Software Archives - NuTech Services LLC

Nov, 2022

Tip of the Week: How to Hide or Remove Desktop Icons

Your Windows desktop can often get cluttered with icons, so it is helpful to have the ability to show or hide them so you can keep your focus on the task at hand. Let’s discuss how you can do this with your Windows PC.

We should note here that deleting the icons from your desktop is not necessarily removing the programs from your computer. Deleting the icons is merely deleting the shortcut to the application, and in order to actually remove it from your computer, you’ll have to go through the official uninstallation process.

Delete Icons from Your Desktop

You can delete icons from your desktop to make it easier to look at, and it’s remarkably easy to do it. Just right-click on the icon and select Delete from the menu. If you want to delete multiple icons, though, you can use Ctrl to select multiple icons and delete them all at once if you’d like.

This will send the icon or file to the Recycle Bin where you can find them later on, if you need to. Alternatively, you can click and drag the icons into the Recycle Bin to delete them.

Hide the Icons on Your Desktop

If you’d like to hide all of the icons on the desktop, you can do this pretty easily, too. All you need to do is right-click on the desktop and hover over the View option. Uncheck the option for Show Desktop Icons, which will hide them from view. To bring them back, simply recheck the option.

Do you have any suggestions for decluttering your desktop? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Jun, 2022

A Brief Overview of Google Workspace

Productivity suites are a dime a dozen, with Microsoft Office being perhaps the most well-known. However, there are plenty of other options out there, such as Google Workspace. How does Google Workspace hold up as a solution for productivity compared to its competition? Let’s take a look!

First, we should mention that Google Drive and Google Workspace provide a similar, if slimmed down, experience on just about any compatible device. There are also collaboration features built right into the software and anytime-anywhere access, and it’s all thanks to the cloud-based nature of these tools.

Google Docs

There can be no denying that Microsoft Word is the more functional solution of the two word processors, but for most businesses, Google Docs’ user-friendly interface will more than suffice. Docs features all of the tools that you might need for your word processing needs, and Google is adding new functionality all the time. Longtime users of Word might still prefer to use it over its competition, though.

Google Sheets

In much the same way Docs is a simplified version of Word, you’ll find that Google Sheets is similar to Microsoft Excel in a lot of ways. It retains much of the functionality, so you can expect a similar experience, but it’s more minimalistic compared to Excel. Anyone who has tried to use Excel for more than simple spreadsheet functionality might appreciate the simplicity that Sheets provides.

Google Slides

Google Slides continues the trend of offering similar experiences and functionality to Microsoft PowerPoint, but in the Google Workspace suite. While it doesn’t boast as dynamic features as its Office counterpart, its simplicity and ease-of-use should serve the same purpose.

Google Forms

You can use Google Forms to create surveys. You can use these forms to build surveys, create quizzes to test the knowledge of participants, or to collect information from users. It’s one of the more interesting features of Google Workspace.

Other Notable Google Applications

There are various other Google applications you might be able to leverage to your advantage, including Google Drawings (diagram creation software), Google My Maps (map and location tracking software), Google Sites (a wiki and web-page creation tool), Google Apps Script (scripting platform to create other add-ons for your Google Apps), and Google Jamboard (an interactive whiteboard platform).

Google Workspace might not be for everyone, but that’s why you have us to contact if you want to know more about it. We can help you make an educated decision about your business’ productivity suite. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Jun, 2022

Avoid Productivity Speedbumps with the Right Software

Productivity is at the heart of running a successful business, but it’s not always apparent to employees how their effort translates into value for the company. Is there a way to use technology to help fuel productivity and ensure employees understand the value that their productivity provides to your organization? The right tools can eliminate barriers to productivity and allow your employees to reach their full potential.

That said, technology can often be a big challenge for some companies to implement. On one hand, refusing to implement more advanced tools means you cannot compete with your competitors. On the other hand, the costs of running a business are higher than ever, and technology is not as easily attainable as a result, particularly for small businesses. Certain tools, however, are both affordable and feasible for businesses to implement. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Customer Relationship Management

With management software, you can eliminate the need to multitask as frequently, allowing employees to better schedule and spend their time throughout the workday. Multitasking divides the attention of your employees and causes problems in quality of work performed. Research has shown that employees work best when they can focus on one task at a time.

One tool that is great for eliminating multitasking is a customer relationship management tool, or CRM solution. CRMs come with built-in automation that allows you to track every task set to them, and they can integrate with just about all parts of your business. A CRM is great for freeing up more time for you to focus on other tasks, as they automate so much of the sales and marketing funnel.

Cloud-Hosted VoIP/Email

If you have a home phone system, chances are you are using a VoIP system that comes through your cable modem. Modern businesses must utilize the same communication technology if they want to remain competitive. VoIP systems allow businesses constant access to the tools they need to succeed, including solutions built for both desktop and smartphone use, along with other features like instant messaging and conference calling to meet the ever-changing needs of the workplace.

A great cloud-hosted email system can also be a powerful asset. With cloud-hosted email, you can provide access to a fast-syncing solution that integrates well with messaging and other productivity tools. With the right email system, you’ll find your business can be more productive and efficient, and you’ll find that most enterprise-level email providers can help you build their offerings in a cloud environment.

