Every time you bought a new PC/LAPTOP accessory like camera, you will have a free driver installation disk with it. And if something happens and you’ve lost your driver installation disk, and you needed to reinstall the camera because it’s been corrupted or it’s been having problem, what will you do?

Camera needs software and drivers to work with your computer. The easiest thing to do if you’ve lost your camera installation disk is to visit the website of the camera manufacturer.

Now what if your camera manufacturer’s website did not add any downloadable Driver links? Or if they do, you don’t know the version of your camera or even the camera name, and you’ve lost even the box or the case of the camera? 

Before you rush to a laptop repair vendor, you can follow the steps bellow to find the driver. This method below will help you a lot!

STEP 1:

Go to your Control Panel > Device Manager

Find the Camera driver that is needed to be installed; you will notice a Yellow Exclamation Point in the Device Manager under Other Devices.

 

 

STEP 2:

Find the driver with the Yellow Exclamation Point and Right Click the driver to make the properties button appear, just like in the image. <Click That> 

STEP 3:

Now just click the Details button just like in the image so that you will be brought to where we are going to find some details needed to find your correct and exact camera Driver.

 

 

 

 

STEP 4:

Now you need to do just like what I did in the image. Go to Property > Compatible Idle and just click the <first value> you will see in the table, just like in the image. And <Copy> that.

 

Since its been copied already go open your favorite browser and visit http://google.com And then paste the <copied value> to google search engine. 

Complete:

Go to your Favorite Browser > Paste the Copied Value to the Search Engine.

Now you found your correct and exact driver installer for your Camera. The best and the most driver archives as of today is driveridentifier.com, so click it first before going to any other site. Most drivers are located in that site. And it’s easier to find the correct and exact driver installer of any laptop / pc by doing the steps above. If you can’t find your exact driver in that site, <click> the other links recommended by google.

Steve Jobs is a man that has greatly impacted many, including us who is working in Fynd. Here is some of his famous quotes:

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.”

“It’s really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

“I’m as proud of many of the things we haven’t done as the things we have done. Innovation is saying no to a thousand things.”

“That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex; you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.”

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful … that’s what matters to me.”

“Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.”

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: ‘If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.’ It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘no’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

“I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”

“We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know? And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it.”

The smartphone universe has been moving at lightning speed with new releases every other year from multiple manufacturers. We expect nothing to change this year in this respect. More advanced features, better designs and not forgetting far more advanced cameras. With this in mind, it is important to cast an eye out and look at what this year holds for all smartphone users.

HTC One M9

As the biggest revelation of the past year, HTC has set the bar high and if anyone can raise it higher it is them! Expected upgrades include a better sound system with HTC being rumored to be partnering with Bose. A camera upgrade, and all round improvements in the processing power display and memory wouldn’t be too farfetched.  

iPhone 6S and/or 7

With new iPhone installments being a mainstay in the smartphone release calendar, this year should be no different. You can expect an iPhone 6S or 7, or both in 2015. The main upgrade to look out for here is the rumored high quality camera which is expected to rival DSLR quality for better and clearer photos.

Samsung Galaxy S6

With the New Year comes new things, and this year Samsung gets to right their wrongs with the subpar performance of the Samsung Galaxy S5. A full metal cover has been largely talked about especially with the Alfa having tested the waters in this sense. To boost performance, Exynos might be the future for Samsung devices having proven successful in the past. Also expect TouchWiz to be dropped for a better and faster application.   

Huawei Ascend P8

With the 2015 installment of the Huawei Ascend already having been confirmed, all we can do is wait for is what is brings. The latest Huawei chipset, 4G support, as well as a continuation with its thin and light design are high on the expectations list. The launch will be in mid-April in London.  

Sony Xperia Z4

The Sony production line rolls out a new installment after every six months. Although the Xperia Z3 is relatively new you can expect the Z4 to be on its way sooner rather than later. The smartphone is rumored to be using Android Lollipop with a similarly capable octa-core snapdragon 810 processor for the smoothest functionality. 4GB RAM and an upgraded display featuring Quad HD are also part of the rumors around the Z4.  

This year comes with great promise when it comes to smartphones pushing the boundaries in terms of performance and features if the above rumors are anything to go by. 

Over the years, jailbreaking iDevices has become a popular activity with many users now using such devices. When you jailbreak your iDevice you get to enjoy a host of features and apps that are not on the official iTunes store. This has been enough motivation for most people. Below we will look at some of the reasons owners should consider conducting a jailbreak as well as some reasons not to for a well-rounded view.  

