Genmar IT https://genmar.co.uk Experts in IT support and cloud services Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:39:52 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3 Is Your Office Burdened by Slow WIFI? – How to fix that https://genmar.co.uk/blog/is-your-office-burdened-by-slow-wifi-how-to-fix-that/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-your-office-burdened-by-slow-wifi-how-to-fix-that Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:39:52 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8353 Slow WIFI is a very common issue in workplace. We are currently in an era where a strong WIFI connection is crucial to […]

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Slow WIFI is a very common issue in workplace. We are currently in an era where a strong WIFI connection is crucial to a productive business. However, we are also in an era where office WIFI is not always as good as it should be. 39% if employees say that the internet is faster at home than it is in the office.

With over 54 minutes of work lost each week per employee, add that up and you’re looking at 1 work week a year lost. Say your business has 25 people, you’ve just lost half a year of work to poor WIFI issues: Something that can be easily fixed.

Today we’ll be going over some different methods of fixing your WIFI as well as some reasons your WIFI could be suffering.

Outdated Equipment

If your router, access points or client devices are old, they likely only support older, slower WIFI standards like 802.11b/g/n. By upgrading to newer hardware, you can get access to faster solutions such as 802.11ac or WIFI 6. It is a good idea to replace your router and access points every 3-5 years to ensure you’re using the most recent and efficient WIFI options.

Interference

Did you know that many different household items can interfere with your WIFI, leaving your connection disrupted and slower. Items such as microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices and many more will disrupt your WIFI strength. To remedy this, you can switch channels on the router or move items of interference away from WIFI electronics such as Access points and routers.

Congested Bandwidth

Too many devices and users hogging your bandwidth can congest and slow down the overall speed of your network, resulting in slow WIFI. The only effective way to fix this is to upgrade your Internet plan, something which you should be doing as your business grows anyway. You can do smaller things as well such as limiting streaming quality or file download however this would likely just reduce productivity as much as slow WIFI would.

Outdated Firmware

Outdated router firmware can’t take advantage of faster WIFI capabilities. To fix this, log into admin console and update the firmware to latest release from manufacturer. To see the difference, perform speed tests before and after.

Distance from Router

Having your router or sever tucked away in the corner of your office is normal, but this can cause slow WIFI in the workplace. Having your service blocked and weakened the further your device is from the router. To fix this you can invest in what is called a mesh network, this is where access points (WIFI extenders) are placed around your premises to boost signal strength in areas where the WIFI is weakest.

Slow WIFI

How a Site Survey can Fix your Slow WIFI

A WIFI Site Survey is involves assessing the entire network infrastructure of your premises, this helps to identify coverage gaps, interference sources and optimal access point placement. This helps in determining which one of the previously covered WIFI solutions is a best fit for your business / project.

A WIFI survey allows you to better plan the design of your infrastructure, saving you money as you more efficiently distribute your access points.

At Genmar, we offer WIFI site surveys to any company: from a small business moving offices, to an enterprise level project / construction company, and everything in between.

If you’re interested in improving your WIFI and saving potentially thousands in Internet infrastructure, check out our WIFI site surveys at

Or Contact Us and see how we can help your business solve its WIFI issues

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Amazon to Invest £3.5 billion in Anthropic – An AI ‘10x better than ChatGPT.’ https://genmar.co.uk/blog/amazon-to-invest-3-5-billion-in-anthropic-an-ai-10x-better-than-chatgpt/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=amazon-to-invest-3-5-billion-in-anthropic-an-ai-10x-better-than-chatgpt Mon, 25 Sep 2023 12:10:13 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8341 Amazon has stated today that they have agreed to invest up to $4 billion (£3.27 billion) in AI start-up company Anthropic, this comes […]

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Amazon has stated today that they have agreed to invest up to $4 billion (£3.27 billion) in AI start-up company Anthropic, this comes at a time where tech giants across the board are investing in any AI business they can their hands on. In turn, creating an exciting and potentially world changing AI chatbot race.

