Quercus IT Blog

While many people have heard the saying work smarter, not harder, this approach only works if employees are engaged with the tools you’ve chosen to outfit your business with. Even though new gadgets and software are exciting for most workers, the true benefits come when these investments directly boost productivity, helping businesses succeed.

You know that friend that is still rocking a cracked iPhone 6? It works, but it's slow, the battery dies in two hours, and it can't run the latest apps. Now, imagine a whole company doing that, but with every piece of their tech. That's a recipe for disaster.

The day-to-day work of running a business can feel overwhelming. With overflowing inboxes, endless to-do lists, and scattered information, it's easy to get lost in the details. With the right tools, however, you can turn those tedious tasks into streamlined workflows, giving you and your team more time and clarity. This month, let's explore some of the technology that can help take the stress out of your daily grind.

Business technology is one of the greatest expenses in your budget, particularly when things don’t go according to plan. These are typically looked at as capital expenses, which means they are expensive and unpredictable by nature… but they don’t have to be. Today, we want to show you a different way of managing your IT that transforms it into a predictable operating expense.

How often do you find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of clutter on your desktop? You might dig through a pile of applications, windows, files, and so much more, and it can be difficult to make sense of it all and be productive. Thankfully, there is a rather simple tool to help you clean up your desktop and focus on one window at a time.

It is certainly tempting to squeeze every last drop of life out of existing equipment. After all, why spend money on new computers or servers if the old ones still technically work? You may view this as frugal, but ironically not spending on the updated IT your business needs can lead to leaving significant revenue on the table. The truth is, holding onto outdated hardware can silently, yet significantly, bleed your business dry.

In running a business, it’s easy to adopt a mentality where if it ain’t broke, you’re not going to fix it. This is especially true with your technology, because of several factors that can negatively impact your business. If your computers turn on, emails send, and for the most part, things seem to work, why go through the trouble of concerning yourself with its consistent maintenance? 

From your fridge to your fitness tracker, manufacturers are constantly adding smart features. While that can be super convenient, it also opens up a whole can of worms when it comes to your privacy. Sometimes, companies aren't doing enough to keep your data safe, or worse yet, they're actively trying to exploit it. Let's discuss how smart devices might be secretly undermining your family's (and your business') privacy.

For any growing business, strategic technology leadership is non-negotiable. It’s the force that drives efficiency, security, and innovation. Yet, for many small and medium-sized businesses, the cost of a dedicated Chief Information Officer (CIO) is a significant barrier to getting the technology and strategies to do so. This has led business leaders to ask a critical question: Can Artificial Intelligence do the job?

The daily grind. We all know it. That relentless cycle of repetitive tasks and the constant feeling of being busy but not necessarily productive. It’s an all-too-familiar feeling. What if technology could transform that frustration into a feeling of steadfast accomplishment?

Businesses tend to strive for agility, meaning that they want to make changes quickly and effectively as their needs change. Technology often holds them back from making these changes. You can bypass this roadblock through the MACH architecture framework, a way to build a flexible, scalable, and future-ready IT infrastructure to suit your business’ needs.

We understand that the whispers about artificial intelligence are growing louder. Understanding AI is the first step to harnessing its incredible potential for your business, bringing peace of mind to both employers and employees.

When you travel, it’s crucial to remember that your digital security needs to be just as mobile and well-prepared as you are. The usual advice—such as creating and properly storing strong passwords and avoiding unsecured Wi-Fi without a VPN—are great tips that we share all the time, but today, keeping your personal and professional data secure is a little more complicated.  We’ve put together five security tips that are outside the norm to help you navigate your travels with confidence.

Is your business technology causing headaches? Does it slow you down or make you worry about security? Many business owners feel this way. Good news: you can almost surely make your tech work better for you. Here are three simple ways to make this happen.

Shadow IT may have a pretty cool-sounding name, but its impacts on your business are anything but. The term “shadow IT” describes any technology used in the business setting without the express knowledge and go-ahead of the IT department. While it may be common, it certainly isn’t good… despite often having the best intentions behind it.

Step into any modern medical facility, and you'll witness a complex interplay of human expertise and sophisticated technology. From the front desk to the operating room, information technology is not just a convenience; it's vital for nearly every aspect of patient care and operations. 

Consider the intricate systems within a hospital or clinic. When these systems function the way they are designed to, information flows efficiently, decisions are well-informed, and patient outcomes benefit. If this system falters, however, the impact can be immediate and significant.

What are your plans for the summer? If they involve getting out of the office and going on a vacation, then you’ll want to be armed with a couple of technology tips to help you make the most of your time in a safe and secure environment. Here are three tips you should keep in mind this summer.

Today’s workforce is more digitally fluent than ever. Smartphones, cloud apps, instant communication; it's all second nature to most of us. The question becomes, does this everyday agility in using technology automatically translate into mastering the specific, often complex, technology your business relies on? Today, we will go into this very topic. 

There's a crucial difference between general technology use and optimized business technology application. We specialize in proactive business technology support, and we've seen firsthand that even the most tech-savvy individuals benefit immensely from targeted training on the tools and protocols unique to their workplace. This isn't just about fixing problems; it's about unlocking efficiency for every team member to contribute.

Remember the days of overflowing “In” trays and filing cabinets threatening to take over entire rooms? For many businesses, that reality isn't history—it's Monday morning. The constant printing, copying, and shuffling of paper isn't just clutter; it's a drain on your resources. In this month’s newsletter, we go into why a Document Management System (DMS) is such a useful resource for modern companies.

For all businesses, especially small ones, staying current with technology is vital for survival and growth. Falling behind impacts your ability to deliver. Why not stick with what works? While that's a valid question, technology is more than problem-solving; it's about seizing opportunities and mitigating future risks.