Starting and running a small business, especially in the field of cybersecurity, can be challenging, and economic downturns or recessions can add additional obstacles to overcome. However, with the right financing options, such as those offered by Credibly, a reputable financial institution, you can take steps to recession-proof your cybersecurity business. Below we will explore how small business financing can help you navigate through economic uncertainties and keep your cybersecurity business thriving.

Understanding Small Business Financing:

Reputable lenders offer a range of financing options designed specifically for small businesses. These options include small business loans, working capital loans, and merchant cash advances, which can provide the necessary funds to cover various business expenses, such as purchasing cybersecurity equipment, hiring skilled employees, or expanding your operations.

One significant advantage of small business financing is its flexibility. These small business financing lenders understand the unique needs of small businesses and offer customized financing solutions to fit your specific requirements. Whether you need a short-term loan to cover immediate expenses or a long-term loan to finance a significant expansion, these lenders can tailor financing options that align with your business goals and cash flow.

How Small Business Financing Can Help Recession-Proof Your Cybersecurity Business:

 

Ensuring Adequate Cash Flow: Economic downturns or recessions can disrupt cash flow for small businesses, making it challenging to cover essential expenses, such as payroll, rent, or inventory. With small business financing, you can access the necessary funds to bridge cash flow gaps and ensure the smooth operation of your cybersecurity business during challenging times. This can help you weather the storm and stay financially stable, reducing the risk of business failure.

Investing in Cybersecurity Equipment and Technology: 

As a cybersecurity business, staying up-to-date with the latest technology and equipment is critical to providing top-notch services to your clients. However, purchasing cybersecurity equipment or upgrading technology can be costly, especially during an economic downturn. With small business financing, you can access the funds needed to invest in cutting-edge cybersecurity equipment and technology, giving you a competitive edge and positioning your business for long-term success.

Hiring Skilled Employees: 

Your cybersecurity business’s success relies heavily on the expertise and skills of your employees. However, recruiting and retaining top talent can be challenging, especially during economic uncertainties. Small business financing can help you attract and retain skilled employees by providing the funds to offer competitive salaries and benefits packages. This can help you build a strong team that can navigate through challenging times and keeps your cybersecurity business running smoothly.

Expanding Your Operations:

Economic downturns or recessions can also present unique opportunities for business expansion, such as acquiring a competitor or expanding into new markets. However, expansion requires capital, which may be challenging to obtain during uncertain economic times. Small business financing can provide you with the necessary funds to seize expansion opportunities and position your cybersecurity business for growth, even during a recession.

Diversifying Revenue Streams: 

Relying on a single source of revenue can be risky for any business, especially during economic downturns when customer demand may fluctuate. Diversifying your revenue streams can help mitigate risks and provide stability to your business. Small business financing can enable you to invest in diversification strategies, such as developing new cybersecurity services or entering new markets, reducing your reliance on a single revenue source and helping you recession-proof your business.

In conclusion, small business financing can be a valuable tool to recession-proof your cybersecurity business. By providing access to funds for essential aspects of your cybersecurity business, you are able to extend your runway and reduce the potential of having your business fail.

Small business loans can be a powerful tool for tech hardware companies looking to grow and scale quickly. By providing access to much-needed capital, small business loans can help tech hardware companies invest in new equipment, hire additional staff, and take on larger projects. In this blog, we’ll explore three key ways that small business loans can benefit tech hardware companies.

First, small business loans can provide tech hardware companies with the funds they need to invest in new equipment and technology. This can be particularly important for tech hardware companies, which often require specialized equipment and software in order to design, develop, and produce their products. With a small business loan, tech hardware companies can upgrade their equipment and technology, which can help them improve their product quality, reduce production costs, and become more efficient.

Second, small business loans can help tech hardware companies hire additional staff. As a tech hardware company grows and takes on more projects, it may need to expand its team in order to keep up with demand. Small business loans can provide the funds necessary to hire new employees, which can help the company increase its production capacity and take on larger projects. Additionally, hiring additional staff can also help tech hardware companies improve their customer service, as they will have more people available to answer questions and address customer concerns.

Third, small business loans can provide tech hardware companies with the financial flexibility they need to take on larger projects and partnerships. Tech hardware companies often have the opportunity to work on large, complex projects that require significant investment. With a small business loan, tech hardware companies can finance these projects and take advantage of these opportunities, which can help them grow their business and increase their revenue. Additionally, small business loans can also help tech hardware companies establish partnerships with other companies and organizations, which can provide them with additional resources and support as they grow.

