Category: Creative Programs and Systems - page 14

Benefits of Hiring IT Consulting Services

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Creative Programs and Systems

An IT consultant can help transform your business. Consultants are experts that provide guidance to others when an outside perspective is desired. An outsider often can get a better view of what a company needs as they are not blinded by “the way things have always worked before”. A fresh perspective is often needed to jumpstart business growth. IT consultants save companies time and money while increasing your competitiveness within the market as well as your professional presence. Information Technology consultants guide companies in a number of ways that we discuss below.

- IT Consultants Allow Clients to Focus on Their Original Tasks: It does not matter what type of industry you work in as it is the same within all of them; employee’s performance is best when they can concentrate on their primary task. Let’s be clear office staff, lawyers, doctors and more are all more productive when left to do what they do instead of trying to perform IT tasks. When employees are busy with jobs that they are not specialized in there is a great opportunity cost seen. Hiring an IT service to take care of the technology challenges within your company so that your employees can focus on their jobs increases the bottom line.

- Specialized Service: Experience IT consultants offer a wide range of services and specialties. It is not just about installing printers; they offer additional services that help to increase your company’s on-site efficiency, operation expenses, company security, and more.

- Change of Perspective: We often get stuck in the same cycle because it is the way things have always been done and if it “works” why change it. However, in business this is not the right frame of thinking. Company’s often need an outside perspective to ensure that they aren’t sweeping outdated ways of thinking under the rug instead of looking for a new outlook.

- Access to A Wider Range of Knowledge: IT consultants can offer their clients only the best in service with the quality personnel they are able to hire. Having multiple experts on staff allows them to share knowledge and distribute their expertise to multiple accounts. The benefit of hiring experts in IT as needed allows companies of all sizes to benefit. IT consultants are often hired on a per project basis therefore projects are weighed on what needs to be done instantly verse what should be done over time.

Managed IT services are something that all companies can benefit from, big or small. With the ever changing landscape of technology it is important to keep your company up to date with advice from the experts on the front line.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com. To contact one of our IT experts call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

Creative Programs and Systems

IT Consulting Can Save Your Company Time and Money

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Creative Programs and Systems

Information technology, IT, is the use of any computers, storage, networking and other physical devices and infrastructure processes to create, process, store, secure, and exchange all forms of electronic data.

IT Consulting

IT consulting is a field of study that focuses on advising organizations on how best to use technology (IT) in achieving their business objectives. In addition to providing advice, IT consultants often estimate, manage, implement, deploy, and administer IT systems on behalf of their client organizations, a practice known as “outsourcing”. Information technology changes so rapidly, that it can be difficult for businesses to keep up especially in a tight economy but with the help of IT consulting company, these businesses can save both time and money by optimizing their systems. With the help of IT consulting services businesses can standardize their technology systems to align with industry best practices. It also improves workforce productivity by streamlining processes, reducing the risk of error or failure and enabling the company to better plan for future changes.

IT Managed Services

IT professionals can help spot inefficiencies and suggest areas where tasks can be automated to free up employees time and money. Similarly, by partnering with an IT managed services provider, companies can offload many of those tedious yet essential tasks that suck up valuable company time and resources. Instead of paying costly full time employees to perform grunt work, you can have an IT managed services firm take care of it in a much more efficient and cost effective manner. Network security, data backup, software update, and strategic planning can be handled by an IT consulting professional.

Commercial IT Support

Commercial IT support takes care of the nuts and bolts problems before even thinking about IT strategy.

Commercial support helps in:

Meeting the needs and budget of businesses by providing IT services and support at an affordable rate.
They help out when an ongoing contract just doesn’t make sense; also, they get big projects done as quickly as possible.
They think ahead to maximize potential IT issues and downtime for businesses
They design and maintain a streamlined network solution unique to the business so you see performance and reduced IT issues every day.
They utilize regular maintenance, monitor and ensure best practices for your business.
They help to leverage connections and experience with software and hardware vendors to help get the right technologies at the right price.

Should Network Monitoring Be a Priority in Commercial IT Support

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Creative Programs and Systems

IT consulting services are one of the most popular services because of the importance of technology to our everyday lives and businesses. Commercial IT support relies heavily on electricity and networks. There is nothing IT consultants worry about more than a power outage or network problems that might derail their ability to hold conversations with customers and ruin their performance. Customers are not able to approach commercial IT support in such cases, and since the clock is ticking, the cost increases. Staff time, worsened customer satisfaction, and less productivity all adds up to ensure that you lose money and time.

