What Your Business Needs to Operate Remotely

What Your Business Needs to Operate Remotely

In the past year, we have seen countless businesses move to a remote work set up due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Many of these businesses have seen great success with a model like this, and the transition has been seamless. Some businesses, on the other hand, have found themselves struggling to make the appropriate adjustments. It can be difficult to have to re-establish workplace norms, especially when you are no longer in a centralized office, however, it is not impossible. Your tech experts at ANAX are here to help, and we have come up with some ways to ensure your business, and your team, experiences the greatest success possible. Below you will find some suggestions on what exactly your business needs to operate remotely. Let’s check them out! 

Connection

Establishing a solid connection means a few things for a remote-based business. First, your business and your employees need a reliable (and high-speed) connection to the internet. When based in a centralized office building, it can be fairly easy to establish an internet connection across the entire company. However, when your employees are working from home, it can be much more difficult to manage. Providing guidance on what your business expects from your employees in regard to internet connection and accessibility can be a great first step in ensuring that everyone is on the same page. 

Another form of connection that is necessary in a remote-based business is connection with each other. While some businesses operate smoothly without much intrapersonal connections, there are other markets that require employees to have a firmly-established connection with each other. This is seen most often in businesses that have teams or departments that must remain connected in order to be successful in achieving their respective goals.

Yet another kind of connection needed for a remotely operating business is the connection between your employees and the required information, data, or files for their job functions. Remote-access storage is necessary for employees to be able to connect with their work, and perform their jobs to the best of their abilities. 

Communication

In addition to simply establishing connections between employees and personnel, reliable and effective communication must be in place. There are many kinds of communications that can take place throughout a workday, and many solutions that can be put in place to create effective communication even while working remotely. Upgraded phone systems with high-quality headsets, a company-wide email system, instant messaging software for speedy communications and quick questions, video conference calls, you name it. There are plenty of solutions that exist to bridge the communication gap in remote work, and ANAX can assist you with deciding which one is right for your business, as well as getting it set up! 

Collaboration

Last, but certainly not least, collaboration is necessary to ensure the success of a remote-based business. Collaboration can only exist if connection and communication have first been established. In companies that have teams or departments, it is crucial to come up with collaborative solutions to ensure these groups of individuals can effectively work on projects simultaneously. There are many ways that collaboration can be woven into your remote business set up, including cloud-based storage solutions that allow for real-time participation of multiple team members, group conference calls and video conferencing, screen-sharing abilities, and more. When your team members are able to effectively collaborate remotely, nothing can stand in the way of growth for your business. 

If you are ready to take your business remote, or need assistance with stream-lining your already-remote business, contact the experts at ANAX! We can help you determine your specific needs and get everything set up for a seamless transition.

The Differences Between Cloud Storage & Local Storage

The Differences Between Cloud Storage & Local Storage

When it comes to storing data for your mid-size business, you may be in between a few options that exist. In recent years, there has been a tremendous push to move towards cloud-based storage and processing, rather than the traditional localized storage that many businesses have utilized for years. Some companies have even discovered that a hybrid mix of the two ends of the spectrum has been the most efficient solution for their storage needs. If you have been pondering what storage set up is best for your business, we can help! Let’s dive into more info about both cloud and local storage options

What are They? 

Cloud Storage

You may have heard marketing campaigns towards the beginning of the cloud-based computing era make the claim, “It’s in the cloud!” While catchy, and still memorable years after the fact, this phrase does not do much to explain what exactly cloud storage is. In essence, cloud storage is a way to store digital data, files, and information in the online world, one that encompasses several servers, across multiple locations. This storage method is typically maintained or managed by a web-based hosting company. The cloud exists outside of your given office space, without the need for physical copies of the data. 

Local Storage

Long gone are the days of floppy discs and CD-ROMs, however, the idea of local storage remains the same, albeit in a different capacity these days. Local storage now refers to the use of updated and newer physical storage devices. These can include hard disc drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), and external storage accessories like thumb drives or flash drives. 