But who are Anthropic?

Founded in 2021, by 4 former members of OpenAI, (the creators of ChatGPT) Anthropic are an AI safety and research company based in San Francisco. They are currently working on a chatbot named Claude which, similar to competitors like ChatGPT and Bard, uses a messaging interface. They have a size of 150 employees and will continue to grow rapidly following Amazons’ investment.

Anthropic bot Claude 2

Amazon’s investment won’t just be financially, the E-Commerce giant are also giving Anthropic full use of amazon data centres, cloud computing platforms and AI chips.

Google have also shown their interest and support for the exciting start-up, investing $300 million (£245 million) back in late 2022 while Microsoft chose to back OpenAI.

Amazon’s investment of £3.27 billion would see it get a minority stake in Anthropic.

As the e-commerce group steps up its rivalry against Microsoft, Meta, Google and Nvidia in the fast-growing sector, it will be interesting to see what new features could be implemented into the amazon ecosystem, potentially improving products like Alexa dramatically with the implementation of more complex AI.

“We can help improve many customer experiences, short- and long-term, through our deeper collaboration,” Andy Jassy, Amazon’s chief executive, said in a statement.

Anthropic’s newest product Claude 2, is very similar to GPT-4, OpenAi’s newest and most advanced bot. Claude 2 has the ability to scan and interpret PDF’s as well as many other files. And one of the parts that make Claude such a threat to ChatGPT is the data that it was trained on. GPT-4’s knowledge cuts off from 2021 onwards whereas Claude is trained on data going up to 2023.

Watch out ChatGPT, this is definitely a business to keep an eye on in the coming years.

 

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How to choose the right WIFI Solution https://genmar.co.uk/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-wifi-solution/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-choose-the-right-wifi-solution Mon, 25 Sep 2023 10:04:42 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8328 Selecting the right WIFI solution for your business is a critical decision that can significantly impact your operations. Poor WIFI is a massive […]

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Selecting the right WIFI solution for your business is a critical decision that can significantly impact your operations. Poor WIFI is a massive issue that can lead to serious business issues such as a drop in performance, higher stress for employees which ultimately hurts the business as people become less motivated. There are different ways that you can solve these issues, we will be going through each one, going up in cost with each solution.

Before we start, it is important to understand the situation your business is in, factors such as the size of your business, the number of devices you have connected and the data that you’re dealing with on a day-to-day basis. These factors will come together to help you find out which WIFI solution is best suited to your business.

 

Traditional WIFI Routers:

A router is a device that connects multiple devices to the internet and manages data traffic within a local network. It often includes WIFI capabilities for wireless device connections.

Pros:
  • WIFI routers are cost-effective and readily available.
  • They are generally easy to set up and manage.
  • Routers combine routing, switching, and wireless capabilities in a single device.
Cons:
  • Routers may have limited coverage, leading to dead zones in larger spaces.
  • Expanding coverage may require additional routers and can become complex.

WIFI Solution

Access Points (APs):

Access points are hardware devices that add WIFI connectivity to wired networks, extending wireless coverage to specific areas.

Pros:
  • APs can be strategically placed to extend coverage as needed.
  • They offer better performance in larger business environments.
  • Many APs can be managed centrally for ease of control.
Cons:
  • APs may require a larger upfront investment compared to routers.
  • Setting up multiple APs might necessitate professional installation.

WIFI Solution

Mesh Networks:

Mesh Networks is a wireless network where multiple devices collaborate to provide seamless and extended WIFI coverage, eliminating dead zones and ensuring consistent connectivity.

Pros:
  • Mesh networks provide seamless coverage throughout your workspace.
  • They can automatically reroute traffic for maximum reliability.
  • Mesh systems are typically easy to set up and manage.
Cons:
  • Mesh networks can be more expensive than routers or single APs.
  • Some mesh systems offer limited advanced settings for power users.

