is an update, it is installed automatically to your system. Gone are the days when you have to buy and install new updates from a CD. The Internet makes everything much easier.
Install Software From Trusted Sources
Most browsers will inform you if the software you are about to install is from an unknown source. Take these warnings seriously. Do a separate search online to determine whether the company is trustworthy before downloading their program. There could be a virus hiding in the program and once it gets into your computer system, it will corrupt your files. At the very least, some of these software programs will download annoying pop-ups and adware that will drive you crazy.
Install Reliable Anti-Virus
Always ensure that your anti-virus is up to date. It should have the ability to scan both online and offline materials, as well as external resources such as flash drives. Update your anti-virus regularly. Some may even require you to pay regular subscriptions in order to update them. If you use an expired antivirus, it will not work effectively. Schedule your scans so they are automatic. This will be done in the background so it doesn’t disrupt your work.
Activate Your Firewall
Some operating systems such as Windows and iOS come with installed firewall programs. Be sure that yours is activated properly. A good firewall can be a strong line of defense against hackers. A firewall works in a way that it hides your computer when online from unwanted attention. It also controls access to your computer’s network.
Look Out For Phishing Emails
Phishing scams are the number one way hackers break into your computer files. You will get an email that looks like it’s genuine. It will include a link to click on. It may look and seem very authentic. This is how hackers infiltrate your system and introduce malware into your system. Your email’s spam filter should be able to detect this, but if you are not cautious and you click the link, you might be in real trouble.
Delete Files Permanently
If you have been working on sensitive information and you no longer need it, ensure that you have permanently deleted these files from your hard drive. It is still possible for someone to retrieve the file, even days after deleting it. But it does take special software and skills to do this. Permanently deleting sensitive files you no longer use can protect you against losing important information.
Wrap Up
When it comes to technology, you should never let down your guard. Technology is a dynamic field. It changes all the time. You must stay vigilant and up to date with all the latest tools and know-how to protect your data properly.
by Felicien | Jul 27, 2018 | Education
What is the Future of Ransomware?
Ransomware is a kind of software commonly developed and used by hackers to restrain access to a computer system and/or database until a certain demand is met; mostly hackers want the payment of a sum of money. The hackers threaten the organization whose computer system they have blocked, that if they do not pay the sum of money demanded, the company’s database will be leaked online or destroyed completely.
This has become a quick way for hackers to earn money. In the past, when hackers had to waste a lot of time and resources snooping around a target site, this type of activity didn’t really pay off. This method was risky for many reasons and wasn’t much of a threat.
Today, things are much different. Hackers can easily gain access to a company’s database and then hold the information hostage until a ransom is paid. The advent of cryptocurrency makes the whole transaction seamless and untraceable. This is one of the reasons why ransomware is so big nowadays.
How Big A Threat Is Ransomware?
According to the FBI, businesses paid out $24 million in ransomware payments in 2015. By 2016, that number had reached one billion dollars. The average ransom is now approximately $1,000 but some healthcare organizations have reported paying $17,000 to regain access to their files. As long as companies continue to reward hackers by paying the ransom, this crime will continue to escalate.
Who Are The Likely Victims Of Ransomware Attack?
Most ransomware attacks start as a fishing expedition, which means that the hackers make out a list of organizations and their employees and then try to access their confidential information. Targeted organizations are those that contain sensitive personal information, such as healthcare and financial organizations. Many times, businesses think that the best course of action is to pay the ransom, rather than hire security and IT specialists to come in and restore access. Sometimes, organizations are embarrassed to admit that they’ve been a victim of this crime. They want to make it go away as quickly and painlessly as possible.
What Defense Strategies Can An Organization Put In Place Against Ransomware?
The very first step is to understand how a ransomware attack happens. Hackers send out phishing or spear phishing emails to employees of the organization in an attempt to get someone to click on a bad link. Once this happens, the ransomware virus is downloaded to the company’s network and all files are frozen. At this point, you have two choices: pay the ransom or call in security experts to unlock the files.
The first step for most companies is to lay out a security strategy to deal with viruses, worms, ransomware, and other forms of attack. Every organization should have a plan to address data breaches. The experts say that it’s not a matter of whether you get attacked; it’s just a matter of when. So the best course of action is to be ready. Below are few basic steps you can take:
Train your employees what to watch out for in suspicious emails. Training must take place on a regular basis because people forget or get careless.
Hire a security company to test your current system to see where your weaknesses are. Most IT security pros will assess your security, then give you a list of things that should be done right away to shore up your defenses. They can also help you make a long-term plan of action.
Regular system backups should be performed. If you have all your data backed up at an off-site cloud data storage site, then it can be easy and painless to completely restore all your data.
Perform regular patches and updates. This keeps your network protected. New cyber threats come out almost daily so this is an important step to keeping your database secure.
Additional Tips
Employees are the key problem when it comes to ransomware attacks and other viruses. They should be fully aware of the types of email scams that are currently going around. Employees should know what to look for and how to avoid clicking a bad link.
It’s not easy to be in a position where you have to negotiate with a ransomware attacker but every decision depends on the circumstances at hand. Whether you work with a managed IT provider or have in-house IT techs, it’s important for them to be fully engaged in keeping your data safe. However, if an attack does occur, you can greatly reduce your losses by being ready and knowing what to do.
Wrap Up
Hackers stay up-to-date on the latest IT technology, so you must do this as well. Social media has opened the doors for hackers because it’s so prevalent these days and many users get careless. Start by finding a great team of security experts to help you get up-to-speed. Get all stakeholders in your organization involved in data security. Don’t get lax. Make sure employees are aware of the dangers online.
