28
Feb, 2022
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How to Properly Evaluate Your Security

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How effective is your cybersecurity? It seems like a simple question, but no less important to consider and determine as the answer could be the difference between a prevented breach and a successful one. In order to keep track of your business’ cybersecurity preparedness, it is important that you regularly evaluate it. Let’s go through the essential steps to performing such an evaluation.

Step One: Figure Out Where Your Weaknesses Lie

The first step to evaluating your cybersecurity is to identify where your biggest shortcomings are—otherwise, what chance will you have to fix them? Threats are always being improved and developed anew. Figuring out which parts of your business’ technology are due for an upgrade is key to shoring up the weaknesses that these upgrades can resolve.

If a simple upgrade or patch isn’t the answer, this will help you figure out what is. Maybe someone needs additional training to reinforce secure processes, or maybe an unreported complication has your team resorting to workarounds that open you up to attack. In essence, you need to know what problems need to be solved before you can solve them.

Step Two: Apply Trusted Methods that Meet Established Standards

When all is said and done, it really isn’t that hard to figure out what you need to do to protect your business. There are assorted organizations that have publicized the best practices that they recommend (or actually, urge) businesses to abide by in order to minimize modern cyberthreats. If you aren’t sure whose recommendations you should be following, don’t hesitate to give us a call and ask. We’re happy to help you figure out what needs to be done.

The same can and should be said of any industry-based regulations and compliances that might apply to your business. Things like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) apply to most businesses in operation today, and there are some industry-specific guidelines that could severely hinder one’s success if they are not followed. Knowing what applies to your business and abiding by any applicable rules and laws will only help make your security more effective.

Step Three: Figure Out if You Have the Resources You Need

Somewhere along this process, you might have a moment where you feel a little overwhelmed by everything that is expected of you—and that is completely understandable. It is, in a word, a lot. While your cybersecurity is obviously very important, you still have to run the business you’re trying to protect… and unfortunately, fully-credentialed IT professionals don’t come cheap.

There is one glaring exception, though, that can give you the opportunity to enlist the skill of a full team of professionals of this caliber for a manageable monthly cost. This is how the managed service model works. By relying on our team members for however much of your IT-related needs as you wish to use us for, you can rest assured that you have the resources needed to manage your business’ essential tools and technology in a secure fashion. Maybe you have us handle your security while your in-house team maintains your IT, or vice versa. We can scale our services to precisely fit your needs and budget, without shortchanging any security requirements you may have.

Step Four: Plan Your Cybersecurity’s Future

While it may be obvious that planning for cybersecurity after a security incident is the most perfect example of “too little, too late,” more businesses than you’d think still follow that approach. Some of them do so without even realizing it, simply because they haven’t considered how cyberthreats change over time and how easily they could find themselves in the crosshairs someday.

Fixing this requires a proactive approach. Take the time now to devise a security plan and policies for your business to follow—particularly if a security incident were to darken your doors—and train your team to do so automatically. Once you have this plan established, break it out every now and then to review it and adjust it as need be… cyberthreats change over time, after all.

NuTech Services is Here to Help You at Every Step

As a managed service provider, a large part of what we do is centered around the idea of cybersecurity, so we have a lot of experience with fulfilling each step of this process. Find out what we can help your business accomplish by calling 810.230.9455 today.

25
Feb, 2022
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Remote Meetings Require the Right Technology

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Today’s world of video conferences and remote work means that many workers are forced to endure the dreaded “Zoom Call” or “Teams Meeting,” whichever solution is implemented at their organization. While these terms might be used in a negative way, there are opportunities for you to improve the way you hold your video chats. Here are just a few ideas for you to consider implementing.

Clear Video and Audio

It goes without saying that a good video presentation starts with having crystal-clear video and audio. Much of this will have to do with procuring the appropriate hardware for the job, but your Internet connection can also play a role in this. We recommend you work with experts like NuTech Services to help you get ready for your video conferencing presentations.

