Defending Your Business: The Importance of MSPs for Legal Practices in Eugene

Working with MSPs, law practices in Eugene can focus on providing excellent legal services to clients and let someone else deal with the technical complexities. This partnership helps law firms adjust to the changing environment of the industry and compete successfully in the local market.
Unleashing the Power of Efficiency: How Eugene’s MSPs Are Rescuing SMBs from Costly Downtime

Downtime is dead time for any company seeking a profit. A business can be destroyed by revenue loss, reputation damage, a decrease in productivity, and missed opportunities. MSPs are aware of this and use all sorts of tactics to fight downtime in all its forms. Managed service providers bring a complete set of solutions, including disaster recovery planning, help desk services, scalability, redundancy, and employee education, to keep Eugene’s businesses on the right track.
Laughing All the Way to the Bank: How Eugene’s MSPs are Cutting Costs and Boosting Efficiency for SMBs

Business leaders who want lightning-fast response times, personalized service, long-term relationships, and a trusted partner seek out reputable MSPs for all sorts of reasons. Consider the following details about why small and medium-sized companies can boost their bottom lines by leveraging the power of a long-term relationship with a local managed service provider.
Time is Money: How Eugene’s MSPs are Streamlining SMBs for Success

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) help owners develop operation efficiencies through expertise and technology solutions. IT management, cybersecurity, cloud services, and data analytics are just a few of the tasks they carry out, enabling SMBs to concentrate on main activities while taking advantage of efficient and well-organized operations. When done correctly, outsourcing can be the secret weapon that puts SMBs on a long-term path to higher profits.
SMB Independence: Why Eugene Businesses are Saying No to Traditional MSPs

Within that eclectic local setting, proactive customer service is indispensable. Quick and efficient IT support is the name of the game, and it’s obviously a critical aspect of productivity. Predictive analytics enable you to identify potential problems that can lead to downtime and disturb otherwise seamless operations. Likewise, automation simplifies all sorts of processes, thus reducing manual labor and enhancing the efficiency essential for businesses that strive to remain competitive.
SMBs in Eugene, Oregon: Who Needs an MSP Anyway?

The social and economic climate in Eugene is a unique mixture that is perfect for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). With its lively community, well-educated workforce, a major educational institution, and a pro-business local government, the Emerald City promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in a way unlike any other place in the US. Plus, affordable living and the closeness to nature draw talent and promote a better quality of life for all residents.
Eugene SMBs: Don’t Be a DIY IT Disaster Zone – Let an MSP Handle the Hassle

Managing information technology (IT) is often a relentless challenge for small and medium-sized businesses in Eugene. With the landscape of cyber threats constantly evolving and the complexity of IT infrastructures increasing, trying to manage IT internally can become problematic. This article explains why Eugene SMBs should consider turning to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to overcome these hurdles, ensuring efficiency, security, and growth.
Tech Troubles in TrackTown: How an MSP Can Keep Eugene SMBs Running Smoothly

Eugene, affectionately known as TrackTown USA, is a haven for athletes and a thriving hub for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). In this dynamic environment, SMBs must keep pace with technological advancements and manage their IT needs efficiently. This article explores how Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are the solution for ensuring smooth operations and technology management for SMBs in Eugene.
Unveiling the Magic: How an MSP in Eugene, OR Can Supercharge Your Business Growth

Eugene, OR, with its vibrant technology ecosystem, offers fertile ground for MSPs that are at the cutting edge of technological advancements. Selecting the right MSP in this environment requires a thoughtful approach, focusing on the provider’s experience, their alignment with your business needs, and their track record of success.
Messy IT Disasters in Eugene: Why SMBs Need an MSP Superhero to Save the Day

Particularly in Eugene, Oregon, the emphasis on SMBs highlights the essential nature of MSPs in maintaining not just the continuity of business operations, but also in fortifying security. These providers are indispensable allies for SMBs, ensuring that their digital infrastructures are resilient against the common IT disasters that threaten their stability and growth. Through their expertise, MSPs offer a pathway for SMBs to thrive securely and efficiently in a landscape filled with challenges.
From Chaos to Clarity: How an MSP in Eugene, OR Can Transform Your Business

