MSPNetworks Blog

Did you watch the big game this year? Chances are that if you did, you got to witness all of the spectacles that the event had to offer, including a lot of technology that enriched the experience, whether you realize it or not. The National Football League has implemented emerging technologies that have helped solve persistent challenges over the years. Let’s explore some of these technologies.

Technology can be a huge benefit or an annoying hindrance for a business. It really depends on how it is maintained or used. Just like the PC in the 1980s, Internet access in the 1990s, and the advent of social media over the past decade or so, there are a couple interesting technologies that, if properly used for business, can bring substantial value for workers, customers, and the organization as a whole. Let’s take a look at three of them.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) offers businesses various opportunities to enhance operations, engage customers, and improve efficiency. Here are a few ways AR can be used by businesses.

• Product Visualization - Customers can try out a product or view it in an environment outside of the store before purchase.
• Remote Assistance and Training - AR face-up designs can revolutionize training and remote assistance.
• Enhanced Marketing and Advertising - AR is a great medium for improving advertising and marketing of products. 
• Maintenance and Repair - With AR, people without experience can be taken step-by-step through maintenance and repair processes.

Internet of Things

The Internet of Things is one of the fastest-growing technologies out there. As a result, different types of businesses can utilize IoT technology to become more efficient. Here are some of the ways IoT technology works for small businesses:

• Security and Access Control - Install IoT-enabled security cameras, motion sensors, and smart locks to monitor and secure the office. Access can be controlled using mobile apps or keycards.
• Energy Management - Employ IoT sensors and devices to monitor and manage energy usage in real time, helping to reduce energy costs.
• Environmental Monitoring - Use IoT sensors to track indoor air quality, temperature, humidity, and noise levels, ensuring a healthy and comfortable workspace.
• Asset Tracking - Employ IoT devices to track the location of office equipment, such as laptops, projectors, or other valuable assets.
• Inventory Management - Implement IoT solutions to track inventory levels automatically and trigger reorder alerts when supplies are running low.

Artificial Intelligence

AI has become one of the most transformative technologies in recent memory. Computer programs that can learn to do tasks more effectively are not going to get old. Here are a few ways businesses can leverage AI:

• Customer Support and Chatbots - Chatbots can answer frequently asked questions, assist with basic troubleshooting, and even schedule appointments or orders. They operate 24/7, improving customer service and reducing response times.
• Data Analytics and Insights - AI can uncover valuable patterns and insights that can inform your marketing strategies, product development, and inventory management.
• Inventory Management Optimization - AI can predict demand, manage inventory levels, and even suggest optimal reorder points. This can reduce costs and prevent overstock or stockouts.

New technologies aren’t always as useful as this, but no matter how big or small your organization is, these three technologies can make a huge difference to your business by building efficiency. If you would like to talk to one of our knowledgeable consultants about getting new and exciting technology working for your business, give us a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Technology has touched nearly everyone over the past decade or so. More is done using technology than ever before. In this week’s blog, we go beyond individual uses of technology and discuss how technology is going to be used to improve infrastructure and the delivery of services that we take for granted. 

Smarter and More Efficient Cities

The rapid urbanization we see today demands smarter solutions to address the growing challenges of building and managing urban infrastructure. This is where technology comes in. Technology plays a crucial role in creating smart cities that are sustainable, efficient, and responsive. Through the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors and connectivity enable real-time monitoring such as traffic flow, energy consumption, waste management, and public safety. These data-driven insights empower city planners to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the quality of urban life.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Transportation infrastructure is undergoing a remarkable transformation thanks to technology. Intelligent transportation systems use advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and real-time data analytics to enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of transportation networks. From smart traffic management systems that alleviate congestion to the development of autonomous vehicles that reduce accidents and fuel consumption, technology is revolutionizing the way we move people and goods.

Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

The future of infrastructure heavily relies on sustainable energy sources, and technology plays a pivotal role in enabling this transition. Renewable energy generation, such as solar and wind power, is becoming increasingly affordable and accessible, thanks to advancements in technology. Moreover, smart grids and energy storage systems allow for efficient distribution and utilization of renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.

Resilient Infrastructure

In an era of increasing climate change and natural disasters, resilient infrastructure is of utmost importance. Technology equips us with the tools to design, build, and manage infrastructure that can withstand and recover from adverse events. Through predictive analytics, remote sensing, and real-time monitoring, technology enables early detection of potential risks, allowing for proactive measures to mitigate damages, ensure public safety, and minimize disruption.

