Category: IT Consultant

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The Benefits of Managed IT Services

Managed IT services allow businesses to delegate their IT responsibilities to an external provider through contractual or subscription-based arrangements. These services help reduce the burden on internal IT teams, supplement their efforts if they are overwhelmed, or even serve as a complete replacement. Managed service providers (MSPs) usually offer 24/7 IT support and bring specialized skills and expertise that might not be available in-house.

There are numerous benefits to Managed IT services; we list the most significant advantages below:24/7 Monitoring: With continuous monitoring of networks and systems, MSPs can detect and prevent issues before they escalate, ensuring uptime and reliability. Providers ensure that security measures are up to date, reducing the risk of cyber threats with regular audits, patch management, and updated security protocols to safeguard business data. Also, by outsourcing IT tasks, businesses can focus on their core skills and strategic objectives rather than getting bogged down by computer issues.Cost-Efficiency: Outsourcing IT operations can reduce the need to hire in-house staff, leading to lower labor costs and overhead, yet are just as reliable. As businesses grow, their IT needs change. Managed IT services can quickly scale to meet these growing demands without the challenges of hiring and training additional personnel. Additionally, a fixed monthly fee covers most services, allowing businesses to avoid unexpected expenses. With proactive system monitoring and maintenance, MSPs help you remain compliant while reducing downtime and outages and making your business efficient.Expertise and Experience: Managed IT service providers typically have a wide range of knowledge that may be hard to replicate with an in-house team. This ensures that businesses have access to specialists when needed. Also, MSPs often have established relationships with technology vendors, which can lead to faster resolution times and potential discounts. Managed IT services often include backup solutions and disaster recovery plans, ensuring business continuity in the face of unforeseen incidents. With expert advice and guidance, you can gain peace of mind knowing that your MSP has your data backups and security handled.By leveraging managed IT services, businesses can enjoy these benefits and more, often leading to enhanced productivity and reduced risks while saving significant costs. You don’t have to be tech-savvy or know all the ins/outs of the IT world; MRPs do it for you! CPS has almost 30 years of experience in the industry, so you know we’ve got your back! We get to know your business like our own so we can run your IT properly. Contact us for a free consultation and see how we can help you. ____________Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems delivers professional results for all your computer needs. We design, create, and code various custom software programs and websites. Additionally, we offer superior digital marketing services, including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising. We also repair and support commercial computer infrastructure, build custom systems and servers, and provide secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call (810)224-5252 or email info@cpsmi.com us!Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com

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IT Health Directly Linked to Long-Term Business Success

Technological challenges can be hefty in terms of cost and business impact. Information Technology (IT) concerns can affect security, continuity, and overall productivity despite the overall company size. Businesses must consider IT an essential aspect of their overall health.

Especially in today’s age, where the United States government is warning businesses to prepare themselves against hackers amid spyware, ransomware, viruses, etc., it is crucial to ensure companies have strong IT resources for use. IT challenges can impact business success and should be considered an indispensable part of their sustainability. 

Downtime
Network downtime costs American businesses roughly $26.5 billion in lost revenue, with small- to medium-sized companies losing an average of $42,000 per hour. Some studies estimate that lost revenue was closer to $5,600 per minute. The average business downtime is roughly 87 hours a year in total. 

Equipment
Aging equipment and unpatched devices are especially susceptible to crashes, cyberattacks, and much more. Hackers focus on finding value (financial information) rather than targeting specific corporations.  

Education
Teaching employees about cybersecurity and their role in establishing a safe, secure IT environment is crucial for success. If employees are serious about private information and securely use technology, the chances of breaches are drastically minimized. 

Proactivity
Ideally, rather than being proactive, businesses should focus on continuity planning, which ensures critical business functions are prepared to recover from potential down time. Roughly 40- to 60 percent of businesses that were unprepared for disasters never reopen. 

Solutions
To form a solid IT plan, focus on resources available. If your team is unable to handle the load in-house, outsource the networking, anti-virus, troubleshooting, password management, server setup, backups, etc., with a reliable vendor such as Creative Programs and Systems!

Creative Programs and Systems (CPS) provides IT services for small and large businesses in all industries. We specialize in boosting productivity, streamlining business practices, and much more. Contact us today to set up a consultation with our IT specialists. 