In today’s fast-paced digital environment, businesses face challenges like cybersecurity threats, system downtimes, and complex IT infrastructure management, which can all impede productivity. StepUP IT Services, based in Eugene, Oregon, offers a solution that brings order and efficiency to your operations. With years of experience, our team of specialists is dedicated to understanding your unique business needs and providing customized solutions. Partnering with StepUP IT Services ensures your IT infrastructure is expertly managed, allowing you to focus on growing your business with confidence.
The Eugene MSP Chronicles: Adventures in IT Support and Beyond

Here at StepUP IT Services, nestled in the vibrant heart of Eugene, Oregon, we have set out on a journey that extends beyond the ordinary scope of Managed Services Providers (MSPs). Our adventures in IT support encompass building a community, embracing innovation, and foreseeing the dynamic shifts in technology with agility. Join us as we share the essence of our work, our stories, insights, and the lessons we’ve gathered along the way.
The MSP Diaries: Laughing Through the Chaos in Eugene, Oregon

Welcome to “The MSP Diaries: Laughing Through the Chaos in Eugene, Oregon,” where we’ll explore the dynamic and rewarding world of being a Managed Services Provider (MSP) in the vibrant Pacific Northwest. At StepUP IT Services, we’ve learned that resilience, adaptability, and a good sense of humor are key to thriving amidst challenges. Here, we’ll offer a glimpse into our daily life, tackling obstacles and sharing the creative solutions we use to ensure our clients’ businesses operate without a hitch.
Surviving the IT Apocalypse: Why Eugene Businesses Trust Our MSP Solutions

As technology evolves, businesses can encounter numerous obstacles that might feel overwhelming. These include cyber threats, system failures, data loss, and the daunting task of complying with ever-changing regulations. In Eugene, however, businesses have found a dependable ally in our Managed Services Provider (MSP) solutions at StepUP IT Services, which equip them to overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger. The term “IT apocalypse” encompasses several critical challenges that businesses today must confront, so let’s take a look at those challenges and how we work to help you find solutions.
The Oregon Trail of Managed Services: Exploring Eugene’s MSP Landscape

The journey through the managed services landscape in Eugene can be likened to walking the legendary Oregon Trail, where pioneers ventured into unknown territories with the hope of discovering fertile lands and new opportunities.
Beyond the Sales Pitches: Unveiling the Realities of Managed Service Providers

This approach not only solves IT challenges but also unlocks new possibilities for your business. For more information on how StepUp can transform your IT management strategy, contact us today. Let’s begin this journey together, beyond the sales pitches, to a partnership that truly drives success.
The Path to Digital Resilience: How MSPs Help Businesses Navigate and Thrive in a Rapidly Changing Technological Landscape

In the modern business world, digital resilience has become a cornerstone of success and sustainability. But what exactly is digital resilience? Simply put, it’s the ability of an organization to withstand and rapidly recover from IT disruptions, ensuring continuous business operations and safeguarding data integrity.
Reinventing the Workplace: The Role of Managed IT Services in Embracing Remote Work and Digital Transformation

With the shift to remote work, security has become a top concern for businesses. Managed Service Providers confront these hurdles directly, instituting solid security protocols such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), encryption, and multi-factor authentication. These measures are designed to safeguard sensitive data and communications.
The MSP Myth: Debunking the Top 5 Common Misconceptions

Business moves fast, and technology moves even faster. Managed service providers, or MSPs, are becoming increasingly critical partners in providing IT support to keep companies up and running and ahead of the curve. After all, time is money, and your business can’t afford downtime. Maybe you’re considering an MSP, but you’re not sure if one is right for you. There’s a lot of misinformation out there about what an MSP is and does, so let’s dispel some misconceptions to help you make an informed decision about what’s best for your business.
MSP 2.0: Transforming Managed Services through Innovation, Agility, and Customer-Centricity

