Washington Works Blog

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.

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.

Think about those frustrating workdays when a server goes down, or the daily drag of slow computers and glitchy software. These aren't just minor annoyances; they are significant productivity drains. Research shows employees can lose an average of 10.5 workdays per year due to IT downtime alone. Multiply that across your team, and the financial impact becomes clear. This month, we go through the numbers to see how you can build a more productive business through a well-thought-out technology strategy.

The point-of-sale system is the hub of your business operations. It is a prime example of a mission-critical system that could benefit from some proactive consideration. Choosing or upgrading one isn't just about processing payments; it's about future-proofing your success. With that in mind, let's go into five things you need to consider about your business' POS system to make it beneficial to your efforts. 

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!

One piece of technology that's become essential to modern business is the cloud. You hear the term constantly, but what does it actually mean for your business, especially as we navigate 2025? Today, we unpack this very topic.

Our team specializes in proactive business technology support, and helping organizations understand and leverage the cloud is a core part of what we do. Forget confusing jargon; let's break down what the cloud is and why it's a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes.

Do you remember Blockbuster Video? Maybe you had a pager. These were once giants, indispensable tools of their time. Unfortunately, time, and technology, marches relentlessly on. Today, clinging to outdated business technology is like insisting on using a map and compass when everyone else has GPS—you might eventually get there, but you'll be slower, less efficient, and far more prone to getting lost.

Most businesses rely on a core set of technologies: computers, essential software, email, a website. These are the fundamentals. There are many savvy small and medium-sized businesses looking beyond this standard toolkit. They're strategically adopting less conventional technologies to boost efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and gain a valuable competitive advantage.

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.

Today, IT tools and services are essential for businesses of any size. They provide the direction, stability, and connectivity needed to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape… but what exactly are these "IT tools and services," and why should they be a priority for your business, specifically?

Simply put, they encompass the hardware, software, and expertise that enable your business operations, from managing customer relationships and streamlining workflows to safeguarding critical data. Let’s talk a little more about why they need to be prioritized.

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.

Starting a new business is an exciting experience, but choosing the right technology from the beginning plays a big role in how successful and secure your business will be. A strong IT plan keeps your operations running smoothly, protects your data, and makes it easier to grow over time. This month, we’re sharing practical steps to help you build one.

Technology plays a critical role in how businesses operate today. From websites and servers to email systems and cloud applications, most companies rely on a wide range of digital tools to stay productive and competitive. But what happens when something suddenly stops working?

That’s where IT monitoring comes in; and it’s more important than many people realize.

Technology drives today’s businesses; if you haven’t embraced modern technology, you’re missing out. So much of what used to make business frustrating can now be done conveniently through technology, including many old analog tasks. Today, we want to highlight some ways you can use technology to seriously upgrade your company’s operations.

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.

A lot of businesses feel the pressure to jump on the latest and greatest tech out there. On the surface, that sounds like a smart move, who wouldn’t want cutting-edge tools? Just because something is new and shiny doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your business, however. So, let’s take a step back and talk about how you can make smart tech decisions that actually give you a return on your investment.