Information technology support is essential to any business looking to stay competitive in the digital age. Any disruption to your IT can have a lasting effect on your business, whether it’s one terminal that goes down during peak productivity or a whole network. Your business needs to get back up and running quickly. Lost productively is lost revenue. Lost communication is lost opportunity. IT support professionals aren’t just digital emergency responders either. They help prevent attacks from malware and viruses and keep software up-to-date. They are essential to businesses in Blackpool, Lancashire, Lytham and Fylde.

The question then is who to trust with your company’s IT support. Is having a full-time IT staff worth the cost? Perhaps outsourcing this support would provide a better solution for a company on a tight operating budget. There are many benefits to outsourcing IT support. This is the first of a three part series exploring the benefits both small and medium-size companies can gain from outsourcing their tech support.

It’s All About the Bottom Line

The biggest single reason to outsource IT support is money. The costs of keeping a full-time, or even part-time, IT workers on staff can be prohibitively expensive, especially for a business just starting out. If your company is paying the salary of a full-time IT Manager this may mean additional costs of £30 to £40 per annum, not to mention the costs of training and any company benefits provided. For small or medium-size companies this is an enormous sum, but the company can’t operate without their expertise. There may also be the problem of a lack of space. You may simply not have the room to spare for any more in-house staff members.

Is Outsourcing the Answer for Your Business?

If your are thinking about outsourcing your company’s IT support but have questions about what this entails exactly, give AGT Computers a call. We can provide you with a list of options and develop an affordable solution to meet your needs. At AGT Computer Services we provide IT support and cloud storage to our customers in the Blackpool, Lancashire, Lytham and Fylde areas. We allow your employees to focus on your business while we focus on your IT issues. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

 

Facebook is a huge part of the lives of so many of us. With over a billion users worldwide, this provides hackers with almost unlimited opportunities to wreak havoc. Yes, we may in fact be a little too dependent on social media sites like Facebook, and this does leave us vulnerable to cyber threats, this doesn’t seem likely to change any time in the near future. Given the amount of time most of us spend online, it only makes sense that we would want to stay as safe as possible while we do so. Protecting our devices from malware and viruses should be a top priority for everyone. Learn how to protect yourself on social media sites

At AGT Computers, we are experts in installing antivirus software to help our customers, both individuals and companies, so they can better protect themselves from attack. There are a few things that everyone can do to guard against online threats as well. Facebook offers tools for protection for users of its social media sites. While using any of their recommended products is a good idea, no single product will provide complete protection, but rather, these applications should be used in conjunction with other tools to help ensure security and protection from online threats.

Facebook works with several partners to provide its users with protection. Free anti-malware software downloads are available for use with Facebook’s existing software. Companies such as F-Secure and Trend Micro work with Facebook to help prevent users from clicking on malicious links. When a user of Facebook logs into their account from a device that has been infected with malware, whether it’s a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone, a notification screen will pop up alerting them to this fact. Included in the warning are recommendations to use malware scanning to find help identify the issue as well as software for cleanup. If a user chooses to download the scanner, they can still use the site as normal while the application runs. All users of Facebook and other social media sites should educate themselves on the protections offered by the particular site, and they should take full advantage of all the tools these sites provide to combat security threats.

For all your software security needs, give AGT Computers a ring. We are here to help with all of your computing needs from repairs and new service to backups and upgrades. We serve the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

 

The cloud is the future of data storage, email and file server management, or maybe you haven’t heard. If you are doing business in today’s high tech environment and global economy, then you should right now be considering whether the cloud is right for you? Below are five good reasons why you should consider moving to an onsite Microsoft Windows file server with email in the cloud. If your business already operates five or more PCs on a network, then you should be using a domain-based network anyway. Better management and a better bottom line are what every business should strive for and that’s exactly what the cloud offers.

1. Improve IT Management and Security

IT management becomes easier with cloud-based servers. So does increased security and the disaster recovery options also become cheaper and more effective. Managers can also monitor output and keep track of progress on projects much more effectively.

