As you will know, Windows 7 end of life was the 14th of January. So, why would you still use Windows 7? This will leave you vulnerable to various bugs and modern-day versions of the WannaCry ransomware, that effected computers running Windows 7 in 2017. This leaves you with two options. Paying Microsoft for updates for three years or moving to Windows 10. 

Paying for updates can be costly if you have many computers to keep updated and the cost will also increase each year. Your best option is to move to Windows 10 and when you do this you should also buy new computers. 

The most obvious reasons for buying new computers is:

You might not have the correct computer specs needed to run Windows 10. 

You may have the minimum computer specs required to run Windows 10, and you never go by the minimum specs.

As Windows 10 will never be replaced and just updated, the updates might need a computer with more RAM or a faster CPU.

A new computer will run faster, resulting in you being more productive.

What should you do before upgrading to Windows 10?

Make sure all your data is backed up.

Check if all your software will work with Windows 10.

If you have legacy software that does not work with Windows 10, check if you can buy modern alternatives.

Before you think about buying new computers, check to see if you can upgrade your current computers.

Make sure you have the latest versions of any software that you are using.

Make sure that any peripherals you use such as printers or scanners will work with Windows 10.

Move to cloud-based SaaS and PaaS systems as it will be easier and quicker to setup.

Make sure you know exactly how much downtime you will have as you upgrade to Windows 10. 

What you do when you are ready to upgrade to Windows 10:

If you are buying new computers, make sure you know the exact specs you will need.

If you are upgrading your computer's hardware, make sure you have the exact specs you will need.

Don’t compromise on any peripherals that you will be buying, as you will end up replacing them on a regular basis.

iPing provides managed services and IT services. We can help provide you with an overview of your current setup, and what Windows 7 systems you are still using. We can also upgrade you to Window 10 from Windows 7 So if you need some help with the above please contact us or give us a call on 01 5241350.

It’s that time of the year again when Christmas parties and buying Christmas presents are all the rage. So, when it comes to buying Christmas gifts for your staff or friends and family, what are the most practical and useful ones to buy? iPing has found 3 great products that will make great useful presents.

Fitbit Versa 2

Smartwatches are all the rage this year and the question on your lips will be what smartwatch should I buy?  Smartwatches can vary in price and which one will work best with your phone. Some only work with iPhones, some only work with Android phones and some work with both. The one smartwatch that you should be looking at is the Fitbit Versa 2. 

This smartwatch is the perfect watch for keeping an eye on your fitness and health. The watches key features are 24/7 heart rate tracking, sleep tracking and built-in Amazon Alexa. The Fitbit Versa 2 battery life is extraordinary. Lasting up to 5 days on a single charge. 

By keeping an eye on your daily activities and the option of using Fitbits subscription fitness service. You are guaranteeing a healthy staff member, friend or family member which is very important these days. The Fitbit Versa 2 can be bought at all leading electrical retailers. Such as Currys, Harvey Norman and Powercity, for only €199, which makes it cheaper than its bestselling competitor the Apple Watch.

HP Sprocket

One nifty product that we noticed is the HP Sprocket, and you might be wondering what a sprocket is. The HP Sprocket is a portable printer that can fit in a jacket pocket. The Sprocket prints photos from your smartphone via an app and it does not use ink. It uses a built-in thermal printhead to print on HP Sprocket photo paper.

So, what can the HP Sprocket do for you? Well, in the workplace. It can print off smartphone photos for a photo album. Which could contain photos of screenshots showing you how to implement or use new software. At home. It can print off photo stickers. Or create a family photo album.

The HP Sprocket is now greatly reduced in price. It can be bought in Currys or Harvey Norma for €79.

Juku Metro 2 Backpack

Lastly, if you have any staff members or family members who are always on the go. Then the Irish company Juku has the perfect gift. Their Juku Metro 2 Backpack is perfect for storing gadgets. 

It has a laptop pocket and several places to store your smaller gadgets. It also has the most important thing that you will need, a built-in USB port that allows you to hook up a battery pack so that you can charge your phone. As it is also water-resistant. Anything stored will not get wet.

The Juku Metro 2 is available from the Juku website or Compub. It normally costs €89, but at the moment it is available for €62.30 on the Juku website.

iPing provides managed services and IT services. We would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to working with you all again next year and you can always contact us or give us a call on 01 5241350.

As I.T. infrastructure evolves, what you would have been using ten years ago will not be so applicable. Modern hardware is so much faster. The cloud computing services model’s IaaS, PaaS and SaaS are now allowing you to reduce your costs.