Supplemental Visual Aids

No one wants to stare at a talking head the entire meeting, so you should consider the use of visual aids, like PowerPoint presentations or infographics, to help you get your point across to your staff. You can also switch between presenters so that it’s not just one person presenting the entire time, which can make a world of difference for your employees’ attention spans.

Additional Features Like Chats, Emojis, and File Sharing

Video and audio are well and good, but others express themselves in different ways that might make them feel more comfortable. By using the chat and emojis, your employees can react to the meeting in real-time, provided they are not doing anything distracting, like sending memes with quotes from the meeting to each other in the chat.

Engagement Above All Else

People tend to enjoy meetings more often when they are involved in the discussion, so do your best to involve everyone in the meeting in some way, shape, or form. Depending on the nature of the presentation, you should encourage your users to unmute their microphones when they have something they want to say, or use the Raise Your Hand feature (or its counterpart). Some video conferencing tools even allow for break-out rooms that can give your team a chance to debrief and feel more involved.

Want to get your team started with better video conferencing? It all starts with having the right tools for the job. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

23
Feb, 2022
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Is Hosted Email Right for Your Growing Business?

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Email is a solution that your business uses just about every single day, and as one of your central methods of communication, you need to consider how it’s managed and maintained. Thankfully, modern businesses have more choices available to them than ever before, some of which are so hands-off and easy that they can completely change how a business views their email.

The typical business might choose to host their email management system in-house on their own server infrastructure. While there are various benefits to doing so—chiefly, the security benefits—the same challenges that apply to server management in general, apply to email server management. The hardware and software need to be effectively managed and maintained, a process which might include updating the operating system with security patches and updates, keeping the hardware in proper working order, and ensuring proper climate control so that the devices do not experience difficulties with operations.

Furthermore, email access can also be challenging when your email is exclusively hosted on an in-house infrastructure. Unless your infrastructure has cloud capabilities, your employees will have limited access to their email while outside of the office. It’s also important that your systems are appropriately secured and backed up, which can be stressful to manage for an in-house team, especially if IT is not necessarily your forte.

The alternative is email hosting through a managed service provider, and it solves most of the problems associated with email management. Rather than hosting your email system in-house where you are responsible for taking care of it all, you can outsource these responsibilities to a managed service provider who hosts it on their own infrastructure. The managed service provider takes on the responsibilities of managing and maintaining your email system. This ensures that the system is taken care of adequately, as small businesses frequently have trouble keeping up with the maintenance of IT resources like email servers.

NuTech Services can help your business manage and maintain its email solution. We can even host it on your own infrastructure so you don’t have to worry about it at all! We can take care of all the challenges of protecting, backing up, and maintaining your email solution so you can focus on what matters most: running your business.

Don’t wait any longer; all it takes is one phone call to change the way you do business forever. To learn more about email management and other technology services we can provide, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

21
Feb, 2022
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Learn to Get Through Distractions to Be More Productive

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Productivity can be a challenging thing to measure and maintain, especially in a world full of distractions. Sometimes the distractions come from the nature of the work itself, and understanding this can become the key to overcoming them. Here are five tips you can use to overcome any workplace distractions and become more productive in the workplace.

Plan Your Route

Planning ahead can make your next workday much easier, and it doesn’t involve spending some time at home preparing for the morning after. We recommend that you take some time at the end of each workday to plan the next; you might find that you’re less likely to get distracted by the countless possibilities of the workday if you do so, and you will be more focused on the task at hand.

Put Your Phone Away

Sometimes notifications can distract you from getting work done–especially if these notifications are work-related. Sometimes the best course of action is to either silence your notifications or put your phone away so you can focus on whatever you happen to be working on at that time. More often than not, push notifications are not going to be urgent, so we recommend either limiting the notifications that pop up on your phone during work hours or just turning them off altogether. After all, if something is truly urgent, you can expect to be contacted in a different way than a text message or an email, right?

