Coleman Technologies Blog

Skype, once a popular and beloved video chat platform, has reached the end of its rope (in a manner of speaking). Microsoft is discontinuing the 20-year-old communication application, instead focusing its efforts on Microsoft Teams. The last update to Skype will be on May 5, but that doesn’t change the impact Skype had on the development of modern communication tools.

Teams Really is Replacing Skype

Microsoft is enabling Skype users to import their communications, including chats, contacts, photos, call history, and so on, all to the Teams platform, effectively preserving and replacing it at the same time.

This will occur based on a pop-up that Microsoft has added to Skype; you can watch this YouTube video for a look at it.

But Why?

The one big reason why Skype is disappearing is because all the other tools it inspired have surpassed it.

Skype was founded in 2003, then acquired by Microsoft in 2011 as a part of its efforts to expand its enterprise collaboration solutions. During this time, it also acquired Bing to help out its new Windows Phone 7 OS (look how far that went). Microsoft then completed a rebrand of its existing communication platform, Lync, as Skype for Business, and bundled it with Office until 2021, when it was discontinued.

Unfortunately for Skype enthusiasts (we know you’re out there… we think), its time has come to join the ever-growing list of discontinued software.

Skype is a Reminder of IT’s Ugly Truths

No software lasts forever, and it’s beneficial to keep an eye on new technology innovations, even if they will eventually fade with time.

Technology by nature will grow outdated with time, so you should expect improvements, updates, and changes to happen while you’re going about your business–whether you’re ready or not. You should always be ready to adjust your technology plans according to what big software developers like Microsoft are planning for widely-used solutions. Thankfully, we can help make any new adjustments easy with our managed IT services.

To learn more about how Coleman Technologies can support your business’ IT, contact us at (604) 513-9428 today.

Business technology can sometimes seem like a hedonic treadmill: you maintain a baseline level of operation with your IT, but it will inevitably fail, leaving you in the tough situation of having to replace it. Today, we want to help you get ahead of the curve a bit with a technology needs assessment. We’ll discuss the benefits of a needs assessment, as well as what it focuses on both now and in the future.

Why Conduct a Needs Assessment?

Simply put, a needs assessment ensures that your business is using its technological assets to their fullest potential.

A needs assessment provides a full picture of how each of your IT solutions are used, as well as the challenges that you face with your infrastructure. It can offer a bird’s eye view of your infrastructure and expose troublesome issues that you haven’t yet addressed. You’ll learn more about how your infrastructure is working, as well as what could be improved upon.

For example, if you discover a persistent problem, you can consider new solutions that can help you address the issue.

Considering the Past, Present, and Future of Your Business

Look, we’ve all made mistakes—especially in business, where one bad decision years ago can influence things even now.

Business IT is the same, and poor decisions or investments that seemed fine at the time could have led to significant challenges. Think about your past decisions and whether they have yielded a return on investment. But don’t dwell on them—we’re simply looking for opportunities for better decision-making, not for reasons to beat yourself up or question your skill as a business owner.

Here’s a list of questions you can ask for your needs assessment:

• Were certain solutions worth the investment?
• Were staff receptive to the implementation of these solutions?
• How much capital was lost during the implementation process?
• Did the solution yield the expected outcome, and if not, why?

Of course, you should also consider the present and future for your business, too, with these questions:

• Can your employees effectively do their work?
• If not, is it a policy issue, a motivation issue, or a technology issue?
• Could a technology solution present a real and tangible opportunity for improvement?
• Where do you want to take your business over the next five or ten years?
• How can you prepare for the unexpected?

What goes Into a Needs Assessment?

Finally, we want to impart a couple of general tips that can help you conduct an effective needs assessment:

• Note your current resources: Before you implement any new solution, it’s crucial that you have an inventory of what currently exists.
• Consider workflows: Sometimes the issue isn’t the technology, and adding more technology will only make it worse. Think about your policies, procedures, and workflows to see if there are any bottlenecks stymying progress.
• Understand your current technology: If you have identified certain goals for your business, consider if the technology you have will support those goals, or if an implementation is needed.
• Explore alternative options: In business IT, there is rarely a silver bullet or a cure-all. Just because one solution works for other businesses doesn’t mean that it will also work for yours. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn more about other opportunities, and above all else, ensure an appropriate fit before implementation.

If all this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry… we’ve got you covered.

