EMPOWER YOUR BUSINESS with technology and IT Horizons

Monday, 25 July 2016

IT Consulting IT Horizons Services

The Technology You Need, an Affordable IT Solution You Can Depend On

You know you need technology to run your business, but you don’t know where to start, or don’t have the time or money to do it. You're not techy and your company is behind in the technology realm. Just getting your office printer, or your email to work is a challenge. Investing in technology, learning new software, getting new computers and a network means learning new processes and it seems terrifying. It doesn’t have to be, it can be simple when you hire the right IT team to help take your business to the next level! The days of keeping customer information in paper phone books, and invoicing by paper are long gone. You need technology to get things done, to keep your client information safe, and to get systemized. Before investing in the latest-and-greatest gadget that promises to turn you into a computer whiz and make your business the...

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What is the Cloud and How Can You Save Your Business Thousands of Dollars in IT, in 2016?

Thursday, 30 June 2016

Cloud Technology IT Horizons Services

What is the Cloud and How Can You Save Your Business Thousands of Dollars in IT, in 2016?

'The Cloud' refers to accessing your data or programs over the Internet instead of locally. “The cloud” is really just a metaphor for the Internet. Some of you may have even seen the Internet expressed in drawings as a puffy white cloud, back in the day. This is where the term, 'the cloud,' started. How can a business benefit from using the cloud? Unparalleled Connectivity & Increased Collaboration: Access your data from anywhere at any time with your team. You can save thousands of dollars on your business' information technology needs. Physical onsite servers & backup solutions are now optional. Just 5 years ago, when a small business was moving to the next level and needed an IT infrastructure, the cost could be between $15,000 and $30,000! Today, instead of investing all that upfront cost for technology hardware and physical setup, we can leverage cloud subscriptions that often take a...

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Microsoft Office 365 is the right choice for your business

Monday, 23 May 2016

Microsoft Office 365 is the right choice for your business

Modernize your business You’ve got big plans. That’s why you need technology that can grow alongside with you, offering power, agility, and protection, all the while giving you the freedom to work how you and your team work best. ModernBiz: Making technology a business advantage With Microsoft and Office 365, you can choose your own path to becoming a modern business with flexible, complete, and trusted solutions. Office 365 offers a range of opportunities to reduce costs, embrace the cloud, and use powerful business-ready tools across desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. Everything you need to get your job done is in front of you and accessible from wherever the day takes you. And because it’s Microsoft, you gain peace of mind knowing that everything works together seamlessly and provides the security you need to protect your business. ModernBiz gives you the ability to: Grow efficiently with Office 365. Take advantage...

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Need a Team of IT Experts? IT Horizons is the Cost-Effective Solution You're Looking For

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Uncategorized Managed IT Service

Need a Team of IT Experts? IT Horizons is the Cost-Effective Solution You're Looking For

Not every business has the luxury of having an in-house IT department, but that's not to say that they don't need IT support, from time to time, or someone to run an online backup, perform software updates, provide network solutions or a whole host of other services. When your budget or IT needs don't make it practical to keep qualified and experienced technicians on staff, IT Horizons can step in as the full-service IT department you require, when you need it. Getting the Most from Your Technology When you've invested in technologies that are vital to your business' operations, it makes sense that you would want to maximize your return. But, all too often, companies lack the knowledge or the time to learn how to leverage these technologies or to design a strategy for how they can best work together to deliver results. Through a wide range of IT solutions,...

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Microsoft Office 365 is the right choice for your business

Monday, 16 May 2016

Modernize how you do your work You want to stay productive wherever you go. You want to work faster, find exciting new ways to communicate, build deeper insights, and share information using your favorite devices. Simply put, you want to have business tools that work as hard as you do. “Since we’ve been in the cloud, we have seen significant savings and 100% reliable productivity… We are increasing the pace and reliability of business communications and our business is growing thanks to Office 365.” - Mike Meade, Chief Executive Officer, M3 Marine Group Office 365: Move your business forward Office 365, the fastest growing commercial product in the history of Microsoft, offers productivity without boundaries. Using the familiar Office apps you know and the power of the cloud, Office 365 lets you work virtually anywhere, anytime, across your devices. No matter how you access and use Office 365, you receive...