MSP 2.0 is changing the way businesses and their Managed Service Providers work together to make the most of evolving technologies. By adopting an agile approach, being innovative in their services, and focusing on a customer-centric model, MSPs can deliver effective, efficient, proactive services that keep businesses thriving and growing.
The Changing Role of MSPs in the Age of Digital Transformation: From Technology Enablers to Strategic Business Partners

Anyone who runs a business these days knows that digital transformation is no longer a future consideration—the future is already here. Keeping up and getting ahead relies on your ability to stay productive, and your technology is a huge part of that. If you need reliable, proactive IT services to ensure that you stay on the right track, an MSP can be that partner for you and your business. Managed services can keep you aligned, monitor and maintain your current technology, and assist with seamless integrations and upgrades when it’s time to move forward again.
Pricing Secrets Revealed: What Eugene MSP Clients Need to Know

So, Eugene-area business leaders, what should you be looking for in an MSP, and how can you know you’re getting the best prices and value for your IT budget? Check out our handy guide and learn all the pricing secrets you need to know (the things some MSPs cringe to get asked about!) to choose the MSP that’s right for you!
A New Approach to MSP Pricing: Value-Based Pricing and Outcome-Driven Contracts

Maybe you’ve never given too much thought to the pricing model of your MSP contract, but as times change, so should your pricing model. Value-based and outcome-given models are advantageous to your business because they are more transparent and more customizable than conventional cost-plus pricing plans. These pricing models are also beneficial because they work for all shapes, sizes, and sectors of SMBs.
Is Cloud Migration the Right Choice for Your SMB?

Welcome to the era of the cloud, where businesses can transcend the limitations of physical infrastructure and embrace the limitless possibilities offered by platforms like Microsoft Azure. As an SMB owner, it’s crucial to evaluate the feasibility and advantages of shifting from your traditional on-premises setup to a cloud-based future. This post will provide you with a consideration checklist, along with specific examples, to assist you in making an informed decision.
Is outsourcing IT right for your business? Checklist included!

Deciding whether to outsource IT services for your business is a BIG decision. It involves considering various factors to determine if it’s the right choice for your organization.
Embracing Cloud Services: Do Managed Service Providers (MSPs) Belong in the Past?

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have long been trusted technology partners for businesses, ensuring seamless IT operations. However, with the emergence of cloud services and remote work culture, it has sparked debates about whether the traditional role of MSPs is becoming obsolete. Let’s explore the evolving landscape, the benefits of cloud services, and how MSPs continue to play a crucial role for organizations in the digital age.
Calculating the ROI for Managed IT Services: A Guide for Small Businesses

In today’s fast-paced digital world, small businesses rely heavily on technology to stay competitive. As a small business owner, you understand the importance of keeping your IT infrastructure running smoothly. However, managing your IT needs in-house can be time-consuming and costly. This is where Managed IT Services come into play. In this blog post, we will delve into the specifics of calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) for Managed IT Services, providing you with a comprehensive guide to make an informed decision.
Understanding Where MSPs Draw the Line: What’s Covered and What’s Not Covered

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) play a crucial role in today’s business landscape, offering a wide range of services to help organizations succeed. However, there can often be confusion surrounding the scope of services provided by MSPs. In this blog post, we will discuss where MSPs draw the line between what’s covered and what’s not covered, shedding light on the responsibilities and expectations businesses should have when engaging with an MSP.
Budgeting for Tech Training and Professional Development

As you prepare your business to handle the speed of 21st-century technology, it’s increasingly important to budget for tech training and professional development. Staying competitive and adaptable in the ever-evolving world of technology is crucial for your SMB. One essential aspect of tech training is application-specific training, which enhances productivity and efficiency within your organization.
Leadership Insights for SMB: Developing Tech Champions

