In the era of technology, some have concerns about their privacy. In schools, the top priority is to protect students and their information. With students constantly engaging in technology, whether it be submitting homework, emails with teachers, or saving documents, state and federal internet security laws protect all this information.
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is one of the most widely known federal laws regarding student privacy. It applies to every educational institution or those of a similar rank. This law protects the education records of all students and sets boundaries between what information students’ parents have access to when the student becomes 18 years of age. If educational records are needed by another school, parent, or in medical cases, there must be a written permission letter from the student or guardian to release that information. Details such as name, birthdate, phone number and school attendance is not under this law and does not require a written permission.
COPPA: Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
Different from FERPA, COPPA: Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act is specific to the online services used by children 13 years and younger. This act controls what personal information is collected from young children. Applications and websites all have to abide by this act and schools can intervene as parental consent if needed.
CIPA: Children’s Internet Protection Act
In addition to protecting the privacy of students, it prevents them from seeing unwanted information while on the internet. CIPA: Children’s Internet Protection Act uses a filtered web system that schools and libraries use. This system blocks and hides harmful information or acts such as chat rooms and cyberbullying. CIPA also sets a curriculum on how to protect minors on the internet. This curriculum is required to use this program. Schools and libraries must implement these guidelines addressing a new internet safety policy.
These three acts and laws are a preventative measure from harmful internet activities and exploitation. With the main goal of protecting students’ privacy and engaging them in new internet safety protocols these acts are required by law.
Technology can be confusing, and it’s important to know your rights! Have any further questions on internet privacy? Contact WesTec today! And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
In recent years, we have seen cloud computing become the industry standard for computing and storage resources. Cloud computing uses four different models, indicating how services are made available to users. Learn more about the 4 Cloud Hosting Models:
Public Cloud
Public clouds are available for anyone who would like to make use of the resource, from low security application development to file and email sharing. One example of this would be Google applications such as Gmail and Google Drive. These are available through the use of a public cloud, accessible by any user with an account at any time.
Private Cloud
Just like it sounds, a private cloud is a private network typically used by a single organization for security. The cloud can be easily managed onsite or offsite by outside groups or third party organizations. While much more costly than its public counterpart, private clouds are the better option for organizations that require the extra security and privacy.
Hybrid Cloud
In a hybrid cloud, organizations make use of a combination of private and public cloud infrastructure. The most common use is when an organization needs to quickly scale up their IT infrastructure to provide the necessary cloud capacity, like an online retainer during the busy holiday season.
Multi-Cloud
A Multi-cloud is any combination of public, private, and hybrid clouds. Within an organization, there might be multiple private clouds in addition to private clouds. These clouds can be interconnected or separate. The multi-cloud category is a catch-all for any mixture of clouds, therefore allowing for the most flexibility and customization.
Having cloud hosting trouble? We can help! WesTec Services is a trusted and experienced IT services provider located in the Houston area. Give us a call today or visit our website to see what WesTec can do for you.
It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through 2021! It’s been a whirlwind year thus far, but we have seen many advancements in business technology. As remote work becomes the new normal, businesses everywhere have begun adopting new technology and software to make this transition easier. Here are a few small business tech trends that have proven to be revolutionary this year:
AI-Operated CRMs
In 2021, small businesses everywhere are looking to streamline their work with CRM software. AI-operated CRMs (Customer Relationship Management) allow businesses to effectively identify, track, and target leads through automated campaigns. Businesses have found that CRMs are a more effective approach to their sales processes, as this software produces more personalized customer engagement.
Remote Onboarding
Since the pandemic, many industries are making the switch to remote work. As smooth and successful as this transition has been for some, remote work may become a more long-term option. Now, businesses are implementing remote onboarding software to simplify and expedite the hiring process. This new software is more convenient and cost-effective than traditional hiring processes.
Centralized, Comprehensive HR Software
Remote work provides so much ease and convenience for employees and executives alike. However, with limited human-to-human contact, HR departments have had difficulty keeping up with the needs of their employees. With the introduction of centralized HR software, HR professionals can automate daily processes and store data. This software will also improve performance management and employee communication.
At WesTec Services, business technology is our specialty. From Managed Services and Network Installation to IT Consulting and more, we’re your one-stop shop. From computer hardware and software to telephone systems and integrated security, we’ll make it all work seamlessly together.
Thirty-seven percent of workers telecommute regularly while more than half of business emails are now opened via smartphone.
