Why Outsourcing your Technology to an MSP is so Beneficial

Why Outsourcing your Technology to an MSP is so Beneficial

As you may have already come to realize, outsourcing critical areas of your business can free up time and resources so you can focus on what you do best- actually running and growing your business. Outsourcing tech management to an MSP is no different. It can have a lot of benefits, regardless of your company size or if your company has internal IT coverage or not.

Most businesses are already realizing the benefits. A recent study by KPMG found that 84 percent of businesses are outsourcing some aspect of their technology. Looking forward, a report by Compass Datacenters found that 94 percent of businesses plan to increase or maintain their outsourcing budget in the next 12 months.

This is mostly due to the fact that when it comes to technology, things are getting more and more complex to handle. Especially when you think about cloud networks and cybersecurity and IT compliance, among so many other aspects to modern technology. There are a few problems that can arise when a company tries to handle everything themselves:

  1. Lack of expertise – You may not have the expertise to handle all the different technologies that your company uses. This can lead to problems and disruptions down the road.
  2. Limited resources – Whether you’re handling this yourself, or have some internal people on it, often there isn’t the bandwidth to handle all the demands of managing technology.
  3. Increased complexity – Technology is constantly evolving and becoming more complex. Trying to keep up with the latest trends and updates can be a daunting task for any team.
  4. Cost savings – Hiring full-time employees to manage your technology can cripple business growth. In addition, the need for expensive hardware and software licenses doesn’t help.

An MSP can help your business in many ways, so it’s important to consider all the benefits when making a decision about whether or not to outsource tech management. Let’s jump into the benefits to think about based on your company’s size.

Micro Business

micro business

A micro business is a small business that has fewer than five employees. The owner of the business is typically the only person working in the business, although there may be a few part-time or freelance employees.

Micro businesses are often started by people who have a specific skill or trade that they want to offer to the public. Many micro businesses are also home-based, which can save on overhead costs. Micro businesses are becoming more and more common as people are starting to realize the benefits of owning their own business.

 

Time Savings

Running a micro business can be extremely time consuming. The owner is typically doing everything from customer service to bookkeeping to marketing. Outsourcing tech management to an MSP can save the micro business a lot of time and energy.

An MSP can help with tasks such as network setup and monitoring, cybersecurity, and IT compliance. This can free up the micro business owner to focus on other areas of the business.

 

Cost Savings

Micro businesses often have a very tight budget. Outsourcing tech management to an MSP can save the micro business money in many ways.

  1. An MSP can help the micro business get the most out of their technology budget. They can advise on which hardware and software to purchase based on the needs of the business.
  2. Second, an MSP can often negotiate discounts with vendors for their clients. This can save the micro business money on things like software licenses and hardware.
  3. Last, an MSP can often help the micro business save money by increasing efficiency and productivity. This can lead to increased revenue and profits for the micro business.

An MSP can help with tasks such as network setup and monitoring, cybersecurity, and IT compliance. When it comes to technology, micro businesses can really benefit from outsourcing to an MSP. By doing this, they can save time and resources that can be better spent on running and growing the business. In addition, they can avoid many of the problems that come with trying to handle everything themselves, such as lack of expertise, limited resources, and increased complexity.

 

Small Businesses without Internal IT

small business

Small businesses are businesses that have between five and fifty employees. They often have a few full-time employees, in addition to part-time or freelance employees. They may or may not have an internal IT person already, or may be looking at options for insourcing/outsourcing tech coverage as it may fall on the owner or CEO of the company to handle all technology-related tasks.

 

If you can relate to any of these issues, contact us to learn more about our MSP Services

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The Barriers to Hiring Internal IT

Hiring an in-house IT person can be problematic for a small business for many reasons.

First, the cost of hiring an IT person can be prohibitive for a small business. Often, an IT person requires a salary, benefits, and equipment. This can be a lot of money for a small business to spend, especially if they are just starting out. Here’s some average wages to consider:

When outsourcing to an MSP, it’s important to remember that you’re not just getting one IT person, you’re getting a team of IT experts.