In conclusion, small business loans can be a valuable tool for tech hardware companies looking to scale quickly and grow their business. By providing access to much-needed capital, small business loans can help tech hardware companies invest in new equipment, hire additional staff, and take on larger projects. With the right small business loan, tech hardware companies can gain the financial support they need to achieve their growth goals and succeed in the competitive tech industry.

What to Consider Before Taking Out a Small Business Loan

While small business loans can be incredibly beneficial for tech hardware companies, it’s important for these companies to carefully consider their options before taking out a loan. There are many different types of small business loans available, and each one comes with its own unique terms, conditions, and requirements.

Before taking out a small business loan, tech hardware companies should carefully research and compare their options. They should consider the loan amount, interest rate, repayment terms, and any fees or penalties associated with the loan. It’s also important to carefully read and understand the loan agreement, and to make sure the loan will be affordable and manageable for the business.

In addition to researching and comparing loan options, tech hardware companies should also prepare a strong business plan before applying for a small business loan. A strong business plan can help convince potential lenders that the company is well-positioned for success and has a clear plan for how it will use the loan funds. The business plan should include detailed financial projections, a marketing plan, and a description of the company’s products and services.

Once a tech hardware company has selected a small business loan and prepared a strong business plan, the next step is to apply for the loan. This typically involves filling out an application and providing the lender with various financial and personal information, as well as any supporting documents that may be required. The lender will then review the application and determine whether to approve the loan and, if so, the loan terms and conditions.

Once the loan is approved, the tech hardware company can begin using the loan funds to grow and scale its business. This may involve investing in new equipment and technology, hiring additional staff, or taking on larger projects. It’s important for the company to use the loan funds wisely and carefully manage its finances in order to ensure the loan is repaid on time and avoid any potential default or penalties.

In conclusion, small business loans can be an incredibly valuable tool for tech hardware companies looking to grow and scale quickly. By providing access to much-needed capital, small business loans can help tech hardware companies invest in new equipment, hire additional staff, and take on larger projects. However, it’s important for tech hardware companies to carefully research and compare their loan options, prepare a strong business plan, and manage their finances wisely in order to make the most of their small business loan and achieve their growth goals. (And Credibly is our first choice in getting started.)

A research commissioned by Salesfusion, a leading platform for sales automation in Atlanta, reveals how marketing automation streamlines sales and marketing in different companies and for individual sales and marketing personnel.

The research was carried out by taking a survey of over 700 marketers involved in B2B marketing. This research focused more on small to medium sized businesses whose revenue is below 100 million dollars.

The findings of the survey indicate that marketers who have a marketing automation software platform have a more effective communication with sales.

Marketing-Automation-System

According to a statement from Learn Marketing Automation, who executed the survey, the results show that automation made the sales process 3 times more effective for marketers. The detailed findings of the research are contained in an eBook called “The Marketing Automation Blue Book”

Most of the people who participated in the survey pointed out that one of the greatest benefits of having an automated marketing process is the impact it has on leads. Many marketers and sales people find leads are generated much more easily when they use an automated system.

Understanding how marketing automation streamlines sales and marketing is also noted as key in getting business owners to invest in automation software for their marketing teams.

Jerry Sanders, a marketing manager with a top hotel in Atlanta says that it is very convenient to be able to set up a system on the CRM and then just watch how it works like clockwork for the entire team. “Using CRM we are able to know important dates like a client’s birthday and prepare a special message for them” Mr. Sanders explains.

More and more companies are getting into this habit. Communicating with clients and prospective clients on a friendly basis is important. The marketing process has changed from sales people trying to shove products and services at clients, to a friendly relationship that has to be nurtured.

According to the research, this relationship is more effectively natured when marketers use automated marketing tools. 68 percent of the marketers who participated in the research wrote down nurturing relationships with prospects as the most important reason for having automated marketing and sales software.

Other points of interest for the marketers included being able to increase the number of leads using automation. This was chosen by 63 percent of the respondents of the survey while 59 percent consider improving the quality of the leads as an important reason to invest in CRM software.

The research also brings out another way how marketing automation streamlines sales and marketing through providing a way to rank prospects. Using automation, marketers are able to give a score for different prospects and in the end, rank them according to how important they may be towards achieving sales targets and the like.

“We have seen an improvement in the content we share with prospects,” Jerry Sanders says. “content marketing is very important and with automation in place, it is possible to track, create and share contents with prospects which draws them in much easier and smoothly” Sanders elaborates.

This research has provided proof of something that many software experts have been saying but may have been doubted by people who thought they were just out to market their software. This is now concrete evidence of how marketing automation streamlines sales and marketing.

