The success of your business is probably not dependent on technology, but you likely know that technology can help move a company from being good to great. Let’s review a few ways that technology can have that kind of impact on your organization. 

Obviously, we’ll begin with innovation; great companies know how to leverage technology to drive innovation. It might be to create new products or services or help adjust their business model to be more competitive. As they say, good companies may follow industry trends; great companies set those trends. 

Efficiency is another obvious area where technology can make a difference. Great companies use advanced systems, automation, and data analytics to streamline processes, reduce costs, and deliver products and services more efficiently than the competition. 

Data analytics go hand in hand with technology, and great companies know how to harness the power of big data. Whether to better understand customer behaviors or market trends, they rely on data to make critical decisions. 

Not the most important, but up there,… competitive advantage. A company that knows how to best leverage technology to establish and maintain its competitive advantage is destined for greatness. Everyone else is an also-ran. 

Having the right technology at your fingertips allows a company to be agile, flexible, and adaptable – all hallmarks of a great and successful company. 

And last is scalability. What good is creating a great company if it can’t grow and sustain its greatness? Technology enables companies to scale their operations up quickly and efficiently, allowing them to take advantage of unexpected market opportunities. 

In summary, technology can be a defining factor that separates good companies from great ones. The ability to innovate, operate efficiently, and adapt to change through technology can give a company a significant competitive advantage and lead to long-term success in today’s dynamic business landscape. Why not give Inverse Technology Solutions a call to discuss how your technology can be the key to greatness? Let’s talk about it. Call us at Call 800-854-2444 today or visit our website https://inversetech.com

We have been conducting tech/telecom audits for clients for many years. And subsequently saved them millions of dollars. Generally, when we discuss the process with a new client, we tend to focus on the savings, of course, because it is a big deal. 99% of all businesses are being overcharged for tech and telecom services. It’s a fact. So it makes sense that we talk about the money, but in doing so, we’ll admit, sometimes, we forget to talk about the other significant benefit of going through an audit. It is a benefit that isn’t always easy to quantify but can be meaningful in several ways. That benefit is that in reviewing all the charges, bills, invoices, contracts, and more for a client, we also review their tech and telecom services in terms of service delivery, level of service, efficiency, and more. The following are a few outcomes we frequently see when conducting an audit for a client:

Efficiency Improvement: Audits can help identify areas where your technology and telecom systems may be inefficient. We can help you streamline processes, optimize resource allocation, and eliminate redundancies you didn’t even know you had. Thus improving overall operational efficiency.

Technology Optimization: Our audits can reveal opportunities to better align your technology infrastructure with your business goals, ensuring you use the right technology to support your business’ needs.

Security Enhancements: As cyberattacks are on the rise, it is imperative that you take steps to mitigate your risks where possible. Our audits can help identify vulnerabilities.

Disaster Recovery Planning: Our audit can reveal weaknesses in your disaster recovery and business continuity plans, allowing you to develop more robust strategies to mitigate the impact of unforeseen events.

Strategic Decision-Making: With a clear understanding of your technology and telecom environment, our audits can provide valuable insights for strategic planning. You can make informed decisions about technology investments, digital transformation initiatives, and long-term technology roadmaps.

So, while we often focus on the cost savings we bring to our clients through our expert auditing process, we need to remind ourselves sometimes that there are so many other benefits that can be realized from them. We offer complimentary audits, so why not call us to schedule a consultation to see how we can help you save money AND so much more? Call 800-854-2444 today or visit our website https://inversetech.com/services/auditing-services/

So your technology seems to be humming along just fine, no problems. Everything is operating as it should, and all is good. And you find yourself thinking, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” – right? That strategy probably works okay for your printers and HVAC, but when applied to technology, it can create a significant problem for your business. Let’s discuss how.

KEEPING UP WITH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS: Computers replaced typewriters long ago. That was an easy technology advancement to spot. However, the advancements that are occurring today may not be so obvious. Technology is constantly evolving and improving. What worked yesterday or even today may not be the most efficient or secure option tomorrow. Failing to keep up can lead to a competitive disadvantage or worse.

SECURITY RISKS ARE INCREASING DAILY: Old technology inherently has vulnerabilities that, if they aren’t patched or updated, can leave your business wide open to security breaches. It’s like leaving your business doors unlocked and hoping no one notices.

INEFFICIENCIES: Just because a technology still “works” doesn’t mean it’s the most efficient or cost-effective option. Outdated systems may result in slower processes, wasted time, and increased operating costs.

COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS: You might be in for a big surprise when you want to invest in some new hardware or software and discover compatibility issues that can lead to data loss or worse.

