How Managed IT Support Contributes To Your Business Success

 

Learn here how managed IT support can be a key success factor for your small business. There are many small businesses in Singapore who lack essential IT infrastructure, thanks to their tight budget and dated resources. If you are one of them, it must be challenging for you to keep your operations up and running. 

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Top Tech trends to watch out in 2015

Technology is pushing forward at a very vast pace, and so are its related applications. So, what are the technology trends that one needs to watch out for in 2015? Let’s have a look at them briefly.

1)   Internet of things (IoT)

The inter-connection of embedded computing devices within the internet infrastructure is becoming ever so popular. Connecting every aspect of your life to the internet to make life easier for you. For example home automation systems, interconnected business applications or even payment methods.

2)   3D printing

3D printing has taken the manufacturing and industrial design world by the storm. With its unique capabilities to manufacture products and designer goods to millimeter perfection, the 3D printing industry will dominate in the upcoming year 2015.

3)   Cloud computing
The focus on synchronizing user content in at one location is the trend to watch out for in 2015. Cloud Computing gives a new dimension to storing, accessing and updating content that is synced across all your gadgets.

4)   Risk based security

This is a hard known fact that providing a 100 percent secured environment is not possible in current times. Therefore, individuals and organizations have to look for security-aware application design, runtime application, active context-aware and adaptive access controls.   

5 Cool Things You Missed At the Softlayer Cloud Computing Workshop

Softlayer recently concluded their Asia-pacific tour, and in case you missed it was every bit worth it.

Softlayer just finished its Asia Pacific leg of its workshop educating attendees about the unique cloud solutions the company offers. Needless to say that the workshop kind-off strengthened the already well-established fact that Cloud is the future of all technology. But for startups this future is hard to come by as adopting the cloud is no straightforward task. The basic intention behind the Softlayer workshop was to acquaint startups to the cloud, and basically bring them to a level of ease.

Here are the Five coolest things you may have missed by not being at the workshops:

1. Bare Metal Servers

As snazzy as it sounds, it actually is. Softlayer’s use of bare metal servers to run networks that are not only faster, but require low levels of storage and maintenance as compared to other physical servers. Attendees at the workshop were acquainted with this new physical technology that helps Softlayer deliver better performance and speed.

2. Access

Perhaps the most engaging part of the workshop was where the attendees were taught how to make their own cloud networks, work with APIs. This section was especially a big hit with people attending the workshops.

3. Interaction

The interaction section was organized to bring businesses closer to each other. To get acquainted with what everyone else was doing, the problems they face and measures that are employed to take care of these problems was one of the highlights too.

4. History

Not everything was about the future. Softlayer also laid emphasis on the history of Cloud and helped attendees learn about the genesis of a global player that is now everywhere.

5. It was Free

Yes, it was absolutely free. All that knowledge, interaction and information - even the snacks were free. One just couldn’t leave empty handed.

Startling features of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus!!!

With so many speculations and rumors all the year, Apple has now launched its most awaited and iconic smartphones - iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The tech specifications and features of these phones have raised the expectation of the users all over the world. 

Here is a glance of some of the unique and astounding features of these latest phones: 

1. Bigger Screen:

The large screen size is undoubtedly the main highlight of these amazing phones. Apple brought forth two variants, one with 4.7 inch display and the other one with 5.5 inch display. Earlier, there were no big screens in the list of Apple phones.

2. Slimmest iPhone:

The 4.7 inch iPhone 6 is the thinnest model to hit the series of iPhone. It is 6.2mm thick, giving it a very sleek look as compared to the previous versions of iPhone 5 and 5S having 7.6mm thickness.

3. A8 Processor:

Switching ahead to quad-core, the company made a perfect use of four CPU cores in A8 processor. Another eye-catching feature is the 2GB RAM and the 64-bit chipset based architecture.

4. 8MP camera and the protruding lens:

Although Apple stuck to the 8MP sensor yet, quality of the images will surely be much better with the iPhone6. Besides, the camera lenses are prepared with f/1.8 aperture which was restrained to the f/2.2 aperture in iPhone 5s. Also, it is said to deliver good images even in extreme low light conditions.

5. Battery and solar charging:

With the new launches, Apple has focused on the battery life too.  Where the iPhone 6 is said to have 10 days of standby battery life, along with 10 hours of web browsing, the upper version iPhone 6 Plus have 16 days of battery standby time and 12 hours of web browsing.

Moreover, it has introduced wireless charging with a solar charging option too. This Smartphone comprises of a solar panel encased in Sapphire glass. So, now you can charge it without plugging in the charger.