Don’t Overpromise

A deadline can make all the difference in productivity (depending on the individual), but there are often cases where people might overpromise on something they can’t simply deliver on. Even if these deadlines can be met, the work involved might suffer, so it’s best to give yourself some leeway so that these types of problems don’t surface in the first place.

Set Smaller Goals

Small goals are not just easier to accomplish; they also provide you with the appropriate forward momentum to stay positive about work throughout the day. Large tasks can be broken up into smaller chunks to make them less intimidating and more manageable, too.

Reward Yourself

If you can make work satisfying for yourself, then you can make it more productive. One way you can do this is by giving yourself rewards for accomplishing tasks, like a short break or something sweet to eat. If you want to be both satisfied and productive, taking a step back when necessary to appreciate yourself and the hard work you invest can be helpful.

What are some tips you have to stay productive in the workplace? Be sure to share them with us in the comments.

18
Feb, 2022
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There is No Value in Paying a Ransom

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We all know at this point how dangerous ransomware can be for businesses. It can lock down files, threaten operational continuity, and in some cases subject victims to brutal fines as a result of privacy breaches. One place where you might not expect ransomware to hit, however, is customer reviews, and it all stems from the big question: do you pay to resolve a ransomware attack or not?

The obvious answer is “no,” you shouldn’t pay to get rid of a ransomware problem, even if you think that it’s your only option. Rest assured, it is far from the only way to solve your issues. Paying up creates serious problems for your business, some of which you may not have considered. We generally advocate that businesses should never pay the ransom because it 1) Rewards the downright deplorable behavior of hackers, 2) There’s no guarantee that you will get your data back in the first place, and 3) You are funding future ransomware attacks against other businesses like yourself. We like to recommend that businesses have data backup solutions in place on the off-chance that a ransomware attack rears its ugly head, but you should always, and we mean always, contact a trusted IT professional before taking any action in ransomware care.

But again, the point we want to make is that you should never pay the ransom, even if it feels like your only option. In fact, it could put your business’ customer base at risk, and not in the way that you might expect. It turns out people don’t really like to work with companies that are struck by ransomware, but even worse, they don’t like to work with companies that pay criminals for the safe return of their files.

Backing this claim up are the results of a survey by data management firm Cohesity. The study asked 1,000 consumers in the United States about their thoughts regarding ransomware. Some of the most concerning numbers have to do with companies that not only are struck by ransomware, but those that also pay the ransom. Here are some statistics:

  • 55% of respondents said they would lose confidence in a company or organization if they are impacted by ransomware.
  • 54% of respondents claim they would lose confidence in a company if their personal data were breached.
  • 29% of respondents claim they would lose confidence in a company if the breach led to any inconvenience on their part.
  • 23% of respondents would lose confidence in businesses that pay the ransom.
  • 22% of respondents would cease doing business with any organization that pays the ransom.

So, there you have it. Not only are you risking your business’s data, but you are also risking the public’s perception of your business if you fail to protect your company from ransomware. Even if you don’t think ransomware can strike your company, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Don’t let ransomware hold your business hostage; take the appropriate preventative measures now to keep ransomware from crippling your business in the future. NuTech Services can assist with implementing any and all security measures your business needs to minimize the chances of a ransomware infection. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

16
Feb, 2022
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Use Hosted Solutions to Cut Your Upfront Technology Costs

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The cloud is a tool that businesses can use to improve operations in a variety of ways. Through the use of the cloud, businesses can dramatically alter the way they conduct themselves, many of which can reduce costs. If you implement cloud solutions, you can expect them to improve accessibility, enable scalability, and improve flexibility, all of which contribute to cost savings in the long term.

The Cloud Improves Accessibility

One of the greatest benefits of working with cloud computing solutions is that the data and applications for accessing this data are made more accessible. Due to the online nature of the cloud, these resources can be accessed in a moment’s notice, allowing your team to get work done wherever and whenever they can, be it on company-owned devices or their personal devices. With this amount of accessibility, you’ll never have to be concerned about work not getting done due to resources not being available.

