Month: November 2020

The decorations are up, the playlist full of carols is on and the holiday food bellies are coming out! BUT, is your business prepared for the holiday season? There are many items on your checklist, but here are a few from a technology standpoint.

1. Schedule disruptive work whilst you are closed

The excuses used to put off maintenance during the year are no longer relevant during the holiday period. Use the empty office to your advantage and the holiday period, wisely. Finish the office renovations, complete major infrastructure upgrades and enter 2021 prepared for success. We are staying open this Holiday Season to complete major projects for our customers, staying true to our purpose of supporting our business community to achieve their mission. Please contact us if you require assistance during this time.

2. Back up all data

Unfortunately, 2020 didn’t come with a reset button, BUT you can create one (of sorts) for your data. Do a final back up of all your documents before you leave and, preferably, before any eggnog is consumed. That way, if anything goes south, you can click the ‘restore’ button, and reset your 2021.

3. Shut down all equipment properly

You may be surprised to hear this, but your computer, as in, a man-made machine, sometimes needs a break too. When shut down, all software and programs are closed and the random access memory (RAM), which is the short-term memory in the computer is cleared. This means that when re-booted, the computer will run much more efficiently. Other benefits include extended lifespan of the technology, saving money and adding an extra security layer, as the device and its programs are closed.

4. Create “out-of-office” messages

You are leaving yourself open to negative customer experiences when you do not communicate your opening hours with your customers. Make the message clear that you are closed for business to minimise communication and eliminate the temptation of the ‘follow-up’ email. Hot Tip: The poor person who is sending emails during the holidays is clearly not sipping cocktails in Mykonos. So, be creative with your out-of-office message and use it as an opportunity to brighten someone’s day.

Happy Holidays!

The silly season is nearly here and Michael Bublé is defrosting as we speak! It’s always a fun time of year; a time to escape and drown your sorrows in pudding and custard. However, we would HATE to have you return to the same problems in 2021. So, allow us to enlighten you on how to make the most of the Holiday Season.

1. Schedule major projects and maintenance

What if I told you that whilst having fun, work can be done? When the Team is away, the Labourers come out to play! Use the empty office to your advantage and book in all projects and maintenance that would usually disrupt your workspace. At ADITS, we are staying open so we can complete as many big projects as possible for our clients, whilst they are enjoying some downtime.

2. Ensure remote access

We all know the feeling: a spur of motivation to ‘quickly’ tick off an item on your forever extending ‘When I return from Holidays’ list.
‘It will only take 2 minutes,’ you try and justify to family and friends. Well, allow it to only take 2-minutes by ensuring your IT Provider has given you remote access before you leave on holiday. This way, you can quickly access all workplace systems and documentation from your phone or device in a safe and secure way.

3. Work ON the business

Use this time away from the office to (literally) look at the business from the outside. Take a course, find a mentor, update documentation, or plan for the future. Use the New Year motivation to your advantage and get stuck in! Who knows, ADITS may be launching something to help with that very soon…

4. Rest and relax

Remember, it is Christmas, after all. Resting and recharging can often be one of, if not the, best ways to utilise the Holiday Season. You can also use the time to boost other areas of your life, such as your health, wellbeing, social life, and family time. Hot Tip: Try and find sustainable practices to maintain when the hustle and bustle of work life returns.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Increased cyberattacks have been the result of a wave of new, sophisticated attack methods which are hitting our country. Our Townsville community have become a target area in recent times, with our most vulnerable falling victim.
ADITS’ Security Operations Manager, Dave Jacob was asked by 7News to provide actionable advice on identifying cyber scams and preventing these attacks.
A Townsville pensioner has been led up the garden path, after a scammer stole her ride-on mower.
The 65-year-old thought she’d found a buyer online – but instead she’s been left hundreds of dollars out of pocket.

Story by 7News Townsville

Crystal Rivers normally takes people on face value, but a recent run in with a scammer has made her think twice.

“I don’t want to not trust people, but it makes it really hard for me to trust anyone,” she said.

Last week, she advertised her ride on lawn mower for sale on Facebook marketplace. She exchanged a few messages and organised for someone to come and have a look at it

“They had a look at it and said, ‘oh yes, it’s great! I love it ‘. I did have it up for $900 but I was willing to sell it to him for $700 because he was one of the army boys” she recalled.

The deal was done and the mower was taken. Crystal was waiting for the money to go into her bank account, but, it never did.

“He called on a private number so I couldn’t call him back.”

She said the man was wearing an army uniform and drove away in a blue ute.

The incident has prompted a warning from cyber security experts.

“My advice would be to always maintain a level of mistrust and try to keep in mind you may not always know who you are dealing with,” ADITS Security Operations Manager, Dave Jacob advised.

He add that if you are selling online, then do it through PayPal.

“You can see the transaction happen automatically and make sure you don’t let go of your goods without receiving payment”.

Reporter: Yasmin Bonnel, 7News 

Although this year, you may not be able to (social) distance yourself as far from your desk as you would like, its important that you prepare for your time off, accordingly. We are here to help you do just that, so you can put your feet up, and keep them up!

1. Prepare your workforce

If your business is staying open, ensure that your employees are prepped to run a tight ship whilst you are away. Conduct training that specifically prepares them for the unique period. Remember, if hiring extra staff, think about whether you would hire them in a full-time position before doing so.

2. Prepare your inventory

There is nothing worse than a potential customer being turned away due to out-of-stock issues. Anticipate demand based on previous years or competitor’s sales and ensure your stock levels are adequate to make product sales and complete services.

3. Remote access

Let’s face it, problems are inevitable, and they may be issues where your attention is required. But why go into the workplace to deal with them if you don’t have to? Before you go away, ensure your IT Provider has given you sufficient remote access. This way, you can check-in from the comfort of your home office, the couch, or even the loo (Hey – we are covering all bases here!).

4. Place your IT Team on speed-dial

Although you are having downtime, your systems should not be. As an IT Provider available 24/7, we are available for any and all service requests, no matter the day or time. Please add us to your Favourites List to make contact even easier. As long as you promise not to take advantage and call us to escape Great Aunt Marge at Christmas Dinner.

Have a safe and happy Holiday!