Advanced Construction Techniques

The construction industry is not immune to the transformative power of technology. Emerging technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), robotics, and 3D printing are revolutionizing the way we design and construct infrastructure. BIM facilitates collaboration, reduces errors, and improves efficiency throughout the entire construction process. Meanwhile, robotics and 3D printing enable faster, more precise construction, reducing costs and increasing sustainability.

Technology will shape the future of our culture, including the way we go about improving efficiency in all walks of life. If you would like to have a conversation about how technology can push your business forward as it is pushing infrastructure forward, give the IT professionals at MSPNetworks a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Business technology has grown so much over time that it’s practically unrecognizable compared to some of the original solutions. The Internet of Things has given businesses more opportunities to automate processes and build efficiency into their IT infrastructure, and in more ways than one. Let’s look at how businesses use the Internet of Things and what you might accomplish with it.

Mobile Productivity

When you implement an IoT policy, you need to have clear protocols in place for how smartphones and other smart devices will be governed by your network. Access control is important for any technology, especially remote access, and small businesses need to have solutions in place to manage it all. In other words, plan for mobility; worst case scenario, you plan for something that you use sparingly.

Inventory Processes

You’ll need a way to track inventory for your business, whether it’s for internal devices or external products that are hitting store shelves or consumer pockets. You’ll want to ensure that you have systems in place that can keep track of inventory processes so that you get an accurate count of your resources. This also goes for the products which go into making your products.

Staffing and Human Resources

The IoT has made it easier than ever before to stay in touch and connected with your consumer base, providing opportunities for automated chatbots to answer frequently asked questions for your neediest clients. Automation can also help you on the human resources front, whether it’s tracking time spent in the office or other important metrics.

Customer Expectation and Service Management

The Internet of Things makes great use of automated technology and service management, as it can be tied directly into customer relationship management, too. You can use the IoT to track consumer and business patterns so you can address their needs in a more timely and efficient manner. The IoT, therefore, provides more opportunities to generate value for your consumers, which inevitably leads to greater sales and satisfaction numbers.

Data Analysis and Management

The cream of the crop, so to speak, is data analysis and management. All of the numbers and statistics you use each and every day can be valuable, and the IoT gives you a mechanism to analyze and process it all. You can measure it all to make meaningful and lasting change for your business, whether it’s adding new products to your service offerings or making more intelligent decisions about how you run your company.

MSPNetworks can equip your business with the tools needed to make the most out of the IoT and other technology you might find in the modern office. To learn more, call us at (516) 403-9001 today.

The Internet of Things, or IoT, has grown to over 14 billion connected devices as of this year, and this number is expected to exceed 20 billion devices by the end of 2026. With such a shocking number of devices, you might wonder what types of devices are out there and what they mean for your business. Let’s look at the IoT and what you need to know to keep it at the top of your mind this upcoming year.

You Use the IoT More Than You Think

Even if you don’t have a specific plan in place to handle IoT devices, you already use them in some capacity for your operations. Employee smartphones are perhaps the most well-known IoT devices. Whether your employees use their personal devices or company-issued phones, they use these devices to perform work-related tasks both in and out of the office.

Just think about how you use your own smartphone. You might perform research into a product before buying it. Most people use their smartphones for this same purpose, looking into products before committing to them. Other uses include business communications, administration of business, and even productivity.

Other IoT devices might use your business’ network, even if you are unaware of them, like employee-owned wearable devices, smart utilities solutions for controlling HVAC systems, smart lights, and so on.

Growing Your IoT Usage

Many businesses understand that the IoT is something that can yield great benefits with a little smart investment. Some of these benefits can come from smarter systems, like inventory management, which can document additions or subtractions from your systems to ensure that you always keep an adequate supply of resources. Specialized IoT devices can do this automatically without the need to dedicate human resources to them, reducing costs.

Improvements to the Customer Experience

The IoT can bolster the customer experience, giving you more ways to represent your business in the realm of ecommerce. If you can make your customer experience operations as transparent and user-friendly as possible, you can provide a better experience as a whole, making customers more likely to stay and for new customers to jump on board.

Data Sharing

Sharing data is important to businesses of all kinds, whether they are trying to integrate IoT devices into an existing infrastructure or building an infrastructure with IoT devices in mind. Furthermore, the real-time data collection offered by IoT devices can be invaluable in making both long-term and short-term decisions regarding your operations.