USER EXPERIENCE: Have your team members been complaining? Or your customers? Holding onto old technology can reduce productivity and even result in lost customers.

COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE: Watch out! While you’re hanging onto the old stuff, your competitors are investing in faster, better, and less costly ways to do business through new technology. It’s a fact of business life these days.

There are other reasons to explore updating your business’ technology, like regulatory compliance or employing skilled techs for your existing systems, but the above are the most mission-critical in how they can and will impact your business.

Do your business a favor and call us to help you review your current technology and identify areas that must be addressed. Procrastination on this can lead to missed opportunities, security risks, inefficiencies, and reduced competitiveness in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Call us for a free consultation at 800-854-2444 today or visit our website www.inversetech.com, to learn more.

Are you a reactive or a proactive business owner? Maybe your answer is, “That depends on the situation”… that makes sense. In this case, we’d like to make a case for why being proactive regarding your technology is the best approach.  

Hiring an IT services company like Inverse Solutions for “break-fix” services makes good business and economic sense.  

First, let’s define “break-fix” for those not familiar with the industry term. Break-fix services are typically used when an organization needs help with repairing or resolving specific IT issues as they arise.

Here are eight solid reasons to consider bringing us in before you need us …

 1. SPEED: When you have already developed a relationship with Inverse, we can respond quicker since we’ll be familiar with your systems, infrastructure, equipment, etc. No need to bring us up to speed. Get things back up and running quickly.

2. COST-EFFECTIVE: There is no need to maintain a full-time, in-house IT team. Let us be your team, ready when you need us to help.

3. EXPERTISE: Even large in-house IT staffs struggle to stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest technology. Nothing moves more quickly than technology – let us maintain that high level of expertise, ready to be tapped by you whenever you need us.

4. SCALABILITY: As your business grows and your needs change, we will keep pace, ensuring that your technology doesn’t slow you down. In addition to break-fix, we offer a full range of IT solutions designed to help keep you competitive.

5. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE: Many clients also like to take advantage of our experience in helping businesses prevent problems before they start. We can monitor your systems and identify potential issues before they cause real problems, resulting in less downtime.

6. REDUCED DOWNTIME: By having us on standby, ready to take action, you’ll enjoy less downtime. If your business relies heavily on technology, this can be a huge benefit that impacts your bottom line.

7. FLEXIBILITY: Another key benefit is that you can use our break-fix services as little or as much as you like. If you have a small IT staff, you might want to determine in advance what kinds of issues they will handle and when it is appropriate to call us in for help. It is up to you – we’re totally flexible based on your needs.

8. SECURITY: The latest statistics show that 50% of SMBs have experienced a cyberattack in the past year. That’s a scary statistic, isn’t it? By working with an IT company like Inverse, which can provide a full range of services to keep your business safe, you are heading off problems before they begin. Gone are the days of relying on online software to protect your data. That’s a risk you shouldn’t take. 

From saving money to saving time to preventing cyberattacks … it makes excellent business sense to reach out to Inverse Technology Solutions today before you need us. Don’t wait until you have a problem. Call 800-854-2444 today to take the first step. Or visit our website www.inversetech.com to learn more. 

This is the last in our three-part series on businesses being under attack. The first two on cybersecurity and facility security, respectively, were obvious examples of how your business might be vulnerable. This third, related to your competition, takes a slightly different perspective. It’s more about how you might be helping your competitors attack your business, which is not what you want to do.

In addition to highlighting some ways you might be giving business away, we’re including ideas on how to stop the attrition using technology as just one of many tools.

You’re delivering mediocre service.
It is a fact that customers will accept lackluster service up to a point. That point often depends on the industry, available options, and industry norms. If the level of service you deliver to your customers too often falls into the “lackluster” level, don’t assume your customer will tolerate it indefinitely. Remember, your competitors are likely routinely soliciting your customers for their business. Why help them? Technology can help whether it is a more efficient way for customers to communicate with you via phone, text, email, or even chat. Setting up a system for customers to self-select urgent requests can go a long way in making customers feel you are trying to deliver good service.

You’ve not kept up with the times.
Customers who want to place an order but can’t do so online because you still need to establish an e-commerce process may easily be wooed by your competition that does. Instead of requiring customers to email or call in an order, how much more efficient would it be for you and them to go online and place the order? Our IT services can help ensure your business has all the proper infrastructure to support your e-commerce needs, including routers and switches, firewalls, and servers.