WIFI Solution

How a Site Survey can Assist your WIFI Solutions

A WIFI Site Survey is involves assessing the entire network infrastructure of your premises, this helps to identify coverage gaps, interference sources and optimal access point placement. This helps in determining which one of the previously covered WIFI solutions is a best fit for your business / project.

A WIFI survey allows you to better plan the design of your infrastructure, saving you money as you more efficiently distribute your access points.

At Genmar, we offer WIFI site surveys to any company: from a small business moving offices, to an enterprise level project / construction company, and everything in between.

If you’re interested in improving your WIFI and saving potentially thousands in Internet infrastructure, check out our WIFI site surveys at

Or, Contact Us and see how we can help your business solve its WIFI issues

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The key benefits of a WIFI site survey https://genmar.co.uk/blog/the-key-benefits-of-a-wifi-site-survey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-key-benefits-of-a-wifi-site-survey Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:23:08 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8315 A WIFI site survey is a process of evaluating and mapping the wireless signal strength and coverage within a particular area. It helps […]

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A WIFI site survey is a process of evaluating and mapping the wireless signal strength and coverage within a particular area. It helps identify dead zones, interference, and signal quality to optimize the placement and configuration of wireless access points, ensuring a reliable and efficient WIFI network.

This is especially useful for contractors or construction companies that will find use in mapping out the WIFI of a building in advance.

wifi site survey

How can bad WIFI damage a business?

Poor WIFI can be massively detrimental to not only the productivity of your business, but also the morale of your staff. If your team are unable to complete their work due to connectivity issues, that could leave them stressed and unmotivated. This will have the knock-on effect of damaging the overall productivity of your business and therefore the profits.

 

Why would you need to do a WIFI survey?

For contractors, future proofing your building is key to a successful project, doing a WIFI site survey in advance is key to ensuring all areas of your project will be covered to a high level. It can also save thousands to tens of thousands by strategically placing WIFI extensions to maximise the output of your access points.

 

The benefits of a WIFI site survey

Optimized Network Performance:
WIFI site surveys ensure that wireless networks are designed and configured for optimal performance, minimizing dead zones and signal interference, and providing users with reliable and high-speed connectivity.

Cost Savings:
Properly planned WIFI networks based on survey data can lead to cost savings by reducing the need for unnecessary hardware, infrastructure investments, and troubleshooting expenses.

Efficient Resource Allocation:
Site surveys help pinpoint the exact locations for access point (AP) placement and configuration, preventing over-provisioning or under-provisioning of network equipment and maximizing its lifespan.

Mitigation of Interference:
Surveys identify and address potential sources of interference, such as neighbouring WIFI networks or physical obstacles, reducing the risk of performance degradation.

Documentation and Troubleshooting:
WIFI site surveys provide detailed documentation of the network layout, facilitating troubleshooting and diagnosis of network issues, reducing downtime, and ensuring compliance with security standards and regulations.

wifi site survey

At Genmar, we have a team of expert WIFI site surveyors who are equipped with the power of the Ekahau Sidekick 2. We’ll ensure to deliver a fantastic survey efficiently for a competitive price.

To find out how we can help you complete a fantastic site survey, get in touch at – WIFI Site Surveys | Genmar IT

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The Step-by-Step Guide to Secure Remote Work https://genmar.co.uk/blog/the-step-by-step-guide-to-secure-remote-work/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-step-by-step-guide-to-secure-remote-work Tue, 29 Aug 2023 11:00:17 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8206 In today’s dynamic work environment, remote work has become more than just a trend – it’s a necessity. As employees embrace the flexibility […]

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In today’s dynamic work environment, remote work has become more than just a trend – it’s a necessity. As employees embrace the flexibility of working from various locations, it’s essential to ensure that your digital workspace remains secure. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the key strategies for establishing secure remote work.

 

Step 1: Define Access Control Policies

Begin by outlining who can access what within your digital workspace. Define user roles, permissions, and access levels based on job responsibilities. Implement the principle of least privilege, granting only the minimum access necessary for tasks.