The Internet of Things can be a helpful way of making meaningful changes to your operations and infrastructure. To learn more about how we can help your business use the latest and greatest technologies to your advantage, reach out to MSPNetworks at (516) 403-9001.

Smart devices have brought about unprecedented amounts of connectivity in aspects of running a business or owning a home that never could have been dreamed of in the past. People can now unlock their front doors, turn up their thermostats, and even switch the lights on and off through their smartphone. Unfortunately, the part that people don’t like to talk about with these applications and devices is security—big surprise, right?

Most consumers tend to lean toward technology that makes their living spaces easier to manage, but these technologies present their own set of problems and challenges, chief among them being security.

Connectivity Through the Cloud

Smart technology works by sending and receiving data from the chosen smart device, be it a thermostat or a video surveillance system, to your smartphone. It does this through the cloud, but there’s a catch—these connections are often unencrypted and unsecured, meaning that anyone who knows where to look can hijack the transmission and steal that data. If you are going to implement smart technology for your company or home, be sure to look for solutions that come with encryption capabilities, thus securing your connectivity through the cloud.

Be Careful About Permissions

Depending on the application, you might notice that it asks for permissions to use various other applications or hardware on your device, like the camera, microphone, or other data found on your device. Be very careful with these permissions. You must be sure of what permissions you are granting before you actually do so. Depending on what permissions are granted, you might accidentally opt into data harvesting. Furthermore, the more permissions you grant without understanding what they are doing, the more likely you are to get hacked, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution with smart technology.

You may have already noticed, but many of the challenges presented above can be mitigated through understanding the nature of what technology you are implementing and how you are using it. Always understand the details for any device you implement on your infrastructure before doing so, and if you don’t, consult professionals who make it their life’s work to help people like you improve their relationship with technology.

MSPNetworks can help you implement smart technology solutions for your office, but we can do so in a way that prioritizes security in all senses of the word. To learn more about what we can do to help you protect your business and its assets, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

Over the past couple of years, more and more people are using smart speakers to help them manage their day-to-day lives. Some people use them as their personal assistants, some just use them to help them remember things they would tend to forget otherwise, others just use them as extremely complex thermometers. Regardless what the use is, one question will always be near the surface about these devices: Are they secure? Let’s take a look at the many issues surrounding smart speaker security.

Are They Listening?

Whatever you use your smart speaker for, you have had to have the notion that at some point they are spying on you. Whether it be the curious placement of ads of things you’ve just been discussing around your smart speaker, or the random answers they will give you to questions you didn’t ask out of the blue, you might be curious whether these devices listen when they aren’t supposed to. Well, the answer is yes, but it isn’t as bad as you may think.

Sure, the smart speaker is always listening, but it isn’t always recording. Humans record information when people talk to them, but the smart speaker is really only listening for the wake words and this is a very important distinction to make. In fact, these devices wouldn’t get very far if they recorded everything that is said when they aren’t supposed to. It has class-action lawsuits all over it. Think of a smart speaker as someone who’s there, but isn’t paying attention to you. You have to get their attention by saying their name, just like the smart speaker. 

Since these devices are always listening, you can accidentally trigger the smart speaker, at which time it will start recording. This is why your smart speaker will seemingly randomly answer a phantom question. You will want to review the privacy settings which can typically be found on the corresponding app you use to control the device. Since many smart speakers don’t have a physical interface to them, many users neglect to change the default settings leaving the manufacturer to decide what information is captured. They will always choose more information, so if you are concerned about what they are getting from you, you’ll want to alter the settings.

How to Limit Your Risks

There are some things you can do to protect your privacy while using IoT devices like smart speakers. Let’s look at a few:

• Watch what you say - The first tip is to just be conscious of what you say in a room with a smart speaker in it. Any similar phrase to their keywords can awaken the device and record your words. Everything that is said to Google is processed locally and sent to the cloud, so if your device is triggered to record, you may end up giving over data if you aren’t cognizant. 
• Regularly delete command history - These devices use past commands to understand your voice more effectively, but it can also be a security risk to just keep all the data in the app. Usually, commands can be deleted individually or in full.
• Opt-out of data sharing - you can opt-out of helping an organization “improve” voice services with very little trade-off. 
• Consider keeping all IoT devices on their own partitioned network - Most routers can be set up to create multiple networks. By keeping IoT devices away from other technology, you mitigate the risk presented by devices that, by and large, don’t have strong security in place. 
• Update software - The best way to keep any piece of technology secure is by keeping the device updated with the latest patches and updates.