Well-managed IT services take the risks into consideration and employ the use of network monitoring to decrease their losses. Here is why network monitoring is so helpful in managing IT service:

Preparation for Blackout

Blackouts and outages can be cause by a number of different factors. Whether it be human error or environmental factors, an outage always adversely affects IT consulting services. However, outages lie outside the scope of an IT consulting service. Since they have no influence over blackouts, the best IT consulting services are prepared for them. Network monitoring is a fantastic way to check the trends of outages and find out when one has the chance of taking place. Consequently, preparation for it can be done with efficiency.

Get ROI on the go

With immediate return on investment (ROI) you are able to manage your work better. Identifying problems and figuring out solutions becomes more efficient and the staff are able to focus on the small aspects of their work with greater efficiency. This allows them to be more active in the critical aspects of their work and focus on them more. With ROI on the go, network monitoring allows commercial IT support to produce better results.

Decreases Security Threats

Network monitoring also includes security capabilities. With its foray into security monitoring, network monitoring helps you identify security threats immediately. Since the performance is continuously visible, you are easily able to find out any fluctuations from the norm. With the efficient detection, you can deduce whether your office’s security has been breached and take steps to find the problem.

Fix Issues Faster

A service so highly dependent on technology and artificial intelligence is bound to face a number of faults. Therefore, fixing those issues as quickly as possible is essential for any commercial IT support company. With network monitoring, companies can find out issues and locate them with great efficiency. Finding the problem is the most important part of finding the solution, and with network monitoring you can find the problem very quickly. Finding the solution is therefore easier since you have ample time to do it.

IT consulting service need to install network monitoring to ensure that their work is smooth and does not face any hindrances. Network monitoring is very important and useful for such services because of the points detailed above. If you want well managed IT services, get network monitoring immediately.

Data Backups Are Integral In Managed IT Services

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Creative Programs and Systems

Any business, be it large or small, handles sensitive data such as customer information. This may include their home addresses, payment card information, application attributes, emails, and more. Employee data is also sensitive information as well as operational and inventory information for those in the business of selling physical products and do not want their sales figures disclosed or lost.

Depending on your industry, you obviously have identified the type of data that requires protection and backup. To do so, you must have the right organizational structure in place, including ensuring that those that work for you understand the criticality of cybersecurity for the sake of data protection. You also must implement a comprehensive vendor risk management to prevent issues caused as the result of third-party or vendor relationships.

Choosing Managed IT Services

All these steps toward data protection dictate that an organization has the right technology, personnel, and software in place to continuously monitor the cybersecurity position of its critical vendors and to also to minimize sensitive from information being compromised. But it’s not always financially feasible for some companies to do all the above, in-house, which is why businesses are now outsourcing managed IT services to handle important elements of their technical needs as part of a collaboration with the internal IT department.

Not only does part of managed IT services consist of implementing specific strategies to ensure that sensitive data is not lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized users, but it also handles email hosting, customer relationship management (CRM) applications, storage, backup and recovery, network monitoring, cloud computing, data networking, social media engagement, and cybersecurity.

Obtaining The Protection You Need

Backup and data recovery solutions are integral in managed IT services because it preserves an organization from potential insider threats as employees may manipulate and share data they work on and off the network on corporate and personal devices and in the cloud. Managed IT services solutions encompass network monitoring to protect a company against malicious cyber-attacks from ransomware and hackers that are wreaking havoc on businesses worldwide.

It’s not uncommon for organizations to lose sensitive data through hardware failure that occur as a result of lack of maintenance or running important applications on older servers with old operating systems. Without a proper contingency plan in place, the consequences can be increased downtime, increased security threats or worse, loss of critical data that negatively impacts a business. Utilizing IT consulting services can help mitigate a business’s security risks and provide it with a modern infrastructure that maximizes current technology, and by so doing, internal staff are left to focus on revenue-generating prospects.

Cloud Data Storage

Managed IT services also offer advanced commercial IT support to companies that are looking for cutting-edge cloud computing infrastructure management, application management, and business process outsourcing. These services provide the best data backup solutions options that are compatible with most technologies for larger businesses with unlimited storage and also extend to data migration services, advanced file versioning, compliance-level security, 24-hour support, and support for virtual environments.

What Is a Managed IT Service Provider & Where Do You Find One?

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Creative Programs and Systems

If you’re running a large business and find that it’s growing faster than your “IT department” it may be time to look into consulting a managed IT service provider. Many large companies consider those few people that come to the rescue when their technology goes down their IT department. This however cannot sustain, nonetheless help you grow your business.

