School has always been challenging for students – and that was before they had to attempt learning from home. Over the past year, many school-related challenges have been amplified, especially for children with disabilities and low-income learners. Districts looking to close the gap are turning to edtech to equalize education for all. Let's look at how school-provided 1:1 device programs are democratizing learning.

What Is 1:1 Learning?
Under a 1:1 learning program, all students have an institution-issued electronic device, such as a laptop or tablet, which they use to access online coursework, digital content, the internet, or eBooks.
One-to-one devices are usually owned by schools and provided to students over the course of the school year. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, more and more schools are reaching a 1:1 computing environment years ahead of schedule.

Students Learn at Their Own Pace
Students have always learned at different paces. However, in the classroom setting, educators had to teach to the middle, leaving some behind and others disengaged.
In a 1:1 environment, learners at different levels can complete coursework at their own cadence. Students who have mastered certain concepts can then concentrate on subjects that present more of a challenge. Those who need a little extra time with certain concepts can reread or re-watch lessons as many times as they need to really grasp the material.
Digital lessons can also be condensed into shorter time frames for summer school or stretched out over longer trimesters to accommodate a variety of learning schedules. This makes it possible to guide students through the material at a faster or slower pace, depending on the situation.

Accessibility for All
Schools are also using edtech to standardize education so knowledge is more accessible to everyone.
Increasing access to learning content is simplified through a variety of online applications, platforms, and cloud technologies. These new learning formats also ensure students have continuous access to quality content that’s always up-to-date.
Think about what that could mean for students who live in low socio-economic areas or who live in low-income districts. Instead of waiting until these institutions can afford the latest version of an expensive textbook, or find funds to issue each student a book of their own, 1:1 learners can turn to their online learning platforms to access the same content as students attending private schools.
That same digital content also gives developing nations the opportunity to implement the same educational standards as wealthier countries around the globe.

Differentiated Instruction
“Differentiated instruction” allows an educator to teach to the student, not the test. By tailoring their instruction, teachers can more effectively meet individual students where they are, ensuring they don’t get left behind. Technology makes it possible for educators to conduct virtual classrooms while differentiating their teaching and providing supplemental resources as needed without ever leaving their learning management system.
Teachers might encourage learners struggling with a particular concept to preview a set of curated content before the day’s lesson. Or they may direct advanced learners to more advanced material to keep them feeling challenged. Differentiated projects are another popular method for instructors. It allows students to use diverse programs and mediums to showcase their work, even as teachers personalize content.

Assisting Students with Disability
Assistive Technology, defined in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, is “any item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
For students with disabilities, assistive technology often comes in the form of their school-issued devices. Many arrive standard with a host of assistive learning tools like screen readers, interactive displays, touch screens, and text-to-speech tools. More advanced apps and specialized communication tools (think: braille keyboards, smart pens, headsets for hearing aids) can help students with a disability excel by creating a more inclusive classroom experience.
In truth, there’s no faster way to level the scholastic playing field than implementing a 1:1 learning program. Edtech devices help students of all abilities and backgrounds achieve their personal best, while staying connected to classmates and learning lifelong skills.

Office equipment has a limited lifespan. How limited? The average computer maxes out after just over four years. For other machines, it’s even shorter. Some businesses incorrectly assume it’s smarter to save up and wait until there’s a problem to replace important equipment. In reality, dated devices cost more than just capital and can actually make your organization vulnerable to serious security threats.
Investing in quality equipment now is the best course of action for companies who want to future proof. Here’s what that ROI looks like in reality.

Buying Better Saves You Money
Anyone who’s ever replaced a laptop’s motherboard knows: Aging equipment requires significant, costly upkeep. Over time, outdated products can end up costing far more than their market value in maintenance fees alone. By contrast, newer, top-rated office equipment acts as more of a one-time purchase, giving you peace of mind in your investment. That assurance extends to security, too. Newer machines and equipment provide a critical layer of protection between your company’s sensitive data and disastrous cyber events. If your company can’t afford to pay $3.68 million – the average cost of a data breach in 2020 – then it's time to make the switch.