2.  Automated File Backup

Every business needs to be backup files. This is just a common sense preventive step to avoid disaster. Using a Microsoft File server in the cloud takes the burden off you and your employees and automates it so you can sleep better at night.

3. Connect to Remote Employees

Employees can access servers on the cloud remotely from anywhere in the world. This makes any business a global one and allows for a single point for companies to connect with clients. Communication and collaboration just got easier because on the cloud everything everywhere is local.

4. Save Money

Streamlining a business saves money. Using remote employees saves money. Accomplishing more in less time with fewer people saves money. There is no need to throw money away on maintaining a tech infrastructure when moving to the cloud allows for easy access to information and data. Capital costs are greatly reduced without having to spend money on hardware, not to mention new software and licensing fees.

5. Scalability

Achieving economy of scale is a money saver that increases output, and migrating to the cloud also allows companies to add third party apps on need basis.

Is the cloud right for you? If so, give us a call at AGT Computers and we can make the transition easy. In fact, we are here to help with all your computing needs including  repairs to laptop, desktops, tablets and smartphones. We serve the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

If you use Google Chrome as the browser on your laptop, desktop or other device, there are many great extensions you can use. Using these apps will make your browsing experience better and will enhance security and help you manage things like passwords and block annoying ads. The following are AGT Computer’s Top 5 Google Chrome Extensions.

1. LastPass

LastPass is a very useful extension that helps users manage the never-ending number of passwords they need to remember on a daily basis. LastPass lets you keep your decrypted database on your computer, but stores it in the cloud as well. Filling out forms is a breeze and so is their great login and password completion tools. LastPass is a smart way to keep your passwords safe and saves time when surfing the web.

2. AdBlock

AdBlock claims to be the best ad blocker out there with over 200 million downloads and counting. If seeing ads on Facebook, makes you see red, then this Google Chrome extension may be exactly what you’re looking for. It blocks ads across all sites and it’s incredibly easy to ad to your browser.

3. Google Image Search

This is a great extension for finding similar images located elsewhere on the web. Once the extension has been installed, you just hover over it and the Google Image Search link will be revealed. Once it recognizes the image it will bring up others that are similar.

4. Earth View

This extension may not help you manage your time, in fact, it definitely won’t, but it is absolutely fascinating nonetheless. The Earth View tab screen features plenty of satellite photos from every imaginable spot on the globe. Open a new tab and find a random location to explore from dizzying heights.

5. Google Dictionary

Feel less like an idiot immediately with this extension. Google Dictionary allows you to double click on any word that appears on a web page and the short definition will pop up. You can also bring up the full definition of any word.

What are your favorite extensions? Try out these great extension of Chrome and let us know what you think and remember AGT Computers also provides IT support to both individuals and businesses in Blackpool, Lytham, and Preston. We can help you backup data, protect your network and keep you updated with the latest tools to prevent hacking. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

Hackers are very determined individuals who are drawn to hacking for a variety of reasons. Some are data thieves who want to steal your financial information for illicit gains. Some hackers may want to steal your identity, while others may simply want to cause chaos and disruption in the system. Whatever their motives for trying to hack into your computer network or system, there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of being hacked.

Selecting a strong password and changing it frequently is a good first step. One of the problems with creating multiple, long and always changing passwords is trying to remember them. Using a password management software application like LastPass makes things much more simple. LastPass allows you to keep your decrypted database on your devices as well as stored in the cloud. This useful app also allows you to use an automatic form filling feature and login and password completion tools. The app is available for users of Windows and OS X and has add-ons available for Internet browsers like Firefox, Chrome and Safari.

Dashlane is another great app which can be integrated with your web browser. The basic features are free but syncing passwords with different devices requires an upgrade to a premium account.

Some important things to keep in mind when creating passwords:

• Keep your password to a 12 character minimum. Longer is even better.
• Incorporate a mix of capital and lower-case letters as well as numbers and symbols.
• Don’t use real words or phrases.
• Don’t use obvious numerical substitutions for letters, like a zero for an O. That’s not as clever as you think and can be easily cracked.
• Make up fake answers to security questions and change them frequently.

