Washington Works Blog

You’ve probably heard a bit about blockchain. It’s a technology that is typically linked with cryptocurrencies, but its function is much more. It actually has the potential to transform everyday business operations significantly, if used properly. 

Forget the complex technical stuff. At its core, blockchain is like a highly secure and transparent digital record-keeping system. Imagine a shared ledger where every transaction or piece of agreed-upon information is recorded as a block. Once a block is added to the chain, it's cryptographically sealed—meaning it cannot be altered or deleted. Everyone with authorized access sees the same information, creating a foundation of trust and clarity.

Businesses used to think that it was worth waiting around for technology solutions to break before servicing them. In fact, it was such a commonplace practice that it’s still prevalent (although to a significantly reduced degree) today. We want to look into why it just makes sense to leave the old break-fix IT model behind in favor of a more proactive approach.

Artificial intelligence is becoming ubiquitous in the business technology sector and for good reason. It’s allowing small and medium-sized businesses to do more and compete with businesses that were previously just ahead of them.

Today, we want to go over some (reasonably) easy ways you can use AI in your IT operations to make your business more efficient.

If you’re a smart manager, you're always looking for ways to optimize spending and enhance your organization’s ability to be efficient. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) isn't just a trendy tech term; it's a strategic financial move that can significantly impact your bottom line. Today, we get into how VoIP translates to real cost savings.

While you want to believe the best of your business, including your IT staff, it’s important to recognize when they’ve reached their limit regarding knowledge and workload. To combat these limitations, you can work with an outsourced IT provider. Combining the two can help you meet your business’ technology needs.

Businesses rely on a ton of technology for their operations and, as such, rely on support to help keep these tools working effectively. We would know! We proudly provide our neighbors with the technical assistance they need to succeed. As we’ve done so, we’ve noticed that there are some support needs we frequently attend to. 

Let’s review some of them and why they are so vital for you to have assistance in managing, preferably, from us!

Smart speakers have been around for a while now, but let’s be real… have they actually changed the world? Not really. They’re great for blasting music, setting reminders, and answering random trivia questions, but beyond that? Meh.

We all have old friends; not the ones that you went to high school with, but oldish technology that we simply can’t bring ourselves to upgrade away from. At some point, however, old technology stops being a trusty sidekick and starts feeling like an anchor. If your devices are making life harder instead of easier, it might be time to say goodbye. Here’s how to know when it's time to let go and upgrade.

Skype is dead; long live Microsoft Teams.

At least, that’s the position that Microsoft has taken. The software company is discontinuing the two-decade-old communication application Skype, shifting focus to the more recent Teams platform, with the app’s last day being scheduled for May 5.

Let’s review what this means and reflect on Skype's impact on modern technology.

Business is filled with situations that can easily be turned into problems if they are not met with a proper solution. In some cases, it’s as simple as changing a course of action, but some problems are deep-rooted and need to be addressed aggressively. Technology can often be a business’ saving grace in such instances.

Let’s review some really bad scenarios that could be catastrophic, unless the right IT is in place.

Much has been made about artificial intelligence and the quickening pace in which it is being used in all walks of life, but especially business. AI is shaping the world around us, many people don’t really understand how it works or how to use it effectively. That’s where AI literacy comes in. In today’s blog, we’ll define AI literacy and how it will affect your organization in the near future.

Accessibility is a huge talking point in the world of IT. With modern technology solutions, accessible options are much easier to use and more inclusive, allowing workers to get their work done despite the circumstances. Today, we want to look at what the Windows operating system offers in terms of accessibility features.

Net neutrality has been a hot topic for years. The rules around it keep changing depending on who’s in charge of the government. Recently, things took a major step backward when the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) newest net neutrality rules.

While most browsers offer a bookmark feature, allowing a user to save certain web pages for repeated viewing, Google Chrome adds to this with an added functionality: Google Saved.

Previously known as Google Collections, Google Saved gives users a convenient place to keep track of things they want to return to later… similar to a bookmark, but more so.

As an information technology provider, we are tasked with helping your business make the best decisions possible related to your IT infrastructure. In this role, we offer a gentle recommendation that you purchase hardware you expect to need over the next year as soon as possible. If you don’t, you might be left high and dry without any good options to choose from.

Do you have any technology-related projects that require hardware acquisition? It’s a great time to consider it now, especially considering the expected increase of computing hardware costs. Working with a project management team like Washington Works can take out some of the risk, responsibility, and financial burden you might have for any new hardware acquisition during the project management cycle.

Smart products are everywhere nowadays, ranging from video doorbells and assistants to more niche appliances… including breast pumps and floss dispensers. However, despite all of these devices being very different, most have one thing in common.

It just so happens that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is concerned about this commonality, as it’s the fact that many don’t publicize when updates are available—or even provide them at all.

Who handles the tech decisions for your business? If it’s you, are you sure you have all the knowledge you need to make the best choices for your company’s tech future? If not, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a service called a Virtual CIO.

Technology brings a fair amount of automation to any organization that chooses to use it. One of the most popular ways that automation is used is by sending emails. Automated emails can be used in support of nearly any action your business takes, but there are questions whether some of them actually offer the value you think. Today, we discuss some of the pros and cons of automated emails. 

Dealing with computer problems can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to get things done. Sometimes the solutions are simple, but other times, you might need help from an IT expert. Let’s talk about some of the most common issues and how you can fix them.