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.

Your laptop computer may feel like a lifeline. It has everything important on it, both personal and professional! Regrettably, the time does come when you need to replace it. Yet, some computer problems could be solved instead by replacing the laptop battery.
Some computers now come with a variation on the car dashboard indicator light. You may see a red X on the icon that shows you the power level for your battery. Those with computer models with Windows 7 and up get a message saying, “consider replacing your battery.” But not all of us have this useful warning, in which case you’ll want to be on the lookout for these sure signs that battery replacement is needed.
 
#1 You Have to Charge the Computer Often
When you buy a battery-powered device the marketing boasts of the many hours it can hold its charge. Expect a fully charged laptop battery to last six hours (depending on the programs used). But as the laptop battery ages, it doesn’t hold its charge for as long.
You might plug it in overnight and wake up to find it still has charging to do. Your solution may be to keep your laptop plugged in at all times, but this cuts into the very mobility a laptop promises.
 
#2 Your Lap Is Heating Up
You’re working away on your tasks and the computer becomes an unexpected warming blanket in your lap. That didn’t used to happen! Now, your battery is having to work harder to power applications. This causes your computer to overheat, which can strain your computer.
 
#3 Your Laptop Keeps Shutting Down
This one is going to get you worried really quickly. You’ll be seeing the dollar signs associated with buying a new computer in your eyes. This may be a sign instead that your battery needs to be replaced. A bad battery doesn’t hold charge for very long, and your computer will unexpectedly power off.
 
#4 Time Is Not on Your Side
You know your laptop is more than five years old. Don’t be surprised if you experience power issues. Did you know that laptop batteries are typically meant to last only 400 charges? That’s one or two years! So, your laptop battery might already have been living on borrowed time for years.
 
Be Nice to Your Laptop Battery
Before you buy a new computer, think about whether it could be the battery instead. Laptop batteries are not manufactured for eternal recharging. You might think you’re doing the right thing by keeping it plugged into a wall charger all of the time, but you’re actually doing your battery a favor by unplugging it every once in a while.
 
One other suggestion: don’t let the computer get below 20% charge before plugging it back in. This can help preserve battery life. Replacing a laptop battery isn’t always straightforward. Don’t worry, we can find the right battery for your laptop and replace it for you!

All good things must come to an end – it’s inevitable with computer software. If you’re using Adobe Flash, the day has arrived. It’s time to uninstall Adobe Flash Player.
Adobe stopped supporting Flash Player on December 31, 2020. What does this mean?
Adobe is no longer issuing Flash Player updates or security patches. The company “strongly recommends immediately uninstalling Flash Player.” The company announced the decision to bring Flash Player to end of life (EOL) in 2017.

To help secure user systems, Adobe began blocking Flash content from running in Flash Player on January 12, 2021. Major browser vendors have also disabled Flash Player from running: Safari, Firefox, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge have all stopped supporting the technology.
This renders Flash Player pretty useless. Flash was key to early Web browsing, powering interactive website elements such as animations and forms. Web developers loved it, because it saved them from offering users dull, static pages. However, open standards have matured to provide a viable alternative to Flash content. The HTML 5 standard has replaced Flash in many cases.
Adobe Flash is old, unsupported, and has unfixed security issues. It’s actively used for malware. Fake Flash Player installers have long been an effective way to deliver malware. As recently as 2020, three years after the EOL announcement, it was found that 1 in 10 Macs were infected by one prolific piece of Flash malware. Don’t keep it on your system, and definitely don’t download versions of the Flash Play-er from third-party sites.
 
Uninstalling Adobe Flash Player
If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, you don’t need to worry. Flash was never supported on iOS devices. Otherwise, it’s worth checking if you have Adobe Flash Player installed. You may not even remember downloading it, but don’t just let it sit there.

To check if Flash Player is installed, navigate to https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player.html. Under Install Flash Player in five steps, the first step is to check installation. Click on “Check Now.” If it tells you “Sorry, Flash Player is either not installed or not enabled,” you’re in good shape.
​
To uninstall from a Windows computer, you will need to download the uninstaller found here (https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html) to your desktop. Then, exit all browser and other programs that use Flash. Run the uninstaller to delete all Flash Player files and folders. Restart your computer, open your browser, and verify uninstallation is complete.

