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Washington Works Blog

Washington Works has been serving the Bethesda area since 2005, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

The Hidden Costs of Hanging onto Old Technology

The Hidden Costs of Hanging onto Old Technology

For anyone that has a routine, there’s a real comfort in sticking with what you know. For instance, if your grandmother's famous blueberry cobbler recipe has been a hit for decades, you definitely don't mess with it. When it comes to your business’ technology, however, that old adage can actually get you into trouble.

See, ignoring your business tech and letting it get old can actually create some pretty big, hidden costs you might not even realize are there. Let's dig into those so you can truly appreciate why keeping your business tech up-to-date isn't just nice to have, it’s essential.

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Take the Grind Out of Business with Our Managed Services

Take the Grind Out of Business with Our Managed Services

The daily grind is characterized by the feeling that you’re busy all day, but not necessarily “productive.” Your technology could influence this feeling and make the daily grind feel like a slog, but with the right approach to IT, you can focus on technology that empowers rather than overwhelms. How do you make this transition? That’s what we’ll discuss today.

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Tip of the Week: The Common File Types and How to Use Them

Tip of the Week: The Common File Types and How to Use Them

Do you ever see the little letters after a file and wonder what they stand for? While you might intuitively know from the thumbnail what kind of file you’re looking at, these letters, called file extensions, help to differentiate them from one another. Let’s go over some of the common file types you might encounter during your day-to-day work.

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Why Proactive IT is Your Secret Weapon Against Downtime

Why Proactive IT is Your Secret Weapon Against Downtime

Today (as of when this was posted) is Friday, so ideally, the feeling in the office would be one of happy anticipation for the weekend… but what if a server crashes, and work gets put on pause, but all the deadlines still stand? This would undoubtedly put a damper on the weekend, and that’s the least of your worries. Who’s going to fix the server?

This kind of situation is precisely why modern businesses can’t afford to wait for things to go wrong, and need to have a resource on their side to proactively address these kinds of issues and catastrophes.

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A Quick Introduction to Windows’ Default Folders

A Quick Introduction to Windows’ Default Folders

So, you're used to Apple technology but now you've got a Windows computer for work. We get it. Since most companies use Windows, we've been dropping some guides to help you get the hang of it. This time, we're diving into the File Explorer; basically, how you find anything on your PC.

If you want to get up to speed on other Windows features, check out our other posts under the Learning Windows tag.

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The Forgotten, Unsung Heroes of Your Networking Infrastructure

The Forgotten, Unsung Heroes of Your Networking Infrastructure

Your business runs on its network, and when your network hardware isn’t running up to speed, it can have a significant impact on business operations. It’s also far from the most interesting topic, and other parts of your business—like the software that makes and manages the products or services you provide—likely takes up the spotlight. Here are some of the common networking solutions that are often neglected and why they should be a priority instead.

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How Managed IT Services Can Supercharge Your Business Growth

06-27-25

There’s a lot that any small business owner has to manage at any given moment, so the last thing you need is to have technology issues or challenges throw a wrench into things… and when they do, you certainly don’t need any delays in fixing the problem.

That’s how traditional IT support works, and nowadays, it's simply insufficient for business needs. Fortunately, today’s technology also enables us to address these support needs more effectively. Let’s review how managed services offer a more proactive and strategic (and therefore more financially sound) option.

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Plugging Into the Power of USB

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From charging our phones to transferring those crucial presentation files, USBs are the unsung heroes of our digital world. Have you ever stopped to think about what’s actually going on inside that little connector?

Let’s get down to brass tacks and explore the inner workings of this marvel of miniaturization.

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Addressing Some Database Basics

Addressing Some Database Basics

Think of your business information that includes customer details, sales figures, product lists and more. All of that data is stored in your business’ databases. As a result, you need to understand how they work and what you need to do to best manage them and the data they contain. 

Here at Washington Works, we help businesses in DC Metro make sense of their technology every day. We’ve noticed folks often have similar questions about databases, so let's clear them up with some simple answers. Did you know, by the way, that the first "databases" were essentially just well-organized paper records? We've come a long way!

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What is “Blockchain,” Anyways?

What is “Blockchain,” Anyways?

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.

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Why Would You Ever Settle for Break-Fix IT?

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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.

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3 Ways AI Can Change Your Operations for the Better

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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.

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Do You Need a Reason to Consider VoIP? Here’s Three

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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.

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Are You Sure Your In-House IT Department Is Enough?

Are You Sure Your In-House IT Department Is Enough?

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.

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There’s a Lot Asked of IT Teams… Let Us Help Lighten the Load!

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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!

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What Do Smart Speakers Really Have to Offer?

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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.

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It May Be Time to Break Up with Your Old Technology

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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.

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If You Still Use Skype, the Clock is Ticking

03-14-25

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.

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The Right Technology Can Be the Difference You Need in a Disaster

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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.

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AI Literacy is An Increasingly Important Skill

AI Literacy is An Increasingly Important Skill

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.

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