3 Expensive Missteps You're Probably Making With Your Data Backups

     St. Patrick's Day is a good time to remind you that you shouldn't depend on "luck" to protect your data. That's why I'm going to share with you three common missteps companies make with data backup that you *might* be making.

Not Doing A Reverse Backup. If you use any line of business application in the cloud to store data - including accounting records, client files and the like, you should be backing ALL of that data back to your location on a regular basis. How frequently? That depends on how much you are willing to lose. If you could lose a week of data, then backup weekly. If the thought of that puts you into fits, then backup daily. Most cloud providers are savvy enough to have redundant systems and backups of your data - but don't risk it!

Depending On Employees To Save Data To Your Server.
Many offices only back up their server; the problem is, employees often keep a LOT of critical documents and data on their workstations that are NOT being backed up. And, if you're depending on them to remember to do it, you're asking for trouble. The right thing to do is automate your backups, so that ALL devices and data are backed up without depending on someone's memory.

Having A Single Point Of Failure. If you're still using outdated tape drives (and we hope you're NOT), you might discover that nobody can remember the password to access the data on it. Or there may be only one person in the organization that knows where your data is being backed up and how to access it. A smart move would be to walk though a couple of "what if" scenarios to see if you actually have what you need to recover your data.

Having a good, reliable backup and disaster recovery plan is essential for every business that should be installed and maintained by a pro. After all, if you knew there was a chance you could fall out of an airplane, would you want the cheapest parachute strapped to your back? Of course not - and that doesn't mean you need to spend an arm and a leg for the most expensive one either.  

If you're not on our My NetWorks DataVault solution and you're using a cheap offsite backup like Mozy or Carbonite - OR if you're using outdated tape to back up your data - then give us a call IMMEDIATELY at 518-320-8906 to find out how we can let you sleep easier at night with a far more reliable data backup. Don't wait; call us today at 518-320-8906 for a free consultation and backup assessment to find out how to protect yourself from data loss, corruption or extended downtime.

5Smart Tips For Mobile Devices

     If you're planning on heading out of town - or simply to the coffee shop to work - here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Protect your devices from thieves. All mobile devices should be passcode-protected and loaded with apps that will help you track and find them in case they get lost or stolen. For iPads and iPhones, there's the free Find My iPhone. Android users can try Lookout Mobile Security. These apps allow you to remotely wipe the device in case they fall into the wrong hands; you definitely don't want to expose yourself to identity theft or allow someone access to your company's network and client data. Also, never leave your device anywhere you wouldn't leave your wallet.

Backup. Mobile devices get lost and destroyed more often than desktop computers, because you're dragging them around from place to place and exposing them to non-gadget friendly environments; therefore, make sure you are backing up all the data to the cloud. All it takes is a spilled cup of coffee to erase those precious family photos and videos - and most people don't even think about backing up their phone.

Take caution when connecting to free public Wi-Fi. Hackers with routers and readily available software set up rogue hot spots for spying and serving you fake websites. They often name these hot spots something generic such as "Coffee Shop" or "Linksys" to fool you into thinking they are safe. You think you're connecting to the coffee shop's Wi-Fi, but you're actually accessing the web through their portal. If you are going to use public Wi-Fi, simply use it for general web surfing, not shopping, banking or accessing critical data.

Turn off sharing. If you use a laptop, you might have it set to share files and folders with other computers at work or home. However, you don't want those settings "on" when connecting to a public network. When connecting to a public hotspot for the first time, Windows will ask you for a location type; choose "public" and it will automatically reset your settings to turn off sharing.

Carry your own connection. If you're going to access your bank account, go shopping online or need to access critical data when traveling, invest in your own personal Mi-Fi connection. We recommend Verizon Mi-Fi. If you don't have one and you need to make an emergency balance transfer or an immediate purchase to save a significant amount of money, it's safer to use your cell phone. When banking, use your bank's official app and sign up for any extra security they offer. For example, Bank of America's SafePass program sends a text message with a 6-digit code to authorize a transaction. The code expires as soon as you use it.

Congratulations to Mary Ellen Crucetti, Administrative Assistant at Trudeau Architects. She was the first to correctly answer last month's trivia quiz, below:

a) Mud month

b) Month of cabbage

c) Month of the pearl

d) All of the above

The correct answer is d: all of the above.