Tech champions are individuals within your team who exhibit a passion for technology and a drive for excellence. They’re the ones who embrace new applications and technologies with enthusiasm, often acting as early adopters and influencers among their peers. But why should you invest in developing tech champions, and how can budgeting for their development impact your organization?
Budgeting for IT Warranty Renewals

In a business world moving at breakneck speeds, the reliability and performance of your IT hardware can make or break your operations. As an SMB, ensuring that your IT equipment runs smoothly is essential to maintain productivity and minimize disruptions. This is where warranty renewals step in to safeguard your IT investments. Here, we’ll take a look at the steps you can take to ensure your warranties are budgeted to stay up to date.
Budgeting for IT Maintenance and Support

At our core, we understand that technology is a vital part of modern business. As new technologies and trends emerge, it’s essential to stay current to remain competitive. Investing in technology upgrades and maintenance is a smart move that can help you avoid obsolescence and protect your business from security threats.
Budgeting for Cybersecurity User Training

For SMBs, cybersecurity must be a significant concern for businesses of all sizes. While deploying robust security tools and protocols is essential, one often overlooked aspect is the human element. Employees can be both a potential vulnerability and a critical line of defense against cyber threats. You have to ensure that comprehensive user training in IT security is part and parcel of your overall security plan. Let’s take a look at all aspects of budgeting for such training, from strengthening your organization’s data assets to safeguarding your clients, employees, and your entire business.
Budgeting for Cybersecurity

In today’s digital landscape, the importance of budgeting for IT security cannot be overstated. Beyond safeguarding your data assets, effective cybersecurity measures protect your organization’s productivity, clients, employees, and, ultimately, yourself. Let’s examine how you can effectively budget for IT security to safeguard your organization.
Budgeting for Subscriptions and SaaS

One of the defining characteristics of SaaS is its versatility. It spans every aspect of business operations, from workflow management to financial systems, collaboration tools, and communication platforms. Imagine having the power of Microsoft 365 at your fingertips, with its suite of productivity tools, or the convenience of QuickBooks Online streamlining your financial processes. These are just a few examples of how SaaS solutions have become indispensable to modern businesses.
Budgeting for On-Prem and Perpetual Licensing and Software

In today’s digital world, software plays a crucial role in your small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It helps your operations run smoothly, makes things more efficient, and keeps you competitive. Let’s discuss budgeting for on-premises software, like Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, and industry-specific software. We can also include any server licensing. We’ll explain why this budget item is so important and how purchasing on-premises software differs from subscribing to cloud-based options.
Budgeting for Workstation Upgrades and Additions

In today’s digital age, workstations and devices form the backbone of businesses, enabling productivity, facilitating integration with essential software, and ultimately driving success. The importance of staying up-to-date with these workstations cannot be overstated. Let’s explore the significance of keeping workstations current and offer some insight into how your SMB can effectively manage your workstation needs without straining their budgets.
Budgeting for IT Hardware and Physical Infrastructure Upgrades

Budgeting for IT infrastructure is a critical cornerstone of modern business operations. Your IT infrastructure encompasses a wide array of components, including hardware devices, servers, switches, firewalls, and more. Essentially, it’s everything that supports the software and applications that keep a business functioning smoothly.
Disruptive Technologies: Leadership Insights for SMBs

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, disruptive technologies are like the shiny new toys of the business world. They have the power to transform the way SMBs operate, much like how playing with a Matchbox car differs from the exhilarating experience of driving the latest VR racing game. Both allow the user to imagine themselves driving, but the technology in place makes the experience that much different.
The Age of Automation: Leadership Insights for SMBs

Automation can present both challenges and opportunities. You may face initial investment costs in terms of both time and money, resistance to change among employees, security concerns related to data handling, and the need to ensure compatibility with existing systems. However, embracing automation can provide you with a competitive edge over competitors that are not using automation. It can enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, boost productivity by automating repetitive tasks, and ultimately lead to increased profits.
Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges: Leadership Insights for SMBs

SMBs face distinctive cybersecurity challenges, often rooted in resource limitations and knowledge gaps. The gravity of these challenges becomes evident when we examine recent cyberattacks targeting SMBs. From ransomware to data breaches, these attacks can disrupt operations, lead to substantial financial losses, and damage reputation. To counteract these threats, proactive leadership is imperative. You have to be prepared to examine every aspect of your cybersecurity protocols and fill any gaps that might lead to a breach or data loss.
How Can SMBs Use Technology to Promote a Culture of Innovation?