So, the question you must ask is Are legacy systems still relevant? Legacy systems can be older hardware, older software or even a mixture of both. And whilst they are still being used they can become a major security risk. As they can offer a backdoor into your system. 

Why are legacy systems still being used?

For a small business with a tight budget. The time and money required to upgrade or replace what they are using might not be available. The software that a business is using might be bespoke software specifically designed for them. Or newer versions of what they are using will have features they don’t need. Or take away features that they need. Legacy software might only work on older operating systems that can’t be installed on modern hardware.

What are the security risks when using legacy systems?

When legacy systems are still being used, there will no longer be updates. Which will include security patches for any software and operating systems that are being used. This makes it easier for someone to find a backdoor into your I.T. infrastructure. Allowing data to be stolen or encrypted by ransomware. As data storage has moved to the cloud, why are USB sticks still being used? They can easily be used to steal data or to unwittingly spread a virus or ransomware throughout your I.T. infrastructure. 

What can be done to secure any legacy systems still being used?

Whenever legacy systems are still being used, there are certain measures that you can take that will ensure that will lessen chances of a security breach taking place. The first thing you should do is ensure that any legacy systems being used is no longer on your network. This will ensure that nobody can use them as a backdoor into your main systems. You should also restrict access to any legacy systems being used. The only people who should be allowed access are people who need to use as part of their daily job. For example, old payroll system software that you are using should only be accessed by your Accounts/HR team. If you are still using USB sticks or floppy disks to share data, why not use OneDrive, Google Drive or other cloud storage options. iPing can help you chose the best option for your company.

Is there a way that you can incorporate legacy systems with your modern infrastructure?

There are solution that will allow you to securely incorporate legacy systems into any modern I.T. systems that you might be using. By installing a virtual machine on one of your computers. Along with any software that will only work on that operating system. Oracle has a great product called Oracle VirtualBox which includes cross-platform support. It works on Windows 10. It is also small, quick and easy to setup. All you will need is ISO images of any operating systems and software that you want to use on your virtual machine.

Legacy systems can still have a seat at the table. Provided they are maintained and kept in a closed secure environment. NASA still use legacy systems on their spacecraft as they know how the systems work. And because they also keep them in a closed secure environment where nobody can find a backdoor to access them. As the cost of cloud computing service model’s, has come down in price. You can easily modernise your I.T. infrastructure at an affordable price. By using virtual machines to run any legacy systems that you need to use. 

iPing provides managed services and IT services. We can help provide you with an overview of your current setup, and what legacy systems you are still using. So, if you need some help with the above please contact us or give us a call on 01 5241350.

May 25th2018 is a date that every business should remember. On this date GDPR legislation became active. This legislation which applies to all countries in the EU, relates to data protection and privacy for individual citizens in the EU and the European Economic Area. 

So, what should you be doing to be fully compliant?

Under the GDPR legislation you might need to have a Data Protection Officer (DPO). This only applies to public authorities and bodies and private sector organisations, that regularly and systematically monitor data subjects or process personal data as part of their core activities. 

You need to be fully prepared to handle a data breach and the data protection commission states on their website:

“To facilitate decision-making and determine whether or not your organisation needs to notify the relevant supervisory authority and affected individuals, you should have a high-quality risk management process and robust breach detection, investigation and reporting processes.”

Once you are aware of a breach occurring you have 72 hours to report it to the data protection commission. All those affected have to be told. as soon as possible. Reporting breaches are only done if it is a repetitive breach or if it is likely to have a considerable impact on individuals. 

The data protection commission also mention the following 4 levels of risk which determine if you report a data breach. 

• Low Risk: The breach is unlikely to have an impact on individuals, or the impact is likely to be minimal.
• Medium Risk: The breach may have an impact on individuals, but the impact is unlikely to be substantial.
• High Risk: The breach may have a considerable impact on affected individuals.
• Severe Risk: The breach may have a critical, extensive or dangerous impact on affected individuals.

If you have all of the above in place, you will have nothing to worry about. But if you don’t you could be liable to fines of 4% of your turnover or €20M which ever is greater.

iPing provides managed services and IT services and we can help provide you with an overview of your current GDPR setup, and if you are compliant. So, if you need some help with the above please contact us or give us a call on 01 5241350.

