Washington Works Blog

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.