Keep it local I say. When it comes to IT support in Chicago, I say let’s do IT services Chicago style! What does this mean? It means no support from a company that couldn’t have a full-time tech employed with their company out at your office within 1 hour. There are lots of IT companies out there that have a network operations center based in another state, and dread the idea of having to support you locally onsite. Why? Because they have to locate a local IT contractor and pay them to come to your office and fix your system. This contractor may or may not consider your network a priority – they have many clients, and your vendor is just another client of theirs. Also, if you are a Chicago company, don’t you want an IT support company that is local to the area with full-time techs employed with them that are also local to the area taking care of your computer network? The companies that Xerillion supports are companies that like to build relationships with their vendors, and we are the kind of company that likes to build relationships with our clients. It is just a fun way to do business! When I call a big company like Dell or Microsoft, well…we need those companies and they are great at what they do, but there is connection to the tech I’m talking with on the phone, nor do they know anything about my business or my employees. They want to take care of this one task I called them about, and this tech I’m talking on the phone with may or may not be employed with this company in 6 months. Who wants that?? I don’t, and neither do my clients. So, when it comes to IT support in the windy city, I say let’s do IT Services Chicago style!
Archive for the ‘it services’ Category
Keep it Local – IT Services Chicago Style!
Thursday, May 6th, 2010Computer Challenged? Count on Chicago IT Services
Friday, April 9th, 2010Would you consider yourself to be computer challenged? Don’t be embarrassed, many people are unsure about new computer technology and they don’t know how to use the latest computer related devices and components. Your Chicago it services provider can show you how to use a memory stick, maintain and back up your files, and explain how network servers work.
If you have never had formal training on computers, simple tasks such a saving a file onto a memory stick may pose a challenge. Your Chicago it services provider can show you how to save files on memory sticks and cd’s along with a host of other helpful tutorials on how to get the most out of your computer.
Want to learn how to download photos from your camera onto your computer? Real estate agents must be able to perform this task since the quality of a digital photo far surpasses that of a scanned photo. If you have never used a USB cord to connect a device to your computer you will need someone to show you how the first time that you attempt this. You’ll also need a demonstration of how to pull up the pictures on the computer and adjust them.
Surprisingly, a number of business owners across the nation are unaware of all of the tasks that they can perform on their computer. A Chicago it services provider will show you how to use your computer, maintain your computer, and upgrade it. They will also provide you with the right software that you need to perform all of your job related tasks. Sometimes all that a business needs is some new software to stay better organized and increase productivity.
Whenever you have a question about your computer or you don’t understand PC lingo, feel free to ask your technician to explain. They will be happy to explain terminology to you and show you how to use flash drives, memory sticks, and memory cards. If you can’t tell a USB cable from the power cord, let alone find the right place to hook it up to your computer, let an expert provide you with a tutorial explaining these basics.
Without computer knowledge, using your home or office computer and taking advantage of all the features that it has to offer can be difficult. If you want to learn more about your computers and file storage feel free to ask your IT service provider. They will be happy to share their knowledge.
Outlining Your Chicago IT Consulting Needs
Thursday, April 8th, 2010What are your Chicago it consulting needs? Do you have a small business with just a handful of employees or are you the owner of a growing company with fifty different employees? Do you rely upon your computers mainly for correspondence and data keeping or do you run a retail business that operates on the web?
There are many considerations that you have to take into account when you think about your Chicago it consulting needs. If you own even a small business that sells items online a few short minutes offline could force you to lose out on important business. If you can’t afford to suffer a system crash or failure you need to find a Chicago it consulting company that can provide you with superior emergency services and state of the art data backup.
If data backup is your main priority then you should also be concerned about security. Especially if these files are confidential in nature they must be stored securely and backed up securely so that you don’t ever have to worry about a security breach. It is perfectly ok to ask your consulting company how they plan on backing up these files and how they plan on protecting them.
Your business can not afford to lose or compromise data. Imagine losing all of your valuable customer contact information or billing. What would happen to your business if your network was hacked into and all of your clients’ financial information was compromised? Unfortunately these types of situations happen every day, what can your provider do to protect your business against these catastrophes?
