Great Lakes Computer Corporation

Managed Service Provider

You are here: Home / Great Lakes Blog

Great Lakes Blog

By

Why Law Firms Love Managed Print

Managed Print ServicesLaw firms are full of busy people who are heavily reliant on technology to accomplish their daily tasks. While laser printers, copy and fax machines and more are present in nearly every law office, most of these same offices lack a full-time printer technician or an IT specialist.
This opens the door for potential downtime whenever printers are in need of repair and can be very costly to a productive law firm. Additionally, the expenses associated with printing in general have steadily increased over the years, accounting for up to 3% of total expenses for some organizations.
What do law firms that use Managed Print Services (MPS) know that the rest don’t?
An MPS has the potential to significantly reduce overall printing costs while eliminating the hassle of dealing with printer repairs and re-ordering of toner, ink and paper supplies.
Outsourcing to an MPS is an excellent choice for law firms of all sizes for the following reasons:
• Printing expenses can be streamlined and reduced. Most law firms handle a significant amount of printed material every day but may be unaware how many printed sheets are wasted. A study conducted by Lexmark found that an average of 17% of all pages printed contained information the user didn’t want. Hiring an MPS can reduce printing costs by as much as 30% after the completion of an initial print audit.
• Legal professionals will be able to focus on what they do best and enjoy reduced printer downtime. It’s an inevitable fact that printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines will all need repair sooner or later. Lawyers and paralegals aren’t experts in these areas and may spend inordinate amounts of time fiddling with these machines when they go down. An MPS will proactively maintain your print related hardware and promptly repair devices should the need arise, reducing and often eliminating printer downtime while leaving your team members free to do what they do best.
• Ordering of print-related products is simplified. Instead of continuously re-ordering toner, ink, paper and other print related supplies, an MPS will handle these aspects and provide one simple monthly invoice. Billing is done on a per-page basis so you only pay for what you use; a print audit is also likely to reveal areas where the number of pages printed can easily be reduced to minimize costs.
• Specialized software applications improve the quality of printed pages and continuous monitoring increases security. A specialized software application may be utilized to improve the overall quality of printed material within your office while reducing the volume of printed pages, toner usage and more. An MPS will also ensure that data within your print network remains secure and confidential.
Law Firms of All Sizes Benefit From Managed Print
No matter how small or large your law firm, outsourcing aspects of your printing needs to a Managed Print provider is likely to save you money while improving the quality of print jobs. You’ll enjoy reduced hassle and the peace of mind of knowing that your print and copy related hardware is proactively maintained to minimize any potential downtime waiting for devices to be repaired. The print technicians at Great Lakes Computer provide MPS packages to meet the needs of every law firm. Give us a call today to learn how we can help streamline your organization.

By

Be Cyber Safe: October Is National Cyber Security Month

Cyber SecuritySince 2004, October has been observed as National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) and was created in a collaborative manner between the U.S. government and industry in the hopes of increasing awareness regarding cyber security in general. Do you know how to protect your cyber security, and why it’s important for everyone?

President Obama has stated that cyber security is a shared responsibility rather than one that can be handled by large organizations alone. Every individual must take ownership of the choices they make while online and much can be improved through education and awareness of the risks and means to protect oneself. Although the overall theme of NCSAM is Our Shared Responsibility, multiple sub-themes highlight specific aspects of information which can help protect the public and our internet in general.

Highlighted Themes During 2016 Cyber Security Month

• Basic Steps to Online Safety and Security. Taking a moment to pause and think before connecting to the internet can make a huge difference in security measures. Maintaining a strong password and utilizing two-part verification on all important accounts are excellent steps to integrate into one’s daily internet practice. This theme also encourages teaching children how to safely use the internet and covers the outlook for cyber security jobs of today and tomorrow.

• Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity in the Workplace. Internet usage has become commonplace in workplaces of all sizes.  Employees must be taught a set of best practices to reduce the risk of introducing malware, ransomware or a virus to their company’s network which could compromise sensitive data within the organization.

• Recognizing and Combating Cybercrime. Cybercrime is no longer limited to hackers who wish to steal personal information; issues including revenge porn, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and more have become more prevalent over the internet. This theme hopes to expand awareness of the different types of cybercrimes and how individuals can work in conjunction with law enforcement to protect themselves.

• Our Continuously Connected Lives: What’s Your “Aptitude”? Online software applications are now available for virtually every aspect of our lives and are essential for the smooth operation of industries ranging from health care organizations to governmental bodies. Our world is expected to only increase in interconnectedness and this theme focuses on maintaining safety, security and privacy during this rapidly expanding time.

• Building Resilience in Critical Systems. As a nation, the critical infrastructure supporting our electrical grid, transportation and communication systems and more is impacted by internet security. The public plays an important role in keeping this network secure and best safety practices will be highlighted within this theme during NCSAM.