The Cloud Allows for Scalability

Adding or removing licenses for software applications can be a tough task to handle, especially for larger workforces. The cloud allows you greater control over your software licenses and grants the ability to scale your workforce according to your specific needs. Most cloud software solutions are delivered on a subscription basis, so it’s just a matter of creating an account and ensuring the user has access to a device capable of running that cloud solution. This type of scalability can help you eliminate unnecessary costs.

The Cloud Improves Flexibility

Employees are generally more productive when they are using devices they are comfortable with, and cloud solutions give them the ability to work with a smartphone, laptop, desktop, or tablet of choice. They essentially grant access to services and applications that can be accessed on any approved or applicable device. This means they aren’t limited to the work laptop assigned to them that they are perhaps uncomfortable using due to the operating system. This type of flexibility can empower your team to get work done on their own terms and encourage productivity.

If you are ready to implement cloud solutions that can help your business cut costs, then you should begin by contacting NuTech Services. We can help you identify the best opportunities to save money while implementing new cloud solutions. We can perform a network audit that can identify opportunities for improvement.

To learn more about our services, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

14
Feb, 2022
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Phones for 2022 – The Foldables

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We’ve been covering some of the biggest names in the smartphone market over the past couple of weeks, but that’s not to say that there aren’t others out there—some of which are incredibly innovative, but also quite expensive. Let’s examine some of these options.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G

People thought that Samsung’s decision to make foldable OLED screens was nothing but a fad, but the fact of the matter is that the technology in the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is quite impressive, and it will shape the smartphone market for the foreseeable future. With a sturdy aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back, the Z Fold3 is a tough phone. When folded up, the device has a 6.2-inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 832×2,268px display that refreshes at a rate of 120 hz. These impressive specifications allow users to do just about anything they need from the outside of the phone.

Other features of the Z Fold3 include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chip, 12 GB of RAM, and either 256 or 512 GB of built-in storage. The device can also be upgraded to the Android 12 and Samsung One UI OS right away. Other applications might get some use out of its form factor with time. As for the camera, this device features a 12 MP wide-angle lens with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP telephoto lens with 2x zoom and OIS, and a 12 MP ultra wide-angle lens. The front-facing camera on the large display is a 4 MP in-display wide-angle lens, while the cover camera is 10 MP wide-angle lens.

The battery life, however, is not ideal, clocking in at a paltry 4,400 mAh and 25w fast charging (a 7.5 hour battery life). There is, however, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, as well as iPX8 water resistance, Samsung’s DeX capability, and (as the model name implies) 5G. The Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is available in Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Green, Thom Browne Edition, and an exclusive Wooyoungmi Edition. As for the price, the Galaxy Z Fold3 costs nearly $2,000 from Samsung and most major cell carriers. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Body:  Aluminum Frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back, plastic large display
Display: Closed – 6.2-inch Super AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz,  832 x 2,268 (~374 ppi); Open – 7.6-inch Super AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz, 1768 x 2208
OS: Android 11; upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.0
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Memory: 12 GB RAM; 256-to-512 GB onboard storage
Expandable Memory: No
Cameras: Rear – 12 MP, 26mm, OIS; 12 MP 52mm 2x optical zoom OIS; 12 MP 123º ultrawide. Front of device – 10 MP 26mm; Front of folded display – 4 MP under-display
Sounds: Stereo Sound
Battery (battery endurance rating): 4,400 mAh (7.5 hours)
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Miscellaneous: Samsung DeX, IPX8 water resistant, 24W fast charging

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3

The Z Flip3 is Samsung’s take on the classic flip phone with an aluminum frame, plastic front, and a Gorilla Glass Victus back. The screen is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1,080×2,640px and a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen folds in half for protection, and on the outside there is a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED screen for notifications, time, and other quick-view information. This device runs Android 11, but it can be upgraded to Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4.0, and it runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 FG chip. With 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 258 GB of storage, it is also fairly powerful.

Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and its camera, which is admittedly somewhat lacking compared to other options.  It has a 12 MP wide-angle lens and a 12 MP ultrawide angle lens, so it’s not incapable, while the selfie camera is a 10 MP wide-angle lens. Its battery is also unimpressive at 3,300 mAh and 15W fast-charging with a 6.9-hour battery life. Available in a litany of colors including Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Pink, Dream White and more, the Z Flip3 runs about $1,000 from your friendly neighborhood cell carrier or from Samsung directly. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
Body: Aluminum frame, plastic front, Gorilla Glass Victus back
Display: 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz, 1,080 x 2,640px
OS: Android 11; Upgradable to Android 12, Samsung One UI 4.0
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G
Memory: 8 GB RAM; 128 GB-to- 256 GB of onboard storage
Expandable Memory: No
Cameras: Rear – 12 MP 27mm OIS; 12 MP 123º; Front – 10 MP 26mm
Sounds: Stereo sound
Battery (battery endurance rating): 3,300 (69 hours)
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Miscellaneous: IPX8 water resistant, 15 W fast charging

Microsoft Surface Duo 2

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is the company’s second attempt at a high-end productivity smartphone. There is no external display; rather, there are two 5.8-inch AMOLED panels that total an 8.3-inch screen when it is folded out, including some large bezels. Its superb build quality makes it seem like additional app development could make this device a beast for productivity down the line.

This device runs Android 11 on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chip with 8 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of internal storage. There is also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security and a 4,449 mAh battery with 23W fast charging. As far as cameras go, the rear-mounted cameras have a 12 MP wide-angle lens with OIS, a 12 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and OIS and a 16 MP ultra wide-angle lens. The front-facing camera is a 12 MP wide-angle lens. 

Available in Glacier and Obsidian, the Microsoft Duo 2 is currently being sold for $1,500 online at microsoft.com and some other retailers.

Microsoft Surface Duo 2
Body: Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
Display: 8.3-inch AMOLED, 90 hz, 1,832 x2,688 (~401 ppi)
OS: Android 11
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Memory: 8 GB RAM; 128-to-512 GB onboard storage
Expandable Memory: No
Cameras: Rear – 12 MP 27mm OIS; 12 MP 51mm telephoto 2x optical zoom OIS; 16 MP 13 mm; Front – 12 MP 24mm
Sounds: Stereo sound
Battery (battery endurance rating): 4,449 mAh
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint reader
Miscellaneous: Stylus support

Foldable OLED technology sure is neat, but do you think it’s worth the price point? Let us know in the comments below.

11
Feb, 2022
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3 Useful Smart Devices You Can Implement Today

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The Internet of Things is growing rapidly and can be of benefit to your organization if it is deployed correctly. It offers a massive opportunity to automate certain parts of your business, saving money, and ensuring that human error is taken out of the equation. A majority of businesses have not fully taken advantage of the time and money savings a well-positioned IoT device can provide.  Let’s take a look at three of the most useful IoT devices that a small business can implement.

Smart Locks

For small businesses, physical security is a major consideration. Today, there are smart lock mechanisms that increase convenience and security, by giving managers more control and peace of mind over the locks on their organization’s doors. Unlike traditional locks, a smart lock features a computing mechanism inside a deadbolt lock that can be locked and unlocked remotely. The key to the smart lock is that it has administrative tools built in that give administrators the ability to create and revoke digital keys that provide a level of access control that can be added and eliminated in seconds. Additionally, smart locks provide comprehensive logs as to when people opened a lock with their digital key that is assigned to a user’s device, giving administrators control and oversight over every door in your building.

Smart Lighting and HVAC Controls

Another digital tool that can help save plenty of money are smart lights and thermostats. The smart lighting not only provides additional convenience, as it can be set when to turn on/off lights automatically. Administrators can ensure all lighting is handled remotely as well so they don’t have to physically be at a location to ensure that the lights are on or off. 

