IT Managed Services

Business owners and executives have so much on their plates it can be hard to capitalize on a secret weapon to employee retention: onboarding. Believe it or not, effective and thorough onboarding has the potential to save your company thousands of dollars and create a strong workforce. 

With the drastic shift to remote work, onboarding is uncharted territory for most companies. This means revisiting your onboarding process and tailoring it for your remote employees is essential for personnel endurance. 

Statistics show that 60% of employees get frustrated with new software. Right from the onset, over half of your new employees are overwhelmed with the new systems they have to join and learn. As IT support professionals, we’ll walk you through getting remote setups right so your employees have a positive onboarding experience, impacting their overall satisfaction. 

What Statistics Show About Onboarding 

If you’re wondering what onboarding could possibly have to do with long-term retention, take a look at what the experts are saying:

• 69% of employees stay with a company for more than 3 years if they receive exceptional onboarding 
• 9% of employees leave due to an unsavory onboarding experience
• 87% of employees are more likely to stay if they feel engaged at the company 
• Replacing a salaried employee costs a business 6-9 months of the salary

Don’t Confuse Orientation with Onboarding 

While orientation and onboarding are both beginning steps to fully incorporating new employees, don’t mistake orientation for onboarding. 

Orientation is just that–orienting a new employee with the overall setup and their team. It is short and sweet. 

Onboarding can sometimes take up to a year and is an extensive process that includes thorough training, introduction to the company culture, defining expectations, involving the new hire with the team, and transitioning into a fully participating employee. 

Make the Most of Pre-Onboarding

We already know employees need a great onboarding experience and that learning new technology will be a frustrating aspect starting with a new company. 

It’s best to get ahead of the game and make the most of the pre-onboarding stage. This starts the minute your new hire accepts the position. If you’re providing new hires with a computer or other technical equipment, send it right away so they can start on the first day with everything at their disposal. 

Make sure to prep the team to be welcoming and attentive to their needs. Assigning a coworker who can be a compatible mentor with the new team member can significantly improve the experience. Ask IT support to reach out and set up expectations for the first day of onboarding.

Partner with Onboarding IT Support Professionals

Technology is the backbone of the onboarding process and experience. While integrating a new employee into the organization, relying on IT support professionals with exceptional communication skills and abilities to set up remote environments is crucial. 

Terminal B recognizes the importance of onboarding and has expertly crafted a process that bolsters the overall experience, strengthening employee retention and satisfaction. Terminal B’s IT support collaborates with companies to establish employee profiles and create customized solutions with both automated and manual support to consistently provide thorough, accurate, and timely setups for new users anywhere in the world.  

Finding the right IT partner can make or break your onboarding process. It’s imperative to join forces with an expert IT provider with a polished, successful onboarding system. 

Strategize & Offer Continued Support 

More than 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November 2021, yet another massive indication that we’ve shifted to a job seekers market. As businesses reevaluate strategy, it’s crucial not to overlook the role that onboarding plays in a competitive market. 

With refocused efforts on your onboarding practices, reach out to an experienced IT professional today. You can attract new hires, retain your workforce, and offer continued support to your valued employees with Terminal B’s specialized IT support. 

Both natural disasters and cyberattacks threaten business continuity and longevity every day, independent of company size. Both large and small businesses are at risk if management does not have a clear and robust disaster recovery plan. When it comes to the importance of a disaster recovery plan, statistics tell the story. 

In a study of 150 businesses, 73 percent experienced a power failure that impacted their operations. Over half of these respondents had experienced the power outage within the last year. Half of the companies reported testing their disaster recovery plan only once a year or less. And polls indicate that 68 percent of small business owners don’t have a documented disaster recovery plan for their employees to follow. 

What Is a Disaster Recovery Plan?

A disaster recovery plan is a company document with detailed instructions on what to do in a power outage, natural or man-made disaster, cyberattack, or another kind of disruptive event. This plan explains what to do and provides strategies for working around temporary loss of power or data.

With a solid, efficient disaster recovery plan, your business should be able to continue its primary operations throughout the emergency, resuming full operations as quickly as possible.