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, innovation has become the lifeblood of small and medium-sized businesses. It’s not limited to groundbreaking inventions but extends to everyday workflows, productivity enhancements, security measures, and even efficient data storage solutions. In this digital age, harnessing technology to promote a culture of innovation can be a game-changer for SMBs, ushering in growth and sustainability.
Effective Strategies for Leading a Remote Tech Team for SMBs

The landscape of work has been evolving, and the tech industry is no exception. Remote work, a growing trend that exploded into permanence in the wake and aftermath of the COVID-19 health crisis, brings unique challenges and opportunities. To effectively navigate the transition to remote work, it’s crucial to define the challenges and equip your remote tech team with effective leadership. Let’s explore strategies for SMBs to lead a remote tech team.
Building a Tech-Savvy Leadership Team for SMBs

Tech-savvy leadership isn’t just about keeping up with the trends; it’s about harnessing technology’s transformative power for growth. Leaders who understand and embrace technology can identify opportunities, streamline operations, and drive innovation more effectively. The question then is: How can SMBs build a tech-savvy leadership team capable of navigating this ever-changing landscape?
A Guide to Budgeting for IT Expenses

You know it’s critical to budget for IT expenses, but how can you be sure you’re taking everything into consideration before making any decisions? Let’s examine all the factors that should go into your technology budget.
Zero Trust Security: Do we need it?

Zero Trust goes beyond user credentials and MFA. It uses a combination of those, plus continuous verification, location checks, device permissions, and connection monitoring, to lock down your systems and truly bump up your cybersecurity. But the question remains: do you need it? Let’s talk about the benefits of Zero Trust for your SMB.
Green Tech, Clean Tech, Sustainable Tech! What Does It All Mean?

As we continue to barrel headlong through the digital age, surrounded by ever-changing technology and terminology, you might find yourself a little stumped about the buzz surrounding sustainability. Green business has become big business, and you might hear the terms, “green tech,” “clean tech,” and “sustainable tech” thrown around interchangeably. While the terms are similar, there are some subtle differences, but you should know that green tech and clean tech both fall under the sustainable tech umbrella. Let’s sort out what it all means and how your business can embrace sustainability moving forward.
New Tech Takes Time

When you budget for new technology, it feels like it should be delivered, installed, integrated, and working like a well-oiled machine from the moment the funds leave your bank account. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work that way. But if the money is already spent, why is the implementation taking so long?
Managed Services Pricing

In today’s world of advanced communication technology, choosing the right phone system for your business is crucial. Three popular options that businesses often consider are Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Private Branch Exchange (PBX), and traditional landline phone systems. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will take a closer look at the pros and cons of each system to help you make an informed decision.
Choosing a Phone System Should be Easy! Right?

In today’s world of advanced communication technology, choosing the right phone system for your business is crucial. Three popular options that businesses often consider are Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Private Branch Exchange (PBX), and traditional landline phone systems. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will take a closer look at the pros and cons of each system to help you make an informed decision.
How Can I Lead and Inspire My Team to Embrace Technology Changes?

Since we don’t live in a perfect world and new tech often comes with new challenges, like getting everyone on the same page, what does the implementation of tech look like beyond these buzzwords? And just as importantly, how can you lead and inspire your team through the evolution of your business’s technology?
Technology Alignment: What Does it Mean and Why Does it Matter?

