Looking to hire IT staff?

Small businesses can’t afford to have the position of IT administrator held by someone who isn’t certified and experienced. In some cases, they have whoever knows the most about computers in charge of it, but this often leads to disaster.

As a standalone service, a help desk can remediate many of the issues that some organizations face with their IT strategy. It provides comprehensive IT support that your business is looking for. Not only does it handle broken technology services, but it also reduces your downtime, human error, and other situational IT troubles. You’re doing your employees a disservice if you force them to encounter roadblocks that could easily be surmounted with the proper support. Having IT experts on hand can make everyone’s lives just a little bit easier.

Furthermore, if you have a dedicated IT administrator or outsource your IT management to a firm that doesn’t offer help desk support, having remote technicians can be a game changer for your IT department. Just having the option of additional assistance can go a long way toward helping everyone make ends meet, moving your business forward in a way that is most successful for all.

Does your business have trouble keeping up with maintenance, help desk support, and other technology-related troubles? Digital Seattle can help. To learn more about what we can do for your business, reach out to us at (206) 709-9556.

Highlight Your Folders

More often than not, most people won’t need to access more than a handful of files or folders at any given time. If you’re annoyed enough by accessing these files, you can add direct links to important files right in the taskbar. Here is how you can do it:

• Right-click any unused space in the taskbar. This will open a menu of options.
• Hover over the Toolbars and select New toolbar.
• Find the folder that you want, select it, and click Select Folder.

The folder you’ve selected should now appear in your Taskbar, along with any files it holds, readily accessible for you.

Quickly Access Websites

Some organizations depend on the Internet in order to maintain operations. The quick-access URL field can give you the ability to access websites. Here’s how you can set it up to do so.

• Access your Taskbar options by right-clicking in any unused space
• Hover over Toolbars and select Address

A URL field will appear in the Taskbar. If you type a URL into it and press Enter, you can open that website in your default browser.

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Do You Constantly Suffer from Downtime and Computer Issues?

If you feel like you can’t get anything done due to IT troubles, then you’re throwing money down the drain. Downtime is a major waste, but some of the most recognizable ones include computers that are slow or constantly breaking down, as well as employees who can’t get anything done due to computers that simply don’t work the way they’re supposed to. One of the most devastating downtime incidents--hardware failure--can lead to extended periods of wasteful downtime and large quantities of data loss. It goes without saying that having someone periodically check on IT is a necessity in the modern workplace.

Does It Feel Like Your IT is Being Actively Managed and Maintained... 

...or is your current IT provider waiting for you to call them? 

Imagine the frustration of getting to your office and having your computer not boot up as intended. Now imagine how much time that costs you if each of your employees encounters this problem. IT can’t always solve issues immediately, but it needs to be able to provide triage and issue support accordingly. If your IT can’t address problems with downtime and connectivity, then perhaps it’s time for a change.

Are Emergencies Treated like Emergencies?

If downtime isn’t treated like the problem that it is, then you’re wasting time and money waiting for issues to be addressed. 10 employees who can’t get their work done due to technology issues means that you’re paying 10 salaries for not completing tasks. This is a waste that your organization can certainly do without. If your IT people aren’t prompt with emergencies, it’s time to find some new IT people.

Can Your Employees Get Support When It’s Needed?

Employees might be worried about asking for support because they are afraid it will cost your business. A ticketing system can be used by employees who run into issues so that they can get the support needed as per your service level agreement. Once the issue has been reported, they can get back to work.

Is Your Network Fully Documented?

Each device on your network, including desktops, laptops, servers, printers, routers, access points, switches, VoIP phones, and everything else, needs to be documented. Documentation should include when the device was purchased and installed, including who installed it, the model and serial numbers, warranty information, and access information.

Is Your Data Being Backed Up?

Without your data, you can’t expect to be successful. If you can’t recover your data in the event of a disaster, your future could be placed in jeopardy. Therefore, your IT people need to take your data as seriously as you do.

Is Your IT Firm Working with You to Discuss and Review Their Own Performance?

IT is about making technology work for you, so if they aren’t doing this, then you should ask them to sit down with you and help determine their worth. It’s even better if they decide to initiate the conversation so they can learn how to best serve you. You need to have an account manager that is willing and able to help you put together a full IT roadmap and plan for the future. If they’re not there to help you get the most from your technology and get ahead of the competition, then what are you paying them for?

Digital Seattle can be the ideal IT solution for your business. To learn more, reach out to us at (206) 709-9556.