Mobile Device Management

The modern workforce is armed with one of the most powerful productivity tools out there: the smartphone. It’s a fact that people are going to use their smartphones, so you should do what you can to build how they use their smartphones into your business strategy. Some companies even give their employees time to use their phones for calling, messaging, and social media, while others are much more liberal in allowing the use of these devices. Others eliminate the unpredictable nature of smartphones by implementing BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device.

A comprehensive BYOD policy backed up by a mobile device management tool gives your business insights into how your employees are using their personal smartphones while on the clock. This means that you don’t have to overtly deny your employees the use of their devices, but more importantly, it means that your team will be using devices protected and reinforced by security measures.

NuTech Services can help you eliminate and move past these productivity roadblocks through the use of technology solutions. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Jun, 2022

Have You Planned Your Business’ Technology Refresh Schedule?

Businesses that utilize technology often try to make it last as long as possible to avoid the costs of overhauling their entire infrastructure. This can cause a lot of damage in the long term, though, especially if this practice leads to keeping technology longer than necessary. Let’s examine some of the variables that go into technology refreshes and how you can know when it’s time to do so.

It’s not always easy to determine when and how you should upgrade your business technology. You need to take pricing and deployment into account, as well as the technology’s impact on your team’s productivity. Furthermore, you need to look at whether or not the technology will be compatible with your company’s needs.

Why Upgrade at All?

When you use technology for so long without it failing, you might wonder what the benefit is to upgrading at all. Well, here are a few of them:

Downtime: The older your technology gets, the more likely it is to fail. Computers and their components will go bad over time, and there is a lot of capital invested in technology following a failure like this. If technology isn’t working properly, this downtime can impact your productivity and bottom line.
Turnover: Employee turnover can be problematic and expensive, and one of the key reasons why employees might leave their company is because their technology is not kept up-to-date. This is especially true for younger workers who think their reasonable requests are not being accommodated.
Lack of Support: Using the same technology for so long eventually leads to a lack of support when the software or hardware is dropped by the developer. This can lead to unsupported systems developing security or functionality flaws that can impact productivity and potentially even compliance.

What is the Average Refresh Timeline?

Most businesses will want to consider a technology refresh every three-to-five years. You can often get away with going slightly beyond this timeline, but the longer you wait, the more unreliable your technology will get.

What Types of Technology Need to be Upgraded?

Your physical infrastructure will need to be maintained and refreshed every so often, but you should also consider your business’ applications and storage. You don’t necessarily have to purchase new server units; you can use cloud-based servers, thereby removing the need for physical on-site infrastructure in the traditional sense. You can work with a provider to implement an infrastructure that works best for you. You’ll save a significant amount of money, as you’ll be paying service fees rather than full-fledged up-front costs associated with completely replacing technology over time. Plus, you won’t have to maintain the infrastructure—that’s the responsibility of the provider.

Other technology that might need to be updated includes routers, switches, workstations, and accessories. Clearly there is a lot that must be considered, so we recommend implementing refreshes for solutions that provide a high return on your investment. That being said, it can be overwhelming if you don’t have dedicated IT support.

How We Can Help

NuTech Services can assist your business with implementing new technology, a process that also includes setting up a refresh schedule. Our technicians can help you design, deploy, and support your computing infrastructure in the most effective and efficient way. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

May, 2022

You Can Use Software to Vastly Improve Your Customer Relationships

Customer relationships are at the heart of any business that sells a service or goods, making a technology solution like a CRM a powerful way to jumpstart operations. Let’s review what some of the benefits of using a CRM are and how your organization might use one to the best of its ability.

Let’s break down the features that you want your CRM to come with.

What Features Should My CRM Platform Offer?

Workflow Automation

The more of the CRM workflow that can be automated, the better. In short, the less time you have to spend managing these processes, the more time you can dedicate to other responsibilities and initiatives. You save time, but you also save the possibility of user error from getting in the way of your processes. Faster results and greater accuracy make for an excellent combination under any circumstances.

Integrations

Similarly, if you have multiple software solutions and platforms that integrate with your CRM, you can take advantage of additional functionality that can save you a ton of time in terms of workflow. You should look for integrations like marketing automation, chat, call center, support, and web analytics; trust us when we say that these tools will pay for themselves in the long term.

Contact Management

Staying in touch with your clientele or customers is extremely important, especially when you are trying to turn prospects into actual customers. A high-quality CRM can make this as easy as can be.

Lead Management

Keeping track of leads, including contacts that your team have had with them, can be beneficial for your business. The importance of being able to turn these numbers into actionable metrics cannot be understated. A CRM gives you ways to grow your pool of prospects and it gives you an idea of which ones might be most lucrative to form a relationship with.

This only scratches the surface of what a CRM can do for your business. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

May, 2022

Tip of the Week: Handy Shortcuts in Google Chat

Google Chat, a worthy successor to Google Hangouts, is a great tool for users that can help them be more productive throughout the day, but did you know that you might be missing out on a ton of functionality by forgoing some of these keyboard shortcuts? Let’s go over some of the most helpful ones and how you can use them to get more out of this tool.

