What Does An IT Consultant Actually Do?

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You’ve probably heard the term IT consultant before. And you may have many ideas as to what they can actually do and what services and value they provide to organizations. The growth of IT consulting has been prominent over the last few years and is expected to hit $53 billion by 2020. But how will they help shape your company?

IT consultants often have specialized skills

IT consultants may have specialized skills relating to a variety of IT topics from cybersecurity to cloud services. They may be engaged to help companies with a specific project or to guide them in developing a comprehensive IT strategy. 

Launching new technology

Not only can IT consultants provide assistance in launching new technology within your business, but they can consult with you to help you select the best technology for your needs. After deciding on a particular platform, the IT consultant would then provide you with the installation of the products, ensuring that the technology works harmoniously with other systems and training employees on how to use it.

By utilizing the expertise of an IT consultant, you’ll likely save time and money. If you want to launch new technology quickly and seamlessly, hiring an IT consultant is a great approach to take.

IT consultants can be a liaison

If your staff has difficulty communicating their IT problems and needs to your technical support team, IT consultants can be the necessary liaison between the two groups. They can listen to employees who actually use technology to do their jobs and determine their biggest pain points and challenges, and present their findings to your technical support team.

Additionally, if you have challenges contacting and communicating with your IT vendors, like your phone or printer providers, an IT consultant can act as your one-stop-shop, managing the communication between you and your vendors. 

Risk assessments

An IT consultant can also conduct risk assessments. Every organization is vulnerable to the threat of a cyber attack. You have valuable data that someone else might want. Currently, a data breach could cost a company up to $6.9 million. That’s a hit most SMBs could not stand, so it’s important to understand the threats your business faces and devise ways to prevent them.

IT consultants can be experts in Cybersecurity and can offer you key advice on what protocols you need to put in place to ensure you aren’t the victim of a cyber attack.

Developing an IT strategy

Does your company have an IT strategy? If not, an IT consultant can help. To ensure your business’s future looks bright, you are going to need a plan on how your technology can scale as you grow and offer new products or services.

Technology is often the lifeblood of any organization. This could include moving to the Cloud so you have more flexibility and storage, or developing a scalability plan to ensure your infrastructure is agile. Investing in an IT strategy is a smart move that can save you money in the long run because you’ll have a plan in place to continue to strengthen your IT resources.

An IT consultant can play many roles in your business. It all depends on your focus and needs. They bring with them years of experience working with companies to ensure they can continue to operate efficiently and expand sustainably. 

If you have questions about IT consulting, feel free to contact us to learn more.

5 Questions to Consider for a Successful Cloud Migration

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Cloud computing is everywhere these days, and for good reason. From improving your business scalability to supporting flexible working practices, the benefits of cloud computing are numerous. However, before you move to the cloud, here are the five questions you should consider to make the transition as seamless as possible. 

1. Why am I moving to the cloud?

While it’s true that around 96% of businesses use some form of cloud computing solution, it’s still important to know why you’re choosing the cloud in the first place. Perhaps you want to reduce operating costs, improve data security, reduce the expenses associated with maintaining IT equipment, or speed up workflows. 

Whatever your reasons, understand what you hope to achieve from cloud migration before you get started. Maintaining a focal point will help ensure your money and resources are utilized where they’re needed most. 

2. What storage do I need?

Choosing the right cloud storage means choosing the appropriate storage for your unique business needs. Your IT service provider can help you with this, but when you’re researching cloud storage options, consider factors such as:

  • How often you’ll access the data
  • Who has access and editing rights to the files  
  • How large are the files and folders

To help reduce costs, you can always choose cheaper storage tiers for data you rarely use or archived files. Don’t rush into a cloud solution – make sure it’s the most cost-effective and functional package for your business. 

3. Am I migrating all business data to the cloud?

Chances are there’s no need to move all your business data to the cloud, at least not right away. To keep costs at a minimum, consider leaving historic data behind until a later date and only migrate the data you need on a daily basis. Migrating all your data can have a noticeable impact on your migration schedule and costs, so only move everything necessary for your business operations. 

