If you’re not taking your device security seriously, someone else might be. From director Lance Acord comes the second installment in The Wolf series starring Christian Slater.
Are your printers easy prey? Answer a few quick questions to find out how your print security rates. Then see what you can do to bite back at hackers like The Wolf.
Christian Slater has worked with HP to create a year-long digital series ‘The Wolf’, designed to raise awareness of cyber security in the workplace.
The Hollywood actor channels a professional hacker, lurking outside offices and sending malicious emails to workers. At one point, Slater even howls. The first installment reinforces that security is no longer just the responsibility of the network or something at the perimeter, but it’s a concern for everyone.
In the series’ 30-second trailer, the Hollywood star says: “”Sheep never realize a wolf’s around until it’s too late. Then they do exactly what the wolf expects them to do. They run into each other, they fall down—they become dinner. Time to eat.” Speaking about his involvement in the series, Christian Slater said: “Hacking is a serious and growing problem for businesses and consumers. When HP asked me to partner on this series, I thought it was a great opportunity to help educate the public about how to better protect against cyber attacks.”
The digital series is a first for HP, each around two minutes long and directed by BAFTA and Emmy nominee Lance Acord, new chapters of ‘The Wolf’ will air throughout the year.
Thanks to the Internet, today’s buyers are much more equipped with knowledge and resources than any other group that have come before them when it comes to making a purchase decision. Google plays a large role in this, with 70 percent of consumers resorting to online searches before buying products and services.
Naturally, you want your business to appear at the top of search results when someone types the products or services that you sell into a search query. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is to create a Google My Business page, which is free to set up and will provide additional information about your business than the usual Google listing.
For example, when a consumer uses Google to search for your business, in addition to your Google listing, he or she will also find key information such as your address, hours of operation, phone number, pictures of your business, and customer reviews (assuming that you have created a Google My Business page!).
Builds Credibility
From a buyer’s perspective, your business is considered to be more credible when they can read reviews and see what others are saying about your business. While a Google My Business page allows for customers to write reviews and make inquiries, and it also allows your business to respond. This makes a Google My Business page a helpful tool for managing your reputation.
Increases Awareness
By having the ability to upload pictures of your place of business and products offered on your Google My Business page, you are offering another source of validation to consumers that your business is credible. In fact, Google My Business pages that include images receive 42 percent more requests and 35 percent more website traffic than those that don’t.
Offers Valuable Analytics
A Google My Business page also offers businesses access to a number of valuable analytics, such as how customers searched and found your website, and where they came from. You can also easily track how many calls came from your direct-listed phone number on Google Search and Maps.
As you can see, there are a number of benefits that a Google My Business page can offer to your business. By not taking advantage of this free tool, you aren’t able to effectively target potential customers where they primarily do their research – online. Don’t risk losing business to your competitors and create a Google My Business page today!
Almost daily there is another story in the paper or on the news about a major data breach. The latest was the rarely used websiteMySpace. Even though the site has fallen out of favor, it still contains volumes of data useful to cyber criminals. If there can be one benefit from all of this publicity these breaches receive is that it has made us all aware of the importance a keeping vigilant and securing our data.
Today, many offices often have a hidden unlocked door directly into their network, their harmless looking multifunction printer. These devices are much more than just printers. They are sophisticated network devices offering web servers, hard drives, and cloud access. Functioning just like any other computer on your network, your MFP is vulnerable to attack.
You need to secure your printers to make sure your data stays safe. Here are several areas to consider when it comes to protecting your network and critical information.
Simple proactive precautions can protect your business, your network and your data. Remember, your MFP is basically another computer on your network. Be sure to give it the same level of protection and keep your business safe.
Non-profits are often complex organizations, with a variety of departments, devices, and needs to meet. Budget cuts and staffing issues often make it difficult to balance between cost, functionality, and ease of use in the print environment. For NPOs looking to save money, Managed Print Services can help.
NPOs, Budgets, and Printing
One of the driving factors for an NPO is the strict budget it must maintain. Funding is often in short supply, and can change at any time.
Non-profits are tasked with producing internal documents, public documents, and other materials on a regular basis. Information must be kept private, often with a limited staff to oversee security. Budget constraints often prohibit the purchasing of newer equipment, reducing efficiency and causing an increase in maintenance costs that many NPOs can ill-afford.