Emergency services are of equal importance when it comes to your IT needs. No matter how small or large your business is, if you rely upon your network you need it to be working at all times. Network crashes can result in lost sales, decreased productivity, and a host of other problems. While some emergency situations can’t be averted they can be addressed and resolved quickly.
One of the main responsibilities of your consulting company should be to help you as soon as possible should an emergency situation arise. This means that you should be able to call a 24 hour operator that can get you in contact with your tech person or another tech person within an hour’s time. When you are losing out on business and productivity you need your system restored as quickly as possible.
Comparing Chicago IT Service Providers
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010Finding the best Chicago it consulting company to take care of all of your business’s IT needs can be a challenge. You will need to perform some research in finding the best service provider for your company. The best resource that you have to use for conducting your research is the internet.
By searching for Chicago it consulting businesses online you will be able to find companies in your area that perform the requested services that you need. You will also be able to compare and contrast one company from the next and get a better idea of what it is that each company has to offer to you.
The first step in finding the right Chicago it consulting company to do business with is to think about your specific company’s needs. How many computers do you have? What type of hardware/software do you have/need? How often do you think you will need to have a technician come out to perform maintenance and to trouble shoot your computers?
All of these factors will have an influence upon the type of services that you need and what you can expect to pay for them. There are also a number of special services that you may need for your system that extend beyond typical maintenance. Prices for these services can vary significantly from one provider to the next.
Once you find a service provider that you are interested in using, make sure that they can provide you with the specific services that you need and take a look at the prices that they charge. Compare one provider to the next to get a feel for a reasonable price range and focus your attention on these service providers.
Once you have established that the provider can give you the services that you need for a reasonable price now it is time for you to take a look at some other important factors such as: security, satisfaction guarantees, availability, and customer service. These factors are also very important in choosing the right service provider for your business.
If you can not decide between a few different service providers, call them out for a free consultation and meet with them in person to better gauge what type of service they can provide you with. After meeting with you and discussing your needs the service provider should be able to assess the specific services that you require and they also should be able to explain to you what they would do to your system to maximize its efficiency.
Comprehensive IT Services Chicago Providers
Saturday, March 13th, 2010IT services Chicago has can provide you with much more than simple IT services such as computer repairs. They can also provide you with consulting services and review your current system. You will have to find an IT services Chicago provider that has the knowledge and the ability to provide you with comprehensive services when it comes to the management and maintenance of your system.
The care that goes into the planning of your system is very important to its overall functionality. You will need to enlist the services of an IT services Chicago provider that is well-versed in performing these essential tasks. As soon as you hire an IT provider to come and review your system their main focus should be to identifying potential problems with your current system and find opportunities to reduce costs and increase productivity.
After fully analyzing your existing system they will be able to have a better idea about how to accomplish this task. Their next step after their analysis will be to design and implement enhancements to your existing network. In some cases they may recommend that you allow them to build an entirely new network.
Once they show you’re their game plan, they will recommend the equipment that you should buy. Upon your approval they will show you how to order and pay for the equipment. Once it all arrives they will work hard to install the hardware and software in a timely manner.
Once they have your new or improved system up and running your IT tech will focus their attention towards your network’s security. They will start by analyzing your security and assessing your vulnerability to hackers. A soon as they have completed their assessments they will offer you their professional opinion on what solutions you need to protect your business.
Finally, your comprehensive service provider will determine appropriate backup and contingency strategies for your system. Whether you encounter a power failure or some as serious as a hard drive failure, they will have a backup strategy that will minimize any loss of valuable data that you may incur.
Your computer system can either help your business or hinder it. By employing the services of a comprehensive IT provider you can be assured that your system will run optimally. You will know where to turn every time that you experience a problem and you can have peace of mind that your system is secure and that all of your valuable information is adequately backed up.