Quality Equipment Increases Efficiency
While the price tag of a mid-level machine may seem appealing at first, it’s important to look beyond the numbers. The efficiency and reliability of your office equipment is a far better indicator of its lifetime value.
Upmarket products typically experience far less downtime and have the processing power to handle your most data-intensive tasks. When your company equipment is running optimally, employee productivity is likely to rise, increasing your profit margins as a result.
Though actual costs depend on how much you charge per hour and the number of employees you have, in one Small Business UK example, a one-minute computer delay can cost upwards of $2,600 USD worth of business hours over the year. These are funds that could easily be spent on newer, more effective machinery.

Higher Safety Ratings Lead to Lower Health Risks
You can’t put a dollar amount on the health of your employees. If you want to improve their well-being, start by assessing the equipment they use each day. Ergonomically speaking, that might call for increased investment in inexpensive equipment like adjustable screens, proper seating, elevated keyboards or even standing desks. When shopping for updated equipment, consider making purchases that align with health and safety standards like those outlined in this computer workstation checklist.

You Can Enhance Employee Morale
Office equipment directly impacts the employee experience. The more a machine crashes or a piece of legacy equipment delays their deadline, the more frustration that builds. Is it any wonder that “93% of millennials cite modern and up-to-date technology as one of the most important aspects of a workplace”?
Instead of testing an employee’s patience, try providing reliable office equipment. Not only will it help them take pride in their work, but it’s also a tangible way to show you’re invested in their overall experience.
This cycle of positive reinforcement is one that leads to a solid company culture built on mutual respect.

It Gives You A Competitive Edge
Better equipment often signals a better product, at least in the minds of your customers. Meaning, updated technology can actually give your business a more competitive edge. However, the inverse is also true. Cheap equipment can subtly communicate subpar services. Play it smart and take advantage of any opportunity that sets your brand apart and sends a message of quality. Top-of-the-line tech does just that.
There are no two ways about it. Premium businesses invest in premium equipment – and for good reason. Not only is it better for their bottom line, but it’s also a direct investment in their most important asset of all: their employees. Give our expert team a call at 715-669-6136 to enhance your company’s performance today!

A guest post from our friends at Emsisoft.

3. Take Control of Your Mobile Devices
Why: Some apps play fast and loose with device permissions and may collect more data than they need to function correctly. Meanwhile, failing to secure your mobile device could result in an unauthorized user gaining access to your online accounts and personal data stored both locally on the device and in cloud-based services.

How: Hope for the best, plan for the worst. The following best practices can help you secure your mobile devices and prevent your personal data from falling into the wrong hands.

• Only install reputable apps: Every app you install requires certain permissions to function. Some are reasonable, like a navigation app that requires access to your location; others less so, like a flashlight app that wants access to your contacts. Check app permissions in your phone’s settings, disable any permissions that seem excessive and consider uninstalling any apps that look overly intrusive.
• Use remote erase: In the unfortunate event that your phone is lost or stolen, use remote erase to ensure that nobody will be able to access the data. Both iPhone and Android devices can be remotely erased provided certain functions are enabled. 
• Enable device encryption: Enabling encryption ensures that your data can only be read when your device is unlocked, meaning that even if someone gains physical access to your device, they won’t be able to see what’s on it. Most modern Apple and Android devices have encryption enabled by default, while Windows 10 devices can be encrypted via Start > Settings > Update & Security > Device encryption.

4. Protect Your Digital Social Life
Why: One of the biggest threats to your online privacy is… you. The amount of personal information we willingly divulge on social media poses a serious privacy threat as it gives attackers an easy way to collect sensitive information that could be used to commit identity theft or fraud. A motivated attacker could potentially use the information you share online to open new accounts in your name, hack your accounts or send highly personalized phishing scams to your friends and work colleagues.