Based out of Quebec, the largest managed IT consulting firms Toronto gets services from; Alithya, has let public their previous year earnings up to March this year. From six feet away from their published performance report, a clear growth trend can be seen to suggest continued upward motion for a long time coming. From their successful launch and creation of reputation in the market, there has been a 100% growth pattern on an annual basis. The reasons for such smile inducing expansion has been pegged on several factors, among them, acquisitions and partnerships with other strategically positioned companies.

Managed IT Consulting Toronto

Company Performance

The CEO of Alithya, Paul Raymond affirmed the company’s strong performance, citing several deals they had made with like-minded companies in and around the field of IT in order to enhance both sides chances of doing better business for their clients. Getting their company the perfect skills through new talent is also a major reason to their growth. The company of 1200 able employees saw 500 of those coming from the year ended. Although being primarily a solution provider for the canadian market, they have received overwhelming success by extending their antennas out of the borders into new regions successfully.

Perhaps the highlight moment of its acquisition campaign came late last year when they closed the deal with Groupe conseil OSI, this move placed them on the radar as the biggest supplier of IT consultation and solutions in Quebec. This move played twice in favor of them, bringing in rounds of investments from two capital funders, enabling it to achieve a lot that it’s dwarfed competition couldn’t. They aggressively followed merger strategies that seem to have won their bets, and as expected, the number of clients they are now serving are a clear driving force for success.

Their growth should not be mistaken as the capital engineered type that burns out as quickly, if not faster than they are reported, organic expansion through rigorous client serving and acquiring was also a major add to it’s success. Working partnerships with TELUS, Air France, CN and a lot of other well known services providers gave smaller but significant clients to gain confidence in their competence. Another reason why they are easy on the road to exaggerated growth is their locations dotted across Canada. They have offices large enough to dominate service provision in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa and most recently in Vancouver.

2016 has started on a good note for Alithya and all their partners in business, some large working partnerships have resulted in offers of a stake in the successful future it is setting up. More than a thousand new jobs will be made possible through these companies realising rippling success that should be expected to make rings through coming years. With Gartner research and other experts seeing a good year ahead for companies in the IT services sector, news headlines and business columns will not hear enough of the army of partners spearheaded by Alithya services.

 real time GPS tracking devide for cars

There are a number of purposes that a real-time GPS tracking device for cars can be used. For businesses that have a number of company owned vehicles involved, one can keep a tab on every single unit or for families with several vehicles, for their first-time teens or elderly parents. Ensuring that they have arrived at their destination and is safe is a big factor and helps a lot to have a peaceful mind. Also, these GPS tracking devices can be used to track down and recover stolen vehicles.

There are a number of tracking devices available in the market and depending on what one needs and requires, one should do some research work in order to know more about their additional features.

A real-time GPS tracking device for cars is a very simple, yet so effective. It contains a GPS or Global Positioning System transmitter and uses the satellites orbiting around the Earth to give them the correct information with regards to the location. The GPS unit translates this information and converts these into images that the occupant of the vehicle can understand.

The tracking device uses trilateration to determine its exact location. This process requires three different satellites that send their own exact location of the GPS unit, which in turns measures the distance between itself and a satellite. Once the distance from three different satellites has been measured, the GPS unit performs a series of calculation to know its exact location. Some GPS device uses cellular networks instead of satellites.

These tracking devices need clear skies to receive the information from satellites. Dead spots can also be encountered in cellular networks.

The Best Car Tracking Devices

Spark Nano

One of the best real-time GPS tracking devices for cars is the Spark Nano and has been rated as the highest in reviews because it is easy to setup and a very simple web-based interface. It can accommodate a geofence feature, that lets the tracker send out text messages when it is out of its predetermined area. Aside from that, it is easy on the budget, and very easy to track a car via a computer or a smartphone. It is highly recommended for parents with teen drivers.

Zoom back Advanced A-GPS

Another easy to install tracker, the Zoom back can be attached to the vehicle’s battery or use its own. Features like geofences compatible, SMS and email alerts, plus a detailed logged history are the reasons it is highly recommended. A vehicle can be tracked continuously through a website.

Escort Entourage PS

Escort Entourage PS has been a highly regarded GPS tracker by some of the top motoring magazines. This particular model features a live monitoring option, very portable, geofences compatible and can send out an email or text message to a predefined user. A monthly subscription will allow its user to track the location of the vehicles.

There is a lot of options to choose from when it comes to real-time GPS tracking device for cars. Before making any purchase, one should be well aware first of the reason why it is needed.

microsoft ems

Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS) conquered the mobile device management (MDM) arena last year that supports all the major mobile operating system, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. The tech giant did a great job in launching their latest Microsoft EMS and the conquered market was composed of a lot of startup actions and acquisitions.

