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Improving Your Cybersecurity in 2018

March 19, 2018 by The Christine Advantage dba TCS

Despite initial reluctance on the part of some telecom vendors, cloud computing is now key for improving business for many companies. When you adopt a cloud-based solution, you’re bringing on board more safety assurances, because you’re not relying on on-premise servers that either break down or are easily accessed by cybercriminals. In fact, cybersecurity is one of the main reasons more organizations are moving to the cloud.

If storing data in the cloud has not been something that’s crossed your mind, consider these two benefits, particularly in light of how pervasive cyberattacks are today:

1. Security
There is still the potential for a hacker to break into your database. However, cloud-based data is far more secure than data on your local server.

2. Quick Access to Data
With the cloud, your data and cloud-based applications are available to you as long as you have a connection. This gives you greater mobility to do what you need to do when you’re not in the office.

Controlling Access to Data

One of the biggest considerations to make where cybersecurity is concerned is who has access to what. Some organizations will completely avoid putting highly sensitive information in the cloud, but regardless of what you’re putting on it, be sure to control access so that employees who don’t need to see specific data do not have clearance to access it.

When you control access to data, you’re closing windows of opportunity to cybercriminals who target systems that aren’t tightly locked down. Keep in mind that when your employees have access to documents from anywhere at any time, so do the hackers, which is why “access only” limits must be set.

Encryption Is Your Friend

When you look at cloud-based solutions, disregard those that don’t offer encryption services. Furthermore, those that do offer encryption services should go above and beyond encrypting files that are going between your systems’ computers and the cloud. For example, a robust encryption service also includes an added layer of protection, which protects data that is “resting.”

Practice Better Passwords

Yes, this is still part of the conversation with cybersecurity because so many people continue to use weak passwords. Nearly half of all users will keep the same passwords for five years or longer, while nearly a quarter have been found to keep theirs for a decade. Make it a rule that nobody with access to your system can use a password with birthdates or names of pets or one that is less than 12 characters long, or use the same password for more than one account.

At TeleConsult, we work with more than 100 IT, telecom, and cloud vendors to provide the best telecom services. We offer customer support 24/7/365, so our clients are never without the assistance they need. Contact us to learn more.

Why Digital Transformation Is Stalling in the Enterprise

March 5, 2018 by The Christine Advantage dba TCS

Even among enterprises that have a digital transformation strategy in place, the actual execution of that plan may be stalling out. A recent survey released by Appian and conducted by DevOps.com highlights the various reasons that digital transformation isn’t being prioritized in some organizations.

The survey, which included 463 leaders in business and IT, demonstrates that, in many enterprises, the challenges of technical debt and the push for new applications are drowning out enthusiasm for digital transformation. While organizations have their sights on innovation that includes launching Internet of Things initiatives, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, the reality is that development often gets crowded out by daily tasks. Here are some of the most pressing factors that are slowing a migration to the cloud:

Technical debt: Enterprises often have debt related to technology, but in some cases, this debt is in equipment or licensing that is in a complicated tangle with other technology, masking whether the return on investment is even calculable. For some organizations, the cost of terminating a service contract or other costs may prevent them from innovating their infrastructure or applications.

Talent shortage: The survey indicated that 82 percent of respondents reported difficulty with retaining or attracting software engineers capable of executing the specific plans of their digital transformation. CIOs also need more talent to simply handle the everyday backlog of IT. One in five respondents reported at least 50 major application requests that were waiting to be fulfilled by their teams. Sixty-one percent said that they had at least ten applications waiting for implementation.

Complexity of the task: Digital transformation isn’t a task that can simply be handed off to the new software engineer, nor can these steps be implemented without heavy investment. Yet 52 percent of respondents say they don’t expect more than a 10 percent increase in their budgets in the next year.

Meanwhile, enterprises recognize the driver of digital transformation: the customer experience. With marketers promising a personalized experience and customers wanting seamless experiences that load quickly and offer excellent performance, the competition to offer these benefits is important. Digital transformation has disruptive potential, and can determine which companies thrive and which fade.

For now, it seems that most enterprises feel they are keeping up with customer demand, with 71 percent of respondents saying their current technology adequately meets customer expectations. At the same time, 72 percent say the same technology won’t support necessary growth.