Access a Shortcut Cheat Sheet

If there is one shortcut you walk away from this blog with, we want it to be this one. To pull up a keyboard shortcut list, all you have to do is press the ? key with no conversation selected. It will bring up a list for you to reference.

Quickly Switch Your Lines of Communication

If you want to hop around the interface without taking your hands off the keyboard, you can use this keyboard shortcut. Jump from one space or conversation to the next by pressing Ctrl + K. This will open a box, providing you with options to start a group conversation, browse or create a new space, review message requests, or start a dialogue with one of your existing contacts.

Edit a Sent Message

If you send a message a little too soon, you can make a change to it after the fact by selecting the up arrow on your message. Once the message is selected, you can make any necessary edits, then update the message.

Google Chats is a wonderful tool, so make sure you get the most out of it! NuTech Services can help you take full advantage of your technology solutions. To learn more, give us a call at 810.230.9455.

Dec, 2021

WARNING: Widespread Log4j Vulnerability is a Massive Danger to Businesses

Before this week, you probably never heard about Log4j. Right now, though, it’s the biggest topic in cybersecurity due to a massive vulnerability that is estimated to affect millions of devices. Your business needs to take this seriously.

What is Log4j?

Without getting too deep into the roots, when developers create software and applications, they rely on different programming languages. For instance, Java has been a common programming language since the early 90s. Java contains libraries that developers can utilize, and one of these libraries, known as Log4j, was recently discovered to have a major vulnerability in it. This vulnerability has been around for years, but now that it is out in the open, cybercriminals are likely to take advantage of it to steal data and infiltrate networks.

The scope of this is huge. The vulnerability impacts some common names in the technology world, such as:

Amazon
Apple
Cisco
Fortinet
Google
IBM
Microsoft
SonicWall
Sophos
VMware

…as well as others, large and small. Even the United States’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is affected.

Does Log4j Affect My Business?

It’s pretty likely. Not to sound repetitive, but this is a major, major issue, and anyone using software or running a system with this vulnerability is putting themselves, their data, and their business at risk. It doesn’t just affect Microsoft and Apple, it affects all of us, because we all use Microsoft and Apple services.

How to Protect Yourself from the Log4j Vulnerability

For the most part, you need to rely on the security patches and updates your vendors provide for your software. Unless you develop your own applications, in which case then the onus is on you, you are at the mercy of your vendors.

Fortunately, most of the major vendors are scrambling to get security patches out. That said, it’s up to you to apply them. If you have software that is no longer receiving updates (such as older applications that have reached end-of-life, or have surpassed your license agreement), you’ll need to have someone determine if they utilize Log4j and come up with a game plan from there. Cases like this are going to get pretty hairy, so we suggest acting quickly.

Technology and the Internet are a Little Less Safe, so It’s Up to You to Protect Yourself

Since this vulnerability has such a wide impact, it really is up to you as an individual to make sure you are practicing good cybersecurity hygiene. Utilizing weak passwords like “123password” or using the same password across multiple accounts is a terrible, dangerous habit. You need to be using strong password best practices, such as:

Using a unique password for each account and website
Using a mix of alphanumeric characters and symbols
Using a sufficiently complex passcode to help with memorability without shorting your security
Keeping passwords to yourself

Let’s Audit your Technology ASAP

Don’t put your business at risk by ignoring the dangers of this vulnerability. You should have your network audited to ensure that everything on your network is thoroughly patched and determine if any systems are utilizing Log4j. It’s just a matter of time before we start seeing widespread exploitation of this vulnerability, so time is of the essence.

Give NuTech Services a call at 810.230.9455 to schedule an appointment, even if you aren’t a client. This is very serious, and we don’t want to see local businesses struggle from this.

Oct, 2021

Three Signs Your Computer Has Been Hacked

Dealing with a hacked computer can be scary, but depending on the severity of the hack, you might not even know your infrastructure has been breached until it’s too late to stop it, putting you in a reactionary position. Let’s go over some of the telltale signs of a computer hack and what you should do about it.

Increased Network Traffic

Over time you will grow accustomed to a certain level of network traffic on your company’s infrastructure, including the devices connected to it, the devices communicating with it, the endpoints utilizing your Internet connection, and so on. The second you have an increase in your network traffic should be your first clue that something is wrong. Oftentimes, an increase in network traffic could mean that a trojan or backdoor has installed itself on your network, meaning that some hacker somewhere is using your network for some nefarious purpose.

Computer Slowdown

Similar to the previous point is any noticeable difference in your computer or network’s operational functioning. While a slowdown does not necessarily mean that you have been hacked, it is a telltale sign that something is not working as intended and should be looked into anyway. It just so happens that one of the more common slowdown causes is malware and other threats installing themselves on your device or network, so be sure to investigate slowdowns accordingly.

Pop-ups and Other Annoyances

Perhaps one of the most obvious signs of a hacking attack on your computer is a plethora of obtrusive and sometimes downright disturbing ads, as well as other unexplained phenomena. Malware will often install ads that contain malicious links, leading to even deeper-rooted problems than those currently in place on your computer. Furthermore, some malware will install files, delete files, move them, or otherwise create inconsistencies that cannot be explained otherwise.

