Cell phones like iPads can now be found in even the smallest businesses, making it important for IT managers to engage in mobile device management. If employees are not taking their personal mobiles to work (BYOD), employers are providing these devices, creating challenges for IT managers tasked with protecting company networks from unauthorized use. On any given day, IT staff may not know how many or what type of devices are accessing their networks, creating a very dangerous situation.

The Mobile Device Management Challenge

A single employee who unintentionally exposes the company to a network security breach can cripple operations and even incur regulatory penalties. This presents quite a challenge for IT staff, which means it also creates an opportunity for companies that provide a solution. These organizations help businesses manage and secure mobile devices with authorized access to corporate networks. There is much potential in this line of work because the situation will only become more complex as the popularity of smart phones become standard fixtures in the workplace.

IT managers must promote safe use of laptops, tablets, and smartphones, whether these are personally owned or company-provided. Otherwise, the security breach or leak could be catastrophic. While some employers originally banned personally owned devices from the workplace, they have quickly realized that this is, at the very least, impractical and in most cases, impossible. The situation is complicated by the fact that many employees use these devices to perform their jobs.

The Mobile Device Management Solution

A new aspect of the IT channel has developed and it is called the mobility management service provider, or MMSP. It encompasses consulting services designed to establish workplace mobile device policies, management, and security. These services help business customers implement a secure platform for all devices mobile that is compliant with data storage, recovery, use, and transmission. Providers of these solutions must harness the opportunities presented by this environment to develop solutions for businesses of all sizes.

These solution providers are not without external resources. The Computing Technology Industry Association, referred to as CompTIA, is lending a helping hand by developing resources and training programs geared toward enterprise-wide accommodation of mobile devices. It has developed an advisory board featuring phone manufacturers, carriers, application developers, and solution providers that will help direct its training initiatives.

However, solution providers should not await a program from CompTIA. They should reach out to businesses, helping them to manage mobile fleets and protect their networks. Through this collaboration, IT managers can develop company policies regarding use of personal cell phones and other smart devices. They can also be convinced to secure these devices or issue devices owned by the company.

Several benefits are realized when paying to make a personal cell phone secure. IT managers protect the employer and provide workers with a value-added benefit. Though time and effort are required to manage mobile devices within the workplace, these are justified. Solution providers providing device management offer the framework required to make the job easier for IT managers who already have too much on their plates.

To the uninitiated, working in the retail clothing business may not seem like a glamorous job. To those working a register at a department store, it may not be. But to the owner of a clothing store who is passionate about the business, it can be very rewarding. You stand at the front lines of fashion. You must make decisions each year about which direction to go in when it comes to the trending styles. You see the fruits of your labor first hand as customers walk out of your store with their purchases. But in all of the excitement about fashion, you can’t forget about the little niceties that make a purchase complete. Putting thought into the apparel boxes you use is an important aspect of giving the customer a presentation they will remember fondly.

Respect

For department stores and discount retailers, throwing a customer’s clothing purchases into a plastic bag may be just fine. For a high end retailer, however, you’re only undercutting your own presentation if you go this route. It costs only a little more to use apparel boxes, but it can make a big difference when it comes to the impression you make on the customer. The box itself can go into those plastic bags you spent time putting your logo all over. Think about it. You never want your competition to outdo you in any area. If your customers are used to getting apparel boxes from the shop across town, what are they going to think when you stuff their dresses into a bag? Don’t let the small things put you at a disadvantage.

Gifts

Even when customers will accept their purchases being placed in a bag, they may want to purchase something as a gift on occasion. In those instances, you would be well advised to provide them with a vehicle for which they can do so. Sure, anyone can go to a second store to get a box for gift-giving purposes. But if you can give them what they need at your store, you’re creating loyalty in a way that is immeasurable. Even if you don’t intend to use them for every purchase, having apparel boxes on hand will give you the opportunity to say, “yes” when a customer asks if you have them. That can be more powerful than you may think.

Suppliers

While they can be important to have on hand, you never want your apparel boxes to be the weak link in your quality chain. If you are selling a product you’re proud of, you don’t want them to go into a cheap, flimsy box. Spend some time and find a supplier that can get you a sturdy container. If possible, have your company’s logo imprinted on the top. If you can find a supplier who can do all of this for a price that makes sense, forge a relationship that will serve you well for years.