In today’s workforce, mobile usage, employee mobility and remote workers are common. Therefore, it is important that businesses adopt mobile technology to meet the teetering needs and demands of the market. Accessibility – With the use of mobile technology within a business, the full power of a business phone system is readily available to the mobile user. Whether sitting in a physical office or working from a home office, the worker has the ability to be reached by a customer or coworker if needed. Accountability – Although mobile technology has posed issues for businesses in the past, improvements have been made. By running a business phone application on the mobile device and enforcing a business usage protocol, call records become available to the business manager for accountability purposes. Transitions – If a worker needs to leave the office at a certain time and is currently on a call with a customer, mobile technology allows a seamless transition. With mobile technology, a worker can press a button on the office phone to transfer the call to mobile without the customer even noticing.
Mobile technology has transformed the business world with its ability to interact seamlessly with customers and employees in a full-featured and professional manner.
WesTec Services offers all-in-one business communication systems that are aimed to maintain a proactive posture and market flexibility to take advantage of rapidly changing technology.
At WesTec, we deliver reliable mobile technology for businesses who strive to maintain high ethical standards and produce high-quality products while promoting a healthy work environment.
To learn more about our business phone systems that deliver advanced operating performance through seamless integration, contact us today.
For a business owner, securing the business property is a top priority. Because commercial business security is so essential, it is important to ensure the appropriate security systems are installed.
In addition to promoting a professional business appearance, camera systems provide long-term benefits to a company. Here are a few reasons why camera systems should be implemented within commercial business premises:
Protect Assets – As a business, valuable assets include the property itself, equipment, and private information. Businesses with security systems intact are less likely to have theft take place than those with none.
Detect Criminal Behavior – With cameras, crime is less likely to occur because most criminals are deterred by security. However, if in the case it doesn’t, criminals can be caught sooner and are more likely to be identified with cameras in place.
Preventative Measures – CCTV systems include access control systems and intruder alarm systems to alert authorities of suspicious activity. If a criminal appears at a business and notices cameras, it could prevent the crime from occurring altogether.
Save on Insurance – If businesses invest in security systems for their property, they may be qualified to receive insurance discounts depending on their provider.
Safeguard Staff – A business owner has the responsibility of protecting all work personnel. Installing high-tech cameras on the property can reduce liability risks and allow employees to feel comfortable and safe in the workplace.
WesTec Services offers cost-effective security products and installation for commercial businesses–providing a true turnkey solution for property safety.
At WesTec, our professionals will survey the designated area to determine how many cameras are needed, where the cameras should be located, perform camera installation requirements, and ensure camera functionality–while remaining compliant with any budget.
If your business is ready to take security to the next level with reliable CCTV or IP systems, contact WesTec today.
Within every industry, from heavy machinery to computers, possessing the relevant equipment allows a business to properly operate and grow. However, certain equipment may require a costly investment.
If a business is seeking to purchase new equipment or upgrade existing inventory, equipment financing and leasing has become a popular method of equipment acquisition.
Equipment financing and leasing is used to provide companies with the capital necessary to purchase needed equipment–the equipment acts as collateral for the loan. Regardless of the type of business and size, financing important equipment through a finance arrangement can be beneficial. Here’s how:
• Save money. Equipment financing can save a business money by bundling the equipment, installation and maintenance for a single, cost-efficient solution that maximizes budget.
• Stay up-to-date. Because of its affordable cost, a business can remain up-to-date with changing technology trends and equipment to maintain competitive advantage.
• Accelerate ROI. Tax leases allow businesses to secure working capital, invest it, and make more money while paying less for the equipment by writing off payments.
• Hedge against inflation. Financing and leasing allow business owners to lock their original signing rates to avoid future equipment inflation.
• Tax advantages. Depending on the structure of a lease, all lease payments may be written off as a deduction.
WesTec Services provides commercial equipment financing and leasing solutions for businesses of all types. At WesTec, our experts work diligently with both equipment buyers and vendors–offering an equipment financing solution that is suitable for all needs.
Our monthly-payment package may include equipment, software, maintenance, shipping, installing and training for a true turnkey solution for business technology.
Whether planning the purchase of a single piece of equipment or designing a system for future development, WesTec strives to provide the appropriate business technology analysis for optimal business growth! Contact us today!
Every business relies on communication to succeed. Because communication methods are only enhancing and changing, businesses are constantly seeking ways to cut telecommunications costs. In fact, it is estimated that telecommunications services are the third largest operating expense for most companies.