If the above findings sound like the situation at your company, TeleConsult Solutions is here to help. We provide technology solutions, but also work to partner with you through your digital transformation, offering guidance and matching you with the right providers. Contact us for more information.

Business Collaboration Trends You Can’t Ignore

February 19, 2018 by teleconsult

Staying connected in business seems like a pretty straightforward concept. But when technology enters the mix, a shoot-from-the-hip approach to business collaboration could leave your organization spending too much time and money on plans and applications. The reality is that business collaboration is critical to your success, has evolved considerably in the last few years, and is slated to only get better.

There are three trends gaining momentum in the marketplace overall that will enhance the way employees collaborate in the workplace and on the road. Let’s take a look at these trends and how business collaboration will continue to deliver clear value for its users and the bottom line.

Integration is key. One thing we know for sure is that businesses today rely on a number of different applications in order to be successful. With many of these applications operating in the unified communications space, the opportunities for integrating across multiple channels have never been better. The apps rising to the top are those offering APIs, or application programming interfaces that ensure the smooth and secure transfer of data between two different platforms. App makers want to be sure proprietary strongholds don’t get in the way of clean integration.

The inbox is getting a little less love. Email is great when you want to be sure employees can communicate and everyone is on the same page. It’s also a great way to ensure you have a paper trail. When it comes to business collaboration, however, it is losing ground as users are turning to collaboration apps. Slack is gaining a lot of ground for those who simply want quick interactions, and project management platforms like Basecamp allow for communication streams, documents, and all other activities to be kept in the same place and in real-time.

You have to be mobile. For so many organizations, the key to optimal business collaboration is the integration of mobile. Not only are professionals on the go, but an increasing number of businesses are ditching the brick-and-mortar approach in favor of virtual operations. The slashing of traditional overhead is great for the bottom line, but doing so demands access to robust technology solutions that promote efficiency, productivity, and top performance.

In today’s fast-paced environment, a strategic focus on how teams communicate and collaborate is essential to gaining a competitive advantage. If you’re ready to see what more effective collaboration can mean for your environment, contact TeleConsult today.

Why Manufacturing Must Embrace Digital Transformation

February 5, 2018 by teleconsult

Digital transformation is a priority for every industry, with enterprises recognizing the need to transition to the cloud to remain competitive. From the user experience to processing data, legacy systems simply can’t keep up with the kinds of benefits that the cloud offers.

The effects may be heightened in the manufacturing industry. Some of the benefits that digital transformation offers may soon be considered indispensable for remaining relevant in today’s market:

Interconnectedness for the Internet of Things (IoT): Many industries are utilizing new technology that allows for sensors inside devices to transmit data, but certain markets, like manufacturing and healthcare, are outpacing the others at using these devices to transform business processes. As a result, manufacturing requires up-to-date systems that can handle large sets of data and real-time responsiveness with the IoT. When decisions are made to alter the activities on the production line, they must be made with real-time data.

Simply equipping systems to handle the amount of data exchanged with IoT devices will be a challenge for manufacturing companies. Not only does software need to be able to handle the data, there also needs to be consideration for network connectivity, particularly in cases where real-time data exchange is necessary.

Removing the risk of complexity creep: When new technology is tagged onto legacy systems, manufacturing companies can suffer from complexity creep, where the IT team is forced to keep creating patches and workarounds for supporting legacy software. Beyond any added complexity, the maintenance of legacy hardware is often more costly than implementing cloud software.

Supply chain visibility: One of the big drivers for digital transformation is a desire for supply chain visibility. Manufacturing companies want high visibility during every stage of production, from the procurement of raw materials to the final delivery to the customer. Legacy systems cannot match the clear bird’s eye view that’s offered by new, advanced systems provided through the cloud. With a high level of visibility, errors can be spotted and corrected before they are finalized, and those that can’t make such adjustments may be left behind by the competition.

The ability to make better-informed, quick decisions: One of the major benefits of investing in software is the ability to make decisions with better information and at a faster pace. The tools and insights available through cloud software give manufacturers the tools to improve workflow, remove inefficiencies, and make adjustments to production or overall strategies, all with more speed than what is possible with a legacy system.

At TeleConsult, we combine unbiased advice with reliable service, acting as your consultant all the way through your technology selection process. Contact us to learn more about implementing the right software to equip your digital transformation.