Competitive intelligence is a necessity for companies. Analysts are capable of learning about the competition and getting the information across to those who want it, which does build up a company. Of course, the owner must be able to understand everything they are presented with to make the most of it. They are not analysts, they will not process all of the information in the same way an analyst will. Some might fear going outside of their company for this type of information, even thinking they can do it all on their own. Being able to tell them in a way they will understand that the information is not only helpful, but also necessary to get ahead in the business world is not so difficult. There are many competitive intelligence examples where the work has brought the company more ideas and information, bettering the company in the end.

Having a business understand the need for a competitive intelligence analyst is the first step, of course. When in talks, it is good if they know of some competitive intelligence examples, ones that they are capable of relating to and understanding. Owners might have some hesitation with an analyst if they have never used one before, especially if they are unaware of how it works. The truth is that an analyst does aid a business in bringing in more business and getting ahead of the competition, things that cannot be achieved alone. Analysts are professionals who can find everything, and all in a smaller amount of time. They know where to go and how to make the most out of everything available, things that business owners alone might not know.

After they begin to open up to the idea of using an analyst, they must know the information presented to them. Luckily, competitive intelligence templates exist for that very reason. They organize the information in a simple and easy to understand way that all business owners will be able to read and use to their advantage. Without one, even the best analyst may not be capable of getting the information across to the owner in an understandable fashion. They do not have the same mind or knowledge that a professional, skilled analyst does, which means providing them with their information in a simple way is necessary. Every person is different but they all want what it is they paid for, like information. A competitive intelligence template provides owners with their information and in a way that every one of them, regardless of what they know about competitive intelligence, will understand.

It is no secret that analysts are a major part of a company’s growth. They provide them with insight and information that, otherwise, they might have never known or thought of. What they are given is capable of being used to bring up business and get ahead of the competition. The first step to doing this, though, is having the information laid out in an understandable way. A competitive intelligence template does exactly that because it is completely organized, making it easier on everyone. Every owner wants to be a success, and the analysts make it so, while also making it easy.

Dealing with remote traffic and customer traffic

Given the transportation issues the Olympics will create for inner and Greater London, many companies will likely allow some employees to work from home. For this to work seamlessly, they must ensure their data centres or virtual servers are prepared for the influx in traffic that working from home will bring. A large number of staff accessing email, database software or other business operations at the same time could overload the server; potentially crippling productivity. As a result, using a server (cloud or dedicated) which provides scalability for growth is essential in order to cope with such an influx.

Businesses face a similar situation when it comes to their customer-facing systems. A major event can create added demand for websites and all their functionalities, but for those with cloud servers, this shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. Cloud computing is easily scalable, so a spike in traffic doesn’t have to mean potential crashes or slower loading times.

Furthermore, server capacity can be scaled up or down as required. This means that during the Games, businesses can feel secure in the knowledge that they can attract as many customers as possible to their website without fear of overloading their host. Conversely, when customer numbers are down, businesses can reduce capacity; making cloud hosting a cost-effective option throughout the year.

Keeping everything secure

Online security is another challenge which presents itself thanks to the Olympics. E-commerce sites are particularly vulnerable, given their sophisticated payment processes and the confidential information they hold. The rise in remote working could also leave networks at risk, so security – across the board – is a vital consideration.

There are a range of solutions that can aid a business’ security – like encryption, endpoint security and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). These can help quash the threat of unauthorised access. A business’ cloud host or data centre should be able to advise them on the best methods to use for their individual website; helping them gain the upper hand on intelligent cyber criminals.

In terms of securing remote access for workers, endpoint security can prove highly effective; combining a firewall, anti-virus software, network access control and program control. Furthermore, VDI forces data to remain in the data centre, so sharing documents or saving files from remote devices is not allowed. Coupled with restricting access on parameters such as date, time, location, device and user, businesses should be well-equipped security-wise to deal with any challenges.

Take advantage of this event

The Olympics should provide firms with the springboard they need to outline a comprehensive IT strategy and security plan, especially for small to medium-sized businesses which are new to the challenge and hadn’t necessarily been able to justify the budget needed before now.

Businesses that remain ill-equipped for the challenges the Olympics present could find themselves regretting it post-Games; especially if it affects their customer bases and ultimately, their profits/reputations.

At PEER 1 Hosting, we are uniquely positioned to help organisations doing online business in London during the summer events.

Our wholly owned and managed 10Gbps FastFiber Network™, Portsmouth Data Centre, High Availability and Disaster Recovery Services and Content Distribution Network (CDN) are designed and managed to deliver uptime and reliability at all times. And because they circumvent the network quagmire that will be London during June and July, businesses that need to be online nonstop can stay online nonstop.