Numerous IT Services, Chicago Is a Great Place to Look
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010If you are looking for it services, chicago is a great place to look. So why are the it services, chicago so good? It is because their professionals have multiple years of experience in the field. They can help you with highly technical issues, or simple issues like a complete Windows installation. Let’s assume you just finished adjusting your screen resolution in the installation process, and now you need assistance with completing the remaining steps. At this first screen, there is nothing to really do, so the technician will press next.
Be sure to have your Ethernet cable plugged in because the next step will be checking for internet connectivity. Once the computer finds or does not find a connection, it will move to the next screen where it asks about the internet connection method. In this step, you will need to specify if your computer connects directly to the internet through a modem or if it is connected through a local area network (LAN) or a home network. If you are connecting it directly to a modem, then be sure to select the first option.
On the next page, you have the option to register with Microsoft. This is completely optional and there is no advantage or disadvantage to either method. If you simply do not wish to register with Microsoft, then select the appropriate button and click next.
On this page, you will create the initial user accounts. If you know the names of all the users who will be using this PC then enter them now. Since this will more than likely be for a business, just enter in one name for now. Once the computer is on the network, there will not be a need for local users. Click next when you have completed this step. The process is now almost complete. Click Finish at the bottom of the page to proceed. Now Windows will begin to load XP for the first time. Depending on the speed of your computer, this may take a few minutes.
At this point your windows installation is almost complete. The last step is to go to Windows or Microsoft Update and fully update the machine. There will be important security fixes that Windows Update will provide. Now your PC is ready to go. If you sought the assistance of it services, chicago then this process was probably completed extremely quickly for you.
Find Trustworthy IT Consulting, Chicago Has Professionals
Monday, March 8th, 2010If you are working on a new installation of windows, then it is advisable to seek the professional assistance from someone who does it consulting, chicago businesses have thrived with their assistance. If you do not wish to seek the assistance of it consulting, chicago professionals will always be there whenever you do wish to seek their help. Let’s assume you are doing your Windows XP installation, and you are waiting for the files to copy over. Luckily, you have completed some of the difficult work, and at this juncture, all you have to do is wait for the installation to finish loading up the files. There is no user interaction necessary at this stage.
Once the setup files have loaded, your PC will request to reboot. Press Enter to force reboot, or just wait for the fifteen seconds to expire. After the reboot, do not press anything. The set up will begin on its own, so you will just need to sit back and watch for a few minutes.
After a few minutes, the “regional and Language Options” window will appear. The first option allows you to change the language. If the options listed match your desired languages and set up, then no changes are necessary. If you do wish to make changes, then click on Customize and follow the steps and directions listed to install a new language. Once you are finished, press next.
On this page, enter in your full name and the name of your organization. Click next when you are finished. In the next window, enter in your twenty-five digit Windows XP product key. This key should have come with your purchase. Click Next when you have finished entering in the key. The next page allows you to enter in the computer name and the administrator password. You can change the computer name to whatever you wish, but if you are installing this on a business network, be sure to follow your naming protocols.
In the Administrator password section, enter in the desired password for the local administrator account. You can leave the field blank, but for security purposes, this is not advised. The next page is a simple Date and Time Settings window. Enter in the correct information and click next. At this point, the next few steps will be somewhat more technical, so it might be advisable to seek the assistance of it consulting, chicago businesses have had significant success, and you may as well.
Reliable Chicago IT Consulting
Sunday, March 7th, 2010If you own a small business, then there is a good chance you have a small business network. With this business network, it is important to make sure your files are secure. Any type of security breach could put your clients at risk, and this is not good for their well being or the success of the company. At this point, it is important to hire a reliable chicago it consulting firm in order to fully protect yourself from security breaches. A reliable chicago it consulting firm will have all the experience and knowledge necessary to make your business successful.
One situation you might be facing is whether or not you should turn off your PC when you go to sleep. In most cases, this is not a big issue unless you are trying to conserve power or prevent damage to the computer during a storm. One of the most prevalent reasons to turn off the computer is to prevent any security breaches. Assuming your home PC has access to your small business network, it is important not to leave the machine open to risk. If you used a Virtual Private Network connection to connect to your small business network, it is advised that you terminate the connection before you go to sleep or leave the computer.