You’re delivering reactive rather than proactive service.
Hoping you have satisfied customers is not enough. Instead of responding to negative feedback and complaints as they come in, smart business owners proactively manage the customer experience, pre-empting problems before they become lost customers. Setting up automated customer feedback processes helps to identify problems quickly so you can address any issues before they become customer service disasters. It has been said that the best way to improve customer loyalty is to proactively deal with problems head-on. Customers know there are service failures everywhere; it’s how you handle the failures that can make the difference. But it is too late if your customer has already switched to your competitor.

You’re not maintaining a high and positive online presence.
Establishing and maintaining a favorable profile online not only helps to attract new customers but reassures existing customers that they’ve made a good choice in working with you. Google My Business reviews are an excellent way to elevate your business online, letting your competition know you’re delivering high-quality service to your customers.

You aren’t responsive.
Don’t make customers spend time trying to track you down. VoIP (voice over internet protocol) systems allow customers to connect with you whenever, wherever. Simply put, it is a single communication solution, linking a laptop, a desk phone, and a mobile phone to one number. Unified Communications can enhance productivity, streamline communication, and deliver a seamless experience for internal and external communication.

Your systems are down … a lot.
Nowadays, when a company’s systems are down or the website crashes, all business comes to a screeching halt. Maybe you have a few folks internally tasked to manage your IT needs, but is it time to rethink that? If you are losing orders, business, or customers because of downtime, a possible solution is “managed services.” Our managed services can provide the support your organization needs to maintain productivity and peak efficiency while freeing up your internal resources to focus on core business functions. We offer a full range of services, including help desk, break-fix, ongoing monitoring, and systems management. Let us handle your IT management, freeing your internal staff to focus on your core business.

If your business is guilty of any of the above, you are asking your customers to go to your competitors. Let’s discuss how our IT services can help you retain and grow your customer base. Call 800-854-2444 today to schedule a free consultation to talk about the many ways technology can help you keep your customers satisfied, or go online to learn more at https://inversetech.com/it-services/

With the myriad options organizations now have regarding the physical security of their facilities, there is no excuse to remain vulnerable to a wide range of potential risks and threats. Maybe you don’t think your company is a target for thieves because you don’t have high-value inventory on hand. But high-value “stuff” is not the only reason to secure your facility. Since it is Halloween time, let’s scare ourselves silly by reviewing the potential issues a company might face if it is not adequately secured.

Unauthorized Access: Without secure facilities, you leave yourself wide open to unauthorized individuals gaining access to your premises. Who knows what they want? What will they do? There are so many choices, including theft, vandalism, and data breaches.

Theft and Loss: Even if you don’t have high-value inventory in your facility, you still have equipment and potentially sensitive customer data on-site, right?

Data Breaches: Mostly, we think about cybersecurity regarding data breaches, but what if the bad guys gain physical access to your facility and on-site servers? What kind of damage can be done to your company, including financial losses and potential damage to your reputation

Workplace Violence: We must face the reality that workplace violence is on the rise; whether it is a disgruntled former employee or an angry customer, you are responsible for keeping your employees safe.

Regulatory Compliance: If your organization is subject to regulations regarding the security of sensitive information, you already know you need to secure the facility. But have you reviewed the latest regulations, and are you still fully compliant?

Insurance Costs: You might lower your insurance premiums if you improve your facility’s physical security.

Inverse Technology Solutions provides state-of-the-art access control, security cameras, and surveillance systems. We partner with equipment and software leaders in security, ensuring we always offer the latest technology to our clients. We start with a system design based on your needs and carry through expert deployment and 24/7 monitoring. From an on-premise single location system to a cloud-based system that provides a dashboard to monitor multiple locations, we can tailor your system to your particular requirements.

We have it all: surveillance cameras, intrusion detection systems, access control, and alarm systems. For multi-location clients, we provide centralized monitoring, video management software, remote access control, and integrated access control.

Think about taking that first step toward securing your organization for today. Call 800-854-2444 today to schedule a free consultation, or go online to learn more at https://inversetech.com/security/

Running a business has never been easy, but let’s face it, it’s getting tougher every day. It doesn’t matter if you have a small, medium, or large business; you can be assured that sooner or later (or right now), your business will be under attack from one of multiple threats. Those business owners and managers who become complacent and believe they are not vulnerable are frankly fooling themselves. If you think your business is “safe,” please think again. Let’s talk about a few threats any business can face, beginning with cyber attacks. (Next time, we’ll address others.) 

