The Best Work-From-Home Tech You Should Be Using

Ophtek, work from home tech, working from home, working remotely, , ,
12
May 2020

Working from home is very different to working in an office. And, accordingly, you will need specific work-at-home tech to counter these changes.

The most noticeable difference to working at home is that it’s more comfortable. There’s no need to sit at a single desk all day long and there’s certainly no requirement to wear a suit. But the usual peripherals you use in the office aren’t suited to a home environment. Working off a couch, for example is very different, to working from an office desk with flat, stable surfaces. Therefore, it’s crucial that you equip yourself with tech that suits your new work environment. Not only will it allow you to work comfortably, but it will keep you focused on your work.

What is the Best Work-from-Home Tech?

Everyone wants to be comfortable, so it’s clear that you need the best work-from-home tech. And, believe us, if there’s a work-from-home problem, technology will have found a solution. Some of the most useful peripherals to invest in are:

  • Couch Mouse: A mouse, even in the touchscreen age we live in, is vital for working on a PC. But conventional mice need hard, flat surfaces to operate. And this isn’t always an option if you’re working on a couch. Sure, you could use a built in touch pad on a laptop, but these don’t always suit every task. However, it’s possible to buy so called ‘couch mice’ which work on soft surfaces and provide perfect navigation. 
  • Noise Cancelling Headphones: Working from home, especially when your family is also there, can be a major challenge. A full house can get noisy very quickly and this can prove to be a major distraction. However, a set of noise cancelling headphones can provide a quick solution to this problem. By channeling your favorite music (or ambient sounds) through your headphones you will find that you can focus more closely on your work. And, if you need to take calls, you can use the headphones to win back some much needed privacy. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Music Services: Keeping You Focused at Home

music, music apps, online music, Ophtek, , ,
05
May 2020

Working from home is currently a necessity, but keeping focused at home is tough. However, music services provide the perfect solution to your productivity.

It’s very easy to become distracted while working at home. Not only are there the distractions of family members or roommates, but there’s also the small matter of the internet to contend with. Checking social media and working your way through YouTube’s top videos is very tempting. But it spells disaster for your productivity. And your organization needs you to stay on top of things at the moment. However, the internet isn’t all bad; it does offer a number of valuable streaming services.

Music is well known for its ability to focus, so perhaps it’s time you paired up those nice headphones with a music service.

What are Your Options?

Online music services are big business now, so it should come as no surprise that there is a lot of competition for your custom. But who are the best music services? And which one suits your unique needs? Let’s take a look at some of the major players:

  • Amazon Music: Where their focus was once on shipping physical music formats, Amazon are now investing heavily in online music. If you currently have an Amazon Prime membership then you will automatically qualify for the basic Amazon Music service. This gives you access to around two million songs. However, if you are willing to pay a premium of $7.99 (or $9.99 to non-Prime members) a month you can upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited. And this opens you up to over 40 million songs. 
  • Spotify: Much like Amazon Music, there are around 40 million songs available to stream through Spotify. However, where the two brands differ is that Spotify offers a free version of its service as well as a premium version. Spotify Free gives you access to the entire catalog of songs, but there are, of course, limitations. Adverts are inserted between songs and you can only play songs in shuffle mode. Nonetheless, it provides a fantastic opportunity to work alongside your favorite music. The Spotify Premium plan is available for $9.99 and removes any limitations. 
  • YouTube Music: Launched in 2015, YouTube Music allows subscribers to browse through both songs and music videos on YouTube. The platform, much like their video service, is available for free, but contains a number of adverts in between songs. However, if you want an ad-free option then you can upgrade to YouTube Music Premium. And the cost for this premium service is $9.99 per month. This gives you access to millions of songs which can be added to playlists for a seamless listening experience.

Final Thoughts

We are all working in difficult times and, even for those working from home, it remains tough. A home environment lacks the discipline of a workplace, so it’s crucial that you can maintain focus. Music won’t necessarily revolutionize your productivity, but it will allow you to focus more closely. And, more importantly, it will make you feel better.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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What Are the Best Video Conferencing Apps?

gotomeeting, Ophtek, video conferencing, webex, zoom, , , ,
28
Apr 2020

Video conferencing has never been more important in business than it is today. But you need to make sure you work with the best video conferencing apps.

The threat of Covid-19 means that social distancing is being taken to unprecedented levels at present. Accordingly, more and more people are working from home. But this doesn’t mean that face-to-face contact needs to come to an end. After all, studies have shown that face-to-face meetings are substantially more effective than email and phone communication. And it’s important that we don’t lose the benefits of face-to-face communication with the right cameras and headsets.

Video conferencing allows us to maintain face-to-face communication while also obeying the strict guidelines imposed by social distancing. But what are the best video conferencing apps?

The Best Video Conferencing You Can Use

The market is saturated with video conferencing software, so it’s intimidating to weigh up the pros and cons of each one. Thankfully, we’ve decided to narrow your options down by exploring three of the best:

