Technology Services

Today in this technology and internet savvy world you may find out that you will have multiple choices of Internet Access Providers to choose from. As technology and competition evolves, it is important to stay up to date with options and trends. For businesses this may be a very important decision because today many businesses depend on internet access for communications and it can be quite a challenge when deciding which Internet provider offers the best Internet service needed for your operations.

Although you can easily shop around online, how do you know for sure you are choosing the right Internet service provider? Do they have a professional technical support team? Will they respond promptly when problems arise with your Internet service? These are important questions to ask when searching for a local Internet service. If you’re searching for the right Internet service provider, here are some important points to consider.

Step 1 – Find out who the local Providers are.

You can find a local internet service provider for your home or business by asking family members, neighbors or by searching online. The key is finding a reliable service provider. If you search online, you can browse through your local Internet provider’s website and see what type of Internet service they offer. If they are local they are more likely to have an increase in support personnel and will more likely be able to respond to issues if they arise much quicker.

Step 2 – Determine their Network Access Ability.

Before choosing an Internet provider, make sure you ask about their Network Access Ability. Do they offer Cable, DSL, T1, T3, Ethernet or Fiber Optic’s? Here’s a quick description of each.

Cable or DSL: A high-speed Internet service that operates over telephone lines or cable service. Typically lower cost and reasonable download speeds, however is more suited towards residential customers who mostly download and can be limiting when trying to upload. Upload speeds or sending information will be limited depending on the connection method and distance from the ISP’s POP (point of presence). DSL is distance sensitive, so the further you are away from the ISP’s POP the slower the DSL speed will be. Cable and DSL are not available in all areas and certain areas can have patchy speeds and performance so you should ask around for recommendations. Cable & DSL require basic configuration and typically includes hardware/routers which can also be purchase from $50 or more at a local computer store. Cable & DSL commonly come with a dynamic IP (not static) so if you require a static IP, you may be required to purchase them. At this time, DSL & Cable do not carry guarantees so you have to cross your fingers with the performance and uptime.

T1: Commonly used by USA businesses. T1 provides businesses with a very dependable phone line and/or Internet connection. It is a dedicated connection between your business and the ISP’s nearest POP (point of presence) and is not shared by anyone else. It carries much faster up/down speeds starting at 1.544Mbps and can be bonded with other T1′s to provide more uptime with speeds up to 10Mbps or if voice 24 trunks for each T1. One major benefit of T1 is that it carries a guarantee quality, upload and download speed through what is called an SLA (Service Level Agreement). Equipment is typically provided, however you should confirm this as because of the higher throughput speeds T1 requires higher performing routers and configuration and T1 routers run from $800+. T1 includes static IP’s; however some provider’s charge for additional static IP’s so factor this into the cost of the T1 when making a decision. T1 is available in all areas and costs run from $250-$800+ for monthly service on each T1 depending on the circuit speed and geographical location.

T3: Commonly used by USA businesses. T1 provides businesses with a very dependable phone line and/or Internet connection. It is a dedicated connection between your business and the ISP’s nearest POP (point of presence) and is not shared by anyone else. It carries much faster up/down speeds starting at 1.544Mbps and can be bonded with other T1′s to provide more uptime with speeds up to 10Mbps or if voice 24 trunks for each T1. One major benefit of T1 is that it carries a guarantee quality, upload and download speed through what is called an SLA (Service Level Agreement). Equipment is typically provided, however you should confirm this as because of the higher throughput speeds T1 requires higher performing routers and configuration and T1 routers run from $800+. T1 includes static IP’s; however some provider’s charge for additional static IP’s so factor this into the cost of the T1 when making a decision. T1 is available in all areas and costs run from $250-$800+ for monthly service on each T1 depending on the circuit speed and geographical location.

