Nearly every modern business runs on IT. Whether you sell goods online, manage customer databases, or require connected work computers, robust IT infrastructure is critical. However, not every business has the need or the resources for an in-house IT team.

Partnering with a managed IT service provider like WorkSmart offers the ideal solution. Professional consulting firms can handle your IT needs from start to finish, including designing your network, proactively monitoring your system, and offering 24/7 help desk support.

But with so many IT companies, how do you choose? This guide offers tips for evaluating, interviewing, and selecting the right managed IT service provider for your business needs.

Criteria To Consider When Choosing a Managed IT Service Provider

When evaluating potential IT partners, consider the following factors:

Experience

The longer the company has been in business, the more IT challenges they have likely seen and the more problems they have likely solved. Look into their years of experience, the background of their staff members, and the industries they have worked with.

WorkSmart has been serving clients for over 20 years, and has the experience and expertise to make sure your business technology stays running smoothly.

Services

An important part of any IT plan is an assessment of your IT needs. Talk to your potential partner about your pain points, growth plans, and regulatory needs to see whether their portfolio of services fits the bill. Managed IT service providers often offer the following services:

• IT strategy and planning
• Network monitoring and management
• Cloud services or other off-site storage
• Data backup and disaster recovery
• Protection from cybersecurity threats
• IT troubleshooting and customer support

Scalability

If your business does well, you want to be able to level up your IT game easily. If you experience a slowdown, you want to be able to cut costs quickly. In other words, you want a scalable IT solution.

Scalability isn’t just about the number of software licenses or the size of your storage. In addition to managing infrastructure, technological integration often requires changing company processes and helping employees adapt. Make sure your partner has the skills to handle it all.

Flexibility

The leading managed IT service providers go beyond scalable service plans to meet your company where it’s at. For example, at WorkSmart, we offer both managed and co-managed IT services. With co-managed IT services, you can free up your internal IT team to focus on their most important initiatives, while knowing a large, experienced IT partner has their back for things like end-user support and overflow.

Security

Last but perhaps most important, you want a managed IT service provider with cutting-edge security practices. As businesses increasingly move operations online, data security becomes paramount. Ask about the company’s security framework, vulnerability assessments, and proactive monitoring of cyber threats.

Questions To Ask Potential IT Consulting Partners

You may also want to ask a few pertinent questions when interviewing a potential IT consulting partner:

Do You Have Experience in My Industry?

You want a managed IT service provider that aligns with your needs. While years of general IT experience is useful, experience in your specific industry is even more beneficial.

Furthermore, some businesses demand more of their consulting partners. For example, if your organization has strict regulatory compliance requirements, look for an IT team that understands these regulations and helps you adhere to them.

What Are Your Response Times?

No business wants to wait days or even hours for an IT emergency to be resolved. Ask your potential IT team about their response times and resolution time. If you are in a different time zone than your provider or need 24/7 support, make sure they can meet your needs. You also want to know what communication channels they offer, such as phone, live chat, or a ticketing system.

What Level of Transparency Can I Expect?

A true partnership is open and honest. Ask your managed IT service provider what level of transparency you can expect from them. You want someone who is honest about your needs and their ability to address them. Also, carefully review the contract and service-level agreements before signing to know exactly what you’re getting.

Do You Have References?

Online reviews are a great help to anyone evaluating a business. You can delve even deeper by asking the managed IT service provider for references from their clients. You want to ask the client about their overall experience, the provider’s responsiveness, and whether there were any major issues while working together.

Ready To Get Started Today? Contact WorkSmart IT Services

Now that you know what to look for in a managed IT provider, are you ready to get started? At WorkSmart, we have over 20 years of experience simplifying IT for businesses and organizations across the United States. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss what our team can do for you.

Cloud computing enables modern businesses to communicate, store data, and access software remotely. This transformative technology not only saves resources but has also fundamentally altered the way companies do business. Keep reading for more information on how cloud services can revolutionize your business operations. 