Coleman Technologies can help your business conduct a needs assessment. To learn more, give us a call at (604) 513-9428.

By many, we mean about a quarter of them.

With the deadline just a week and a half away, we wanted to reiterate what a solution reaching end of support means, how it would impact you, and what your options are.

The first thing to address is what “end of support” actually means. It doesn’t mean you won’t have the ability to use whatever software it is (in this case, the Windows 7 operating system) after the end of support date. What it means is that Microsoft is no longer doing anything to it - including improving its security and patching issues. As a result, the software will lose its functionality over time. Worse, the computer running the software becomes vulnerable, which makes the entire network vulnerable - not a good thing.

To be fair, there are some ways that you can protect your network while still using these devices. For instance, if you rely on a particular line-of-business application that requires Windows 7, you could theoretically isolate a Windows 7 device to allow you to do so. However, to be completely fair, there isn’t any guarantee that you will be protected from vulnerabilities, short of completely taking problematic systems entirely offline.

Therefore, it only makes sense to explore your other options.

Your Other Options

With the deadline as close as it is, you will need to hustle to put any of these alternatives into action:

Upgrade to Windows 10

Objectively speaking, Windows 10 is better than Windows 7, if only for its improved security. Furthermore, it isn’t one of those solutions that requires insanely higher specifications to run. In fact, the minimum numbers you need to operate Windows 10 are as follows:

• Processor - 1 GHZ or faster
• RAM - 1 GB for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
• Hard disk space - 16 GB for 32-bit or 20 GB for 64-bit
• Graphics card - DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
• Display - 800 x 600 resolution

Mind you, this is all it takes to run Windows 10, not to run Windows 10 well. To improve your performance, we suggest that you make a few alterations - upgrading to a 2 GHz dual-core processor, increasing your RAM to between 4-and-8 GB, and Increasing your hard drive space to 160 GZB, at least.

Purchase New Hardware

While it will cost you a pretty penny, obtaining new hardware (that comes with Windows 10 installed) may be the easiest option, especially when you take your looming deadline into account. Windows 10 and regular updates to it are all included, but it may take some time to configure everything properly.

Virtualize with a Thin Client

In a similar vein as leveraging Chromebooks instead of Windows, you could use your old hardware as a thin client to virtualize your needed solutions. However, despite the reputation that virtualization has as a solid option for businesses, it may not be a practicable option with the deadline pressing so close.

Alternatively, you could simplify this process using one of Microsoft’s services. Microsoft 365 offers a combination of Windows 10, Office 365, One Drive with an included terabyte of storage, and fully featured security. Available at a predictable monthly flat-rate per user, it gives you a solid alternative for at least your productivity-software-using employees.

Regardless, you need to take action now. Reach out to Coleman Technologies today for help. We’ll figure out which approach is best for you and help you with your upgrade process. Call us at (604) 513-9428 to learn more.

The modern business is more technologically driven than ever before, but there are some out there who haven’t embraced the benefits of technology and have alternatively chosen to stick with their more analog, tried and true methods. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss why technology is important and how to get started if your business is stuck in the 20th century.

Identify Your Biggest Analog Pain Points

Before diving headfirst into purchasing digital tools, take a moment to assess what’s causing the most headaches. Are you drowning in paperwork? Losing track of customer records? Spending hours manually entering data? These pain points will guide your digital transformation, helping you prioritize which areas to upgrade first.

Start Small with Easy Wins

Going digital doesn’t mean you need a full IT department or a Fortune 500-level budget. Start with small, manageable changes that have a big impact. For example:

• Swap out paper invoices for digital invoicing software.
• Move from a physical filing system to cloud storage.
• Use an appointment scheduling app instead of handling bookings manually.

These small changes will save you time and reduce errors, making your workflow smoother without disrupting your entire business.

Keep the Processes That Still Work

Just because something is digital doesn’t mean it’s automatically better. If certain analog processes work well for your business and aren’t causing problems, there’s no need to force them into the digital world. The goal is to enhance efficiency, not to overhaul everything just for the sake of modernization.

Train, Not Strain, Your Team

Technology is only useful if people know how to use it. Make sure you and your employees get comfortable with new tools by offering training sessions and step-by-step guides. If something feels too complicated, look for simpler alternatives. The best technology solutions are the ones your team actually wants to use.

