ANP's IT Support Blog

Your Data Privacy Might Be at Risk With Zoom

Find a Reliable Solution with ANP and Microsoft Teams Recent concerns over Zoom's data privacy stem from the company's updated terms of service, which provides the company broad rights over customer...
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Webinar Alert! How Will Artificial Intelligence Disrupt Your Industry?

Join ANP for a live webinar on Thursday, Sept. 14th at 1pm to find out! Seats are limited, sign up now! AI is on the brink of revolutionizing industries as diverse as healthcare, law, journalism,...
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Cloud Security v. On-Premises: Which Option is Safer for Your Business

Despite the evolution of cloud computing from on-premises old-school IT (Information Technology) to the cloud based modern workplace, there are still many small business owners who are skeptical...
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New Features in Microsoft Teams: Avatars & Snap Filters

Happy Friday! As we wrap up the week, we wanted to share a few new features in Microsoft Teams recently rolled out, as a way to add a little fun to your Teams meetings.
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Upgrade Your Windows Server 2012 Now - Don't Wait Until Its Too Late

Microsoft has announced the end of support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 on October 10, 2023. This means that these products will no longer receive any security updates, bug...
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Not Your Daddy's Anti-Virus: Why You Need Endpoint Detection and Response

Join ANP for a live webinar on Wednesday, June 14th at 1:00pm. Seats are limited, SIGN UP NOW! We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how cyberattacks occur. Without the right security tools...
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How to Control Costs of Your Microsoft 365 Licensing for Business

It’s no secret that Microsoft licensing ecosystem is complex. Microsoft loves SKUs and M365 is no exception. They are constantly adding, changing, and deleting new applications and features daily...
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Hackers don't break-in, they sign in. Passwordless Authentication is here to help

Does the term “password fatigue” sound familiar? It’s ironic that security measures put in place to keep us safe sometimes do the exact opposite. Mandatory password changes, lengthy password...
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You've Been Hacked...Now What? A Lesson on Cyber Response

Did you know that 90% of last year's data breaches were a result of an employee phishing attack? Planning for a cybersecurity incident and designing an cyber response and recovery plan for such...
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Simplify Endpoint Management with Microsoft 365

Prior to the pandemic when employees were reporting to the office every day, user laptops could be flashed and provisioned as new employees came on or rebuilt when a user’s PC failed. While this was...
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Elves of the Dark Web: Beware of Holiday Scammers

As you’re wrapping up your holiday shopping this season, beware of fake emails and texts attempting to get your information. While these messages may look official from people you know or from your...
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Ransomware Attack on Hosted Exchange Impacts Thousands of Customers

Cloud Solutions provider Rackspace has confirmed they were hit by a Ransomware attack last week, leaving thousands of customers without access to their email.
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Microsoft Announces New Backup Recommendations for Microsoft 365

Did you know that Microsoft 365 does not natively have a full coverage backup solution? It has something called retention policies. Microsoft 365's retention policies are a set of automated rules...
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Introducing ANP's Microsoft 365 Backup and Recovery Solution

ANP is excited to announce our newest addition to our Microsoft 365 managed services bundle, ANP’s Microsoft 365 Backup & Recovery Solution, a comprehensive backup and recovery service for all of...
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Introducing ANP's Online Training Program

ANP is excited to announce our newest addition to your Secure Cloud Advantage managed service. Introducing ANP Online Training Services, the #1 Microsoft 365 training solution available today!This...
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Recovery Point & Recovery Time Requirements for Your Data Backup Solution

When establishing a Backup and Data Recovery Plan, it’s important that you understand and agree to two critical concepts regarding your backups and how long it will take to recover your data:...
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Advantages of Co-Managed IT Services

Outsourcing all or part of your IT needs to an MSP can open your organization to the expertise of multiple subject matter experts, without having to hire them and pay benefits. This is helpful...
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2021 Ransomware Stats: Disturbing Cybercrime Trends & Insights

With the recent zero-day Microsoft Office vulnerability dubbed "Follina", it's important that we all stay abreast of the latest cyber vulnerabilities, including the disturbing Ransomware trends that...
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Register Now: Why Cloud, Why Now?