Over the past twenty five years businesses have become more reliant on technology. This is because the internet and cloud computing have become business tools that everyone is using. Twenty five years ago customer records would have been stored in a filing cabinet but that has now changed. The modern day filing cabinet can be either your computer, mobile phone, tablet or online cloud storage. 

Data breaches have changed over the past twenty five years and are much easier to spot. In the early 1990’s it would have involved copying files onto a floppy disk or stealing a floppy disk with files on them and you might never know it happened. Now a days data is stored locally on your computer or externally via cloud storage and a data breach is easier to spot.

Laptops, smartphones and tablets have helped make data more portable. If any of these devices are lost or stolen they can easily be remotely wiped ensuring data loss is minimal. But to make sure data breaches are kept to a minimum and that you are complying with GDPR regular data security checks must be done.

What is a regular data security check?

A regular data security check is the modern day fire drill. Every so often businesses would conduct fire drills to see how a business would cope if there was a fire. A regular data security check would see how businesses would cope if there was a security breach. They would also make sure that your staff are trained not to unwittingly help facilitate a security breach.

Regular data security checks work on your two weakest links. Laptops, smartphones and tablets and emails. Now a days Wi-Fi and broadband has allowed your staff to work from relatively anywhere. Whilst this means you can work during the weekend and your sales staff can do more work on the road. It also increases the chances of data being lost. You can be receiving so many emails a day resulting in the greater chance of a rogue email getting through.

How do regular data security checks work?

Regular data security checks how quick you respond to a suspected data security breach. They also train your staff on how emails can be used to facilitate data security breaches. If one of your laptops, smartphones or tablets are compromised, remote wiping of them has to be mandatory, and you have to know how long this will take to happen. You can receive so many emails a day that sometimes you don’t check if they are genuine .By sending your staff various rogue emails they will know what to look out for, what to and what not to do.

By doing regular data security checks, you are safeguarding your business, and your staff will also be kept up to speed on the latest security threats. A safe and secure business is a happy business. 

iPing provides managed services and IT services and we can help provide you with an overview of regular data security checks. So, if you need some help with the above please contact us or give us a call on 01 5241350.

One question that is often asked is how often should you replace your computer?

The average lifespan of a computer is 3 to 5 years. Replacing a laptop should be done every 3-4 years and replacing a desktop computer should be done every 5 years. 

Of course you don’t always to have replace your computers. Upgrading them can save you money and time. If you notice any of your computers are not as fast or responsive as they used to be. Its time to think about replacing them or upgrading them.

When replacing a computer you have to be mindful of the following: 

Buy computers that your staff is already used to, as it will be easier to setup and maintain them. You can’t afford to have your staff spending time learning how to use their new computer.

Only buy computers that are designed to do what you want them to. Never buy computers designed for casual use in the home as they are not designed for the wear and tear associated with office use. Buy computers specifically made for business use.

When buying a new computer, hard disk space is less of a priority, as you will be using cloud storage and probably using cloud based applications. Memory and your computers processor will be much more important as they determine how fast your computer will run.   

When upgrading a computer you have to be mindful of the following:

Sometimes you only need to add more memory or a Solid State Drive to have your computer running fast again.

If you want to upgrade your computers processor this can be easily done but you might have to also upgrade motherboard.

If your graphics card is no longer up to doing what it is supposed to do, then you can easily replace it with a new one.

Of course, there is one important thing that you have to take note off. When Microsoft released Windows 10, they said they would not be releasing any new versions of Windows but that you will be getting updates instead. These updates could make your computer obsolete as it no longer meets the specification needed to run Windows 10. 

iPing provides managed services and IT services and we can help provide you with an overview of your current I.T. infrastructure, and what needs to be replaced or upgraded. So, if you need some help with the above please contact us or give us a call on 01 5241350.

What technology you should be looking at? - Technology is always improving and becoming cheaper to buy and implement. It also raises your productivity too. So, with this in mind, isn’t time you take a look at the current and new technologies that you should be using.

Well first of, you have to ask yourself the following questions:

Do we need to be using collaboration tools?

Are internal emails getting lost, because they get hidden in our daily emails?

Are we making a lot of conference calls?

Should we take full advantage of the mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) that we are using?

Has the time come for us to be actively encourage remote working?

Should we be to revising our annual I.T. budget? 

Let’s take a look at each question and see how they apply to you. 

Internal emails, can easily get lost in your inbox. Especially if you are receiving lots of emails daily. If you are dealing with customers who are emailing you daily, they will naturally get top priority as you have to look after them. Internal emails besides getting easily lost or misplaced, also fall foul of your I.T. firewall. This means certain attachments, like demo software or images, could be blocked. The collaboration tools mentioned above will make sure this is never an issue.