Smart speakers can be really useful, but they can also be the weak link in the network security chain. If your business needs help securing its network from IoT devices, give us a call today at (516) 403-9001.

A lot has been made about 5G and the way that it is going to significantly alter what is possible, without much mention about the other technology that will fuel this complete digital transformation. We thought that we would talk a little bit about smart technology, how your business can use it to your advantage, and what this technology needs to do to be ready for the world to come. 

What Technologies Are We Talking About?

There are literally millions of different technologies that claim to be “smart”, but the smart technologies that can help the small business be more efficient and build revenue aren’t usually the things that you would go out and buy from the shelves of a big box store. Like any other technology, getting the most out of it requires a strategic approach. Some of the key smart technologies that are being used to improve efficiency, boost the speed of business, and control costs include:

• Artificial Intelligence - AI is having a profound impact on the way that technologically-savvy businesses operate. There are many applications AI is used for, but many small businesses have incorporated it into their supply chain and support strategies.
• Internet of Things - IoT devices have been around for a while now and as wireless capabilities continue to improve, you will see more small businesses looking to smart IoT devices like RFID chips to improve inventory control and make supply chains more efficient.
• Big Data - Larger enterprises are already using big data initiatives and other data technologies to get insights into their business. Smaller companies are just now scratching the surface of what is possible in this arena.
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality - AR and VR applications are just now being developed targeting costly employee training as well as for use in the retail industry to provide online shoppers a more interactive experience. 

How Your Business Can Use These Technologies

These four smart technologies are being implemented in all types of businesses. For the small business, who is often forced to do more with less, these technologies can initiate automated strategies that can give a business the flexibility to use their capital to build revenue streams and not use it to pay for people to do jobs that don’t really bring in any revenue. Businesses that choose to implement smart technologies will likely see visible changes almost immediately. 

The Future of Smart Technology

Interestingly enough, the future of smart technologies don’t just come in the form of wholesale IT changes. Many of these technologies will be integrated into solutions that small businesses already utilize, making them more apt to help businesses cut costs and manage their business much more effectively. 

These technologies (and others) will present a massive opportunity for businesses going forward, as the more streamlined a business can be, the more productive it can be with fewer operational investments needed to create the same amount of revenue. That’s good news for any business, especially the small business that has to cut corners to compete with the larger organizations that function in their market. 

Smart technology is the future of business, and getting on board now, before the monumental shift in wireless technology takes hold, is a really good idea. If you would like to learn more about how smart technology can help you run your business more efficiently, give the IT professionals at MSPNetworks a call at (516) 403-9001 today.

In today’s ever-connected world, many devices are capable of utilizing an Internet connection to share and access information, including some rather unorthodox ones. All of these devices contribute to the greater collective which is referred to as the Internet of Things. While this type of unprecedented connectivity can be a great boon for businesses, it also represents great risks for business owners who do not take it seriously.

In today’s blog, we will explore what the Internet of Things is, how businesses might utilize it, and what the security risks of leveraging it are.

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things generally refers to any device that is capable of connecting to the Internet, including those that have traditionally not been connected to the Internet in the past. These devices can communicate with one another in ways that were previously impossible, allowing them to perform tasks that would otherwise have to be facilitated by people. In a way, it makes for great innovations when implemented correctly, as it lets devices “talk” to each other.

Basically, any physical device can be transformed into an Internet of Things device through the use of communicative technology. Internet of Things devices can also be controlled through the Internet; think about logging into an app on your phone to control a thermostat or unlock your front door. Internet of Things devices can also be much larger, though, like heavy pieces of machinery with sensors that collect data on operations and transmit them to a central hub where they are monitored for effectiveness and quality control.

In other words, when it comes to the Internet of Things, the sky's the limit. You never know what is connected these days and what is not. In fact, it is predicted that the Internet of Things will consist of 41.6 billion devices by the time 2025 rolls around.

What Are Some Uses for the Internet of Things for Businesses?

Most businesses are using the Internet of Things to streamline operations, glean more information from their products, and reduce costs whenever possible. For some, the Internet of Things represents opportunities to reduce spending on utilities through the use of smart appliances and technology. For others, it means keeping a closer watch on the supply chain and production line. Some businesses are even using the Internet of Things to collect data on products that they produce. This data can then be used to see how consumers are using the products, what must be addressed for the future, and other things like that.