This is because while the connection is secure, your home PC does not share the same security features as your small business network. This makes it difficult for you to be completely secure from a hacker. If they were able to gain access to your computer while a VPN connection was established, then they would enter your small business network with ease. This is obviously not a good situation because your company files will be at risk despite the improved security that your small business network has. The best way to prevent this from happening is to terminate the connection whenever you finish your work.
It is also best to turn off your PC whenever you can because it helps give the computer the rest it needs to perform optimally. Also, programs and services might begin to malfunction if the computer is not taken care of properly. It is important to be aware of the risks to your PC. By hiring a reliable chicago it consulting firm, it is possible to protect your business and home networks from threats such as these that are present.
Detailed IT Support, Chicago Has Numerous Available to You
Thursday, March 4th, 2010If you are looking for detailed it support, Chicago has numerous options available to you. Due to the city’s size, there are plenty of reliable professionals who can provide good it support. Chicago businesses and individuals are lucky to have this large amount of support available to them. They can fix major issues with your network to small issues like setting up an automatic login for Windows Vista. Assuming that security is not an issue for you, these professionals can establish an automatic login for you in order to quicken load times during startup.
This is relatively simple to do, and it is possible for an IT professional to simply walk you through the steps necessary over the phone. For example, to set up an automatic logon for Windows Vista, first click on the Start button. For Vista, this looks like the Windows Logo. In the search box, enter in the following command, “netplwiz.” Once you enter that, hit enter. This command will bring up the Advanced User Accounts control panel.
In the Users tab, uncheck the box next to “users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.” Click on the Apply button at the bottom of the User Accounts window. When the Automatically Log On dialog box appears, enter your password in the two fields where it is asked and then click OK on the next two windows. Now you will automatically log into your account whenever Windows starts up.
If there is more than one user using this machine, then they will have to log out of your account in order to gain access to their. This might be somewhat of an annoyance to them, so be sure to set up auto logon for the username that is used the most often. This helps eliminate concerns when different users are using the PC.
Overall, this is a relatively simple process. If you wish to undo the process, simple follow the same steps to get back into the User panel and check the box in order to require users to log in. If you are not comfortable doing this process on your own, then do not hesitate to contact it support. Chicago businesses have found immense success by trusting these companies, and hopefully you will as well. They have numerous experienced professionals, so it is in your best interest to give these IT professionals a call.
Find an Impartial Chicago IT Services Provider
Thursday, March 4th, 2010Have you solicited the Chicago it services of a company that actually turn out to be more like salespeople trying to sell you expensive computer equipment opposed to providing you with the computer services that you need? There are a number of Chicago it services that are affiliated with computer hardware and software manufacturers and that do make commissions off of selling you their products.
If you are seeking the services of an IT outsourcing company for your business, find a company that is not affiliated with a hardware or software manufacturer so that you know that you are getting an impartial opinion on which equipment to purchase. Your business should be the number one priority of your IT technician.
When it comes to purchasing computer hardware, your personal needs and computer system goals as a business owner should always be the first priority considered. A professional Chicago it services provider will carefully listen to and evaluate your hardware needs before recommending any equipment for purchase. Only an impartial opinion of an experienced technician will direct you towards the purchase of the perfect equipment for your business.
Whether you need a system set up for five employees or for fifty, you want to make sure that your technician carefully evalueates all of your hardware needs and offers you a professional opinion on the specific equipment that you need. The type of hardware that will benefit a business the most can vary significantly from the next business.
You can easily tell if a tech is affiliated with a company that sells hardware when they tell you that you can write them a check for the equipment. An impartial company will direct you to where you can purchase the equipment from but you will be responsible for making the purchase yourself directly from a retailer.
This is also true when it comes to software. Many IT service companies are affiliated with certain software companies. If your business wants an impartial opinion on which software programs will be able to meet all of the business’s needs you will need to find an IT service provider that can provide you with an unbiased opinion.
When it comes to the needs of your unique business, the software and hardware that you use should be hand selected to meet your specific business needs. Only use the services of an impartial IT service provider to make sure that you will be getting a non-biased opinion.