 

Step 2: Set Up Secure Remote Work Access

Choose a Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution to create an encrypted tunnel between remote devices and your network. This safeguards data in transit and prevents unauthorised access. Ensure that remote workers use the VPN whenever they connect to the company’s resources.

 

Step 3: Educate Employees on Security Best Practices

Equip your remote workforce with the knowledge to identify and respond to security threats. Provide training on topics such as phishing awareness, password hygiene, and the proper use of public Wi-Fi networks. Encourage a culture of vigilance and reporting of suspicious activities. We offer great simulated phishing campaigns that have proven results in making your staff more aware of the ever growing threat of scam emails.

 

Step 4: Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

One of the easiest ways to secure your devices is by using multi-factor authentication for accessing critical systems and applications. MFA adds an extra layer of security by demanding more than just a password, such as receiving a code on a mobile device or using biometric data like face ID.

 

Step 5: Regularly Update and Patch Software

Outdated software can be an entry point for cyberattacks. Establish a routine for updating operating systems, applications, and security patches on remote devices. Encourage employees to enable automatic updates whenever possible. A good external IT company will always update you on what programmes need updates and what could potentially be a security risk if left in an older version.

 

Step 6: Secure Data on Endpoints

Implement data encryption on remote devices to protect sensitive information even if a device is lost or stolen. Full-disk encryption or containerisation solutions can safeguard data from unauthorised access.

 

Step 7: Monitor and Detect Anomalies

Utilise endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor remote devices for unusual activities. Set up alerts for potential security breaches and respond promptly to mitigate risks.

 

Step 8: Enforce Strong Password Practices

Educate employees on creating strong, unique passwords and discourage password sharing. Consider implementing a password manager to store and generate complex passwords securely. Passwords are getting easier and easier to guess with the implementation of AI, so it is important that you have strong passwords that are AI proofed.

 

Step 9: Conduct Regular Security Audits

Periodically review your remote work security policies, tools, and procedures. Perform security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities and assess the effectiveness of your security measures.

 

Step 10: Provide Secure Collaboration Tools

Make sure to offer remote employees tools for secure communication, file sharing, and collaboration. You should also choose platforms with end-to-end encryption to protect sensitive business data.

 

Step 11: Develop a Incident Response Plan

Incident response plans are written documents of procedures to follow when something unplanned and potentially damaging happens. You can prepare for potential security incidents by creating a well-defined incident response plan. Establish clear procedures for reporting, investigating, and mitigating security breaches.

 

Step 12: Stay Agile and Evolve

The landscape of remote work security is ever-changing. It is important to stay informed about emerging threats and adapt your security measures accordingly. Regularly communicate updates and best practices to your remote workforce.

By following these steps, you can create a secure digital workspace that allows your remote workforce to thrive while safeguarding your organisation’s sensitive information. Remember, a proactive approach to secure remote work is an investment in your company’s resilience and long-term success.

Secure Remote Work

If you’re looking at ways you can implement secure remote work into your business, head to our free IT Support Price Calculator to see how much it could cost to go fully hybrid.

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Social Media Scams – The New Era of Phishing https://genmar.co.uk/blog/social-media-scams-the-new-era-of-phishing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=social-media-scams-the-new-era-of-phishing Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:17:58 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8243 Phishing Scams have been a common scam since the invention of the email, with them getting more and more sophisticated as the years […]

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Phishing Scams have been a common scam since the invention of the email, with them getting more and more sophisticated as the years have gone on. The growth of social media marketing has seen a massive growth in the number of small businesses that have social media accounts to run their marketing.

Social media hasn’t been safe from cyber-attacks through the years, criminals looking to exploit user data in exchange for money from businesses is a very common occurrence online. The reliance on social media marketing for smaller businesses makes their accounts a very plausible thing to ransom.

There are many different social media phishing attacks to look out for, on every social media. Here are some common attacks that could be targeted at your business.