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Have an IT Team but Need Extra Support? We've Got You Covered!

Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Have an IT Team but Need Extra Support? We've Got You Covered!

While businesses with in-house IT departments have access to technical support when they need it, many of these departments are stretched too thin, lack resources and don't have the time it takes to continuously improve their knowledge and skills, keeping up with new trends and technologies. Sound familiar? When your business needs IT solutions that go beyond your technicians' areas of expertise, or your changing needs are putting a much bigger demand on your technical support team than usual, IT Horizons is equipped to work with them in any capacity they require to ensure your IT environment continues to be the driving force your business needs. Flexible IT Solutions, Right When You Need Them There are many ways your company will benefit from this flexible IT service, but above all else, we're here to provide you with peace of mind that your business operations will continue seamlessly, regardless of whether...

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A Solid Foundation for Your IT Environment: Structured Cabling from IT Horizons

Monday, 09 May 2016

A Solid Foundation for Your IT Environment: Structured Cabling from IT Horizons

An IT environment that's going to keep up with the demands of your business both now and in the future starts with a solid foundation - a structured cabling system that's robust and adaptable. This is one of the many IT solutions our trained and experienced team provides to small and mid-sized businesses throughout Northern Alberta and B.C, and it's one that can determine your network infrastructure's overall performance. Cabling that Keeps Your Business Competitive In today's technological world, a quality, effectively installed structured cabling system is a must for any business that wants to stay competitive. Our team can perform cabling installations for businesses in any industry, and we will ensure that your system can be easily integrated with the technologies you use now, but also scaled to accommodate your changing needs. Taking steps to properly install quality structured cabling and components today will mean less downtime and other...

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Managed IT Services: A Cost-Effective, Hassle-Free Solution for Small & Mid-Sized Businesses

Monday, 02 May 2016

Many small and mid-sized businesses have unique IT needs that change constantly and require ongoing maintenance and monitoring. But, unlike large corporations, few small businesses can justify the cost of having a full-time IT consultant on staff. If your business is struggling to keep up with the demands of your IT environment but you haven't the budget or maybe even the need for an in-house IT department, our managed IT services will provide the peace of mind you're looking for at a price you can afford. Creating Your IT Road Map One of the greatest benefits of choosing managed IT services from IT Horizons is that we start at the beginning, with strategy planning. Working with an IT consultant from our team, we'll help you design an IT road map that ensures your technological needs are being met in the most efficient and effective way possible. Our well-structured strategy will...

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Looking for Accountability? Managed IT Services are Your Solution

Friday, 29 April 2016

Depending on the industry you're in, keeping track of the assets that are vital to your business can be significantly valuable to you internally, but it may also be a necessary step in meeting various security or compliance regulations. Accountability is an important factor in many IT environments, but depending on how your IT solutions are delivered or by whom, there may actually be little in the way of updated or clear documentation for you to draw on. In the last couple of blog posts, we've been talking about managed IT services and, specifically, the immense value that this type of arrangement can have for small and mid-sized businesses. This week, I'm going to discuss yet another benefit of managed IT from IT Horizons - greater accountability. Consistency & Transparency Sometimes, when IT solutions are provided in-house, knowledge is internalized rather than clearly and regularly documented. When it's time to...

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Managed IT Services vs. a Break/Fix Approach: Preventative Measures Save Valuable Time & Money

Friday, 15 April 2016

No matter how you cut it, taking preventative measures will always save you time and money, not to mention hassle. Nothing could be more true when it comes to IT, and yet, many companies continue to rely on a break/fix approach that often leads to delays, stress and potentially costly repair bills. Today's post is the last in our mini-series on managed IT services. If you haven't had the chance to read the previous posts, be sure to check them out. You could discover that this is the solution your business needs to save money and work smarter. Now, we've been talking about the many ways businesses benefit from entrusting our qualified team to perform the ongoing maintenance, monitoring and upgrades that are required to keep assets in top form. We've also described how we provide everything from strategic planning and consulting to technical support, data management and more -...