Managed Print Services for the NPO
Managed Print Services (MPS) can offer a variety of solutions for non-profits. Your MPS provider can:
Managed Print Services can help a non-profit organization in a variety of ways. With all the challenges you face, let a Managed Print Services provider take the burden of the print environment off your shoulders. Contact us today to find out if you qualify for our exclusive Managed Print Services program for non-profits.
SMBs often spend considerable resources on marketing and branding, but don’t put the same resources into customer support. However, a large part of your reputation depends on how customers feel you respond to their questions and problems. Improve your customer support with some of these easy tips:
Use Multiple Platforms
Be Aware of Your Hours
Respect Your Customers
Hire Good People
With these simple steps you can improve your customer support and your reputation.
Have you been putting off upgrading your office copier? Frequently, businesses hold on to their outdated office equipment thinking that upgrading is simply not worth the investment. However, when you think about replacing an old copier, you may only be considering the cost of the new equipment; aging copiers have many hidden costs that you may be missing.
Upgrading your office copier for newer technology has the potential to increase your efficiency, improve workflows and data security, reduce waste and save you money.
Here are some areas to consider:
Experts estimate that by the time your equipment is 10 years old, you are spending more to keep it operational than you would on a new model. Many recommend replacing equipment every five years to maximize the value, stay on top of important upgrades, and stay competitive.
If you’re unsure about how an upgrade can benefit your business, contact us today!
Regardless of the size or scope of your business, or how many green initiatives you have already implemented within your organization, there is always room for one more! Achieving your goal of becoming a more eco-friendly company is within your grasp, and Managed Print Services (MPS) can help. Partnering with a Managed Print Services provider is the first step towards eliminating waste, reducing usage and cutting costs throughout your print network.
Here is a glimpse at what you can expect when you partner with and MPS provider:
A Managed Print Services provider is dedicated to finding long term solutions to help your business become more environmentally sustainable, while also helping to increase productivity, streamline workplace processes, and reduce your bottom line. Give us a call today to get started!
Every decision you make in regards to your business, from the location, to whether to buy or lease your print equipment, affects your bottom line. When you’re ready to start shopping for a new copier, consider your budget, needs and business goals before making your final decision and be sure to consult with a reputable vendor who can offer both purchase and leasing options and will work within your existing budget.
Read on to learn more about the differences between leasing or buying your next copier.
Should You Buy?
The most obvious reason to buy your next copier is that you own it and are free to trade, sell or upgrade. For businesses that may experience significant growth or change in a relatively short period of time a copier that no longer serves their needs is of little use. The money spent on your original purchase is an investment, some of which you’ll be able to recoup when you upgrade, unlike a lease payment, which is gone for good.
Cash flow is a major consideration, as financing could tie up your funds, preventing you from financing additional purchases.
Should You Lease?
When you lease your copier you can easily upgrade every few years, allowing businesses that otherwise might not be able to afford the latest technology to enjoy the latest features. Small businesses who are challenged with cash flow can acquire much needed equipment without dipping into their funds because leasing doesn’t usually require a downpayment. Budgeting becomes much easier with a predictable monthly expense.
However, if your business experiences a period of growth and you no longer need the equipment, you may still have to continue to make payments, depending on the terms of your lease. Removal fees at the end of the lease take many unsuspecting businesses by surprise.
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding whether to lease or buy your next copier, as both have their merits. So how do you choose? Base your decision on which path will best help you meet the short and long term goals of your company, working closely with your sales representative to make sure you stay within your budget.
Often times, office printers are placed without any real thought given to the location. This practice can compromise your employees’ productivity and reduce efficiency. Taking the time to plan your print environment will help your office run more smoothly.
Printer Quantity
The number of printers your office needs depends on a number of factors:
You should also give thought to the function of each printer. While a marketing department may need a high-quality colorprinter, other departments may be able to function with a more traditional black and white printer.
Map the Office
To determine where printers should be placed, you should first consider where the employees who will be using them are located. Printers are often best placed near the people who will be using them the most. If two departments are sharing a device, it must be easily accessible to both. Taking a step back to examine the office layout will help you find the ideal location for each printer.
Areas to Avoid
There are certain areas in the office where you should not place a printer:
Avoiding these areas and following the manufacturer’s recommendations will prolong the life of your machine and improve print performance.
Placing your office printers is best done by planning ahead. Determine where they best fit in the flow of the office, and make sure the area is appropriate for a print device. By properly placing your printers, you can increase efficiency and productivity, making your office run more smoothly.