While the theory of technology alignment has been around since the 1990s, it’s only in the last few years that it’s made its way into the regular lexicon of business. If you’re familiar with the term but unsure exactly what it means or how to implement it, you’re not alone. Here, we’ll take an in-depth look into technology alignment to give you a better understanding of how crucial this process is to properly support your business.
Cloud and Collaboration – Get Your Team On Board!

These days, using cloud and collaboration systems for your business’s needs makes a lot of sense. Cloud storage servers for data, software as a service (Saas) programs, workflow, communication, and social media apps can all contribute to helping you save space, time, and money. But what happens when your employees aren’t on board with all your cloud systems?
Too Many Cloud Apps to Choose From!

Cloud apps and SaaS are a popular business model because they are easy to set up and can be used across multiple interfaces, such as phones, tablets, and desktop/laptop computers. Because they are often user-based, you can have one license for an employee to install the app across all their devices. This also makes SaaS scalable with your business—you can add features, users, and licenses as you add employees or expand your enterprises.
Co-Managed Services: The Best of Both Worlds

Your in-house IT team is a valuable part of your operation, but everyone needs a little help sometimes. You can give them the support they need with co-managed services from an MSP. An MSP can augment and complement your IT staff.
Does Password Security Still Matter Now That We All Use MFA?

Passwords are one of the most frequently used factors in MFA, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a commonly used system or software that doesn’t require you to enter a password after your user ID. Because password use has become so universal, we often don’t give them more than a fleeting thought. But passwords still have a critical role to play in MFA. Although MFA vastly improves security, no system is infallible. Ensuring password protection is the first line of defense between a secure system and one vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
MFA is a MUST for SMBs!

Multifactor authentication, or MFA, has become ubiquitous in today’s digital world. You interact with MFA daily, from needing to input your debit card and PIN when using an ATM or point-of-sale system or adding your email address and completing a CAPTCHA when ordering an item online. MFA helps prove to the world that you’re really you.
My Business Has Never Lost Any Data…Do I REALLY Need a Back-up & Data Recovery Plan?

Never lost any data? Lucky you! In this digital age, that’s quite a track record. Because data is such a precious asset, you should know how important it is to protect your data and be proactive about preventing any losses.
Is Cybersecurity Really a Concern for my Small Business?

If you’re thinking that small businesses don’t need cyber protection and security, you’re wrong. When it comes to running your business, you wouldn’t tack private information up on a bulletin board and leave the doors unlocked when you’re done for the day—you take steps to protect your and your clients’ assets. That’s just common sense, right? The same should be true for all the data you store on your computers, servers, and in the cloud.
Finding the Right IT: It’s Worth the Time It Takes!

When hiring or contracting IT support for your business, it can be a challenge to find the services you need that still fit your budget and align with your values. While you’re considering your options, don’t forget to look into a local managed services provider or MSP. MSPs offer flexible services for flexible budgets and act as IT partners to your business. If an MSP isn’t on your list of options yet, let’s show you why it should be.
Does an MSP make sense for your small business? HINT: the answer is yes.

Maybe you think your business is too small for an MSP, but nothing could be further from the truth. MSPs can help companies of all sizes with cloud computing, data storage and security, software and hardware maintenance and upgrades, and much more. Yes, even the smallest small businesses, including those with 50 or fewer users.
How an MSP can take the burn out of Managing In-house Tech Teams

Leading an IT team is a tough, multi-faceted job, and no one understands that better than an MSP (managed services provider). An MSP is a tech partner that works with you to handle everyday IT tasks and can help you ensure that the changing nature of technology doesn’t leave your business behind.
Is your business too big for a Managed IT Services Provider to handle? Hint: the answer is NO.

Whether you’ve got 10 or 100 employees, a managed services provider can keep your IT on track and your business running smoothly. Even companies in the 250-300 user range, just toeing the line into enterprise-level tech solutions, can enjoy all the benefits of an MSP.
What Matters More When It Comes to IT? A Generalist or a Specialist?