If you’re unsure, always consult an IT professional. 

4. How do I minimize downtime and keep the business running?

It’s vital that you keep your business operations moving during a cloud migration.

Ensure that you keep personnel fully informed of IT changes and provide whatever training they’ll need to get up to speed on a new system. Review your data migration periodically to ascertain how long it will take to complete the process and identify potential downtime costs before they become realities. 

Your data is your legacy, make sure your IT provider has secured your data prior to migration.

5. How will I keep my data secure?

A recent study revealed that 64% of respondents worry about data loss and leakage from the cloud. Since you’re responsible for data security at every stage of the migration process, you’ll want to ensure that you encrypt data for the move. 

You should also ensure that you’re clear on whether any firewalls will hinder your access to the data once it migrates, and you should understand how you’ll manage access privileges if not all file permissions transfer with the data. 

Bonus tip: once you’ve completed your data migration, check the data to ensure there aren’t any corrupted files and that everything moved over properly. To this end, it’s crucial that you move data to the cloud in stages so you can troubleshoot any issues before they arise. 
Moving to the cloud is a big step, and without experience, this can be a daunting undertaking. Remember that your data is your legacy, and should always be in capable hands. For more information on cloud computing and devising a successful cloud migration strategy, contact the team today.

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Top 4 Cloud Services Tips for Staying Competitive in 2019

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To remain competitive in the modern business world, businesses need to leverage the benefits of technology services. One service that’s become exceedingly popular among businesses is the Cloud. As a virtual storage space that allows you to work from anywhere, the Cloud will accommodate around 67% of enterprise processes by 2020. If you want to learn more about how it could work for you, it’s time to explore some of the ways it can help you stay competitive.

Leverage flexible working

In not-so-distant memory, flexible working was a dream for most people. Thanks to technologies such as the Cloud, that dream is now a reality.

Flexible working allows your employees to work from home, remote desk spaces, or anywhere with an Internet connection. Using the Cloud, your employees can connect with each other as if they’re in the same room, no matter where they are. Flexible working has also proven to increase productivity. For example, allowing your employees to skip their commute and work from home, may result in higher moral, positivity, and as a result, more productivity.  A recent study by Stanford University also found that “employee attrition decreased by 50 percent among the telecommuters, they took shorter breaks, had fewer sick days, and took less time off. Not to mention the reduced carbon emission from few autos clogging up the morning commute.” – Scott Mautz, Inc.com

By introducing a flexible working policy, you may attract a higher caliber of employees who make your business more competitive.

Save money and increase efficiencies

As your business fluctuates or grows, so will your IT requirements. By owning all hardware and equipment, periods of growth command higher spending on hard disk drives. However, by using the Cloud, you can scale your storage space in line with the natural fluctuations of your business needs. As a result, you won’t waste money on larger disk space that becomes redundant or on hardware that needs to be maintained.

Reduce business downtime

All business are at risk of experiencing downtime due to a security breach of data. On average business downtime can cost $5,600 per minute. Storing data primarily on hard drives makes your data vulnerable, and the resulting downtime restricts productivity, reduces your ability to deliver your services to customers, and in turn, can affect your reputation. 

However, by storing processes and data in the Cloud, you can maintain your usual business processes and reduce financial losses.

Increase data security

The Cloud strengthens the security of your data by storing data in its original form, encrypting data to secure it from illegal editing and corruption, and storing logs of data access, edits and copies. 

As stolen identities and data held for ransom continue to be a threat for businesses and individuals alike, offering a high-level of data security, through cloud storage and backup, you can offer your customers a competitive advantage.
Providing flexible work environments, saving money, and protecting your data are just a few out of the many ways the Cloud can help your business become more competitive. Now is the time to find a dependable service provider that can meet your business’s needs.

trying to remain competitive in a modern business world, you need to use technology to your advantage. One service that’s become exceedingly popular among businesses is the cloud. As a virtual storage space that allows you to work from anywhere, the cloud will accommodate around 67% of enterprise processes by 2020. If you want to learn more about how it could work for you, it’s time to explore some of the ways it can help you stay competitive.