Businesses of all sizes need to prepare themselves for any contingency. For example, a worst-case scenario could involve a power outage or weather-related event that causes service disruption or even employee evacuation. It might also involve a criminal attack on the company, either through physical force or cyber hacking and security breaches.

What Can a Good Disaster Recovery Plan Do for Your Company?

• Limit data loss
• Provide essential crisis training to employees
• Mitigate damage to operational systems
• Minimize operational disruptions
• Provide alternatives while critical systems are down
• Pave the way for a smooth transition to full operations
• Limit economic loss during downtime

Five Essential Components of an Airtight Disaster Recovery Plan

Here are five essentials for creating an airtight strategy for your company.

1. Make an Inventory of Your IT Tools and Equipment

First and foremost, you’ll want to create an inventory, itemizing a complete roster of all your company’s IT assets. Along with computers, remote devices, and network equipment, your list may include cloud storage, software, essential data, and other tools related to your network.

2. Assess All Cyber Risks

A cyber risk assessment should identify the components that an outage or attack would most damage or disrupt. This would include all network-dependent elements, such as cloud storage and the sensitive data hackers are most likely to target.  

3. Prioritize Protections

After assessing your cyber risks, prioritize areas that are most critical to your daily operations. Doing so lets your team focus on these areas first in case of an emergency. Examples would include:

• Databases with information vital to the infrastructure and finances of your business
• Databases with sensitive client and employee information
• Any cloud storage essential to operations

4. Backup Your Data

One of the most important things you can do is data backup—make external copies of as much information as you can. If possible, keep these copies in a separate, secure place safe from theft or natural disasters like fires or floods.

5. Choose a Disaster Recovery Solution

The final stage is to choose a data recovery solution for your industry. By using the right tools and the best consulting services, you can ensure that your network operating system and databases have the most secure protection available.

Next Steps 

An efficient plan can successfully guide your company through any worst-case scenario. You can rest assured that your business will survive and thrive with minimal service disruption or data loss by following these protocols. Contact Terminal B today to start formulating your disaster recovery plan! 

Most managed service providers boast expert knowledge when it comes to the average Microsoft network. But as Macs and other Apple products continue to be pariahs in the business world, it is challenging to find trustworthy, knowledgeable managed IT services for Macs.

With Microsoft Windows dominating the PC market for over 20 years, many MSPs will either avoid Apple altogether or provide subpar service while insisting they have the resources to help you. 

If your company uses Mac desktop stations and other Apple gear, you’ll want specific help with Apple managed IT services. Yes, Apple is the gold standard, the “expensive stuff,” but that doesn’t mean you should skimp on IT support to protect and optimize your network. 

It can be hard to come by, but with expert Apple managed IT services, you can not only safeguard your investment in Apple computers and devices but maximize productivity. We’ll go over why it’s hard to find expert help and what to look for in Mac-specific managed IT services. 

Business Myths: Can Macs Be Hacked?

The idea that Macs cannot be hacked has become a prevalent misconception that tricks users into a false sense of security. Of course, cybercriminals can hack Macs. While many experts consider Apple workstations less vulnerable than PCs, they’re still not fully secure. Apple workstation computers can still experience:

• Viruses
• Trojans
• Ransomware
• DDoS attacks

Nearly any type of attack directed at a PC network can be directed at a Mac network or mixed network. That’s something to keep in mind when setting up and maintaining business systems!

Hard to Find Good Help

When companies need managed IT services for Apple products, they may find it hard to reach a company with the necessary expertise. Some companies will say flat out that they don’t deal with Apple products because they don’t have the right experience or resources. Those are the honest ones. 

On the other hand, some will swear they’re specialists, jump right in, and then provide poor service. It may become evident that they are in over their heads, as you see emerging problems with your Mac systems. If you have an Apple system or hybrid network, Terminal B has years of Apple managed IT services experience. 