Saving Time and Money

Gone are the days when every company needed to invest in expensive in-house computing infrastructure and data-storage solutions to keep up with the times. Signing up for cloud services as needed is more cost-effective than making major upfront investments in hardware and software. 

Cloud services also alleviate IT staffing burdens on your company. Your third-party cloud provider will handle the equipment, software, and support to keep things running smoothly. Your business may be able to operate with a smaller IT team or without one at all.

Improving Agility and Scalability

Since most cloud providers offer pay-as-you-go systems, you never pay for services you don’t need. The cloud’s flexibility allows you to quickly level up in good times and cut costs in lean times. This helps your business nimbly adapt to market shifts and variable demand.

Did your sales just double? With cloud-based services, you can upgrade your computing power or add more storage space nearly instantly. Did you experience an unexpected drop in business? No problem. Call your service provider to scale down your data storage or tailor a new tech solution.

This scalability also makes it easier for companies just starting. You won’t have to worry about estimating your future performance and growth timeline to invest in the right hardware and software. Instead, you can get a customized cloud service plan that changes with your business.

Promoting Collaboration

Agility involves more than just scaling financial resources. Cloud services also allow your team to work at any time from anywhere with an internet connection. Text chatting, video conferences, and online editing tools unite staff members nationwide — or even globally. Whether you want contemporaneous collaboration or asynchronous work shifts, cloud services can help make it happen.

Central databases also offer distinct advantages for both decentralized and centralized companies. Real-time data access improves productivity for your staff and service for your customers. Cloud technology ensures the most up-to-date software, automates many manual processes, reduces version-control errors, and frees up your team for more important activities.

Boosting Data Security

As the business world moves online, digital security has become paramount. While your company must take cybersecurity seriously, it doesn’t have to do it alone. The leading cloud service providers pay special attention to cyber threats and work around the clock to defend your data.

Technologies that cloud services use include encryption, firewalls, authentication protocols, and intrusion detection systems. Because of this investment in cutting-edge security, the cloud often makes a safer place to store your data than your own premises.

If you do experience a cyber-attack, equipment failure, criminal act, or natural disaster, the cloud can help there, too. Cloud services store your data on off-site systems. That means data lost in your location can quickly be recovered with minimal downtime and disruption.

Equalizing Businesses

Cloud services also help level the playing field between businesses. 

Small and medium-sized organizations can now compete with companies that have bigger in-house IT budgets. The best cloud services offer tailored tech packages to meet your needs, from hosted email and VoIP (internet voice calling) to reliable data backup and recovery systems. 

In addition, cloud computing allows you to hire employees in other states and countries without investing in infrastructure for multiple locations. This access from anywhere gives your company a competitive edge over businesses that can only hire staff members where they have physical locations.

Synergizing With AI

Most of the world now knows about the transformational power of artificial intelligence (AI). The modern version of AI is only possible because of cloud computing. Thus, an important part of understanding how cloud services can revolutionize your business operations is understanding how the cloud has revolutionized AI.

AI predicts behavior, generates speech, summarizes data, and automates activities. How? By processing and analyzing the massive amounts of information available on the cloud. Your organization can take advantage of the cloud’s capabilities to develop actionable insights and make smarter business decisions.

Harness the Power of the Cloud With WorkSmart IT Services

Now that you know how cloud services can revolutionize your business operations, why not get started today? Whether you need public cloud storage, private cloud solutions, or a remote productivity system, WorkSmart IT Services can make it happen. Contact us today to see how we can make the cloud work for you.

If you don’t run a technology company, you might overlook tasks such as software upkeep, data backups, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and web infrastructure. However, addressing concerns like data breaches, system failures, or even minor glitches is crucial to preventing significant business losses.

Should you invest in a full-time IT team to handle your tech needs or run with managed IT services for enhanced business savings? How does a managed service help businesses save money? What do these IT services actually do? 

