Setting Up Remote Office Access

Setting Up Remote Office Access

Many businesses last year switched to remote work environments, especially when stay-at-home orders were issued and enforced. With the realization that this work from home approach may be a new long-term operating norm, these businesses started looking for more efficient solutions for their employees. In order to collaborate effectively, these employees needed to be able to access work files remotely, and to exist in an online environment where networking and communication are seamless with others in the company. 

While there are many variations of solutions for these requirements, deciphering what may work best for your company, and then getting it set up and connecting every employee, may be a daunting task, especially if tech and the online world are not your forte. No need to fret, however, ANAX is here to help. Let’s take a look at what Remote Office Access is, and how we can assist you with setting it up for your business. 

What is Remote Office Access? 

In simplest terms, remote office access means that employees in a company are able to access their work computer or network, remotely from any location. This sometimes entails an online office environment where employees can collaborate with each other on projects, and do so more efficiently than if they were unable to access this remote office network. There are many ways to achieve remote office access, and each option may be more ideal for different scenarios than others. Some of the available options for achieving remote office access include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), virtual private networks (VPNs), remote desktop access, and cloud network access. 

VPNs

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are often considered to be the most secure, as they are not susceptible to direct attacks and have strict encryption protocols in place. This makes for a much safer communication between the remote office space and the employees, however, setting up a VPN is a lot more labor-intensive and demanding to set up. 

Remote Desktop Access

Remote Desktop Access is easier to establish and set up, and there are multiple ways to do so. With remote access software, enterprise remote desktop, or direct remote access options, there is a solution for every business. While remote desktop access can be utilized by virtually anyone, it is typically ideal for occasional or temporary remote work scenarios, or in circumstances where a physical office still exists while employees are stationed at home. 

Cloud Network Access

Yet another solution for remote office access is through a cloud network. This is typically the choice that many companies make when they have decided not to return to in-person work. There is a flexibility and lower cost appeal to this option, however, some companies are wary of the difficulty or inability to monitor device usage. 

How ANAX Can Help

Whatever option you would like to pursue for your company and employees, ANAX can help you get it set up. Initializing this remote office access system and onboarding all of your employees can be a daunting task, but our experts are here to make your transition seamless. We also take steps to increase the security of this remote office access to ensure that operations remain private and safe. We accomplish this by establishing firewalls and antivirus software on devices, and helping you determine which solution will work best for your company. We can also assist with setting up your VPN properly to maximize the level of security for both your business and your employees. When it comes to ensuring that you are successful in your transition to permanent or long-term remote work, ANAX has you covered. Contact our team of tech experts today!

Updating POS Systems to Benefit Your Business

Updating POS Systems to Benefit Your Business

If you are a business owner operating any kind of store or shop, or any business that runs on sales for that matter, you may be looking into the large variety of POS (point-of-sale) systems that exist. This vast array of options can be extremely overwhelming, especially when you are just starting a business and have so many decisions to make already. You may be persuaded to make a fast choice and go with whatever POS system initially appeals to you, however, there is a lot weighing on this decision, and careful time and consideration should be taken. Having an updated POS system, and the right one,  can greatly benefit your business. 

How to Pick the Right POS System

Determine Needs

The first step to choosing your ideal updated POS system is to begin by determining how it will be used in your business. POS systems have a variety of functions and can complete many tasks for your company, even beyond simply ringing customers out. Take some time to consider what your business needs are, and see how potential systems are able to meet those needs. 

Check Out the Hardware Requirements

Different POS systems have different hardware requirements. It is crucial to take into account what the requirements are, and to make sure that your business is equipped to handle them. 

Figure Out Your Budget

Budget is another important factor, as POS systems can range in price tremendously. Determine a comfortable payment amount for your business, and choose a POS system that falls within that. You may even want to consider a system that has the potential to upgrade in the future, should your budget increase. 

Work With Your Space

Whether you have a large business or a small one, you should always work with the space you have. Shop around various POS system set ups and choose one that will not only fit in the space you have, but complement it as well. 

Look Into Available Resources

Many POS systems come fully equipped with everything you need to be a successful business, however, there are sometimes additional resources available that can enhance your experience with them. Apps and training software can make the POS system more accessible and more understandable for you and your employees. 

Benefits of a Fitting POS

As stated above, finding the right POS system can have many benefits for your business. Once you have decided on a POS system to utilize, you may notice these benefits take place rather quickly. 

Accomplishes Necessary Tasks

Just as a POS system should, having the right one will help you accomplish all the necessary tasks that you wanted it to. It may even help to automate those processes and complete these tasks on its own. 

Streamlines Service

Effective POS systems will also aid in streamlining service, whether you are a retailer or a restaurant. By having a single unified system, everyone remains on the same page, and orders or sales are easily tracked. 