Leverage flexible working

In not-so-distant memory, flexible working was a dream for most people. Thanks to technologies such as the cloud, it’s now a reality.

Flexible working allows your employees to occasionally work from home. It also gives them the chance to work while they’re on the road, such as at conferences and during business trips. Using the cloud, your employees in the office can liaise with their colleagues on the road.

If you’re wondering why flexible working is advantageous, it’s worth considering how it could make your employees more productive. When you allow employees to occasionally work from home, they cut out their commute. In many cases, employees are more refreshed and can become more productive as a result. By introducing a flexible working policy, you may attract a higher caliber of employees who make your business more competitive.

Save money and increase efficiencies

As your business fluctuates or grows, so will your IT requirements. In the past, periods of growth would command higher spending on hard disk drives. Thanks to the cloud, that’s no longer an issue.

Using the cloud, you can increase and decrease your storage in line with changes to your business. As a result, you won’t waste money on a larger hard disk drive that then becomes redundant. You’ll also spend less on maintaining said drives as the cloud is virtual.

Reduce business downtime

Most businesses will face periods of downtime at some stage. Unfortunately, each day your business is down is a day where you’re losing profit. If you store your data primarily on hard drives, you’re at risk of damaging your reputation too.

When most of your business processes are stored in the cloud, you can maintain some of your usual business processes and reduce financial losses. On average, business downtime costs $5,600 per minute. Being able to reduce those losses gives you the chance to invest that money elsewhere. At the same time, you’ll minimize the risk of damaging your reputation.

Increase data security

Like many business owners, you probably understand how much trust your customers place in you. They presume that you’re keeping their data safe, but can you be sure it’s as safe as they’re expecting?

Depending on the type of cloud service you use, you could strengthen your business’s data safety. Many cloud services offer ultra-strong encryption, which is incredibly difficult for hackers to penetrate. When you can promote this safety to your customers and clients, they may feel more comfortable using you over your competitors.

From safer data storage to saving money, there are lots of ways to become more competitive while using cloud services. If you’re ready to make the leap, it’s time for you to find a dependable service provider who can meet your business’s needs.

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The Best Cloud Service to Help Your Business Thrive

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GroupOne’s cloud computing services give you access anywhere, anytime. It is a very robust setup that is designed to meet the needs of your company.

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Work from anywhere with cloud technology solutions

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You’ve probably heard of cloud computing and how it’s changing the way businesses operate. The main question, however, is whether cloud computing is right for you. Here’s what you need to know to help you decide. 

What is cloud computing?

Basically, cloud computing is the term given to how businesses secure whatever computer-based services they need, whether it’s storage, server access, or other specific programs, from a remote service provider. 

Businesses typically pay the service provider for whatever services they use, when they use them, which makes cloud computing a cost-effective option for SMBs with evolving needs but limited IT spending power.

Another bonus? There’s no need to invest in complex new infrastructure or hardware, either, since that’s what the services provider is for. 

The growth of cloud computing in the workplace 

Cloud computing is increasingly popular with SMBs across every sector. In fact, a recent study showed that more than 80% of companies who use cloud technology reduced their IT costs, and a whopping 90% of companies with between 100-499 employees are using cloud services now. 

It’s clear that cloud computing is here to stay. 

4 reasons to introduce cloud technology into your organization 

Although cloud computing is popular with many businesses, is it right for yours? Here’s why we think you should give it a chance. 

1. Remote working 

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of cloud computing is its flexible infrastructure, which makes it possible for your employees to access any files and emails they need whether they’re in the office or the other side of the state. 

Cloud computing helps you design your workplace around your users, which naturally improves their satisfaction levels and, in turn, their performance and output.   

2. Collaboration

With cloud services, your employees can work alongside colleagues wherever they’re located. Since employees can communicate and exchange documents in real-time, there’s less chance of miscommunications and unnecessary delays. 