Would you like to win a pair of movie tickets? Be the first to answer this month's trivia question:

Which of the following inventions was patented March 7, 1876?

a) Motor Vehicle

b) Telephone

c) Light bulb

d) Bicycle

E-mail us right now with your answer at: trivia@groffnetworks.com

Please note: One prize per entrant per year. Entrants who have won a trivia contest in the last 12 months are ineligible to compete for prizes.

Shiny New Gadget of the Month  

Transcribe Meetings In
An Instant With The New
Dev-Audio Microcone

   If there's anything worse than attending a long, boring meeting, it has to be transcribing it from an audio recording. Now this can be done instantly, thanks to the new Australia-based Dev-Audio Microcone. This device is a multi-directional, intelligent desktop microphone that works with Windows or your Mac. Just plug it into any available USB port and it will not only record the conversation, but it can also discern the voices of six different people.

   Its Microcone Recorder software records the conversations on individual tracks and automatically reduces the background noise. An accompanying smartphone app allows users to tag parts of the conversation for easy reference later. Microcone Recorder also includes integration with Dragon Speech-to-Text Conversion web-service (pay-per-use feature), to automatically annotate your meetings at the click of a button.

7 Ways To Add Value To Your Job

By Mark Sanborn, www.marksanborn.com 

Adding value to your job-making your contribution unique-is key to survival and success in a competitive job market. What could you do within your existing (or future) company to increase your value and influence? The seven job skills that follow won't mean you necessarily work harder, but that you work differently and more creatively. You can add value if you choose to be:

Experience Manager. Every interaction with another person creates an experience that leaves a memory of you and your work. How are you consciously designing these experiences to be positive? Enriching? Rewarding? Lasting? Since most people don't tell you about their experience unless it is awful, you have to work intentionally to design experiences that draw people back for more and that gets them to tell others about you, your products, and your services.

Value Creator. All great employees (including CEOs, owners, board members, etc.) add value to the organization's offerings. Being a value creator is a form of job security. Value neutral employees are inter-changeable or worse, replaceable.

Talent scout. Identify people within and outside your organization who would be a valuable addition to your team. Talents scouts have the ability to understand the talents and abilities individuals possess and match them with organizational needs. This makes your team stronger, but it also makes you a go-to person for resources and talent advice. Others will want to know who you know who can help.

Ambassador. A person is known by the company he or she keeps, and an organization is known by the people it keeps. You represent your organization, as well as yourself, to customers and vendors. Learn the history of your organization well enough that you can share it frankly and passionately with outsiders.

Amplifier. Increase the good that happens around you by noticing and noting it to others. Most people can spot what's wrong and complain about it. An amplifier knows the work around him well enough to spot what's right, praise the work, and praise the person or people responsible for it. Good news often is so subtle that it needs amplification to be heard. Noticing good work and telling others is a positive influence on any organizational culture.

Router. Internet data is broken into chunks called "packets," and routers make sure those packets go where they are supposed to go. Similarly, a good communicator makes sure information gets to the right people in a timely manner. Peter Drucker famously said that good communication is about who needs what information and when. Developing the judgment and discernment for routing information correctly and efficiently is a valuable skill set.

Interpreter. As Erwin Raphael McManus put it, "People don't need more information. They need more insights." Understand information and how it applies to the people and circumstances around you. Offer context. Offer insights. Provide the links that turn chaos and confusion into order.

Office Notes

Jack Garrett, our Assistant Manager of Technical Services, is engaged! He popped the question in mid-February at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Congratulations to him and his fiancé, Courtney Lovell.

Goodbye and good luck to David Zuckerman, who recently enlisted in the US Navy. Chad Linen is our new Inside Sales Representative. Welcome, Chad.

Welcome to our newest client, Fallon Pharmacy in Latham.

For more information, call Lori at: 518-320-8906 x105 or email: lhardy@groffnetworks.com

The Lighter Side:

Dublin Over With Laughter

Why did St. Patrick drive the snakes out of Ireland?

He couldn't afford plane fare.

Why do people wear shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day?

Regular rocks are too heavy.

How did the Irish Jig get started?

Too much to drink and not enough restrooms!

How can you tell if an Irishman is having a good time?

He's Dublin over with laughter!

What's Irish and stays out all night?

Patty O'furniture!

What do you get if you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover??  

A rash of good luck!

What would you get if you crossed a leprechaun with a Texan? A pot of chili at the end of the rainbow!