Wednesday, July 13th @ 1:00pm | REGISTER NOW! Business leaders are facing unprecedented challenges today. The way we consume information, goods and services is now all digitally driven, thus...
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Alleviate Growing IT Demands with Comanaged IT Support Services

Covid-19 has shined a spotlight on the need for organizations to embrace new technology – not only to maintain or improve day-to-day operations but to ensure a competitive advantage in the market....
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Stop Avoiding the Inevitable Cloud Transformation

Hopefully by now, you're moving your IT out of of your office, out of a private colocation / datacenter and up into the cloud. If you're adverse to change the cloud transformation process may seem...
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Cyber Incident Response Plan: What To Do If Your Business Gets Hacked?

Despite all the preventative efforts you may take to protect your business, the cyber-attack world is growing exponentially. Combating the cybercrime epidemic is a constant game of cat and mouse and...
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Developing a Small Business IT Strategy

Before the introduction of Information Technology, there were many organizations that have been more successful than others. These companies have had a better product or service offering, a positive...
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Out with Citrix and in with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

If your business is still using a Citrix farm to connect to handle your remote desktop workloads like accessing applications and corporate data on your network, you're behind the times. While Citrix...
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Upcoming Webinar: Secrets to Buying Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance is an absolute necessity for your business today. But understanding the ins and outs of your policy, can be challenging.
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Cyber Security Insurance: A Requirement for Doing Business Today

As a managed security service provider (MSSP) protecting our clients data is our life line. We certainly take a level of accountability when it comes to protecting our clients from a cyberattack or...
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ANP Launches New Website

ANP is thrilled to announce that we have officially launched our new website! The much-anticipated website redesign is part of our service overhaul and rebranding efforts which we kicked off early...
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Important Microsoft 365 Licensing Changes & New Features

Security remains one of the biggest concerns and most challenging responsibilities facing businesses today. With a rise in cyberattacks targeting small and medium-sized businesses, threats are...
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ANP's Giveaway Contest: Follow Us & Win!

In an effort to grow our social media presence we’re running a GIVEAWAY CONTEST for a chance to win a FREE APPLE WATCH or JABRA HEADSET (your choice).
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Rockin' Around the ANP Christmas Tree

Over the weekend the ANP family came together for our annual holiday brunch and Pollyanna exchange. This was the first time many of us have gathered since the onset of COVID-19 and the first time...
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Office 365 Tip: How to Use OneNote Effectively

How often do you find yourself wasting time searching for those meeting notes from last week or last month’s call? Trust me, I know how frustrating it is. Luckily Microsoft 365 has greatly improved...
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11 Benefits to Outsourcing Cloud Management & Support Services

So you’re weighing your options of whether to hire an internal IT department or outsource your Cloud IT management and support? Before you can answer the question of what is the best IT support...
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IT & Cloud Strategy: Which IT Solution is Right for Your Business?

If you’re here because your business is in a growth phase, kudos to you for excelling through one of the toughest times for small businesses in recent history! Perhaps you’re on the other end of the...
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Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing for Small Business Owners

Cloud Computing has been around for years; recently because of the COVID pandemic it has become a major focus of medium and small businesses. More and more, small business owners are evaluating and...
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7 Reasons Why Cloud Backup Solutions Are The Way To Go

Protecting vital information is critical to your survival—no matter what size or type of business you operate. Recent studies show that 93 percent of organizations that lose data because of a...
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Too Much Cost, Not Enough Service: 20 Warning Signs You’re Working with the Wrong IT Support Company

Aside from payroll and perhaps rent of your office space, your IT services and support is likely one of your most expensive bills. So, when it comes time to paying that monthly invoice, it’s...
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Webinar Recap: Combating The Cybercrime Epidemic

Thank you to everyone who attended ANP's live webinar on September 15th: Combating the Cybercrime Epidemic. We hope you found this webinar helpful in understand how to tackle cybercrime prevention...
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Microsoft Teams Webinars Feature is a Game Changer

Microsoft has added Webinars and PowerPoint Live capabilities to your Microsoft Teams application offering new ways to deliver polished, professional presentations in meetings of all sizes, from...
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Why Microsoft Azure is the Leading Backup Solution for SMBs

One of the biggest nightmares for any business owner is downtime, as it results in a significant loss in productivity which translates directly to lost revenue. There are several scenarios in which...
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Are You Ready to Combat the Next Ransomware Attack? Find Out Now!