Basically, when it comes to the more low-profile hacks on your computer (you know, the ones that aren’t blasting you with ads every five seconds), most telltale signs of a hacking attack involve noticing inconsistencies and acting to find the source of them.

The scary thing about many of these signs is that they could also be caused by other things on your infrastructure, so it is generally a best practice to contact your IT provider if you suspect that your network or device has been infected by malware or other threats. It’s also a best practice to actively monitor your network for these issues so as to prevent major data breaches or to mitigate damage.

NuTech Services can equip your business with the tools necessary to take these precautions. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Oct, 2021

Hosting Your Applications in the Cloud Can Have Major Benefits

You may already be familiar with the concept of hosting your business’ technology on your own in-house network, like a server unit, but some businesses struggle to manage hardware like this effectively. In all honesty, you can get largely the same benefits of an in-house server through a hosted solution. Nowadays, the cloud makes utilizing cloud services easier than ever.

Traditional Hosting

Small businesses often have trouble with more traditional methods of application hosting, mostly because many do not have the space to dedicate to traditional hosting. They also may run into issues related to more limited budgets or device procurement; even if they do get the right technology in place, maintaining it properly can be the last straw.

Managed service providers give small businesses access to professionals they may not be able to hire outright, meaning that they can also host your business’ hardware and applications effectively. NuTech Services is one such provider; with our cloud services, your small business can get the technology you need without having to spend large chunks of capital. Whether you want us to host your email service, your line-of-business applications, or even your VoIP system, we’ve got you covered. You might be surprised by how much a cloud hosting service can improve your operations and workflows!

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting is something that can only really be discussed after complaining a bit about the limitations of traditional hosting. It used to be the case that you could only host your applications on your own infrastructure, but now you can host applications and infrastructures right in the cloud using virtual hardware. This type of anytime-anywhere access is a particularly good investment for businesses.

You might be surprised to learn that most services your business implements can be deployed or accessed through the cloud, as long as you are working with a cloud provider to handle the responsibilities of managing and maintaining the infrastructure. Outsourcing these responsibilities can lead to your organization investing more of its time and energy into other endeavors, including some that can yield a greater profitability.

NuTech Services can be your business’ go-to resource for anything cloud-related. To learn more about what we can do for your business, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Oct, 2021

Tip of the Week: A Short Guide to Microsoft Word Shortcuts

Most companies utilize a word processor of some sort, and one of the most powerful and dynamic (not to mention commonplace) is Microsoft Word. If you want to get the most out of this great solution, we’ve got your back. Stay tuned for a quick look at some of the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts that we think you will find helpful during your business’ day-to-day operations.

We recommend that you print out this blog article and use it as a quick reference for certain shortcuts that you might use frequently, at least until you memorize how to use them.

Cut: Ctrl + X
Copy: Ctrl + C
Paste: Ctrl + V
Undo: Ctrl + Z
Redo: Ctrl + Y
Open a document: Ctrl + O
Close a document: Ctrl + W
Save current document: Ctrl + S
Create new document: Ctrl + N
Select all content: Ctrl + A
Bold: Ctrl + B
Italic: Ctrl + I
Underline: Ctrl + U
Align center: Ctrl + E
Align left: Ctrl + L
Align right: Ctrl + R

Navigating Your Word Document

The above keyboard shortcuts are mostly for formatting, but the following are mostly used for navigating your Microsoft Word document.

Move cursor to beginning of document: Ctrl + Home
Move cursor to end of document: Ctrl + End
Move cursor to top of next page: Ctrl + Page down
Move cursor to top of previous page: Ctrl + Page up
Move cursor to location of last revision: Ctrl + F5
Open the navigation pane for search features: Ctrl + F

As always, it is impossible for us to list all keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Word, so if you want a more comprehensive list, be sure to check out the keyboard shortcut charts over on Microsoft’s official support website here.

What are some other programs that you would like to see us cover in future tip articles? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on them!

Oct, 2021

Mission-Critical Software for Small Businesses

With so many types of business software solutions out there, you might not immediately know what you should aim to use and why. Thankfully, while there are countless types of businesses and organizations out there, some staple applications make their way into most offices, giving your company a decent starting point. Let’s take a look at what some of these software programs are and why you might want them.

Productivity Suites

Nothing beats a good productivity suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet program, presentation software, email client, and calendar management platform. A productivity suite is practically a necessity in today’s workplace. Some of the most common ones include Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, but other more specialized positions may also make use of others, like the Adobe Creative Cloud.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Unlike the antiquated telephone systems of old, Voice over IP technology allows companies to use their Internet connection as a voice communication tool. VoIP also helps by reducing costs and setup time. Many VoIP solutions can simply exist as an application that is downloaded to your chosen hardware, be it a desktop, laptop, or smart device, and its ease of implementation means that you can cut back on unnecessary infrastructure additions while still getting the tools you need to thrive.

Password Management

As the first line of defense against threats, the password is an incredibly important tool. While it has been going out of style with the use of multi-factor authentication, this does not diminish its importance. Password management tools allow your company to leverage complex passwords without the annoyance of having to remember them all. Password management tools store your passwords in a protected vault, calling them only when needed.