Find the answers below, including a few benefits of managed IT services for small businesses that could help you make the right investment for your team.

What Do Managed IT Services Do For Your Business?

The “managed” part of these IT services refers to third-party companies like WorkSmart that handle your business IT needs. The IT aspects of businesses managed by third-party IT providers bring peace of mind because these services ensure expert tech support from highly trained professionals 24/7 without having to add and manage a team of costly professionals on your payroll.

Here are just a few of the tasks your business could outsource to trusted managed IT service providers:

• Network maintenance.
• Data backups and emergency recoveries.
• Cybersecurity services and compliance.
• Cloud computing or hosting.
• Software recommendations, installations, and updates.
• Hardware support.
• Technical help desk support.
• IT strategy and digital consulting.

 

Managed IT service providers keep your business technology up-to-date and running smoothly around the clock. In addition, you’ll have regular IT Strategy Meetings with your dedicated Client Success Manager to talk about your current IT posture, what’s happening with your business and industry, and discuss potential improvements that could save your business time and money.

How Exactly Do Managed IT Services Save Your Business Time and Money?

There are numerous ways that handing over your IT services to professionals can save your business valuable resources. Let’s look at the top considerations below.

Reduce Your Business’s Operational Costs

Have you outsourced your business’s IT needs? That means you don’t need to hire full-time tech employees. Managed IT services can either act as your entire IT team or support your existing IT staff, depending on your company’s preferences. 

If you go with the full package, your business avoids the costs of recruitment, full-time salaries, office space, and more. The fixed fees generally cost less than paying multiple full-time employees, as well.

Enjoy Fixed Fees Your Business Can Budget Around

Managed IT service providers will charge your company a flat rate, even when unexpected security threats or other issues arise. Opt for a predictable, unchanging rate your business can afford and, at the same time, avoid the expense a data breach or system outage could incur. 

Managed services for IT help you avoid extra expenses by monitoring your environment 24/7 to detect and mitigate threats or downtime as soon as the problems arise. 

Improve Business Efficiency

Could managed IT services help your business operate more efficiently? Absolutely. A managed IT service provider will help ensure the following:

• The best tech – not more tech – for your industry or niche and specific needs. 
• Up-to-date business systems that help you operate at your best – no lagging software or minor hiccups that add up to major inefficiencies.

 

It’s taking a proactive approach, which ensures that your business IT operates smoothly.

Harness Effective Business-Friendly Technology for Operational Success

As your business grows, even the best tech solutions will have to adapt to your team’s changing needs. 

With expert IT partners to rely on, your business will have knowledgeable strategy and consulting resources. For example, we’ll help with things like when it will be profitable for you to upgrade your software plan to access new technologies or ditch your current solution.

Save on Third-Party Infrastructure

In many cases, circumstances force your business to invest in infrastructure changes – say to prevent security breaches or support heavy network usage. When you have managed IT services in place, your business can rely on our recommendations for quality, reliable infrastructure to save on hardware, maintenance, and energy costs. 

Lower Your Business’s Productivity Losses

When your team has tech issues, you don’t want to waste any time spinning your wheels trying to resolve things. With the dedicated expert IT team at WorkSmart, that’s easy.

By choosing WorkSmart as your managed IT service provider, your business has support in any situation from highly trained and experienced tech professionals. We resolve problems quickly, which is great news for your company’s overall productivity.

Scale Your Business Today With Expert Managed IT Services

Are you ready to scale your business? Call (919) 484-1010 to speak with WorkSmart’s experts about managed IT services.

As a business owner in today’s world, odds are you’ve migrated some of your critical business environment to the cloud with solutions such as Microsoft 365 and others. However, have you considered the potential benefits of making that same move with your physical security environment, such as IP cameras and video security?