5 Myths About Contact Center Cloud Migration You Can’t Believe

January 23, 2018 by teleconsult

The promises of the cloud are abundant in the telecommunications space. Vendors promise everything from lower prices to improved redundancy. The key to better understanding the opportunities is to take a step back and examine how they relate to current challenges you’re experiencing and why the cloud is attractive in the first place. This is especially true for the contact center.

Given that the cloud offers a very different approach to the way we capture, move, and store data, there are a number of elements to consider when evaluating a migration. As a result, there is a considerable amount of content leading to myths that stop some decision makers in their tracks. Here, we’ll take a look at some of these myths and why they shouldn’t be derailing your plans for a cloud-based contact center.

Moving to the cloud immediately upgrades your operation. This myth is one that could quickly get you in trouble. The cloud doesn’t automatically improve your current operations, although it can end up being a better solution. The key is to clearly define your needs and evaluate cloud options to see how you meet those needs while still realizing the benefits the cloud has to offer.

The cloud makes your data more vulnerable. Perceived security risks are the most common delay in cloud migration. Moving data away from your in-house servers feels like you’re moving it away from the protection of your firewall. When placed on the server of a provider with vast resources, however, you actually gain access to better security and redundancies than you can create on your own system.

Contact center staff don’t want to move to the cloud. While it’s true that many people don’t like change, it’s easier to get behind an initiative when the benefits are understood. For the contact center employee, moving to the cloud could mean the opportunity to work from home, more flexible hours, access to more seamless systems, improved work performance, and more. The key is to communicate with staff why the change will be in their best interests.

Public, private, hybrid clouds…they’re all the same. A lack of understanding on how the cloud actually works is a great inhibitor. It can also lead to poor decision-making when the time comes. Vendors are a great resource to explain the differences among cloud options and what makes sense for the contact center.

Cloud applications are challenging to integrate. Like anything else, contact center application integration is only as hard as you make it. Cloud applications often offer APIs for easy integration into proprietary systems so your operations don’t have to change in ways that don’t make sense for your business. The open nature of the cloud makes integration a primary vantage point.

If myths like these continue to darken your plans to do anything innovative with your contact center, it’s time to contact TeleConsult Solutions. Since 2000, we’ve worked with companies just likes yours to determine the best approach to your operations. We’ll help you dispel the myths and implement solutions that make sense for all involved.

Increase in Broadband Speed Makes a Leased Line More Affordable

January 9, 2018 by teleconsult

Broadband speeds are increasing, and while a leased line has traditionally been a more expensive option, there may be reasons to consider it. A leased line offers a permanent network connection between two points, and it’s now more accessible as a connectivity option for enterprises.

A leased line is discussed as an uncontended service, meaning the connection is dedicated. There are four main considerations when debating broadband versus a leased line:

Number of users: Determine how many of your employees will be accessing the internet. A leased line is recommended for companies with 20+ users to offer them improved quality and a better user experience.

Internet usage levels: Even if you have fewer than 20 employees accessing the internet, a leased line may still be a good option if your internet usage is high. If you only access the internet for sending emails, doing a little browsing, and uploading a picture or video here and there, you may not require a leased line. If you have multiple office locations with employees video conferencing in from remote locations, a leased line may be preferable to broadband.

Business continuity: It’s a good idea to determine what might happen to your revenue (and other business continuity concerns) if there was a disruption to your internet service. It’s important to secure a service level agreement (SLA) with your leased line provider so that you know what to expect if there’s a disruption.

Price: While the cost of leased lines is decreasing, costs can still vary depending on a variety of factors:

Location: If you have multiple sites, the distance from each one to your provider may make a significant difference in rates for a leased line.
Competition: Whether you live in a rural or urban area and the kind of competition there is for network services may affect your price.
Bandwidth: The more bandwidth your company requires, the higher cost you’ll pay, so when you seek a quote, ask for multiple speeds to consider.
Technology: Fiber lines are being replaced with more cost-effective options, so find out what kind of materials will be used in your leased line.

There are multiple advantages for choosing a leased line, but you’ll need to weigh them carefully against the costs and benefits of broadband over a shared connection. Leased lines offer faster uploads, better reliability, and high-speed connections that aren’t impacted by peak service times.