Your business is literally under attack 24x7. These cybergangs are sophisticated, determined and coming up with new ways of intrusion daily. Ransomware attacks are occurring once every 11 seconds...
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Zero Trust Security: Protecting Your Post COVID Hybrid Work Environment

The current cybersecurity landscape is growing increasingly more complex than we have ever seen. It's not just rouge solo actors anymore. These cybergangs are sophisticated, determined attackers and...
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Cybercrime as a Service: The New Reality

In the past few weeks and months we’ve seen several successful Ransomware attacks -- from the Microsoft Exchange hack, to Print Nightmare and now the Kaseya attack among many others. Cyber criminals...
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5 Considerations When Evaluating MSPs (Managed IT Services Providers)

To keep up with the ever changing technology landscape and reduce the risks of a data breach, many businesses large and small are outsourcing their IT to managed services providers (MSPs). Selecting...
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Kaseya Cyberattack: What Happened, How Did It Happen and Why?

On Friday, July 2, 2021, a Cyber ransomware gang named REvil (note the word evil in their name) targeted multiple managed IT service providers (MSPs) in a massive supply chain attack that has...
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Beware of New Windows Zero-Day Vulnerability 'Print Nightmare'

Yesterday, a severe vulnerability called “Print Nightmare” was accidentally leaked to the public by security researchers affecting all Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability impacts...
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Announcing ANP's Summer Incentive Referral Program

Curious how ANP continues to grow? It’s through word of mouth and referrals from happy clients like you. We want to show our appreciation to our loyal clients so we’ve revamped the ANP Client...
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SharePoint Intranet vs. Extranet: What’s the Difference?

You’ve probably heard the terms intranet and extranet, but what do they really mean and is this a business solution that your business needs to consider? What is an intranet? A corporate intranet is...
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Is your IT Strategy Negatively Affecting Your Corporate Culture?

Believe it or not, your employees and customers do care about the technology decisions that you make for your business. The old saying “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” is not how you want to think...
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Webinar Recap: Goodbye File Server, Hello SharePoint

Thank you to everyone who attended our webinar earlier this month: Goodbye File Server, Hello Modern Office. We hope you found the content insightful as you continue to explore all that Microsoft 365...
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How Do Cloud Security Tools Protect the Remote Workforce?

COVID-19 has led to a more distributed and virtual workforce, requiring IT to deploy new security tools to protect your employees and your data regardless of where they are located. Last year the...
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ANP Has a New Home

After 36 years of running business from our Glenside headquarters, ANP is excited to announce we have relocated to a new office in Plymouth Meeting, PA! The 12,000 Sq. Ft office is conveniently...
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New YouTube Video Series Featuring ANP's Founder, Dave Mulvey

We're excited to announce ANP's first-ever short-video series on YouTube! These videos are designed to help small and mid-size business owners and IT leaders understand the evolving changes happening...
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Recent Exchange Hack: Microsoft Cloud Migration Looking Better Than Ever

The recent Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerability should be a wake-up call for any small business still running email servers on-premises. Several years ago you may have had a financial or business...
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Microsoft Exchange Vulnerability Impacting Small Businesses

The latest Microsoft Exchange hack that was announced earlier this month is likely to go down as one of the top cybercrime events of the year, leaving hundreds of thousands of businesses across the...
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Webinar: Goodbye File Server, Hello SharePoint File Management

Wed. April 14th | 1:00 pm | REGISTER NOW! Are you still running old servers from a closet inside your office? With most of your employees working remotely, this old-school way of managing your...
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5 Reasons to Migrate your Business to Microsoft Cloud

The modern business runs in the cloud. And the successful modern business runs on Azure, the Microsoft Cloud, empowering your employees to work anywhere, anytime and from any device. Microsoft 365...
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Microsoft 365 Business Applications Available with Your Subscription

Microsoft 365 is much more than the latest version of the Office suite. There are a ton of business applications and tools available to you and your employees -- free with most 365 subscriptions. All...
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Webinar Recap: Get Your Money's Worth from your Office 365 Subscription

Thank you to everyone who attended our live webinar on Wed. January 13th: You’re Not Getting Your Money’s Worth from your Office 365 subscription. We hope you found the content insightful as you...
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5 Technology Trends for Small Business in 2021

Last year was a year that will go down in history for more reasons than one. 2020 was also an extremely trying and transformational year for many small businesses. As we look to the year ahead, we...
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Get Festive On Your Next Microsoft Teams Meeting

We’re all missing the annual office holiday party that we look forward to every year. But just because it’s 2020 doesn’t mean you have to ditch your celebration altogether! Companies across the...
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What is SD-WAN & Why are Small Businesses Finally Adopting It?