Minimizes Losses

Another benefit of having the best updated POS system for you is the ability to minimize your losses. Employees can have separate key codes or profiles within the system, and all orders or sales they manage can be kept track of. This makes it easier to narrow down when discrepancies occur, and also aids in keeping a running total of drawer amounts and more. 

As you can see, choosing the right POS system has multiple benefits for your business, and the decision shouldn’t be taken lightly. At ANAX, we hope that this will help make your decision easier. For any of your tech needs, contact us.

Keeping Connected While Working Apart

Keeping Connected While Working Apart

Over the past few months, with a global pandemic wreaking havoc on the world, many businesses have transitioned to remote work, either temporarily or permanently. If you are an employee of a company who has done just this, you may be feeling a bit disconnected. Similarly, if you have a business that has made this decision for the safety of your employees, you may feel like you have less management over the work being completed. Rest assured, however, there are many options for you and your team to keep connected while working apart. 

Phone Calls

One of the easiest ways to stay in touch while working separately is by arranging phone calls to discuss schedules, work projects, progress, and more. Phone calls can be regularly scheduled, or may be spontaneous, and can be as in depth as discussing the entire week ahead, or as brief as simply touching base for five minutes. While your home office may not have the same office technology as the company, having a phone system based on the internet simplifies the transition to working from home. If you have questions about this solution or how to implement it for your business, contact our experts! 

Video Calls

Video calls are another popular choice of remote work businesses. This allows for more face to face communication, more seamless conference conversations, and the inclusion of body language. There are many free online resources for hosting video calls, such as Google Hangouts and Zoom. If you’re experiencing lagging videos in your conference calls, you may need to adjust your internet service. 

Group Messaging

Platforms such as Slack are designed for group messaging. This allows for the same level of communication as phone or video calls, however, employees can access the messages at their convenience, instead of being required to sign on and participate at a certain time. Slack also has provisions for creating groups or departments, making it easier to stay organized and on task together. 

Project Boards

Project board platforms or software such as Trello keeps everyone on the same page about what projects are being worked on, who they are assigned to, and what the progress is on them. Leave notes, add attachments and track the work flow as needed. Users can be granted access to certain boards, allowing employees to be able to better manage their projects and communicate about which tasks still need completed. 

Time Management Programs

In addition to communication and project management, utilizing a time tracking or time management program can prove to be beneficial for remote workers. Toggl or similar choices are popular for essentially clocking in and out for the day, or tracking how long specific projects tag. You can add tags for clients or projects to help stay organized. At the end of the week, you have the ability to export a timesheet to provide your employer if required. 

As you can see, there are several options to stay connected and keep communicating even while working separately. Remote work does not mean working alone. If you have questions about tech, software, or hardware that can assist with working from home, contact us today! 

Updating Your Business Phone System

Updating Your Business Phone System

At ANAX, we offer several solutions for your business and office needs. We do the hard work of keeping up with the times so that you don’t have to. Technology is a constantly changing field, and it is not just limited to computers and software. Another piece of technology that has encountered many changes over the past decades is the business phone system. 

One of the services that we provide is cloud-hosted VoIP phone systems. This term has become more familiar to those in office spaces over the past couple of years, however, if you’re not as current with the phone trends, we’ll go over what exactly a VoIP is before we get into why you need it. 

What is VoIP? 

Traditional phones require direct connection via copper wires in order to make and receive calls. VoIP phones do not need this wire connectivity, and instead, function via internet connection. Because of the lack of need for wires, the mobility, interoperability, and connectivity of VoIP phones is nearly limitless. 

Outdated, copper-wired, stationary phones are hardwired into a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) machine. This PBX device routes calls in and out, serving as the operator and connector between phones. With VoIP phones, the PBX is no longer necessary, since calls are made via the internet, and not through the wires. Talk about eliminating the middleman, right? 

Why do you need VoIP? 

In addition to simply staying relevant with the ever-changing technology, there are several reasons that your business would benefit from a VoIP phone system. As mentioned previously, traditional phone systems are wired into a PBX machine. Switching to VoIP phones eliminates the need for this, which can clear up office space for more important things. 

VoIP phones operate via the internet, and only require access to the existing computer network cabling or the WiFi in order to complete calls. This eliminates the need for copper wiring, and means that no additional wiring needs to be installed should you decide to switch. Bonus, your phone number stays the same, so there are no additional fees to update that either (not to mention, no need to go through the headache of updating your phone number everywhere too!).

Additional VoIP Features

VoIP phones have many, many features that are simply impossible on a traditional phone. As we have already discussed, they are unchained from the copper cords, and operate on your existing internet connection. VoIP phone systems allow for users to link to their own accounts, instead of being tied to a singular phone number. With this feature, you can jump between multiple phone calls on an account at the same time. 

VoIP allows for voicemails just as traditional phones do, however, they are more easily accessible, and often have advanced features. This new wave of phones has also experienced updates in audio quality and range, allowing you to listen further and understand more. Finally, VoIP phones can be set up for PoE. PoE stands for power over Ethernet, meaning that VoIP phones are able to be powered via a network cable, as opposed to being plugged into a traditional power socket. 