Ethernet Internet: This type of network access utilizes Ethernet LAN cards off the ISP’s POP switch. The cards have speeds up to 100 Mbps. However the speed is determined by network type and distance from the ISP’s Ethernet equipment. Speeds for businesses start at 3Mbps up to 100Mbps. The fastest Ethernet reaches Gbps. In speed, one Gbps is equal to 1000 Mbps. Ethernet Internet is not available in all area’s as it requires a central office/POP to be Ethernet equipped. Like T1 & T3, Ethernet guarantees quality, upload and download performance through what is called an SLA (Service Level Agreement) and includes static IP’s. Providers may charge for additional static IP’s and hardware. You should consult your provider as the hardware as this can be very costly from $5000+ due to the higher throughput and performance requirements. Costs for Ethernet Internet run from $400 for monthly service and up depending on speed, delivery type (EOC, Cat5, Cat6 and Fiber) and distance from the ISP’s equipment.

Fiber Optic: This consists of plastic or glass threads to transmit information (data). Information is transmitted digitally and has a much higher bandwidth capacity which is virtually unlimited when comparing to metal cables. Fiber optics uses newer technology and must be installed by specialist technicians as bad connections will result in dropped packets (packet loss) and slower bandwidth speeds due to installation errors. Fiber Optics is not available in all areas as it requires costly fiber installations, permits and equipment. Like T1 & T3 & Ethernet, Fiber guarantees quality, upload and download performance through what is called an SLA (Service Level Agreement) and includes static IP’s. Providers may charge for additional static IP’s and hardware. You should consult your provider as the hardware as this can be very costly from $10000+ due to the higher throughput and performance requirements. Costs for business Fiber Internet run from $100+ for monthly service and up depending on speed, carrier and distance from providers POP.

Step 3 – Check the Providers SLA’s (Service Level Agreements).

A quality Internet Service Provider should be able to provide customers with a high level of performance and reliability. If you are looking for a reliable and fast internet connection it is a good idea to make it mandatory to require a SLA and avoid any company that does not offer an industry standard SLA because you could run the risk of experiencing slow speeds and frequent outages. These day’s businesses rely heavily on the internet for productivity and communications to sustain business and having downtime can cost you money.

Step 4 – Check to See If They Provide Online Tools.
As more people are working and using the Internet, companies are now utilizing online tools to measure the internet performance. Any legitimate Internet provider will use the Internet to help the consumer communicate with the provider and offer technology to help the user receive everything they can out of the service they provide. Common online tools are performance monitoring, web statistics, network ping systems, online ticketing systems and other network or web statistics.

Step 5 – Beware of Low Pricing.

Often times many upstart Internet service providers will offer lower pricing than your local Internet provider. Unfortunately, many of these fly-by-night competitors have folded due to bad business practices. Remember, just because an Internet provider advertises the cheapest prices in the industry doesn’t mean they provide the best value. Many people have been swindled over short-term bargains. The unfortunate consumer discovers few months down the line that their Internet service actually cost them more money. It is better to choose a provider who has been in business for 5+ years, has a good and diverse list of customers and offers competitive rates. At least you’re guaranteed quality Internet service.

Step 6 – Check their References.

Verify the Internet provider’s references before making a commitment. A legitimate service provider will have no problem offering their references to new customers. You can take it one step further and check the Better Business Bureau online to see if the company has any unresolved complaints from unsatisfied customers. You can also do a quick Google search of the Internet provider and see if there are any customer complaints or negative reviews posted on the web.

Step 7 – Find out if they Offer Professional Customer Support?

Technical problems with an Internet service happen. Regardless of whether you have DSL, T1, T3, Ethernet or Fiber Optics, at some point in time you may be required to contact technical support. An Internet service provider should be able to offer their customers quality technical support for free. In addition, a provider should be able to offer their customers free email accounts as well. Every Internet provider should offer their customers a well-trained team of customer support representatives who are qualified to support the services the providers provide.

Step 8 – Find out if they Provide Discounts and Special Promotions?

One benefit of being a new subscriber is that many local Internet access providers offer special promotions and discounts for first-time subscribers. Choose a couple of local Internet providers and compare the services they offer and see if they match with your needs. Then compare their rates before making a final decision.

