POST CATEGORY : Information Technology

Desk Phones Vs. Softphones – Which one is better?

Desk phones are going out of trend. In fact, most of the decision makers have already migrated to soft and VoIP phones according to recent Frost & Sullivan survey.

An Executive using VoIP

Softphones are more interactive, responsive and offer better productivity. It is hardly surprising why many firms in first world nations have switched to softphones and left PBX-based phone behind.

So what should you pick?

Here are some of points to consider before you make a decision.

Upfront Costs

A mid-grade, voice only desk phone costs nearly $100. Add video calling and other perks and the cost goes well beyond a hundred bucks.…

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Motivation through Gamification: The Path to Productivity?

For years, GTD (get-things-done) advocates, efficiency experts and HR professionals have searched far and wide for the best way to enhance productivity in the workplace. For a small business, it may not be that simple, especially when people are wearing several hats at the same time.

For any size enterprise, perhaps the best way to enhance productivity is to establish targets and find creative ways for people to reach these. Here is where gamification comes into play.

What is Gamification?

Gamification involves using games and psychology to encourage specific behaviors within the game’s target audience. Research indicates internal gamification can increase employee productivity by 40%.…

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Staying Connected in Australia During your Business Travel

It sounds cliché, but we really are in an age of constant connection: video chatting on trains, emailing in cafés, watching YouTube in the bath (not advisable, but it can be done). Our smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices’ wifi and data capabilities let us access anything, anytime, anywhere. In fact, there is a growing number of business owners who work solely on their mobile devices.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

Whether you’re scouting out the best free wifi or trying to find the fastest speeds, here’s your guide to staying connected in Australia during your business travel. Indeed, staying connected in important, whether you work from a garden bench or renting shared and private offices in Adelaide by the hour.…

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Printing Made Simple for SMBs

Brought to you by Brother International Corporation

 
Simplicity overrides complexity when trying to get things done effectively. Brother™ wants to help ensure that small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have the right solutions in place for optimal productivity and cost saving. Replacing underused print devices with more effective printing solutions can result in an optimized printing infrastructure that delivers increased productivity and lower operating costs. Whether it’s replacing printers or finding compatible software and services to improve a business process, Brother is at your side to help find the perfect solution for your business printing needs. 
 
For more information visit Brother’s website…

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5 Benefits of Cloud-Based VoIP (Infographic)

Although many companies have already begun to use the cloud for their everyday business needs, this tool’s capabilities expand far beyond the day-to-day operational processes. By integrating cloud-based VoIP into your firm, IT professionals can spend more time tending to core business technologies instead of having to troubleshoot and maintain phone systems.

Businessman using cloud-based VoIP

Additionally, VoIP phone systems update themselves without hassle, and therefore do not require the attention of on-site employees. This also translates into an integrated emergency plan that companies do not need to worry about.

In addition to easing employees’ workloads in the office, cloud-based systems can break through geographical boundaries by allowing your company’s workforce to access important information wherever they are.…

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Don’t Assume You’re Too Small to Attract Cybercrime

America’s Backbone Weekly: Start Planning

Don’t Assume You’re Too Small to Attract Cybercrime

By Keith Loria for America’s Backbone Weekly

Contrary to many people’s assumptions, you don’t need to be a multi-million dollar business to be vulnerable to a cyber attack; many small- and medium-size businesses represent an easy target to would-be criminals – and often have direct connections (as subcontractors) to the networks of larger business partners.

Amy Abatangle, EVP at Untangle, says the biggest mistake a business can make is not thinking it could be a target. Planning ahead is critical.

“While it’s true that big business grabs the headlines when it comes to breaches, it’s a mistake to think that small businesses aren’t vulnerable,” she says.…

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Signs of the Times: Symptoms It’s Time to Seek Professional SEO Help

Many businesses like to take a DIY approach to SEO, and you may be one of them. After all, you can read up on plenty of SEO tips online from all the experts, and many SEO tactics are based on tasks you can do yourself. However, sometimes hiring a professional team can be a very good idea. Here are some of the signs that you may need to invest in outside help.

SEO

Your Ranking Is Falling

If your ranking is falling in the search engines, it’s fair to assume that you are doing something wrong. The problem is that you may not be sure what you are doing wrong.…

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Why It’s Time to Retire Your Fax Machine and Embrace the Cloud

Smartphones, tablets, and laptops are the top tools of choice in today’s business world. And before we know it, we’ll even conduct business on our watches! These technological advancements have made us more mobile, connected, and paper-free than ever.

Go paperless with your fax and copier by going cloud

So why is it that so many offices still utilize paper-eating machines like copiers, printers, and those horribly noisy boxes called fax machines?

Not long ago, these devices were crucial to most businesses’ day-to-day operations. But their continued use has caused offices to generate tons of paper waste every year. A whopping 40 percent of the garbage in our landfills is paper waste.…

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How the Right ERP Tools Can Help Scale your Business

The idea of deploying an enterprise resource planning solution might be daunting for small businesses, especially given cost considerations. For one, the more popular ERP vendors such as SAP, Oracle and Microsoft, among many others, are often perceived to have a focus on enterprise clients. And even if the SME were to get enough funding to subscribe to an ERP license, it can be expensive to customize these solutions according to their needs.

Cloud ERP

In some cases, even enterprise clients will be stuck with legacy systems that are rarely updated. Given these barriers and preconceptions, ERP utilization may not always be adequate.…

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Is Your Business Ready for the Cloud?

Information technology (IT) decisions at the small business level can be very challenging; traditional server-client models are often a poor solution for small businesses that need flexibility, scalability, convenience, and support at a manageable price. Cloud-based services are great alternatives for many, but the proliferation of these services can be overwhelming. Here’s how to know if your small business is ready for the cloud.

Business cloud

Types of Cloud-Based Service Models

The three service models on the cloud are infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). Each shifts the responsibility for managing the technology to the service provider, freeing up the business owner to focus on his or her own operations.…

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