What are the Benefits? 

Now that you understand the difference between the two, you may be wondering which one provides a more practical solution for your business. Rest assured, we have outlined some of the most notable pros and cons for each option! 

Cloud Storage

Pros

One of the most noteworthy reasons for the switch to cloud storage is the ability to access your stored data from pretty much anywhere you have internet service. In the past year, many companies have switched to remote work, and cloud storage provides a solution where employees scattered in multiple locations can access the data from wherever they are. This builds a more efficient workspace for those working from home, and allows more seamless collaboration. With cloud storage, you also establish a better disaster recovery system. Cloud storage solutions can be extremely cost-efficient as well as reducing energy consumption. There are many benefits to switching to a cloud-based storage set-up. 

Cons

There are some challenges that arise with this cloud storage solution, however. When dealing with highly sensitive data, it may be slightly more difficult, though not impossible, to establish data security. In addition, because cloud storage often relies on a third-party hosting company, there must be trust that the data will be handled securely, and that it will be available and accessible whenever you need it. 

Local Storage

Pros

With local storage, your business has all the data readily available at your fingertips. There is minimal upload and download time, whereas cloud storage can take slightly longer. Local storage also offers an extremely secure data-management process, since the information is stored only on those local devices, and can only be accessed by individuals who have access to said hardware. 

Cons

The downside of only being able to be accessed by individuals with the hard copies of the information is just that, a very limited accessibility. This cuts down on the ability to effectively and efficiently collaborate on projects as needed. In addition, buying and storing excess physical storage can be costly, and requires room within your office dedicated to the storage of your storage devices. Lastly, should a disaster strike your office building, all the physical copies of your data could be destroyed. 

What is Best for Your Business? 

As you can see, there are benefits and challenges that exist with either storage option. Depending on what your goals are as a business, and what kind of data you are needing to store, you may decide that either cloud or local storage is a better fit, or you may wish to create a hybrid of the two. If you have additional questions, or you would like to move forward with establishing an upgraded storage system for your mid-size business, we can help. Contact the experts at ANAX today!

Why You Need Managed IT Services

Why You Need Managed IT Services

If you are a business owner, you have probably heard about Managed IT Services already. In case you haven’t, or you would like to learn more, we decided to dive a little further into what exactly this entails, and how your business can benefit from it. 

What is Managed IT?

The majority of businesses operating in today’s day and age utilize some form of technology. Whether you have a POS system for your retail shop, are running a multi-line phone system for your customer service center, or you have dedicated work laptops that you provide to your employees, you will likely need IT support at some point. While many large-scale businesses typically have their own IT team, most small to midsize businesses do not. This is where Managed IT Services come into play. 

Managed IT Services essentially means that a business outsources their IT and tech support needs to a third-party company, a Managed Service Provider (MSP). This company specializes in business technology, and exists to provide reliable support to their client companies. Every company’s IT needs look different, and an MSP has the capability of juggling multiple functions, from maintaining tech equipment to setting up networks and providing support to more. Approximately 64% of businesses utilize Managed IT Services, and most small to midsize businesses can benefit from an MSP. 

Why Does Your Business Need It? 

Speaking of benefits, let’s take a look why you should consider Managed IT Services for your business. 

Less to Manage

We know you have a lot on your plate. Worrying about your IT problems shouldn’t add to that stress. Managed IT Services allow you to focus on getting your job done, and letting an MSP take care of the tech. 

More Knowledge

Technology moves fast. It can be hard to keep up with if it isn’t your speciality. Managed IT Services allow you to have access to a team of experts in the field, who take care of staying up-to-date for you. 

Less to Hire

With Managed IT Services, you won’t be burdened with the task of hiring, firing, training, and maintaining an IT support team. An MSP takes care of all their own staffing, and you reap the benefits of having qualified, knowledgeable techs take care of your IT needs. 

Why ANAX?