SD-WAN(short for Software-Defined Wide-Area-Networking) is a technology that has been around for a few years and primarily adopted by large corporations up to recently.New advancements in SD-WAN ha
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Collaboration Made Easy with Microsoft 365

Considering migrating to Microsoft 365? Looking to provide your employees with the tools they need to stay productive while working from home? In today's modern workplace, collaboration is more...
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ANP Gets a New Logo!

We’re thrilled to announce that ANP has a new logo! The change comes at a transformational time in our business where we are adopting new service offerings to meet the evolving needs of our clients. ...
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Start Calling Customers & Other External Parties from Microsoft Teams

Your new digital workplace experience built around Microsoft Teams has undeniably transformed the way your employees work and is here to stay. Now it's time to integrate external calling...
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ANP Adopts Zero Trust Security to Protect Against New Cyber Threats

Our clients have been rapidly transforming the way their businesses operate and how their employees work in response to COVID-19. As a managed IT provider, it is our obligation to ensure our...
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Upcoming Webinar: You're Not Getting Your Money's Worth from Your Office 365 Subscription

Wed. January 13th | 1:00 - 1:45pm | REGISTER NOW! Microsoft Office 365 is much more than the latest, online version of your Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook apps. Your subscription is jam...
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Microsoft Phone System Now Available in Teams

As you probably heard by now, Skype for Business is retiring on July 31, 2021. Microsoft has not been shy about this announcement because they have a far superior replacement…Microsoft Teams.
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Benefits of Migrating your Email to Exchange Online

Exchange Online comes with your Office 365 or Microsoft 365 subscriptions, so if you’re already paying for the mail application, why not use it? By migrating to Exchange Online you will eliminate the...
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Introducing Secure Cloud Advantage® - ANP's Newest Managed Service Offering

Today we’re excited to announce ANP’s newest managed service offering, Secure Cloud Advantage®. Secure Cloud Advantage is our digital workplace bundle that brings together everything your business...
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Ditch your File Server & Migrate to SharePoint Online

If you’re using Office 365, then you may already be familiar with SharePoint Online as it comes with most business licenses. SharePoint is an extremely powerful application that is used for file...
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10 Telling Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Business Phone System

Upgrading your business’s phone system may seem like an unnecessary expense. But phone system functionality has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade to adapt to the demands of your...
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How to Prepare your Business to Survive the Next Crisis

September is National Preparedness Month and with hurricane season upon us, it's important to make sure that you have a Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity plan in place in case of an extended...
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Transform your business into a modern workplace

With so many people yearning for normalcy, it’s no wonder why several schools and businesses are attempting to return to the workplace. But as we’ve seen in recent weeks, the virus continues to...
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How to Secure your Office 365 Environment

One of the main reasons businesses are migrating to Office 365 is because it’s jam packed with advanced security options that are ready to be deployed across your modern workplace and cloud...
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What is Multi-factor Authentication and Why You Need it Now

If there’s one security feature you must absolutely implement right away it’s multi-factor authentication (MFA). Yes, you could make a case that your firewall, anti-virus, or user management system...
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Stop Ignoring Risks of Shadow IT

Businesses today depend on a wide variety of technologies to run their day-to-day operations. Some companies prefer to keep their network on-premise in their office so they have more control over it,...
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Beware of New COVID-19 Phishing Attacks

We’re seeing a surge in phishing scams over the past few months as we continue to deal with the current worldwide pandemic. Events that cause mass hysteria and urgency are breeding grounds for...
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Stay Productive at Home with Microsoft Teams

If you’re new to Teams, or looking for work from home productivity tools, here’s a quick rundown of how it works and how to navigate your way through the platform. Teams In the Teams application, you...
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Reflecting on COVID-19: Is Your Business Prepared for a Second Wave?