Terminal B: Managed IT Services for Macs

Here are some of the major types of managed IT services that are useful in supporting companies using Macs:

User Services 

Terminal B helps with each individual workstation in a business. They provide IT support that streamlines and ensures quality employee operations. Managed IT help for Mac users can include:

• Reliable use of job-related features
• Cloud services 
• Effective runtime and computer operation
• Collaboration across Apple and Microsoft networks

Cybersecurity 

Managed IT services for Macs should cover cybersecurity practices for this type of network. That may include:

• Penetration testing
• Firewall
• Cybersecurity beyond the perimeter
• Network monitoring 

Terminal B is also well-versed in standards like HIPAA and NIST’s cybersecurity framework. Whether you’re a government-contracted business with regulatory standards or a private sector business with an interest in compliance, Terminal B can make sure your Apple systems are compliant and safe, guarding your data and your reputation.  

Mobile Device Management 

Mobile device management is more critical than ever with a shift to hybrid work environments or full-time remote working. What about your Apple tablets and smartphones out there in the field? Top-notch managed IT services for Apple should include mobile device management to ensure functionality and cybersecurity.

Contact Terminal B Today 

Contact Terminal B to learn more about their Mac services if you’re searching for exemplary managed IT services for an Apple network or hybrid system. 

Whether you are a small practice or an enterprise level healthcare provider, managed IT services can help your business optimize its processes, secure your information, keep you HIPAA compliant and allow you to focus your efforts on what matters most- providing excellent patient experiences. 

Here, at Terminal B, we work our clients on their unique IT needs. Our main priority is to find solutions that solve your specific issues. Our solutions are created to:  

1.              Minimize IT complexity and include consulting and training to keep everyone up to date.   

2.              Increase ROI and reduce costs.     

3.              Create a cohesive system, flexible enough to grow with your business.   

4.              Reduce your stress levels and give you peace of mind.    

5.              Elevate your process efficiency.   

Child Neurology Consultants of Austin’s Experience 

Our client, Child Neurology Consultants of Austin, originally came to us looking for help with their IT after having a bad experience with a larger MSP. 

Child Neurology Consultants of Austin are dedicated to helping infants, children, and adolescents with neurological disorders from birth through young adulthood and strive to create a compassionate and welcoming environment for their patients and their patient’s family. To stay on top of patient care, they need reliable technology to administer telehealth visits, communicate with their care team, and to document and securely store patient information. 

The Frustration   

As a practice with three locations and more then 70 staff members, Child Neurology Consultants of Austin thought they needed a large IT firm in order to receive the attention they were looking for. Unfortunately, bigger is not always better. Over time they started noticing a significant decline in their level of service to the point where it began impacting their business. With an impending HQ relocation, they knew they needed a more attentive IT provider to ensure a smooth transition to the new location with minimal interruptions. We were happy to bring them on as a client and give them the support and attention they need in order to keep doing great work. 

The Fix  

Terminal B was able to assess Child Neurology Consultants of Austin’s current technology infrastructure and practices, identify areas for improvement, and shore up the gaps quickly and efficiently.  With a blend of managed services, unique Microsoft 365 licensing, Citrix licensing and support, and technology consulting we were able to efficiently help them relocate to their new HQ, better support ongoing telehealth services, increase their process efficiency & security, and offer them our friendly and responsive support if any issues occur. 

Here is what Kristin Kroll, Practice Administrator for Child Neurology Consultants of Austin has to say about our partnership: 

“Managed Services with Terminal B has been the perfect fit for our practice of 3 locations and more than 70 staff. They helped us move our main office and networked our satellite offices where it runs more efficiently. Their techs are professional and knowledgeable. We worked with a large IT provider first, but their declining level of service began impacting our business. Terminal B provides both the expertise and responsiveness we were seeking and we consider them to be a valued business partner.” 

Kristin Kroll, Practice Administrator for Child Neurology Consultants of Austin

Building an IT System That Supports Your Providers 

As technology becomes more sophisticated, we are becoming more reliant on it. Technology has become the foundation of healthcare administration, and it is integral to its success. Investing in a good IT network that maximizes your practice’s efficiency and leaves your patients happy is an investment that will pay for itself multiple times over. IT services can save your practice money, give you access to innovative technology, and access new tools that can expand your patient base and increase profits.   