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

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Servers Become More Climate Friendly

Danish researchers from the University of Copenhagen recently developed a novel algorithm that can substantially reduce the carbon footprint of computer servers. The green transition for computer servers is an urgent matter, as they are more taxing on the climate than global air traffic. The massive amount of electricity consumed by computer servers is expected to double in a few years.

Professor Mikkel Thorup and his fellow UCPH researchers have perfected a new algorithm that solves a fundamental server issue. Some servers become overloaded as they receive more requests from users than they can handle. As consumers stream the same Netflix film or a specific video, systems need to shift users around to achieve a balanced server distribution.

He said, “We have found an algorithm that removes one of the major causes of overloaded servers once and for all. Our initial algorithm was a huge improvement over the way industry had been doing things, but this version is many times better and reduces resource usage to the greatest extent possible. Furthermore, it is free to use for all.”

The mathematical calculation to achieve the extraordinary balancing act is immensely challenging. Up to a billion servers can be involved at one time; as new clients and servers join, congestion and server failure is inevitable. This resulting resource consumption significantly influences the climate. Cisco, an American IT firm, says internet traffic is projected to triple between 2017 and 2022, with online videos making up to 82 percent of traffic.

Thorup said, “As internet traffic soars explosively, the problem will continue to grow. Therefore, we need a scalable solution that doesn’t depend on the number of servers involved. Our algorithm provides exactly such a solution.”

The new algorithm safeguards servers by segmenting them as evenly as possible, while moving them around as little as possible, and retrieving content as locally as possible.

Do you need a server for your business? Contact the IT experts at Creative Programs and Systems today.

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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What Is 5G and How Does It Differ from Wi-Fi

What Is 5G and How Does It Differ from Wi-Fi

After nearly a decade in the making, 5G is now a reality. Select cities throughout the United States received 5G mobile internet access a few years ago, and now, it’s readily available depending on your phone plan. The fifth generation of mobile broadband, 5G, will eventually replace the 4G connection. The time it takes for devices to communicate with wireless networks (latency) will be dramatically faster. These new networks are also much more efficient, handling more connections per cell tower and faster speeds per user.

Cellular/mobile networks rely on licensed spectrum bands, which are auctioned off to the highest bidder. Verizon, AT&T, and other carriers have to pay in order to use those bands. For coverage, they must build a network of intertwined base stations capable of sending out a strong enough signal for the network to withstand thousands of people at once. Carriers expect consumers to recuperate their investment and further expand network infrastructure.

On the other hand, Wi-Fi is an unlicensed spectrum that is free for anyone to use but offers a somewhat weak signal. Consumers pay an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to connect the internet to their infrastructure, and then a router is used to fill the building with Wi-Fi. In densely populated areas with limited bandwidth, using the same Wi-Fi frequency band between more than one building can be disruptive. Wi-Fi uses two frequencies: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The frequency with a more extended range but lower top speed potential is 2.4GHz, while 5GHz can deliver faster speeds but not penetrate walls as easily.

Wi-Fi is used at home, in the office, or public areas such as coffee shops or restaurants. Mobile networks are used when Wi-Fi is not available. The most crucial factor is to have a good connection at all times.

Several elements play into the actual 5G connection speed, including location, network, device, and how many other people connect. To achieve a maximum download speed of 50Mbps and a low latency of 10ms, this will represent a massive improvement over the average speed most consumers are receiving now. 

Wi-Fi has had a troublesome history of naming confusion throughout its lifespan. The Wi-Fi Alliance has accepted the need for less-perplexing nomenclature, so the next standard is going to be marketed as Wi-Fi 6. This standard will offer faster speeds and many improvements in efficiency and capacity, designed to cope with the growing number of internet-connected wireless devices.

Both 5G and Wi-Fi 6 are readily – and widely – available. With expansions set for both, upgrades will be necessary to support the new standards. Most newer smartphones support both 5G and Wi-Fi 6; eventually all phones will support both.

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and online paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com. 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Working from Home Remotely – What You Need to Know

The ability to work remotely outside of the office has been obtainable for a few decades; however, this technology has become more mainstream in today’s work society. Employers are finding it easier to allow their employees to work remotely as they discover it’s relatively simple to set up remote access with only a computer and internet connection.