The smart thermostat operates on the same general principle, but with the cost of heating fuel and electricity, it can literally pay for itself in a matter of months. Admin features allow for temperature control around the clock, so that a company can save plenty of money on heating and cooling bills by setting temperatures for different parts of the building at different times. With smart thermostats, you’ll never have to worry about that employee that cranks the heat and leaves it on for days.

Smart Cameras

These days, every business should have some type of surveillance system. Not only is it a theft deterrent, but it can also help lower insurance premiums. Unfortunately, many businesses don’t have sophisticated enough cameras to help authorities if a theft were to occur. With smart cameras, a business can get the crystal clear, high-resolution cameras they need, and it won’t cost thousands of dollars to implement. Most of today’s smart camera systems come with enough cloud storage to upload the high-definition footage, making reviewing this footage less problematic. 

Overall, the Internet of Things is both a benefit and a problem that every organization has to confront, but by implementing smart tools that are secure and reliable, your organization can save money, be more secure, and save a lot of time. 

What do you think about smart devices? Do you think they are secure enough to use in your business? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and check back soon for more great technology content.

9
Feb, 2022
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Tip of the Week: Transfer Your Bookmarks Into Chrome

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Bookmarks can help you be productive with your web browser, but if you try to switch to a new one, you might find yourself without your bookmarks. Let’s say you want to switch to the established and well-respected browser, Google Chrome. We can help you import your bookmarks, and all it takes is a short and easy process!

Add Bookmarks from Other Web Browsers

Before proceeding, know that you need to have your previous browser installed on the device if you want to import bookmarks from it.

Chrome provides users with the ability to directly import bookmarks from other web browsers through its settings. To find them, you can click on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner of the browser. From here, select Bookmarks > Import Bookmarks and Settings. Next, select Import and select the browser you want to import from. Identify that you want the Favorites/Bookmarks imported from the checklist. If you see the blue checkmark, you can click on Done.

Add Bookmarks from an Exported HTML File

If you want to add bookmarks through an exported HTML file, you can import them this way, too. To do so, use the same process outlined above, but instead of selecting the browser to import from, select Bookmarks HTML file. Afterward, all you need to do is select the file you want to import and you’re golden.

Sync Bookmarks Across Devices

These options only work if you are using the desktop version of Google Chrome, so syncing your bookmarks across devices is the best way to get them on your mobile browser. You can do this by making sure you are logged into Google Chrome on both of your devices, then clicking on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner of the screen in Chrome. You can then select Settings. If you want to sync only the bookmarks, then disable the slider and check the box for Bookmarks.

Hopefully you found this tip helpful! Be sure to check back and see what other tips we have in store for you.

7
Feb, 2022
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Phones for 2022 – The Value Devices

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Last week, we published a blog about the most impressive new smartphones on the market, but the price tag might be a bit daunting for some organizations and users. For those focused more on value, here are three options that you can pick up for less than $500.

Google Pixel 5a 5G

The Pixel 5a, more or less a copy of the Pixel 4a, offers a brushed aluminum back and Gorilla Glass 6 front protecting its aluminum frame. It also sports a 6.34-inch,1,080 x 2,400 pixel OLED display. Instead of using the more recent Tensor chip, the 5a is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G with 6G of RAM and 128 GB of onboard storage. The specs are basically the same as the Pixel 4a, but there is still a significant power for price for this mid-range smartphone.

The camera setup is similar to other Pixel phones. Powered by the Android 12 operating system, the Pixel 5a’s 12.2MP wide angle lens and 16MP ultrawide angle lens can take some excellent pictures for a mid-tier phone. The front-facing lens is an 8MP wide angle lens. Compared to the other Pixel phones, the battery here is quite impressive, sitting at 4,680 mAh for a 122-hour battery life and 18W fast charging. Users also have access to a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and IP67 dust and water resistance. Only available in Mostly Black, $449 can get you the Pixel 5a from the Google Store.

