Cal Wilson / June 1, 2021

If the last year has seen your company shift to work from home, you might have found the need for a new or improved internet server to help your business thrive remotely. If your current provider isn’t doing the trick, or for whatever reason, you’re in need of new solutions, it’s essential to prioritize a server that will give you the best connectivity 24/7.    

What is a server?    

An internet or web server is a combination of software and, in some cases, hardware that helps with necessary parts of running your business online; such as maintaining your website, supporting your company email, and allowing for file transfer and storage. Server hardware is connected to the internet, and allows for the exchange of data between connected devices, while the software controls how hosted files are accessed. Servers are critical for preventing data loss; something that is otherwise inevitable due to human error and faulty tech.  

There is a big industry debate over on-premises servers versus cloud based solutions. An on-premise server is a physical, on-site server that a provider must maintain. A cloud-based server is a virtual server hosted through cloud computing.  

If you have a website, or use any kind of file share solutions with your employees, chances are that you’re paying for a server, whether that be on-premises or cloud solutions.    

What to consider when paying for an internet server?    

You want a functional host of solutions at a reasonable price. Depending what you’re using the server for, you might want to prioritize some aspects over others. If you’re trying to run a call center remotely, like many businesses are finding themselves doing right now, speed and reliable connectivity are going to be of utmost importance. Knowing what you need is the first important step.    

Location, location, location.    

If you choose a server with poor speed or connectivity, you risk losing existing customers, as well as the opportunity to attain new customers. It can also cause delay in work progress, and overall poor productivity for your staff.  

Connectivity and speed are often dependent on your location, as well as the location of the server itself, if the server is on-premises. When investigating a provider, do some research about the internet connectivity speed in its location of operation.    

Location is especially important when considering whether you want to use a cloud or on-premises solution. On-premises software is installed on your company’s devices and servers, whereas cloud software is hosted on the vendor’s server and accessed via a web browser. The connectivity in your area is going to determine whether or not a cloud solution is even realistic for you.    

Cloud or on-premises?  

There is no shortage of opinions on this question. The truth is either option might work for you, depending on what you need and your preferences.  

In the past few years, cloud has seen increasing popularity, and vendors are beginning to move away from on-premises solutions. Still, on-premises have their benefits. Here is a breakdown of some of the pros and cons of each option.    

The truth is either option might work for you, depending on what you need and your preferences.  

Advantages of cloud hosted solutions include:  

• Accessibility from anywhere in the world, on any device, with internet connectivity.  
• No upfront installation costs.  
• Predictable, regular payments to cover software licensing, support, daily back-ups, and any potential upgrades you might choose.    

• All the maintenance is taken care of by the cloud service provider, so you do not need to worry about it.    
• Highly secure.    
• Can be deployed quickly, over the internet, in a matter of hours or days.  
• Due to the flexibility of cloud solutions, they can easily scale to meet the changing needs of your business; for example, a period of growth in employees.    
• You will save on your utility bills, not having to power any hardware onsite.    

Advantages of on-premises solutions include:  

• Less reliant on your business’s internet quality than cloud solutions.    
• Despite a pricier upfront investment, on-premises solutions have a lower total cost of ownership over the course of the system’s life cycle.  
• Because you are paying for the hardware and software installation upfront, you have more control over the configuration, upgrades, and system changes.  

The choice is yours.    

The best solution for your business is going to be dependent on your location, size, budget, and other determinant factors. Explore your options, and find the right fit for your company.    

Cal Wilson / May 10, 2021

From working and studying at home to an increase in online shopping, we, as a global community, have never used the internet more. Unfortunately, this has exposed some serious weaknesses in the strength of our networks.  

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, internet inequity was a pressing issue in North America. Connection to high speed broadband internet has been tied to better health, education, and financial prosperity. In a global crisis where isolation is part of the solution, this is more relevant than ever.  

In the past year, some analytics report a 50 percent increase in internet usage, just in the United States. For many families with two adults working from home, the home internet that had been working fine before COVID-19 is no longer sufficient. Especially if they also have children doing virtual schooling, streaming content, or gaming. The strain of the past year to networks’ infrastructure has meant that providers are having to come up with new solutions.  