Instead of having an in-house IT department, you’ll be hiring commercial IT support to assist you. There can be many reasons why you choose to consult managed IT support to help you be your own IT department.

Your Company May Be Smaller In Size

Technology is continually changing and it can be expensive to run your own servers onsite. Unless your firm is considerably large, you may not be able to keep up with all the expenses of purchasing new servers and new equipment and managing the software and firewalls to run them. You need to have support in place that keeps up to date on all the latest available in IT. Most companies with 50 or less people may find it impractical financially to have their own IT department on staff.

Storing Your Data Safely

There are other reasons why you may wish to hire managed services. If your business relies heavily on the storage of customer data, you may need additional securities in place to protect it. It’s also beneficial to store data offsite, just in case there’s an emergency in your office building. Basically, the goal of hiring managed IT services is to gain knowledge and expertise that will improve your operations and cut expenses.

Managed IT services can save money, as these companies are supplying services to a variety of different businesses or organizations. They can also buy software and hardware in bulk for lesser costs than you can as a manager of your business. Managed IT services are billed on either a monthly basis or hourly basis, depending on the proposal you decide upon. They are in contrast to the on-demand sourcing model where you only hire IT expertise when you need it, then you are only billed for what they have done.

Under this model of operation, there will be a manager assigned to oversee this part of the operations, which might be you. You will then work with the MSP, Manager Service Provider, so that they can deliver the managed services. There will be a contract involved that will state all the services and expectations of the services rendered.

Some of these managed services can include one type of service, such as IT consulting, or many. For instance, cloud backup services are highly desired, as they protect client data in the event of an emergency. Servers, security and firewalls are all big services, particularly with growing businesses. Once you recognize a need for this type of service in your own business, you’ll need to find a competent and trustworthy MSP.

Searching for IT Services

You can ask for the advice of other similar-sized businesses that provide IT consulting. Ask your peers if they know who provides IT consulting or commercial IT support. You can also search online to find the best provider. It’s helpful to find one in your own city, so your IT manager and the MSP can better communication with each other. Managed IT services can take the worry out of whether you can keep up with the ever-growing and changing world of internet and new technology.

Top Five Stages of Pursuing Effective IT Services from IT Consultants

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Creative Programs and Systems

If you’ve been of late thinking about IT services for your needs, you may wonder what exactly happens during the session with an IT consultant. IT consulting is geared towards customers that are already aware about their need of an IT expert, but aren’t quite sure about what kind of assistance that is required.

In fact, you may have realized the potential impact of consulting an IT service provider for your business; however, it always helps to have a basic understanding of how these specialists benefit your business. The following lists out the sequential phases of IT consulting on a macro level.

Contracting Phase

During the contracting phase, you work with an IT consultant to understand the necessary groundwork required to assist your company with IT services and how it should be carried out. At first, IT consultants discuss about the challenges faced by the client and whether they can help find solutions for the problems.

This initial stage or the entry phase is basically a discussion carried out between the customer and the IT services provider. The expectations of either side are brought to notice, thereby arriving at a plan as to how to start with the implementation.

Data Collection Phase

Once the terms are discussed and the initial session is complete, the consultant will gather all relevant data necessary to find out the best possible solution. The stage involves understanding and requesting for the information that will help in diagnosing the present turmoil faced by the business. This is a crucial stage and the effectiveness of the next stage, the diagnosis phase is based on the outcome of proper data collection.

Diagnostics Phase

With proper data accumulation, the IT consultant now proceeds to the key stage of the service, the diagnosis. A specialized consultant will design the methodologies and best practices incorporated to discover the most effective solution.

Planning Phase

For IT services, the planning phase is the most stressful of all stages of their consulting. The consultant will find out exactly what must be done and the cost incurred. Companies often want a cheaper solution, whereas the professional solutions provider will strive to propose the most beneficial way to tackle the problem.

Companies often think that IT consultants are charging more for their services, which is not true in most cases. The fact that cheap solutions will always jeopardize the reputation of the service is a vital aspect that customers must try to understand. If you find that a consultant is dedicated to a specific solution, consider this as a sign of quality and not a means to quote more money.

Implementation Phase

The final and actionable part of the five stages of IT consulting is the implementation. In this phase, companies may want to utilize the report designed by the solutions provider so far in two ways. One, companies may decide to use the help of the consultant to carry out the implementation, or the service will only preside over the progress as IT leaders might be trained to begin implementing the solution from there.