Mac users will download the uninstaller (https://helpx.adobe.com/au/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html) suited to their OS Version. You can determine your version by clicking on the Apple icon and choosing About This Mac. You then run the applicable uninstaller. After restarting your computer, verify the uninstallation is complete.

Without updates or security patches, hackers could access your system using Flash Player vulnerabilities. It can be frustrating when software reaches EOL. Even so, it’s important to be proactive. Take the precautions to keep your system safe. Worried about downloading and uninstalling safely? We can help. Not sure what other legacy software you might have on your computer that is putting you at risk? We can help there, too. Contact us today! 

News of a big brand suffering a data breach is all too common today. But if you don’t get an email from such a company, you could mistakenly be thinking it doesn’t affect you.

The thing is, large breaches are happening all the time. Cybercriminals then put access credentials online, and other bad actors buy and exploit those email addresses, usernames, passwords, etc. Why do the bad guys care to buy these member details? Presumably, the victims of the breach quickly change their passwords to prevent security vulnerabilities. So, what good does that info do?

Take a moment to think about how many unique passwords you actually have. Many of us have dozens of different online accounts but only a handful of distinct passwords. That means a hacker can take that stolen data from, say, LinkedIn and try the same password on your banking site.
Cybercriminals have the capacity to keep on trying. They will take one stolen password and use that data to try and hit other accounts in a massive, brute-force effort.

What Can You Do About It?
Stop using the same passwords over and over again. Yes, unique passwords for every account are difficult to remember, but they are critical. One solution is to use a password manager. Many browsers have a pop-up window offering to remember a password for a particular site. If you say “yes,” the browser automatically populates access credentials on your return to the site.

If you use Google Chrome, you can also check if your passwords have been compromised. Google Safety Check compares your saved usernames and passwords against over 4 billion compromised credentials.
To check for leaked passwords, head to “Settings” in the Chrome browser, then navigate to “Safety Check” and “Check Now.” You’ll get a report that identifies any compromised passwords and allows you to review and fix leaks.

MacOS users will be happy to hear that Safari added similar functionality in its latest release, and Mozilla’s Firefox browser also has password checking built in.

Strengthen Your Passwords
Creating a strong password is challenging; almost as difficult as remembering all your different passwords. You’re aiming to come up with something a human or computer can’t guess!
Different sites will have different parameters. You need a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Having a different mix of these helps make the password more difficult to crack. And the longer the better; That’s why passwords a browser suggests to you look like a string of gibberish.

Pay attention also to warnings from the site requiring your credentials. If they say your password is weak, believe them. Safari and Chrome suggest stronger passwords when you create a new account.
Change your passwords immediately if you are advised to do so. Password management tools are continuously improving, but there is still the human element, and that’s often the weakest link. If you don’t practice healthy password hygiene, hackers are ready to take advantage of your ambivalence.

That smile of relief when we fix someone’s technology is a gift of doing IT service. When we get a call out, we’re happy to go out (or log in remotely) to fix what’s broken. We enjoy getting our customers back up and running quickly. Who said saving the day is only for superheroes, right?

Still, as much as we get a boost out of being the hero, we’d rather our clients’ systems didn’t go down in the first place. How can we make that happen? By adding you to our managed services client roster. So, what does managed services mean?

Fixing things when they break is reactive, whereas managed services are more proactive. It involves:
·        ongoing monitoring;
·        handling system patches;
·        managing software updates, virus scans, and keeping malware current;
·        checking hard drive health to help catch issues in advance;
·        tuning up your technology;
·        setting up new devices, printers, networks, and systems.
 
As your managed service provider, we get to know not only what’s gone wrong but also find out your goals and objectives. Understanding what your needs are, we can suggest the technology that best serves you. Plus, we might be able to help you find discounts on new software or cut costs for your home office. After all, we can identify where you are duplicating licenses or paying for more than you need.