What’s more, employees can brainstorm with their colleagues and come up with creative, innovative solutions to problems at any time of day or night, whether they’re at home, the office, or on assignment somewhere else in the world.  

3. Productivity

Cloud computing doesn’t just let your employees work from anywhere. It lets them work in environments that they feel comfortable in and in which they’re most productive. 

Whether your employees are night owls or they enjoy working from coffee shops, cloud computing lets them access the documents they need when they’re ready to do their best work. 

In fact, studies show that around 65% of workers are more productive at home than in the office. 

4. Scalability & Backup 

Cloud computing greatly enhances your storage capacities and makes it easier to scale your business in a secure way. 

Businesses can purchase whatever storage they require, whether it’s extra bandwidth or remote storage space, without the added cost of complicated infrastructure, which they may not use during slower business periods. This makes it easier for businesses, particularly SMBs, to scale their IT budget to their business needs. 

Conclusion 

The bottom line is that cloud computing is essential for today’s increasingly mobile work environment. Every SMB serious about improving their bottom line and growing their company in a sustainable, cost-effective way should consider making the switch to cloud services.

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Why businesses need the right IT support

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Why finding the right IT support for your business is critical

MSPs, or managed IT service providers, are not all created equal. It’s important that you find the right provider for your unique business goals. Here’s why. 

1. The services you require

Every business has different IT needs. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all IT model. Make sure that your IT support company has the resources to deliver the unique services that your business requires. 

2. The right level of support for you

Just like companies require different IT services, so too do they need varying levels of IT support. Perhaps you only need one service, such as cloud computing, or on the other hand, maybe you’re looking for comprehensive, full-time IT support, from a provider that lives locally. The right MSP provides as little or as much support as you need. 

3. Relationship management and expectations

You should expect proactive support from your IT support provider, whether this means securing your system, monitoring your network 24/7, or educating your employees. But the right provider will also foster a trustworthy and reliable working relationship too. Why? Because your IT support company should feel like an extension of your own team. You should be able to trust your IT provider to not only deliver the best support but also act in the best interest of your vision and long-term goals. If you can’t trust your MSP, they’re not the right provider for you. 

4. Their level of knowledge

If your IT provider doesn’t understand your industry, or if they’re not up to speed on the latest tech developments that could benefit your business, you’re probably not getting the right service for your needs. The right MSP isn’t just proactive about minimizing your system downtime – they stay alert to any tech advances and hardware modifications that may maximize your productivity.

5. Cybersecurity

A single cyber-attack costs the average SMB nearly $54,000, according to recent surveys. This is why MSPs are so important. They provide your business with comprehensive cybersecurity measures to protect you from malware, phishing, and other cyber hacks. With the right IT support company on your side, you can minimize your likelihood of suffering a data breach, and you can reduce your downtime should a breach occur. 

6. Regulatory compliance 

Your IT support provider should understand the regulations and data protection protocols that apply to you. For example, if you’re operating in the healthcare sector, you’re subject to strict regulatory oversight through HIPAA. Choosing the right IT support company means choosing one that understands your compliance needs and helps you manage them as the right MSP can do for you.

7. Cost-effective support 

Your IT support provider should be transparent about how much their services will cost you. The right MSP can provide you with flexible, scalable support with predictable budgeting, so you know exactly what you’re paying and what you’re paying for. Otherwise, you may end up spending more than you need to on IT services support. 

How to find the right IT support

The key to finding the right IT support for your company comes down to doing your research. Don’t be afraid to shop around, and ask as many questions as you need to before committing to a service provider. It’s a big decision. Take your time getting it right.   
For more information on the customized IT services, we can provide for your business, contact us today. 

4 ways a managed IT Provider can transform your business

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Growing small and mid-sized businesses face many challenges that stand in between them and success. IT is the largest obstacle of all. SMBs without strong IT support and services are at a competitive disadvantage. Additionally, these firms are also far more vulnerable to everything from cyber attacks to natural disasters.

Working with a trusted managed IT services provider ensures SMBs can stay ahead of the game. If you’re a company with no on-site IT, enlisting a partner provides peace of mind when it comes to your technology and frees you to focus on more pressing issues.  