Antivirus and Other Security Solutions

You cannot gloss over your company’s security. This is much more involved than simply implementing a firewall—rather, you need to implement solutions that can protect your network and all endpoints connected to it. Both small businesses and large enterprises fall victim to hacking attacks every day, so take extra care to ensure that your business is protected from viruses, malware, and other nasty entities that make their home on the Internet.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Encryption is a powerful tool to help your business keep data and privacy intact, particularly in today’s remote workplace setting. A VPN encrypts data sent to and from a device, improving security while on unsecured networks. This is great for keeping your data private while on unsecured Wi-Fi connections while traveling or while away from the safety of your office.

Does your business need a hand with implementing software solutions? NuTech Services can help. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Aug, 2021

Breaking Down the Konami Code

Those born in the 80s (as well as some others) will likely recognize
“Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Select-Start” as the Konami Code, a famous cheat code that first appeared in 1986. Since then, the Konami Code has spread, now being featured in software titles and websites. Let’s consider the origins of the Konami Code, and how it has been featured in the zeitgeist.

The Origin of the Konami Code

In 1986, video game company Konami released a version of the arcade game Gradius that could be played in the home on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). As the game was being developed, however, it needed to be played through each time in order to be tested. Naturally, Kazuhisa Hashimoto—the developer responsible for porting the game—found this quite frustrating.

To simplify his process, Hashimoto created a cheat code that would give him every powerup in the game, making it far easier to progress to the point that needed testing. However, when production of the game started before the code was removed, it wound up being left in place so that removing it wouldn’t create any glitches. This was justified by the assumption that nobody would be so lucky as to input the Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Select-Start combination accidentally.

Regardless, it wasn’t long before the code was discovered. Since then, many game developers have intentionally included it in their products, and it has even spread outside of the gaming world. The Konami Code has itself become a pop culture reference.

Where the Konami Code Has Appeared

Along with Gradius, dozens of other games have featured the Konami Code. Most famous amongst them is possibly Contra, in which the player would receive 30 extra lives for inputting the Konami Code. It has also appeared in other media, including as a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it plot device in Wreck-It Ralph, an encoded background detail in an episode of animated spy series Archer, and was recited in an episode of Family Guy.

Otherwise, various websites and services have used the Konami Code as an Easter egg. Saying it to Alexa or the Google Assistant will trigger a special response from either. If you’re using Discord and encounter an Error 404 page, you can use it to start a game of snake.

Now you’re familiar with the origins of the Konami Code, and all the ways that it can be used. Have you ever stumbled across this before, or heard how it can be used otherwise?

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Aug, 2021

Managing Your Organization’s Software is More Complex than You Think

In a world of “as a service” business models, where services are distributed by month or by billing cycle, users are not necessarily buying things outright to replace them at a later date. The issue with this Software as a Service (SaaS) model is that too many of these solutions implemented all at once can create a messy web of software that needs to be managed. How can you make sure that you are getting the most out of your solutions without driving yourself up the wall?

A SaaS management platform is the best way to make sure that you are not leaving any value on the table with your SaaS applications. It can also help you maintain operations in ways that you might not have considered. Here are our top four benefits of using a SaaS management platform.

Analytics and Usage Statistics

If you have ever wondered how your employees use the solutions you give them, then a good SaaS management platform can give you access to these valuable insights. By getting this birds-eye view of how your employees use which applications, you can make more educated decisions about the solutions you implement moving forward. You might even find that you don’t need certain applications because they simply are not being used.

License Management and Renewal

Licensing is another major pain point for organizations that utilize several different types of software. If licenses expire, then access to applications can be brought to an abrupt halt. If employees find this happens to them, then they might look for other solutions to fill the void and get their work done. SaaS management allows you to keep this from happening by giving you one central location to manage and renew licenses as needed.

Enhanced Security and Compliance

No matter how often you use your SaaS applications for work purposes, they will inevitably store some of your organization’s data. This can create problems if you do not know what data and information it is that they are storing. If your business is using a SaaS management platform, you can more easily control security for these applications, a process that also aids in compliance.

Tighter Control over SaaS Applications

SaaS management gives your business the ability to manage its software from one central location, a concept that can help you eliminate shadow IT, which is the situation we described above where employees might implement unapproved applications to solve problems. Giving employees the ability to pick and choose from a pool of applications can make them less likely to look for alternative solutions.

If you want to get started with SaaS management, NuTech Services can help. We can offer a comprehensive network audit that can give you valuable insights into your software management needs. To get started, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Jul, 2021

Be Aware of This Upcoming Google Drive Link Sharing Concern

It is certainly important that you update your software and hardware with the latest patches and updates, but it is also important to keep in mind that while these patches and updates resolve certain issues, these updates can also create problems of their own. An upcoming update to Google Workspace is the perfect example of this.

What’s Going to Happen with Google Drive?

Professionals who use Google Workspace for collaboration should be familiar with the link-sharing feature that Drive provides. Basically, it lets you share documents you are working on via a link. These documents can have varying permissions depending on who you are sharing them with, giving you quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to collaborating with others. You just copy the link, share it, and get to work.