Be smart, but never assume you are smarter than a hacker. These tips can be used for a home computer and even for small businesses that can’t afford a to hire full-time IT workers. It’s always a good idea to make sure you are using the current operating system and have all the latest malware and antivirus software installed.

AGT Computers provides IT support to both individuals and businesses in Blackpool, Lytham, and Preston. We can help you back up data, protect your network and keep you updated with the latest tools to prevent hacking. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

 

In case the universe hasn’t made it obvious enough to people who haven’t upgraded their software systems in the modern age, Google Chrome is no longer supporting Windows XP. Google announced earlier in the year that Chrome would support Windows XP only through the end of 2015. Starting in January of 2016, they would be on their own in terms of updates and security fixes. Users of all outdated systems were strongly encouraged to update to a more recent, if not the most recent Microsoft or Apple system. More security and better updates and support are the obvious reasons for people to switch. Likewise, an increased vulnerability to malware and viruses were the potential negative consequences of doing nothing. Seems like an easy decision, but of course humans do love to procrastinate.

Earlier in November, Google Chrome announced the end of their support, not just for the antiquated Windows XP, but also for Windows Vista, Mac OS 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8 which are also no longer supported platforms by either Microsoft or Apple. All updates and security fixes will end for these platforms even though users can continue to use them.

Windows XP is quite old as systems go. It’s been around since its 2001 launch and many people still use it. In fact, Windows 8.1 only recently overtook XP and Windows 7 is still the most widely used operating system.

One reason many people are still be using XP, and other outdated systems, may be because they haven’t upgraded their hardware recently either. AGT Computers can help with both of these issues. We can recommend new hardware and software and get you updated to the most current versions. Make sure you get up to speed so you can continue to download music and movies and use the web free from worry of infections from malware and viruses.

We are a one-stop shop for repairs to laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones. AGT Computers, Ltd. serves Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and the surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

According to energy studies, as much as 1.5 percent of all the electricity used globally goes to power and cool data centers. If you’ve ever been in a room full of servers on a hot summer day, you know they can generate a lot of heat. Not only is this energy that is lost, it requires additional energy to cool those servers down so they don’t overheat. Not to worry, the tech nerds at Nerdalize Radiator UK are on the case with free heat and data storage options combined in one device.

The Dutch startup company has developed what they call the eRadiator, which uses the heat from hardworking servers to warm residential homes. Even if you don’t need a server in your home for your own personal use, you can still have one installed and take advantage of this recycled resource. Companies benefit from this symbiotic relationship by freeing up space and lowering the energy costs of cooling server rooms.

One of the beauties of the eRadiator is, it doesn’t even look like a server. It doesn’t quite look like a traditional radiator either.  It has been designed to be unobtrusive and to blend into the rest of the homes decor. The best part of the eRadiator is, it’s free heat for homeowners and free data storage the company. Creating this win-win situation also benefits the environment. The eRadiator innovation is still in the testing stage, and its practicality hasn’t been firmly established. If it does indeed generate enough heat to significantly lowers monthly heating costs, we could see a worldwide proliferation of this ingeniuos device. If not, it was certainly a noble effort.

Have questions about servers, Nerdalize Radiator UK, software or other tech devices? Call AGT Computers, Ltd today. We provide solutions to cloud storage, cybersecurity and data management. We are also a repair shop servicing laptop, desktops, tablets and smartphones. AGT Computers serves the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

Animal dissection can make one squeamish to say the least. Even for the heartier human specimens among us, cutting into the bone, tissue and organs of tiny, fury animals is enough to put us off our supper. The chemicals alone can get our guts churning. Consider our vegetarian and vegan friends who are morally opposed to eating animals, much less slicing them up with sharp surgical tools. Solving this problem is just another example of how the latest advances in technology can be used to solve problems. Whether you think cutting up critter cadavers is an ethically challenged proposition, or you believe it necessary for the advancement of science, it is science itself that may eliminate this nasty need altogether.