Andrew Conway, Microsoft’s senior director of enterprise mobility explained some elements of the enterprise mobility suite and provided some key points with their EMS approach.

The Story Behind EMS

Microsoft was quick to notice the increase of mobile devices being used for work related activities as well as an increase in Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. “It is the joint features of these two vital trends that are becoming more interesting instead of just having device growth trends or BYOD,” says Conway. “The Bring Your Own Device and cloud were two of the strongest trends that I have seen in 2014. I expected to see it nonstop until the next year. EMS is actually in a position that can capitalize on these two trends’ intersection,” Conway added.

The Senior Director also pointed out that the iOS version of MS Office, played a big part in introducing EMS to that particular platform. On top of this, he continued to point out that the development of EMS follows the core of Microsoft’s PC management solution, to be more of a user-centered rather than a device-centered.

Rights Management

Microsoft’s decision in making Azure Rights Management a part of EMS is a big step in attracting businesses in the compliance-based industries. It is managing direct access to files and encrypting one file after another based on specifc rights that are related to an entity’s active credentials directory.

Identity Management

Conway is quick to explain that the emphasis on identity management in EMS through the Azure Activity Directory allowing EMS to grow with BYOD, CYOD (Choose Your Own Device) as well as with Software as a Service (SaaS) applications.

What most people witness are enterprises which are just half-baked in terms of the usage of unauthorized SaaS by their staff or most fof them are educating their hands about SaaS’ departmental usage,” shares Conway. “Amongst the things that revolve around identity specifically, the cloud-based identity like Azure ID permits you easy SaaS applications access control,” he added.

Several advantages of the identity management in EMS are:

  • Single sign-on (SSO) for users

  • Multifactor authentication

  • Multiple reporting options for IT, indicating which users are accessing what, as well as, indication on where the users are accessing it from

Device and Application Management in EMS

“We execute device management within the EMS which is an important feature of Intune services,” Conway explains. “We have managed at the application level too.” Intune takes a container or “wrapper approach” to security.

EMS and Microsoft Office

The inclusion of MS Office for iOS and Android, which has been long overdue, gives additional benefits to their EMS users. Conway also added that enterprises have control of Office mobile apps InTune for quite a time already before extending the feature to the other mobile operating systems.

With the revolutionary cloud-based services approach to EMS, plus the announced monthly additional features of the platform, this will help put Microsoft in gaining more grounds by the following year.

cloud call center software

When contact centers look for ways to improve efficiencies through automation they usually find the best solutions are offered by cloud call center software. What makes cloud call center software more attractive is its affordability. This site contains information to help you compare call center software providers from around the globe.

With cloud based solutions, companies benefit in the form of significant cost savings. Take hardware requirements for example. When your call center software is supplied in the form of cloud based software as a service (SaaS), you do not need any hosting hardware of your own. If you have been using such hardware, you can get rid of them to free up cash for other uses. Your IT personnel requirement will be drastically reduced, resulting in a substantial decrease in payroll expense. If you choose to retain our IT personnel they can be assigned to other productive work.

You don’t have to purchase the software; in the SaaS model, you pay rent for using the software. What is more appealing is that you only pay for actual use. Many cloud software providers allow you to choose, and pay for, only the features want. In essence you can customize the software package you are paying for.

Call center software supplied as a cloud-based service can be deployed rapidly owing to the fact that there is no hardware to set up and hardly any software to install. Most cloud based software on offer also integrates seamlessly with existing systems, if there are any.

When demands are low, or when they peak, you need not worry about hardware, software and IT personnel requirements. Software delivered through the clouds are highly scalable both in terms of call fielding volume as well as the number of features you need to include. Any changes to client demands are easily addressed.

Call center software permits close monitoring of each agent’s calls to ensure they are handled in the most satisfactory manner. In process call monitoring allows agent to ask for help and supervisors to decide to coach struggling agents. In addition, there are a few call center software programs which allow whisper coaching, providing access to databases containing client data, and product knowledge bases.

Cloud based call center software allow access through connected smart phones and devices. This turns each smart phone into a virtual office outside the office. This gives supervisors and managers the ability to monitor agent performance and to work anywhere there is internet access. This provides unrivalled flexibility to individual call center agents. They can work from home or anywhere they use their smart phones. This turns the company’s operation into a virtual call center. In this system, call center agents do not need to be in one place physically; they can work from anywhere they have a computer or smart device and internet connection.

