[TECH ALERT] Support for Windows Server 2003 is Ending

Is your company ready? Based on the current timeline provided by Microsoft, support for Windows Server 2003 is ending July 14, 2015. What Does This Mean For Your Business? If your business continues running Windows Server 2003 past the end-of-life date in July 2015… You’ll no longer receive direct support from Microsoft. No system patches, including security updates. Your business systems and applicants will become vulnerable to hackers, may start to fail compliance audits and will become interoperable with 3rd party software. Possible reductions in server performance. A brief awareness …

Mobile Device Management For Richmond Healthcare Business

Compliance and standardized security are possible with a BYOD solution for a growing business in the healthcare arena with both local and remote workers. The Challenge Some of the remote workers were based out of offices and others out of their home offices. As with most entrepreneurial businesses the client had a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ BYOD policy. The user base had multiple mobile platforms (blackberry, iphone, android) with a need to standardize security. A large portion of the user data fell under HIPAA security requirements. The business needed to …

[TECH ALERT] Support for Office 2003 & Windows XP is Ending

Effective April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide customer support or security patch management for Windows XP and Office 2003. What Does This Mean For Your Business? If your business continues running Windows XP or Office 2003 past 4/8, you may expose your business to risks, such as: Violating Regulatory Requirements – Businesses that are governed by regulatory obligations such as HIPAA may find that they are no longer able to satisfy compliance requirements. Significant Security Risk – Without critical security updates, your PC may become susceptible to viruses, …

Three Email Security Best Practices For Small Businesses

The popular adage about being a small business owner goes something like this: you’re responsible for everything from developing strategy and big ideas to making sure the bathrooms are neat and tidy. Somewhere in middle of that range of activities you’ll find managing your email security best practices. If you’re not an IT expert, then there is a good chance that email security could slip and fall a few rungs down your priority list. But there has never been a more critical time for ensuring you have a secure email …

Is BYOD Right for Your Company?

Let’s be honest, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) isn’t new.  Since the first PDA devices hit the market, business executives have been snatching them up and bringing them into the workplace.  They were looking for a better way to organize and track their calendars and contacts. Since it was seen as a personal device (the ‘P’ in PDA), no one ever asked IT if it would work with the existing platforms.   Nor did they ask the security group if corporate data would be secure on these new devices. Fast forward …

What is Cloud Computing?

The marketing term “Cloud” appended to a service has become overused and no longer holds a coherent meaning.  We’ll try to help you see through the cloud to learn what the hype has been obscuring. A Cloudy Definition Ask five people what Cloud Computing or a Cloud Service is and you will get five different answers.  From a marketing perspective, this may be a desired and beneficial result as all kinds of services can ride on the coattails of the Cloud wave.  But from a technical delivery aspect, this becomes …

Email Security Best Practice Reminder

In September 2013, antivirus companies discovered a new ransomware known as Cryptolocker. This ransomware is particularly nasty because infected users are in danger of losing their personal files forever. Spread through email attachments, this ransomware has been seen targeting companies through phishing attacks. Through solid antivirus protection and by blocking email attachments that contain this destructive payload, your company can keep this ransomware from infecting your business. If you receive unexpected email attachments please delete them. If you experience anything unusual on your workstation or laptop, please remove it from …

More Businesses Are Turning to ShoreTel for Phone System Solutions

A 2013 market share summary report, published by Synergy Research Group, compared the top four unified communication solutions (ShoreTel, Avaya, Cisco Systems and Mitel Networks) and found ShoreTel as the leader of the pack in market share and revenue growth rates. ShoreTel ranks third in Enterprise IP Telephony market share in the U.S. with a revenue increase of 7 percent between Q4’12 and Q1’13 ShoreTel’s market share increased by 25% between Q4’12 and Q1’13 Read the complete press release from ShoreTel on their website. As a ShoreTel provider, Entec Systems …

Entec Systems Named One of the Top-Performing SMB Channel Partners in the U.S. by Ingram Micro

World’s Largest Technology Distributor Recognizes Entec in its Inaugural Ingram Micro SMB 500 List RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 31, 2012 — Entec Systems today announced it has been named to the Ingram Micro SMB 500. Unveiled at the Ingram Micro 2012 “Turn the Tables” Fall SMB Invitational in Rancho Mirage, Calif., the inaugural list celebrates the top 500 fastest-growing Ingram Micro U.S. channel partners focused on small and midsize businesses (SMBs). Ranked at number 7, Entec Systems, Inc. grew its business with Ingram Micro by more than 985 percent between June …

45% Growth for Richmond Based IT Services Company

RICHMOND, Va., October 24, 2012 – Entec Systems, Richmond’s trusted IT Specialists, announced that it has grown its staff by 45% in 2012 in support of a focus to help businesses (small and large) realize maximum return on their technology investment.  Founded in 2002 by Anthony Ennas, Entec Systems looks to exit 2012 with a staff of 16 employees and projects additional increases in head count in 2013. “We are excited to share the technical knowledge and abilities held by our staff with our customers,” said Anthony Ennas, founder and …