 

Traditional on-premises video surveillance systems, while familiar, can no longer meet the growing demands for flexibility, scalability, and advanced security for most businesses. This is where cloud-based solutions like Verkada, implemented by a trusted partner like WorkSmart, come into play, offering a smarter, more resilient approach to security.

The Shift to Cloud-Based Security

The transition from traditional on-premises Network Video Recorders (NVRs) to cloud-based video security solutions marks a significant advancement in how businesses protect their premises and assets. 

 

Unlike NVRs that require substantial physical infrastructure, cloud-based systems leverage the power of the internet to store and manage video footage. This shift not only reduces the physical burden but also enhances the functionality and accessibility of the security system.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Video Security with Verkada

Verkada’s cloud-based video security solutions provide a host of advantages over traditional systems, making them an ideal choice for businesses looking to improve their security posture. Here are some of the key benefits:

 

• Availability: Cloud solutions ensure that your security system remains operational 24/7, regardless of local incidents such as power outages or hardware failures. With video data securely stored offsite, you can access live feeds and recordings from anywhere in the world, provided you have internet access. This constant availability is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your security measures.
• Scalability: As your business grows, so do your security needs. Cloud-based systems like Verkada can scale effortlessly with your growth, without the need for significant additional hardware or resources. Adding new cameras to your network is as simple as connecting them to the internet, allowing you to expand coverage and enhance security with minimal fuss.
• Security: With advanced encryption and regular software updates provided by Verkada, cloud-based systems offer superior protection against both physical tampering and cyber threats. Unlike on-premises solutions that require manual updates, cloud systems are continuously improved upon, ensuring that your security infrastructure remains on the cutting edge.

Verkada And Multi-Location Businesses

Verkada’s cloud-based video security solutions are also ideally suited for multi-location businesses due to their centralized management capabilities. With Verkada, all video surveillance operations across various sites can be managed from a single, intuitive dashboard. This centralization eliminates the need for different systems at each location, simplifying management and ensuring consistency in security practices.

 

Another significant benefit is the ability to access and monitor video feeds remotely. Verkada’s secure web-based platform allows business owners and security personnel to view live feeds and recorded video from any location worldwide, at any time. This remote monitoring capability ensures that you can keep an eye on all your operations, enhancing oversight and responsiveness without the need to be physically present at each site.

WorkSmart Can Supercharge Your IT Environment

Choosing the right technology partner is as important as selecting the right security solution. WorkSmart is your proven technology advisor, simplifying technology for over 500 companies just like yours throughout the United States.

 

By partnering with WorkSmart, you not only gain access to Verkada’s cutting-edge technology but also benefit from expert installation, tailored configuration, and ongoing support. WorkSmart ensures that your cloud-based security system is optimized to meet your specific business needs, providing peace of mind and allowing you to focus on what you do best—running your business.

Get Started With WorkSmart And Verkada Today

For businesses evaluating where cloud belongs in their security posture, cloud-based video security offers a powerful, scalable, and secure solution that adapts to the needs of dynamic business environments. Verkada’s state-of-the-art technology, combined with WorkSmart’s expert implementation and support, provides a comprehensive security system that protects your assets and ensures your operations run smoothly.

 

Embrace the future of security with WorkSmart and Verkada to safeguard your business effectively and efficiently. Contact one of our Senior Business Advisors today to learn more about how cloud-based solutions can revolutionize your security strategy.

Whether your business is in-person, remote, or a hybrid mix, communicating effectively and quickly is a cornerstone of making sure your business can thrive. Microsoft Teams Rooms offer a great solution to help your business transform meeting spaces beyond what traditional video conferencing systems can provide.

 

In this article, we’ll cover what Microsoft Teams Rooms are, what hardware and licensing are needed, and where they may be the best fit for your business.

What Are Microsoft Teams Rooms?