COVID-19 has flippedour daily lives upsidedown over the past few months with government ordered social distancing including restrictions on seeing loved ones,to schools, restaurants, parks and ...
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How Microsoft 365 Saved Our Business During COVID-19

Two days before the Pennsylvania Governor closed most businesses in Pennsylvania, in response to controlling COVID-19, I asked our employees if they would prefer to work from home and almost everyone...
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Two Years of Microsoft Teams Adoption in Two Months

During Microsoft’s quarterly earnings report to Wall Street—(the first earnings report since COVID-19 lock down began), Microsoft stated they saw more than 200 million Microsoft Teams meeting...
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How to Get the Most from Microsoft Office 365 Collaboration Tools with ANP

You have heard the expression “it takes a village” to get something accomplished. Likewise, it takes a team to run an efficient project, department or business. Yet many of us have been forced to...
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Think like a Hacker: How would you break into your company’s IT?

Do You Have Weak Domain Passwords?
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The new Internet Neutrality Rule: Has the FCC Overstepped?

This February 26, 2015 the FCC in a 3 to 2 vote (along party lines) has approved new Internet Service Provider rules. The FCC has tried unsuccessfully to regulate the Internet two earlier times. In...
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It’s Not Okay to Ignore these Recent IT Cyber Security Issues

February showers bring May flowers. Well that’s exactly how things are not going in Philadelphia nor is that what is happening with IT cyber security! February 2015 brought three important IT...
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Windows Server 2003 End of Support -- Trouble in Your Server Room

Here at ANP we have been beating the drum for upgrading your old Microsoft Server 2003 Operating Systems since Microsoft announced that Windows XP and Office 2003 were being retired. Microsoft...
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How to Make the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 End-of-Support Easy.

Microsoft has announced the official end of extended support for Windows Server 2003. Microsoft believes there are over nine million instances of Windows Server 2003 in production today in North...
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You’re Running Out of Time! Windows Server 2003 End of Support

On July 14, 2015, Microsoft is officially retiring Windows Server 2003. As Windows Server 2003 comes to the end of its life, businesses all around the world will feel the effects. Microsoft recently...
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What Your Employees Are Doing Online? You need Content Filtering!

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Time for a Wireless LAN Assessment? Do you have Ghosts & Goblins?

October in Philadelphia is extraordinary; between the crisp dry days, vibrant fall colors, and eerie decorations covering houses with orange spooky carved pumpkins all over town, it's easy to get...
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6 Things The IT Support Tech Does that the Boss Needs to Know About!

With Halloween around the corner the following seems like an appropriate question to ask a small business owner: Here's a scary question most businesses don't think about: what would happen if your...
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What's the Value of an IT Network Assessment?

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ShellShock Assessment Scan: Assess your Unix & Linux Servers Now

Just after we have worked our way through the Heartbleed vulnerability a new software vulnerability has been found that might affect any versions of the Linux and Unix operating systems, in addition...
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When Data Disaster Strikes will Your Company Data Backup be Ready?

Most IT experts will agree that in order for a business to survive a data disaster, they need some sort of data backup plan or business continuity plan in place. Regardless of the type of plan, or...
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When Data Disaster Strikes, will Your Company Data Backup be Ready?

While there are many different and important tasks a business needs to do, one of the most important is to back up your company data. Your data is important often impossible to recreate. I promise...
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Disaster recovery planning, ask questions before disaster strikes.

As a business owner, I suspect you wonder if your company could survive a fire, flood or a data disaster. The US Small Business Administration came out with some scary data last year; 90% of small...
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Data Backup Technologies for your small business

This month I am going to focus on your company’s data backups/data restoration and the importance of protecting your company data. When you take a moment to consider the various data backup...
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Small Business IT Outsourcing Economics

As a small business owner you should evaluate if you should hire your own IT employee or consider outsourcing your IT to an IT Service Provider or Managed Service Provider (MSP). Nine times out of...
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Building an effective IT support department and when not to.

Choosing the right IT organization structure or the right IT organizational chart, are common issues within a growing business. They are also issues filled with many traps. I have shared my thoughts...
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Why a Single Employee IT Support Department Rarely Works Out

When people talk about their single employee IT support department, they always discuss the things they’re not getting, the applications they can’t run, and the long time it takes to get anything...
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Apple is taking a Bite out of Windows: how about Your IT Solutions?