An IT generalist is a jack-of-all-trades. They’re by your side every day to manage your help desk, support your staff’s IT needs, deliver service and maintenance, and be network administrators who ensure everything is working as intended. On the other hand, an IT specialist works on more complex technology issues, such as projects and escalations. IT specialists also often take on the role of solutions architects.
How is an MSP Different from a Traditional IT Services Company?

Getting your outsourced IT services from an IT Services company seems like an obvious choice. You have someone you can call when things go sideways to help you get your technology back up and running. An MSP, or managed service provider, is a type of outsourced IT, but not all outsourced IT companies are MSPs. We’re going to break down the differences even further.
Business Must-Haves: How to Survive & Thrive in a Tough Economy

Between inflation, supply chain interruptions, and the looming possibility of yet another recession, it can be difficult for business leaders to chart the best course of action to keep themselves not just solvent, but thriving and growing in the face of such economic uncertainty. One way that businesses can make themselves more recession-proof is by having a solid IT structure in place, including software, hardware, security, data storage, and IT experts, to help everything run efficiently and effectively
A vCIO is Worth Their Weight in Gold

Many businesses are turning to outside IT professionals to help them optimize their operations and keep their technology running smoothly and efficiently through strategic planning. A vCIO, or virtual Chief Information Officer, can be the key to streamlining IT functionality for your business.
Not All Outsourced IT Companies are MSPs and Why Local Matters for Your Business

There are outsourced IT services, and then there are MSPs—managed service providers. Managed service providers are outsourced IT companies, but not all outsourced IT companies are MSPs. Managed service providers are local businesses and, more importantly, local to your business.
Ensuring a Secure Onboarding Process for New Employees

Onboarding new staff members can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. While it symbolizes growth and new opportunities for your organization, it’s crucial to implement the necessary measures to guarantee a secure and seamless integration.
In-house IT Team vs. Co-Managed Services: A Comprehensive Comparison

Co-managed IT services sound great on the surface as you get the best of both worlds – the task flexibility, internal knowledge, and fast responsiveness of an internal IT team, in addition to the wider expertise, established systems, and unique viewpoint of a third-party MSP.
What’s the process for moving from one MSP to another?

Moving from one MSP to another can be a daunting process. You might be thinking there are so many things that could go wrong, with multiple complexities and challenges to overcome. You’re not wrong, but that doesn’t mean you should stay with an MSP you are not happy with.
How to Approach Budgeting for IT Hardware

Budgeting for IT hardware can be very challenging nowadays. Since there are many variables at play, we decided to bring in one of our vCIOs to share some hardware budgeting best practices,
3 Areas to Focus on when Opening an Office

If you were to write a to-do list of everything that needed to be done when relocating or opening an office, your list would be long. It is better to focus your initial energy on the most important areas. You can then drill down further, narrowing your focus as you go through the process.
A Guide on Creating Business Resilience Plans

An effective business resilience and continuity plan allows your business to continue operating under any circumstance. This article will teach you what to think about when creating your Business Resilience Plan and things to avoid.
5 IT Budget Management Best Practices

As IT spending increases, it is more important than ever to keep tight control over spending through effective IT budget management.
Metrics that CFOs and IT Leaders Should Discuss

Discussing metrics for CFOs related to technology and cybersecurity has many benefits, ensuring long-term operative success and that you can quickly adapt to short-term changes.
Should Start-Ups Start with Managed IT?

Start-up companies are typically lean, fast-paced, and agile. Do managed IT services fit into this environment, when there is often a culture of breaking things to ensure continuous innovation and improvement?
Things to Consider Before Contracting IT Services in Oregon

We’ve put together a list of things CFOs and COOs in Oregon should consider before contracting IT services.
vCIO Impact on SMBs