Many corporations have continued to grow with the acceptance of remote positions available. Although this technology is still a new concept to many, some may find it intimidating. Consulting with a professional can make this process much simpler.

Using a VPN Connection

A VPN (virtual private network) is a standard component within remote access solutions.  A VPN allows remote users to establish a secure connection within a computer network. It functions by using a public network (typically an internet connection) to connect remote sites. Virtual connections are then routed from a company’s private network or a third-party security service provider to users of the system.

Private data can be transmitted across unknown networks without the worry of a security breach within a company’s internal data or assets. A VPN connection is initiated by a remote user logging into a corporate server and then confirming details based on the security information provided by either a password, IP address, or SSL certificate.

Using Remote Desktop Applications

Another option that allows for remote access is third-party software programs specializing in remote technology. This software is designed for virtually accessing your work computing equipment. There are many companies online that offer software downloads with security options and additional features.  However, it is best to consult with an IT professional when considering software options for your company’s needs. Consulting with a professional will ensure that the correct security features are properly integrated and installed within your company’s infrastructure.

Creative Communications

One disadvantage of working remotely can be the lack of face-to-face interaction that is present in an office atmosphere. Having the right technology installed can overcome this obstacle and offers enormous benefits. Video conferencing technology has become a great tool to reincorporate the human element of working remotely. Scheduling daily or weekly video calls to see your colleagues can help boost productivity and morale. As discussed previously, there are many third-party software applications to make life easier when working remotely.  However, it is advised to speak with an IT consultant before installing any remote applications to your infrastructure.

Creative Programs and Systems is an all-inclusive tech company that specializes in Custom Development, Managed IT Services, and Digital Marketing.  All work is done in-house. We never outsource services from custom server builds and workstations, custom software programming, and phone app development, to search engine optimization and paid advertising, our professionals provide results.  For more information on CPS, check out our website at https://www.cpsmi.com.



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Working Remotely During the COVID-19 Outbreak

With the recent news of the coronavirus, state officials have asked companies to allow their employees to continue their work remotely from home (if possible), to lessen the spread of the highly contagious illness. Many businesses are heavily dependent on technology and the use of computers, so working remotely for many companies can be effective with the right tools and plans in place. In this article, Stanford employees address several helpful tips on how to work from home effectively during this time of crisis. Although this article mentions this for Stanford specifically, most of the context can apply to any business that will allow remote connection. Helpful tips that you will find include getting approval, using the right software applications for remote access (VPN), phone forwarding, and more.

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Benefits Of Managed IT Services for Your Computer Needs


Running a business of any size is no small task for a person to accomplish. It can be quite stressful to always be deciding what is best for the company and finding new ways to make it more profitable and efficient. Knowing the ins and outs of your business is key to being successful but what happens when you require additional services such as computer IT that personnel at your business are not familiar with? We live in a world full of computers that are designed to make our lives and businesses easier to run and maintain but when the systems potentially go down or need upgrades as time continues to change rapidly with technology you will find there is a new problem to resolve. Outsourcing your IT needs or more specifically using managed IT will benefit your business dramatically and below you will find exact reasons why.

Preventative solutions that reduce risk

Every business investment will require some type of risk. When utilizing a managed IT company to service your computer IT needs, much of the risk is removed since you will gain the expertise and knowledge of the professionals in the IT field and will understand the compliance and security issues to be on the lookout for. Also, with the expert knowledge, precautions will be installed and will receive better performance with little to no downtime. Daily system scans are done on the entire network of the company to verify no security issues or will be informed of smaller issues that can be repaired faster than if a problem was neglected and became much larger in turn saving more money.

Predictable and Controlled Expenses

A customized plan will be designed by the managed IT consultants to provide the best solutions for your business no matter size if a small business or a global industry leader. Considerations that will help determine the plans that are enough for your company will be details discussed such as budgets, timelines, and future upgrades that are required to take place.  Once the proper plan is decided, it will give a peace of mind knowing that your IT will be able to maintain and provide quality service that you will not have to question what will be covered and what repairs won’t. Having managed service providers also help minimize the likelihood of inconvenient, and sometimes very expensive network disasters. 