Second, a small business may not have the space to accommodate an IT person. They may not have an office for them to work in or the proper equipment and software needed for them to do their job at an optimal level.

Lastly, a small business may not need full-time IT support. They may only need someone to handle occasional tasks or problems. Outsourcing IT to an MSP can be a much better solution for a small business, so they’re not wasting precious resources on extraneous IT.

 

Small Businesses Need IT Expertise

Once you’re to the small business stage, elevated coverage is needed. As a company grows, it faces different challenges and needs when it comes to technology. The larger the business, the more they have complex IT systems, and an increased need for more expertise and IT support.

An MSP generally has a lot of experience when it comes to technology. They have years of experience in providing tech support, installing networks, and dealing with cybersecurity threats. They also have experience working with businesses of all sizes, so they know how to tailor their services to meet the needs of each individual client.

When it comes to fixing IT issues, having access to experienced IT technicians is definitely a plus. Experienced IT professionals have seen and dealt with just about every type of issue there is. They know how to fix things quickly and efficiently, which can save you a lot of time and headache.

ANAX, for example, has been around for over a decade and has over 110 years of total technical experience across our technicians. Couple that with a process of internal chat, to combine minds around any client problem, and you have quite a resource that is not available when hiring internal IT.

 

MSPs Compete, so They’re Up on the Latest Tech

In order to remain competitive, MSPs need to be on the cutting edge of technology. They need to know about the latest and greatest software, devices, and tools. When it comes to technology, things are always changing and evolving. If an MSP isn’t keeping up with the latest trends, they run the risk of becoming irrelevant and being passed up by their competitors.

Being on the cutting edge of technology is also important from a security standpoint. As new threats emerge, MSPs need to be aware of them and know how to protect their clients from them. They need to have the latest and greatest security tools and protocols in place in order to keep their clients’ data and networks safe.

As a business owner, it can be difficult to keep up with all the latest trends in technology. There are always new devices, software, and tools being released, and it can be hard to know which ones are worth investing in. On top of that, you need to worry about keeping your business’s data and networks safe from cyber threats. Outsourcing IT to an MSP can take a lot of the burden off of your shoulders.

When you partner with an MSP, they will be able to install the latest software and hardware for you and keep your systems updated with the latest security patches. Just think about the breadth of upkeep and latest tech that goes into your:

  • Operating Systems
  • Software Updates
  • Security Patches
  • Hardware Upgrades
  • Network Infrastructure

Outsourcing to an MSP can give you peace of mind knowing that your IT is being handled by a team of experts who are always up-to-date on the latest technology. You won’t have to worry about whether or not your IT is keeping up with the times because you’ll know it is.

 

Improved Security

Data breaches are becoming more and more common, and they’re costing businesses a lot of money. A study by IBM found that the average total cost of a data breach for a small business is $120,000.

One of the biggest benefits of outsourcing IT to an MSP is that it can help to improve your company’s security. MSPs have the tools and resources to provide a higher level of security than most businesses could afford on their own. They also have the expertise to implement security measures that will protect your data from being compromised.

MSPs can help to improve your company’s security by:

  • Implementing security measures that will protect your data from being compromised.
  • Providing a higher level of security than most businesses could afford on their own.
  • Monitoring your systems 24/seven to identify and resolve any potential threats.

 

Small Businesses with Internal IT

small business IT

MSPs can partner with internal IT to provide a more holistic solution for a company’s IT needs. By working together, MSPs and internal IT can provide a more comprehensive level of service. Outsourcing IT to an MSP can help take a lot of the burden off of your internal IT team, while elevating your company’s tech.

 

Enable More IT Resources

MSPs can help internal IT departments by providing them with additional resources. They can provide experienced IT technicians who can help with projects, troubleshooting, and providing support. They can also provide access to the latest tools and technologies.