Easy

Running a jailbreak on your iDevice has never been easier. All you need now is the latest Jailbreakme tool. The risk of bricking your device is considerably reduced. With this tool a jailbreak only takes a few minutes and then you are good to go.

Unlimited Apps

Once you jailbreak your iDevice you can be able to freely run numerous apps not featured on the iTunes store. This includes more free apps as well as interesting but banned apps. These apps are designed to improve the functionality of your device by allowing you to freely run apps that would be otherwise restricted to some conditions. A wide variety of apps for your iDevice after the jailbreak can be found on Cydia.

Reversible

Once you run a jailbreak you get to enjoy the benefits mentioned above. However, if you do feel that you want to reverse the process, it is totally possible provided that it has not been updated beyond iOS version 4.0.1.

 

Why you should not jailbreak your iDevice?

 

Bricking 

No matter what method you use to conduct a jailbreak, the risk of bricking your device is always there. Although you can always conduct a full system restore to recover from a brick, it is frustrating and inconveniencing as you will most probably lose your apps and photos. Lack of knowledge on how to recover from bricking may cause you to end up spending more money on an iPhone repair vendor. 

Updates Become Difficult to Run

iOS updates are regularly being introduced to fix common bugs in the system and enhance user experience. If you have already conducted a jailbreak on your device it means that every time you update to a new version of iOS you will have to run the jailbreak again. This can be an inconvenience for many.  

Expensive Jailbreak apps

It is common to for people to run a jailbreak to be able to run a wider variety of apps on their device. However, it is important to note that most worthwhile apps for these devices tend to be expensive. This may be even higher than on the iOS store.

Apple just announced in their keynote about the new Macbook. Here is a highlight about the MacBook:

• It is only 2 pounds (0.9 Kg), the thinnest and lightest MacBook ever
• It is 13.1 mm thick, which is 24% thinner than the 11-inch MacBook Air
• It has an all-new full size keyboard that has been reengineered from the ground up. It uses a new butterfly mechanism to make each key more stable and precise. Each key is 4 times more stable and has 17% larger area, with LED behind every key. Most importantly, it is 40% thinner.
• It has 12-inch retina display with 3 million pixels that uses 30% less energy
• A new trackpad called Force Touch that is now able to detect pressure. With its tactile feedback, you dont just see what's happening on the screen, you feel it too
• It is a fanless Mac, to allow you to run your MacBook in silence
• It's logic board is 67% smaller than the one in the 11-inch MacBook Air
• A new custom shaped battery with 35% more cell capacity that allow all-day battery life
• A single port, USB-C, for charging, data transfer and HDMI
• According to EPA, it is the most energy efficient notebook

It looks pretty awesome and most importantly it comes with great design and nice colors. Check out the video bellow.

 

Today a large number of people spend a large part of their time online. From social media, to shopping, browsing, using Apps and checking email; there always appears to be something to do online. With most carriers having ended their unlimited data usage plans or reducing access after a certain level has been reached it is important for you to look into ways of reducing data usage to stay on top of your data usage bills. Below we will look at some of the ways smartphone users can limit data usage on their devices.  

Check Data Usage

The first step before setting a cap on your data usage is to establish your average consumption. In this case, although it is possible to check data usage on your device, it is recommended that you also use your service provider’s apps for the same so as to understand what it is you are paying for.  

Android users can check usage by opening Settings > Wireless Connections > Data Usage.

iOS users can check under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Usage.

Now that you have an idea of what you use you can proceed on to look at the Data Usage by different apps. In this case you might have to employ the help of third party Apps. What you want here is an app which can tell you how much data you are using and rank the top data consuming apps.  

Setting a Data Cap

Android users can be able to set a cap on the maximum data usage after which point the phone cuts off all data usage. This function is only present on Android version 4.0 onwards. Under Data Usage, tap the screen to check the Set mobile Data Limit box by tapping it. This will enable you to set the warning limit and the shut-off limit.  

Under iOS you can be able to switch off some apps from using your data. Under Cellular, open Use Cellular Network For and then use the switches next to the app names to on or off.

