Posts Tagged ‘business’

Benefits of IT Consulting for Startup Businesses - WesTec Services

Benefits of IT Consulting for a Startup Business

Written by WesTec on February 7, 2020. Posted in IT Consulting

A startup business looking to grow and establish its operations will find the value of an IT consultant life-changing. Here are a few benefits that startup businesses can expect when they hire an IT consulting company:

1. Adoption of IT Best Practices – Many business owners handle several tasks daily. Since startup businesses are still at their formative stage, all hands are typically on deck. Because of this, business owners won’t have the time to learn about the current IT best practices. Hiring an IT consulting company allows the best IT practices to be implemented while you focus on getting your business started.

2. Less Downtime – New businesses need every minute of operational time to maximize productivity. Whenever there is an IT issue, that is potentially costing the business money. However, hiring an IT consulting company can help your business quickly identify and fix the issue. Additionally, consultants can provide and develop monitoring protocols to help prevent and reduce future incidences.

3. Security and Compliance – Are you familiar with the data compliance laws in your industry? Do you know the security protocols you need when running your IT infrastructure? If not, hiring an IT consulting company can help you find the answers you need. In addition, IT consultants can help you identify your security weak spots and help design technical protocols that help deter unwanted actors.

4. Seamless Transitions – When it’s time to covert to new technology tools or a new IT system, you may not be too sure how your business will adapt. IT consultants can provide a smoother transition when making the switch. This will help your business avoid potential disruptions in operations and allow you to focus on your business and less on its technology.

If you’re seeking comprehensive, customized IT consulting services for your startup business, give the experts at WesTec a call today. Learn more about our IT consulting services.

Advantages of Wireless Internet for Business

Written by WesTec on January 24, 2020. Posted in Internet, Network, Network Installation

While business is driven by technology and the internet, many companies today will deal with their computer network problems and frustrations instead of considering a needed upgrade to a wireless internet network, or WiFi.

If your business is facing network challenges, such as network glitches and breakdowns, or accessing your network from home or on-the-go, it may be time to consider implementing a wireless internet network. Here a few advantages of installing a wireless network for your business:

Convenience

Wireless internet allow users to access network resources from nearly any convenient location within their primary networking environments, such as a home or office. With the increasing saturation of laptops and smart phones, this is particularly relevant.

Mobility

Wireless internet networks allow users to access the web even outside of their normal work environment. Most coffee shops or restaurants offer their customers a wireless connection to the internet at little or no cost.

Productivity

When users can connect to a wireless network, they are able to maintain connectivity to their desired network as they move from place to place. For a business, employees can become more productive because work can be completed from nearly any location.

Expandability

Wireless networks can serve a suddenly-increased number of users with the existing equipment. On the other hand, in a wired network, additional clients would require additional wiring.

Cost

Although cost is difficult to quantify, there is a cost to constant computer glitches. Also, failure to access a wireless network on-the-go can keep projects from meeting their deadlines, ultimately causing company downtime.

If your business is ready to make the switch to wireless internet networking, call the experts at WesTec today, or read more about our network installation services.

Why You Should Lease Your IT Equipment

Written by WesTec on September 19, 2019. Posted in IT, Leasing, Network Installation, VoIP

Is your technology equipment outdated or running slow? New equipment may be the solution. Before making a big purchase, check out all of your options. At WesTec Services, we help businesses lease IT equipment that keeps them ahead of the competition.

Up-To-Date Equipment

With every new model tech companies release, your current equipment set-up becomes irrelevant. When you lease IT, you can upgrade to whatever is newer, faster and cheaper when you finish your equipment contract. If your business relies on having the latest equipment, leasing is the most affordable option.

Predictable Expenses

WesTec offers its customers a fixed-price guarantee without surprises and hidden fees. Leasing IT equipment allows you to know your set monthly expense, giving you a firmer grasp on your budget.

Tax Incentives

When you lease IT equipment, you qualify for tax credits. Under Section 179 of the IRS tax code, leasing is often entirely tax-deductible. This means a company can possibly deduct up to 100% of their leasing expenses, pending qualification.