Quicker Service

When businesses work with managed IT consultant’s they will receive the quickest response time support. Wide range of services include 24/7 system and network monitoring, server/ workstation installation and maintenance, security audits, employee troubleshooting and much more. At CPS, we also have a customer support portal that allows customers to request immediate support through in house IT ticket system that consultants can receive day or night. Proper monitoring of systems will inform your IT professionals when an issue is found before it becomes a large issue to save more downtime as well. Communication with software and hardware vendors can be done directly through managed IT company so that a business owner does not have to take additional time trying to understand technical terms or complicated conversations.

Creative Programs and Systems is an all-inclusive tech company that specializes in Custom Development, Managed IT Services, and Digital Marketing.  All work is done in-house, we never outsource services from custom server builds and workstations, custom software programming and phone app development, to search engine optimization and paid advertising, our professionals provide results.  For more information on CPS check out our website at https://www.cpsmi.com.



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What’s the Difference Between Computer Viruses and Malware?

Often the terms malware and computer virus are used interchangeably however they are in fact not the same.  A computer virus is just one type of malware that a computer can become infected with.  It is a commonly used term to describe an infection within a computer system.  The term malware is a broader term and refers to any and all malicious software that infects a computer, including a computer virus.  Two common types of malware that users are familiar with are spyware and adware.  It is crucial that users install protection software to fight off new malware as it occurs. 

Malware infections are infecting computer systems and mobile devices at growing rate.  Malware is a software program that has been created to cause damage and spread infection from a host system to systems the host comes in “contact” with.  Including computer viruses, malware includes various types of software including trojan horses, worms, adware, and spyware.  The most aggressive malware, known as ransomware, works to gain financially from computer users. 

Viruses:  As previously stated, a computer virus is one type of malware on its own.  A virus is infectious software code that is used to infect a host system and spreads when it runs.  Computer viruses are most often spread when software is shared between computers.  It is similar to a parasite in that the virus “feeds” off the host computer and spreads from the host.  Once the host shares the virus it then continues to spread to systems that it is shared with.   A lot of users with viruses end up with them due to receiving and opening an email that has a virus infection. The more the email is shared, the more systems ultimately become infected.

Adware: Infected software that comes through in the form of advertisements is known as adware.  This type of malware that provides advertisements in order to bring in revenue for the source.  The infected ad is shown to the computer user and when the ad is installed the system is infected.  Adware software is coded in a manner that it uses the sites that users often visit to create related ads.  Although all adware does not have the intent to harmful it becomes a problem because it slows down computer function and can be quite aggravating. 

Spyware: Software that spies on your online activity and tracks where you go on the internet in order to gather information on the user is known as spyware.  Users do not consent to the tracking and often do not know it is running.  Spyware is a difficult type of malware to detect.  Employers may install spyware programs to monitor the online activity of users.  Employer installed spyware software will not spread.

Worms:  A worm is a malware type that duplicates itself and annihilates the information and files that are saved on the pc including the operating and data files.

Trojan: Trojans are a virus that has been created in a manner that builds user trust by making them think they are about to tun a safe program.  They are designed to steal information and then take over the files within the computer system.  In larger commercial settings, Trojans can make network resources unavailable to users when they try to reach it.

Ransomware: The most malicious type of malware is known as ransomware.  Users are unable to access the system until they have paid a fee.  Often times a pop-up shows on the computer screen which states the user has been locked out.  It will state that a ransom fee needs to be paid in order to remove any restrictions that have been placed on the system.  Cryptolocker is the most well-known type of ransomware today. 

If you believe that your personal computer, server, or network workstation has become infected with malware it is critical that the system is shut down and immediately scanned by software that is specifically designed to locate and remove infections.  The professional IT specialists at Creative Programs and Systems can perform these scans via remote desktop, in person at your location, or on-site in our Brighton, MI location. 

Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, is an all-inclusive IT solutions company offering a variety of services including: managed IT services, IT consulting, residential computer services, custom programming, website design, iphone & android app development, and more.  More information can be found at https://cpsmi.com.



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Top 5 Benefits of IT Consulting

As businesses move their operations online, the important of quality IT consulting services has become essential to operating companies of all sizes.  Many times, companies, especially small scaled business, cannot manage full time, in-house IT department and must rely on an external team that specializes in IT affairs from time to time.

It’s often too costly and resource intensive for companies to devout an entire division of their company to managing their IT services.  Therefore, it is crucial, to beat competitive forces within the market and avail top-notch IT services for uninterrupted growth of your business, it is important to hire a trustworthy team of IT consulting professionals.

