Washington Works Blog

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.

With technology being such a crucial element of many businesses and their operations, it only stands to reason that it ultimately pays to invest in and maintain it. That said, many businesses lack the resources in one way or another to properly manage their IT independently.

In these cases, it pays to outsource some or all of your IT support, and for various reasons. Let’s go over three of the major benefits to be had.

Your business’ productivity software is one of the more important decisions you’ll make, and while there are many options, they won’t all be the best solution. Small business owners have to carefully consider price, scope, and integration, among other factors. Today, we’re looking at six aspects of productivity software your business should think about before committing to a solution.

Picture this: you or a team member encounters a technology issue in the middle of the workday. Simple, you might think… just call your in-house IT department. However, the members of your IT team are visibly overworked, scurrying around the office, trying to get some of the tasks off their to-do lists. They’re visibly running out of time, patience, or, most likely, both. It isn’t a good time to bother someone for help; that’s obvious, but what option is there?

The blockchain is a technology that many people know about, but cannot explain. They know it has something to do with Bitcoin, but can’t tell you exactly what. Well, whether you know next to nothing about blockchain, or you’re a seasoned crypto investor, you will be.

Chances are that your business’ technology has gotten more complex in the past few years. This complexity has likely created some confusion on how best to manage your technology. Couple this with the more sophisticated threats that have been developed over that time, and there is a real risk to the welfare of your business coming from the technology you depend on daily. Today’s blog will discuss how increased complexity can be managed competently.

If you’ve spent any time online, you’ve likely encountered ads popping up while you’re trying to read articles, watch videos, or scroll through social media. While some ads can be helpful, many people find them disruptive or invasive, which is why ad blockers have become popular.  Have you ever wondered how exactly ad blockers work? Let’s break it down.

Everywhere you look on the Internet, there’s a scam, threat, or other malicious entity. 

Okay, maybe that’s not 100% true, but the possibilities are nearly endless for hackers. They’ll hide spyware, adware, and even ransomware online, so you must take measures to ensure that your devices and business are safe.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the technology landscape, and mobile devices are at the forefront of this revolution. As smartphones and tablets become increasingly powerful and sophisticated, they are becoming ideal platforms for running AI applications. This trend is driven by several factors, including:

We haven’t been shy about how essential data backups are, simply because there is always the chance that your business will encounter some form of disaster… but, what if something interferes with these backups?

This danger is one reason that immutable backups are utilized. Let’s go over what this means, and how it helps.

Now that smart mobile devices are a mainstay in business, the landscape will never be the same again. Your organization needs to have a plan to acquire, manage, maintain, and secure these devices. Businesses generally choose either Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or Corporate-Owned, Personally Enabled (COPE), depending on their needs.

The Internet of Things, or IoT, has transformed how modern businesses operate in 2024. Whether you’re a manufacturer or a healthcare provider, the IoT offers previously impossible applications, from real-time data collection to smarter decision-making. Let’s explore some ways your business can use IoT in 2024.

Common knowledge states that the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. Therefore, it stands to reason that you should put as much funding as possible into your most essential resources—such as your IT.

This, however, can be a hard sell to yourself or anyone invested in your company… partners and staff included. 

When someone mentions cookies, people usually think of delicious treats like gingersnaps, snowballs, or the world famous chocolate chip. But what about browser cookies? While they may not be tasty, they certainly deserve your attention. You've likely encountered website popups asking for cookie permissions, and understanding what you're agreeing to is crucial. In today’s blog, we'll explain what browser cookies are, how they work, and why they are sometimes more beneficial than the sweet kind..

Without much fanfare, the AI Wars have commenced. This isn't just a metaphor; it's a true battle for the future of tools aimed at enhancing human productivity. This war for market share will shape the next age of modern computing.  

Making decisions is a big part of running a business, but relying solely on gut feelings can sometimes backfire. Back-end analysis allows business owners to gain insights they might not have considered. This can lead to more money through better sales, customer relationships, and efficiency. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss how AI enhances business intelligence.

You may have noticed the recent attempts by Google to provide AI-generated answers to your queries. You might not immediately understand why AI is such a prevalent thing in arbitrary technology like search engines, but we assure you that there is a good reason for it—a better user experience—even if it does come with mixed results.

Businesses are constantly seeking the best ways to utilize their data. Whether developing a business intelligence strategy, integrating artificial intelligence, or conducting simple analytics, having accurate and reliable data is crucial. Without it, insights can be misleading and costly. Therefore, understanding how to scrub or clean your data is essential. Clean data is vital for anyone involved in business intelligence or AI. Today, we will explore this topic and provide a simple guide to get you started.

You might have noticed the mobile technology around you, like smartphones, tablets, and wearables, getting noticeably stronger in recent years. As their strength increases, so too does their power expenditure, demanding more effective batteries and charging technologies as a result. Today, we want to look at the ever-fascinating topic of batteries for mobile technology and how innovations can help to fuel change in device design.

All businesses use technology to varying degrees, typically to improve operations or offer innovation through a service or product. SMBs often benefit from the increased use of technology in the business world, as it’s generally quite effective at solving their problems and accessible enough that even companies on a budget can afford it. Let’s look at some opportunities your own business might have in 2024.