If you don’t have the internal resources to handle a certain task or project, an MSP can step in and fill that gap for you. Also, what happens when your internal IT person needs to go on vacation, or has a sick day? The MSP is there as backup.

In addition, MSPs can help internal IT departments by taking on some of the workload. This can:

  1. Free up internal IT staff to focus on more strategic tasks.
  2. Help to improve morale within the department because staff won’t feel as overwhelmed.
  3. Help to ensure that your projects are completed on time and within budget.

 

Mind the Knowledge Gap

Outsourcing can also help you to fill any gaps in your team’s skillset. When it comes to IT, one of the biggest challenges businesses face is finding the right employees who have the right skillset. This is especially true for businesses with internal IT. Internal IT teams are typically composed of generalists who are good at a lot of things, but not experts in anything. This can be a problem because it can lead to a lack of knowledge in certain areas.

Outsourcing IT to an MSP can help to fill these gaps in your team’s skillset. They can provide the expertise that you need in specific areas, and they can also help to train your internal IT team on new technologies.

 

Tech Alignment

When it comes to IT, one of the most important things is making sure that all the systems are aligned and working together. This is especially true for businesses with internal IT. If the different parts of the business’s IT aren’t working together, it can lead to a lot of problems.

Internal IT can work with an MSP to make sure that everything is aligned and working together properly. They can also help with things like making sure that the right software and hardware are being used, and that all the different systems are compatible with each other.

An MSP can help to ensure that all your company’s technology is aligned and compatible with each other. They can do this by:

  • Making sure that the right software and hardware are being used.
  • Ensuring that all the different systems are compatible with each other.
  • Providing expert knowledge in specific alignment areas.

 

Proactive IT Management

Another benefit of partnering with an MSP is that they can help internal IT be more proactive. A lot of times, your internal IT is reactive… fixing anything that’s broken is their main focus. MSPs are always looking for ways to improve their clients’ IT systems and prevent problems before they happen.

They do this by constantly monitoring the systems and keeping an eye out for any potential issues. If they spot something, they can take care of it before it becomes a bigger problem. This proactive approach can save businesses a lot of time and money in the long run.

No matter the size of your company, outsourcing IT to an MSP provides a bevy of benefits.

ANAX can provide tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes- from one person businesses who need a little extra tech help, to internal IT teams who need additional support managing their current infrastructure. We understand that every business is different, and we work hard to create custom plans that fit each company’s specific needs.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about how outsourcing your tech needs can benefit your business, contact us today.

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Solving Top Small Business Tech Issues

Solving Top Small Business Tech Issues

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, accounting for nearly half of all private-sector jobs in the United States. Despite their importance, small businesses often lack the resources and expertise to properly address their top small business tech issues. This can lead to a number of problems, including poor digital transformation efforts, inadequate security protocols, and compliance issues.

This guide covers both the tech challenges facing small businesses in today’s economic landscape as well as strategic solutions and insights to address those challenges, so you can move forward, embrace change, and drive success for your business!

 

Digital Transformation for Small Businesses

A hot topic in the business world today, digital transformation should be on the radar of every small business. 

How a small business handles digital transformation can have a major impact on the company’s bottom line.

Properly managed, digital transformation can drive operational efficiency, improve customer engagement and retention, and create new revenue streams. 

However, many small businesses struggle with digital transformation because they lack the resources or expertise required to properly implement it.

 

 

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES WHO STRUGGLE WITH THEIR TECHNOLOGY

 

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What Exactly is Digital Transformation as it Relates to Small Business?

In its simplest form, digital transformation is the process of using technology to improve business processes and operations. This can include everything from automating tasks to improving customer engagement.

Digital transformation can be a major undertaking if not handled properly. But that doesn’t have to be the case. There are many small steps that you can take to start your journey toward digital transformation.

One of the most important things you can do as a small business is to develop a clear plan and strategy for your digital transformation efforts. If you have little to no tech experience, consider partnering with an experienced IT team that can help you design and implement your digital transformation strategy. 