  • Zoom: Launched in 2013, Zoom has been designed with remote working in mind. Its main focus is on video conferencing, but the app also has instant chat and file sharing capabilities. Zoom is considered to be one of the market leaders in its niche and, during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been adopted by businesses, politicians and schools.
    • Pros
      • Screen sharing allows participants to view exactly what their colleagues are working on or require help with
      • Seamless video connections which are established quickly and securely
      • The user interface is intuitive and easy to use
    • Cons
      • Zoom’s free pricing plan limits meetings to just 40 minutes
      • Managing sub-accounts can only be carried out from a specific admin account which needs to be signed in and out of to action changes 
  • WebEx: Currently owned by Cisco, WebEx was founded in 1995 and brings plenty of expertise to the table. The software is big on web and video conferencing with call sharing, chat and multimedia sharing backing it up. WebEx offers a number of pricing plans that range from free up to $26.95 per month.
    • Pros
      • The interface is considered to be very user friendly and setting up a video conference is painless
      • WebEx can also boast whiteboard facilities which, in tandem with instant chat, makes collaboration easier than ever
      • All features are available at all price points
    • Cons
      • The number of licenses available with the lowest price plan is prohibitive to all but the smallest of organizations
  • GoToMeeting: Created by LogMeIn, GoToMeeting allows those with internet connections to benefit from a wide range of features such as video conferencing and collaboration. The main way in which it achieves this is by broadcasting the desktop view of a host PC. Price plans, which include HD video, start from $14 per month.
    • Pros
      • The processes involved in working with GoToMeeting are very simple, so there should be no technical challenges in using it
      • Users of different platforms can easily connect and communicate through the app
      • GoToMeeting can integrate with Outlook to deliver a powerful tool
    • Cons
      • The pricing plan does not include a free tier
      • Chat functions are purely limited to meetings which are in progress

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Best IT Home Checkup for Your PC

Network, Ophtek, pc checkup, Security, working from home, , , ,
21
Apr 2020

Millions of workers are now self-isolating and that means working from home for many people. But how do you make sure that your PC at home is healthy?

The luxury of working from an office is that the equipment there is regularly maintained and fairly new. However, when you have to work from home you will soon realize that your own equipment isn’t in the same shape. We’re all guilty of being a little lazy when we get home and IT maintenance certainly isn’t at the top of most people’s lists. But a little effort goes a long way when it comes to maintaining a PC.

And, best of all, you don’t need to be a fully trained IT technician to carry out a home checkup. In fact, it’s quick and easy as we’re about to show you.

 

How to Maintain Your PC with a Home Checkup

Working from home on your own PC is convenient, but it also puts you and your organization at risk. Therefore, make sure you maximize your productivity and safety by carrying out the following:

  • Install all Updates: We have a habit of ignoring PC updates at home as they get in the way of loading up Netflix. However, it’s important that complacency doesn’t creep into your IT activities at home. You need to make sure that all your software is up to date with the latest patches and firmware. Not only will this ensure that your software is secure, but it will enhance the functionality of your software. Most software will have an auto-update feature, so it’s crucial that this is activated. 
  • Check Your Router: The internet is vital when it comes to remote working. Without an internet connection you won’t be able to connect to your organization’s network. And this will leave you without any of the resources you need. So, it’s essential that your router is working and secure. A good connection is paramount, so you may need to adjust your router position to maximize the signal. And, to safeguard the security of your router, remove any default passwords and create something unique. 
  • Use Security Software: If you haven’t already got security software in place then this needs to be made a priority. It will protect your PC and, if you’re working remotely, strengthen the security of any connections to your business. There are a wide range of options when it comes to security software, so it can be daunting choosing one. It’s recommended that you stick to the industry leaders, so make a beeline to software developed by Kaspersky, McAfee and AVG. And you can rest assured that they provide plenty of free software.

Final Thoughts

The challenges of working from home are likely to be new for many employees. Thankfully, advances in technology mean that this is easier than ever. But you need to make sure that your PC at home is in excellent shape. It is, after all, your most valuable tool when it comes to working remotely. So, to guarantee a PC that is firing on all cylinders, you need to take note of the tips above.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Make Sure Your Software is Updated and Secure

Ophtek, Security, Security Threats, Software, Software Security Patches, Updates, , , ,
14
Apr 2020

It’s vital, if you want your PC to remain safe and secure, to install all software updates and patches. The alternative is, of course, that you get hacked.

Now, no one wants their PC to get hacked. The fallout from such a scenario can only spell disaster for a business. We’re talking stolen data, disrupted IT operations, financial damage and a major drop in productivity. And no one wants that. Certainly not a business and certainly not their customers. But hacking is a major threat in today’s digital workplace. In the first half of 2019 alone, a total of 4.1 billion records were compromised. It’s a figure which is clearly huge, but it’s also one that could be significantly reduced if organizations updated their software regularly.

So, to help you keep your software updated, we’re going to run through the basics of updating and securing your software.

What are Software Updates?

It’s difficult to create a flawless piece of software. The complexity of coding means that, even when developers feel their application is finished, it’s likely that minor problems will remain. And, in most cases, the only impact of these errors will be felt in the application’s functionality. However, on occasion, these minor flaws can represent major security issues. Hackers, if they are to be commended on anything, are highly persistent. And, if they can find a vulnerability in a piece of software, you can rest assured that they will exploit it.

This is why software updates and patches are crucial. The most common update that most PC users will encounter is an operating system update. These are regularly released by developers in order to counter security issues which have been discovered. These updates, in their simplest terms, patch the software. Following the patch process, your operating system will be considered more secure and functional. Unfortunately, many organizations are either too busy to worry about updates or they fail to understand their importance. And that’s why you need to know the best ways to keep your software updated.

How Do You Update Your Software?

Updating software on a PC is straightforward and simple, but only if you know how. Therefore, it’s important that you practice the following:

  • Allow Automatic Updates: The sheer number of updates that are required for multiple applications is mind-boggling. And the time taken to action these updates is significant. But, with this in mind, most pieces of software allow you to select an automatic update option. This takes the pain out of authorizing and conducting every new update and patch. The setting is most commonly found in the updates section of an application’s control panel. 
  • Visit Developer’s Websites: It’s good practice to regularly visit the websites of developers to make sure you’re working with the latest updates. Adobe Flash Player and JavaPress, for example, can both be verified by visiting their respective websites. The relevant software is quickly analyzed to determine which version it is. And, if any updates are outstanding, the user will be prompted to install these or upgrade to a new version. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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