Even if you already have an IT department in place, a managed IT services provider can still help. For example, current staff can be allowed to pursue larger projects designed to spur business growth while the managed IT services provider focuses on day-to-day operations. Whatever the case may be, SMBs can take advantage of several strategic benefits when working with a managed IT services provider.

Stay productive 

As an SMB grows, issues such as downtime become more noticeable. Inefficiency is something that can stunt the progress of many SMBs, and there is nothing more inefficient than paying staff not to work.  

ITIC’s 2017 Reliability and Hourly Cost of Downtime Trends Survey found 47 percent of SMBs, companies with up to 150 employees, estimated that a single hour of downtime would cost their business $100,000 in lost revenue and end-user productivity. And according to research from the Aberdeen Group, businesses experience 14.1 hours of IT downtime annually.  

The cost of this downtime is significant for most SMBs even if it falls under these averages. This cost is why partnering with a managed IT services provider can make a huge difference. With proactive IT support along with constant monitoring, potential issues can be identified and eliminated. The money that would have been lost due to downtime can instead be reinvested into the company.

Your technology umbrella

Unpredictable weather can bring with it dire consequences for SMBs that are unprepared. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), almost 40 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors after a disaster such as a hurricane or tropical storm. While these events used to be rare in New York City, strong storms with flooding are becoming a more common occurrence.   

And while the physical damage can be costly, it is the downtime and loss of data that dooms most SMBs. Without a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan in place, it can be difficult to get everything back up and running. This is where a managed IT services provider can be of use. By creating off-site or cloud backups, your data will always be available regardless of what your company faces. With these backups, you can minimize downtime and keep your business going in the face of adversity.   

Gain access to cutting-edge tools

Have you ever seen big businesses using IT devices and programs that you think would be great for your company? Well, partnering with a managed IT services provider can give you access to the same tools the big firms use without needing to make a significant investment. They can help create a proactive plan to ensure your business can utilize IT devices and programs that provide a competitive edge.

Protect yourself from cyber attacks

As an SMB acquires more data, cybersecurity is something that must be taken into consideration. The 2017 State of Cybersecurity in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMB) report from the Ponemon Institute contained some staggering findings. More than 60 percent of SMBs surveyed said they had encountered a cyber attack. Of this group, 54 percent were victims of data breaches involving customer and employee information and the average cost of these attacks was more than $1 million when all factors were taken into consideration. 

Strong security is another valuable strategic benefit of working with a managed IT services provider. They utilize virus and spam protection systems that work around the clock searching for threats such as ransomware that can derail your business at a moment’s notice.  

More importantly, you don’t have to worry about constantly upgrading your IT security as the managed IT services provider will be doing that automatically. Instead of cutting corners and possibly endangering your business with strained security measures, you get a robust security partner, allowing you to focus on important business decisions.

How an IT Service Provider Solves Everyday Business Challenges

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Running your business is tough enough. The last thing you need is hackers stealing your data or hardware malfunctions breaking down your workflows. IT service providers are the extra pair of hands you need to run your company.

These professionals find quick solutions to some of the most common business problems, so you can focus your energy on something else. 

Here’s how an IT service provider overcomes three business challenges.

Problem 1: Cybersecurity

You’ve read the headlines.

“Facebook Hackers Likely Hit Most Users,”

“It’s 3 Billion! Yes, Every Single Yahoo Account Was Hacked in 2013,”

“Data of 143 Million Americans Exposed in Hack of Credit Reporting Agency Equifax.”

It seems, then, that cybersecurity is a bigger problem for your business than it’s ever been. If you don’t have a proper cybersecurity and disaster recovery strategy in place, you could jeopardize your reputation. 

Think about it rationally. If hackers infiltrate your network and exploit your data, will your customers trust you again? 

Here’s a hint: the answer is probably not. 

The Solution

IT service providers manage multiple facets of your IT infrastructure for you, so you can concentrate on other areas of your business. 