Hybrid Clouds: When You May Want to Use Them

When moving into the cloud, you should know what to expect from your cloud provider. For example, where the public cloud offers flexibility and cost-efficiency, the private cloud ensures optimal security. And when you want the best of both worlds, the hybrid cloud is the only option!

Here is what you may need hybrid cloud computing solutions for:

Benefits of Both Worlds: 
A hybrid cloud can allow your small business to get the benefits of both the public and private clouds. You can accelerate your noncritical business operations with the cost-effectiveness of the public cloud, as well as make the most of the firewalled safety of a private cloud for protecting your sensitive data and applications.

Enhanced Scalability and Cost-Savings:
The hybrid cloud frees businesses from the responsibility of purchasing and setting up expensive hardware. They don’t even need to hire or expand their own IT staff and on-site teams. This is how they can save time and money both.

Better Accessibility: 
You can access your programs and applications at any time within the hybrid cloud environment. This allows you to build a mobile and more active workforce and expand your operations ahead of your current location.

Increased Agility and Performance: Using a hybrid cloud, you can move your programs flawlessly between the public and private clouds. This is how you can meet all your IT requirements in a cost-effective manner, since you don’t need to build and maintain your own in-house computer 

Cloud Storage: Comparison of Providers and Solutions

The term “Cloud Storage” is sufficient in itself to stir up a debate in even the sanest of conversations. However, even the most anti-cloud naysayer would agree that cloud is the best solution for disaster recovery. Enterprise cloud storage providers understand that their clients are looking for security, reliability and redundancy. They are also aware of the fact that there is a lot of fear about the safety with most companies taking a staggered approach when moving to cloud storage, from archive backups to live storage. 

So, to make it convenient for you to select the best service for your company, below is a list of top 3 cloud storage providers who are well equipped with the resources to handle your company’s bytes in bulk:

1.      Amazon S3          

Amazon S3 comes under AWS umbrella and covers major internet hubs including Pinterest and Reddit. It costs $0.055/GB per month if you occupy over 5,000TB on Amazon's cloud. In case the data you’re storing does not fall under the mission-critical variety, then the company’s Reduced Redundancy Storage (RRS) reduces the price to $0.037/GB per month.

You can opt to store your data in any one of the many geographic locations. You can however lower the latency by selecting a location close to your home. However, considering a disaster recovery standpoint, choosing a distant location makes sense too.

2.      Google Cloud Storage

Part of the Google cloud Platform, Google Cloud Storage is specifically designed for big businesses in need of big-time storage requirements. Google storage services are charged at highly competitive prices, with 4,500TB costing $0.054/GB per month. Also the Durable Reduced Availability, as compared to Amazon S3 is slightly cheaper at $0.042/GB per month.

To safeguard the data of your enterprise, Google stores it redundantly at several different geographical locations. In addition, the company offers a little more piece of mind by constructing its own proprietary security technologies into Google Cloud Storage.

3.      Rackspace Cloud Files

It can rightly be said that Rackspace knows cloud computing pretty well. Below the 1PB/1024TB threshold, the prices charged by the company starts at $0.075/GB per month on a purchase of over 500TB of storage. However, the prices increase slightly in case you require less storage.

Rackspace's unique selling point is its Akamai CDN file transfer method. Here the company can use 213 Akamai edge locations to trasfer files over the Internet that too in record time. So, instead of transferring files from one of Rackspace's origin servers, Akamai CDN is utilized to deliver the files regionally. It’s beneficial for big businesses with numerous offices and mobile employees or websites received lots of traffic globally. 

Data Backup and Restoration Tips for Small Businesses

In today’s data-driven times, one of the major reasons for small businesses to collapse is data loss. In fact, any enterprise will grind to a halt without smooth and consistent data availability.

Despite knowing this, most small company owners let their data safety and backup plans linger on their to-do lists for unusually long. It is exactly in this gap that downtime and outages hamper productivity and overall turnover.

So, it is important that you implement a foolproof data backup strategy before it’s too late.

The following tips will become your practical guidelines as you head out.

Map All Your Backup Needs

Generally, data backup needs vary from business to business. Spend some time assessing your unique backup needs, for your ignorance will make it complicated, if not completely unfeasible, to decide on data backup methods.

Issues such as data type, size of files and frequently used files can create problems while backing up data. Proceed strategically and have patience if it the assessment process takes time.  

Know Where Your Business Data Is Kept

You can expect to protect your data unless you know where it is, and in what form. Talk to your IT support company and try to learn how much data and information you have. Ask them if your data is kept on a backup server or simply in corporate offices. You can also take advice on which new data safety and backup measures can be more helpful.