Read more on the StaySafeOnline.org site.

Keep Your Network Secure

Keeping your organization’s network secure can be a challenge considering the speed at which new forms of malware, ransomware or viruses can appear. Numerous free tools are available to check the security aspects within your computer, yet many companies have determined that outsourcing aspects of their IT setup, including network security, is an economical solution that allows even small businesses the ability to harness expertise in the field which is not feasibly obtained in-house. Great Lakes Computer is available to meet all of your IT needs and can maintain a high level of cyber security for the sensitive information in your care.

By

Ransomware Attacks Now Top Threat to Financial Industry

ransomwareThere have been plenty of reports of ransomware attacks over the last two years. It’s clearly on the rise. New reports show that ransomware is now the top cyber security threat to the financial industry, which tends to be the most security conscience sector. Darknews tells us more with some alarming stats.

Some 55% of financial services firms recently surveyed by SANS report ransomware as the top attack threat, followed by phishing (50%), which previously held the top spot. More than 32% of financial firms say they’ve lost anywhere from $100,000 to a half-million dollars due to ransomware attacks.
Ransomware’s infiltration of the security-forward financial services industry underscores the dramatic rise in ransomware over the past year and growing pressure on preparedness. The malware that infects machines and holds them for ransom payment by the victim is the fastest-growing form of malware today, with more than 4,000 ransomware attacks per day since January 1 of this year. That’s an increase of 300% since 2015, and security experts at Trend Micro say ransomware cost enterprises some $209 million in the first half of 2016.
Attackers are also tucking ransomware alongside and inside other attacks. Some ransomware attacks hold the machine for ransom and then also use it to wage distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on other victims. More than half of DDoS attacks worldwide ultimately lead to ransomware and other malware attacks, according to a new study by Neustar.
Meanwhile, organizations of all sizes and industries are getting infected with ransomware. The difference between those who get stung and those who survive relatively unscathed is preparedness – and sometimes a little luck.
Backing up data regularly and keeping a clean backup has always been one of the key recommendations for surviving a ransomware infection. Even endpoints running the most up-to-date software, email filters, and other security layers can get hit with ransomware: all it takes is for a user to fall for a phishing email and to open a malicious attachment or link.
But how a backup is managed can be the difference between losing data to the attackers unless you pay, or retrieving data and eradicating the ransomware.
Travis Smith, senior security research engineer at Tripwire, says the old 3-2-1 strategy applies: “Always have three copies of data, one that is offsite [or] offline,” he says. “What’s also very important for companies to adopt in today’s ransomware world: we’ve seen ransomware that targets backup systems, so when you try to bring backups back online you don’t have the ability to restore from the backups.”
Data backup and proper security measures are crucial to surviving a ransomware attack. If you believe you are experiencing a ransomware attack, contact the data backup and recovery experts at Great Lakes Computer right away. The sooner our techs can get working on the issue, the more likely you are to recover from it unscathed. Want to learn more about our experience with this type of cyber attack? Read a case study about one of our clients.

By

US Gov’t Issues Malware Warning Tied to Hurricane Matthew

MalwareWeather isn’t the only threat to fear in a hurricane. Cyber criminals are using the chaos and destruction following Hurricane Matthew to take advantage of unsuspecting web users using malware and phishing scams. The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) issued a press release tuesday with six preventative measures to take.

US-CERT warns users to remain vigilant for malicious cyber activity seeking to capitalize on interest in Hurricane Matthew. Users are advised to exercise caution in handling any email with subject line, attachments, or hyperlinks related to Hurricane Matthew, even if it appears to originate from a trusted source. Fraudulent emails will often contain links or attachments that direct users to phishing or malware-infected websites. Emails requesting donations from deceptive charitable organizations commonly appear after major natural disasters.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to use caution when encountering these types of email messages and take the following preventative measures to protect themselves from phishing scams and malware campaigns:

    • Do not follow unsolicited web links in email messages.
    • Use caution when opening email attachments. Refer to the Security Tip Using Caution with Email Attachments for more information on safely handling email attachments.
    • Keep antivirus and other computer software up-to-date.
    • Refer to the Security Tip Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.
    • Review the Federal Trade Commission information on Charity Scams.
    • Verify the legitimacy of any email solicitation by contacting the organization directly through a trusted contact number. You can find trusted contact information for many charities on the BBB National Charity Report Index.

Be wary of hurricane related content from untrusted sources. If you’re unsure if your antivirus is up-to-date, or if your network is secure, contact the security experts at Great Lakes Computer today.