How: A combination of smart privacy settings and limiting what you share online can help protect your privacy on social media. Start with the following practices:

• Change your social media settings: Every social media platform offers a range of privacy settings that enable you to configure who can see your posts, online activity and contact information. How you tweak these settings will vary depending on your needs, but as a bare minimum we recommend deselecting location tracking, restricting who can find you online and disabling targeted ads where possible.
• Limit what you share: Protect your digital identity by limiting what you share online. Avoid filling out “About Me” fields in your social media profiles and avoid sharing personally identifiable information such as your full birthday, place of birth, address and phone number.
• Encrypt your messages: Encryption keeps your communications secure and ensures that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages – even if they’re intercepted. Signal, an open-source secure message service is a good option. WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption, but requires access to your contacts list if you wish to see your contact’s names. Apple’s iMessage also provides end-to-end encryption, but only for messages sent between iPhones. Facebook Messenger is not encrypted, although its “Secret Conversations” feature is (available on iOS and Android, but not on the regular web domain)

5. Set Up Guest Accounts
Why: As a hospitable host, you probably don’t think twice before giving out your Wi-Fi password to guests. What you may not realize is that connecting new users to your home network could pose a serious privacy and security risk. While your guests probably aren’t going to intentionally be snooping around your files, there’s a chance they could accidentally stumble upon your personal documents or inadvertently spread malware to your network.

How: Setting up guest accounts allows you to restrict access to your network and your devices. It’s free and easier than it sounds.

• Set up a guest network: A guest network allows your visitors to connect to your Wi-Fi but prevents them from accessing the rest of your network and the devices connected to it. To create a guest network, open up your router settings and dig around in the Wi-Fi section for a setting called something like ‘Allow guest access’ or ‘Guest network’ and follow the setup instructions to completion.
• Create a standard user account: Similarly, you can create a standard user account to allow your visitors to use your devices without giving them access to your private files or your system’s settings.
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Everyone has the right to privacy. While intrusive data collection practices have made it more challenging to protect your digital identity, it’s still possible to maintain a good level of privacy online. Utilizing privacy-conscious tools, avoiding overly intrusive software and being mindful of how you communicate online can go a long way toward keeping your private life just that – private.
We know that some of these suggestions appear daunting but don’t worry, Yellowstone Computing is here to help! Give our experts a call at 715-669-6136 or stop by our office located at 219 N Washington St, Thorp today! 

Part 3 of a guest post from our friends at Emsisoft.

Every day, we pay for the cost of digital convenience with our privacy. The currency, of course, is personal data. Sometimes, it’s a reciprocal transaction, like when we install a social media app on our phone. We install the app knowing that our information will be harvested, aggregated, and likely sold off to marketers and advertisers.  
In other scenarios, the erosion of privacy is less obvious, like when governments quietly conduct mass surveillance on the population; or, at the other end of the scale, like when someone plugs in your USB drive and starts snooping through your vacation pics.  
It’s easy to think that we’ve all but relinquished our right to privacy. But by making a few simple changes to your devices and rethinking how you interact online, it is still possible to maintain a good level of control over your privacy.
Here are five things you can do today to start taking control of your online privacy.

1. Secure Your Browser
Why: Your online activity is constantly being tracked and used by marketers to measure website performance and create targeted ads. Through the fuse of cookies and pixel trackers, websites can collect a wide range of information about you, including your location, what you click on, how long you spend on a page, the devices you use and more. Over time, as more of your browsing activity across different sites is aggregated, advertisers can get a startlingly accurate view of your interests, shopping habits and personal life.

How to Do It: Installing the following browser extensions can dramatically increase your privacy and reduce your online footprint.