The previously mentioned update, however, complicates things a bit. For links generated before the updates, you might run into some complications.

Some Links Will Break

The long and short of it is that once these updates are applied, a resource key will be added to the URLs created when sharing a link. This will cause there to be an influx of new access requests for businesses to manage.

According to Google’s official support page, admins can choose how to apply this update until July 23. After July 26, end-users will start to receive notifications informing them that any files managed will be impacted by this new change. If admins allow it, users can choose how these updates apply to their files until September 13.

Need Help?

If you’re unsure of how this change will impact your business, let NuTech Services help you navigate this issue. We can help by providing comprehensive IT management tools for your business. To learn more about what we can do for your organization, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Jul, 2021

A Knowledge Base System Is a Great Tool to Streamline Operations

If your business wants to improve operations, one way it can do so is with an in-depth knowledge base that encompasses its policies and procedures for anyone who might work for you or take advantage of your services. Businesses that are well-documented have a much easier time when it comes to onboarding new talent, and with a thorough enough knowledge base, customers and vendors will have an easier time working with you, too. Today we are discussing the different types of knowledge base systems and why they might be a good fit for your business model.

What Knowledge is Needed?

First, you need to determine what information you plan to include in your knowledge base. If you have no clue what to include, you might include too much information from too many topics, leading to far too much to dig through. On the other hand, failing to include enough information is just not going to be enough to help anyone. Consider who your audience is and what information would benefit their day-to-day duties.

If you can determine the information you want to share with your customers and staff, you can more effectively implement your knowledge base. What are their needs and concerns? What questions do they have for you? What part of your business receives the most requests for support? If you can answer these questions, you should be set to move on.

What Type of Knowledge Base Are You Focused On?

There are six types of knowledge bases, each with their own benefits and issues. Here are these types of knowledge bases, as well as what you must consider for each of them.

Internal: Internal knowledge bases are used by your employees, and they typically hold information about your policies and procedures with the main goal of making their jobs easier or more efficient.
Hosted: Hosted knowledge bases are hosted in the cloud and aim to make things easier for employees, customers, and vendors.
Self-Hosted: Similar to a hosted system, the self-hosted knowledge base works in the same way, but it is hosted on-site on company servers, allowing for more enhanced security.
Customer: Used to provide information for customers exclusively. Some businesses opt to just use a FAQ system, but this is still a good opportunity to provide support.
External: External knowledge bases are publicly accessible and available, and they are particularly helpful for marketing or sales teams for establishing a customer base.
Open-Source: Open-source knowledge bases, like wikis, are those that anyone can edit. These aren’t always great options for small businesses, but they can be valuable assets for those who want to gather like-minded individuals who are passionate about specific topics, and could be either used internally, or externally.

Businesses tend to lean toward the hosted or self-hosted options, as they are ideal for supporting both employees and customers.

What Kind of Content are You Creating?

Based on the results of your research in step one, you will want to connect with experts to build content for your knowledge base system. This will not be a short process, but once it is complete, you could potentially see a great return on that investment in enhanced productivity. You should always keep things simple when possible. If you use a question and answer system that is clear and easy to search, your knowledge base system should be able to provide answers that are clear, readable, engaging, and flexible.

Are You Reinforcing Your Content?

After building your knowledge base, you should update it periodically to make sure that it stays up-to-date and relevant. After all, workflows that applied six months ago but are no longer used are not going to help a new employee who was just brought on. Ask yourself every so often what information is needed and what information is not needed or no longer relevant.

NuTech Services can help you implement a knowledge base system that will reinforce your staff and streamline operations. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Jun, 2021

How Can a Business Be Impacted by Unpatched Software?

It’s no secret that software often does not work as intended. Developers frequently discover bugs and patch them out. The same can be said for security vulnerabilities. Despite the importance of these updates, small businesses often fail to implement these patches and updates in a timely manner, a practice which can lead to more problems down the road.

Software bugs can range from very problematic to minor inconveniences. Some can cause a software to behave in an unpredictable manner. Others might expose critical data or leave backdoors in the code that could lead to security breaches. Let’s explore some of the issues that software bugs can bring about from both a customer and worker perspective.

Customer Satisfaction Takes a Dip

A positive reputation is key to any successful business endeavor, and something as simple as a software glitch can create major problems in this regard. For example, if a customer service portal simply does not work, it can create major issues for your customers when they seek to get help with other areas of your business. With most businesses having at least some online presence, this is a very real possibility, and customers are more likely to share their experiences when that experience is negative.

Small Issues Suggest Larger Problems

If a company is issuing software to paying customers, then there is an expectation that it works as intended. Things like a lack of attention to detail, grammatical errors, or UI issues can all contribute to the larger quality of the program. Small issues can often provide clues to larger underlying problems that could surface after a long enough use.

Security Becomes a Concern

If software is not regularly updated, be it a website, application, or operational software, vulnerabilities are likely to be discovered by hackers. This is why you see updates happen so frequently, especially by big name developers. People don’t want to use tools that put their financial information or personal data at risk (or at least, they shouldn’t). Patching these issues and testing them periodically is something that all developers should do; failing to do so could lead to disasters just waiting to happen.