Learn more about our Data Security Product Suite

By

Tips to Keep Your Thermal Printers Up & Running

Thermal PrinterThermal printers are innovative, technological products that can provide amazing benefits for many businesses. Some companies rely heavily on their use, and extended downtime due to maintenance issues can prove very costly. In order to get the most out of your thermal printer and keep it in optimal condition for as long as possible, there are several important guidelines you can follow.

Make sure the settings fit your needs

With many thermal printers you can adjust certain settings that are related to the quality and the speed of the print job in question. In general, faster and higher-quality printing is going to put more wear and tear on the machine. If you find that the performance of the settings outstrips your current needs, you may be able to reduce the strain on your thermal printer and extend its life by adjusting the settings accordingly.

When not in use, cover the printer and keep it out of high-traffic areas

Sometimes the smallest details can make a big difference when it comes to sensitive technology. Many thermal printers are located in areas where significant dust and debris can accumulate, potentially wreaking havoc on the small parts of the printer. Always keep your thermal printer covered when it isn’t in use, and try to position it away from heavy foot traffic or machinery when possible to reduce the risk of accidental damage.

Clean the printer head and inside of the printer frequently

Printer heads for thermal printers are notoriously sensitive, and cleaning them regularly is a crucial step in maximizing their lifespan. The manufacturer’s instruction manual should include information on safely cleaning the printer head. Abrasive materials could damage the head, so remember to always clean it with a soft cloth. It’s also important to gently wipe the inside of the printer to minimize dust and other particles building up inside. Proper cleaning of the head and the printer will increase the quality of your print jobs and help you get the most out of your investment.

Use high-quality supplies

When it comes to the media you’ll be using with your thermal printer, it pays to purchase high-quality products, specifically those that are recommended by the manufacturer or dealer. Cheap labels often use substandard adhesive, and they can also be a source of debris building up inside the machine.

Check for loose parts

As thermal printers go through regular usage some parts may begin to loosen and be in danger of falling and damaging sensitive materials. It’s good practice to routinely examine all of the parts to determine if any need to be tightened.

Leave your thermal printer maintenance to the experts

When you partner with a managed print service company, you can relieve yourself of all of the worry of maintaining your important thermal printers. Great Lakes Computer specializes in thermal printer maintenance, repair, and supply ordering, so that our clients can always rely on their thermal printers to be running smoothly when they need them most.

Learn more about our Thermal Printer Sales, Supplies and Support

By

Easier Office Moves: Tips for Relocating Office Technology

Office MovePlanning for office moves involves much more than just calling a moving truck to haul out the furniture and desks. Relocating office technology includes moving computers and servers and is perhaps one of the most critical aspects of shifting locations, as your company is almost certainly dependent on technology. Minimizing downtime is the key to maintaining satisfied customers and productive employees so you’ll want to be sure you’ve planned ahead in preparation for the big moving day.

Ensure You’ll Have Services Available Before You Make the Move

Ensuring that you’ll have internet and phone services needed upon arrival is not only a smart move but one that may make a huge difference in your bottom line. Although not a complete list, determining the following aspects and calling ahead to have everything activated before your office moves will minimize headaches:

    • The ideal size and speed data pipe (bandwidth) you’ll need to support the new location of your business;
    • Whether your phone system will be integrated into the data connection or enters the office as a separate cable/line;
    • The condition of your old office equipment and whether it is time to upgrade;
    • Whether your office is better suited to cabling each connection or if wireless is more appropriate;
    • The number of outlets needed to power all the devices in your new office and whether or not a backup power source will be required.

Extra Care Will Protect Your Devices and Minimize Downtime

Throwing computers into boxes is definitely not a good idea when your office moves! Not only will this create disorder that can make the unpacking and reconnecting process extremely difficult and time consuming, you may also lose critical data and will miss out on an ideal opportunity to evaluate the overall state of your IT system and setup. By completing the following steps, the entire moving process will be streamlined while ensuring that your data will be protected and ready to go upon arrival:

    • Backup validation. Prior to moving computers, servers and any other technological equipment, a complete backup on your entire system should be executed.
    • Utilize labels and organize carefully. Once all of the equipment has been powered down in the appropriate order, careful labeling of each and every item will simplify the reconnection process and minimize downtime. Every computer workstation, keyboard, mouse, etc. should be carefully packed with special protective equipment to prevent damage. By creating an identifier for each workstation along with a “move chart” displaying where each station needs to go in your new office, you’ll avoid confusion.
    • Once at your new location, unpack every computer and device contained in your office according to the “move chart” specifications. At this point the systems can be powered up and reconnected to the network to get your office up and running in as little time as possible.

Take the Stress Out of Your Move

The professionals at Great Lakes Computer are available to help make your office moves stress free. We can manage all aspects of your technology moving needs and can provide you with a prompt, customized quote for our services. We’ll get your IT system and connections up and running quickly so you don’t have to lose money as a result of excessive downtime.

Contact Us