Below we have highlighted the top five reasons for hiring IT consultants to service your company’s IT needs.

Provides Money Savings:

When companies hire IT consultant they are often able to save money on overhead costs as well as taxes.  IT experts can also help you save money and time that can be utilized in other aspects of growth within the business.  It is important to plan for IT services within your business to ensure that you are getting the right support to solve all your technical issues while providing insight to help with the growth of their company.

Expert Guidance:

Hiring an IT consulting company for your business means making a connection with a team of experts that can understand common business problem, requirements, and solutions. People working in the IT field can help you to benefit from the latest technologies and most effective strategies. It is the best way to avoid threats within the technology industry and move ahead with the trends to ensure the utmost growth for your business.

Boost Business Productivity:

The latest IT technologies can help you to find ways to improve business productivity. An experienced IT consulting team will help you to use innovative strategies to improve collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing abilities so that employees can take innovative decisions. The connectivity between employer, employee, and client can be improved via email communications, mobile platforms, broadband connectivity, central databases and advanced file servers.

Focusing on Core Business Developments:

When non-IT professionals are inundated with IT problems on the premises, it causes a waste of time and resources. Instead, these professionals need to focus on their core area of interest so that they can ensure more growth opportunities with their creative ideas not IT issues that they have no idea how to handle. When you have an external dedicated team for handling all IT issues, your internal staff can find more time to work for revenue generation process and it can naturally bring more benefits to your business.

Reduce Downtime:

No one can tolerate downtime for business but when a typical IT issue is not solved on time, it can make your business unavailable to your clients and they will find it annoying. It is important to make efforts to maximize uptime of your business and one way to do this is to hire professional IT consulting services. They provide 24×7 IT support services so that your business can always stay ahead in the competition.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com/computerconsulting.  To contact one of our IT experts call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

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Mistakes That Decrease the Longevity of Your Laptop


Purchasing a laptop isn’t a small investment and can be quite expensive if you need to repair or replace it.  It is important that a laptop is kept in top shape to increases its longevity and effectiveness.  Here are some tips on what to avoid in order to keep your laptop running efficiently for as long as possible.

Don’t Take the Term Laptop Too Literally

Nope, unlike the name states a laptop should never be set on top of your lap.  The truth is that by putting a laptop on your lap you actually decrease the lifespan of your machine.  A laptops processor, which is the brain of the PC, gets hot!  The vent to release the heat is likely to be located on the bottom of the laptop where ventilation is scarce.  This vent if covered by pants or blankets the laptop overheats. Another side effect of putting a laptop on your lap is that dust begins to settle.  Even when this dust is then removed using canned air it is not really removed, it is just shuffled internally which can hurt the processor and internal workings of the laptop as well.

Don’t Forget to Shut Your Laptop Off Occasionally

It is so easy to simply close the laptop lid at the end of the night without shutting it down however this isn’t always what is best for the health of the laptop.  Many of us fall into this trap because the next morning when we want to use it, the computer boots up within seconds.  By shutting down your laptop on a regular basis, it allows the PC to install the fixes that need to run in order to update the software vulnerabilities.  Laptops, like desktops, do not apply the fixes unless the computer is restarted.  For the best results we recommend shutting your laptop down at least once a week (or more).  

Don’t Overlook the Importance of a Surge Protector

Using a surge protector should be quite obvious however, so many people forget to use one when using their laptops.  It is common to hear that you should unplug electronics during storms.  If your laptop is plugged in and lighting hits and the computer is not plugged into a surge protector, you will likely fry your laptop.  

Don’t Disregard the Importance of Installing an Antivirus

This too should go without saying, an antivirus is critical for the protection of your laptop.  Antivirus protection is essential for both laptops and desktops as it keeps the bugs from getting into your systems.  Which let’s be clear, happens all the time when you are surfing the internet.  Malware and virus’s make your computer run hot and can “break” your laptop.  Antivirus should be installed and regularly updated to keep your system safe.

Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, is an all-inclusive IT solutions company offering a variety of services including: managed IT services, IT consulting, residential computer services, custom programming, website design, iphone & android app development, and more.  More information can be found at https://cpsmi.com.