Preferred Blog

The Internet of Things is not a futuristic concept; it's a fundamental part of many modern businesses. IoT devices generate a wealth of data that can be used in several ways. Unfortunately, deploying IoT devices isn't enough. To get the most out of your IoT investments and ensure a strong ROI, you need a smart, strategic approach. Here are the best strategies businesses can use to get the most out of their IoT investments.

We've all been there. You're trying to quickly find that one photo from your vacation, or that important PDF for work, and you end up endlessly scrolling through a digital wasteland of screenshots, random downloads, and duplicates. Our smartphones have become extensions of ourselves, but without proper care, they can quickly turn into cluttered, inefficient tools that cause more frustration than they solve.

When you send an email internally, the basic expectation is that it'll be read and addressed. However, in the chaotic environment of a busy business—especially for smaller teams juggling an immense workload—emails can, and do, slip through the cracks. If your team relies primarily on email for communication, a reliable email archiving system is a necessity to prevent lost messages from creating a disaster.

Network hubs, network switches, network routers… What does it all even mean? All of these devices and terms can be confusing, and to some, they might even be interchangeable. However, the fact remains that they all serve different purposes, and some might not be the right solution for your business’ needs. Today, we want to break down the differences and when you might consider one over the other for your infrastructure.

These are turbulent times. Social media is an undeniable force in our modern lives, for the good and the bad. Anyone that has gotten into a discussion on their favorite social service knows how it can escalate very quickly. Navigating these digital mediums with intention is key to making it a positive and productive part of your life.

In this month’s newsletter, we wanted to roll out some pretty simple social media tips to live by, helping you to build a healthier and more meaningful online presence.

Regardless of how big or small your business is, chances are you have at least one server unit that holds sensitive data. Ask yourself this question: do you have the knowledge and expertise to properly care for and maintain that server unit? The best way to ensure your business takes care of its server technology is to work with a managed service provider. Here's why:

Every week, we talk with business leaders who think their cybersecurity is covered until it’s not.

For many small and midsized businesses (SMBs), a cyber incident isn’t just an IT problem. It’s a business interruption, a compliance headache, and a reputational hit that can take months to recover from.

The truth is, most cyber risks are preventable. You don’t need a huge IT budget. You need awareness, good habits, and a plan.

At Preferred Communication Systems, we’ve spent more than two decades helping Chicagoland organizations protect their people, data, and reputations. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Below are the 10 most common cybersecurity mistakes SMBs make, along with simple, actionable ways to avoid them.

A significant and growing number of small businesses are either actively using AI tools or exploring their potential, motivated by the promise of increased efficiency, cost savings, and gaining a competitive edge.

It's an exciting movement, proving that AI isn't just for huge mega corporations. Small businesses are using AI for everything from generating marketing content and handling customer service inquiries with chatbots to analyzing customer data and automating back-office tasks. The goal is to compete faster and smarter.

Congratulations! After a long and arduous interview process, you’ve found the ideal candidate for your business. They’re enthusiastic and experienced, but as soon as they sit down, they realize that they aren’t properly equipped to do their job.

This is precisely how to start a new hire on the wrong foot. Not only is it discouraging for them, but it is also expensive for you. While it may be tempting to blame individuals in these situations, they actually indicate a systemic shortcoming in your onboarding process. The only effective way to prevent these outcomes is to create procedures that ensure everyone on your team—new people included—can fully contribute.  

Today is the first day of the post-Windows 10 era, and if you are still running a PC with the popular operating system, trouble could be ahead if you don’t make a move immediately. In today’s blog, we will talk about your options going forward. Let’s get right into it.

The idea of a four-day workweek (where employees work the same schedule, minus one day a week) has long been campaigned for, with numerous anecdotes supporting its efficacy. One very successful example is provided by the nation of Iceland, which implemented initial trials of reduced work with just under 1 percent of its population, or about 2,500 people, back in 2015. 

These efforts have increased over the years, and today, almost 90% of Icelandic workers work 36 hours per week with no negative ramifications to the economy. In fact, Iceland’s society has enjoyed significant benefits during this experiment.

It’s everyone’s worst nightmare—checking your pockets or purse, then checking them again, trying to feel around for your smartphone, but it’s not there. Where did you leave it, or where did it fall out? Or worst of all, did someone steal it? Regardless of how you lost your smartphone, you need to take these three simple steps to ensure whoever finds it can’t steal your data.

How does your business use virtualization? We guarantee you that at least part of your infrastructure is virtualized to some degree, even if you don’t realize it. From hardware infrastructure to your desktop infrastructure, there are plenty of options for how your business can leverage virtualization for considerable impact.

It’s easy to skimp here and there when you run a business. After all, it isn’t cheap, and you have to make difficult decisions every day for where you’re prioritizing your spending. One area where you can’t scrimp on a substandard investment is your technology; especially an old computer that has broken down over and over again. If you’re not careful, that broken computer could be holding you back and costing you profit.

In the movie Moneyball, Billy Beane and the Oakland A's changed baseball forever. Faced with a tiny budget in the early 2000s, Beane ignored traditional scouting and used data to find talented, undervalued players. This sabermetrics approach allowed a small-market team to consistently beat rivals with much bigger budgets, proving that data, not just money, can lead to success.

Today, those same principles apply to every business. In a competitive world, companies of all sizes and industries can use data to make smarter decisions, optimize resources, and build a stronger business for less.

It is remarkable how much more capacity our data storage tools have than they had upon their initial invention, and how much data we’ve amassed in that time. The first-ever commercial hard drive was the size of two refrigerators, and held a mere five megabytes of data. For context, that’s about five photographs. Today, hard drives hold exponentially more data, and it is critical that you are doing everything you can to protect this data from any circumstance, from fire, severe weather, or cyberattack.

So, are you? Too many business owners aren’t sure… but there’s a way you can be. 

Do you feel like you’re walking a tightrope between getting things done and maintaining the security of your network and data? You’re not alone. Ultimately, we’re all trying to be as productive as possible, and we want to use all the cool collaboration tools, work from anywhere, and get things done fast.

How do you know when it’s time to fire one of your vendors? Better yet, how do you know when you’re better off firing your IT vendor to find a better option? These kinds of situations can be stressful, but they’re not impossible. We’re here to help you make the call, as well as to offer a better alternative that saves you time, energy, and money.

From online banking and shopping to social media and remote work, we're constantly sharing information. While our digital lives offer incredible convenience, they also expose us to a growing number of cyberthreats.

Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities and steal personal information. Fortunately, by adopting a few key habits, you can significantly reduce your risk and protect your data. Here are four things every user needs to remember to help them avoid cyberthreats.

Do you have an internal IT department for your business? Small businesses often don’t have dedicated IT staff, and if they do, chances are they’re overwhelmed with tasks and constantly playing catch-up (IT is a big job, after all). In fact, they might feel like they can never take time off because they’re so busy. If you want to ensure your business always has the IT it needs, then you should consider outsourcing as an option.