Try to Automate, But Don’t Lose the Human Touch

Automation is a game-changer, but it shouldn’t replace the personal touch that makes your business unique. Use tools like chatbots and email automation to handle routine tasks, but make sure there’s still room for real human interaction where it matters—like customer service or relationship management.

Secure Your Data

Moving to the digital world means thinking about cybersecurity. Use strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and encrypted storage to protect your business from cyberthreats. The last thing you want is to trade your analog problems for digital disasters.

The biggest mistake businesses make when going digital are when they try to do everything at once. Instead of overwhelming yourself and your team, tackle one upgrade at a time with the help of the IT experts at Coleman Technologies. We can put you in a position to gradually update your technology and your corresponding processes. Give us a call today for more information at (604) 513-9428.

How to Tell How Old a Computer Is

When a computer starts to get too old, it can become a problem for productivity. In fact, to help avoid this, some even recommend replacing a work computer every four years… but how do you tell how old a work computer is in the first place?

This isn’t always as cut-and-dried as one would think it should be. Some computers and laptops will have a date right on the case, neat the serial number. If there is no date provided, a quick search for the serial number might give you an idea.

You can also check the components of your computer itself, using the System Information tool. In the Search Windows box, type in “sysinfo.’ From the results, access System Information and in the window that appears, you can find plenty of information to help you date the machine. For instance, if the BIOS of the device has never been upgraded, the date will likely tell you how old the machine is, more or less. Searching for other components can help you to confirm this estimate.

As a result, you can get a better idea of whether your computer’s issues are age-related, or if there’s something else creating problems.

Signs That Say It’s Time to Replace Your Computer

There are quite a few factors that can indicate when your computer is due to be retired. While these indicators can each be a sign that something else is going on with your machine, a combination of a few of them is a fairly reliable signal that you and your device will soon have to say goodbye:

• The computer is huge. In the interest of space, many modern devices are built to be compact, taking up less space than their predecessors did. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule (powerhouse workstations often take up a lot of space out of necessity), a larger, basic-function workstation or laptop is generally an older one.
  
  
• Startup and shutdown take forever. Again, there are a few different issues that could contribute to lengthy startup and shutdown times. Too many applications may be set to automatically run in the background, or your hard drive might be almost full. However, this is another common symptom of an aging device.
  
  
• You’re encountering hardware and software limitations. If your attempts to upgrade your computer’s hardware and software - especially security software - are stymied by a lack of interoperability or support, it’s probably time to consider replacing it. This is even more so the case if your work-essential solutions can’t be upgraded any further or runs slowly, or loading your applications takes notably long and they can’t efficiently run simultaneously.
  
  
• Your computer is loud. If the fans in your device (whether it’s a desktop or a laptop) run loud, it’s a sign that your computer either needs a good cleaning or needs a good replacing. If the issue persists after a thorough cleaning has taken place, that’s a sign that your hardware is working too hard, a sure sign of age-related issues.

If you feel that your hardware is due to be replaced, reach out to Coleman Technologies. We have the contacts to help you procure the equipment you need to remain productive and offer the support to keep this equipment going. Call us at (604) 513-9428.

Outdated software is an issue that all businesses have to deal with. The fact that so many organizations don’t routinely update their software solutions is pretty telling. For one, many businesses simply don’t have the resources at their disposal to make sure maintenance is performed on a regular basis. Granted, unless a business has taken substantial steps toward upgrading away from software that has reached its end of support date, they will have to suffer the consequences.

What Does “End of Life” Mean?

End of Life, also known as End of Support, is a term that is used to identify software that is not updated or patched after a specific period of time has passed. Certain Microsoft products can utilize the Extended Security Update, but only for a maximum of three years, meaning it’s more efficient and cost-effective to upgrade away from your old systems before they reach the end of support date.

What You Need to Do

How would your business be affected by a potential security breach? Since you won’t be receiving security patches or updates, you’ll need to consider this possibility. Following a major security breach, you’ll be forced to upgrade your systems anyway, so not only will you have those costs, but you’ll have to deal with the fallout of a data breach. It’s never too early to start taking preventative measures and think about the future of your infrastructure, as well as who will be responsible for the management, maintenance, and upgrading of your business technology.

Before Windows SQL Server 2008’s End of Support date arrives, consult this list of upcoming end of support dates and take the necessary steps to upgrade your technology. It’s better to do so now than wait until it’s too late.