Google Pixel 5a
Body:  Aluminum frame, aluminum back, Gorilla Glass 3 front. 
Display: 6.34-inch OLED, 1,080 x 2,400 (~415 ppi)
OS: Android 11, Upgradable to Android 12
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Memory: 6 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage
Expandable Memory: No
Cameras: Rear – 12.2 MP 27mm; 16 MP 119º; Front – 8 MP 24mm
Sounds: Stereo sound
Battery (battery endurance rating): 4,680 mAh (122 hours)
Security: Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor
Miscellaneous: IP67 dust and water resistant
Other versions: n/a

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G

With an aluminum frame, the A71 5G sports a plastic back and Gorilla Glass 3 on the front, along with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with a 1,080 x 2,400 resolution. The model will determine whether you are equipped with an Exynos 980 chipset with either 6 or 8 GB of RAM. Regardless, you are getting 126 GB of onboard storage with microSDXC expandability. The device comes with Samsung’s One UI 3.0 operating system and Android 10, but it can be upgraded to Android 11 and One UI 3.2.

The device’s back has four rear-facing cameras in total: one a 64 MP wide angle lens, another 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 5 MP macro lens joined by a 5MP depth camera. On the front, you get a 32 MP wide angle lens. The Galaxy A71 5G offers 5G capabilities powered by a 4,500 mAh battery with 25W fast charging. The device is also secured by an in-display fingerprint sensor. The A71 5G is available in Prism Cube Black, Prism Cube Silver, and Prism Cube Blue online for $250 to $350.

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G
Body: Aluminum frame, plastic back, Gorilla Glass 3 front
Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus, 1,050 x 2,400 (~393 ppi)
OS: Android 10, upgradeable to Android 11; One UI 3.0
Chipset: Exynos 980
Memory: 6-to-8 GB RAM; 128 GB onboard storage
Expandable Memory: microSDXC
Cameras: Rear – 64 MP 26mm; 12 MP 123º; 5 MP macro; 5 MP depth; Front – 32 MP 26mm 
Sounds: Stereo sound
Battery (battery endurance rating): 4,500 mAh (98  hours)
Security: In-display fingerprint sensor
Miscellaneous: 25W fast charging
Other versions: Samsung Galaxy A71; Samsung Galaxy A72 (2021)

Motorola Moto G Power

Constructed from a hard plastic frame and back as well as a glass front, the Moto G Power is a far cry from quality build, but it does have a solid value proposition. Its screen is a 6.6-inch IPS LCD, 90 hertz display with a resolution of 720 x 1,600, running Android 11 on its Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset, with 4 GB of RAM and your choice of 64 GB or 128 GB of onboard storage. This device only costs about $200, so it’s hard to beat that value.

As for its camera, the Moto G Power claims a 48 MP wide angle camera with a pair of 2 MP cameras for depth and macro resolution. On the front, there’s an 8 MP wide angle lens. This device also sports a 5,000 mAh battery and 10W fast charging with 130 hours of battery life, all for under $200. With a side-mounted fingerprint sensor to help secure it and a water-repellent coating protecting it, the Moto G Power is a relatively affordable choice in Flash Gray and Polar Silver.

Motorola G Power
Body: Plastic frame, plastic back, glass front
Display: 6.6-inch IPS LCD; 720 x 1,600 (~270 ppi)
OS: Android 11
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
Memory: 4 GB RAM; 64-to-126 GB onboard storage
Expandable Memory: microSDXC
Cameras: Rear – 48 MP wide; 2 MP depth; 2MP macro; Front – 8 MP wide
Sounds: Stereo sound
Battery (battery endurance rating): 5,000 mAh (~130 hours)
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Miscellaneous: Water-repellent coating
Other versions: n/a

Other Phones to Think About

There are other phones you can purchase based on the value they offer, such as the last iteration of today’s flagship devices. They might cost you more than the above options, but they are certainly less than those from this year. All that said, even this year’s flagships also offer multiple models that are somewhat affordable. Instead of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, maybe purchase an iPhone 13. The Google Pixel 6 comes with the new Tensor chip, and only costs $599. Regardless, know that it isn’t that hard to find a good value in a device without having to shell out an extra $50 every month to lease from your carrier.