Shutdown Background Data

App updates and data refresh also use up a lot of your data. For Android, under Data Usage, open more options at the upper right corner and check the Restrict Background Data box. Apps will only use Wi-fi connections to run background data. iOS users can turn off background data under Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

Today most people use numerous devices at home including desktop computers, laptops, and a variety of modern portable devices. This means that there is a need to have a way of sharing limited resources such as printers, scanners and even an internet connection as well between all these devices. It is also great to have a means of sharing data and media between these devices as well. A home Local Area Network (LAN) is the best way of maintaining a connection in between all the devices and facilitating the necessary sharing.  

Home owners can benefit a lot from a LAN. There are two ways of setting up a LAN i.e. using a hard line or wireless connection. A hardwired LAN is preferable for its high speeds, it is however harder to set up but once done it will serve you well.

For this simple network set up you will need Ethernet cards and network cables.

Begin by running cables to all devices in the network. Every computer in the house should be connected to the network. Note that the cables should not run over 250 feet to maintain perfect functionality for CAT-5 cables while CAT-6 can support twice that distance.

Once all the cables are fixed into the walls and floors as necessary you should then get down to configuring the network. Here we will assume you are running Windows XP, Vista or any other recent versions of Windows OS.

• To configure that network, go to the Start button, open Control Panel and then the Network Setup Wizard. This wizard will be used to take you through the procedure.  
• You will be prompted by a dialog box to ensure that everything is set up as needed.
• Once you are sure everything is as it should be proceed on to select “Set up a home or small office network”.
• You will be prompted to set up a connection method at this time.
• Name the computer to give it a distinct identity in the network. Proceed by clicking “Next”.  
• You will also have to name your network as well for identity purposes. Proceed by clicking “Next”. You system will now display your settings, confirm all the details and then proceed.
• If everything is setup correctly, the wizard will proceed and set up the network for you. Once it is done, you will be able to share data and files between the computers in the network.

If you want the network connected to the internet you should buy a router and connect it to the network so that every computer gets a distinct IP address.

If you are looking to buy a new computer, then it is important to take your time and figure out whether you want a desktop or a laptop. This decision is often confusing to most people especially if they have nothing to guide them. In this case it is worthwhile to sift through some important considerations which will help you decide on the type of machine that satisfies your needs. Below we have compared these two options based on some important factors. 

Cost

Of course cost is one of the main determinants of which machine you will buy. Both laptops and desktops come in a wide variety of models and prices depending on their features. So is there a difference in prices between these two machines? Yes! Desktops tend to be cheaper as compared to laptops. Even though technological advances have led to lower production costs for laptops over the years, they still require highly advanced components that tend to be more expensive. In the event of hardware breakdown, laptop repair is more difficult than PC repair as the components are more delicate, and it can be more costly too. 

Performance

Most people will opt to buy a new computer so as to upgrade on their current one. In this case, performance specs play a key role in determining which the best computer to buy is. Over the years, laptops have improved and are now faster, stronger and more capable than ever. On the other hand desktops tend to have impressive specs especially when compared to laptops at the same price level. Performance mainly counts when the intended application of the computer involves high processing needs as seen in graphics editing and gaming. Other than in these specialized applications regular computers will do fine.  

Portability

Portability refers to the ability of a computer to be carried around conveniently and easily. In such a case, it is important to clearly determine if you require a computer that you can carry with you wherever you go. If you only need a portable computer on rare occasions a desktop is the best option which also saves on cost. Laptops can weigh as low as 1.5 kilos while desktops can weigh over 6 kilos.

Ergonomics

If you are at the computer most of the time, it is important to consider the comfort of use. For instance desktops usually come with ergonomic components including the mouse and keyboard. The positioning of the screen/monitor can also be ergonomic. Laptops can sometimes be uncomfortable to use for extended periods. 

If you are thinking about going shopping for a new laptop then you must have a lot of things going through your mind. What size screen to buy? Which is the recommended storage size? Which is the best price to look out for? .It is important to note that there is a wide variety of laptops out there all with different prices. Price alone is often a poor guide. A cheap laptop may end up at laptop repair shop in no time. The best way to find the best fit for your needs is to first come up with a list of important factors to consider before settling on a given choice.

Below we will look at some important factors to consider when shopping for a laptop. 

The Screen

Laptops come with varying screen sizes designs and resolutions. When looking to identify the best laptop screen consider your needs. For instance gaming laptops require high resolution screens in relatively larger sizes. On the other hand, if you will be using the laptop for typing, consider whether you can be able to look at the screen for extended periods. Notebook laptops come with smaller screens.