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Managed IT Services Will Save Your Company Money. Here's How

Monday, 29 February 2016

Uncategorized Managed IT Service

Managed IT Services Will Save Your Company Money. Here's How

If you've lost sleep worrying about the technology your business relies on, you're not alone. When a system goes down or security is breached, getting the situation sorted as quickly as possible can be stressful, not to mention costly. For many companies, the solution has been to employ in-house IT support, but as more and more organizations are discovering, the peace of mind that in-house IT affords doesn't always balance the cost of having one or several full-time IT people on the payroll. Some businesses want the peace of mind and someone to perform the updates and monitoring but just can't or don't want to pay a full-time salary. In some cases, internal IT departments spend so much time sorting issues that there's little time left to devote to keeping their skills and knowledge up to date with current best practices. The solution is managed IT services, and this post...

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Scale IT Managed Services to Best Suit Your Business' Changing Needs

Wednesday, 24 February 2016

Scale IT Managed Services to Best Suit Your Business' Changing Needs

No matter the industry, every business goes through cycles. Some months you can feel like you're run off your feet and scrambling to keep up with all of the new clients, orders and calls, while at other times of the year it can feel like you're doing a lot of thumb twiddling during business hours. It makes sense, then, that there are times of the year when you need the peace of mind that round the clock IT support provides, while having to pay a full-time employee to provide the same level of support when business is slow just isn't cost-effective. Last time, we talked about IT managed services, and specifically, the many ways a business can save money by choosing to go this route rather than having a full-time IT department or using a break/fix approach to manage the technology they rely upon. Well, another advantage is that IT...

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IT Services Industry Study Features Expert Input from IT Horizons

Monday, 22 February 2016

Uncategorized IT Consulting

IT Services Industry Study Features Expert Input from IT Horizons

In the 21st century, technology rules. There’s no way to get around it, or away from it, regardless of the industry you’re in, or the size of your business. But, just how important is technology to businesses today, and how are they addressing their technology needs? Clutch wanted to find out, so they conducted a survey of more than 400 small businesses to glean their insights. The results support what we already knew: demand for IT services is on the rise, with more companies both hiring more IT support internally and turning to outside vendors and contractors to help meet their needs. Most (69 percent) of small and medium businesses (SMBs) have hired at least one type of IT service provider. And, momentum is continuing to build; 39 percent of SMBs plan to boost their spending on IT services in 2016. The market is moving to more of a managed...

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Need Onsite Support for Your Franchise or Big Box Retail Store? IT Horizons has You Covered

Monday, 25 January 2016

Onsite Field Support

Need Onsite Support for Your Franchise or Big Box Retail Store? IT Horizons has You Covered

At one time or another, you've probably heard someone say that it's hard to find good help. Maybe you, too, have uttered these words. Well, it gets even harder to find the help you need when the place where you need it isn't located in the same postal code or even the same country. For owners of franchises or big box retail stores in the Peace Region, in or around Grande Prairie, finding quality, affordable technical support and other IT solutions just got easier. The highly trained and experienced team of people at IT Horizons are equipped to satisfy all your IT needs, while our reputation as a dependable leader in the local IT industry provides the peace of mind you need to know that the job will be done right, the first time. Comprehensive IT Solutions Tailored to Suit Your Needs Working with a consultant from our company will...

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The Surveillance Cameras that Are Going to Protect Your Business, No Matter When or Where

IT Horizons Team

Monday, 14 December 2015

The Surveillance Cameras that Are Going to Protect Your Business, No Matter When or Where

In my last post, I talked about the rise in crime that's occurred in the last little while in Grande Prairie and the surrounding areas. Whether it's the holiday season that's prompted the wave of break ins at local businesses, or an unfortunate new trend, companies that don't have quality surveillance systems in place are vulnerable. As I mentioned, we at IT Horizons install surveillance cameras from Ubiquiti Networks, in addition to the many other information technology services we provide. Today, I'd like to give you a sneak peek at some of the awesome features that the UniFi Video Camera Pro has to offer. UniFi Video Camera Pro Highlights: Crystal Clear Footage: The downside of lower quality surveillance cameras is that the footage they provide may not be clear enough to make out faces or other details that are crucial to catching the culprits, should there be a break in....

