We have begun deploying “smart” power strips that can be managed from the Cloud. These devices allow us to monitor the power consumption and reboot devices, as needed, without having to call and ask for your help. We can also schedule reboots for any connected device.
Leveraging the Cloud for power management is another way that we can remotely monitor and manage your network equipment.
We recently made an upgrade to our phone system to allow our callers a new feature. Now, if you can’t wait on hold for an Engineer, you will have the option of hanging up while retaining your place in the queue!
When you choose to drop out, the system will keep your place in the queue, and will dial back the number from your Caller ID when an Engineer is given your call.
Note: If you block your Caller ID, you will not be able to use this feature.
If you did not call from a DID (direct inbound dial) number, then you must tell your receptionist that you’re expecting a support call back from Quo Vadis. The Engineer will not know who called in. If your receptionist has not been informed, we will have no choice but to end the call. 🙁
If you have to call support, we hope this will help make it as pleasant as possible. Keep in mind that after our recent hiring, your average wait time for an Engineer is 51 seconds!
Clutter tends to have a degenerative effect. First your desk gets a little overcrowded with trinkets, business cards, yesterday’s mail, and that ever-growing stack of paperwork you’ve been meaning to get to. But then it’s the dirty dishes in your sink at home. Or the garage that seems to catch all the junk you’ve accumulated over the years. Next thing you know, your mind is hazy, and you can’t quite remember where you left your keys much less that long list of to-do’s you had!
Networks, computers, and even your mobile devices can suffer similar symptoms. If neglected, simple issues like storage space can malign and grow into a crippling problem. That’s why it’s important to complete your tech chores early and often. They can be a pain but when completed regularly, tech chores can serve as the preemptive measure between a happier and more productive you and total disaster.
As we dive into Summer, consider this list of simple tech chores:
We are here to help, call the Help Desk.
For many of us, sending secure mail is becoming a regular practice. It’s required by U.S. law now for certain types of data. I anticipate that ALL email will be securely delivered, by default, within two more years. The various software out there to get the job done is daunting. Every company seems to choose a different service and it’s a horrible mess. We have three encryption choices that we have found to work well depending on your needs.
Azure Rights Management (ARM) works without requiring the recipient to establish an account with the encryption authority. ARM does not require any add-ons or additional software to send OR receive. ARM costs less than everything else.
CipherPost Pro (CPP) provides the email sender with two great benefits. First, they get a Send Secure button in Outlook sitting next to the Send button. Second, their conversations stay within Outlook, if they are using the CPP Outlook add-on.
EchoWorks (EW) could not be easier. Every user in the domain has encrypted email capability, not just those, as above, who get signed up. Everything is encrypted if it meets the sending rules established and customized by the client. No add-ons, no fuss, no mess. If the email cannot be sent securely, the recipient gets a secure link to read the message – without any authentication.
Pricing
ARM $2.50 per user. No minimum.
CPP $8 per user. $25 minimum.
EW $8 per user for every domain user plus a $1,000 setup fee.
Do you have questions about which option is best for your business? Call the Help Desk today and choose option 2 for Wise Counsel.
Much has been made about these “listening” speakers. Google, Amazon, Apple, Sonos, and the list keeps growing.
Hey Siri, play the soundtrack from Hunt for Red October.
Auto makers are hurriedly working on self-driving cars. My Tesla does some assisted-steering and traffic-aware cruise control. Firearm makers have toyed with smart guns, using fingerprint readers, retina scans, RFID chips, and the like. I can turn on the lights in the home from my iPhone, and I get a text when there’s motion in The Lab when I’m not there.
I have become convinced that self-driving cars cannot possibly work until ALL the cars are self-driving. Humans do unpredictable things – like fall in love, or drive too fast… I’m definitely not a fan, but I will grant it is safer to take a sip of water while driving if the car is steering, instead of using my knees. Computers are great, but not to be trusted with decision-making.
All of this is fun stuff. You would think I would be all into it, but such is not the case.