Fake Login Pages

Attackers will create counterfeit login pages that closely resemble those of popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Victims are then directed to these fake pages through links or email, and when they enter their login credentials, the information is captured by the attackers.

These kind of social media scams are often effective due to familiarity of the design making it easy to see as regular landing page. It is important to always check the link for the page, if you are unsure what the official link is, google the log in page and compare the 2.

Social Media Scam

Fake Requests from Fake Profiles

In these social media scams, attackers create fake social media profiles using stolen profile pictures and information. They then send friend requests or connection requests to users and often engage in conversation to build trust.

Once trust is established, the attackers may send malicious links or requests for personal information. It is another easy to fall for attack as we are more likely to trust people we know. To avoid this always ask the person through another form of communication. For example, send them a text or call them if you get a Facebook message.

Social Media Scam

Survey Scams

This one is a very real threat and more common than you think. In this, phishers create enticing surveys or quizzes that users are encouraged to participate in. These surveys often request personal information or require users to click on links to proceed.

The information collected can be used for identity theft, fraud, or further phishing attempts. Helping with social engineering attacks too. To avoid this, make sure that you never give away sensitive information in any surveys and always make sure you’re certain where the survey is coming from.

Social Media Scam

Impersonation

Arguably the most common of the social media scams: This attack goes hand in hand with a fake friend request attack, however if your friends account is compromised, you could receive a message from their actual account.

Impersonation attacks involve attackers pretending to be someone trustworthy, such as a celebrity, a colleague, or a friend. They may send messages or comments that seem genuine but contain malicious links or requests for sensitive information or money. Impersonation attacks exploit users’ familiarity and trust in the impersonated person or entity.

To avoid these, follow the same steps as the fake friend and contact the person through other means to make sure it is real. Or if it is a celebrity, use some critical thinking, a celebrity will never be asking for money or sensitive information unless in exceptional circumstances.

Social Media Scam

Fake Giveaways

Attackers impersonate well-known individuals or brands and claim to be running giveaways or promotions. Victims are lured in with promises of prizes or cryptocurrency, but they are usually required to send a small amount of money for “verification” or provide personal details.

These scams exploit users’ desire for quick gains and can result in financial losses. It is a very easy to avoid this kind of scam, if it feels too good to be true: It probably is.

Social Media Scam

Social Media is a fantastic way to get your brand out there… But is full of risks and potential scams, being vigilant goes a long way in protecting not only your business but also your personal data from social media scams.

To see more ways, you can protect yourself and your business from phishing, check out these other insightful blogs:

How Simulated Phishing Can Protect Your Business From Rising Phishing Attacks

Future of Phishing Scams – Preparing Yourself

AI is Making Phishing Emails Much Harder to Spot

5 of the Worst Phishing Attacks of All Time

 

Some interesting statistics on social media scams : Social media a gold mine for scammers in 2021 | Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov) 

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The 5 Best AI Tools to Speed Up your Work https://genmar.co.uk/blog/the-5-best-ai-tools-to-speed-up-your-work/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-5-best-ai-tools-to-speed-up-your-work Mon, 14 Aug 2023 15:46:01 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8198 AI tools should be at at the heart of any businesses workflow in 2023. It’s been almost a year since the explosion of […]

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AI tools should be at at the heart of any businesses workflow in 2023.

It’s been almost a year since the explosion of ChatGPT and the start of the ‘AI arms race.’ Since then we’ve seen AI generated images improve at an unprecedented rate, the introduction of GPT-4, AI videos, deep fakes and the integration of AI in your every day life.

But how can it make your work easier? Here are our top 5 AI tools to speed up your workflow and make your life easier.

  1. Wisecut

Wisecut is an AI powered video editing tool. Unlike tools like Synthasia, Wisecut does not rely on virtual deepfake videos that look to replace humans, it works directly with the creator.

Wisecut uses AI to automatically remove long pauses, create jump-cuts, subtitles, background music and more. Making editing videos much easier and quicker.