Choose the Right Data Backup System

Ways to backup important data are numerous, but it remains vital to consult a professional having years of industry experience. Generally, the best way to protect data is using multiple backup methods. This prevents data loss even if one of them fails completely.

The best options to opt for are:

1. Online Backup: Data backup through cloud is the most cost-effective option, regardless of how big or small your business is. Choose a reliable provider of online backup services, preferably the one that uses multiple backup locations in order to keep crucial data completely secure.

2. Server Backup: Small businesses that have servers to run all business activities and tasks should opt for sever backup. Most cloud storage companies offer server backup services to prevent data loss in events of system failure.

2. Disc Backup: You can use CDs and DVDs to backup all your important data and store it in a safe, offsite location later on. Another way is to use an external storage device like a USB flash device or hard drive. Disk imaging is an equally effective method of backing up data or a whole PC operating system. 

Top Important Network Maintenance Tasks You Can Do

It is a good habit to reserve complicated tasks for the experts. But, there’s a list of things you can do on your own too. These tasks don’t require you to be a pro, knowing a few simple instructions can help you complete them without expert help. In what follows we help you recognize these tasks, take a look:  

1. Installing, Replacing Or Upgrading Both Hardware And Software

These are the most common network maintenance tasks. The procedure involved may include replacing failed or old hardware such as switching line cards and supervisor modules in Catalyst 4500 and 6500 series and upgrading the Cisco IOS images to current versions for switches and routers alike.

2. Monitoring, Tuning And Optimizing Network

Proactive monitoring is essential for effective network maintenance. It helps in detecting potential problems such that suitable remedies could be implied before they cause a severe outrage or affect an ongoing operation. Proactive monitoring also helps in:

•  Verifying the performance of the network
•  Baseline the performance
•  Understand the right amount of direction and traffic flows
•  Identify and troubleshoot potential network problems

3. Documenting The Network And Maintaining Documents

While most engineers find this a mundane task, it is important to understand that documentation is critical for overall network maintenance, for troubleshooting and to support it. Documentation should include the following information:

• Information about interconnections between devices for LAN and Wan connections
• VLAN information and IP addressing
• Topology diagram of network
•  Inventory information of all devices, modules and components
• Configuration information
•  Date traffic information

4. Securing Network From Internal And External Threats

Securing the network acts integral to network operations and maintenance tasks. It is crucial to pay equal considerations to both internal and external threats. While most organizations have dedicated network security teams, structured maintenance approach and monitoring can also be used for detecting potential security threats based on which you can take appropriate action before any undesired incident takes place.

5. Planning For Network Upgrades, Expansions Or Enhancements 

Effective network monitoring can help you identify potential issues before they arise such that you can plan for possible expansions or network upgrades to strengthen network security.

6. Scheduling Backups And Restoring Networks From Backups

Backups should be regarded as core maintenance tasks and given high priority. Backups of critical network devices and components should be scheduled, monitored and ultimately verified at all times. This will help in faster recovery of network or its components following hardware or software failures.        

7. Ensuring Compliance With Legal Regulations

It is vital for you to ensure that the network is compliant with both corporate policies as well as legal obligations. Regardless of your industry and its requirements, you need to ensure your business is following industry standards regulated by the law. You also need to ensure that your network completely adheres to all corporate policies.

Top 5 Best Practices for Small Business IT Support

Businesses, big and small, need tech support. No exceptions.

Without an in-house expert or a dedicated IT support service focusing on a small business’s technology needs, it will soon struggle to keep afloat or just fail to stay competitive in the target market due to increased operational costs, delays etc.

Whether you intend to hire a small team of your own or hire outsource IT support tasks, keep in mind the following pointers:

• Short term solutions like an in-house employee with some tech know-how looking after the health of IT systems don’t always work. A small business must establish IT support as a well perceived need within the organization and list out the tasks that need to be taken up on a routine or emergency basis.
  
• Installing new software or fixing an obnoxious computer bug isn’t everything that a tech support professional can do. Those are just basic tasks. Any small business entity trying to grow and scale should get on board a managed IT support service provider or team of professionals with relevant certifications and hands-on experience.
  
• Customer support of any kind is best delivered by people who can empathize with those who are at the receiving end. Make sure to always choose IT support companies or professionals who can offer the much needed human touch.
  
•  IT support should always be proactive. If tech support guys are visiting your office every week or keeping some employees busy on a daily basis, while trying to fix an ongoing problem, what’s the point of getting managed IT services?
  
• Prepare a monthly, quarterly and half-yearly review plan for IT support whether you've an in-house IT department or have hired another company for the job. The tech support team must be accountable and it is up to you to ensure that the investment actually pays off. 

