How to increase your business collaboration and operations through smart conferencing systems and a managed IT service provider.

Skype for Business is an extremely valuable, if not indispensable, tool for many organizations. It provides an affordable option for keeping staff connected not just within a single office building or HQ, but also remote or traveling workers wherever they are located. Skype for Business is also essential to remote group meetings or conferencing, connecting multiple rooms and people. Without this technology, business would not happen with the speed and efficiency it does today.

To make corporate life even easier, Logitech recently partnered with Microsoft to launch its SmartDock meeting room console system. The SmartDock hardware is intended to make Skype for Business more efficient for secure use in conference and meeting rooms.

The SmartDock enables a Surface Pro 4 tablet to turn into a communication hub, allowing for immediate high performance, connectivity upon entering a conference room with its built in motion sensor. This transforms collaboration for all parties through the already familiar Skype for Business interface for organizers and the managed Windows 10 Skype meeting app for IT administrators. The Logitech SmartDock works seamlessly with your existing video display and camera systems, allowing you to launch a meeting with a single touch.

The SmartDock allows your organization to optimally manage collaboration while staying connected with an HDMI port for 1080p displays, along with three USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet and a headset jack for one-on-one conferences, keeping conference tables clutter-free. An Extender box allows for dual HDMI connections and USB ports. Sharing presentations, demos, videos and other content is a simple process through the HDMI input streaming directly from a laptop or other device.

Furthermore, this audio/video controlled console has a fully powered and secure table mount along with a Kensington security slot for additional safety. This ensures that the corresponding tablet can be left securely locked into the SmartDock even in unattended rooms.

The successful implementation of Logitech’s SmartDock and Skype for Business run on Windows 2016 and Citrix is best handled by a managed service provider that can provide IT services tailored on your company’s size and needs. A managed service provide can assist with professional, custom services that are properly implemented into high level IT and network engineering systems. Hiring a provider offers your business focused solutions that are customized for your own bespoke implementation.

Utilizing an IT service provider also future proofs your business, encapsulating the use of the latest technology and equipment in your business at no additional cost or great financial investment for you. It eliminates the need for vast investments in specialist software, through fixed monthly or annual payments that ensure you are receiving the right solutions as they are needed with full transparency for your business.

You also have an edge on specialist skills and knowledge without the hefty price tag of retaining specialist on staff. Often times you only need this expertise once or twice, so it makes smarter business sense to utilize the knowledge of your managed IT service provider and their infrastructure to problem solve.

Many companies are looking for ways they can better protect their business and their confidential information. A firewall appliance is a great way to block out any attackers and there are other benefits you can enjoy from it as well.

Cyber security is a major concern for many companies and individuals all over the world. More and more attacks are happening every day. There are many ways you can add protection to your network. Using multiple security measures adds layers of protection. One of those methods is by using a firewall appliance.

What is a Firewall Appliance?

Just like you can install physical firewalls in a home or business to block fires from spreading, a firewall appliance is put into place to block potential threats from entering into your system. If an attacker or a virus does get into your system, it can prevent it from spreading further and help give you more time to remove it. A firewall is designed to inspect everything that comes through the network. Things that are suspicious are stopped. It uses a set of rules to help determine what should be allowed through and what should not be allowed through. A firewall, in this instance, is not an actual wall but it acts like one. It is a system of software and hardware designed to add protection.

What are Benefits of Using a Firewall

Besides the obvious benefit of a safer network, there are many other benefits you can enjoy by having one in place. These benefits are the direct result of having a safer network. These are just some of the benefits of having a firewall appliance for your business:

Better Security for Confidential Information

Most businesses have some type of confidential information. Whether this is confidential information of their customers or confidential information about the employees and the business, it should be protected well. This kind of information in the wrong hands can be disastrous. When a firewall is monitoring all incoming and outgoing traffic, there is added security for all information, including confidential information. If an attacker were able to get in without a firewall in place, they would have access to all of this information and can use it however they see fit.

Added Employee Productivity

Without a firewall in place, who knows what kind of nonsense can get into the system and emails. Additionally, who knows what your employees are really doing with their time. A firewall is designed to monitor websites and block permissions. This added bonus can allow you to block the usage of websites such as Facebook and Pinterest that may be taking up valuable time in the work day. Your employees may not like this security change but you will soon find that productivity will go up because they are able to focus more on their work.

A firewall is not the only form of protection you should utilize for your network and business but it is a great place to start. Not only does it add extra protection to your business but you also get to enjoy some other added benefits. You should consider other forms of protection, however, so you can create multiple layers that can block potential attacks and hackers. The more protection you have, the better. Cyber attacks are not slowing down. if anything, they are happening more often. You should not rely on one form of protection for your business. For more information, be sure to contact {company} in {city} via {phone} or {email}.