 

Small Business Tech Issues Related to Digital Transformation

As a small business, you face a number of specific challenges when it comes to digital transformation. These challenges can include everything from finding the right technology partners to getting buy-in from employees.

Some of the most common issues related to digital transformation in small businesses include:

  • Limited resources: Small businesses often lack the resources required to properly implement digital transformation. This can include everything from technology budget constraints to a lack of in-house expertise. Although, MSPs don’t have to be a budget issue.
  • Lack of a clear plan: Many small businesses struggle with digital transformation because they don’t have a clear plan or strategy. This can lead to wasted time and money as you try to figure out what you need to do to move forward.
  • Employee resistance: Employees can be resistant to change, which can make it difficult to implement new technologies or processes. It’s important to get buy-in from employees early on in the process to avoid any issues.

 

 

Creating Solutions for Digital Transformation in Your Business

If you’re facing challenges with digital transformation in your small business, there are a few things you can do to create solutions. These solutions can help you overcome the challenges you’re facing and ensure that you’re successful in your digital transformation journey.

Some of the solutions you can consider include:

  • Hiring an experienced IT team: One of the best ways to overcome the challenges associated with digital transformation is to hire an experienced IT team. An experienced IT team will have the knowledge and expertise required to properly support your unique digital transformation efforts.
  • Developing a clear plan: Another solution is to develop a clear plan and strategy for your digital transformation journey. This will help ensure that you’re making the right decisions and investments as you move forward.
  • Getting buy-in from employees: It’s also important to get buy-in from employees early on in the process. This can help you minimize resistance to change and ensure that everyone is on board with the new technologies and processes.
  • Finding the right technology partners: Finally, you need to find the right technology partners to support your digital transformation journey. The right technology partners will have the experience and expertise required to help you succeed.

Digital transformation is essential for any small business that wants to remain competitive in today’s market. However, designing a strategic plan and executing that plan can be a challenge to implement. By following the tips above, you can overcome inevitable obstacles and optimize your digital transformation journey.

 

CONTACT THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY PARTNER THAT COULD HELP WITH YOUR COMPANY’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY

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Security in Small Businesses

As a small business owner, you must ensure that your products and services are of the highest quality, that your customers are happy, and that your employees are productive. 

However, one of the most important things you need to worry about is security.

Small businesses are often targeted by cybercriminals because hackers know small businesses generally lack the resources and expertise to properly defend themselves. This can lead to a number of problems, including data breaches, which can lead to devastating financial loss and reputational damage.

 

Security Threats for Small Businesses

There are a number of specific issues that small businesses need to be aware of when it comes to security. These include:

  • Data breaches: Because they often lack the resources and expertise required to properly protect their data, small businesses are particularly vulnerable to data breaches. Data breaches can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and legal problems.
  • Cyber attacks: Cyber attacks are becoming more common, and small businesses are often prime targets. Cybercriminals know that small businesses often lack the resources and expertise to properly defend themselves.
  • Phishing: Phishing is a type of cyber attack where criminals send emails or other messages that appear to be from a legitimate source in order to trick your customers into providing sensitive information.

 

Cybercrime Is a Devastating Threat to Small Businesses

Cybercrime is a huge threat to small businesses. In fact, 60% of small businesses that are attacked by cybercriminals go out of business within six months. This is because small businesses seldom take the time to implement security measures — or they underestimate the possibility of a cyberattack.