Processor  

Processing power is another important factor to consider before spending your hard earned cash on a new laptop. The popular processors today include the Core i3, i5 and i7. The entry level i3 and the i5 are great for moderate use while the i7 is suited to users who require the highest processing speed to run numerous heavy applications at once. Note that the stronger the processor the more the heat it generates during use.

Keyboard 

Many people take keyboard design for granted when laptop shopping. However it is often frustrating spending your time trying to locate symbols on a laptop. This is especially so if you have been used to using a computer with a keyboard that has a separate numbers pad. Get a laptop with a keyboard you are familiar and comfortable with for the best user experience.  

Battery

Most people buy laptops due to their portability. This portability is highly influenced by the rechargeable battery fitted on the laptop. If you will be using the laptop away from a power source for extended periods, consider a high capacity battery. The higher the milliamp-hours (mAh) rating the higher the battery’s capacity.

Buying a new laptop involves making a significant investment. Make sure you get the most value for your money by identifying and buying the best fit being guided by the above factors. 

Gaming is a great way to relax, especially after a long day at work doing IT support or laptop repair. When it comes to gaming, then computers have it all in comparison to regular gaming consoles. Computers, and in this case laptops have high quality hardware to support high resolution with some pushing as high as 4K resolution. It is also apparent that computer games supply outstrips console games supply by far. Gamers have a wide selection to choose from and there is always something new to sample. This however, means that consumers will always have a headache when it comes to choosing the best gaming laptop. The main question here is do you go for portability or performance? Or do you try to balance it out? Read on to find out the best gaming consoles in 2015. 

Razor Blade

To begin with, let me state that this is the slimmest gaming PC around; portability, check. It comes with crisp clear 14 inch display with a 3200 x 1800 touchscreen. Its specs include a Core i7 CPU with Nvidia graphics for seamless gameplay at all times. All this is beautifully packed in an attractive aluminum case.

Asus ROG G751

Now this is where things get interesting, this laptop cranks up resolution to the ever so appealing 4K resolution. This laptop also comes with some smart keyboard shortcuts for easier and more convenient gaming. It may come at a steep price but it is definitely worth it with a strong engine to match.

Alienware 17 

This latest installment of the well-known gaming laptop brand comes with a host of upgrades for an even better gaming experience. Its specks include Nvidia GeForce GTX 880 GPU and at the center of it is a Core i7 processor. For easy and enjoyable gaming it comes with a crystal clear 1080p display, amazing sound system and smart keyboard lighting. This gaming laptop combines all the main features any gamer would want.

Gigabyte P25X v2

This 15 inch gaming laptop comes with a 1080p display that will do justice to all your games with crisp graphics. The highly capable Core i7 processor mated to Nvidia graphics processor combine to offer smooth gaming for even the most demanding games without breaking a sweat. All this is backed by a capable long life battery for extended continuous use.

The MSI GS70

This laptop breaks away from the traditional gaming laptop design with a refined sleek design that lets it double as a regular day to day laptop as well. This is characteristic of the brand which is known to produce laptop covers for other manufacturers. Its specs include a Core i7 processor and Nvidia graphics for the best gaming.

If you regularly use your MacBook for different projects, you will have come across some projects which would only work on the Lion version of OSX while some will require the older Snow Leopard version. This means you will need to have a way of running both version 10.6 and 10.7. In this guide we will look at how to install multiple OS in MacBook and to be specific two versions of OSX as previously stated.

Here we will use dual booting as it enables you to uninstall the 10.7 version without the need to conduct a system restore from a 10.6 backup disk to restore 10.6 that would mean loss of data and is generally a pain.

In this guide you will need, a MacBook running on Mac OS X 10.6, a downloaded Mac OS X 10.7 and most importantly a backup of the existing Mac OS installation. If you are not sure, do check with your IT support staff. This is just a precaution as the method we are using here is known to be safe. 

Create a Partition for the New OSX

Use Disk Utility to create a new partition from the existing partition. Disk Utility helps you resize the existing partition without the need to reformat the drive. Just launch Disk Utility, select your drive and click on the Partition tab. Click on the plus sign to add your new partition and then name it as you wish. Set the desired size and then click on Apply. From the subsequent dialog box click Partition.

When it is does you will now see two partitions, i.e. the one with the initial 10.6 version and the new partition you have created.

