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Ferrum Technology Services Blog

Ferrum Technology Services has been serving the Elgin area since 2007, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

3 Legal IT Solutions from the Ground Up

b2ap3_thumbnail_lawyers_need_it_too_400.jpgThere's no denying that lawyers have a crucial role in western society. They are at the center of every trial, hearing, and financial exchange. Like any other business professional, lawyers tend to lean on technology to boost their effectiveness; both for their benefit and for their clients. They rely on mobile technology, hardware and software systems, and even cloud computing systems to better serve their clients. Can your practice benefit from the newest technology?

29% of The World is Still Running Windows XP!

b2ap3_thumbnail_xp_end_of_support_400.jpgMicrosoft's popular operating system Windows XP is scheduled to have its support end on April 8. Microsoft has been telling the world about the need to upgrade for years, and most users have gotten the memo and either upgraded to a newer OS or they're at least making plans to. However, 29% of the world's computers are still running Windows XP!

Happy 20th Birthday Bluetooth! What Comes Next?

b2ap3_thumbnail_bluetooth_turns_twenty_400.jpgWith all the recent buzz about wearable technology, biometrics, and smart appliances, it can be easy to forget about a much older technology that is still providing tremendous value. Bluetooth. Believe it or not, Bluetooth is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, having been invented by Ericsson in 1994.

The Need to Secure Your Backed Up Data

b2ap3_thumbnail_data_backup_400.jpgYour company's data is extremely valuable, which is why you have security measures in place in order to keep hackers out of your network. Although, it's easy to spend so much time focused on your network firewall that sometimes, securing your backed-up files gets overlooked. In the hands of a hacker, the copies of your backed up data can be just as valuable as breaching your network.

What’s an Internet-Addicted Person to Do?

b2ap3_thumbnail_surfing_at_work_400.jpgSometimes it's okay to waste time surfing the Internet, like when you're unwinding at home after a long day at the office. However, wasting time with mindless Internet browsing can become a problem when it cuts into your work day and makes you less productive.

Microsoft SkyDrive is Now OneDrive

b2ap3_thumbnail_onedrive_from_microsoft_400.jpgUsers of Microsoft SkyDrive are having their service upgraded to the new OneDrive. Besides a new name, OneDrive has been given new features and Microsoft is marketing this solution as the "one place for your photos, videos, documents, and files across all your devices."

How Restarting Your Computer Magically Fixes Everything

restart400When experiencing a computer problem, what is the first thing you do to troubleshoot it? If you are an experienced PC user, then you will try turning your machine on and off again. Your computer's restart button can feel like a magic wand that takes care of any issue, but do you know how this fix-it wizardry works?

Is Your IT Company Kicking You While You’re Down?

b2ap3_thumbnail_taking_advantage_400.jpgWhen your technology goes down, it's a painful experience for your business because operations grind to a halt. When you have to deal with an expensive computer repair bill from your IT company, then it's basically like they're adding injury to insult, or kicking you while you're down.

Disconnect from the Web and Experience Life

celly400Mobile devices give you the ability to always be connected with the virtual world. It may seem like this is great for productivity because you feel like more work is getting done; but could it be that constant connectivity is wearing us down? In light of the stresses caused from being connected, it's good to unplug and recharge your brain.

Start-Ups Can Avoid IT Hassles with Managed Services

b2ap3_thumbnail_startup_power_400.jpgEvery business has to start somewhere. Starting a new business can be the most exhilarating (and often terrifying) endeavor a person can undertake. Technology can play a extremely important role to get your business venture off the ground quickly.

How to Make a Graph in Microsoft Excel

b2ap3_thumbnail_excel_logo_400.JPGThere's nothing like a professional looking graph to get your point across in a big way. Having all the facts and figures compiled in a dynamic graph is a great way to show market trends and make decisions, but how do you create compelling graphs? One of the best tools for graph making is Microsoft Excel.

Be Wary of Free Wi-Fi

securephone400When browsing the Internet on your smartphone, you know how to be on the lookout for scams that will disable your device with viruses; but did you know that you also need to be careful which Internet connection you use? By connecting to the wrong Wi-Fi signal, you could be falling for a scam.

Hackers Go for the Gold at the Sochi Winter Olympics

b2ap3_thumbnail_sochi_winter_olympics_400.jpgIn Sochi, Russia, the world's best athletes aren't the only ones having spent years preparing for the Winter Olympics. Russian hackers have also readied themselves for the world's arrival. Hackers have tapped every public WiFi network in the vicinity of the games. We can learn a thing or two about the WiFi problems in Sochi.

Make Gmail More Efficient With This Trick

gmaily400One of the biggest time wasters we all face is sorting through our email inbox. This is a tedious task made worse because you have to sort through emails from the same sources every day, like newsletters and social media updates. Here's a tip to help you better organize your incoming Gmail messages.

Everyone Saves Money Working from Home!

b2ap3_thumbnail_work_from_home_400.jpgIt's no secret that employees love working from home. In fact, in a recent survey, 25% of employees admitted that they would accept a reduction in salary for the opportunity to work from home. This statistic may sound odd, but it makes perfect sense when you understand how much money working from home saves both employees and employers alike.

By the Numbers: Is the PC Market Shrinking?

b2ap3_thumbnail_is_the_pc_market_shrinking_400.jpgThose paying attention to technology industry news may have noticed the current trend of declining PC sales. Any way you spin it, the latest statistics dealing with the PC market are not favorable toward the future of widespread desktop and laptop computer purchases. Let's take a look at some of the numbers and their implications for your business.

Today’s Network Security is about Controlling Information

netseccloud400The modern IT landscape is dramatically changing from a model where an IT department controls everything, to companies outsourcing their IT services. This paradigm shift challenges older ideas about traditional network security equating ownership and control with strong security. Does your business view IT outsourcing as a security help or a hindrance?

The Best Way to Take Advantage of New Business Technology

b2ap3_thumbnail_your_dedicated_it-consultant_400.jpgTechnology is showing up in unexpected places these days, like kitchen appliances being connected to smartphones and wearable tech enveloping people's bodies. These fun technology trends make life easier, and it is advantageous to get in early on these trends. Technology is also showing up in new and unexpected places in the business sector. Are you up on these tech trends?

5 Questions to Ask Before Migrating to the Cloud

cloudjack400You hear a lot about "migrating to the cloud." Using Internet technologies, cloud computing gives users scalable IT solutions that are hosted offsite in data centers, which look nothing like clouds. Cloud computing is a hot trend that many companies are taking advantage of, but is the cloud right for your organization?

Your Technology Hates the Cold Too

b2ap3_thumbnail_technology_in_the_cold_400.jpgIn the midst of one of the coldest and most grueling winters the U.S. has experienced in years, millions of Americans are growing impatient for the arrival of spring. As subzero temperatures spread across the country, the cold weather and snow has become a hazard not only to humans, but to their technology. How cold is too cold for your gadgets?

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