There are a number of steps you can take to protect your business from cybercrime: 

  • Investing in cybersecurity: One of the best ways to protect your business from cybercrime is to invest in cybersecurity. This includes both technology and personnel. By investing in cybersecurity, you can make it much more difficult for cybercriminals to target your business.
  • Educating your employees: Another important step is to educate your employees about cybersecurity. They need to know how to identify threats and what to do if they suspect that their computer has been compromised.
  • Creating a comprehensive security plan: Finally, creating a comprehensive security plan is absolutely . This plan should include all of the steps you’re taking to protect your business from cybercrime. It should also be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

 

How to Improve Security in Your Small Business

There are a number of things you can do to improve security in your small business: 

  • Hiring an experienced IT team: One of the best ways to improve security in your small business is to hire an experienced IT team. An experienced IT team will have the knowledge and expertise required to properly protect your data and systems.
  • Implementing security best practices: Another way to improve security in your small business is to implement security best practices. This includes things like using strong passwords, encrypting data, and keeping software up to date.
  • Working with a trusted security partner: Finally, you can improve security in your small business by working with a trusted security partner — such as ANAX Business Tech.

Small businesses need to be aware of the security risks they face and take steps to mitigate those risks. By following the tips above, you can improve security in your small business and help protect your data and systems.

 

digital compliance

IT Compliance in Small Businesses

IT compliance is the process of ensuring that your business’s IT systems and processes meet all applicable laws and regulations. Establishing and maintaining IT compliance can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it’s important to ensure that your business is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.

Some of the most common compliance requirements for small businesses include:

  • Data privacy: Data privacy laws regulate how businesses collect, use, and disclose personal information. If you collect, use, or disclose personal data, you need to comply with data privacy laws.
  • Information security: Information security laws regulate how businesses protect sensitive information. If you store or transmit sensitive data, you need to comply with information security laws.
  • Software licensing: Software licensing laws regulate how businesses use and distribute software. If you use or distribute software, you need to comply with software licensing laws.

 

Understanding IT Compliance Standards as a Small Business

There are a number of compliance standards that apply to small businesses. Some of the most common compliance standards include:

  • PCI DSS: The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards for businesses that process, store, or transmit credit card data. If you process, store, or transmit credit card data, it is essential that you’re in compliance with PCI DSS.
  • HIPAA: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a set of security standards for businesses that handle protected health information. If you handle protected health information, you need to comply with HIPAA standards.
  • SOX: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) is a set of financial reporting standards for public companies. You must be in compliance with SOX if your business is publicly traded.

Small businesses need to be aware of the compliance standards that apply to them and take steps to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations can result in significant penalties, including fines or even jail time.

 

The Importance of IT Compliance for Small Businesses

IT compliance is important for small businesses for a number of reasons. 

Maintaining compliance helps ensure that your business is operating in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and helps protect your business from potential liabilities. Also, this can help improve your business’s overall security posture.

The IT compliance standards and process may be very involved, but it’s important to ensure that your business is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations. 

 

How to Ensure IT Compliance Solutions for Small Businesses

There are a number of steps that small businesses can take to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. First, you should develop policies and procedures related to compliance. Second, you should train your employees on compliance-related topics. And third, you should implement technical controls to help ensure compliance.

Developing policies and procedures related to compliance is the first step in ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Your policies and procedures should outline your expectations for employees and how to handle non-compliance.

Training your employees on compliance-related topics is the second step in ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Your training program should cover all relevant compliance topics, including data privacy, information security, and software licensing.

Implementing technical controls to help ensure compliance is the third step in ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Technical controls can include measures like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption.

 

cloud technology

Cloud Integration and Unified Communications in Small Businesses

Cloud integration and unified communications are two of the most important technology trends for small businesses.

Cloud integration is the process of integrating cloud-based applications with on-premises applications, allowing businesses to use a mix of both for a more streamlined workflow. 

By using a mix of on-premises and cloud-based applications, businesses can reduce their IT costs while still maintaining a high level of functionality.

Unified communication is the process of integrating different communication methods, such as voice, video, and data. 

Unified communications allow businesses to communicate more effectively and efficiently.

To ensure that your business is able to take advantage of cloud integration and unified communications, you should consider outsourcing your IT to a managed service provider. Managed service providers are companies that provide IT services on a subscription basis and manage your IT infrastructure and systems for you so that you can focus on running your business.