As you can see, there are multiple benefits to having Managed IT Services. You’re convinced that this is something you want for your business, but now you’re wondering what MSP to go with. We know your options are vast for this, so we wanted to highlight why ANAX is the right choice. ANAX is locally-owned, Las Vegas based. That means our team is dedicated to the community, and wants to see your business succeed and thrive. We have years in the business, over a decade to be exact, and we put that experience and knowledge to good use for your company. We are well-rounded in our offered services, and pride ourselves on being able to take care of all your tech needs. 

ANAX is committed to building relationships with our customers. We have developed an extremely loyal client base over the years and thanks to them, the bulk of our growth is the result of the referrals from many of our satisfied clients. Our consistent accountability has given our customers the peace of mind they need for their business, especially when it comes to IT management and services. If you are interested in learning more about Managed IT Services, or want to schedule a consultation, contact our team today! 

Why Paperless Offices Are Few and Far Between

Why Paperless Offices Are Few and Far Between

Regardless of just how digitized your company has become over the past decade, the chances of your office being completely paperless are pretty slim. While digital workspaces have become increasingly popular, with online calendars, time tracking software, direct deposit paychecks, and digital paperwork signing, eliminating the need for printers completely is nearly impossible. In an effort to remain as economically mindful as possible, many companies are cutting down on their printing tremendously, which is commendable, but for the printing that still exists, there may be better ways to manage

Tracking Costs

Printing is often an expense that gets overlooked, while there are, in fact, many costs that are associated with it. Paper prices, ink replacement, and the outright cost of the printing equipment all must be considered. This doesn’t even take into account if something happens to go wrong with the printers, then more money will need to be spent outsourcing equipment repair or maintenance. These costs add up quickly, and can be eating away at your business budget without you even realizing it. 

Partnering with ANAX is a great solution to tracking your print-related costs, as well as keeping everything simple. We provide office equipment, and we keep in maintained and repaired, so everything that you need can be sourced through us. This not only saves you money, but it saves you time, which is just as valuable. 

Connection and Configuration

Another struggle that many companies run into with printing is the connection of all office devices to the available printers. New employees, new system upgrades, new equipment, all require being connected to the printer setup. In addition, configuring commercial printers can be tricky business. With many settings to choose from, wifi capabilities available, and more, having a professional handle this process from the beginning can save you time and money, and prevent headaches! 

While the digital world is a wonderful place, often connection issues can present themselves in the most inconvenient times. A paperless office may be the ideal, but the reliance on a not-always-reliable digital office functionality can lead to frustrations. When you run into digital errors in your office space, especially when it comes to connecting to printers or other devices, ANAX is here to help. Regardless of how far into your transition to a paperless option you are, we can offer solutions

Keeping Up With Trends

Whether you are pursuing a paperless office, or have simply cut down on your business printing, there are always trends to keep up with. Constantly-evolving digital solutions require upgrades and updates and maintenance and repair and more. Managing the flow of these changes within your office can be a full-time job within itself. Outsourcing this to ANAX saves you time, and our experts will ensure that your office has everything it needs to be successful. 

While paperless offers may not be possible for every office, ANAX offers solutions to help stay in control of your printing costs, your economic effect, and more. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.

New Year, New Equipment

New Year, New Equipment

How ANAX Can Help Get Your Devices Up and Running

When operating a business, you often utilize several different devices, all of which should be connected on the same network, all completing various tasks that keep your business running. Sometimes it comes time for these devices to be updated. These devices can aid in productivity and efficiency, as long as they are set up correctly, and they themselves are up to date. Initial configuration and connection of these devices can be overwhelming, especially for less tech-savvy business owners. At ANAX, we offer assistance with the setup of various devices, as well as making sure they all communicate with each other properly, and in some cases, can even perform regular maintenance on them as necessary. 