If your business operates several phones simultaneously, or requires operators to switch between various calls seamlessly, switching to a VoIP system may be a smart move to make. As you can see, the benefits of VoIP are numerous, and making the change is quite simple. Contact us today to see how we can bring the benefits of VoIP to your business!

Avoiding Viruses

Avoiding Viruses

IT Management & Staying Virus-Free

With all this talk of viruses lately, we figured it might be a time to circle around to touch on the ones that can affect your technology. Let’s face it: with the widespread and rapid pace at which technology is growing, the days of needing employees on your staff to handle your I.T. needs are long gone. Today, almost all support can be handled remotely on a cloud and being face to face is a just call away. The benefits of outsourcing I.T. are pretty significant when you consider the value and efficiency that it adds to any business.

Outsourcing IT

Having a third party company to handle the computer viruses and malware/spyware removal is important for protecting your business’ and client’s information. A common hiccup that businesses can often run into though, despite whether they are Star-Ups or well established companies, is not coming to the realisation that outsourcing this work is a valuable and often necessary part of operating efficiently. This is especially the case when it comes to areas of operation such as a business’ I.T. problems and solutions because keeping a dedicated I.T. department on your payroll isn’t always the most cost effective or streamline way to go.

When you are making the decision of whether or not to let another business handle your I.T. needs, you should consider the value that having one adds to your business. First, unless your I.T. department adds value to your company, it can and should be outsourced. Many I.T. problems like computer viruses, malware, and spyware can be handled remotely by a company that can offer you around-the-clock support at a better rate than hiring your own tech-support department.

Additionally, having a company that handles all of your I.T. needs is great for scaling up. A good time for outsourcing you I.T. needs, could be when you’re considering expansion and your I.T. operations cannot keep up with the pace of growth. As mentioned, businesses should always consider their value and this includes their overhead as well. Outsourcing to a company that specializes in these services is great for your business to take advantage of their expertise so you can scale up without worrying about the logistics of your network. Instead of wasting time and money on experimenting, you can leverage a cheaper, more efficient service. If you’re interested in outsourcing your IT and virus protection and prevention, contact our team of experts!

Big Tech in Small Businesses

Big Tech in Small Businesses

In today’s society, technology is everywhere. It’s almost impossible to escape from it. When it comes to running businesses, there is no exception. Large businesses usually have the disposable income to invest in advancing technologies, but how do small businesses fare in this field? Though they may not have the funds to stay on top of every technological trend, big tech in small businesses can make all the difference in their success. 

Technology over the years has changed the way that systems run, orders are fulfilled, inventory is kept, and much more. Technology intends to streamline things, and make it easier for business owners to keep track and run their business successfully. Let’s take a look at specific ways the tech can make a big difference in small businesses. 

Connection

It has been shown that customers are more loyal to brands that they feel personally connected with. One way to foster this connection is with the ease of communication that technology provides. Because of technology, we have constant access to a vast array of knowledge and communication methods right at our fingertips. 

Businesses that engage with their clientele online are more likely to establish a connection with them, as they are available to answer questions, provide information on products and services, accept feedback, and address any issues immediately. Increased connection leads to more positive and successful customers interactions, which leads to brand loyalty. All thanks to tech!

Marketing

The abundance of technology that saturates society has also changed the face of marketing. In order to advertise years ago, one might have to take out some ad space in a newspaper, buy commercial times for television or radio, or have printed banners and other marketing materials made. While some of these may still be effective in certain scenarios, they are typically time consuming, expensive, and do not allow you much customization. 

Technology has made major changes in this area. There are numerous options for marketing online these days, from social media ads to Google search ads and more. These allow you to design them however you want, present them to whomever you want, and pay how much you want. This kind of advertising can be much more feasible for small businesses. 

Leveraging Social Media

Social media is another popular trend that technology helped advance very quickly. It can be utilized very easily for both connection and marketing aspects discussed above, but also provides a simple way to keep your customers up to date of events, promotions, new products, general information about your business, and more. A vast majority of online adults utilize social media, so having a business presence on it expands your potential audience tremendously. 

Productivity

Technological advances also benefit small businesses in the productivity department. Tech can allow time to be kept, tasks to be assigned and tracked, and systems to be automated, all in the name of productivity. These new ways of doing things can help to accomplish more in less amount of time, while not sacrificing any quality. When it comes to small businesses, this can actually end up saving money as well. 

Security

Last, but certainly not least, technology has been able to change the security industry as well. Security and alarm systems, as well as surveillance cameras and recording devices, have all become more affordable and accessible. This allows even small businesses to get the equipment they need to protect and monitor their stores. 

As you can see, big tech can now be utilized in small businesses, and can affect them in tremendous ways. If you are a small business, and want to see what tech solutions are available for you, contact our experts today.