We Can Help

Worrying about your business’s IT infrastructure is something that you simply don’t have time for. A managed service provider like Coleman Technologies can help you achieve affordable and accessible technology support, including the updates and patches needed to maintain network security. We can even help monitor your infrastructure for potential End of Support software that will soon be outdated. To learn more, reach out to us at (604) 513-9428.

A new year is a great chance to look at what your business is doing well and where it can get better. Your technology is one area where there’s usually room for improvement. If you’re thinking about adding new tech this year, here are four questions to help make it a success.

What Does Your Business Really Need?

It’s easy to get excited about the latest tech, but buying something just because it’s new isn’t a good idea.

Getting tools you don’t need can cause “IT sprawl,” which makes your tech harder to manage and opens you up to more cybersecurity risks. Plus, every new tool comes with extra costs—like time, money, and effort to keep it running.

Before buying anything, think about what problems your business actually needs to solve. Focus on fixing those first.

What Is Your IT Doing Well?

What do your customers love most about your business?

Figure that out and look for tech that makes those areas even stronger. For example:

• If your customer service is amazing, invest in tools to make it even easier for customers to connect with you.
• If your products are top-notch, think about how to share exciting updates with your loyal customers.

Building on your strengths could even boost your profits as the year goes on.

Is the Price Worth It?

The start of the year is a good time to review your IT budget. Are you paying for services you barely use?

Before buying new tech, ask yourself:

• Is it worth the money?
• Will it save you time or cash over the next few years?

It’s tempting to focus on short-term benefits, but if the long-term costs don’t add up, you might want to find a more affordable option. Avoid spending on tools that only help in rare situations.

What Do Your Employees Think?

While you don’t need everyone’s approval to buy new tech, it helps to hear your employees’ opinions. Your team works with the tools every day—they know what’s working and what’s not. Ask them about their challenges and how new technology might help.

Getting their feedback can reassure you that you’re making the right choice. Plus, your employees are more likely to embrace the change if they feel heard.

Start the Year Strong with Coleman Technologies

If your business needs IT help, we’re here for you. Call Coleman Technologies today at (604) 513-9428 to learn more about how we can support your tech needs.

While your business might last into the near future, your IT is more challenging to upkeep and preserve over time. You’ll have to consider reworking and restructuring your infrastructure to ensure that it stands the test of time. Let’s review some warning signs that it might be time to do just that.

4 Ways to Know You Should Restructure Your Business IT

Fixes That Used to Work Have Stopped

Technology updates will only help for so long.

There comes a time in every technology’s lifecycle when enough is simply enough. Patches and updates are no longer released, and that’s generally when you know it’s time to give up on a solution and implement a new one. Your business’ IT is no different, and you should pay attention to when these fixes have stopped working.

In short, create a plan to move on from your business’ solutions way ahead of any end-of-life or end-of-support events for your company’s technology solutions.

Your Business Has Undergone Exceptional Change

If your business is changing, it’s generally considered a good thing, but for your technology, it can often get complicated.

Small shifts are much easier to accommodate, but major changes in services offered, operations, the size of your company’s workforce, changes to client or customer expectations, and so on can all contribute to more difficult adjustments. It’s not uncommon for businesses to upgrade their technology in response to changes in their business circumstances. Sometimes the fix is to implement entirely new systems.

Large changes to your business’ infrastructure should be discussed with your IT department so they can determine the most efficient way to proceed.

Your Business Has Stagnated

If your business has remained the same for the past 20 years, it might be time to make some changes.

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is a valid approach, but in the case of business technology, this is rarely the case. As solutions age, they also age you out of competing with other businesses that do the same thing as you. It can also stymie innovation, which is never a good thing.

Thankfully, IT can empower your business to make adjustments that could drive your business forward.

Your Business Can’t Keep Up

Putting off projects because your business can’t keep up is another sign that it’s time for a change.

Imagine that your business is always playing catch-up. When will you find the time to implement the solutions that truly move the needle in the right direction? Rather than responding to issues with your business technology, it’s time to start thinking about proactively managing it to more effectively prevent issues entirely.

This type of IT management is the accepted standard today, and you should strive for it.

We’ll Put the Power Back in Your Hands

Coleman Technologies can help your business better manage its technology, particularly during high-stress restructuring scenarios like any of the above. Learn more by calling us at (604) 513-9428 today.