In most cases, IT services remain involved in the process until the final outcome of the implementation is reached and periodically for maintenance after.

Relying On Technology

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Creative Programs and Systems - Updated January 25, 2018

We live in an electronic information age where because of innovative inventions; technology has taken people and communication on another level of life in many areas. For this reason, for a business to remain relevant and competitive, it needs to maximize current technologies through utilizing the services of professional information technology services provider.

The Need For IT Service

In one way or another, we all rely on technology. We use various evolving technologies for different jobs in our lives. However, imagine an instance where almost everything you do relies on technology, but you are distracted by IT tasks that have nothing to do with your core job functions. This is where an IT consultant’s service comes in handy because not only do their services extend the areas of computer software, hardware, programming, information and data management, but also in web technology, Bioinformatics, global information systems, cloud computing, and much more.

Effective information technology services such as storage and retrieval, information access, tools for productivity and performance, customer relations management, and business process automation are what help organizations implement, manage and run their businesses in a more efficient and profitable way. By using professional IT consultants, internal staff is free to spend their time focusing on their core competencies and revenue generating opportunities.

IT Consultants Solve A Variety Of Different Issues

Today, the most successful businesses are those with the best systems in place that can help improve productivity, simplify communication, and improve their bottom line. However, not all businesses can afford to maintain a well-run IT department and to hire an IT consultant, in this case, especially as the business grows and develops. IT consultants can prevent an otherwise minor problem from cascading into major issues. In addition to this, IT consultants will also monitor and ensure:

Data safety of any personal information, documents, files, or pictures that you save on your computer, online, or on a backup drive
They will handle systems downtime issues such as internet connectivity, email communications, corrupt data or system failure
They will offer pro-active systems maintenance, security, backup and disaster recovery
IT consulting services also provide remote systems monitoring and 24/7 response capabilities
IT service costs are budgeted, planned and controlled and in essence they reduce a small businesses’ administrative functions and operating expenses regarding recruiting and training in-house IT staff
Hiring an IT consultant will ensure that a business benefits from a well-maintained operating system that will not only improve productivity but it will also streamline communication, encourage teamwork, and knowledge sharing that allows employees to be at their best at all times

Hiring A Professional Helps Your Entire Business

Information technology services are better left to the experts who will provide both on-going and critical support for small business networks simply because the teams of dedicated IT specialists continuously endeavors to keep up with the latest information technologies through ongoing training and real-world experience. This, in turn, helps a business to have a technological advantage over its competitors, minimizes its downtime, and also attracts and retains proactive employees.

The Latest’s Trends in IT Services to Grow Your Business In 2018

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Creative Programs and Systems

Managed IT Services

The information technology industry is an area that is important to every person in life and in business. Some of the most viable trends in IT services revolve around electronic communications, advancements in security, website design and optimization, and managing IT services to maximize effectiveness. IT services are now working to help create your personal, business, brand, and product identity.

IT and Website Design

The design of your IT infrastructure and online presence help to create a strong impression for your business. The layout and graphic designs used for your business can leave an impact from the first interaction individuals have with your company. One of the major challenges that can be seen in website design is grabbing the attention of your target audience and keeping them hooked on your brand.

This can be accomplished through a user-friendly layout tied together with unsurpassed graphic design. It is crucial for your business to create the brand image so that the business stands out from their competitors and which helps them in establishing the identity. Every business has its own strength and it is obvious that no business’s IT services or website design should mirror one another.

Website design is trending as it relays information from your business to your targeted audience. There are times when a thousand words cannot convey the information the way graphics can. The important role played here is of the graphic designer who designs the products package and label design in such a way that they convey much needed information. The elements within a design vary in size, color, products, and a variety of other factors. Graphic design can prove to be the most useful tool to prove useful in conveying and communicating your business’s image.

Search Engine Optimization

Another trending service within the IT realm is regarding the online presence of your business. Many companies specialize in IT consultants that specialize in search engine marketing. Online marketing is needed for your websites visibility and the branding of your business.

When people search for the products and services they always keep an eye in the ranking of the site. There is also a good value when your site appears in the search engine results. Many people searching online never look past the first page of search results to find a company to work with. It is crucial for your business to be successful that search terms that are relevant for your target audience pull up your business on the first page of all major search engines including: Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

As you attempt to grow your business and increase your online presence it is important to consult with a professional company that offers a full line of IT services to help you meet all of your business goals.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com/computerconsulting To contact one of our IT experts call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

Top 5 Benefits of IT Consulting

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Creative Programs and Systems

As businesses move their operations online, the important of quality IT consulting services has become essential to operating companies of all sizes. Many times, companies, especially small scaled business, cannot manage full time, in-house IT department and must rely on an external team that specializes in IT affairs from time to time.