• HTTPS Everywhere: Created by the Tor Project and Electronic Frontier Foundation, HTTPS Everywhere is an open-source browser extension that automatically makes websites use the more secure (encrypted) HTTPS protocol instead of HTTP. HTTPS Everywhere is available on Firefox, Chrome, and Opera.
• Emsisoft Browser Security: Emsisoft Browser Security protects your privacy by blocking access to phishing websites and websites that are known to distribute malware. Unlike many other security browser extensions, Emsisoft Browser Security does not send visited website addresses to the cloud for verification, which means it can’t see the websites you visit or track your online activity.
• uBlock Origin: uBlock Origin (not to be confused with uBlock) is an open-source content filter that is capable, among other things, of blocking ads and preventing them from collecting your data. The adblocker can easily be disabled if you want to support specific sites that you know are secure. uBlock Origin is available on all the major browsers, including Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Pale Moon and older versions of Safari. 
• Privacy Badger: Instead of blocking content based on lists, Privacy Badger uses heuristics to identify and automatically block invisible third-party trackers. Privacy Badger complements uBlock Origin nicely (provided uBlock Origin is running on default settings) and is available on Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera.
  
  

2. Avoid Invasive Tools and Software
Why: Privacy and data management policies vary significantly between vendors. Many web-based tools will attempt to collect your data under the guise of providing a personalized experience, while some developers of free software will often try to recoup their costs by selling your data to third-party advertisers or bundling their applications with potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).
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How: Before you use an online service or install software on your device, read the fine print to ensure you understand what you’re getting yourself into. Switching from your usual services to one of the more privacy-conscious solutions below can help you keep your data where it belongs.

• Private search engine: All the mainstream search engines, including Google, Bing, Yahoo and others, collect extensive amounts of user data to create detailed user profiles, which marketers use to create targeted ads that follow you around the Internet. The good news is that there are a number of search engines that don’t collect or share your personal information. DuckDuckGo is the most well known, but there are other options, including Qwant and Startpage.
• Private web browsers: You can take the use of private search engines one step further by using privacy-focused browsers. Mainstream browsers such as Chrome still collect information about your online activity. Privacy-focused browsers such as Brave block data-harvesting ads and trackers. If you access your social media accounts via your desktop browser, we recommend using a separate browser for those accounts, and another for your personal and business accounts.
• Privacy-conscious antivirus: While antivirus software plays a critical role in keeping your devices safe, some solutions are a little overzealous in how they protect your system. Some security solutions will automatically upload your files to the cloud for analysis, while others might decrypt encrypted web traffic to check that it’s safe. Take the time to look for a privacy-conscious antivirus solution that will handle your files responsibly, ethically and securely.

 
We know that some of these suggestions appear daunting but don’t worry, Yellowstone Computing is here to help! Give our experts a call at 715-669-6136 or stop by our office located at 219 N Washington St, Thorp today! Don’t miss next week’s issue as we continue to outline basic steps to help you secure your digital privacy in 2021!

Part 2 of a guest post from our friends at Emsisoft.
 
6. Remove Apps You Don’t Need
Over the years, you’ve probably amassed a bunch of applications on your PC and mobile devices that you never use. It’s time to get rid of them. Unpatched and misconfigured software are common entry points for malware, so removing unnecessary apps can reduce the risk of infection while freeing up storage space.
Once you’ve uninstalled the unnecessary apps, keep your storage devices uncluttered by only installing software that you actually need. Read dialog boxes carefully during installation to ensure you don’t inadvertently install potentially unwanted programs and be cautious when installing free software – remember, if you’re not paying for it, you’re probably the product.

7. Enable 2FA Everywhere You Can
Leave single-factor authentication in the past and start enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere you can.
2FA is a simple and effective way of adding an extra layer of security to your accounts. With 2FA, you’re required to provide both a password and a secondary form of identification (typically a verification code, PIN, hardware token or biometric pattern) to access your account. Even if attackers are able to install keylogging malware on your device and obtain your login credentials, they won’t be able to access your 2FA-protected account without the second form of authentication.