This is perfect for smaller businesses with small marketing departments as you can add the power of video to your marketing schedule, without the lengthy editing times that come with it.

Wisecut | Automatic Video Editor

Use Wisecut AI to Save Time Editing Videos | Interact Blog

  1. TLDV

TLDV is a meeting recorder that can be directly integrated into your calls, working directly with Google Meet and Zoom to make setting up TLDV simple and quick.

With the ability to transcribe and summarise your meeting sin over 30 languages, TLDV frees up your attention to the meeting so that you’re getting the full picture while also being able to refer back.

This can also take bite size clips to go with your notes, allowing you to gage the full tone and feeling  of your meetings. You can even ask the AI to give you a full overview of your meeting

AI-Powered Meeting Recorder for Zoom and Google Meet – tl;dv (tldv.io)

tl;dv - Features, Reviews, Alternatives | VC Stack

  1. DALL – E 2

While DALL-E 2 has been around for over a year now, the improvement of AI image generation has grown to such a high standard that we think it is worth touching on.

Gone are the days of hundreds of teeth and wonky fingers, AI images, especially of people are really starting to improve to levels where it is hard to tell what is real and what is fake.

This is great for content for PowerPoints and other forms of work where a quick image will elevate the feel of the work.

DALL·E 2 (openai.com)

Developers Can Now Integrate DALL-E 2 Image Generator Into Their Apps | PCMag

  1. Uber suggest

Uber suggest is an SEO tool that gives free domain overviews of any website. It gives detailed analysis of the web page as well as competitor analysis, that’s all standard.

What makes Uber suggest special is the ability to reverse engineer your Seo to improve your content, there’s no point in putting out work only for it to get no views. Uber suggest allows you to discover which of your competitor’s pages are ranking for popular organic keyword phrases and which ones are loved by sites like Facebook.

It can also give you keyword suggestions, content ideas, backlink data as well as much more.

Ubersuggest: Free Keyword Research Tool – Neil Patel

Ubersuggest 7.0: The Ultimate Keyword Research Tool

  1. Mem

Mem is an AI note taking tool, that makes creating and organising your notes a breeze. It uses AI to group similar content together and display it when it’s needed, without the need for a lot of micromanagements. This is not to say that it is completely hands off as you can still manage the notes manually.

AI-powered workspaces like Mem give you the chance to significantly scale the amount of information you pull into your workspace. Since you don’t have to worry about clutter or folders, your emails, calendar, SMS messages, and data from other work apps can all feed into your workspace for future reference.

Mem

Mem: Your AI knowledge assistant

So that was 5 of our favourite alternative AI tools so far, the ChatGPT’s of the AI world are good, but you don’t need telling that, you know that. These are ones you may not be aware of that could easily be integrated into your business in order to rapidly speed up specific work processes.

If you’re looking at other ways to speed up your businesses IT, check out our free online price calculator to see how much it would cost to upgrade your IT.

IT Support Price Calculator Genmar IT

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5 IT Challenges from Business Growth and Their Solutions https://genmar.co.uk/blog/5-it-challenges-from-business-growth-and-their-solutions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-it-challenges-from-business-growth-and-their-solutions Tue, 08 Aug 2023 08:30:21 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8193 So, your business is growing… Great! This must be an exciting period for you and your staff, bring futures await and success is […]

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So, your business is growing… Great! This must be an exciting period for you and your staff, bring futures await and success is bubbling. Growth, however, is not all sunshine and rainbows. When your business is growing, you’ll be met with a new host of challenges.

Challenges such as:

Resource Constraints: Limited finances, manpower, and infrastructure to cope with increased demand and expansion.

Cash Flow Management: Strain on cash flow as the business needs to invest in growth-related expenses while waiting for increased revenues to catch up.

Talent Acquisition: Difficulty in finding and retaining skilled employees to meet the growing demands and support the business’s expansion.

