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Understanding the Importance of IT Governance

Modern organisations need to understand the importance of IT governance and the valuable role of the IT department as an enabler for the organisation. A well-developed IT governance framework is central overall good governance. IT governance is about responsibilities and consequences. For most people, the value of IT governance is often only highlighted when something goes wrong – when an IT governance failure has real and negative impacts on the organisation and those stakeholders.&...

Why So Many Businesses Are Turning to Managed IT Services

As a business, you should always be looking to see how your business can become more efficient, and at the same time save on resources. Simply moving along with your business continuing to run things the way that you’ve always run them is an easy way for a competitor to step in and one up you – due to a more efficient process, product, service, or package.And that’s why businesses are now seeing the benefit of turning to Managed IT Services to look after their IT infrastructure....

Driving the IT Narrative

In a previous blog, we covered the importance of an IT governance framework. Ensuring that your IT Manager can drive the narrative about IT within your organisation is a critical tool in maintaining an IT governance framework. A well–formulated IT narrative or strategy addresses your organisation’s ‘holistic’ IT needs. It answers the questions of the functional areas of the organisation before they are asked. There are some key risks in f...

How to Implement Good IT Governance

You’re a CEO. Your organisation has multiple objectives, broad responsibilities and competing priorities.  Governance is a key requirement for every organisation. It is likely that your board and executive do not have a developed awareness of the importance of IT governance.  IT governance is about responsibilities and consequences. To ‘non-IT’ people, its value is often only highlighted when something goes wrong – when an IT governance failure has real and negative impacts on ...

Protecting IT Governance Through the IT Budget

IT governance is a critical initiative for your entire organisation.  However, responsibility for the implementation and maintenance is delegated to the IT department.  Often as organisational budgets are developed, insufficient funds are provided to the IT department.  This prevents IT from providing the organisation with robust IT Governance systems. ...

Entrepreneurs and Startups Drive Future Work Trends

Startups.  They’re popping up thick and fast and they’re shaking up the way we do business.  Startups are highly connected, innovative and they’re not afraid to use the latest technology to benefit their day to day business, customers and their employees.We’ve identified some of the ways startups are changing the workplaces of today.  Take notes – we’ll all need to get on board to stay competitive.Results Based Work Startup founders and entrepreneurs are now more and m...

Future Business Trends You Need to Know About

Regardless of industry, to retain a competitive edge and a thriving organisational operation, keeping up with business and technology trends should be an integral part of any business’ strategy. Technology has come a long way since the desktop computer, fundamentally changing the way we operate.  The economy too, and other environmental and demographical (read: Millennials!) factors in the 21st century have also had an impact.  We highlight some key trends below. The Workplace of Tod...

IT Governance in Local Government

Information technology systems are embedded at the core of every project and every aspect of work, from correspondence between parties, timeline constructions to even the community’s first point of access, the website. The numerous interconnected and networked features of IT systems, mean a small problem with one system may have an unforeseen complication with another, resulting in waves of disruption to future workflows. This frustration can be mitigated by proper IT governance and managed IT...

Office 365 vs. Hosted Exchange – Which is Better For Your Business?

One of the many decisions small to medium sized businesses face when implementing operating systems and processes is around email and document management – and the question usually comes down to Office 365 or Hosted Exchange. Hosted Exchange basically means renting an off-site sever in a secure location that will enable office processes to occur on-site. Hosted Exchange means that a business can still access Microsoft applications and services, such as Outlook and SharePoint, which i...

Why Managed IT Services?

Many businesses today are increasingly turning to managed service providers, with IT one of the most popular services being outsourced.  And it makes sense.  IT is an integral part of your business operations and it is imperative it is managed effectively, is secure, and safe from threats.But it’s not just expertise and skills that makes using a managed IT provider a good idea.  In fact, there are a whole range of benefits:More Efficient & Reliable IT Many businesses use externa...

WCry Ransomware – OUTBREAK!

IMPORTANT IT SECURITY MESSAGE We are sure you have heard the news over the weekend, however in case you are unaware, a massive RansomWare attack (largest in history) has hit over 230,000 computers in 99 countries, demanding ransom payments in bitcoin in 28 languages. The attack has been described by Europol as “unprecedented in scale“.WannaCry, also known by the names WannaCrypt, WanaCrypt0r 2.0, Wanna Decryptor and other similar names, is a ransomware program targeting Microsoft W...

Microsoft’s Vision for Enterprise Collaboration

Changing technologies mean changes to workplaces and how we work and interact with each other.  Physical workplaces are becoming virtual, with people logging in to work in different time zones and locations around the world.  These changes to the traditional workplace have seen a growth in enterprise collaboration tools, with Microsoft’s Office 365 at the forefront.  Virtual workplaces call for digital teamwork and Microsoft’s vision for collaboration is all about enablin...

Staying Strong on IT Security

Big data is abundant, and it can provide companies with enormous competitive advantage in terms of marketing and research.  Yet once you’ve got that data, the challenge is to keep it secure.  The increased adoption of web based, mobile and cloud based applications means data is accessible from a number of different platforms and therefore vulnerable to hacking and security breaches. Think you can stay ahead of the bad guys?The bad guys stay ahead of everybody… and what’s wor...