8. Lockdown Your Smart Devices
Internet connectivity is finding its way into more and more of our home devices. While smart devices might be ushering in a new era of convenience and efficiency, each Internet-connected device also provides a possible point of entry for malware attacks. Below are a few tips to keep your smart devices secure:

• Apply network segmentation to isolate your smart devices on their own network and prevent an attack from spreading to your more important devices.
• Change the default passwords on all of your Internet-connected devices.
• Apply software and firmware updates when available.
• Secure your router using the best practices described earlier.
  
  

9. Use Cloud-Based Antivirus Management
U.S. households are now home to an average of 11 Internet-connected devices, according to figures from Deloitte. Taking control of the security of each individual device is a logistical nightmare, so your best bet is to look for a cloud-based solution that allows you to manage all the endpoints in your home from a single portal. The Emsisoft Management Console, for example, comes free with all Emsisoft protection software and enables you to manage all of your devices remotely from a single pane of glass. Efficient, powerful and easy to use, it’s the best way to protect all of your family’s devices from malware in 2021.

With remote working and distance learning here to stay for the foreseeable future, it has never been more important to maintain a high level of cybersecurity. Applying the practices described in this article can go a long way toward securing your home network and keeping your devices free of malware in 2021.
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We know that some of these suggestions appear daunting but don’t worry, Yellowstone Computing is here to help! Give our experts a call at 715-669-6136 or stop by our office located at 219 N Washington St, Thorp today! Don’t miss next week’s issue as we continue to outline basic steps to help you make 2021 malware-free!

A guest post from our friends at Emsisoft.
1. Think Before You Click
Phishing preys on human tendencies and uses social engineering techniques to coax you into clicking things you shouldn’t. It’s responsible for 31 percent of cybersecurity incidents and is likely to be a prevalent threat in the months ahead as attackers seek to take advantage of the global shift to remote working. Make 2021 a phish-free year by thinking twice before clicking. Here a few key tips to avoid falling for a phishing scam:

• Hover over URLs to check that the target address matches the linked text.
• Type in web addresses instead of clicking on links.
• Don’t open unsolicited email attachments.
• Install an anti-phishing browser extension like Emsisoft Browser Security.
• Call or text the sender of an email to confirm unusual requests.
• Be wary of language that conveys a sense of urgency.
• Be cautious of emails that don’t address you by name.

2. Apply Updates
Many types of malware work by taking advantage of security flaws in your applications or operating system. To fix these known security vulnerabilities and protect their users, software developers regularly release updates that should be applied as soon as they’re available.
While it may be tempting to ignore those nagging pop-up windows, keeping your software up to date is crucial for maintaining device security and reducing the risk of malware infection.
3. Install A Good Antivirus
There are a few good options on the market for antivirus and anti-malware software, so take the time to think about your requirements, read some reviews and install a few different trial versions (not at the same time!) to get a feel for each product.
If you’re looking for reliable, fast and easy-to-use protection, feel free to download a free trial of Emsisoft Anti-Malware and see if it’s a good fit. See this blog post for more advice on how to choose the right antivirus software.
4. Secure Your Router
Responsible for providing all of your devices with Internet connectivity, your router is perhaps the most important gadget in your home. Keep it secure with the following tips:

• Update firmware: Router manufacturers release firmware (the low-level software your router runs on) updates to fix bugs, introduce new features and improve router security. While some modern routers can automatically update their firmware, we suggest periodically checking for updates via the router control panel and installing any available patches.
• Change default login details: Most routers are shipped with the same default username (“admin”) and password (“password”). As you might have guessed, these credentials aren’t particularly hard to crack. Change the default login details to something more secure.
• Change the Wi-Fi password: Make a fresh start in 2021 by changing your Wi-Fi password. You’ll need to reconnect all of your devices, but it also means that anyone who shouldn’t be lurking on the network will be kicked off. Always use WPA2 (or better) encryption for wireless security.
• Disable WPS: Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) allows devices to connect to the network by pushing a button (which enables anyone with physical access to the router to connect to the network) or entering a PIN (which is more prone to brute force than an alphanumeric password). Unless you need WPS for a particular reason, we recommend disabling it.
• Disable remote access: Many modern routers come with remote access that allows you to manage your router while you’re away from home. To reduce the risk of compromise, remote access should be disabled unless you specifically require it.