The Issue Expands Over Time

It is extremely important that you have a patch management strategy in place to guarantee the operational effectiveness of your business technology. Neglected software can become riddled with problems in the long term, and if a customer or vendor finds these issues, you can bet that they can cost businesses a considerable amount of time and resources to rectify, if they get resolved at all. If you fail to do anything about problematic software for your business, you are just throwing money onto a bonfire, hoping desperately to snuff out the ever-growing flame.

Since software is such a major part of your business, you have to be extremely careful about how you implement it and update it with the latest patches and security updates. NuTech Services can help you make this happen. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Mar, 2021

How to Find the Right Management Software for Your Business

Software is a major part of doing business nowadays. Not only do you depend on it to manage core functions of your business, that software can be purchased in multiple different methods. When choosing management software, your business needs to choose one that fits your needs, returns long-term benefits, and provides a platform that will help you build your company. Let’s go through some considerations you’ll need to consider when choosing management software.

What Is Your Problem?

There are literally scores of different titles out there that have been created to help companies like yours do business better, but some are better suited to your business than others. Where you should start when attempting to choose a management software is to look at your business’ problems. You need a management software that will help you best solve those problems.

Typically these problems include: work redundancy, using too much software to keep everything straight, and lack of interdepartmental coordination. By identifying your business’ specific problems, you will be able to whittle down your options. In doing so, the solution you ultimately choose will do a better job of meeting your business’ specific needs.

Workflow Is a Major Consideration

In order to work for your company, your management software will need to support your business’ workflow. It’s important to map out your daily activities, how you track them, and what type of information you would like to collect. Those considerations will drive your decision-making process going forward.

What sets your business apart where you would need the ability to customize your new software? What problems are you constantly having? Which problems would you like to avoid? You’ll need to think about the purchasing of new management software like adding milk to cereal. Once you’ve committed, there’s no going back. The process of migrating your data, training your users, getting used to the new system, ironing out bugs, working around shortcomings, and everything in between can take a lot of time and effort.

Identifying Problems

As mentioned above, your new software will need to solve your business’ biggest problems. Sometimes identifying those problems is the problem. What you will want to do is to rank these issues by priority, with the most crucial issues taking on more weight. This will ensure that you will be making the right decisions when it is time to pull the trigger. Minor annoyances that don’t directly affect revenue streams can be dealt with later, but core issues that require large time and resource commitments need to be addressed here.

Compliance and Other Qualifications

When choosing a software to run your business, you will need to understand all the requirements that need to be met before the buying process. Does your business operate with certain restrictions due to regulatory requirements? Do you need integrations with management software? Are you considering hosting this solution yourself or are you going to be using a cloud-hosted solution? How will this system help your sales and marketing teams? How will it affect your production teams? How much training will you and your staff need before you/they are proficient with the software? There are a lot of considerations you need to ask yourself before even shopping for the right software to manage your business.

Your Staff and Your Pocketbook

If your staff is going to have problems with the user experience of a solution, it may be a major headache for your business. This shouldn’t discourage you from getting a solution that is right for your needs, but you should consider their ability to use it before committing. Most developers will provide a free trial of a software, so you should consider taking advantage of that so you aren’t wasting time and money on a solution that won’t be a long-term solution for your business.

That brings us to money. Some businesses would like to have all the bells and whistles that come with an enterprise CRM (Customer Relationship Management) title. The budget may say otherwise. You need to understand that as your business grows, certain software can grow right alongside it, and some are just too much for your budget and your situation at the moment. Be smart and don’t create more problems when trying to find solutions.

Consulting With Experienced Technicians

At NuTech Services, our technicians work day-in and day-out with software that could be right for your business. We can help you ascertain the real problems that are hindering your business’ growth and help you make the right decisions to move past them. We can also give you options that you wouldn’t get if you tried to do this alone. Give us a call at 810.230.9455 and tell us what your goals are and we can help you find solutions to all of your current business problems.

Jan, 2021

Why Is It Super Important to Keep Your Software Updated?

Your business’ software is one of its critical assets, so it really can’t also host many risks to your security and business continuity. Therefore, keeping your software up-to-date and fully patched should be a priority. Let’s go over what patch management entails and why it is so important.

What Causes Software Vulnerabilities?

Many people might incorrectly assume that, once a software is released and paid for, it won’t be the source of any major security issues from that point forward. Unfortunately, this isn’t entirely accurate. As hackers and cybercriminals work to identify vulnerabilities in the code that software developers have created, the software developers will fight back by creating patches to resolve these vulnerabilities.

This pattern continues until the software is eventually abandoned for a new and improved option, much like we’ve seen with the progression of the Windows OS. The reason that we are so adamant that everyone needs to migrate away from the antiquated Windows 7 is because hackers have had years to devise new ways of undermining its security while Microsoft has shifted focus to its later iterations of the operating system.

Regardless, this cat-and-mouse game goes on, with consumers, business owners, and IT admins caught in the crossfire.

Without consistent updates, all software titles can potentially be leveraged against the user—and with so many kinds of software in use within a business, there needs to be a process to ensure that they are all attended to on desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices alike. A good rule of thumb: if a software title interacts with the Internet, its software will need to be updated eventually.