Cybersecurity Attacks: This is the biggie since virtually all businesses are online – which can be a wide-open door to the bad guys. Let’s review some recent stats: 

• On average, around 30,000 websites are hacked every day globally, out of which 43% are targeted at small businesses. This makes sense as smaller businesses are less likely to have the IT staff or the know-how to ward off attacks. 
• Because small businesses are “easy pickings,” they remain a prime target for cybercriminals. A study released in June 2023 found that 61% of SMBs (small and medium businesses) in the US and UK were successfully hit by a cyberattack in the past year. That’s over 50% of ALL SMBs were successfully hit last year! 

• 90% of attacks start with phishing, the fraudulent practice of sending emails or other messages pretending to be from reputable companies to induce individuals to reveal personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers. These criminals rely on your employees to click on a legit-looking email because A – your business’ “cyber gates” were easily breached and B – because they haven’t been adequately trained to spot scam emails.
• The three top industries most vulnerable to cyber attacks – can you guess why?
• Healthcare
• Financial Services
• Retail

  The above three industries will likely have loads of valuable, personal consumer data on hand. Combined, they represent the mother lode for criminals looking to steal and then sell the data to the highest bidder. Are you ready to defend your business if this happens?
  
  If you’re a small business, the following statistic is frightening. Roughly 60% of small businesses fold within six months of a cyberattack. This is because the AVERAGE cost of an attack costs firms of all sizes $200,000. Can your business withstand that kind of hit? Studies show that despite its devastating effects, small and medium-sized companies have proven to be highly unprepared to face a ransomware attack.

Congratulations if you have already taken the steps to engage an IT services company that can provide the right level of cyber security for your firm. If, however, your business, especially if it is small or medium-sized, is still hoping your subscription to an online anti-virus and spyware monitoring service is enough, well, it’s not. Those programs are generally okay for consumers working on their home computers, but you should not rely on them for your business. 

Why not reach out to us to talk about this? We can conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify how vulnerable your business is to attack. Then, if together we determine steps that need to be taken to protect your business, we can put together a plan. 

Or you can hope your business isn’t one of 50% of all SMBs hit this year. Call 800-854-2444 today to schedule a free consultation, or go online to learn more at https://inversetech.com/cybersecurity/

I think the concept of “auditing the auditor” is accepted by most business owners. Still, the actual practice of it is not. I am sure there are several reasons for that, including those who think it is a waste of time or money, those who believe it to be redundant, or those who feel they trust their existing auditing system, so why bother? Let’s look at a brief overview of how the “audit the auditor” practice got started. Then, we can provide a few reasons why you might want to reconsider your position if needed. 

The concept of “audit the auditor” has existed for centuries, primarily in financial and accounting contexts. Designed initially to review financial records and ensure their accuracy, over the centuries, the role of auditors has expanded dramatically to include a variety of compliance and performance evaluations. 

While there is no confirmed record of it, one assumes the first “audit the auditor” happened when a business owner or manager suspected the accuracy of the information being provided by responsible employees or providers. Over time, not only did “audit the auditor” become a more common practice, but regulatory reforms were introduced to improve the quality of audits. In the US, for example, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was enacted in response to corporate scandals like Enron and WorldCom. 

Let’s discuss your business and why you might consider leveraging this powerful and enlightening tool.  

• TRUST: Let’s say you already have a tech/telecom management service that monitors the myriad of costs related to those services for your business. And they have saved your business money. Why would you even consider auditing their work? Two key reasons: to either prove they are, in fact, doing a great job or perhaps to discover they’re not. Both are good things to know, right? If they are effective and know their stuff, they should welcome an audit, knowing it will confirm that. If they aren’t, it’s time for a change. The audit will provide the information you need. 
• SAVING MONEY: If, in the above scenario, it is discovered your current providers (in-house or outsourced) are not doing a good job, you stand to save money by using a higher-quality provider. 
• CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: When it comes to auditing tech and telecom costs, part of the service should also include optimizing those services. Making sure you’re getting the lowest price is excellent, as it ensures your business is not overpaying for services, but a professional TEM service provider will also ensure you’re getting the best level of tech or telecom service possible for the expense. 
• BUDGETING & FORECASTING: If your business relies on information generated by your current TEM service provider to plan budgets, forecast needs etc., you want to ensure you’re using the most accurate and up-to-date costs.
• DETECT FRAUD / MISCONDUCT: While chances are not great that an outsourced TEM service provider is in cahoots with any of your tech or telecom service providers, it could happen. It is more likely to occur if you rely on in-house auditors. Enough said on this topic. 