A Microsoft Teams Room is an integrated meeting solution designed to bridge the gap between virtual and physical meeting participants. It leverages Microsoft Teams, a leading collaboration platform, to provide a seamless meeting experience, whether participants are joining from the office or remotely. The system combines software, hardware, and room setups to optimize meetings, making them more engaging and productive.

Teams Room Use Cases

Microsoft Teams Rooms can enhance a number of different types of meetings and collaborative sessions, making it an important tool in the modern hybrid work environment. For hybrid meetings, Teams Rooms ensures that both remote and in-room participants have a seamless and integrated experience, with high-quality video and spatial audio that make communication as natural as if everyone were in the same room. This technology is particularly beneficial for organizations adopting flexible work arrangements.

 

The solution also excels in larger settings such as conferences, where its ability to support multiple cameras and large displays ensures that presentations and speakers are effectively showcased to all attendees, regardless of their physical location. In addition, you get interactive features such as real-time document annotation and digital whiteboarding which help make Microsoft Teams Rooms ideal for brainstorming sessions, allowing for dynamic interaction and engagement.

Hardware and Licensing Requirements

To set up a Microsoft Teams Room, specific hardware and licensing are required:

 

• Hardware: The setup includes a central console, cameras, microphones, speakers, and often, dual screens for better engagement. Microsoft partners with several hardware providers to offer certified devices that ensure compatibility and optimal performance. WorkSmart recommends Lenovo’s integrated Teams Room solutions for an all-in-one conference room platform.
• Licensing: Microsoft Teams Rooms requires a specific license separate from the standard Microsoft Teams license. Options include the Microsoft Teams Rooms Standard or Premium license, depending on the level of management and analytics needed.

Where Can You Put Teams Rooms?

Microsoft Teams Rooms is versatile enough to be implemented in various environments, each enhancing different aspects of collaboration:

 

• Small Huddle Rooms: For quick, informal meetings, a small setup with a single camera and screen suffices, making it cost-effective and efficient.
• Medium to Large Conference Rooms: For these, dual screens and multiple cameras/microphones may be necessary to cover all participants and provide a more immersive experience.
• Boardrooms and Multi-use Spaces: High-end cameras with pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities, along with premium sound systems, are ideal for these settings, where decision-making is critical.
• Training Rooms: A flexible setup with mobile cameras and interactive displays supports dynamic learning environments and interactive sessions.

Implementation and Management

To get the most out of your Teams Room involves careful planning and execution, including network assessments, room design, and hardware installation. Partnering with an experienced Microsoft partner like WorkSmart can make sure you get the best deployment strategies, ensuring that each room is optimized for the best possible meeting experience.

 

Once deployed, Teams Rooms systems can be centrally managed through the Teams Admin Center, which provides tools for configuration updates, monitoring, and troubleshooting. This centralized management helps maintain consistent performance and minimal downtime.

Elevate Your Collaboration with WorkSmart and Microsoft Teams Rooms

Whether upgrading existing conference rooms or planning new ones, Microsoft Teams Rooms are a scalable solution that can adapt to your business needs. WorkSmart is here to guide you through every step of designing, implementing, and managing Microsoft Teams Rooms, ensuring your business harnesses the full power of advanced communication technology.

 

We specialize in simplifying technology for your business, and our expert team understands the unique challenges and opportunities of modern workplaces, making us the perfect partner to bring Microsoft Teams Rooms into your organization.

 

With WorkSmart, you’ll receive:

 

• Customized Design: Tailored configurations that fit the specific needs of your spaces, from huddle rooms to large conference halls.
• Seamless Implementation: Hassle-free installation with minimal disruption, handled by certified professionals who ensure everything works perfectly from day one.
• Ongoing Management: Proactive monitoring and management of your systems to guarantee reliability and efficiency without any technical headaches.

 

Don’t let outdated technology hold you back. Contact WorkSmart today to explore how we can make your communication as dynamic as your business.