Managed Services Make Budgeting Easier
All those services sound costly. The benefit is that you’ll pay a single, consistent monthly fee (or annual fee) for all managed services. Instead of having to handle a big financial hit when something does break, you’re already covered. Plus, if the worst does happen, we already have a relationship. We know what’s important to you, and we focus on your needs. You’re a regular customer we want to keep satisfied rather than a one-off engagement (not that we don't appreciate those, too!).
Of course, no one can promise you’ll never get hit by a cyberattack. There are new threats every single day. But, if malware does strike, we can get you back up and running more quickly. After all, we’ve been keeping your systems up to date. So, less work needs done to clean up.

Conclusion
Your home IT environment is getting more complicated. Even if you’re not working from home, you probably have a desktop, laptops, tablets, gaming devices, and mobile devices. All these need secure internet access and might need data backup. Really, just connecting all your devices to a shared, secure network is a headache at this point, but it doesn’t have to be your headache. Stabilize your IT expenses and enjoy having an expert on speed dial with managed services.
 
If you want a higher level of IT support, we should talk about managed services. We can help keep the problems at bay. You’ll be happier. We just don’t get to see it on your face (though you’re welcome to send an appreciative email!).

Nobody likes to be told what they can’t do. Still, there are certain never dos that you should keep in mind when it comes to your work computer. This article captures the top six things you should avoid doing on your work computer.

#1 Don’t Login to Personal Sites and Services
Sure, we’re all guilty of wanting to check our personal email or take a quick peek at social media while at work, but you do not want to login to your personal accounts on a work computer, especially not a shared one! Browsers that remember our passwords to sites such as Facebook or your bank can be useful. How many different passwords can one human be expected to remember after all? But letting the browser save your personal access credentials risks your security. The next person to use that computer could access your private data.

#2 Don’t Allow Remote Access
Maybe your computer isn’t working the way you want it to: it’s too slow. Something is up with an app. You’re worried you’ve inadvertently downloaded malware onto your work device. Then there’s that friend you have that “knows computers.” With remote support software being so easy to use these days, you figure it’s easier to ask your friend for help. Work doesn’t even need to know.
But would you let that friend walk into the office and start working on your computer? Probably not. Your business has its own people it trusts to do work on its computers. If you were on-site, you’d tell your supervisor, or at least IT, if you had a computer concern. Even when working virtually, you want to do the same thing. Allowing remote access is both a security and productivity risk. Plus, your computer could be set in a specific way by your company. Your tech-savvy friend isn’t going to know why and how those particular configurations were established.

#3 Don’t Store Personal Data
We’re all in favor of having more than one backup. Still, you don’t want to make your work computer a storage solution for your personal data, because you can’t be sure that other people at work can’t look through your files. You also run the risk of losing access to that data if the business goes out of business or lays staff off. Employee accounts can be wiped out by businesses when they sever relationships with staff.

#4 Don’t Connect Personal Storage Devices
USB or thumb drives are convenient, as such drives help move data around easily. But the drive can be installed in many different computers and networks along the way. Connecting that USB to a work computer could transfer malware. You really don’t want to connect someone else’s storage device to your work computer. Criminals actually target organizations by leaving infected thumb drives in the parking lot. All they need is one person to pick up the drive and plug it in to a work computer. Trying to reunite the drive with its user didn’t go over so well for that Good Samaritan!

#5 Don’t Do Your Side Business or Job Search
You don’t want to do these on a work computer unless you want to risk getting caught, because your computer activity can be tracked. Some businesses do full-blown screen recording. Others will maintain an overview of sites you visit. There are different laws in various states and countries regarding employee monitoring, but you are using a work device on a business network. Doing your own side project during work hours on the business computer won’t go over well.
​
#6 Don’t Log on To Public Wi-Fi
Don't log in to business applications or sensitive data connected to public Wi-Fi. There are many risks. You could end up:

• opening yourself up to “man-in-the-middle” attacks by hackers;
• connecting to a malicious hotspot;
• transmitting data on an unencrypted network.

These never dos could endanger your personal data, business network, or your very job. Steer clear of these common mistakes made on work computers. Be smart, be safe.