Install the New OSX

In this step you will need to install the new OSX in the new partition and not the existing OSX 10.6 partition. Begin by launching the Mac OS X 10.7 installer and choose the option to select you own.

Choose the partition you created at the Install Mac OS X window.

If you want to, you can install Lion Server in the Customize tab. But this is optional.

Now click Install and give it time to run. A progress bar will be shown on your screen as it runs.

Note that this process is faster than installing from a DVD as it is installing from its own disk. After the installer is done, the MacBook automatically boots to the new MacBook OS X 10.7.

At this point 10.7 is your default OSX, however, you can easily change this back to 10.6 in System Preferences > Startup Disks 

To move from the default OSX and switch to the other OSX just hold down the Option key when during the reboot process. 

Ubuntu is an open source operating system which runs open source applications. Not a typical operating system, but if your hobby is to do laptop repair and your dream job is IT support, this one will be interesting to you. It allows developers create their own software, perfect it and then distribute it for free. It comes with some fascinating capabilities including:

Dual Boot

If you are interested in using Ubuntu but remain unsure of what to expect and how the experience will be you can just try it out. Ubuntu supports dual boot. This is where the Operating System is installed in a computer alongside Windows Operating System. With dual boot you can be able to use both operating systems in alternating fashion whenever you wish. This gives new users the chance to get a feel of Ubuntu while continuing to conduct their daily tasks on Windows for the time being.

Automatic Installation

Installing applications on Ubuntu is done in packages. Any application installed that requires other applications in order to run is automatically detected by Ubuntu. The Operating System will then prompt you of the needed software which you can research for yourself or let Ubuntu download and install automatically by connecting it to the internet. The automatic download and install feature helps users get their applications running faster and conveniently.

Continuity 

Ubuntu allows you to start from wherever you stopped when you restart your computer. It is common for users to shut down their computers before they are completely done with whatever they are doing. In order to continue from this point all you need to do is go to System and open Preferences and then Startup Applications. Under the option tab tick the “Automatically remember running applications when logging out” This will get you ready to continue where you left off every time you restart your computer.

Hide Drives

For those who like to maintain a clean desktop without any icons present then you can do this on Ubuntu. This helps remove even mounted drive icons. Open the “Run Application” window and type gconf-editor in the dialog box and click Run. Go to Apps and then select Nautilus and then Desktop. Uncheck the “Volumes_Visible” and subsequently close the window.

Now you can enjoy a clean desktop, whenever you want to access the hidden drives look in the panel for “Places”.

Interesting Ubuntu Fact

When naming versions of Ubuntu. The name reflects the release month and year. For instance the 14.04 LTS version was released in April 2014. Every six months a new version is released. In the example the LTS part stands for long-term-support version and is the fourth release in the continuous series of releases.  

Did you know that you can install Ubuntu on a laptop running a preinstalled version of Windows Operating System? Well, now you know. Ubuntu lets you do some amazing things, and after reading this guide you will be in a position to install and run both operating systems on your laptop. This will give your laptop dual boot feature allowing you to choose which Operating System you want to run every time you switch it on.

In this guide, we will assume your laptop is running Windows 7, and the Ubuntu version you wish to install is version 9.10. Grab your laptop and the Ubuntu operating System boot disk and let’s get cracking.  

In this guide, we are installing Ubuntu to run alongside the pre-installed Windows OS. Run the Ubuntu boot disk and install Ubuntu. If you get any problems with the display return to the start screen and set it to safe graphics mode.  

Go through the next few steps of the installation including setting the language, keyboard layout and time zone correctly. This step is rather easy and should not give you any problems.

Next you will need to select the type of installation you want to run. The options include installing them side by side or alternatively erasing the entire disk and installing Ubuntu alone. The safest way is to install them side by side to and use any when you want.

On the displayed screen you will see two full bars; one shows the Windows partition while the other one allows you to adjust the pointer and set the desired size of the Ubuntu partition. Once you have set the desired space continue with the installation. If you do not know what is a partition, do not proceed as you may risk deleting your program and data if it is done incorrectly. You may need to engage a laptop repair or data recovery expert if you destroy your partition. Consult your IT support if you have doubts.

Image courtesy of Howtogeek.com

After the resizing is done, create your password and username and also configure the log on options. All these are clearly visible on the displayed screen.

Note that if you forget or feel the need to change anything at this point you can still go back and do so.