Keep Up with Competitors

Leasing can give a company access to technology that might be out of reach otherwise. In competitive markets, new or advanced equipment might give you the upper hand against competitors. Let WesTec take your business to the next level with our IT services. Contact us to learn more about how you can get the latest IT equipment for an affordable price.

What is Managed IT Service?

Written by WesTec on August 29, 2019. Posted in Business, Customer Guarantee, IT, Management and Consulting, Network, Network Installation

Small businesses can benefit from outsourcing their IT to a qualified business technology company. With managed IT service, WesTec can monitor and improve your company’s IT practices to ensure your employees can focus on their daily duties.

What is Managed IT Service?

Managed IT service allows a company to pay a fixed monthly rate for IT services and equipment. With a fixed monthly rate, customers benefit from automatic software updates, regular equipment upgrades and relief from the day-to-day IT frustrations. Partnering with WesTec gives a company flexibility to set clear goals and objectives.

What’s Included?

WesTec Services offers two plans with fixed fees for network management solutions. With WesTec Guardian Professional, companies receive network management and basic IT needs based on their current network infrastructure. With this program, businesses also benefit from discounted on-site support rates. WesTec Guardian All Covered provides our clients with maintenance, network management and technical support needs all in one fixed monthly rate. This ensures a company’s network is running efficiently without hourly rates.

Why Your Business Needs to Outsource IT

In today’s society, technology is crucial for a company to thrive in a competitive market. Because of this, businesses can not wait until something is broken to fix it. Managed IT service changes the way companies are looking at technology. Instead of embracing the old fix-it mentality, IT companies can manage a company’s IT and prevent any issues that might disrupt employees or clients. Let WesTec Services manage your IT and keep your company on its toes. Our managed IT services reduce the cost of replacing new equipment and keep you from paying hourly rates when your network fails by offering all-inclusive, fixed rates. Contact us to learn more about managed IT today.

How to Pick Your IT Provider

Written by WesTec on August 1, 2019. Posted in IT

When your focus is on running a business and selling a product or service to customers, outsourcing IT can save valuable time. Before signing a contract, it is important to understand the services an IT provider offers and how it fits with your company.

What is Included in the Cost?

First, determine what is included in your bill. Some providers claim to offer all-inclusive deals but sneak in hidden costs. Be sure to ask the potential IT provider questions about their services, prices and how you will be billed. This will keep you from receiving unexpected charges in the future.

Are You Compatible?

When choosing an IT provider, it is important your company is compatible with theirs. Make sure their platforms and technology help your business. Keep in mind the goals and changes you hope to make to your business in the future. By establishing goals for your company in advance, you lessen the risk of having to break a contract with an IT provider later if they can no longer support your growth.

How are Passwords Protected?

Knowing how an IT provider saves passwords can easily help you determine if they are a good fit for your company. Ask potential providers how they handle passwords internally. Since IT companies are easy targets for hackers, making sure a provider has complete protocols for keeping passwords and data secure is crucial.

How do They Train Employees?

Make sure potential providers regularly train their employees. Their job is to protect your information and they should know how to avoid phishing or other security breaches. A good IT provider understands the importance of your business and protecting its information. Make sure potential providers have similar goals to your business. WesTec Services strives to serve all clients with a servant’s heart to ensure their goals are met. Contact us today to discuss how we can benefit your company.

The Importance of a Telecom Audit

Written by WesTec on April 25, 2019. Posted in Business, Telecommunications

Technology seems to continually advance in contemporary business. While this is great, business practices need to keep up with that virtual acceleration. Getting accurate data about your business’s efficiency is key, and a telecom audit help with that. Here are five reasons why continuous telecom audits are more beneficial than simply conducting annual ones.