 

Cloud Integration and Unified Communications for Remote Working

Cloud-based operations are becoming increasingly popular with the push towards remote working, especially in the past couple years. Even if you are shifting back to in office, by having your business files and information synced with a cloud-based database service, you are protecting yourself and your business from potential network failures.

Applications that utilize cloud integration offer a number of advantages for small businesses: 

  • They are usually more affordable than on-premises applications
  • Simple to deploy 
  • Businesses are better equipped to take advantage of the latest technology trends
  • These solutions are more scalable 
  • Better communication quality
  • Businesses can take advantage of features like caller ID, voicemail, and the ability to use mobile devices as a catch-all for application integration

 

Backup and Monitoring in Small Businesses

Having a backup of your business files is another essential step in protecting yourself from potential network failure. Small businesses should have a backup plan in place that includes off-site backups and disaster recovery. Based on the circumstances, this could also be the only way to recover from a cybersecurity attack, so it’s quite an important factor for your business.  

Off-site backups are copies of your data that are stored at a location other than your primary business premises. This can be accomplished by using a cloud-based backup service or an external hard drive. Disaster recovery is a plan for how you will restore your data in the event of a major disaster, such as a fire or flood.

Monitoring is another important aspect of protecting your small business network. Security monitoring can be used to detect potential threats, such as malware or unauthorized access, and to identify performance issues.

There are a number of different tools that you can use to monitor your network, including: 

  • Network monitoring tools
  • Security information and event management (SIEM)
  • Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS)
  • Application performance monitoring (APM)

Managed service providers can help you to implement a monitoring solution that is tailored to the needs of your business. They can also assist with configuring backups to automatically take place, and can help you monitor them to ensure they are backing up your information properly.

 

ANAX: Your Go-To MSP for All of Your IT Needs

We sincerely hope you have found this guide helpful and informative. 

Outsourcing to a knowledgeable IT team is often the best solution for small businesses looking to overcome these challenges. An experienced IT team can help with everything from developing a digital transformation strategy to implementing security best practices. They can also ensure that your business is compliant with all relevant regulations.

ANAX is a leading provider of IT services for modern businesses of all kinds. We offer a wide range of IT services, including managed IT services, cloud computing, data backup and recovery, and more. 

As always, if you have any questions or would like assistance with anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help! 

Our team of experienced IT professionals can help your business overcome any tech challenges you may be facing. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business succeed.

                                                          

Not Enough Budget for Managed IT Services? Think Again

Not Enough Budget for Managed IT Services? Think Again

Have you ever considered hiring an IT provider for Managed IT Services but worried that it would be too expensive? Well, think again. An experience provider of Managed IT Services will be able to provide your business with more value than it would cost to hire your own in-house IT personnel. Don’t believe it? Let’s break it down:

Compare In-House IT Costs with Outsourcing Work

When it comes to network support, there are two ways that you could do things. The first is to hire an in-house IT person to handle all your network and technology issues. The other option is to outsource the work to a managed IT service provider like ANAX. Here is a breakdown of the cost of each option.

The Cost of In-House IT

When you hire personnel to handle your IT solutions in house, there are some pros and cons. On one hand, you have a full-time employee on staff to handle your every need regardless of what it is. This employee will likely be a “jack of all trades” and they will likely handle everything from communicating to vendors to repairing issues when networks inevitably go down. On the downside, you will need to cover the full-time salary of this employee along with providing competitive benefits. IT is a very competitive market after all.

So, what does this look like on paper? Your full-time employee will likely work 40 hours a week which is about 2,080 hours a year not including paid time off or sick time. Let’s say that you hire a recent college grad for an entry level IT position salaried at $45,000 a year (on the low end of the spectrum). On top of their salary, you also need to factor in the cost of offering a 401k plan, on the job training for SOP, Paid Time Off, and on top of that you must cover the cost of software and any tools they will need.

All in, you’re looking at upwards of $55, 000 invested in hiring your own full-time IT employee.

Now let’s compare this to outsourcing your managed IT services.