Next, the new Ubuntu Operating System will install. A progress bar will be displayed as the installation continues. Be patient and wait for this to complete. 

After it is done you will be prompted to restart your computer. Upon rebooting you will see the GRUB loader. Use the up/down arrows to select the Operating system you want to use.

Note that when you choose to run Windows 7, the computer will run check disk and return to the GRUB loader where you will need to select it once more.  

The above is an easy and fast way to install and run Ubuntu on your computer.

If you are a small or medium-size enterprise owner, and you think that you cannot be targeted by cybercriminals because you are in a business that is too small or has low-value data to attract attack, then you are one of those who will likely fall prey to those in the near future. In a Data Breach Investigations Study conducted by Verizon on 2012, it was revealed that of the 621 recorded data breaches, 31% were against business with less than a hundred employees while a staggering 50% were against those with less than 1000 employees. A study conducted by the same company the following year further shows that the number of attacks rose by a significant number.

These data clearly reveal one thing: small and medium-size businesses are increasing becoming targets to cybercrimes. 

One of the primary reasons for this is that Small and Medium-size business owners do not realize how attackers can benefit from breaching their systems thus they remain lenient and complacent. Unlike large companies that can hire a team composed of up to a hundred or more IT experts to protect themselves, SMEs cannot afford those and have systems that are even unprotected from simple threats. Contact your preferred IT services provider to do a security evaluation to protect your business.

There are two known ways that attackers could do to your system: they can steal valuable customer information or use programs that allow them to manipulate the files and the system itself.

Businesses that keep customer-related data such as credit card information are most likely to suffer loss of profit and credibility due to this.  Attackers can easily use that information to steal money from the clients or enter into a transaction without the clients’ consent.

Another form of attack is through malwares. Attackers can plant spywares which allow them to collect data and manipulate the system. Because most enterprises either merge with others thus become a large one or are merged with large companies, attackers who realize this potential wait for the right opportunity—sometimes even for years. When two companies merge together with their systems, they begin to operate without the company’s knowledge and usually succeed in this endeavor.

A more robust form of attack is through ransomwares where attackers encrypt data within the system or the system itself and ask for an amount for the encryption to be lifted or removed. Because the system and the data contained in computers are important in the transactions of a business, they are often lured to pay an amount. In such situation, even laptop repair vendor or data recovery service provider may face challenges in recovering the data as the file content is already encrypted by the hackers.

The rule of thumb in protecting an enterprise against an attack is to never think that you cannot be a victim. Hackers and cyber-criminals operate in such a way that most of us can never understand. Just because you think you cannot be a target, it does not mean you cannot be a victim.

These days there is a multitude of business software available designed to the effect of enhancing your company’s performance and securing its data. This digital age heralds a new era that levels the playing field for businesses. The problem comes with wading through the overwhelming glut of available programs to find the right software to aid your business. An IT service provider will be able to calibrate the software for your specific needs and provide you with the information needed to select the right kind of software and eschew the expensive but unnecessary options. Planning for your business software needs requires you to take inventory of the necessary components your business requires that can be aided through software. Look below to see what categories software provides necessary services for.

Security

Just look in the news: We are in a new digital era and companies are being regularly attacked on the cyber front to their detriment. Companies without cyber security are left perpetually at risk. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of digital security options available. Finding the right one requires you to identify vulnerable areas in your business. Is your company concerned about malware? What about external devices? Some suites, such as BitDefender, provide active social media protection. Without proper protection, your computer may be damaged and end up at laptop repair station. An IT service provider can clarify which potential threats you need to be on alert for, as well as calibrate the software to work best for your unique needs.

Efficiency

Any business owner knows that workflow can make or break a company. Software can be a great tool for maximizing efficiency and helping with the organization growth. Selecting which software to use depends on your business. Online cloud-sharing services help employees share internal documents and files with one another without the worry of losing vital information. Book-keeping software (i.e. QuickBooks, Xero) is now mandatory for most businesses these days and there is software coming out every day designed to maximize your company’s efficiency.

Marketing

Many businesses find marketing software a must for advertising their products or services to the masses. Fortunately, there are several tools that help a business achieve this. You need to decide which marketing issues software can help with. E-Commerce sites might favor programs that offer real-time analytics, while other companies utilize mass-email services and automated retention software. In the world of digital marketing, there is no shortage of available options and an IT service provider can help a novice navigate the technical steps required. 