These professionals minimize the chances of hackers from stealing your valuable data through security measures like endpoint protection, machine learning, antivirus protection, and analytics.

Why is this so important? 

60% of small companies go out of business within six months of a cyber attack. You still control your IT systems, of course. A managed IT service provider will simply carry the burden of management for you.

Problem 2: Downtime

Downtime can have a significant impact on your business. Whether it’s the result of a power outage or a natural disaster, downtime results in loss of productivity, fewer business opportunities, and low employee morale.

Moreover, only 2% of organizations say they recover from a downtime incident in less than an hour.

The Solution

An IT service provider gets your business up and running again quickly after a downtime incident. These companies utilize disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure you don’t lose valuable data and your staff gets back to work as soon as possible.

IT service providers don’t just respond to downtime events. They prevent downtime, too. They carry out all the IT tasks that you don’t have the time to do yourself, such as regular system checks and hardware maintenance.

Completing these tasks greatly diminishes the chances of a downtime disaster happening in the first place.

Problem 3: Customer Service Issues

You know how important customer service is to the success of your company. How would you feel if consumers jumped ship and took their business elsewhere because of issues with your computer systems, for example?

Companies with a well-crafted customer service strategy have an average customer retention rate of 92%. If you skimp on service, however, you could lose out on sales.

The Solution

An IT technology provider improves efficiencies and limits downtime. From installing the latest software updates to managing network security, service providers take care of IT support issues in real-time and prevent these problems from happening in the first place.

IT service providers prevent customers from canceling appointments or stopping service as a result of hardware and software malfunctions. As a result, you can provide better service and manage customer expectations. Customer service, downtime, and cybersecurity are three of the biggest challenges facing your business in 2018. You can’t tackle these problems alone. Investing in an IT provider will streamline many of your day-to-day business tasks and improve productivity in your workplace. Contact GroupOne today.

Managed Services: Which IT Support Model Wins?

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When you’re trying to focus on growing your business and make progress in a highly competitive world, the last thing you need is to be held back by your technology. Perhaps you hire an IT company to come in on a case-by-case basis whenever something goes wrong or needs updating. Many people do that and feel as though it sufficiently serves their purposes.

Let’s take a look at two friends: Bill and Dave. Bill met Dave at an industry convention and struck up a friendship. They’re in the same business and enjoy a friendly competition. However – Dave recently made the decision to switch his IT management to managed services with GroupOne – while Bill chose to remain with his current IT company. Let’s see how their business lives change as a result.

Better to Be Proactive or Reactive?

After Dave has met with GroupOne and worked with them to set up his new managed services, Bill thinks he has the advantage by taking what he feels is the less expensive option. Both men begin working as normal – until one day, Bill comes into work to find his network down. He quickly calls his IT provider and is placed in the queue to have a technician come out and take a look at the problem. All the while, Bill’s employees are stuck in the dreaded downtime. They twiddle their thumbs, read a book, and converse amongst one another until the technician has fixed the problem and has their network back up-and-running. 

Over the last few months, Bill has noticed his IT provider keeps him waiting an awfully long time for assistance from the help desk. They haven’t offered him any strategies for moving forward, they have no contingency for him in the event he is hit by a cryptovirus – or worse yet – ransomware. And he’s had to allot for a usual amount of downtime with them “managing” his IT. 

Based on industry surveys, Gartner has discovered the average cost of company downtime is $5,600 per minute, which extrapolates to well over $300K p/hour.

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Dave’s company also had the same issue as Bill’s company. However, with GroupOne’s managed services, the issue was proactively detected by GroupOne’s technical support specialists the moment it arose and handled remotely. Dave’s issue was never allowed to evolve into a problem which could take down his network, and his staff continued working throughout the downtime of Bill’s company – as well as throughout every other downtime Bill’s company experienced thereafter, allowing his company to become far more productive.

Enjoying the Benefits of Vendor Management

Throughout his business day, Bill Simpkins often receives multiple messages from his staff regarding the software they use.