TeleConsult Solutions will make sure that you have the right infrastructure in place to handle the growing network demands of your business. Whether you’re looking for streamlined internet access or a fully-meshed, secure IP network to support all your applications, TeleConsult’s internet and data products offer the scalability and flexibility to meet the needs of your business. Contact us for more information.

The Value of a Gradual Migration to the Cloud

December 18, 2017 by teleconsult

Reading the headlines a few years ago, it was easy to assume that, before long, enterprises would be making a sweeping, all-inclusive migration to the cloud. When they got a break from counting all the money they saved, the IT team may have a few tasks now and then, but cloud was largely going to change the way IT was done.

The cloud has certainly changed things, but enterprises are learning the value of a gradual cloud migration. In fact, a recent report by 451 Research commissioned by Schneider Electric details some of the impact of moving too quickly to the cloud for data storage.

In many cases, enterprises moved data storage to the cloud only to transfer it back to an on-premises data center. While the report says that cloud infrastructure is expected to grow at a 16 percent compound annual growth rate by 2020, on-site enterprise data storage capacity will drop only four points.

In the past two years, 41 percent of respondents reported moving applications from the cloud back to colocation facilities. According to the report, here are a few reasons for the phenomenon:

Latency or performance issues: Of the respondents, 47 percent said that latency or performance suffered when data was housed in the cloud.

Cost: Colocation was more cost-effective for 45 percent of those surveyed, while 39 percent said they preferred more predictable data storage costs.

Security: The report found that 37 percent did not believe data protection was adequate in their cloud data server.

It’s clear that there is no single cause for a migration back to on-site data storage. What may be a practical takeaway is that gradual migration to the cloud is generally preferable to a mass exodus. There are several reasons why a gradual approach sets enterprises up for cloud success:

Total cost of ownership is often misunderstood: Enterprises may go into cloud solutions expecting big cost savings because they aren’t purchasing hardware, there’s a reduction in maintenance costs, and the subscription fees can be categorized as operating expenses. What’s often missed is that cold data storage may be cheaper in the cloud, but accessing it in a timely manner may be a bit pricier than anticipated.

Sometimes, a hybrid approach is ideal. When a gradual move to cloud computing is embraced, enterprises often find they can best optimize their systems with a hybrid environment. A dashboard can unify the systems into one customized monitoring center, and the enterprise can continue to evaluate whether additional cloud services will be a good fit with their on-site systems.

A quality data center partner removes the time-consuming tedium of network management from your workload, allowing you to focus on more strategic projects and goals. At TeleConsult, we work with enterprises to determine the right timeline and approach for cloud migration. Contact us for an initial appointment.

Creating a Data Protection Plan for Cloud Storage

December 4, 2017 by teleconsult

Enterprises are increasingly turning to the cloud for cost-effective data storage, but as the recent Equifax breach makes clear, data protection is still a critical topic for IT teams. While the cloud offers relief from daily backups and investment in servers for data storage, enterprises should not assume their data is safe.

Protecting customer information is critical, but so is the safeguarding of other corporate information assets, such as pricing information and sales history. Customer financial information needs safeguarding, and enterprises in the financial and healthcare industries must use additional caution to protect client assets. In the case of healthcare, prioritizing the regulations associated with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is critical.

The EU has put some regulations in place for requiring enterprises to protect the data of consumers, but in the U.S., data protection is largely driven by self-governance, as well as the assurance that consumers will abandon a company that experiences a major security breach.

Best Practices for Data Protection

Evaluate the best options between public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud solutions. The best and most secure option for data storage and protection may be different between these alternatives depending on the type of data being discussed. It’s possible that an enterprise will need to use a combination of cloud solutions for the different types of data they need to protect.

Fully examine the security history of the service provider, as well as the storage platform itself. You need to know what the service provider’s security recovery plan is, and whether they’ve had to execute it in the past. Don’t only look at the vendor, but examine the reputation of the software they use.

Use two-factor authentication. Look for a cloud service provider that offers this, because even if a hacker has access to passwords, they won’t be able to get past the second step.

Utilize third-party encryption when data is being moved. The cloud service provider will protect data once it’s on their server, but use encryption from a third-party as a data protection safeguard.

