ecosystem

5 Things to Include in a ‘Work Anywhere’ Solution

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Although COVID-19 upended many aspects of our lives, it also forced some long-overdue and necessary changes to the way we work. Now, even as the situation improves, many companies are announcing that they have decided to ditch their office space entirely and allow employees to work remotely. Many others are incorporating more flexibility into their policies. It’s becoming increasingly clear that, in order to attract and retain high-quality employees, companies must develop and implement a ‘work anywhere’ solution.

According to Evolve IP, there are five components that companies should include in a ‘work anywhere’ plan. Having all these pieces in place will improve clarity, avoid confusion and wasted time. In addition, it will ensure that your company’s systems and data remain secure and protected.

Define and Secure Employee Identities

Generally, employees fall into one of three categories:

  • Employees that rely on web-based tools (SaaS users)
  • Employees that need legacy line-of-business applications
  • Employees that require a full desktop

Determine which employees or positions fall into which categories to make options and needs clearer from the start.

Establish Device Management and Remote Work Security Policies and Procedures

Companies were forced to quickly send employees home last spring, resulting in many people using their own devices for work. As businesses move to remote work long-term, it’s important to get employees onto secure, company-owned devices. If not, establish clear security procedures for personal devices.

Choose a Collaboration Tool

When most or all of your team is working remotely, it’s more important than ever that they’re able to collaborate easily and effectively. From Teams to WebEx, Google to Zoom, there are a variety of collaboration tools available. If you need help selecting the right tool for your team, give Vaultas a call.

Create Contact and Support Center Teams

When a crisis occurs, the way a company responds to clients, partners and employees can have a huge impact on the brand’s public perception. It’s essential to establish robust contact and support center teams that can respond quickly and effectively.

Implement Remote Hiring and Onboarding Processes

If your existing employees are working remotely, you’ll need to acquire new employees remotely as well. In addition to remote hiring, it’s important to have technology and training procedures in place so new employees can get started with ease.

Are you experiencing challenges as you shift to a ‘work anywhere’ program? Vaultas can help! Contact us to learn how we’ve developed partnerships with a variety of IT solutions providers, and how those partnerships could save you time and money.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, fully integrated hybrid IT solutions that incorporate connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

What to Include in an IT Budget

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For many businesses, 2020 was spent reacting to the ever-changing COVID situation. IT solutions were quickly patched together to ensure that employees had what they needed as they transitioned to new working environments. Now, after a tumultuous year, businesses are heading into 2021 with a clearer picture of what work will look like in the coming months. As your company begins the IT budget process, we have a few tips.

Involve the Right People

It’s important to have the right people involved in IT budget planning. This should include not only CIOs and IT managers, but other upper management representatives who can ensure buy-in. And while individual employees don’t need to be involved, keep them informed about IT budgets and how their IT use plays a part.

The Essential Components of a Comprehensive IT Budget

According to ETMA, these seven elements should be included your IT budget planning:

  1. Hardware: physical IT equipment and tools used by employees, including wiring
  2. Software: all software programs that run on employee computers and devices
  3. Subscriptions and Services: recurring licensing fees for software
  4. Capital: non-financial assets or good that are used in product creation
  5. Operations: costs incurred in running the IT department
  6. Projects: costs incurred in specific tasks and initiatives
  7. Buffer: funds for unforeseen expenses

Stick to the Budget – But Don’t Be Afraid to Make Changes

Once you’ve created the budget and allocated funds, revisit it throughout the year. This will not only ensure that you’re staying on budget, but will help you identify unbudgeted expenses that come up and include them in future planning.

If you need help with your 2021 IT budget, give Vaultas a call.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include hybrid IT solutions,  data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage, data center consulting, VoIP and UCaaS solutions, and more. 

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

UCaaS vs. VoIP: Which is Right For Your Business?

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Voice over internet protocol, or VoIP, has become the standard for voice communications in small businesses. When compared to standard on-premises PBX systems, VoIP has many benefits. It costs less, is more flexible, and can be integrated into multiple communication channels, instead of just a standard telephone conversation using a desktop phone. Calls can be made on that phone, but they can also be made via the internet, on a computer or smartphone.

Now, a new voice communications service is growing more popular. Unified Communications as-a-Service, or UCaaS, is similar to VoIP in that it powers multiple channels for communication. However, according to PCMag, UCaaS provides more options. Where VoIP only allows inbound and outbound telephone calls, UCaaS provides additional methods of communication, such as chatting, texting, video conferencing, screen sharing and more.

VoIP vs. UCaaS: Options and Integration

It’s important to note that VoIP and UCaaS are not competing systems. VoIP is integrated into UCaaS – when phone calls are made in a UCaaS system, they are powered with VoIP. But VoIP is unable to provide some of the additional features of UCaaS, such as chatting and video calls.

Which is Right For Your Business?