Technology has not only given businesses the opportunity to increases its profit and sales—it has also changed the way businesses operate and transact. Nowadays, with the aid of technology, people across the globe can hold meetings virtually through teleconferencing. With the use of cloud computing, people can access company programs and their data anywhere. IT solutions and services, however, are costly and enlisting the services of a provider might harm your company if you do not know how to select the best IT Service providers.

Cost and Duration of Contract

When looking for the best IT service provider, your first consideration must be the cost of the service and the duration of its contract. IT service providers do not offer their services at the same price. In order for you to get the most out of your money, you must evaluate the services included in various packages first before enlisting or subscribing to them. What are the scope and coverage in the packages like laptop repair and maintenance, mobile phone repair and maintenance and even network or server. There could be additional services that you might not need in some package, which will cause you to pay more than what you need. IT contracts are also an issue. In comparison, monthly contracts are much more preferable than yearly contracts. Although yearly contracts cost less, without evaluating the services offered by a company thoroughly, you can end up being tied to a contract with an IT service provider, which provides services that do not meet your requirements.

Customer Support

As much as possible, enlist the services of an IT service provider that has a customer support. There will be times when you would need assistance or answer to your queries.  Without customer support, you might end up facing a trouble or problem that you cannot troubleshoot or deal with yourself. IT related problems can undermine or halt a business operation or transaction and can put them on hold for hours or days, on end. This could result to losses that you and your company could not afford suffering from.

It is tempting for businesses to perform all operations as much as they can in order to save money. While this may seem a logical move, and while outsourcing IT services could be financially daunting, outsourcing may actually be more economical in the long run that what you think.

Experts agree that outsourcing is one of the best methods to facilitate business growth. Not only will your company be able to direct its focus and resources on what it does best, outsourcing IT services could also allow people who are more trained and suited to perform the job to provide you the best services your company needs. The IT aspects of your business serve as the backbone of all your operations. Ensuring that this is made as best as possible leads to a more productive and profitable outcome.

Delegating the Job to Experts

Outsourcing allows your company to benefit from the services of experts. These are groups of people with sufficient experience trained to provide the best services your company needs.

Doing IT-related  works for your company may initially strike you to be economical until trouble sets in. Asking a non-IT person to do laptop repair, network upgrade or iPhone repair can be a nightmare experience for the staff and the company. Without the necessary expertise and experience, you might expose yourself to future IT related troubles, which could lead to far greater expenses than what you could spend by enlisting the services of those who have done the job for years and have gained insights on how to prevent future troubles.

Outsourcing and Business Growth

You cannot divide or direct your resources to two distinct operations within your company without sacrificing performance and growth. Furthermore, doing IT-related  services within your company would require time and effort, which you could have dedicated to the job your company does. Although it might incur a greater cost in the beginning compared to doing things by your own, the growth that your company could acquire over time could lead to profits and gains in the future and could help advance your company.

In addition, the loss that your company could suffer due to poor decisions inherent to your lack of expertise, and skills will not be worth it. Outsourcing is not only good for the growth of your company, it will also enable your company to focus on doing the business that it does and further its growth. As with any endeavor and any form of business, time is important because it equates to money. Outsourcing provides you time and quality output.

Outsourcing with a dedicated third-party IT support company can prove to be a wonderful, highly efficient method of tackling IT issues for businesses, freeing up time and resources better spent on management and growth rather than repairing laptops. However, there are many pervasive, common mistakes a business can make when outsourcing IT. Working with the wrong company, failing to research properly, and choosing options that do not fit your needs are pitfalls that could be easily avoided. In the space below, we take a closer look at the common mistakes a business might make when outsourcing their IT needs and how to best avoid them.

Lack of Research

There are several malicious, profit-driven companies out there that promise the moon to businesses looking to outsource IT services, and promptly fail to deliver on all fronts. Fortunately, with the internet at your disposal, you can avoid these companies like the plague by researching thoroughly which company you want to trust with your business’ IT needs. Take a look at what other clients who have worked with them in the past are saying. Did the IT service company maintain good communication? Did they handle problems effectively and efficiently? Were there hidden fees accrued? Were they pleasant and easy to work with and did they offer advice and guidance for the company's digital future? These are all questions that a little bit of research can answer and too often a business skips this vital step.