At Terminal B, we have the IT solutions, personnel, and partnerships that your company needs to keep your IT networks outfitted and optimized. What sets us apart from other MSPs (Managed Service Providers) is while we provide excellent service, we spend the time to learn every solution and software inside and out and maintain strong vendor relationships. In doing so we can truly match our client’s systems with the perfect solutions for them. With our services our clients receive a direct line to the support they need, with technicians that already know them and their system. 

Let us know what we can do to improve your practice’s technology; book a call with us via the button below.  

Microsoft has made it possible for anyone to download Windows 10 from its website. This makes it easy for people to install the operating system (OS), provided they have the appropriate license. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can download and install Windows 10 on your business computers.

Method 1: Download Windows 10 from Microsoft’s website

The Media Creation tool makes it easy for you to download the Windows 10 ISO file for future use, or for saving to a DVD or USB flash drive as an installer. Head over to the Windows 10 download page and click Download tool now.

When your download is complete, double-click the file and click Yes if a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears. The tool will show you two options: Upgrade this PC Now or Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC. Click on the second option and click Next.

Select the language, architecture, and your preferred Windows 10 edition. You can also choose Use this recommended option for this PC. Next, you will be presented with two media options: USB flash drive or ISO file. By choosing the former, you will be able to create a bootable USB drive. The latter, meanwhile, will download a file that you can use to install the OS later. The ISO file can also be burned to a DVD.

Method 2: Download Windows 10 from Microsoft’s website on Mac, Linux, and Windows XP computers

The Media Creation tool only works for PCs running Windows 7, 8/8.1, and 10, but you can still download the Windows 10 ISO file on Microsoft’s website. Pick your preferred Windows 10 edition and architecture, and an ISO file will begin downloading on your computer.

You can save the ISO file to a flash drive to install on a different computer. You can install Windows 10 on Mac, Linux, and Windows XP/Vista PCs, but you have to purchase a license key from Microsoft to activate the OS.

Method 3: Install the Windows 10 ISO directly on your Windows 7/8/8.1 PC

If you’re running Windows 8 or newer, you can easily install the Windows 10 ISO by mounting it. Double click the ISO file, and Windows will read the file as though it was a DVD.

From here, you can double-click setup.exe to launch the Windows 10 setup. This will replace your current Windows version with Windows 10. All the necessary files from the ISO will be copied to your computer, which will eventually restart to complete the installation.

If you’re using Windows 7, you will need to download ISO mounting software such as UltraISO and WinCDEmu. As soon as you have installed one, you can follow the aforementioned steps to upgrade to Windows 10.

No matter your business setup, there’s a way for you to download and install Windows 10. Should you need help setting up Windows 10 for your organization, we’d be more than happy to assist you.

When it comes to saving energy, every little bit goes a long way. The more energy-efficient your PC habits, the more money you save. In fact, activating your PC’s power-saving features can save you up to $50 a year. And if you want to increase your savings even more, take note of the following tips.

1. Disconnect your external devices

Devices that connect to your PC such as printers, headphones, and webcams consume power, too. That’s why you should disconnect or remove these devices from your PC when you are not using them.

2. Use a smart strip, especially for computers you cannot turn off

A smart strip is a series of several electrical outlets in one strip, with circuits to monitor and maximize your gadgets’ power consumption. It can electronically unplug any device so that they stop drawing current, and you save energy. By connecting your PC and peripherals like printers and scanners to the smart strip, you don’t need to unplug your equipment when you’re not using them.

3. Adjust your computer’s energy settings

You can also consume less energy by adjusting your PC’s power settings. For example, you can make sure your hard drive and monitor go into sleep mode when they’re left idle for a few minutes. You can further save electricity by lowering the brightness of your screen.

4. Shut down and unplug your computer when not in use

If you are not yet using a smart strip, then it’s best to shut down your computer when you’re not using it. Make sure to unplug your machine and its peripherals as well, because leaving them plugged in consumes standby power.

5. Use a charger only when charging your laptop

When we charge our laptops, it’s easy to just leave them there and forget about them. This overcharging eventually degrades the battery. Meanwhile, leaving the charger plugged in — even if it’s not connected to your computer — also consumes standby power. To save energy, either use a wall outlet with a timer, or plug your charger on a smart strip.