Before lockdowns, networks were accustomed to peak activity times, as well as down times, based on typical consumer habits. Your office or institution’s peak times would be the inverse. Offices and institutions, such as universities, can typically support these heavier peak times, because they pay for “enterprise grade” internet broadband service, which utilize higher quality cables and piping than your typical neighborhood.  

As The New York Times explained it in an article last year, “many offices and schools essentially have the equivalent of a big pipe to carry internet traffic, compared with a garden hose for most homes.” 

This has created an obvious difficulty for business owners with employees working from home, as well as for employees already struggling with pandemic-related stress.  

In the United States, big carriers like Verizon, Cox, and Charter, among others, have taken measures to meet the increase in demand over the past year. The carriers’ challenge was to make home internet fit the expectations of business services. From upgrading plans, forgiving overages, and promising to improve infrastructure, measures have been taken by all major carriers to adjust to the new reality.  

In Canada, the situation has been similar, impacting rural Canadians most severely. Those working or running businesses out of small towns found they were out of options when it came to trying to adjust virtually. One study done in collaboration with the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) and Maclean’s found that “estimates just 46 per cent of rural Canadians have access to internet that meets that minimum standard, compared to 80 per cent for the country as a whole” and “in each of Canada’s 417 municipalities with more than 9,000 people–including the biggest cities, like Toronto–many people live with web connections that aren’t sufficient to work or study from home.” 

This is not just a Canadian problem. In Wisconsin alone, there are roughly 411,000 households without access to broadband speeds.  

Across North America, the answer to the dilemma posed by work from home seems to be improved infrastructure. This infrastructure is already implemented in downtown cores of cities, where multiple people on one residential network can be working or studying simultaneously. Outside of these cores, the current infrastructure can often only support one heavy user.  

The problem has been, as always with connectivity inequity, is that carriers only profit off investing in better infrastructure when there are enough residents in the area to purchase the service. This creates a problem for residents and business owners with employees working from home alike. The pandemic has seen an increasing urgency in adopting internet connectivity into the realm of public infrastructure.  

Cal Wilson / April 12, 2021

Cal Wilson / April 5, 2021

Slowly but surely, landline phone systems are being replaced. In some parts of the world, like the United Kingdom, there are even plans to phase them out entirely by the end of the decade. If your business still uses a landline — even if it’s worked great for you so far — there is a good chance you’ll feel the pressure from your vendors to move to a different voice system soon. 

One of the many available options is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone system. It might sound daunting to make the switch to a system that is out of your comfort zone. The best thing you can do is arm yourself with knowledge beforehand.  

So what is VoIP?  

VoIP allows your team to make phone calls using an internet connect as opposed to phone lines. It can be transmitted through a traditional, physical phone alongside a VoIP adapter, or software, downloaded onto a computer or smartphone. There are also dedicated VoIP phones that look just like a traditional analog phone, but are designed specifically for this technology.  

You’ve probably encountered a VoIP phone call before, even if you didn’t recognize it. If you have ever called a customer support line with an automated directory, such as a bank, chances are good that you connected with their VoIP line. This and a whole host of other features is what makes VoIP really attractive to many businesses.  

Why make the switch?  

One of the main reasons to make the switch to VoIP is the low cost. VoIP calls are made over the internet, meaning that you’re paying for internet service, as well as the software and hardware, and not telephone service fees. Especially when it comes to long distance calling or international calling, this can save you a lot of money.  

While social distancing, VoIP is also a much more practical solution for remote workers. Why pay to install a landline in an employee’s home when you could put a soft phone app on their computer?  

Typically, VoIP phone systems offer more features than landline systems as well. From automated directories to call recording to voice to email services, VoIP comes with a handful of perks that can make your busy work schedule a bit easier.  

In an increasingly digitized world, VoIP phone systems have come to be the expected level of quality that many businesses provide their customers when offering customer service. E-Commerce businesses especially have to rely on this technology, when they have customers making purchases and needing assistance from various time zones across the globe. Not only do VoIP’s features allow for a more seamless experience for the customer when no one is available to pick up the phone, but they also ensure that you can have phone agents set up anywhere at any time.  

VoIP systems allow you to integrate the voice experience with other platforms, as well. For example, it allows you to build a call function into an online chat help portal, without the customer needing to explain their issue twice. This makes it less frustrating for the customer, but also easier for the employees and managers using VoIP to keep a record of what has been discussed.  