If you’re searching for ways to cut costs within your business, telecommunication audits are an easy, accurate way to discover what business practices are working and which ones are not. Telecom audits could potentially save your company thousands of dollars each year. Here a few benefits of implementing telecom audits: • Increase efficiency. Telecom auditing systems can provide advanced and customized reporting of current phone system services. Utilizing this innovative tactic, any problems with the telecom infrastructure can be brought to the surface–allowing productive time for immediate equipment fix or elimination. • Save time. The use of telecom auditing systems can provide highly itemized and detailed reports for any department. Having quick access to accurate data of system conditions and employee performances saves wasted time for determining what changes need to be made–also, company down time can be prevented if equipment needs to be upgraded.
• Find savings. Telecom audits can identify areas of wireless overspend throughout the entire company. If a company is dishing out extra expenses for mishandling of communication equipment, audits can identify billing errors or other unauthorized charges. By acquiring more data, necessary changes can be made to cut expenses.
WesTec provides telecommunications audits of a business’ current phone service provider. Our IT specialists will review and analyze the existing telecom services and provide recommendations and methods to reduce overall costs and maximize value and profitability. At WesTec, we offer thorough knowledge of available carriers and services provided–ultimately providing a true turnkey solution for efficient and strategic business practices. Contact us today to optimize your business telecommunication systems!
Information technology (IT) is a major security and support function for any business. In the current digital age, business owners and managers must optimize the available technology for successful business growth.
Outsourcing IT consulting services can help increase significant efficiency in a business–ultimately translating into reduced business costs. Learn how hiring a professional IT consulting service can aid a business of any size: • Reduced spending. When IT professionals come into a business, they are not there to make sales. Instead, these experts are there to evaluate the way a business is run and provide consulting and solutions for improvements. IT consulting services are a smart alternative to hiring an in-house team and repairing costly systems malfunctions later. • Increase focus on core business. Outsourcing IT professionals for IT consulting services allows business management to focus on core competencies and business development, rather than putting attention on technology issues. IT companies offer enhanced consulting and support that go beyond what internal operations could provide–saving wasted time on operational issues. • Access to experts and latest technology. IT companies ensure their employees are trained and certified in the technologies they support, so businesses can be confident the right technology decisions are being made–ultimately reducing all-around risk. Receiving thorough IT consulting services offers access to the latest technology and support from a team that are true experts in the area.
Possessing qualifiable experience, WesTec Services offers innovative strategic business planning expertise for all technology and management systems within a company. Whether a startup or well-seasoned company, we strive to accurately assess a company’s business system with their vision, goals and plans in mind.
Our IT experts will provide a comprehensive business technology road map for seamless implementation aimed to enhance overall business operations and profitability. Contact WesTec today to sustain successful growth in today’s fast paced business climate.
With the growing number of IT consulting and support companies in the area, WesTec continues to provide honest guarantee policies to businesses while maintaining the satisfaction of customers and a professional image. Unlike other guarantees, WesTec offers an assured 100% money-back guarantee for tech support, hardware and software purchases, and consulting services to all clients.
The WesTec zero-risk IT support guarantee includes:
• A full credit back for failing to reach agreed service levels. If our professionals fail to match the response times guaranteed to fully-managed clients, no payment is required to have the issues fixed–we will repair it at our cost and credit the client’s monthly subscription for the amount of time spent. At WesTec, we strive to ensure our clients don’t pay for IT support services they did not receive.
• A fixed price guarantee. We offer fixed price quotes on our prices–all projects are completed on budget without hiding fees. Our skilled IT experts refuse to piggyback any project risk on the client–rather, we take full responsibility.
• A one-time payment required. Although it is our goal to get every project right the first time, things happen. If our team has to return to repair a problem, we’ll fix it for free or refund the client–as long as we are notified of the issues within five days of the completion of the project or service.
• A purchase guarantee. If we specify, procure and install hardware or software for a business, and it fails to run correctly, our team will repair it free of charge–including parts and labor.
At WesTec, we strive to not only solve any technology issues within businesses but prevent them from happening in the future. WesTec offers an ongoing turn-key solution for all business connectivity needs.
Stay proactive with your technology–call us today!
No matter the size of the business, regular backups performed on the necessary technology platforms are essential to securing a company’s network. In the case of a virus, system failure, humor error or natural disaster, the results could be irreversible. Technology backups ultimately ensure the data needed to continue running business operations is secure and clean. Consider these additional motives to hire a professional IT support team for implementing a proper backup strategy: Data loss can be costly. Because the modern business is supported greatly by technology and computer networks, the loss of network data can financially scar a business. Implementing an effective backup strategy can act as an insurance policy for a business. Failure to backup systems could compel business closure. Due to the potential irretrievability of imperative information, a business may be forced to cease services as a result of extreme decrease in revenue. Remaining proactive and consistently performing technology backups strongly increases the longevity a business. Backups provide peace of mind. Performing regular backups allows a business to focus on deliverable business efforts instead of fretting over network security. Backups help rebuild a network regardless of a virus or a hack attack and eliminate frustration along the way. Every business is susceptible to an IT disaster. However, integrating a cost-effective backup strategy into the daily operations of a business could manage and secure irreplaceable files. WesTec Services offers backup disaster and recovery services to small and medium-sized businesses. Not only can our trained IT experts cure technology issues but also take preventative measures to avoid future occurrences–including conducting thorough backups to all technology. To eliminate the risk of losing important company information at any given time, call WesTec today to satisfy your business’ backup and recovery procedures.