Is it possible that Microsoft’s dominance in the Enterprise is coming to an end? The software company VMware thinks so. They recently wrote on their blog that in a survey they just conducted based...
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Reactive IT Support or Proactive IT Support: What comes first?

What comes first the chicken or the egg? Much like that question, IT Support is full of conundrums-questions that don’t have clear answers. Two very different and equally important types of work...
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5 Ideas for Creating your Operational Efficiency using IT Outsourcing

Operation efficiency is one of the key goals an owner should be working on to be competitive in today’s business climate. Customers expect instant access to information, quick service, and superior...
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7 Habits of Great Small Business Owners

I came across an article in the February 2013 issue of Forbes magazine the "7 Habits of Great Small Business Owners." I find these practices to be helpful in both my professional and personal life....
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How do you insure IT Outcomes occur when IT Outsourcing?

This month we have been looking at the outcomes that come from IT outsourcing, the last two blogs have talked about the potential business outcomes you might expect if you outsource your IT; but...
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Three Additional Strategic Outcomes from IT Outsourcing

Are outsourced IT services right for your business? Possibly, I have listed three more business outcomes that you may try to achieve when outsourcing IT managed services. You have probably heard...
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Four Strategic Outcomes to Focus on when IT Outsourcing

Are outsourced IT services right for your business? Possibly; I have listed seven business outcomes that you may try to achieve when outsourcing IT managed services. You have probably heard before...
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Migrate off of Windows XP: a new Internet Explorer exploit

A new wave of targeted attacks against serious vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer have exposed the increased risk facing organizations still clinging onto Windows XP (the ten year old operating...
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Microsoft Vulnerability Could Allow Remote Code Execution

Microsoft announced on April 27, 2014 a vulnerability has been discovered for all versions of Internet Explorer version 6 through version 11. As of this afternoon on April 28, 2014 there is still no...
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Laughter or the Unified Communications Multitasking Trap

I like to laugh, don’t we all? I find humor in all sorts of places and situations. I’m a bit odd (okay I will admit it) I often laugh in unlikely places. I’ve laughed in the most appropriate of...
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The Heartbleed Vulnerability and Your Company’s IT Systems

ANP proactively notified our clients twice last week to inform them about a new IT vulnerability that was announced on Monday April 7, 2014 called the “Heartbleed,” vulnerabilty. For the most part,...
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What are the benefits of Unified Communications to a small business?

Small businesses are discovering the appeal of a communications solution that extends the power of their business phone system far beyond their office desktop and conventional dial tone. Unified...
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What is Unified Communications and why should a business owner care?

Have you ever been frustrated by you inability to speak to an employee while in your car, or at home or at a client site? Do you find yourself wondering how you might be able to raise the engagement...
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Considering Replacing Your Ancient PBX with a New VoIP Phone System?

Do you have a phone system that is sitting in your back office that has been bolted to the wall for the last 10 to 15 years? Or are you using a key system that isn’t providing you the functionality...
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The Pros and Cons of IT Outsourcing

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The Top 10 Reasons to IT Outsource Versus “Doing IT Yourself.”

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What is the Advantage of IT Outsourcing for a Small Business?

As a business owner you are always focused on the key activities of growing your company, but you also need to deal with your non-core business functions efficiently, such as your IT operations. IT...
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What is the Better Business Approach? In-source or IT Outsource?

Outsourcing is a common business buzzword these days, as more and more cost and quality conscious small business owners are turning to Managed IT Service Providers for outsourcing their IT business...
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Is Your Network Security Adequate? Think Again!

Back on February 7th, NBC reported on potential security risks at the Olympic Games. There was a lot of controversy about the article itself, but, accurate or a hoax, IT security doesn’t get the...
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Data Security Breaches: Not just a Big Business Threat.

If a big company like Target or Neiman Marcus can suffer a Data Security Breach, it can certainly happen to your small company. In fact, it’s probably more likely to happen. And though no business,...
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Ready for the Windows XPocalypse? You have a Reprieve but Beware.

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Did You Budget for Increased IT Support Costs This Year?