For the founders of US company, Necropsynth, 3D printing offered a solution to the inherent problems of animal dissection in the classroom. When co-founder, Bart Taylor got his first 3D printer it wasn’t long before he figured out a practical application for it. He thought by replicating animal tissue, he could offer science labs a way to teach anatomy without wasting animal life. Bart founded the company with his wife Tara to offer schools a less expensive, more humane way to teach science. A rat specimen in the States may cost a school as much at $12 per rat, whereas a 3D printed rat costs as little as $2 per.

Now that almost every restaurant menu has a vegetarian option, even our science labs and classrooms can as well. While the Taylors have successfully replicated tissue, they are still working on the printing of bones and muscle.

We may not have any 3D replicas of rats here at AGT Computers, but we’d be happy to discuss all of your software, hardware and other hi-tech needs. Our list of services includes repairs to laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones. We can help you install operating systems including the new Windows 10, as well as all relevant software updates. AGT Computers, Ltd serves the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

Are you still stuck in the past using an outdated browser? If you are stubbornly, or perhaps lazily. putting off updating to the latest browser, you are missing out. Not only are you most likely dealing with poor performance issues, but you’re also putting your computer and your data at risk to security breaches. Here’s another incentive to update your browser to the current version: starting in January of next year Microsoft will end support for outdated browsers. That includes support for Internet Explorer versions 8, 9 and 10. This news means it is finally time to upgrade, and what better way to start the new year than with increased speed and security. Without this upgrade to the latest supported operating system, users will no longer be able to receive the technical support they need. Important security updates will also not be available.

Those who choose to live with their outdated browsers do so at their own peril. They put themselves at risk of being infected by malware and viruses that are far more sophisticated than their current security programs can protect against. There’s also the annoying problem of slow loading images and less choices in plug-ins and add-ons.

Microsoft, of course, would like to see all users of their products using the latest versions of IE. That means upgrading to Internet Explorer for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and the new Windows 10 operating system. Of course, Internet Explorer isn’t the only option. Chrome has become one of the most widely used Internet browsers around, but IE has certainly come a long way in a few short years. No matter what browser you choose, do yourself a favour and take advantage of the latest version and increase your productivity and speed. The tech world moves fast enough as it is and it’s simple to get updated.

If you have any questions about getting updated to the latest version of Internet Explorer, give AGT Computers a ring. Surf the web worry free, download movies and music and backup and protect your data. We are your one-stop shop for repairs to laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones. AGT Computers, Ltd. serves Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and the surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

If you’ve been following this blog at all in the past year, then you know that here at AGT Computers, Ltd., we have been big cheerleaders for the new Windows 10 operating system. We love the new Edge browser which allows users to quickly navigate the web and make notes directly onto web pages and share with friends. We love the new personal assistant Cortana which lets users highlight web text and ask for more information. Microsoft wasn’t quite done with new innovations with the system for 2015, however, and the company will soon be rolling out Window 10 phones, hopefully starting next month. With the upcoming Windows 10 phone a new adapter will be available which will turn that smart phone into a working computer. Microsoft likes to refer to their new phone as a PC in your pocket.

With the display adapter, users can plug in a mouse and keyboard and harness the power of Windows 10 without lugging around a laptop. This portable PC enables the use of all the shortcuts you can take on a PC installed with Windows. Take your new phone, either a Lumia 950 or 906 XL, and connect it to the display dock and you are ready to use your favorite applications like Microsoft Office and Outlook.

While the new Windows 10 phones will be released in November, the Windows 10 update may take another month before it is available. Installing the update requires 8GM of internal memory and a Lumia 950 or 950 XL phone. These phones will include a 5.2 inch display and a hexa-core Qualcomm processor for the 950 and a 5.7 inch display and a octa-core Qualcomm processor for the 950 XL.

Check back for updates on these new Windows phones and until then remember that at AGT Computer, we are here to help with all of your computing needs. This includes repairs to laptop, desktops, tablets and smartphones. We can help you install the Windows 10 operating system, as well as software updates. AGT Computers serves the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.