Get creative with challenge questions. Using standard challenge questions makes it too easy for hackers. Instead, staff members can choose from a custom set of challenge questions, or they can be encouraged to use nonsense answers for standard questions.

Have a plan for devices. If you have a bring your own device (BYOD) policy, be sure there’s a plan in place for controlling the risk of security breach. From time-outs to policies that regulate how data is wiped when an employee parts ways with the enterprise, there must be a plan in place.

At TeleConsult, our expertise in communications technologies along with our diverse experience with multiple carrier products means that we bring a depth of telecommunications capabilities to our clients. Contact us for an initial appointment to discuss a data protection plan appropriate for enterprise security.

When the Worst Happens, What’s in Your Disaster Recovery Plan?

November 20, 2017 by teleconsult

If you’re a small business unprepared for a disaster, natural or otherwise, you’re leaving yourself open to a precarious situation in the future. An unforeseen event can have a large impact on your business and may even cause you to shut your doors for good. What can you do to build up a disaster recovery strategy that protects your data?

Plan for the Worst

If a disaster hits without any warning, you have no choice but to be reactive rather than proactive. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared with a strategy that can help you navigate the situation successfully when it arises. Create a planning strategy that considers every possible scenario, then rehearse how you’ll implement it when a disaster strikes.

Be Ready to Make Quick but Informed Decisions

When disaster hits, there are no more drills or rehearsals – it’s time to act. Decide who will be calling the shots before it happens. This should be a person with good leadership skills that is measured and analytical in their approach. Always try to come to a consensus, but don’t drag out the conversation for too long. In some cases, an uncompromising position might be required, and a strong leader will be able to make that decision.

Backup Important Data

In a ransomware situation, your data will be rendered useless by the attacker. However, if you have backed up your records in the cloud, you’ll be able to maintain business operations.

Should a natural disaster strike and your hardware is ruined, a backup of your data at a geographically disparate data center will be ready for you when you reestablish yourself. Utilizing the services of a Level IV data center will provide you with top-notch security, both technologically and physically.

Insurance Is a Must

Watch out for gaps in insurance coverage that might leave you in a lurch. Your best bet is to choose an insurance agent that specializes in protecting small businesses. However, don’t jump on the first product you’re offered – get a second opinion. Another agent might see gaps the other did not.

Insurance can’t recover lost data, which is why it’s so important for you to back it up. However, insurance will help you get back on your feet, covering the costs associated with recovering from a fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, etc.

At TeleConsult, we work to ensure the security of your data. Worried about the dreaded DDoS attack? Contact us today so we can work together to protect your valuable data.

4 VoIP Features You Don’t Want to Miss

November 6, 2017 by teleconsult

The battle was waged and the fight for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) was won – you’ve put it in place and you’re now ready to enjoy the benefits. You’ve been promised streamlined communications, lower operating costs, better quality, access to unified communications, extended applications, and so much more. How do you stop and make sure the added features that could be in place aren’t missing?

First, you investigate a list like this one.

Conference Calls

Conference calls are a necessary evil unless you have everyone needed in a conversation at the same place at the same time every week. While the traditional phone line has a hard time supporting anything beyond two people, VoIP has considerably more flexibility. Adding multiple people to one call may require the addition of a service, but VoIP providers often give access at a minimum cost, or as part of the package you select.

Forwarding and Routing

It’s important to be able to get callers to the right people, regardless of their location. Call routing and forwarding capabilities are pretty extensive in a VoIP environment. Most solutions allow you to build an interactive menu for customers to use, creating a seamless experience each time.

IVR

Interactive voice recognition (IVR) is an important part of commerce today as the number of standard interactions increases and companies employ the software to streamline processes and costs. The interactive menu activated by voice is based on the VoIP system, proving users with an intuitive experience. In the future, expect that IVR technology will advance beyond set menus and instead use AI to direct the caller based on information given in the query.

Office Integration

An office manager with complete visibility into the availability of staff is important for optimal VoIP performance. Phones within this environment are linked so that they communicate with each other, sending pertinent information on availability, presence, and more.

If you’re ready to start exploring the possibilities VoIP provides for the business environment beyond just the ability to make calls, it’s time to contact TeleConsult. Our extensive experience in the communications space means we can help you identify the right solution to meet your needs.

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