6. Choose an Energy Star-compliant PC

Energy Star is the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) symbol for energy efficiency. Every product that earns the Energy Star symbol is guaranteed to deliver both quality performance and energy savings. The more stars a product has, the more energy-efficient it is. Studies have shown that a single Energy Star-compliant computer and monitor can save between $7 and$52 per year in electricity bills.

These tips should help you develop energy-conservation habits and make smart choices in hardware. If you need assistance in choosing the best hardware for your specific needs, give us a call. We’ll be glad to help.

Remote work has been enabled by faster internet connections and more accessible mobile devices, and businesses are keen to jump on the trend of incorporating it into their workflows. In particular, despite the heavy compliance rules and the confidential data they handle, law firms are slowly embracing the culture of working off-site. They are trying different iterations of remote work policies and practices, with the most extreme case being the virtual firm, a setup where the company has no physical office and all lawyers and staff work remotely.

But just because remote work is effective for one establishment doesn’t mean it will also be effective for you. Should you adopt work remote work policies? Here are some of the most salient points for and against the argument to help you decide.

Pros

• Flexibility

Flexibility is an important consideration if you want to retain talent. According to corporate culture expert Deloitte, about three out of four millennials prefer to work in a company that allows them to work from home. Satisfied employees are more likely to stay, and remote work definitely helps facilitate the work-life balance that gives them a sense of contentment.

• Cost savings

Virtual law firms don’t have physical offices, and while this might not be the most ideal setup for your practice, it can be a model as to how you can save on operational costs. When lawyers and staff work outside office premises, you can lower electricity consumption. You can even lease a smaller office space!

• Boosted productivity

A two-year study by Stanford University concludes that remote workers are 13% more productive than those who work in a physical office. According to the study, off-site workers render a true full shift with less distractions and more work done compared to their in-office counterparts who tend to be late because of their commute or be unfocused at work because of noise or office chatter.

Cons

• Security issues

Law firms deal with sensitive data and lawyers are held under the oath of client confidentiality, so every client file should be protected at all times, lest it be copied, lost, stolen, or destroyed. Remote work can compromise the safety of a firm’s data when lawyers connect to networks that don’t have enterprise-grade security systems: cybercriminals can steal your confidential files or keep them hostage in exchange for money.

• Lack of organization-wide communication

If lawyers spend more time working remotely and don’t get to spend face time with their colleagues, they might end up not feeling any sense of community or belonging in your firm. This can in turn engender conflicts or worse, cause employee turnover.

• Productivity dips

It takes autonomy and commitment to work remotely without supervision. Some legal professionals are lacking in those departments, so it’s more efficient when someone micromanages them from time to time. Without anyone frequently checking in on them, they might become lax and less productive.

Some also find working off-site more distracting than working in an office. The prattle in coffee shops can be quite off-putting, or the TV in one’s apartment can whittle time away from work. In such instances, remote work becomes counterproductive.

The long and short of it

Up to 50% of the US workforce is predicted to be remote in the near future, and businesses that adopt remote work sooner will undoubtedly enjoy more advantages than businesses that don’t. The best course of action, therefore, is to contain the disadvantages of working remotely by:

• Partnering with a cybersecurity expert that can keep your systems protected and your data secured 24/7/365;
• Utilizing technology like Office 365 and Microsoft Teams and turning them into solutions that bridge communication gaps and promote collaboration; and
• Drafting guidelines about who is allowed to do remote work and for what, all the while using business analytics tools to monitor if employees working outside company premises are hitting their targets.

Overcome the challenges of deploying a mobile workforce for your law firm with Terminal B. Our team of experts can help you discover and implement technology solutions that guarantee high productivity, lower operational costs, and more collaborative processes. Contact us today.

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You can use Wi-Fi to transfer files between your Android phone and your PC or Mac, but if an internet connection is unavailable or unstable, there’s another option: use your trusted USB cable. Read on to find out how your USB cable can help you move files between devices without a hitch.