Cloud based call center software are designed to help you ensure compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and other local and national laws. Thus features that automatically remove cell phone numbers from call lists, allow only agents to manually place outgoing calls, and recording conversations with options to pause the recording process.

interactive walls

Some business establishments use clean white walls to present a modern, clean, and neat appearance. Other establishments, especially those who have space limitations, benefit from the use of mirrors on their walls which provide an illusion of space. But truly forward looking business owners are often more interested in finding a better use for their walls, such as turning them into interactive walls for instance.

What benefits can you derive from installing interactive walls?

Walls are just so passive; they are there to enclose. No matter how hard you try to decorate them, they remain basically devoid of life – until you decide to bring them to life by turning them into spaces where you can interact with your audience, client or target market.

A large video wall immediately provides a better and more complete customer experience. It provides your client the opportunity to fully interact with your company without getting exposed to what many of them consider as unwanted attention from overly aggressive sales personnel. Moreover, an interactive wall presents information in a highly technological yet user-friendly manner sure to inspire awe in the user.

Lively interactive walls help project a positive image of the company. When deployed at strategic locations such as high traffic areas, they focus the attention of passersby on the message they contain. The message can take the form of information about products and services, promotional offers, featured products, and advertising campaigns. Because the message is presented in a dynamic manner which involves interaction with a member of the target market, it is more likely to be retained and acted upon.

When used in an organizational setting, interactive walls improve collaboration among team members, quality of work and service. Communication within an organization is made more efficient as each member is able to use simple touches to input data and commands. This is especially true when the company’s staff is consulted on their requirements during the creation of the programs which make such screens work. Organizations such as the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) are keen to see a better working relationship between IT professionals and their clients.

Interactive video walls are very cost-effective. There is no comparison between a human you have to pay at least minimum wage rates and an interactive wall which can provide the same information at the cost of electrical power to a computer and a touch screen. They even take away the need to print and distribute advertising leaflets, price lists, product specifications, etc.

What Do Interactive Screens Need To Be Effective?

The first thing an interactive wall needs to achieve is to attract interest; without that no interaction is likely to take place. Therefore, it is important to ensure the video and images are shown in the most attention-catching manner. Vivid colors, neat and clean designs, special effects, need to be used liberally. Information and promotions can be presented in the form of games. The screen also has to be able to react fast; nothing blows the wow factor away than a sluggish system.

Do you have a blank wall? Maybe it’s time to consider turning it into an interactive wall.

security systems in toronto

When it comes to security systems Toronto residents have a lot of options to choose from. There are a number of firms offering different types of alarm and monitoring systems that you can say that home and business owners are spoilt for choice. But not all security systems in Toronto are equal. It is important to select the most appropriate system for your home or business premises in order to obtain sufficient protection without having to break the bank.

What Types Of Systems Are Available?

Generally, you can say that there are only fully wired systems, wireless systems and hybrid systems.

In a fully wired system, sensors and alarms are connected to a central panel by hard wiring. Communication from the protected home or business premises to the security company providing continuous monitoring is done through a landline phone. The security company uses the phone line to receive signals from the devices in the protected premises and use that to notify the owner and the appropriate authorities whenever an incident occurs.

In a wireless system, all the sensors, alarms and the control panel in the protected premises are connected wireless through WiFi. From there the control panel connects with the outside world using a cellular uplink; essentially, each system has its own cell phone. The owner of the protected site and the security company can communicate with and control the security system through smart phones.

A hybrid system benefits from the use of both wired and wireless technologies. It allows the home or business owner to use each type of technology where it is most appropriate.

What Are The Pros & Cons Of Each System?

Fully wired systems are generally considered old technology. Wiring the different devices together is hard and can present physical challenges. There are times when you’ll have to drill holes through walls, partitions, and floors just to connect the sensors, alarms and control panel together. All the drilling can be a hassle, especially when your home is rented; you’ll have to coordinate with the landlord and when you move, you’ll have to rewire all over again. Moreover, if an intruder cuts the phone line, the system is dead in the water.

The main advantage of fully wired security systems is that it’s not susceptible to RF and EM interference. It is also harder to hack into wired systems.

In wireless security systems, all the devices are connected wirelessly so you don’t need much time to set up. The home or business owner can control the security system remotely using their cell phones. If the system includes surveillance cameras, the owner can view what’s happening from anywhere using their cell phones. And if you need to move, just pick up the various devices and set them up at your new digs.

Physical structures, RFI and EMI can mess with connectivity and transmission. Then there is a chance some computer whiz can hack the system to gain entry or steal sensitive information.

Hybrid systems have the best of both worlds. Sometimes they are even used to back each other up, so that wired systems cover the weaknesses of wireless systems and vice versa.

Choose your security system carefully. Choose your security system provider with even more care. Information on the subject of security can be viewed at Canadian Security Magazine.