Today, as more employees work remotely than ever before, it’s essential that they be able to easily communicate. UCaaS can make it easier to collaborate and manage projects, and stay caught up with coworkers in different physical locations. You can chat and text, video conference and share screens.

One potential complication of UCaaS is the additional data that it will create and the new channels that will have to be managed. Working with an experienced PBX, VoIP and UCaaS provider can help make the transition easier.

Do you need to upgrade your voice communication system for long-term remote work? The Vaultas IT ecosystem is here to help with all of them.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include hybrid IT solutions,  data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage, data center consulting, VoIP and UCaaS solutions, and more. 

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

What is the Technology Ecosystem?

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As we enter the sixth month of COVID-19, shutdowns, social distancing and remote work, many companies are starting to think long-term. It’s clear that the current situation will most likely persist for many more months, and the world will look much different when we return to “normal,” whatever that will be. So how can companies meet the challenges of this new reality? Better yet, how can they leverage the current situation to improve their processes and operations? The Vaultas technology ecosystem can help.

What is the Technology Ecosystem?

There are many different definitions of a tech or IT ecosystem, depending on the context in which it’s used. For our purposes, we define the Vaultas technology ecosystem as the coalition of vendors, suppliers, tools and services that deliver custom IT solutions for businesses and institutions.

How Can the Technology Ecosystem Deliver for Your Business?

At Vaultas, we have access to nearly 200 suppliers of IT tools and services, allowing companies to select the individual solutions that are right for their specific needs. We have the skills and experience to integrate your selections into a cohesive, efficient IT system that will work for you.

Fast, Efficient and Automated

Gone are the days of waiting weeks or months for a new IT system to be built and installed. We can identify and connect the right solutions for your business in a matter of days. Systems will be integrated and automated, allowing your team to focus on your business and customers instead of the IT hassles that devour so many resources.

The Power of Choice

You know your business and its needs. The technology ecosystem gives you the ability to select the tools and vendors that are exactly right for your company. And in this current climate, with all options on the table, there’s no better time to exercise your power of choice and find an IT solution that will deliver for your employees, customers and stakeholders.

Vaultas Is Your Trusted Advisor

We know that the options can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping you navigate the ecosystem from start to finish. As your trusted advisor, we’ll harness the latest trends, identify needs, and help you harness the IT solutions that will give your business a competitive advantage. A trusted advisor is a CIO’s best friend, and Vaultas has the experience to play that role.

In short, the Vaultas ecosystem provides options, improves efficiency, and saves money. From security and connectivity to cloud and colocation, managed services, voice, and everything in between, let the technology ecosystem change how you do business.

Businesses are facing a wide variety of challenges as they navigate our new reality. The Vaultas IT ecosystem is here to help with all of them.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include hybrid IT solutions,  data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage, data center consulting, hosted PBX and VOIP solutions, and more. 

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

How the Vaultas Ecosystem Can Help Companies Through Coronavirus

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As the coronavirus continues to spread across Minnesota and the United States, its impact on individuals and businesses has become increasingly pronounced. With employees working from home, retail stores launching online shops, and small businesses finding creative ways to make ends meet, IT systems and network environments need the ability to grow and change every day. 

The good news: the Vaultas ecosystem of carrier networks, data centers, cloud solutions and hybrid IT providers is fully prepared to support businesses and communities as they navigate the new and challenging circumstances brought on by COVID-19. Here are a few ways that Vaultas can help during this time of transition.

Collaborative Workforce Software

As companies shift to a remote workforce, they’ll need to find ways for employees to stay in touch and collaborate online in a secure manner so company information stays safe. There are many programs and tools available for premise-based or scalable cloud-based collaborative remote workforce solutions, but the learning curve can be steep. Vaultas is available for support and assistance as businesses look for the best in breed tools to support their internal and external customers with flexible and scalable solutions.

Expanded Internet and Peering Traffic

When we’re all home, our internet use goes up. This is due to employees working online, students learning online, others shopping online and the rest of us watching Netflix, reading the news or video chatting with family and friends. See how the powerful Vaultas ecosystem of worldwide networks and peering exchanges can ensure that your company’s internet and network connections remain fast, stable and efficient despite the uptick in usage or changing demands of a remote workforce.

Data Security Concerns

When companies make sudden and unplanned shifts to online work, they are more likely to be vulnerable to hacks, cyberattacks and security breaches. Cybersecurity is always a priority, but even more so today.

The Vaultas ecosystem was built for challenges like those created by the Coronavirus. Our ecosystem has significant security, IT and network assets, combined with flexible and scalable solutions that can be leveraged and deployed quickly in support of your businesses, customers, and employees, whether short term during the coronavirus pandemic or long term as a built in feature. Whatever your IT challenge, don’t hesitate to reach out and see how the Vaultas ecosystem can help your business during these challenging times.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider enabling direct access to any network or service provider including, but not limited to;  hybrid IT solutions,  data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage, data center consulting, any internet and network or cloud based, hosted PBX and VOIP solutions and more. 

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world.  Contact us to get started.