It’s often too costly and resource intensive for companies to devout an entire division of their company to managing their IT services. Therefore, it is crucial, to beat competitive forces within the market and avail top-notch IT services for uninterrupted growth of your business, it is important to hire a trustworthy team of IT consulting professionals.

Below we have highlighted the top five reasons for hiring IT consultants to service your company’s IT needs.

Provides Money Savings:

When companies hire IT consultant they are often able to save money on overhead costs as well as taxes. IT experts can also help you save money and time that can be utilized in other aspects of growth within the business. It is important to plan for IT services within your business to ensure that you are getting the right support to solve all your technical issues while providing insight to help with the growth of their company.

Expert Guidance:

Hiring an IT consulting company for your business means making a connection with a team of experts that can understand common business problem, requirements, and solutions. People working in the IT field can help you to benefit from the latest technologies and most effective strategies. It is the best way to avoid threats within the technology industry and move ahead with the trends to ensure the utmost growth for your business.

Boost Business Productivity:

The latest IT technologies can help you to find ways to improve business productivity. An experienced IT consulting team will help you to use innovative strategies to improve collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing abilities so that employees can take innovative decisions. The connectivity between employer, employee, and client can be improved via email communications, mobile platforms, broadband connectivity, central databases and advanced file servers.

Focusing on Core Business Developments:

When non-IT professionals are inundated with IT problems on the premises, it causes a waste of time and resources. Instead, these professionals need to focus on their core area of interest so that they can ensure more growth opportunities with their creative ideas not IT issues that they have no idea how to handle. When you have an external dedicated team for handling all IT issues, your internal staff can find more time to work for revenue generation process and it can naturally bring more benefits to your business.

Reduce Downtime:

No one can tolerate downtime for business but when a typical IT issue is not solved on time, it can make your business unavailable to your clients and they will find it annoying. It is important to make efforts to maximize uptime of your business and one way to do this is to hire professional IT consulting services. They provide 24×7 IT support services so that your business can always stay ahead in the competition.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com/computerconsulting. To contact one of our IT experts call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

What is managed IT services and do I need it?

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Creative Programs and Systems

If you want to grow your business, one of the best ways to achieve this type of goal is to improve the efficiency of your IT infrastructure. But creating an IT department is expensive, and many times you may not be able to get the results you want. That’s where the need for managed IT service comes into play.

The Term Managed IT Services

Managed IT services are IT related services provided by a third party contractors. Basically, the managed service provider is hired to handle and manage the IT infrastructure of that business. Then, the customer will end up paying for the managed IT services, and that’s it.

Usually, the managed IT services are offered as a subscription, with a recurring payment that happens every month. Alternatively, a business can hire managed IT support companies only when they require any type of help. The service level agreement, which is a contract between the two parts, will always include the terms of each contract, what the company needs and what managed services are supposed to deliver.

Why does your company need managed IT services?

There are lots of reasons why managed services are a very good investment for your business. First, you get to reduce or eliminate any downtime caused by IT problems. These are proactive solutions designed to solve any issues, remove any performance problems and repair the infrastructure when needed.

Plus, managed IT services are less expensive when compared to hiring an entire IT department as well, which is extremely helpful. Companies that offer managed IT services are also known for their high-quality services, dedication, and tremendous value. That’s the thing that makes such services stand out, and the value on its own is unlike anything you have ever seen.

Outsourcing IT services removes the need for an IT department. As a result, your company spends less on this services, but it still gets the security and compliance it requires. Being able to access services from high-quality IT professionals is very important, and that can always help take your business to the next level.

Also, managed IT services deliver immediate access to new technologies that your company can use on the fly. Usually, investing in these technologies can be extremely demanding, so the results can be second to none if you opt for the right approach.

Allowing Your Business To Grow

One thing is certain, managed IT services help you take your business to new heights, and they allow you to focus on your company’s growth. Plus, removing the need for an IT department is outstanding, and the results as a whole are more than impressive. You should always consider investing in managed IT services right away if you want your company to grow fast and with tremendous results!

Get a price on outsourcing your IT support needs today! You can call us at 810-224-5252 or visit our website at www.Cpsmi.com. We are Creative Programs and Systems driven by professional people with professional results.