Assuming the Cheapest Option is the Best Option

Frequently, a business owner, wary of mounting costs, will choose IT as the facet of his business to skimp on. This can be disastrous. Often, a company promising a range of IT services below an industry standard price will not be up to the task of handling the issues that may arise. Things like network security and digital efficiency are not items a business wants to play lightly with, especially in this competitive marketplace. Fortunately, there are several IT service companies that offer competitive rates and have a proven track record to boot.

Lack of Consistent Communication

It might be tempting to let your newly minted outsourced IT Support company just take the networking, software hardware reigns from there. This is a mistake. Always remain involved in your company’s digital future and keep aware of problems that arise as they come. Without consistent communication, you are in the dark of several vital, significant aspects of your company. Keep in touch with your outsourced IT services and enjoy a productive road forward. 

While there are numerous advantages many businesses find with outsourcing their IT needs, there are always potential drawbacks that linger. As with outsourcing of any kind, you are trusting an independent third party with an integral aspect to your business. Typical pitfalls include lack of communication, neglect, hidden costs, and poor general practice. Fortunately, ample research and background checks on third-party IT services help you avoid these common issues and allow you to reap the benefit of outsourcing IT support. In the space below, we take a closer look at some of the most common drawbacks.

Poor Quality

There are companies out there, primarily overseas, promising competent IT support they are unable to perform. These third-parties are notorious for taking your business’ hard-earned money and providing sub-par services. They might be  in their advertisement and could potentially put your business at risk, shoring up time on IT issues that would be better spent on growing and maintaining your business. Luckily, these companies are quickly ousted online by upset clients and a little research goes a long way in avoiding these malicious entities. IT issues are often complex and technically challenging, so make sure a company has proven its abilities with prior clients.

Lack of Communication

As many business owners and managers can attest, sometimes an e-mail will not cut it. This is a drawback to some third party IT Support companies and is a risk with outsourcing in general. There are companies who assume to many clients to adequately pay the attention each individual business deserves. This pitfall does not have to be inevitable and several third party services battle this issue with dedicated online and phone support. To re-iterate, have your business do its homework and investigate the company in which you are deliberating to handle your IT needs. Seek a company that you feel comfortable forging an ongoing relationship with.

Continuity

When outsourcing IT services with another company, you are entrusting that company with sensitive data and ultimately a sliver of the future of your business. Without a company that you fully trust, it can be difficult maintaining a working relationship with an external third-party that might not hold your company’s best interests at heart. In addition, an unreliable outsourced IT company might not hold your business as a priority and you always have the worry of redirecting engineers and tech support to address the various problems that may arise. The good news is that there are several vetted, reliable IT services out there. Just be sure to make the right choice. 

As we enter this new age, IT Services are proving to be a must for businesses of all kinds. They provide numerous necessary services such as monitoring network issues, implementing new technology, installing workstations, enhancing productivity, and providing cyber security. A productive IT service will allow you to focus on your core business and move forward without being slowed by the numerous hiccups that are sure to arise in this digital era. The question that remains is whether to hire in-house or outsource your IT needs. In the sections below, we look at some of the benefits to outsourcing.

Reduce Costs

Small to medium size companies cannot afford the dedicated support a large company can. Due to the nature of IT issues, you might not be sure when you will need a professional service or when a problem might arise. Outsourcing an IT Service allows you to budget efficiently while focusing on your core business. In addition, you avoid the hassle associated with hiring and training a new employee who may or may not end up being adequate for the issues you might encounter. Most business cannot afford to run the risk of wasting money on an inadequate IT service nor can they waste time on difficult, complex IT decisions an independent company could quickly handle.

Quality Assurance

Possessing an IT certificate does not necessarily ensure an employee is up to the task of managing your IT needs. Outsourcing these services with a reputable company will allow you to rest easy knowing a dedicated company is managing your IT problems. A dedicated IT service has larger pool of data and experience to draw from, meaning efficiency will be maintained and the occasional, but inevitable, digital roadblock will not halt your business from moving forward.

A Competitive Advantage

Outsourcing with a dedicated IT company allows you to have the same access to software and platforms a larger company might. An outsourced IT Service would potentially have better access to compliance and security software, ensuring your business will avoid common pitfalls associated with launching a business in the cyber age. In addition, an independent third party is likely better positioned to implement new technologies, install and calibrate workstations, and operate with a better organized cost structure. A sole part-time IT employee is far less likely to enjoy the same level of access an independent company and poses the risk of being unable to accomplish all of your needs.