The Cost of Outsourcing Your IT Services

In contrast, you might find that outsourcing your managed IT services is a more cost-effective option especially when you consider how much more value you can add to your business by doing it.

The cost of outsourcing a service will always be more affordable than hiring a full-time position, even for most premium services. Additionally, the company that you hire will likely have multiple staff that specialize in different areas meaning that you will have access to a greater wealth of knowledge than you would with a single-full time employee.
Finally, outsourcing your managed IT services will allow you to save on the additional cost of providing full-time employees with benefits. This is an ideal situation for small or medium sized business that are looking to scale up without driving their overhead up.

ANAX Managed IT Services

At ANAX, we conveniently provides IT Support in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and the surrounding areas. As the best local IT support company in Nevada, our goal is to be everything our customers are looking for and more. We strive to be THE tech support provider for your IT management and maintenance. We proudly boast fast and friendly service for our clients, striving to remain the IT partner you trust with your office equipment and systems. Contact us today to learn more about our managed network solutions. 

What To Do When Your Computer’s Infected

What To Do When Your Computer’s Infected

Here at ANAX, we have seen our fair share of virus, malware, and phishing attacks while providing our clients with managed IT services. When you find that your computer has been infected with a virus – either through malware that has been attached to a file or a phishing scam that has targeted your business, it is important to act quickly to prevent compromising your personal information. While we are always available to help your business handle network security, there are ways to mitigate the damage immediately. Follow our guide on what to do when your computer is infected with a virus.

1. Disconnect from the Internet

First, you will want to disconnect from the internet. Some viruses use the internet to spread so you will want to isolate your computer from the internet so that you can clear your computer of any viruses for good. These days it is easy enough to disconnect from the Wi-Fi but be sure that you disconnect from any hard-wife connections as well.

2. Reboot in Safe Mode

Next, you will want to reboot in safe mode to protect your computer while you remove the virus. This is easy to do on both Mac and PC. For PCs, you will need to turn the computer off and back on. When the screen lights up, hold F8 to bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu and select “Safe Mode with Networking.”

For Macs, you will hold down the SHIFT key when the computer is restarting. You will then select the Safe Boot option.

3. Install and Run a Virus Scanner

Before you can remove a virus from your computer, you will need to identify which files have been corrupted with the virus. Unless you know that the virus has come from a downloaded file, you will likely need a virus scanner to help sniff out any potentially damaged files. There are plenty of virus scanning software companies to choose from Bitdefender, Norton, Kaspersky… the list goes on. Any one of these virus scanners will work.

Running a virus scan should help identify which files have been corrupted and isolate them so that you can proceed with the removal of virus.

4. Delete the Virus and Restart Your Computer

Once the virus scan has successfully identified and isolated the corrupt files on your computer, you will delete them from your computer. While this should remove all of the corrupted files from your computer, you may need to repeat the process as needed.

ANAX Business Technology – Managed IT Solutions for Businesses of All Sizes

ANAX conveniently provides IT Support in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and the surrounding areas. As the best local IT support company in Nevada, our goal is to be everything our customers are looking for and more. ANAX wants to be THE tech support provider for your IT management and maintenance. We proudly boast fast and friendly service for our clients, striving to remain the IT partner you trust with your office equipment and systems. Contact us today to learn more about how ANAX can help protect your business with our managed IT services. 

Managed IT Services for Not-So-Techy Companies

Managed IT Services for Not-So-Techy Companies

It’s easy to dismiss managed IT services if your company isn’t in the tech industry or doesn’t use a lot of technology in general. Outsourcing might seem unnecessary when you could hire a small team in-house to handle your company’s IT duties. Here, we explain why most companies outside the tech world can benefit from hiring managed IT services.

What are managed IT services?

A managed IT services provider will handle various IT duties for your company. The level of coverage is up to you. Some companies opt to outsource their entire IT management services, while some only look for managed IT services to ease the workload of their in-house IT team.

What are the benefits of managed IT services?