Scaling IT Infrastructure: Ensuring the existing IT infrastructure can handle the growing data, traffic, and security requirements becomes crucial.

An often overlooked is a businesses IT, with managers often seeing IT as too complex or as something that is not a core competency, when in fact it is the opposite. The backbone of your business is its IT, with poor infrastructure, your business will not grow.

So here are some commonly seen issues that arise as a result of business growth, why they are a challenge and what you can do to fix it.

 

Data Security and Privacy:

Protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber threats.

Solution: Regularly update software, apply security patches, implement strong authentication measures like multi-factor authentication, and encrypt sensitive data to ensure data security. Conduct regular security training for employees to enhance cybersecurity awareness.

 

Scalability and IT Infrastructure:

Adapting IT infrastructure to accommodate the business’s growing needs without disruptions or increased costs. IT is expensive, that is why when businesses begin to grow, the cost of expanding your infrastructure can look daunting.

Solution: Embrace cloud-based solutions for flexible and scalable resources. Invest in virtualization technologies to optimize server usage and reduce hardware costs. Partner with reliable IT service providers to ensure scalable support and infrastructure management.

 

IT System Downtime and Reliability:

Minimizing system downtime and ensuring IT systems are reliable and available when needed. The more people you have working, the higher the chance that something goes wrong on someone’s device.

Solution: Implement robust backup and disaster recovery plans to restore operations quickly in case of a system failure. Use redundant hardware and failover mechanisms to maintain continuous operations. Regularly monitor IT systems to identify and address potential issues before they cause downtime.

 

Cybersecurity Threats and Attacks:

Protecting the business from evolving cyber threats, malware, and data breaches. A massive problem for growing businesses is the risk of a data breach.

Solution: Install and update firewalls, antivirus, and anti-malware software to detect and block potential threats. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses in the system. Ensure you train employees on recognizing and handling phishing attempts and security best practices.

 

Data Management and Compliance:

Effectively managing data while adhering to industry regulations and data privacy laws can be tricky.

Solution: Create a comprehensive data management strategy, outlining data collection, storage, and usage practices. Implement data retention policies to comply with relevant regulations and dispose of data securely when no longer needed. Conduct audits to ensure the organization’s adherence to compliance standards.

Upgrading IT

Managing all this yourself is a large task, this is where an IT company can step in and do all the hard work for you. With many businesses already using MSP’s, it is becoming increasingly evident that the benefits of outsourcing your IT is not something that can be overlooked.

If you’re looking for an IT company to assist you in upgrading your IT infrastructure or are simply looking for some extra help on your businesses IT, head to our website and get a free quote on how much it could cost a business of your size – www.genmar.co.uk

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Translating IT Speak to Plain English. https://genmar.co.uk/blog/translating-it-speak-to-plain-english/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=translating-it-speak-to-plain-english Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:50:35 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8184 Translating IT can be tricky… We’ve all been there, on the phone with IT Support, getting help with a crashed computer when you […]

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Translating IT can be tricky… We’ve all been there, on the phone with IT Support, getting help with a crashed computer when you start hearing words you didn’t haven’t a clue what they mean. Stuff like ‘Virtualisation’ and ‘BIOS.’ We are here to decode these for you, helping you understand those complex, techy phrases you might hear on the phone.

Bandwidth:

Geek Speak: ‘A measure of data transmission capacity.’

Plain English: Imagine bandwidth as a highway for data. The wider the road, the more data can flow through smoothly. Essentially, the higher the bandwidth the faster the download speed.

Firewall:

Geek Speak: ‘A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic.’

Plain English: Think of a firewall as a digital bouncer. It checks who’s coming in and going out, making sure only invited guests get through.

Cache:

Geek Speak: Temporary storage area for frequently accessed data.

Plain English: This is like keeping your favourite book on your nightstand for quick access. It saves time by not having to search the entire library every time you need it.

Cookie

Geek Speak: Small pieces of data stored in a user’s web browser.

Plain English: Cookies are like digital crumbs left by websites to remember your preferences.