5. Steer Clear of Pirated Software
Pirated software poses a significant security risk (not to mention the serious ethical implications, which we won’t get into here). While statistics are scarce, it’s not uncommon for pirated software to be infected with malware such as password-stealing trojans, ransomware and cryptojackers.
In 2021, it’s time to retire the Jolly Roger and embrace your new life as a regular old landlubber. Wipe the slate clean by reformatting your device and only installing legitimate applications. There are many free, open-source business applications and productivity tools that provide similar functionality to paid alternatives, while gamers can legally enjoy a plethora of top-notch games without paying a cent as developers increasingly embrace free-to-play models.
We know that some of these suggestions appear daunting but don’t worry, Yellowstone Computing is here to help! Give our experts a call at 715-669-6136 or stop by our office located at 219 N Washington St, Thorp today! Don’t miss next week’s issue as we continue to count down basic steps to help you make 2021 malware-free!

By Serenity Gibbons | Forbes
Just because something works doesn't make it efficient or practical. Take an old gas-guzzler car. It may get you from point to point, but you're going to waste money and resources along the way.
Legacy technology systems fit this metaphor well. They may work, but at what cost? Often, they're clunky and much slower than more modern digital solutions. Plus, they may not have the capacity to allow your team to scale and compete.
The answer, of course, is a digital transformation (DX). Unfortunately, it's an answer that doesn't always pan out. Around seven out of 10 companies that embark on the road to DX never make it to their destination. They peter out. And their legacy systems keep chugging along.

Around Seven Out Of 10 Companies That Embark on The Road To DX Never Make It To Their Destination.
Why the high rate of DX failure? To be honest, several challenges lie in the way of a successful technological transformation. First of all, support doesn't always come from the top down. Bottom-up DX rarely gets enough traction to make a lasting splash. Plus, lots of companies make wrong replacement choices, merely replacing one legacy system for another. Finally, a true DX project can lead to transformation fatigue if everyone's expected to make major changes on a dime.
This isn't to suggest that DX is an impossible dream. It's hardly the stuff that Don Quixote warbled against in "Man of La Mancha." It just takes a tempered touch and some serious planning to make legacy technology transformations stick long-term.

1. Go for The Easy Wins.
Instead of replacing your tech stack portfolio at once, alter it slowly. For instance, replace one of your legacy systems that won't cause tons of ruffled feathers. Email is a good starting point. Most people can adapt to new email platforms, even if they're not the most tech-savvy workers on your team.
Getting a small, fast win tears down psychological hurdles to embracing new digital solutions. It also allows people to see the advantages that can come from upgrading, such as being able to sync calendars effortlessly or send unlimited files within an encrypted intranet system. Never underestimate how powerful it can be for your employees to have a good DX experience from the start.
2. Cultivate Champions in The Executive Ranks.

CIO not on board with legacy transformation? CEO keep putting it on the back burner? You're on the road to stunted tech growth. You need a high-level champion front and center who can help you succeed and improve buy-in across the board.
Speaking of the board, having board members involved in your DX campaign can be a huge asset. Board member support can put pressure on C-suite leaders to take modernization initiatives seriously. After all, the board has a huge stake in the economic viability of your company. When they're emphasizing and prioritizing DX at the board-level, your top-ranking executives will listen.