There are various benefits to hiring managed services that you should be aware of, including:

Cutting down costs

You might think that managed IT services are costly or unattainable. However, these services are usually cheaper than hiring an in-house team to handle your IT duties. Most managed services providers operate under a subscription model, allowing you to efficiently operate within a specific budget. Costs can also be reduced since you won’t have to hire and train new workers, as most managed services provide experienced professionals.

In addition to this, you’ll also save by streamlining your IT services to cover only what you need. Providers can tailor their services to meet your specific needs to ensure that you aren’t paying for more than you need.

Improve Security

Another advantage to managed IT services is that they can improve security. If your in-house IT team is overwhelmed, it can be easy to fall behind on fixing and patching issues. Providers will also ensure that your company’s IT infrastructure is up to date and in line with the latest industry standards.

If your business has the latest security software, the chances of your company falling for a cyber attack are lowered. Even if you aren’t in the tech industry, scammers use various phishing scams to get important company information and client data for financial gain.

Reduce downtime and recovery speed

Technical difficulties are a reality for any company, regardless of the sector that they operate in. As the world becomes more digital, ensuring that your business can get back up and running as quickly as possible becomes essential. Managed services can ensure that your business has enough workforce to handle all difficulties and help solve employee technical issues. Not to mention save you money on the time that your business wouldn’t be able to function while the systems are down.

Doing this will improve employee satisfaction, as no one likes to wait in a lengthy queue to solve technical problems. It will also reflect positively on customers if you can have your systems up and running quickly.

Curious about Managed IT Services for your business? Get in touch with ANAX today! 

Phishing Scams & How to Not Get Caught

Phishing Scams & How to Not Get Caught

Falling for a phishing scam can cause substantial financial damage. The stakes are even higher if you are attacked at work, where hackers can access company financial information and client data. As a result, it’s a good idea to be familiar with phishing scams, how to avoid them, and how ANAX can help.

Most Common Types of Phishing Scams

There are various types of phishing scams that you should be aware of. Here are some of the most common ones:

Email Scam

Scammers use this method by impersonating a legitimate organization or company and sending emails to various unsuspecting companies. The emails are usually traps that include malicious links or an elaborate method for you to input your financial information. If hackers gain access to your system, not only can there be economic damage, but they can leak the information of clients and employees.

Business Email Scam

Hackers gain access to the email of a high-level executive, such as the CEO, and use their account to send emails to other workers in the company for monetary gain.

Whaling Scam

This scam targets specific executives in companies (usually C-level execs) to obtain information generally unavailable to lower-level employees. Falling for this type of scam can have substantial financial consequences and damage the reputation of your company.

Vishing Scam

Instead of using emails, scammers will use phone calls to exploit unsuspecting workers. Such scammers will usually claim to be from a large reputable company to lower your defenses before requesting your personal information.

What to Look Out For

There are certain checks you should make that could help you avoid falling for a phishing scam, including checking if:

  • The message is from a public email domain, such as Gmail or yahoo.
  • The email domain name is misspelled. Check if the email domain matches the company that they claim to be from.
  • The email is full of grammatical and structural errors.
  • The email contains questionable links or attachments.
  • The email urges you to act fast. This is usually the case for phishing emails that ask you to pay an invoice or make another payment.

Remember, never click on anything if you’re not sure where it’s from. A link could be malicious and give a hacker access to your computer or your organization’s system.

Stay Protected: Don’t Get Caught

You can always start by briefing your workers on phishing emails and the dangers that they pose. An educated workforce will be more effective at dealing with phishing attacks and potentially save you money in damages.

The best method to ensure that you and your company are protected is to consider employing a managed IT services provider to handle the technical side of your business. This type of service will monitor and detect phishing scams and help you deal with them effectively.

Check out our SMB guide to MFA for more information. A managed IT service provider will also ensure that you are up to date with the latest software and defense mechanisms to deal with any potential attacks. ANAX is up-to-date with the latest phishing scams and knows how to keep your business protected. Get in touch with us today!