Technology and the Employee of Today

In the digital landscape of 2017, businesses that want to maintain a competitive edge are implementing new technologies as soon as they hit the market, realising it impacts every element of their day to day operations. Most businesses understand technology will the affect operating systems and processes of their organisation – clever businesses are also realising technology affects the employees they attract, recruit and retain.  But why is employee engagement so important? &nbs...

Top Tech Trends in 2017

Technology has changed.  Instead of consumers rushing out to buy the latest must have product, technology is now adapting to our needs. We are now in the drivers seat, using technology to get more out of work and life.  Every year, there are new and exciting technologies available to use.  2017 is no different.  Take a look at some of the top technology trends this year:Machine Learning In 2017 get ready for your smartphone to know you better than you know yourself.  Weâ...

In the Event of a Disaster

Does your business have a disaster recovery plan?  A network failure due to cyberattacks, power outage, natural disaster, or loss of key personnel can be catastrophic for your business without a managed and tested disaster recovery plan. Many small businesses think this is something only big business need worry about, yet just an hour of downtime can have dramatic effects on your company information, your interaction with customers, and ultimately, your bottom line. ...

Office 365 vs G Suite: A Definitive Guide

All your applications stored on company servers? Still struggling with a Word meeting agenda template? Pop down the hall to see if Sasha is at her desk or not? Swimming in a sea of emails and documents? If your business isn’t yet up to speed with cloud productivity suites, then, in 2017, you are lagging behind the 8 ball.What are cloud productivity suites? Cloud productivity suites are similar to productivity tools suites of yore, with a few distinct differences. You’ll know productivity sui...

The Wait is Over, Microsoft Office 2016 Arrives!

On September 22, Office 2016 will be released to the public and the anticipation is high. A preview version was released earlier in the year allowing Office enthusiasts to try it out and provide feedback – constructive or not.The pattern of the official release will differ between consumer users and businesses, as well as depend on the type of licence you have. The first people will receive the update on the 22nd of September. Others may have to wait a little longer before systems are upd...

The Arrival of Windows 10

Many of you would’ve heard about, if not already upgraded to, Microsoft’s last full Operating System – Windows 10. New about Windows 10 is that it now works across all Windows-powered devices, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and the Xbox One console. Best of all, millions of PC users who already use Windows 7 or 8 will be able to upgrade for free! In the latest version of windows, you will see some familiar and well-loved interfaces from both Windows 7 and Windows 8. Among the futu...

Cisco Warns Australian businesses to Prepare For Hyperconnectivity

Based on results from its new Visual Networking Index (VNI), Cisco predicts hyperconnectivity will arrive in Australia sooner than expected.Hyperconnectivity refers to connectivity as a cultural condition, as our lives become more intertwined with technology. This is brought on by the ever-evolving internet, mobile devices, and applications that are forcing businesses to either adapt or perish! Although it sounds dramatic, the fact is we need to be prepared for not only how hyperconnectivity wil...

Why IT is Not a Cost

Everybody has IT As a society we have come to the agreement that electronic offices are far more practical than the old pen and paper offices we have left behind. This begs the question:If IT was purely a cost, why would everyone have it? In a world where one company can have offices all over the country and even the globe, hard copies just doesn’t cut it. The demand for instant results require a faster, more effective systems for sharing information within your business and your clients. It i...

Saying Goodbye to Windows Server 2003

It’s official – on 14 July 2015, Windows Server 2003 reaches its end of life, no longer receiving support from Microsoft. It’s been a wild 12 years of patches and updates, and for companies intent on sticking with Server 2003, the future could get a whole lot wilder.Without patches for known vulnerabilities, organisations will be at an immediate risk of compromise. A server running an out-of-date operating system creates an open door for security breaches, potentially compromising the enti...

How to Migrate From Win Server 2003 in 4 Steps

Microsoft announced that all versions of Windows Server 2003 would go out of support in July 2015. If you haven’t thought about it yet, this is the moment to develop a migration plan. What does end of support mean for you After 14th July 2015, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates for any version of Windows Server 2003. So if you are still running Windows Server 2003 in your data centre, then you need to execute a migration plan to protect your infrastructure. A migration plan in 4...

How Outsourcing Provides Better Value Than In-House Attempts at IT

Many in-house IT teams are under-funded and understaffed, leaving the in-house team destined to become a jack of all trades, master of none. As a result, the work they do ends up being mediocre rather than adding to the efficiency of the company.Outsourcing IT is the most affordable way to have access to a range of specialists and subject experts to configure and maintain systems properly. In 2013, Australian companies spent $7.5 billion on outsourced IT. As this increases, the overall IT cost g...

Microsoft Office 2016 Now Available for Public Preview

This is a great opportunity to get your hands onto the new Office 2016.  Don’t forget to provide feedback to Microsoft at the end of your testing.Visit the Office 2016 Preview site to learn more about the Preview program to see if it’s right for you.New features include: Your documents, anywhereAcross the Office 2016 applications, it’s easier to use the power of feature-rich applications to create, open, edit and save files in the cloud from your desktop, so you can access t...