Many SMBs have turned to virtual CIOs for a more budget-friendly solution. Choosing an experienced vCIO can have far-reaching impacts for your company.
10 Major Cyber Security Risks for Cloud Users
There is a common misconception among cloud users that the Cloud equals a lower cybersecurity risk. There are massive benefits from cloud services, but eliminating cybersecurity risks isn’t always one of them.
Our vCIO Best Tips for SMBs in 2022
While many small- or medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can’t afford a full-time Chief Information Officer (CIO) position, they are realizing the value of having a budget-friendly virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) to provide guidance for how to proceed.
Co-Managed IT for the Manufacturing Industry
Technology is changing the manufacturing industry, so it’s important to keep up to stay competitive. The big question is, how? When it comes to IT, and technology, more broadly, the answer is… well, it depends. It depends where you are starting from.
Co-Managed IT for City Governments
The local government sector is being transformed by digital technologies. With the right applications, platforms, and infrastructure, local governments and municipalities can achieve cost savings and efficiency gains. Better access to data means data-driven decision-making is also becoming the norm, plus the citizen and employee experiences are being improved.
Facts About Co-Managed IT
To help you get a better understanding of co-managed IT, and whether it is a solution that could be implemented in your business, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions.
6 Ways Managed IT Boosts Internal IT
The technologies that exist today make it possible for your business to do more, faster, and with less. Why then, does your to-do list keep getting longer? It doesn’t matter how many things you get ticked off, there is always something to add. Those things that you keep pushing toward the bottom – unless there […]
How Much Can a Cyberattack Cost Your Company?
A cyberattack can result in a range of costs on your business that can have an impact long into the future – both visible and less visible costs.
Our List of 2022 Top 7 IT Trends
Significant opportunities exist in IT in 2022, but there are risks too. Here are our top trends for the coming year and beyond that you should be aware of.
Does Your Company Culture Inspire Innovation? 7 Indicators to Find Out
Check out the most important indicators of a company with a culture of innovation and how you can maintain it in your own business.
7 Signs You Should Switch IT Providers ASAP
Discover the red flags that will tell you if it’s time for your company to switch IT providers…
5 Cybersecurity Essentials for Every CEO
Cyberattacks are a threat to your business, but what can you do as CEO? Here are the 5 essentials you need to know.
Key Metrics to Evaluate Internal IT Departments
Your IT department is crucial to your business, so it’s essential to measure how it is performing and whether it is delivering for your business. Here’s how.
Principles of Customer Relationship Building Every Great Leader Should Know
Discover the great benefits of outsourcing and keeping your IT services in-house and learn what type of services are better suited for which.
Ransomware Insurance to Ensure You Get Paid (do this before & after an attack)
Discover the great benefits of outsourcing and keeping your IT services in-house and learn what type of services are better suited for which.
Most Common Headaches for IT Managers and How to Solve Them
Discover the great benefits of outsourcing and keeping your IT services in-house and learn what type of services are better suited for which.
Which IT services to outsource and which ones to keep in-house
Discover the great benefits of outsourcing and keeping your IT services in-house and learn what type of services are better suited for which.
Is IT an investment or a cost for your company?
There’s a great difference between investing in IT and seeing it as a necessary cost. Learn what questions you should ask to know if you see IT as an investment — and make better financial and operational decisions.
Eugene SMBs: Are Your IT Actions TRULY in Line With Your Vision?
To make sure your IT actions are aligned with the company vision, you need to employ IT-Business Alignment. Click to learn how.
Eugene SMBs: Are Your IT Actions TRULY in Line With Your Vision?
To make sure your IT actions are aligned with the company vision, you need to employ IT-Business Alignment. Click to learn how.
Business Continuity Plan: Why Is It Important for Your Eugene SMB?
A business continuity plan helps companies plan for recovery in the face of disruptive incidents. Click to learn why your Eugene SMB should create one.
4 Signs Your IT Staff Needs Help
It’s common for Internal IT teams at small and medium businesses to constantly juggle between tasks. Whether it’s performing backups, resolving downtime, implementing cybersecurity practices, maintaining the company website, or upgrading/transitioning to new technology, there is always something to do. With so much on the list, your small team could find it challenging to meet […]