Next week, we’ll take a look at the form factor for this year’s smartphones, including their designs. Don’t miss it!

4
Feb, 2022
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It’s Important Not to Overdo Things When Working from Home

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Contrary to what many might assume, remote work is commonly associated with overwork—employees working longer hours and having difficulties disconnecting from professional life during their personal time. This can have some serious consequences if not offset in some way, so let’s discuss how this can be accomplished.

Overwork is a Serious Issue, Especially for Remote Workers

Recent years have seen a lot of work and workplace-related issues come to the forefront that, quite frankly, this blog isn’t the place to discuss… things like racial imbalances and wage inequality have gotten more attention than ever. However, overwork is a challenge that we can tackle here.

There are many ways that your business could be influenced by the impacts of overwork. Your employees can quickly become burned out, as overworked employees experience anxiety and fatigue, along with physical symptoms like pain, headaches, and vision problems. Remote work can also become detrimental to the communications your employees share with one another… and we can’t forget all the added stress and pressure that the pandemic has brought.

All things considered, it’s no wonder that overworking could ultimately be a detriment to an employee’s overall performance and productivity. So, what can be done to prevent this kind of overworking?

Reducing Overwork in Remote Work

While it isn’t realistic that you can hold each of your employees’ hands throughout their workday (and doing so might result in more than a few HR inquiries), there are things you can do to help reduce how much your employees are held back by the tendency to overwork themselves—starting with your policies in and out of the office.

Encourage Schedules

In the home and in the office alike, adhering to a schedule is an effective way to keep the amount of time an employee commits to work processes in balance with their off-hours. This should include not only the time spent working in terms of keeping to their scheduled work hours, but also as a way to help them establish a routine in their personal life that helps them better prepare for their time working.

Track Their Time with Specialized Tools

While time tracking can help keep your team accountable to you, they also help keep them accountable to themselves. Giving them a referenceable way to gauge where they are in their day and their assigned tasks can be of great help. If you need assistance in establishing which of the available time-tracking tools would be best for your needs, we’re always here to provide this help to you.

Empower Your Team to Chime In

If your team members are becoming overwhelmed by their work responsibilities and simply cannot finish all they are assigned in the time available to them, you need to be sure that they know they can come to you to inform you of this. They also need to be comfortable doing so, so operational issues can be resolved as they are revealed.

If you are in need of the tools that can help encourage your team’s success, NuTech Services can help. Give us a call at 810.230.9455 today.

2
Feb, 2022
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Tip of the Week: Keep a Clean Computer

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If you think about it, a computer is a machine that is full of complex parts and components. Therefore, if you want it to operate at maximum efficiency, it must be taken care of, like being kept tidy and clean. Let’s discuss how you can make sure this happens for your business technology!

Here are three tips you can implement today to clean up your workstation and improve the performance of your device.

Prevent Dust from Accumulating

If something is stationary for too long, it accumulates dust, and computers are no exception. Unless you make it routine to clean regularly, dust will gather around fans and vents utilized for cooling down its components. Make sure you remove the dust regularly so that your device doesn’t experience cooling issues.

Avoid Food or Drink at the Workstation

The best way to keep your computer clean is to not put it in a position to get dirty. By this, we mean keeping your food and drink well away from your computer. If you don’t bring your meals near it, you’ll be less likely to spill it on your device. We know that the grind can be pretty stressful, but you really should be taking your lunch break away from the computer—for reasons other than it’s bad for your device.

Clean Out Your Keyboard Every So Often

Keyboards can collect a ton of skin particles, crumbs, dust, and so much more that can get stuck underneath the keys, and this is all just by going about your day-to-day routine. Take a moment to shake out your keyboard every now and then; it might mean the difference between taking your keys off to clean underneath them at a later date.

Did you find these tips helpful? If so, why not share them with a friend or colleague?