We have found that organizations with multiple locations geographically disbursed are the most likely to benefit from an “audit the auditor” process. Within those organizations, using in-house staff or outsourced services, the complexity of managing not only tech but also telecom and utility costs region-to-region can be a huge undertaking. Having an auditor with familiarity, region to region, with prices, practices, tariffs, taxes, and more can go a long way to ensure your business is paying the right amount. There is no reason not to consider an audit, especially when you learn that Inverse Technology provides a complimentary assessment that can tell you quickly if you’re overpaying. Call us at 800-854-2444 to schedule a consultation, or go online to learn more at https://inversetech.com/services/auditing-services/

Ask yourself the following 11 questions about your business’s current level of technology. How many can you honestly say you are up-to-date on? How many are you behind on, and what impact might that have on your company’s productivity, profitability, security, or growth potential? 

1. Hardware and Software Infrastructure: Are your computers, servers, and networking equipment up-to-date, AND are you using the latest versions of essential software and operating systems? (And by the way, are your software licenses current and compliant?)

2. Website and Online Presence: Is your website mobile-responsive and user-friendly, AND do you actively manage and update your website content?

3. Data Security: Do you have the appropriate cybersecurity measures in place, and are you routinely updating and patching your systems to protect against vulnerabilities?

4. Employee Security Training: Are your employees routinely educated about cybersecurity best practices? It only takes one click on one email to open the door to hackers.

5. Cloud and Remote Work: Are you taking advantage of cloud computing while leveraging its benefits to allow employees to work remotely securely?

6. Customer Engagement: Do you offer customers online or automated service options, like chatbots or virtual assistants, and are you using data analytics to better understand and serve your customers?

7. E-commerce and Online Sales: If appropriate, do you have a secure and reliable e-commerce platform for online sales with payment processing?

8. Automation and AI: Are you automating repetitive tasks and processes to free up human resources for more important work?

9. Supply Chain and Inventory Management: Have you incorporated technology into your systems for real-time inventory tracking?

10. Environmental Sustainability: Are you doing your part to minimize energy consumption in the workplace, reduce paper usage, and implement eco-friendly practices?

11. Competitive Analysis: Are you staying on top of your competitors’ tech strategies and industry trends?

How did you do in our quiz? Admittedly, technology is ever-changing. It is challenging to keep up. Depending on your unique business, some technologies are more critical than others. For example, if you retain customer data, including financials like credit cards, it is mission-critical that you maintain the highest level of security to prevent a breach. We’ve all heard the news reports about large retailers and others who have been hacked and even held ransom. You can’t risk it – it can put your business out of business. Which of the above questions made you the most “uncomfortable?” Was it customer service? Security? Cloud computing? Whatever it is, we can help bring your business’s technology to what it needs to be. 

Call us at 800-854-2444 or visit www.inversetech.com to learn more about our services. We would love to help. 

If your business has more than one location, there is a good chance that managing your utility expenses is a burden. That is if you’re doing it correctly, AKA the hard way. It can be time-consuming, to say the least, to make sure you’re not being overcharged, which frankly is likely. 

The following are the top 7 tips on effectively managing your utility expenses. Or, if you prefer the easy way, scroll down for just one tip on that. 

THE HARD WAY or 7 Tips How to Effectively Manage Your Utility Expenses

Benchmark and Track Usage:
• Start by benchmarking the utility usage and costs for each location.
• Implement a robust tracking system to monitor utility consumption at each location regularly.

Energy Efficiency Audits:
• Conduct energy efficiency audits at each location to identify areas where energy can be saved.
• Invest in energy-efficient technologies and practices.

Centralized Management:
• Consider centralizing utility management for all locations. This can help streamline operations, negotiate better rates, and ensure consistency in energy-saving practices.

Negotiate Contracts and Rates:
• Negotiate utility contracts and rates with service providers. Multi-location businesses may have more leverage in securing better deals. Consider using an energy broker or consultant to assist with negotiations.

Monitor and Analyze Bills:
• Carefully review utility bills for each location to spot errors, discrepancies, or unusual patterns.

Employee Training and Awareness:
• Train employees at each location on energy-saving practices and conserving resources.

Periodic Review and Reporting:
• Conduct periodic reviews of utility expenses and report the results to management and stakeholders. Highlight cost-saving achievements and areas that require attention.

THE EASY WAY- LET US HELP

Call Inverse Technology Solutions. We have decades of experience in telecom and utility expense management. We’ve saved our clients millions. Why devote internal resources to this burdensome and time-consuming task when Inverse can take it off your hands, save money, and reduce costs? It is worth a discussion. Call us at 800-854-2444 or visit https://inversetech.com/services/utility-expense-management/