Choose Right IT Support for your Business in Singapore

It’s vital for business companies to deploy state-of-the-art technology for smoother operations. After all, they’re growing every second and hiring new talent with every passing day. Advanced IT solutions help employees to get comfortable with their company by having access to services such as real-time messaging and online work groups. But all this is possible only if you have the right IT partner with you.

Make sure that you trust your IT partner and your employees feel comfortable with the offered or deployed IT solutions. When choosing an IT support for your business in Singapore, you should consider following points:

1. Test Your Trust

Before finalizing your IT service contract, it’s necessary to gauge the trust level between you and your IT partner. Both parties must reach a certain level of understanding in order to avoid discrepancies that may arise in future. Remember talking to each other can largely prove beneficial in building a stronger trust in your relationship. To solidify this bond, the best way is to sign a written contract with every detail precisely mentioned.

2.  Explore Options

It’s important to look out for support skills that you want from an IT support service provider. You should conduct a background check on the company’s experience and the skill-sets, or domain expertise of the vendor. The skills of an IT service company must match with your requirements otherwise it can cause great trouble in future. A good service provider has facilities for professional training as well as technical forums for remote IT support. So, look for a partner who has valuable knowledge about IT system set-up and troubleshooting.

3. Cost-Efficiency Is Good

Some good IT service companies have a good track record, but they’re too expensive. Small businesses have limited budgets for deploying IT resources. So, choosing a cost-efficient IT service provider will help you to keep your expenses in check.

4. Work Culture

If you are new to Singapore, you may well need to communicate in English. There are many IT service companies who provide support services in English language. There are four official languages of Singapore such as English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. If you are familiar with any one of these languages, there is no fear of communication lack. But, business entities from outside Asia may find trouble during communication unless they’re fluent in English.

5. Working Strategy

Did company management turn up on your calls? Does an engineer pro-actively check your IT records? What is the work-policy there? These are some of the questions, which need to be asked by a client and answered by an IT service professional. It would immensely help for the growth of both business entities.

The Vital importance of Backup System

Although, latest operating systems are being embedded with enhanced features for system resonation and backups, chances are there, you might suffer a system crash or an attack on data costing, which will meet out your business with a tragic lose. 

Therefore, it’s important to understand the significance and benefits of a backup system.

Cloud Based Backup Solutions

This is preferably the most reliable and guaranteed backup solution, which is advocated by experts around the globe. The explanation to its prestige is the protection it offers against different sorts of threats like system crashing, cyber attacks and even natural mishaps. Moreover, the solution offers essential advantages of designing the solution as demanded or required by the business.

Secured Protection

Cloud based backup solutions are probably the most secured. They ensure on time recovery of all the different kinds of data. Moreover, you can customize such solutions to suit your needs.

Effortless Use

With cloud based backup solutions, users can effortlessly learn to work with numerous types of interface and management systems, which are easy to set up and operate. This indeed helps emerging businesses to enhance their services without worrying about the threats of data loss.    

Quick and User Friendly

A crucial aspect of cloud based backup solution is that it is equipped with configuration and setup wizards that ensure development of systems rapidly. Moreover, these solutions are designed to deliver off-premise data storage alternatives and great options for eco-conscious individuals.    

Top Benefits of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for IT Consulting

Do you know about some of the tools available at low budget for tuning applications? As an IT consultant, most of us are unaware of advance applications available under the SaaS platform. 

IT consulting contractors in Singapore are hugely benefited by the well-defined scope and low cost module services of SaaS. For delivering high performance services and deploying servers, SMBs are feeling the need to migrate towards cloud infrastructure. 

SaaS is one of the components of cloud model, which offers easy-to-use tools for generating business reports, gathering intelligent data and applications to troubleshoot systems during peak-hours.

So, let us know more about the top three advantages for IT consultancy firms:

Saves Time and Money 

Instead of keeping your own servers and purchasing software licenses at heavy prices, SaaS provides pay-per-use model to IT consultants for using any hardware or software resources. Ready to use services translates into maximizing ROI as well as saving both time and cost involved in maintaining systems at your office.

Value and Variety

IT consulting companies work on the part of trend analysis, which involves advising clients on deploying efficient systems yet remaining cost-efficient. Under SaaS, wide range of tools and applications necessary for performing better system analysis help to expand the portfolio of IT consulting companies.

Robust Services

Cloud environment host all SaaS solutions, which guarantee 99.95% uptime and seamless service integration. A great amount of flexibility offers painless upgrades for fully optimizing the system capacity.