SMART Blog

Smart Services has been providing independent agents with proactive, fast, and expert technology services since 1991.

Critiquing In-House and Cloud Based On Cost and Control

Critiquing In-House and Cloud Based On Cost and Control

We won't deny that we push the benefits of cloud pretty hard, but we aren't afraid to consider the possibility that the cloud may not be the best fit for your needs. If this is truly the case, it may just be that an onsite approach will work best for your needs.

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Need A Simpler Way To Manage Data? Try A Cloud Server

Need A Simpler Way To Manage Data? Try A Cloud Server

If you’re like most small businesses, chances are that you have one or two servers in your office that are dedicated to storing and distributing data on your in-house network. Without these machines, you would be in a rough spot. Users wouldn’t be able to access data and your operations would suffer. But what if we told you that there is an easier way to manage data and increase user accessibility that doesn’t include managing server hardware?

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You Can’t Afford to Overlook These 3 Benefits of Server Hosting

You Can’t Afford to Overlook These 3 Benefits of Server Hosting

Every business from any industry probably has servers that hold important and sensitive data. However, not all organizations have the assets and skills necessary to manage and maintain these complex pieces of hardware. In particular, small businesses struggle with this aspect of running an in-house server, but there’s another option--an outsourced server hosting service from a third-party provider.

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How Unused Applications May Be Hurting Your Budget

How Unused Applications May Be Hurting Your Budget

When a business finds new software solutions that can effectively replace their older, less efficient systems, applications can often go unused for extended periods of time. However, these unnecessary apps can waste time and money for your business, which can add up quickly. In fact, as much as 38 percent of enterprise applications are wasting away on organizations’ networks.

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Time for a Server Refresh? Consider Virtualization

Time for a Server Refresh? Consider Virtualization

Hardware refreshes often cause turmoil for businesses, particularly because of the cost of new servers and the time it takes to migrate data from one location to another. Thankfully, with the advent of virtualized servers, businesses have an alternative to the outright purchase of expensive, new hardware solutions. A virtual server hosted in the cloud offers not only a more immediate reprieve, but can also significantly reduce costs for your organization in the long run.

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Why Businesses Need to Quickly Distance Themselves From SQL Server 2005

Why Businesses Need to Quickly Distance Themselves From SQL Server 2005

Which database management system is running on your company’s server units? For end users, it’s not something that they put a whole lot of thought into. However, if you completely overlook your Microsoft SQL Server, you may end up running an expired version that puts your data at risk. Case in point, SQL Server 2005, which Microsoft recently ended support for.

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77% of Businesses Virtualize Their IT In Some Capacity. What About You?

b2ap3_thumbnail_virtualization_400.jpgTechnology solutions for small and medium-sized businesses can be complex, which is why simplification is at the top of a lot of executives’ priorities. To that end, virtualization is a key component, helping organizations make their IT easier to manage. What effect does this have on data security?

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Ye Be Warned! Support for Windows Server 2003 Ends this July

b2ap3_thumbnail_no_more_windows_server_2003_support_400.jpgIf you’re the owner of a small or medium-sized business, mark your calendars for July 14th. This is when Microsoft will stop supporting the 12-year-old server operating system, Windows Server 2003. Any business that is still running this ancient OS needs to upgrade to a more recent one before the end-of-support date arrives.

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4 Pieces of Office Equipment That You Don’t Need to Replace

b2ap3_thumbnail_halt_do_not_fret_400.jpgThe IT landscape has changed so dramatically over the past decade that businesses need to stop and consider the latest solutions before cycling out their old IT equipment. In the past, when it came time to replace office technology, one would simply run down a standard list of IT equipment. Now, much of this standard equipment is no longer necessary.

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Not All Server Units are Created Equal

b2ap3_thumbnail_custom_server_solutions_400.jpgBusinesses love one-size-fits-all solutions, especially when it comes to technology. Cookie cutter solutions are easy to budget around and easy to implement. However, there are some aspects of a company's technology that shouldn't be standardized, like server units.

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Adding a Computer Network to Your Startup Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_computer_network400.jpgOne of the most significant signs that a small startup company is on its way to becoming a mid-sized business is when operations require more than one workstation. Whenever the founder of a company starts their business on their own, they will often do so using their personal computer. As the business grows, a computer network will be needed.

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5 New Features in Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

b2ap3_thumbnail_winserv400.jpgIn October, Microsoft released their Windows Server 2012 R2 offering. To compliment this big release, Microsoft upgraded their Windows Server Essentials software by adding some cool new features and slapping R2 at the end. Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials gives your business the option to deploy Essentials features in a larger domain as a Windows Server role.

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Take Back Profitable Space with Cloud Computing

b2ap3_thumbnail_cramped400.jpgOne of the surest ways to boost your bottom line is with cuts. You can then funnel these cuts into your revenue column and look profitable, even with lousy sales. While this approach will boost your bottom line, your numbers will be hollow. The smartest way to cut is to replace the loss with something profitable. Cloud computing lets you make profitable cuts.

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Take Inventory on Your Old Technology

b2ap3_thumbnail_oldit400_20130723-154304_1.pngDo you have a plan to deal with your old technology, or do you have a closet full of used equipment? Are you aware of your equipment's refresh dates, or do you just replace components after they break? Knowing the condition of your technology, and having a plan to deal with old equipment, will save your business money.

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Take Inventory on Your Old Technology

b2ap3_thumbnail_oldit400.pngDo you have a plan to deal with your old technology, or do you have a closet full of used equipment? Are you aware of your equipment's refresh dates, or do you just replace components after they break? Knowing the condition of your technology, and having a plan to deal with old equipment, will save your business money.

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3 Solutions to Minimize the Risk of a Server Crash

b2ap3_thumbnail_SFire400_20130708-184325_1.jpgServers are one of most powerful pieces of equipment in the office, but that does mean they are the toughest. The hard drives in servers are made up of ridiculously fast moving parts. One day, these small parts will fail and end the server's life with a sudden crash. Here are a few steps you can take to prepare for server doomsday.

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Desktop Virtualization

b2ap3_thumbnail_Virt400_20130708-184214_1.jpgDesktop Virtualization is a great solution that lets you run two operating systems simultaneously on one computer. This allows users to no longer be tied down by one machine, and it can save your company money by cutting back hardware expenses. Local and Client/Server are the two models of Desktop Virtualization; here's how they compare.

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3 Solutions to Minimize the Risk of a Server Crash

b2ap3_thumbnail_SFire400.jpgServers are one of most powerful pieces of equipment in the office, but that does mean they are the toughest. The hard drives in servers are made up of ridiculously fast moving parts. One day, these small parts will fail and end the server's life with a sudden crash. Here are a few steps you can take to prepare for server doomsday.

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Desktop Virtualization

b2ap3_thumbnail_Virt400.jpgDesktop Virtualization is a great solution that lets you run two operating systems simultaneously on one computer. This allows users to no longer be tied down by one machine, and it can save your company money by cutting back hardware expenses. Local and Client/Server are the two models of Desktop Virtualization; here's how they compare.

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