To transfer files from your Android device to your computer, you need the following:

• Your Android phone
• A computer with a USB port
• A USB cable

Android file transfer for Windows

1. Unlock your phone.
2. Plug it into your computer’s USB port using a cable.
3. Your Android phone will display a “Charging this device via USB” notification. Tap on it.
4. Tapping on the notification will display other options. Select File Transfer under “Use USB for.”
5. Your computer will show a file transfer window. Drag and drop files from this window to your preferred location on your computer.
6. Once you’re done, eject your device from Windows by right-clicking the device and printers manager on the task bar and selecting your device’s name on the list.
7. Unplug your USB cable.

Android file transfer for Mac

For Mac users, there are several additional steps you need to do if you want to transfer files from your Android device, but the remaining steps are pretty much the same to Android file transfer for Windows.

1. Download and install Android File Transfer on your computer. Take note that this app only works on Macs running on OS X 10.7 or later.
2. Open the Android File Transfer app. You need to open it the first time you use it, but the next time you plug in your device, it will automatically open.
3. Unlock your Android app and connect it to your Mac using your USB cable.
4. On your phone, tap on the notification that says “Charging this device via USB.”
5. Your phone will then display other USB options for your device. Under “Use USB for,” choose File Transfer.
6. This will prompt your computer to display an Android File Transfer window.
7. Drag and drop files from this window to your preferred location on your computer.
8. After backing up your data, eject your USB by right-clicking the icon for the external device on your desktop and selecting “Eject [volume name].” Alternatively, you can drag the external volume icon into the trash can in the Dock.
9. Unplug your USB cable.

Transferring files from one device to another is a piece of cake, isn’t it? But data backup is more than just copying and moving files. Do you want to learn more about making your business devices and computers disaster-proof? Our dedicated IT experts can perform routine backup solutions that go beyond drag-and-drop. With their knowledge in security, data recovery, and business continuity, you never have to fear losing your data again. Call us today.

There’s a lot of good things to say about how-to articles. They’re simple, practical, and if we follow instructions correctly, they can give us a sense of accomplishment. From basic life skills such as learning how to change a lightbulb or how to fry an egg to more technical topics like learning how to write JavaScript or how to perfect a soufflé, there’s always someone out there who is going to need a how-to article on something.

If you’re that somebody today wondering how to transfer your files from your Android phone to your computer, here is how you do it:

What you need:

• Your Android phone
• A computer with a USB port
• A USB cable

What you need to do:
If you have a Windows computer…

• Start by plugging your phone into the computer via USB port.
• Turn on your phone’s screen and unlock the device. At this point, your Android device should only be connected for charging. Swipe down from the top of your screen and tap on USB for charging to view more options.
• Select Transfer files in the menu that appears.
• On your computer, search for your Android device on the File Explorer. Click on the icon that represents your phone and you should be directed to your phone’s internal storage.
• Drag and drop the files or folders into your preferred location, such as the desktop or documents. If you want to save videos and pictures, you can find them in the DCIM folder.
• Once you are done, right-click your device’s name. Click Eject before unplugging the phone and USB cable.

If you have a Mac…
If you’re using a Mac desktop or laptop, the first thing you need to do is to download Android File Transfer, an official Google app that works on Macs running on OS X 10.5 or later. Afterwards, the process is pretty similar to how it’s done on Android, and you can easily transfer files even without an internet connection.

• Download and install Android File Transfer on your computer.
• Plug your device into your Mac USB port with the USB cable.
• Unlock your phone and swipe down on your screen. Tap on USB for charging to view more options.
• Select Transfer Files.
• The application should run automatically on your Mac. You can also open the Mac Finder or Spotlight Search and look for the Android File Transfer on the list of programs. Double click the Android drive icon.
• Browse the files and folders on your Android device and transfer files to your computer.
• Once you are done, open the Finder sidebar and find your device under Devices. Click on Eject and unplug the phone and USB cable. You can also go to the desktop and drag your device to the Trash.

And voilà! — you’ve just learned an essential Android skill. Keeping a copy of personal or business data you care about is a task that should not be overlooked, since your valuable information can be wiped out in a matter of seconds due to human error, natural calamity, or unexpected downtime.

Securing a backup of files in your mobile device may be easy peasy, but how do you make all important data in your business devices and computers disaster-proof? Our team can offer regular backup solutions to ensure that your business will be able to weather the storm when it strikes. Call us today to discuss backup options available to your business.