Maintaining Visibility: Small and medium-sized businesses need to gain as much visibility as possible. Periodic audits provide periodic visibility. When the audit is over, however, and companies shift locations or grow in size, that previous visibility no longer applies. Conducting a continuous telecom audit can fill those gaps.
Minimal Disruptions: Conventional audits that take place quarterly or annually can be a real inconvenience. They are invasive and often very time-consuming. Performing frequent or continuous audits severely minimizes this inconvenience so employees can maximize their productivity while you still get the information you need.
Maximum Flexibility: If your telecom audit is continuous, it allows for adaptation. Your business can be more flexible and audits can coincide with other projects. You can also customize and breakdown your reports more easily than traditional audits.
Getting it Right: Performing a single, periodic audit doesn’t guarantee that your results are accurate. A continuous telecom audit will give you results and information spread out over time. This is a much more accurate depiction of your company’s efficiency.
Improved security: Cyber-attacks, information theft, hacking. None of those words lead to anything good for your business. Continuous audits can catch these threats in the early stages! You can consistently see what devices are connected to your network, reducing the risk of unwelcomed threats.

WesTec Communications has a team of highly-skilled professionals that understand the important of maximizing efficiency and preserving information. Contact us today to help you get started with a continuous telecom audit.

Reasons Businesses Need Mobile Technology

Written by WesTec on January 11, 2019. Posted in Article, Business, Telecommunications

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.

The Importance of Security Systems for Businesses

Written by WesTec on December 28, 2018. Posted in Article, Business, Security

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.

The Advantages of Financing & Leasing Business Equipment

Written by WesTec on December 14, 2018. Posted in Article, Business Equipment

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!

Telecom Audits: A Beneficial Method to Improve Business Practices

Written by WesTec on November 30, 2018. Posted in Article, Telecommunications

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!

Broadband Connectivity: The Long-Lasting Benefits for Businesses

Written by WesTec on October 25, 2018. Posted in Internet, Telecommunications

Today, when people seek information from the Internet, they want it almost immediately. The frustration and delays of dial-up connectivity to the Internet are ongoing and wear on the patience of many web users. However, the upcoming of broadband has eliminated many of these frustrations.

A good broadband connection to a home or office complex means there’s greater capacity to send and receive data–which is highly important within commercial settings. With broadband, users can access the Internet with ease, browse the web more efficiency and download files faster.

Here are other benefits implementing broadband connection may offer:

• It is persistently ‘on’. With this connectivity, there is no wait-time for dial-up connectivity. Avoiding this down time allows for increased productivity in the workplace.

• It complies with media rich websites. Many websites today are media rich with interactive graphics and audio and video streaming abilities. These website elements were designed to be used via broadband for enhanced website experience.

• Working remotely is an option. With increased attendance flexibility at the office, high speed connectivity allows access to links to internal computers and telephone networks–offering the office facilities in the comfort of a home.

• It offers shared access. With the high-speed connectivity this connectivity offers, the connection can easily be shared amongst several PCs or other devices throughout a home or office. Most routers have wireless connectivity–allowing usage for computers, mobile phones and tablets.

• It is cost-efficient. Because broadband typically is offered at a fixed price, a company can budget effectively for their Internet connectivity–ultimately reducing overall operational costs.

For Houston telecom services, WesTec Services is the company to call. The IT experts at WesTec know the importance of the integral relationship between computers and telecommunications. At WesTec, we are a one-stop-source of all IT needs–guaranteeing high performance business broadband services.

Call our professionals today!

Why You Need a Backup System

Written by WesTec on September 21, 2018. Posted in Article

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.

Upgrading to a dual monitor system

Written by Rick Schissler on August 21, 2018. Posted in Hardware

Upgrading to a dual monitor system

Small businesses are always searching for ways for their employees to be more effective computer users. But before you go out and buy bigger hard drives and faster processors, you should consider upgrading your desktops to a dual monitor system. Read on to find out about the advantages of using two monitors per desktop.

Enhanced productivity
Published studies conclude that by working with dual monitors, overall productivity increases by 20-50%. Computer programmers, for example, can use one screen for source coding and the other for programming; by using dual monitors, they no longer need to toggle back and forth between tabs. This reduces error and frees up time to complete more projects.

Better multitasking
Efficient multitasking requires adequate screen space to keep multiple applications simultaneously visible — a view that single monitors alone simply cannot accommodate. Workers who require computers, like customer service reps and web designers, would no longer waste time switching between tabs and resizing windows to fit the limited space; they could now focus on completing their tasks accurately and efficiently.

Easier cutting and pasting
This reason resonates with jobs that call for creating newsletters or PowerPoint presentations. Dual monitors would eliminate the need for alternating between tabs and scrolling up and down as you work. Also, the enhanced visibility reduces chances of making mistakes and thus losing more time fixing them.