 

Even with the shift in our society over the years to email, chat, and more technology, phones remain the backbone of business communication for most organizations. In recent years, the shift from traditional Private Branch Exchange (PBX) phone systems to cloud-based solutions like Microsoft Teams Voice marks a significant transformation.

 

Although at their core, they both make phone calls, there are major differences between these two telecommunication systems and there are significant benefits of integrating Teams Voice within the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Understanding Traditional PBX and Microsoft Teams Voice

At its core, a traditional PBX is a private telephone network used within a company. The system connects internal phones to each other and to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), allowing for internal communication and external calls using traditional landline technology.

 

Microsoft Teams Voice, however, doesn’t require all that legacy technology and wiring. Teams Voice is an add-on to Microsoft Teams that turns it into a powerful business phone system. It allows you to make, receive, and transfer calls to and from landlines and mobile phones through the internet, directly from your Teams environment. 

 

This means you can use Teams not just for chats and meetings but also as your primary phone system, and you can use it anywhere you have an internet connection, on any device that runs Microsoft Teams.

How Is Teams Voice Different From My Existing PBX?

One of the primary differences between traditional PBX systems and Microsoft Teams Voice is the infrastructure requirement. Traditional PBX systems require physical hardware and dedicated space within an office environment, along with regular maintenance by specialized personnel.

 

Microsoft Teams Voice operates in the cloud, eliminating the need for extensive hardware and significantly reducing the maintenance burden on businesses.

 

Another benefit of Teams Voice is the ability to scale the system up and down depending on your business requirements. Traditional PBX systems can be challenging and costly to scale, requiring additional hardware and resources for expansion. Microsoft Teams Voice offers easy scalability, catering to businesses of all sizes with flexibility to adjust as the organization grows or shrinks, all without significant capital expenditure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teams Voice

Do I need to replace all my hardware to use Teams Voice?

No, you don’t necessarily have to replace all your existing hardware. While Teams Voice is designed to work well with headsets, computers, and mobile devices, you can also use existing desk phones if they are compatible with VoIP technology. There are adapters that can make traditional phones work with Teams Voice, but for the best experience, using devices certified for Microsoft Teams is recommended.

Can I keep my current phone numbers?

Yes, in most cases, you can port your existing business phone numbers to Teams Voice. This process involves transferring your phone numbers from your current service provider to Microsoft, allowing you to maintain business continuity and avoid updating your contact information on business cards, websites, and other materials.

Is Teams Voice secure?

Yes, Teams Voice benefits from the same enterprise-level security and compliance features that protect the other services within Microsoft 365. It includes end-to-end encryption for calls, robust data protection measures, and compliance with global standards, ensuring that your business communications are secure.

How does Teams Voice integrate with Microsoft 365?

Teams Voice is deeply integrated with Microsoft 365, allowing you to access, share, and collaborate on documents directly from within Teams. You can schedule meetings in Outlook, share files from OneDrive, and even use Microsoft Power Automate to streamline workflows. This integration ensures that your team has the tools they need to communicate effectively.

What is required to start using Teams Voice?

To start using Teams Voice, you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Teams, along with a Teams Voice license for each user who will be making or receiving calls. You’ll also need to ensure your internet connection is robust enough to handle VoIP calls, and you may want to consider compatible devices like headsets or desk phones for the best experience.

Can Teams Voice handle international calls?

Yes, Teams Voice supports international calling, but you’ll need to consider the appropriate calling plans offered by Microsoft. There are different plans available depending on the volume of international calls you expect to make, and these can be adjusted to fit your business needs.

Get Started With Teams Voice Today

Are you ready to revolutionize the way your business communicates? Let WorkSmart help your business simplify your communications experience with Teams Voice. From assessing your current infrastructure to implementing Teams Voice and providing ongoing support, we can tailor a solution that fits your business needs perfectly.

 

Contact us today and one of our Senior Business Advisors or your Client Success Manager can help advise you on a Teams Voice solution that fits your business needs perfectly.