In conclusion, a company that values their customers values their employees as well. They will provide their employees with proper training in order to handle customer inquiries in a professional manner. When searching for an Internet access provider, a good way to tell if you are choosing the right Internet company is to see if you have a good rapport with the representative when you first contact the company by phone.

The representative should not only be polite, they should also be able to answer your questions in a clear and concise manner. A sales team that is only interested in your sale and not willing to answer any of your questions in a polite and professional manner is an Internet service provider you should stay far away from.

We are surrounded by the internet, but selecting the best internet service is no easy task. You not only have to think of availability, but also give some thought to the speed and also the delivery method. Listed below are the steps that can help you in making a choice:

What speed do you require?

Internet speed refers to bandwidth i.e. the rate at which data is downloaded. If you do data-intensive activities or a high number of devices are used on one connection, you have to have high speeds.

What options are available in your area?

When you know the speed you want, you can look at the options available in your area. Contact Openreach and they will provide you information about the services available near you so you can make your choice accordingly.

Explore the pros and cons of these options

You go the most reliable and fastest speeds with cable providers once at a high price, but now fiber optics has taken over. It is becoming a very common method because of the amazing speeds it is able to offer these days and is less costly.

Look for a company that works for you

There are several factors you need to consider before you go with an internet service provider. Yes, their deals and bundles are important, but you should also look into their customer service. When something goes wrong, you will need immediate assistance due to which a provider with excellent reviews is a strong option.

Fibre optic broadband is the most recent advancement in broadband technology. It hasn’t take long for super-fast fibre broadband to become essential for people nowadays. Its use and popularity has risen rapidly and there are several reasons why opting for it is a good decision. Some of the top reasons are outlined below:

Reason 1: You need it for supporting multiple devices

The number of internet-capable gadgets in homes has increased and existing broadband struggles to support them. There are smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, laptops, desktops and even TVs and if you use internet on several devices simultaneously, the speed suffers. Hence, super-fast internet is necessary to keep up.

Reason 2: You want to use lots of services

If you don’t have fibre optic broadband, you may be missing out on some bandwidth-intensive services and apps in use nowadays. Streaming video services like Netflix, TV and download services like Apple iTunes, streaming music services like Spotify and other HD content stuff may be difficult or impossible for you.

Reason 3: You are incurring the same cost

The cost of superfast broadband services and regular broadband has become almost similar. The prices of the former are falling rather rapidly as number of fibre optic providers is rising. Therefore, it is best if you make the switch.

Reason 4: You benefit from its reliability

Conventional broadband services have become quite unreliable over time. Their signals are susceptible to interference and the speeds are reduced when the signal travels in copper cables to broadband modems.

Suppose you have started a company recently. You produce the best quality products but how would you tell people about your business. Do you go to their homes to narrate that you have started a business? Of course not, you need to do the marketing of your business to let people know about your presence. We cannot ignore the importance of marketing for both the new and establishes firms. Though the traditional marketing methods also contribute a lot, you should adopt the new changes as well. It is the era of social media marketing so Buy Instagram Followers or Facebook ads to let people know that your company exists.

The potential for business growth:

Every business lands in the market with an aim to earn profits, and it is impossible until you have a solid customer base. How can you build a strong customer base? It is an important question, and every business strives to get the answer to this question. The answer is through an effective marketing campaign, engaging the audience, satisfying customer’s needs and proving the best customer support a business can build the base of loyal customers.

The social media marketing is the essential element for the success of business these days. You cannot deny the fact that the social media is an efficient platform where things go viral in no time. So you must utilize the power of social media and Buy Instagram Followers.

Benefits of social media marketing:

Following are the benefits of social media marketing:

Social media marketing helps to get increased brand awareness. You can post content related to your brand that will increase your brand visibility.
When you post something related to your business and add a link to your site, it brings traffic to your website. And more traffic on your website means the better rankings in the search engines.
Social media gives your brand’s positive impression with human factor that helps to turn the more visitors into your clients.
You can create a voice for your company using social media. It gives you a better chance to interact with the customers directly. When you communicate with the customers one on one, then you can better understand what they are looking for and what you can produce.
Social media marketing helps to make your product famous. You can promote your brand to the vast audience.
Content distribution becomes easy due to the social media marketing.