Image and video editing
With dual monitors, the days of stacking numerous editing tools on top of the image or video you’re working on are long gone. Instead of your screen looking like a game of Mahjong, you can put the editing tools on one screen and leave the image on the other. With better visibility, you’re less likely to commit errors and more likely to be finessed, and you’re not sacrificing valuable working time in the process.

Product comparison
You want to buy a camera, and you have two models in mind. It’s time to make a decision, so you have to compare their specs. If you had only one monitor, you’d need to go back and forth from one tab to another. But if you had two monitors, you could view the models side-by-side to help you clearly see their differences and make an informed purchase.

Dual monitors benefit almost every industry because of the enhanced visibility, larger screen space, and how you can briefly nap behind them without getting caught Using dual monitors can enhance even your leisure time activities as well.

Broaden your horizons by getting in touch with us. We’ll answer any questions you have.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

Office 365’s design undergoes an overhaul

Written by Rick Schissler on July 10, 2018. Posted in Office

Office 365’s design undergoes an overhaul

Microsoft recently announced that Office 365 apps, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word will be going through a design overhaul to boost productivity of their subscribers. They plan on releasing new features in the next few months. Check out what they have in store.

Simplified ribbon

The biggest update is with the ribbon, which is a command bar at the top of a window. The new design now has a simpler, cleaner look that gives users the chance to customize the tools they work with most, simply by pinning apps or files to your Windows taskbar. Even though this new ribbon is designed with simplicity in mind, if you don’t find it helpful you can still revert back to the regular three-line view.

Some users may already be using this new ribbon in the online version of Word, while Outlook for Windows will receive it sometime this month. However, Microsoft disclosed that they aren’t yet ready to roll it out to PowerPoint, Word, and Excel for Windows.

Improved search option

One of the major changes is with the search option in Microsoft Office apps. The developers improved the search experience by using Microsoft graph, so users can now see search recommendations when they move their cursor to the search box. Some have already seen this update take effect, but it won’t be available for Outlook on the web until August.

Better colors and icons

To make the overall design more aesthetically pleasing, the colors and icons of every app have been revamped, too. They wanted a more modern look crisp and clean no matter the size of the user’s screen, which is why they employed scalable graphics. It first debuted on Word before appearing on Excel, PowerPoint, and Works for Windows last month. As for Outlook for Windows and Mac, users can expect the update later this summer.

Office 365 is constantly evolving to benefit subscribers. And to make things even more interesting, users will be chosen at random over the next several months to receive the updates, and Microsoft will gather their reviews to make further improvements. Co-creating new features with customers is something Microsoft truly believes in, so this isn’t simply a social media tactic.

So as you hang tight for these coming changes, consider increasing office collaboration by migrating your files to the cloud. Call us today to get started!

Benefits of IT Consulting for a Startup Business

Advantages of Wireless Internet for Business

Why You Should Lease Your IT Equipment

What is Managed IT Service?

How to Pick Your IT Provider

The Importance of a Telecom Audit

Reasons Businesses Need Mobile Technology

The Importance of Security Systems for Businesses

The Advantages of Financing & Leasing Business Equipment

Telecom Audits: A Beneficial Method to Improve Business Practices

Broadband Connectivity: The Long-Lasting Benefits for Businesses

Why You Need a Backup System

Upgrading to a dual monitor system

Office 365’s design undergoes an overhaul

Prep for IT incidents with external support

How Facebook’s News Feed tweaks affect you

Social media helps improve content

Better call quality with a dedicated circuit

Backup and Sync: Google’s new business tool

Using Pinterest to market your SMB

Posts Tagged ‘business’

Up-To-Date Equipment

Predictable Expenses

Tax Incentives

Keep Up with Competitors

What is Managed IT Service?

What’s Included?

Why Your Business Needs to Outsource IT

What is Included in the Cost?

Are You Compatible?

How are Passwords Protected?

How do They Train Employees?

Upgrading to a dual monitor system

Office 365’s design undergoes an overhaul

Simplified ribbon

Improved search option

Better colors and icons

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