Last month, I blogged about Technology Management strategies and how to link good IT management back to a predictable IT budget. This April brings not only its usual tax day, but, crucial for IT...
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Dreaded Deadlines April 15 “Taxes” and April 8 “End of XP IT Support”

The deadline we are typically concerned about in April is the 15th – Tax Day. Here in calendar year 2014, business owners, IT personnel, and IT outsourcers are also preoccupied with another...
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End of Support for Windows XP. Time to say NO to XP

On April 8, 2014, Microsoft is officially retiring Windows XP and Office 2003. As Windows XP comes to the end of its life, desktops and servers all around the world will feel the effects. Microsoft...
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Do you have a potential IT Time Bomb in your office?

In 90 days, on April 8, 2014 Microsoft will end extended support for Windows XP. This means that no additional security patches, bug fixes, or service packs will be released and that users will no...
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IT Technology Lifecycle Management for Small Business

Those who know me know I believe that business requirements drive technology investments (not the other way around). So let’s assume everyone agrees with me on that, but what about managing existing...
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How does a Business Owner Insure IT Security with Employees?

Having worked in the technology field for many years, I’ve developed a certain perspective regarding the security of technology devices in my office and in my home…and frankly, I’m not sure if it’s...
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The Strategic Value of a CEO Peer Group to the Small Business Owner

It is lonely at the top and the CEO is expected to have all the answers. A CEO Peer Group helps the CEO by acting as a sounding board, a brainstorming group, and sometimes as the necessary harsh...
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Is your IT Service Provider in the Technology or the People Business?

There is nothing more exciting than seeing a client achieve their business goals with technology; however, there is nothing better in life than watching your employees move from just doing a job to...
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Is Your Company Data Ready For An IT Disaster Recovery Test?

Unfortunately, many companies that experience an IT “data loss event” also discover, at this critical time, that their backed-up data is corrupted and not restorable. The fact is that data can...
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What is an IT audit and when do you need one?

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Avoiding “Surprises” in IT – A Case for a Network Assesment

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Avoiding IT Surprises – Part One

When was the last time you were surprised by a major, not to mention unplanned, business disruption or IT expense? If you’re like most small and mid-size businesses, it was probably in the last six...
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Advantages of Proactive IT Support vs. Reactive Break/Fix Service

Maintaining a well-performing, predictably available IT infrastructure for your company is obviously important. Access to your business applications, customer data, and your financial information...
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Important APC Surge Protection Device Safety Recall

APC the surge protection and UPS battery manufacturer just issued a large recall on over 15 million surge protection devices. APC projects that 1,500 of the recalled surge protection devices can...
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The Difference between IT Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity?

IT downtime is frustrating and downright maddening since it can so easily be avoided. As a small business owner you can’t afford to lose business and customers because of failed computer systems....
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Is Your Computer Support Guy Treating You Like A “Bad Date?”

Is your computer support guy treating you like a bad date? Not returning your calls fast enough… Constantly missing deadlines… Not fixing things right the first time… Never following up on your...
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Should you consider IT Outsourcing for your small business?

If you’re like most small businesses, you rely on your workstations, laptops, servers and technology to keep your business running. Unfortunately, that means when your IT stops working, you and your...
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What Is Your Company's IT Fitness Level? | IT Assessment

Will Your IT Practices Pass The Physical? As I was preparing for a 100 mile backpacking trip with my youngest son this summer, I realized it was time for me to take a harder look at my own personal...
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How To Save Money On Your IT Solutions

There are two faces to IT investments and costs. As a business owner or as an IT manager, you can look outside of your IT department and consider what areas in your business need more control,...
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Using Time & Materials IT Support? Are You Happy With The Results?

You probably don’t realize this—but even though you are not an IT expert you can evaluate the best IT support for your business, and avoid those IT companies that are never going to give you great...
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Providing IT Support To Your Small Business Is A Team Sport

As a small business grows, owners hire an IT person to support the increasing complexity of their IT infrastructure and growing employee base; typically an owner hires one IT employee.
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IT Support Graduates From The Traditional Time and Materials Approach

There's new way for CEOs and business owners to purchase IT support that's faster, better and less expensive than the old time and materials approach.
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Small Business IT Support Approaches And ROI For The Business Owner

Today I wanted to introduce our readers to the different methods of managing your small business IT infrastructure. For the purpose of comparison, we look at three different options in which you can...
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