Final Verdict:

The age we are living in is all about the advancement. A company has to adopt the modern methods of doing business to ensure its survival. The social media marketing has become an integral part of a business plan. Without promoting your products and services on social media, you cannot win the competitive advantage.

Social media marketing gives you the idea of what your competitors are up to and how can you make your products better. Do not forget that to make a brand successful you need to do a lot of efforts and hard work. You need to develop winning strategies to achieve your goals.

Technology is an incredible thing, isn’t it? Just over a decade ago, we were getting used to the idea of having phones that sent pictures to loved ones. Now we’ve got smartphones, apps that run simultaneously on all of our devices, and even smart homes.

That’s right, smart homes. Can you believe it? The Internet of Things has made it into our homes, giving us the ability to control everything from music and lights to getting the weather and calling an Uber just by using our computers or even using voice controls.

So while you’re wondering how to incorporate the Internet of Things into your own home, consider which devices are best for your needs. We’ve listed three great choices to get you started, and each one has its own benefits that may appeal to you.

Amazon Echo

We might be a little biased, but we love Amazon Echo. The smart home device, which is developed and manufactured by, you guessed it, Amazon, is the most popular on the market right now. This is for good reason, as the device currently offers more services than any other smart home controller available.

With Amazon Echo, you can play your favorite songs from Spotify, listen to podcasts, get news updates, call an Uber, and even play with Wi-Fi enabled lights. The company has also released the Echo Dot, which is a smaller version of the full-sized Echo and is great for bedrooms or offices.

Now that the device is available for purchase, you’re probably thinking about picking up a few. We say that’s a great idea, and while you’re at it, pick up some Amazon Echo skins to go with it. The skins, which are easy to put on your device and easy to remove, will allow you to control the style of your device and how it fits into your home. A stylish speaker that lets us order from Amazon while sitting on the couch? We’re all for that.

Google Home

Google Home is the company’s answer to the Amazon Echo, and for its price, it’s a good alternative. Google’s foray into the smart home space is slightly cheaper than the Echo and is also newer, so don’t expect it to be able to do everything that the latter can do straight off the bat.

Google Home can answer queries, give you the weather, turn lights on and off, control music, and more. Since it’s newer to the smart home market than most other smart homes, it has limited capabilities; however, that’s expected to change as the company gets more comfortable with running apps through the Home server.

And we’re going to be honest with you: the look of the actual Google Home device is suspect. It looks like a Glad air freshener, and we mean that in the nicest way.

Since this device is going to be on display somewhere in your home, we think that getting a couple of Google Home skins might be a good idea. Depending on where you place the device, you could find something that matches the decor of that room. This is the best way to make Google Home blend into your design while making the technology of the smart home stand out.

Asus Laptops

Did you know that you can actually control the lights in your home from your computer? Well, you can really do so much more, like control sprinkler systems, control motorized projection screens, and more, but we’re trying to focus on just one thing at a time.

It’s a fairly simple process to be able to achieve this, and all you need is a laptop, a controller, and a dimmer switch. After a short installment process of both the hardware and software, you’re ready to go! The Asus laptop is an excellent machine for this job because it gives you the power and performance you need from a laptop plus gives you the ability to change the lighting with just one command from the control panel on your laptop.

As we’ve mentioned above, we believe that when you’ve got a smart home, you should also have the option to have a stylish home. That’s why getting Asus laptop skins are such a great idea: you can easily switch out the look of your laptop to keep up with the new futuristic feel of your smart home. That’s the best of both worlds.

This guest post contribution was made by MightySkins of Florida, an American owned and operated company making laser cut vinyl skins for many electronics including smartphones, tablets, drones, laptops, headphones and more.