Laptops

Some companies provide laptops to their employees. In some circumstances, certain programs and privileges need to be set up and established. It can be a hassle ensuring that all laptops are set up correctly, and the same way. In addition, firewalls and other malware protection may need to be put in place. ANAX can help with everything you need to do to get your employees’ laptops ready for distribution.

Cellular Devices

Likewise to employee laptops, companies sometimes allot work phones to their employees, so as to not require them to use their personal phones for their jobs. Setting these cell phones up to the same standards across the board, as well as within company guidelines, is something that ANAX can assist with, whether they are Android or Apple products. 

Tablets

In many scenarios, tablets are replacing laptops, especially with the additional mobility that they provide. In other scenarios, tablets have been replacing POS systems, which has become increasingly popular for small businesses, as it is less of an initial investment than purchasing a more robust POS set up. ANAX can help set up your company tablets for how you are looking to use them, whether they are Android or Apple products. 

Phone Systems

In a cloud-enabled, always-connected world, you can’t afford communication solutions that don’t keep up. At ANAX, we’ve built a reputation on delivering the best cloud solutions and onsite VoIP services to businesses in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and all over Southern Nevada. Regardless of business type or industry, existing infrastructure or budget, we’ll find the right fit for your phone needs. We can help get these phone systems set up, configured, and we can perform maintenance on them as necessary. 

And More!

There are many devices that can be used in businesses, and each one comes with a unique set up process. Contact ANAX to see how we can help.

On-Site Support & How it Benefits You

On-Site Support & How it Benefits You

Let’s say you have a big presentation at work. You get everything all set up and ready to go, aaand nothing happens. No presentation shows up on the screens and there’s no fix in sight. Time to call in the backup. Most network support is done virtually, as some tech companies only offer troubleshooting over the phone, or via an online chat session. On top of being frustrated with your presentation falling through, you now have to figure out how to explain your problem to someone who might not even reside in the same time zone as you. 

Maybe you don’t know the terminology, or you don’t know quite how to put the issue you’re experiencing into words. Regardless, it can be excruciating trying to work through solutions with someone who isn’t even there. Often this kind of troubleshooting requires you to fix the problem yourself as well. At ANAX, we believe in providing hands-on support directly on site, and we believe in the many benefits that come along with it. 

Saving You Time

Whether it is via chat session or phone call, virtual support can be time consuming. It can take a while to even establish what the issue is, since the technician is unable to see what is going on and get their hands on the source of the problem. 

After initially figuring out what is causing your troubles, the technician then has to spend even more time working through a solution, all while explaining to you various things to look for or try. This step can take time as well, as you are most likely unfamiliar with your office equipment and network servers, etc. 

There is always the possibility of the solution not working as well. If this is the case, then it has to be determined if it didn’t work because it wasn’t the right solution, or if there was a misstep along the way. After all, you are only receiving directions virtually and it is to be expected that you are not as familiar with the process as the tech is. If all else fails, then these virtual troubleshooters will send finally send out an on-site technician. 

We like to avoid all of this going back and forth and potential problems that come with it. From the very beginning, we send out a hands-on tech to assess the problems you are having. The allows for less communication errors and also doesn’t require you to fix it yourself! 

Saving You Stress

Since you no longer have to try to figure out the issue and fix it yourself with the “help” of a virtual troubleshooter, you end up having less on your plate. Go give that presentation a few more practice run throughs while we sort everything out. When everything is up and running again, you’ll definitely nail it this time around. Our goal is to make the process as stress free as possible for you. 

Saving You Money

Since less time is required, chances are, it’ll cost you less too. On top of that, if you are in charge of fixing it yourself, and a mistake gets made, it may cost you even more to fix that additional issue. However, if you aren’t in charge of fixing it, and have experienced techs handling the problem from the beginning, you won’t have to pay to fix it again. 

Overall, at ANAX we believe in helping your business run as smoothly as possible, and we provide the quality service to get you there. When problems arise, our experienced technicians are ready and willing to show up on site and get the job done. Want network and office equipment support that’s actually supportive? Contact us!