BlackCSI Blog

We’ve all been in the position where we need to plug something in, but the outlet is completely full. Fortunately, there are devices that can help resolve this problem—but as is the case with most things, one option is notably better for business purposes. Let’s go over what makes a power strip different from a surge protector, and why the latter is a far better option for businesses.

If we asked you what the difference is between productivity and innovation, would you be able to give us a clear answer? The answer is that one facilitates the other, aided by technology to improve operations and free up employees to focus on other, more lucrative tasks. Let’s take a look at how improving productivity can improve innovation, thereby increasing your organization’s ability to do great things.

Businesses these days rely on technology to keep themselves running, and without it, their ability to function can be compromised. Whether it’s a natural disaster or a cyberattack against your organization, you need to be prepared for catastrophic failure. What does this type of failure look like and how can you prepare for it?

If nothing else is certain, then you can bet that the need to improve circumstances or processes gives birth to innovations of all types. Technology has proven this time and again, as new solutions have emerged to solve previously unsolvable issues and challenges not only in the workplace, but in society as a whole. Let’s examine how economic difficulty has driven innovation, specifically in the technology sector.

It doesn’t matter what kind of business you are; you probably use the telephone to a certain degree. Whether you are still relying on landlines or have graduated to more advanced solutions, your organization will always need a solid phone system to back up its communications with clients, customers, and staff. A VoIP system can be an incredibly valuable asset when implemented properly.

How much time does your business invest in software and its management? There are some that you can’t really go without, like email solutions and productivity suites, but you might have other specialized software that also requires attention. When you acquire new software, you can either go the traditional route or you can go the Software-as-a-Service route. Which path is the best choice for your business?

We frequently discuss how the solutions we offer can make business processes and procedures more effective, but in doing so, we’ve frequently overlooked how the implementation of these solutions—especially in terms of your digital transformation—have impacted your human resources.

Remember when you needed a wired connection between two endpoints in order to access important materials for your business? Thanks to wireless connectivity, businesses can now access online materials in a much easier fashion. The question then becomes, how does a wired connection improve your operations, and is it a benefit for your organization?

E-waste is a considerable problem, and not just for businesses; it’s also terrible for the environment. Let’s go over some of the biggest reasons why discarded electronics, including some of the hardware that you invest so much money into, can be problematic, as well as some ways your organization can reduce its e-waste footprint.

Ever since the telephone made its debut in the office environment, businesses have utilized it to at least some extent. Nowadays, VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, has taken the capabilities of the telephone to the next level by offering businesses even more dynamic and flexible options for communication.

Whether a person works in a factory or in an office environment, people have assumed that machines will eventually come for their jobs. This idea has bred a fear that machines will eventually become smart enough to do what they want to do rather than what we want them to do. This is mostly false, so we want to dispel these fears and explore how automation and other technologies can make your job easier and more efficient.

Today, collaboration software’s use is widespread, no doubt as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the hands of businesses everywhere to implement them while operations were still remote. However, now that many workers are returning to the office environment, businesses are finding that these collaboration platforms still offer immense value. What features can you look for and expect from your collaboration platforms?

Automation is a great tool for businesses of all types, even smaller organizations that might have limited access to tools and resources. Through the use of time-saving automation solutions, even a small business can empower employees to save time and focus on other aspects of their duties by automating specific tasks and processes. Here are five ways small businesses can use automation to make operations just a little easier.

With today’s ever-expanding remote workforce, there is all the more reason to implement technology solutions that empower your organization to increase its range of options for working outside of the office. We’ve put together three of the key technology solutions we think your organization could benefit from to improve its remote capabilities and take business on the road.

With so many employees working outside the confines of the office environment, communication solutions are more important now than they have ever been. While you might be used to your traditional telephone infrastructure, we’re sorry to say that it’s simply not going to cut it any longer. We recommend you make the shift to VoIP, or Voice over IP, as soon as possible.

With the Internet of Things growing at a rapid pace, there are many opportunities for your business to reap considerable rewards from its proper utilization. It can automate certain processes, save you capital, and mitigate human error. Let’s examine how your business can use the Internet of Things to its benefit without breaking the bank.

Microsoft has claimed that Windows 10 would be their chosen operating system for the foreseeable future, but we can never expect technology to rest on its laurels and grow stagnant. Enter Windows 11, the latest Microsoft operating system. What are the specifications needed to upgrade your business to this new OS, and how can you know when it is time to do so?

We just wanted to provide a public notice that Microsoft intends to increase the price of its Microsoft 365 and Office 365 offerings. If your business relies on these tools in its operations, you can expect to see your costs for them go up, regardless of where they are sourced from.

That’s the bad news. The good news is, we can help you get the greatest mileage out of these solutions… potentially by introducing you to capabilities that you have yet to take advantage of.

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve taken a look at some flagship smartphones and some devices that present a lot of value. To wrap up our annual smartphone series, we are going to look at some of the most innovative—and expensive—devices on the market today. 

Last week, we committed one of our blogs to examining some of the most impressive new flagship smartphones to be found on the market—the creme de la creme, if you will, with price tags to match. This week, we wanted to focus on a different market: those looking to get a great value for less than half of what the flagships demand. If you aren’t the type to finance a phone, here are three options to consider for less than $500.