3. Break Down DX Into Bite-Sized Chunks.
Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither was Detroit. Or Cincinnati. Or a solid technology transformation. So think agile and move in short sprints rather than one long marathon. Along these lines, you may want to look for simple answers that allow you to keep parts of your legacy system for even longer, such as putting "wrapper" systems in place. Digital wrappers aren't new; MIT was talking about leveraging them years ago. Taking baby steps lets everyone catch their collective breath after one legacy system or solution has been replaced by a more contemporary version.
As you're chunking your DX steps, be sure to share goalposts with your crew. As an example, you may want to send out reminders about timelines and expectations. This keeps employees abreast of what's occurring. It also shows them how they can help you move closer to meeting your expectations.

4. Give People Training to Make The Most Of Replacement Systems.
Sure, you'll have some self-starters on your team who will dive straight into any system you install. But most of your folks will sit back and timidly toy around the edges of unfamiliar software and systems. That's why you have to teach them why it's okay to get rid of the legacy systems they love and embrace the myriad possibilities of a replacement.
It's not enough to offer a single training or two. Go overboard with anyone you want to actually make good use of your DX solutions. Offer in-person, socially distanced workshops. Set up virtual sharing sessions. Do whatever you can to educate your team members. Along the way, you'll probably see rising superstars who can be point people for the new system. Identify them and make them the go-to gurus of "their" DX platform.

5. Keep Communications Flowing.
If you've followed all the steps until now, you're probably humming along pretty well. To maximize the flow of information about your legacy technology transformation, send regular progress updates via text, email or maybe a video message. Be up front about other legacy systems you plan to retire.
Being communicative is essential to foster higher employee engagement, especially if your team is now working remotely like so many across the country. Mirrored Media's Justin Lefkovitch has gone on the record as a consummate over-communicator. In his words, "Nobody complains about being too informed, so clear and informative communication is a good way to begin. 
At the same time, be open-minded to getting "word on the street" feedback from employees. You'll want to hear about what's working and what's not. Send out surveys and request one-on-one sessions with people using the latest DX solutions. You'll get a 360-degree view of what's happening and how to proceed.
There's an old saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Sometimes, it's true. However, that's no way to run a disruptive company. Often, the kindest thing you can do for your business and coworkers is to say goodbye to legacy technology. That way, you can say hello to lightning-fast workplace capabilities fueled by your commitment to DX.

This article was written by Serenity Gibbons from Forbes and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.

2021 has already had a rocky start – and compared to 2020 that’s saying a lot. Many hoped that this year would mark a return to normal. Instead it seems we’re in for a continuation of our new normal, complete with unexpected threats and digital acceleration. Anticipating what’s around the corner may continue to be impossible. Fortunately for small businesses, the market’s near-limitless device options give them an opportunity to respond more nimbly, so long as they select the right ones.
If choosing tech for the year ahead feels like a shot in the dark, follow these guidelines and future proof your business.

Choose Devices That Are Flexible
Numerous lockdowns amid growing health concerns have led to mass remote work over the last year. Thanks to the billions in collective cost savings and notable productivity increases that followed, many employers are considering agile working models like hot desking and hybrid office environments as long term solutions.
As the popularity of flex schedules and location agnostic work models increases, so does the demand for flexible devices. And though laptops may seem like the obvious choice, they’re certainly not the only one.
Convertibles and 2-in-1 tablets are affordable options that prioritize portability. Their built-in connectivity and docking options also make them a popular choice for traveling between work and home.
Even desktops have their place. They’re ideal for hot desks, offering more processing power and bigger screens for programs like CAD or performance analytics. Many newer models are more compact than ever, saving space without compromising on performance.

Buy Tech to Boost Your Resilience
Uncertainty was the hallmark of 2020. Moving forward, companies who want to insulate themselves from circumstance must make intentional moves to drive value and mitigate volatility. And they must do it digitally. As BCG explains, the path to business resilience is a digital one. “With almost every organization having to depend on data, analytics, digital tools and automation, digital technologies will constitute an increasingly critical element of business resilience tomorrow.”