What Are the Security and Privacy Risks of the Internet of Things?

Due to the connected nature of these devices, one has to consider the security risks and privacy issues that could surface as a result of too many of them being on your network. If an employee were to bring an infected Internet of Things device onto your network, who’s to say what could happen? This is why you have to have a policy in place that takes a clear stance on Internet of Things devices, as every connected device brought onto your network is potentially another window into your organization’s network.

Don’t let the Internet of Things complicate your security practices even further. MSPNetworks can help you secure your organization’s network against the threats that Internet of Things devices pose through comprehensive security solutions and consistent monitoring services. To learn more about what we can do for your business, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

Few technologies in our time have been as anticipated as the fifth generation of wireless communications. 5G, as it is colloquially known, is promising to bring a whole new level of automation to society and business. One place 5G is sure to make big waves is with the Internet of Things, the billions of smart devices and services that are increasingly being leaned on as a new economy emerges. Today, we will take a brief look at 5G’s current state, its capabilities, and what it means for the future of the Internet of Things.

5G at the Start of 2021

5G has been used in marketing for several years now, but it was only in 2020 that any telecoms started pushing out the technology. There are three major benefits of 5G:

1. Lower latency - The technology promises to basically eliminate the latency issues people have with their wireless cellular applications.
2. Increased rates - Faster wireless speeds allow data to be transmitted, providing users with content quicker. 
3. Enhanced capacity - As 5G grows, more devices will be able to be connected, meaning more can be done.

As with every upgrade made to cellular networks, it takes some time to implement as telecoms need to put the infrastructure in place and manufacturers need to create devices that support this new technology. 

What 5G Means for IoT

The Internet of Things has been growing and growing for years now. Some estimates put the total number of “things” on the IoT at about 26 billion in 2020. With technology that will allow tools to operate with virtually no latency, IoT devices can be developed to do many things that aren’t possible with 4G LTE, the cellular platform that is used by most users today. Since the viability of Internet of Things devices is tied to how they perform, the lack of latency and the increased speed is going to help developers produce devices around consumer’s lives more accurately and proficiently than ever. With 5G speeds, which are reported to be up to 7.5 Gbps or about .94 gigabytes per second. To put that in perspective, users could potentially download an average 1080p movie in about 8 to 10 seconds. This means major changes for society. Here are a few examples of how 5G is going to change the way we look at IoT devices:

1. Manufacturing - Business is going to change precipitously, but no industry will see the gains that manufacturers will. The low-latency, high-speed connections means that business can happen in virtual real time, with massive amounts of data processed and rendered to make decision-making simpler and a more dynamic process. This means quality control, procurement, distribution, and customer relationship management all improve as smart technology actively tracks and reports data at remarkable speed. 
2. Supply chain - Today, supply chain management requires a lot of oversight. IoT has been slowly being deployed to make this process more efficient, but with the 5G connectivity and reporting issues that today’s smart devices have, it will improve a business’ ability to manage their supply chain effectively. 
3. Municipal - One of the most interesting ways that IoT is being deployed is as automotive triggers for municipal services. With the implementation of 5G and IoT, you will begin to see “smart cities” developed where essential utilities such as water, sewer, traffic, and electricity are all managed through the use of IoT devices that modulate the need for changes to these systems with very little human oversight: saving taxpayers gobs of cash. 
4. Autonomous vehicles - One of the most pronounced IoT devices being tied to a 5G upgrade are autonomous vehicles. This not only includes taxis and other car services, it includes the multi-billion-dollar shipping industry. A lot of information goes into making an autonomous vehicle safe for road use, and with 5G you will finally have the speed and reduction of latency to make it a viable situation.
5. Healthcare - In healthcare, 5G will make healthcare more efficient by being able to handle the enormous amount of data that is sent and received. Today, these systems are useful but are often marginalized by the speeds and latency of modern Internet connections. With gigabit speeds and very little perceptible latency, you will begin to see that all information that is needed for every patient is there on demand. 

The Internet of Things and 5G are two emerging technology trends that look as if they will improve our society. What do you think? Do you think that the convergence of these two technologies means as much as it seems to? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and stop back at our blog for news and insight about today’s (and tomorrow’s) information technology.