I actually like using a candle to walk around the house at night… hand-writing thank you notes – with a fountain pen… I like wine that hasn’t been adulterated with sugar and acids, but grown the old fashioned way… I prefer to grow my own vegetables, and fertilize them with the vegetable scraps that have been composted over time… I like to ride my bicycle, even if it does have electric-assist if I get tired. 🙂
Who is logging into my computer? The computer thinks it’s OK, but is it? Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the saving grace for all this nonsense. 2FA forces a human into the authentication process, and I think that’s critical. Don’t underestimate this key to staying in control of your digital assets. It really is important.
If you don’t have 2FA implemented already, call the Help Desk and choose option 2 for Wise Counsel.
Did you know that almost all our Engineers came to us by way of one of you? Our clients know that we look for integrity, good work ethic and a technology bent. We love to help young men get started in their careers, offering to train them from the ground up. No experience is necessary to work for Quo Vadis.
As we grow, the need is greater for quality candidates. Do you know a young man that would like to work in IT? Have him visit our website and send us his resumé.
We are excited to share with you that Alec Mangum, who has been with Quo Vadis for two years, has accepted a position to manage all digital communications for a local startup. Alec was great fun to work with and he will be missed by all of us. We wish him all the best with his new venture.
The admin emailed her boss again, just to be absolutely sure he wanted to send this $100,000 wire transfer to a Vietnam supplier. “Yes, make sure it is sent today” was the response. Money transferred.
Unfortunately, this true story happened last week. The owner’s email account had been compromised several days, if not weeks, earlier. His password was “guessed” by the hacker. Using the information found in the owner’s mailbox, the hacker was able to contrive a request for funds and convince the admin to send the money. Whenever she questioned the transfer, he would respond quickly, and delete her emailed questions, along with his replies.
When the owner returned from his trip, the admin asked about the transfer. The owner turned pale and began to shake, as the reality of the stolen $100k took hold.
The money was recovered, fortunately, but not without more drama. Moral of the story: Use two-factor authentication for email! If a hacker guesses your password, they cannot get into your mailbox without you physically opening the door by clicking “Allow” on your mobile device.
I cannot stress enough the need for two-factor authentication with email and remote access!
That’s my current view of all these purveyors of “fiber” – which is now available in your building… or your block. Not unlike the stock broker who calls with a quiet tip to get your retirement fund back on track by morning, the pleasant sales person calls to let you in on the ground floor. Fiber is in your building and they are willing to waive the installation fee. Just say “yes!” But don’t take the time to call your IT support…
We might give you a different perspective, and the guy selling fiber doesn’t much appreciate it. One of our clients was recently offered the great privilege of moving from their current 50 x 5 cable connection to smokin’ fast 25 x 25 fiber connection. Fabulous sounding phrases like, “no shared bandwidth” and “dedicated fiber circuit” are used to give you the impression that this is the greatest technology update since Apple’s iPhone.
Here is some simple math (and wisdom) from a simple man looking to make a simple decision.
A pipe is a pipe. Call us. We often can call your current Internet provider and get you double the speed for half the price. We just did that. The client was paying $260/month for 50×5 cable. He was offered 25×25 fiber for $400/month. Mary got him 100×10 cable for $135/month! You read that right. She got him double the speed for half the price – instead of half the speed for double the price.
Your mileage may vary. Call us, that’s always a free call. 🙂
The workstations for which we care are now so complex! There are often intricate software installs and settings to keep track of. We found ourselves with stacks of notes and pages of instructions to follow. A normal WinInit (new computer) which used to be a simple task of removing all the “bloat-ware” preinstalled by DELL and installing Office from a CD has become a tedious, time-consuming effort.
We have begun cloning workstations at each client site to make the WinInit and Wipe’n’Types (existing computer) a snap. We make the clone from a well setup computer in your office. You store the USB drive in your desk until it’s needed. In under an hour all the software is installed properly and configured correctly – from the clone.
Work smarter, not harder!