Mission: WesTec will be a “turn-key” solution for all of its clients’ business connectivity needs. It will offer efficient and effective solutions, directly and with strategic partners, that create tangible value for its clients at every point of contact. Westec will serve all people and entities with a servant’s heart.
Get in touch
2916 West TC Jester Blvd.,
Suite 104
Houston, TX 77018
In the era of technology, some have concerns about their privacy. In schools, the top priority is to protect students and their information. With students constantly engaging in technology, whether it be submitting homework, emails with teachers, or saving documents, state and federal internet security laws protect all this information. 
CIPA: Children’s Internet Protection Act 
Thirty-seven percent of workers telecommute regularly while more than half of business emails are now opened via smartphone.
At WesTec, our professionals will survey the designated area to determine how many cameras are needed, where the cameras should be located, perform camera installation requirements, and ensure camera functionality–while remaining compliant with any budget.
If your business is ready to take security to the next level with reliable CCTV or IP systems, contact WesTec today.
Within every industry, from heavy machinery to computers, possessing the relevant equipment allows a business to properly operate and grow. However, certain equipment may require a costly investment.
If a business is seeking to purchase new equipment or upgrade existing inventory, equipment financing and leasing has become a popular method of equipment acquisition.
Equipment financing and leasing is used to provide companies with the capital necessary to purchase needed equipment–the equipment acts as collateral for the loan. Regardless of the type of business and size, financing important equipment through a finance arrangement can be beneficial. Here’s how:
• Save money. Equipment financing can save a business money by bundling the equipment, installation and maintenance for a single, cost-efficient solution that maximizes budget.
• Stay up-to-date. Because of its affordable cost, a business can remain up-to-date with changing technology trends and equipment to maintain competitive advantage.
• Accelerate ROI. Tax leases allow businesses to secure working capital, invest it, and make more money while paying less for the equipment by writing off payments.
• Hedge against inflation. Financing and leasing allow business owners to lock their original signing rates to avoid future equipment inflation.
• Tax advantages. Depending on the structure of a lease, all lease payments may be written off as a deduction.
WesTec Services provides commercial equipment financing and leasing solutions for businesses of all types. At WesTec, our experts work diligently with both equipment buyers and vendors–offering an equipment financing solution that is suitable for all needs.
Our monthly-payment package may include equipment, software, maintenance, shipping, installing and training for a true turnkey solution for business technology.
Whether planning the purchase of a single piece of equipment or designing a system for future development, WesTec strives to provide the appropriate business technology analysis for optimal business growth! Contact us today!
Every business relies on communication to succeed. Because communication methods are only enhancing and changing, businesses are constantly seeking ways to cut telecommunications costs. In fact, it is estimated that telecommunications services are the third largest operating expense for most companies.
Information technology (IT) is a major security and support function for any business. In the current digital age, business owners and managers must optimize the available technology for successful business growth.
• Increase focus on core business. Outsourcing IT professionals for IT consulting services allows business management to focus on core competencies and business development, rather than putting attention on technology issues. IT companies offer enhanced consulting and support that go beyond what internal operations could provide–saving wasted time on operational issues.
Possessing qualifiable experience, WesTec Services offers innovative strategic business planning expertise for all technology and management systems within a company. Whether a startup or well-seasoned company, we strive to accurately assess a company’s business system with their vision, goals and plans in mind.
With the growing number of IT consulting and support companies in the area, WesTec continues to provide honest guarantee policies to businesses while maintaining the satisfaction of customers and a professional image. Unlike other guarantees, WesTec offers an assured 100% money-back guarantee for tech support, hardware and software purchases, and consulting services to all clients.
No matter the size of the business, regular backups performed on the necessary technology platforms are essential to securing a company’s network. In the case of a virus, system failure, humor error or natural disaster, the results could be irreversible.
Failure to backup systems could compel business closure. 
2916 West TC Jester Blvd.,
Suite 104
sales@westecservices.net