Virtualisation:

Geek Speak: Creating virtual versions of hardware, software, or networks to improve efficiency and flexibility.

Plain English: Virtualisation is like creating multiple “virtual” computers or servers on a single physical computer, allowing you to run different operating systems or applications independently.

DNS:

Geek Speak: A system that translates domain names (like www.genmar.co.uk) into IP addresses for computers to understand.

Plain English: DNS is the internet’s GPS, helping you find websites using easy-to-remember names instead of complicated coordinates.

BIOS:

Geek Speak: Firmware used to start a computer system and manage its essential components.

Plain English: BIOS is the computer’s morning routine – waking up, brushing teeth (checking hardware), and choosing the outfit (loading the operating system) for the day ahead.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

Geek Speak: A software distribution model where applications are hosted on the cloud and accessed via the internet.

Plain English: SaaS is essentially like renting software instead of buying it.

Latency

Geek Speak: The time delay between the initiation of a process and the moment it begins, often in networking and data transmission.

Plain English: Latency is basically the time your data takes to travel from point A to point B.

Translating IT

Hopefully this has helped you better understand those techy phrases you’re hearing when conversing with your IT company.

To get a free quote on upgrading your IT, head to our IT Support Price Calculator

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The Key to Improving your Employee Retention. https://genmar.co.uk/blog/the-key-to-improving-your-employee-retention/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-key-to-improving-your-employee-retention Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:29:46 +0000 https://genmar.co.uk/?p=8173 Employee retention is a businesses ability to keep their employees. In recent years employee turnover has emerged as a pressing concern for businesses, […]

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Employee retention is a businesses ability to keep their employees. In recent years employee turnover has emerged as a pressing concern for businesses, as they strive to strike a balance between growth and workforce stability. Since the pandemic, employee turnover in the UK has increased by 7.7%, and it’s expected to rise even more, with a turnover rate of 35.6% in 2023.

But what is causing this rise?

The current leading causes of employee turnover are a poor work life balance, personal circumstances, lack of work flexibility and a lack of employee benefits. These are all issues that have been common in the workplace for years. Something that should be an easy fix has been losing businesses talent, whether they’re a small or massive, all across the UK.

Fixing these issues are crucial to a positive work environment that doesn’t just benefit the employees, but also elevates your business. Here are 5 ways you can improve your working environment and start retaining your talent.

A positive work-life balance

Strive to create an environment that acknowledges the significance of personal time and family obligations. You should also encourage employees to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives, ensuring they have ample time for rest, relaxation, and activities beyond work.

Embrace Flexibility

Recognize the diverse needs and responsibilities of your employees. Introduce flexible work arrangements that accommodate individual preferences and life circumstances, such as remote work options or flexible working hours. This approach fosters trust and empowers employees to be more productive and engaged.

Enrich Employee Benefits

A comprehensive and appealing benefits package can go a long way in attracting and retaining top talent. Consider offering enticing perks such as health insurance, wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and incentives that align with the unique needs and aspirations of your workforce.

Promote Open Communication

Foster an inclusive culture where employees feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Encourage regular feedback sessions, town hall meetings, and one-on-one discussions to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, valued, and considered.

Provide the Correct Technology

There is nothing more annoying than slow and unresponsive tech, when employees can’t do their work, this slows down productivity and eats into their personal time finishing work that could have been completed. Investing in a good IT company and improving your IT infrastructure are great steps to ensuring your employees have the technology to support their work.

Employee Retention

Implementing these points is imperative to a positive working environment. Implementing these points and you can create a workplace that not only retains your valued employees but also attracts new talent seeking a positive and supportive environment.

Remember, the benefits of nurturing such a work culture extend far beyond employee satisfaction; they pave the way for the sustained growth and prosperity of your business.

If you’re looking for ways to improve your working environment through technology, head to our website and get a free quote on improving your IT infrastructure – IT Support Price Calculator Genmar IT

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