Good customer experiences are important for your business, and not to be undervalued.  

What do you need to use VoIP?  

Because there are many options for using a VoIP phone system, it is a more flexible option in terms of equipment. The most important part of utilizing VoIP effectively is a reliable internet connection with proper security to prevent hacking. Unfortunately, in areas where internet connection is unreliable or poorly serviced, this does make VoIP less accessible than landline options.  

Otherwise, there is relatively little hardware involved once you have the proper software. If you are using a computer or smartphone, you will probably want a decent quality headset with a microphone. If you want to use a traditional phone, you will need either a VoIP-specific phone, or a traditional phone set compatible with a VoIP adapter.  

Be up to date with your technology. 

Now more than ever, it’s important to be current with your tech. With many day-to-day tasks being handled virtually and remotely, your landline phone system might not make the cut.  

Cal Wilson / March 29, 2021

If you’re not networking, you’re missing out on significant career-growing opportunities. It’s that simple. Building professional relationships can make the difference between staying professionally stagnant and climbing the career ladder to success.

As we continue to see activities slowed by the overwhelming disruption of COVID-19, and with social restrictions and regulations introduced to stop the spread, face-to-face networking has understandably taken a major hit this past year.

Many businesses require networking to function; the ability to forge new relationships with coworkers, customers, and potential clients during the pandemic has now become more of a necessity than an option. Although it may seem difficult, networking during COVID-19 is not impossible– however, your approach and attitude may need to change to embrace the evolving social landscape.

While the days of meeting others at industry events and conferences, exchanging business cards and shaking hands are temporarily on hold, there are ways to expand network connections and develop solid professional relationships virtually.

The key to successful networking is to get to know people, have genuine conversations and provide value. The good news is that a lot of these principles still hold true – but for those who are finding the transition to be challenging, here are some tips to help grow your business by networking virtually.

Get comfortable with new technology

It doesn’t matter what platform you use – Zoom, Skype, and WebEx are a few of the most popular– giving yourself enough time to work through any kinks before the meeting is slated to begin is imperative to a successful virtual connection. Run a test of your setup before each virtual networking opportunity to ensure that your audio and video outputs are good and avoid any potential technical issues or annoying glitches by checking that the internet connection is stable. 

Be prepared

Preparation is a key component of virtual networking. Planning questions or an agenda beforehand will not only show professionalism but help direct the conversation topics and keep all participants on-track. This preparedness will help keep that connection with your contact, resulting in both parties getting the most value out of the experience. Also, if attending an online networking event, a good idea is to look at the list of confirmed attendees and decide, ahead of time, who you would want to meet. 

Attend virtual events

Having quickly adapted to our new socially distanced reality, many conferences and other similar events have already taken a virtual approach to networking. With physical location no longer a barrier, we can even re-think geographic boundaries. Events are now available worldwide, attracting a wider range of participants who are ready to network online. With easy sign-ups and interactive livestreams, connecting with other guests has never been easier.

Build a social media presence.

As people stay at home during COVID-19, they’re increasingly turning to digital media channels to connect. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn can be a goldmine for networking, as an online profile can help connect you with opportunities by showcasing your unique professional story. Instead of thinking about social networking’s value as a number of followers, work to build quality relationships, and watch the connections grow. Start building your network by inviting people you already know to connect, such as family, friends, community members and business contacts, then expand that circle to increase your visibility.

Practice your writing

While remote networking is great on paper, it’s not without its challenges, and not everyone you connect with will be readily accessible for video chats. These potential contacts will likely prefer to message back and forth to fit their schedule. Honing your writing skills to ensure a professional tone will reflect your attention and appreciation when communicating – especially during early interactions – as that crucial first impression is so important. Also be sure to send a thank-you message to anyone you do connect with, as this simple but memorable gesture often goes a long way.

Follow up and follow through — but don’t be a pest

If you told someone you would get in touch with them or promised to introduce someone to a person you know, take the time to do it. It often only takes minutes to shoot off an email and keep the relationship alive. If you do not hear back from a person with whom you want to network, a follow-up is fine, but remember: if you try many times in quick succession, you could quickly be perceived as an annoyance.