  • “Mr. Simpkins? Our version of BangZoom 123 is no longer supported. What should I do?”
  • “My copy of WriteNifty 3000 isn’t activating, Mr. Simpkins.”
  • “It looks like our licenses for Videoblast 10 has expired. Should I renew, Mr. Simpkins?”
  • “What about this, Mr. Simpkins?”
  • “Do you know how to upgrade, Mr. Simpkins?”
  • “Mr. Simpkins?”
  • “Mr. Simpkins??”
  • “MR. SIMPKINS??!!”

By the end of the week, Bill is ready to climb into a hole and never think about another software issue or upgrade again.

Dave, on the other hand, has happily granted management of all his technical vendors to GroupOne– who monitor all of Bill’s software and hardware for him. They even manage his service with his Internet provider. Now whenever a licensing or other software issue springs up, GroupOne receives warning in advance and works with the vendor to solve the issue before it can affect Dave’s company. They also ensure Dave’s people always have the latest version of their programs and know how to use them. 

Dave’s people are delighted with how they never have to deal with their vendors or software issues, while Bill is still looking for a hole to crawl into.

Enterprise-Level IT Support at SMB Prices

When Dave told Bill he was going with managed services by GroupOne, Bill thought he was crazy. “Expensive!” he exclaimed. “We run small companies. We can’t afford a service like that. Maybe in a few years.” But Dave was undeterred. He had read a new CompTIA study, revealing that among current users of managed services, 46% of firms have trimmed their annual IT expenditures by 25% or more as a result of their shift to managed services – including 13% that have slashed annual IT expenditures by 50% or more.

He encouraged Bill to get a price quote with him, but Bill had no interest. “I’ll just do what I’m doing – you give your idea a try, and we’ll just SEE who comes out on top in the end,” Bill chuckled in response.

A week later, Dave was in a meeting with GroupOne – discussing all the benefits of managed services, the aspects of Dave’s business they will manage, and the cost. Dave left the meeting with a handshake and a large smile on his face, as he was astounded by the affordability of his new managed services plan. Dave would now receive the same level of IT support that large-scale companies receive, but the cost fits into his monthly budget. 

As a result, Dave saw definite and measurable advancements within his company, and the reasonable cost offered by GroupOne allowed him to continue to receive that same level of service indefinitely.

Guess Who Came Out Ahead in the End?

A year later, Bill was highly impressed at how Dave’s company had benefited from managed services. He readily admitted defeat and promptly fired his IT company in favor of GroupOne. Today, both Dave and Bill are enjoying the freedoms and assistance they receive from managed services and, in addition, have also arranged for GroupOne to manage their security and professional services, as well.

We will be happy to do the same for you. Please reach out to GroupOne and let us know how we can help you.

The Standards for Regulatory Compliance Assessment

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The best way to stay out of trouble is to know which rules do and don’t apply to you and your business. If you don’t understand the speed limit, you aren’t going to instinctively drive under 55 miles per hour. Unfortunately, ignorance won’t get out of the fees associated with non-compliance or breaking the law. Luckily, a regulatory risk assessment will determine how compliant you are with with the rules and regulations relevant to your business.

The Importance of Compliance Risk Assessment

Rules and regulations are necessary for any society to thrive. They bring criminals to justice, resolve disputes, promote the common good, and foster moral development. Laws help protect the masses by keeping the worst from happening. A compliance risk assessment helps avoid the threat posed to a company’s integrity and profitability as a result of violation or noncompliance. Companies that fail to utilize risk assessments leave themselves susceptible to their worst corporate nightmares.

GroupOne Has High Standards for Your Business

Your time should be spent running your business and increasing your company’s value, not calculating your potential compliance risk. GroupOne’s OneCare managed IT services eliminate the guesswork, allowing you to focus on your core business objectives. With OneCare, GroupOne will monitor your network and devices, fixing any issues that may arise – all at a manageable fixed monthly rate. Our expertise allows us to help you identify and mitigate any potential compliance risks, while implementing a sustainable governance strategy. Connect with us today to better understand your potential risk!