Conference calls are very useful as some of your team members or clients based elsewhere can have a productive meeting with you. Clients no longer have to travel to meet you and you don’t have to travel to meet them. Team members in different offices/places don’t have to meet face to face. Your company and your clients will save a lot on travel expenses.

Mobile devices allow us to be contactable 24x7 where ever we are. They also allow you to use your favourite collaboration or SaaS tools and to respond in real time. All of your favourite software such as Office 365, Salesforce, Slack and Google Docs and Drive, can be used on your smartphones and tablets. Ensuring that you don’t have to be at your desk or computer to get any work done. 

Remote working is worth looking into if you have employees facing long daily commutes to and from work. Certain days of the week could be set aside for remote working. The hours you save from commuting can be used in a more productive way. The software mentioned above can be used on your laptop or mobile devices. All you will need is an internet connection and you are good to go. 

Your annual I.T. budget might be out of date as it is based on old work practices. A good example of this is if you are going more paperless. Less printer ink and toner cartridges will be used. The money saved can be invested in collaborations tools or conference call software. So by cutting the spending on what you don’t need you can focus your budget towards what you do need.  iPing provides managed services and IT services and we can help provide you with an overview of what current and future technologies suit your business best. So, if you need some help with the above please contact us or give us a call on 01 5241350.

One of the main benefits of using Office 365 Enterprise is the extra security benefits that you get. The typical number of Office 365 Enterprise users would start at around 30 and go into the hundreds or thousands. With that amount of users, data security will be of the upmost importance. Office 365 Enterprise comes with Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection. All for an extra monthly fee which will vary according to which of the 3 versions you subscribe to. 

Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) protects your business against malicious threats. These may come from email messages, links (URL’s) and collaboration tools.

With ATP you can setup 4 different threat protection policies. These will allow you to decide the appropriate level of protection for your organisation.

These policies are:

• ATP Safe Attachments uses zero-day protection to check all incoming email attachments with the help of machine learning and analysis techniques. 
• ATP Safe Links checks that all URL’s in emails and office files are not malicious and any found blocked are automatically.
• ATP for SharePoint, OneDrive and Microsoft Teams allows users in your organisation to collaborate and share files. By finding and blocking malicious files collaboration has become a lot safer.
• ATP anti-phishing protection uses machine learning and advanced impersonation detection algorithms help prevent phishing attacks.

ATP gives you the ability to:

View reports in real-time to monitor ATP performance in your organisation

Use leading edge tools that give you threat investigation and response capabilities to investigate, understand, simulate, and prevent threats.

Use automated investigation and response capabilities which saves time investigating and reducing the risks of threats. 

Which of the above ATP features you can avail off depends on which of the 3 versions that you subscribe to.

If you need some help securing your Office 365 infrastructure iPing can help.

iPing provides managed services and IT services and we can help provide you with an overview of Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection and which version will suit your business best. So, if you need some help with the above please contact us or give us a call on 01 5241350.

It’s time to update your Microsoft Office package. And if you are a small business you will end up probably buying Microsoft Office 2019. But as there are 2 versions available Which one do you go for?

The main reasons why you are buying Microsoft Office 2019 is because you are only paying a one-off fee and because you are not interested in getting regular updates with new features. In fact, the only updates you will be getting is security updates. Which also means you don’t have to worry about having to learn more about the new regular updates.

Microsoft Office 2019 is available in 2 different versions. But which one is the best one for you? And is it worth paying over €200 extra for the second version? 

Office Home and Business 2019

It comes with: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook for 1 PC or Mac.
You only get security updates.
You can’t update to the latest versions of the apps which are only available as desktop apps.
The cost is €243.09 + VAT.

Office Professional 2019

It comes with: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher and Access for 1 PC or Mac.
You only get security updates.
You can’t update to the latest versions of the apps which are only available as desktop apps.
The cost is €470.73 + VAT.

As you can see Microsoft Office 2019 is not suited to somebody who wants multiple licenses. As you end up paying more in the short term, and if you are not fully using mobile devices you will only need the desktop version of Office. If you don’t need or plan on using Publisher of Access why pay over €220 for the privilege and as for Office 365 that’s another blog post.  

iPing provide managed services and IT services and we can help provide you with an overview of Microsoft Office 2019 and which version will suit your business best. So, if you need some help with the above please contact us or give us a call on 01 5241350.