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Protect Your Business this Holiday Season: Surveillance Camera Installations from IT Horizons

Monday, 07 December 2015

Protect Your Business this Holiday Season: Surveillance Camera Installations from IT Horizons

With all the fun and excitement of the holiday season, it's also a time of year when the number of break ins tends to rise. This year, in the Peace Country, it's no exception as there's been an alarming amount of crime in the last little while. Businesses have been particularly vulnerable and those without security systems or systems that are robust enough to provide quality security footage are left with little recourse. At IT Horizons, we install surveillance cameras, in addition to the range of IT security services we provide for small and mid-sized businesses and even households. Choosing quality cameras that are installed by a trained and experienced IT consultant can make the difference between catching the people who steal from you and leaving your business vulnerable to another break in. The Difference an IT Consultant Can Make When you entrust us with installing your surveillance cameras, you...

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Network Installations: Ensure Your IT Infrastructure is Capable of Meeting Your Business' Technology Needs Today and in the Future

Monday, 30 November 2015

Network Installations: Ensure Your IT Infrastructure is Capable of Meeting Your Business' Technology Needs Today and in the Future

There are few things more frustrating than investing your money into something that will no longer be relevant in a few years. In the ever-changing world of technology, it doesn't take long for something to become redundant, or at the very least, incompatible with the other systems and devices that your business relies on, daily. Whether your company uses a single network or depends on a highly complex IT environment to get things done, a well designed strategy is at the foundation of every successful network installation project. Save Money with a Well Designed IT Infrastructure Like most things in life, carefully planning your IT infrastructure is an essential step if you want to avoid needless spending. Many IT companies, like our own, offer planning or design services to ensure tech installations are performed in a way that's not only best for meeting the needs of a business or even...

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Planning Your Cabling & Physical Installations: The IT Horizons Difference

Monday, 23 November 2015

At IT Horizons, we're not only equipped and certified to handle the installation of any commercial, residential or field cable job, but we also have the training and experience necessary to help you plan the cabling and physical installations that your business or home depends on. From environmental controls and security systems to server racks and wireless access points, IT Horizons takes the time to ensure every installation is performed cost-effectively and efficiently, and is geared to provide real lasting value. When you choose our highly skilled and experienced team for any installation, we'll begin the project by learning about your business' goals, and from there, will perform an analysis that takes budget, resource planning and policy development into account. If you're ready to get started planning the IT installation that's going to revolutionize the way you work, today and tomorrow, get in touch with us for more information.

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Look No Further than IT Horizons for a Wide Range of Cable Installation Solutions

Monday, 16 November 2015

Look No Further than IT Horizons for a Wide Range of Cable Installation Solutions

At IT Horizons, we strive to offer residential, commercial and industrial clients the most comprehensive IT solutions available. This means that beyond the unwaveringly awesome technical support, ongoing maintenance and monitoring, we also perform cabling and physical installations of all shapes and sizes in places that include office buildings and homes to remote job sites in the field. Whether you're moving locations, building a new facility or simply need to upgrade or add to your existing IT environment, IT Horizons is equipped with the expertise and equipment to satisfy all of your cabling and physical installation needs. Our Comprehensive Installation Service Offering Because our clients have very diverse needs, we're ready and able to provide a wide range of installation services: Structured cabling Ethernet Phone cable Coax cable Audio cable Server racks and closets Wireless access points Network infrastructure devices Environmental controls and monitoring Power management (backup generators, etc.) Physical...

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Purchasing New IT Solutions? Consider a Training Program and Your Business will Benefit in More Ways than One

Monday, 26 October 2015

Purchasing New IT Solutions? Consider a Training Program and Your Business will Benefit in More Ways than One

Last time, I talked about some of the ways businesses can use technologies like Office 365 to optimize their workflows. The first step is choosing to implement the IT solutions that will make it possible to collaborate on projects from any location, securely store data in the cloud, share documents, sync everything between the devices you use daily, and more. Learning how to leverage these technologies so that growing your business is less fishing in the dark and more of a highly strategic and well-executed plan of action, however, is of equal importance. In far too many instances, businesses invest in IT solutions only to choose not to receive training from an experienced IT consultant who can, and will, teach them how to use these tools for maximum results and return on their investment. When you fail to learn the ins and outs of these technologies and how they can...

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