Defining Patch Management

Patch management is the process by which a business ensures that updates and patches are applied to all vulnerable pieces of software. Whether it’s a productivity solution, communication and collaboration tool, digital security measure, an operating system, any kind of software under the sun could potentially be a risk that needs to be promptly addressed.

While this makes patch management an essential part of operating securely, it can be notoriously time consuming to dive into. This is why our team at NuTech Services utilizes cutting edge technology to see to our clients’ software solutions and keep them patched and upgraded. As a matter of fact, the technology we use keeps watch over our clients at all hours to ensure that all applicable updates are properly implemented.

Reiterating Why Patch Management Matters

Let’s touch back on Windows 7 once again, as the issues it causes are severe enough to bear repeating. As these words are first being written, almost 20 percent of PC users are still using Windows 7, despite Microsoft abandoning support for it a year ago in January 2020.

This effectively makes Windows 7 a clear and present danger for anyone using it—to the point that the Federal Bureau of Investigation effectively begged users and businesses to abandon it in a press release this past August.

For assistance with your patch management processes and the upkeep of your assorted IT solutions, reach out to the experts we have here at NuTech Services. Our team will be here to assist you behind the scenes, all you need to do is reach out to us at 810.230.9455 for more information.

Nov, 2020

The End is Nigh for Adobe Flash Player

Once the cornerstone of many websites on the Internet, Adobe Flash Player is finally going into retirement. As soon as December 31, 2020 rolls around, support for the software will end. This means that it needs to be removed from your business’ technology before then.

Adobe Flash Player was deprecated back in 2017, but its official end of life date lands at the end of this year. What this means is that the software will gradually show more and more vulnerabilities that will not be mitigated, and therefore, the software will be far more susceptible to attack. Therefore, it is important that you check to make sure that anyplace that Flash Player would be—including your Internet browsers on your computers and mobile devices—to make sure that Flash isn’t still installed there.

Chances are pretty good that you haven’t used Flash Player for some time, simply because other options are more useful. Despite the platform once dominating the space, it will soon be little more than a liability. Unfortunately, this also means that any legacy software that relies on Flash will not function after the year ends and will also need to be removed.

Reach out to our team to find out how you can help keep vulnerabilities out of your IT by removing software when the time comes. Give us a call at 810.230.9455 today.

Nov, 2020

The User Experience Using Windows Apps on Chrome OS

After a long period, punctuated by no shortness of user demand, Chromebooks can now finally support Windows applications. Well, in a manner of speaking. Let’s examine the process that now allows a user access to the applications once denied to ChromeOS users, to consider if it is worth using after all.

A Few Brief Disclaimers

Before we get into how this is possible, we should mention a few of the prerequisites of this process.

As of right now, the Windows/ChromeOS compatibility is clearly intended for enterprise use, as it is configured for company-wide setups and rings up an annual per-user cost of $70. Furthermore, the method we are covering here is only compatible on higher-end Chromebooks, with at least an i5 or i7 Intel Core processor, 16GB of RAM, and 128GB of onboard storage.

How Does Windows Run on a Chromebook?

By collaborating with a company called Parallels, Google has successfully brought Windows to the Chromebook via the capabilities of a locally installed virtual machine. As a result, any Windows program can be utilized with or without an active Internet connection.

This approach makes the user experience somewhat unique, as the Windows install effectively runs in its own window, almost as if it were simply an application installed in Chrome OS. From within this window, the user can access and utilize the Windows software they need. As a result, it almost feels as though you’re utilizing a remote desktop software, despite the OS being present on your hardware. Starting up the Windows software will take you through the entire boot process you’d typically see in a Windows device, and applying updates will sometimes prompt you to restart the OS environment, rather than your entire device.

How Well Does This All Work?

Besides the unconventional user experience and a few minor oddities, however, hosting Windows on a Chromebook works just the same as using a Windows device. Some of these oddities can even be beneficial—for example, the same system clipboard applies to both environments, allowing you to copy from one OS and paste into the other. The file storage system also works across both platforms, allowing a user to open their Windows files in Chrome, even if the Windows environment is inactive.

According to reports on Parallels’ process, the only thing that doesn’t work as intended is the recording capability within the Windows environment (although there are currently efforts to resolve this issue in the works). You can even include custom business applications along with more common solutions… you just need to make sure that your Windows environment is configured correctly.

Why Would Google Do This?

It would appear that Google has seen the value of providing support for legacy applications—this entire initiative has been framed with that concept at the forefront—so that companies who rely on these applications can continue to operate effectively. So, despite the slight difference in how native these Windows applications seem as compared to those that are web-based or work within the Chrome or Linux operating systems, these changes only foreshadow further improvements to come, and a new perspective into how computing will need to be shaped in the future.

Don’t assume that you can simply take your existing budget Chromebook and install Windows on it off the bat, but it will be nice seeing more options for low-cost hardware that plays nicely with the network environments that most businesses already have.

What do you think? Do you see any utility in the Chrome operating system playing nice with Windows applications? Let us know what you think in the comments!