Keep Collaboration In Mind
Collaboration and teamwork have always been essential components of great work. Even with in-person meetings and desk chats on pause, keeping these professional relationships strong is critical. We need each other to do our best work. While video meetings and cloud-enabled collaboration technology may have started as stand-ins, they’re quickly becoming the norm. 98% of meetings now have at least one employee attending remotely from home– a figure that is predicted to persist post-COVID.
As schedules become more staggered and the world opens at different rates, having devices that support top-tier collaboration tools will be key to producing top-tier work.

Prioritize Security
Many remote employees are working outside the company network for the first time. Cybercriminals have used this opportunity to make targets out of millions simply doing their job.
Spending a little more on your team’s tech now is the best way to prevent costly data and privacy breaches in the future. Search for devices with security features like:

• Biometric access (like touch-ID or facial recognition)
• Anti-spoofing technology
• Data encryption
• Secure operating systems
• Data wipe features
• Data resurrection capabilities
• Mobile connectivity for secure data transfers
• Multi-profile sign-on abilities

​Make Cost-Effective Decisions
Cost-reduction pressures are mounting as businesses brace for another year of unknowns. However, the real money is in cost optimization, not cost-cutting.
How do you spend proactively instead of cutting retroactively? Gartner recommends a three-phase approach:

1. Improve efficiency. Lean into tactics like simplification and automation.
2. Increase productivity. Encourage higher-value work, reprioritize projects and outsource where needed.
3. Shift spend. Eliminate redundancy and waste, renegotiate with suppliers and reallocate funds (e.g. purchasing devices that help you work smarter).

Put simply, you don’t need to anticipate what’s ahead in order to prepare. It’s never too soon to start future proofing. Getting the right devices in place now can insulate your business, no matter what 2021 holds.

Accountants are experts at surviving the “busy season.” Tax accountants, for instance, are slammed as annual deadlines draw near. There are slow times, too, but during crazy times, the last thing an accountant wants is essential tech going down.
 
A broken computer or server downtime can be devastating. Say it’s a few days before a tax deadline, and the accountant logs into an essential tax preparation application and sees a blank screen: the system is down, and they can’t get in. It’s the kind of crisis that more cups of coffee can’t handle.
 
In the United States in 2018, the Internal Revenue Service’s website crashed on April 17, Tax Day. Since many people had waited until the last minute to submit their tax returns, this single day of downtime is estimated to have cost millions. It’s a clear example of the damage even a day of server downtime or other type of outage can cost a business and, in this case, one that business accountants can relate to!
 
If the firm takes a break-fix approach to its technology needs, the answer will be to call in an expert. This could mean hours on the phone with an IT helpline only to find out the problem is with another service provider. Or it could mean trying to reach someone to come out and check the network only to get on their calendar in the next available spot.
 
Deadlines are looming, and you are spending time on IT woes? It’s a disaster.
A proactive approach is to outsource IT help to a managed service provider (MSP) instead. Rather than waste valuable time trying to solve the problem yourself, turn to an IT technician to get to work.
 
Outsourcing Your IT Help Desk
 
With managed services, when you need help, the experts are readily available to tackle your concerns. Many solutions are remote.
 
Better yet, the MSP will use your slow times to set up systems to cut the risk of downtime during crunch season.
 
The MSP gets to know your business objectives and your technology infrastructure, which can help them react more efficiently and effectively. They can also track your IT to detect issues or security vulnerabilities early. Plus, they will help create business continuity plans to get your firm up and running again fast.
 
If the worst does happen, the MSP is only a help ticket or phone call away. Their experts are familiar not only with your technology but also with how you use it. Plus, as a consistent customer, you are a priority, not just another name on a list of people needing help who all see their needs as an emergency.
 
One other advantage to outsourcing your IT help is that it can reduce costs. The break-fix approach can be an expensive one. Instead, you’ll pay an MSP a set, monthly fee for the peace of mind that your IT needs are being looked after. The MSP can also help you identify opportunities to reduce IT-related operational costs.