One Up Solutions Northwest Blog

We’ve all heard it, perhaps even rolled our eyes at it: “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” This seemingly simplistic question has become a running gag in the world of IT support. But beneath the humor lies a fundamental truth: rebooting a device is often the most effective first step in resolving a surprising number of technical glitches.

We understand that, although it might sound elementary, this advice is based on solid technical principles.

The difference between embracing current business technology and sticking with antiquated technology that has served you well in the past can be stark. It's not just about avoiding sinking; it's about harnessing power, speed, and agility to reach new destinations.

Technology is a big deal for any business, but for small businesses, keeping pace isn't just a good idea; it's becoming essential to the survival and success of the whole endeavor. Every instant gratification and falling behind can have a real effect on an organization’s ability to support their offerings.

Growing your business means making smart choices, and that definitely includes getting the right technology. Finding the right tech can often feel like a balancing act: you need powerful tools to compete and grow, but you also need to be mindful of your budget.

At One Up Solutions Northwest, serving businesses right here in Oregon, we help you find that sweet spot where your tech investments truly support your goals without unnecessary costs.

If I were to ask you what technology your business possessed and where it all was right now, could you give me an answer? If not, you’ve demonstrated the importance of keeping an accurate inventory of your business’ IT.

So, let’s go over some best practices to make managing your business’ IT inventory more effective.

We can’t tell the future—no one really can—but it is both possible and vital to make predictions based on present trends and current events. Let’s look forward to the rest of this year to see what predictions we can make for business IT and the notes we should all take over the next few months.

Technology doesn’t just support modern businesses, it drives them. Whether it's handling customer transactions, storing data, or running day-to-day operations, companies depend on their IT systems to work reliably. But what if you could spot problems before they actually cause trouble?

Technology is no longer just a support function for a business, it's a critical driver of business performance, security, and competitiveness. As systems age and newer solutions are implemented, the need to evaluate and upgrade your technology becomes important. While it’s easy to maintain the mindset of reactive maintenance, relying on outdated technology can quietly hinder growth and expose your organization to significant risks.

Hardware is far from the most fun topic for a business owner to learn more about, but that doesn’t diminish its importance. If you want to ensure your business stays ahead of the game, then you need to be strategic about your hardware implementation. Otherwise, you risk falling behind, put your business in danger, and—even worse—imperil your budget. Today, we want to help you get the most out of your hardware, long before you have to invest in anything new.

We’ve all had to confirm we’re not a computer when attempting to log into an account. This is the core purpose of what once was called CAPTCHA… the Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. However, it seems surprising that computers don’t easily overcome these simple-seeming tests.

Let’s dig into why these simple tests actually are effective at differentiating between human users and automated bots.

Managing all the gadgets in a modern office isn’t a walk in the park. The tricky part is keeping tabs on every device, figuring out who’s using what, and noticing any trends. If you’re not already tracking your tech, now’s the time to set up a system that does just that. Using an inventory management system can make this whole process a lot smoother.

Rebooting your device presents several benefits. If you ever experience an issue with your device, rebooting it will likely improve it. Heck, even the National Security Agency (NSA) recommends you do this… but why?

Computer problems can be super frustrating, especially when they slow you down while working. Many times, it is something that can be fixed quickly, but then there are issues that an experienced IT professional has to address. Let’s take a look at some of the most common computer problems professionals run into.

Have you ever noticed the digital screens at stores or restaurants displaying deals, menus, or videos? These are called digital signs, and they’re incredibly useful for businesses of all sizes. Let’s dive into why they’re so great!

Keeping your small business’ technology up to date is a lot like maintaining a car—you need to make updates to keep it running smoothly and avoid costly breakdowns. The problem is, with IT, where do you start? This month, we thought we’d provide a step-by-step guide to planning tech upgrades for your business.

We all depend on the Internet. For most of us who have been using it since the mid-90s, we’ve seen a massive change in its use. Today, silent continuous connectivity has replaced the dial-up tones of the late 90s and early 2000s. In today’s blog, we thought we’d discuss how Internet connectivity speeds have changed over the past 30 years. 

Telephone systems are a crucial part of any business. Voice over IP, or VoIP, takes telephone systems one step further by making the service more accessible, flexible, and affordable for SMBs. Today, we want to highlight some of the benefits you can expect from using a VoIP system.

One of the many tasks undertaken by the United Nations is to protect human rights around the globe while also working to create more sustainable and climate-friendly development. As such, the UN has recently taken a healthy interest in the development of artificial intelligence, hoping to develop guidelines that allow us to get the most value out of AI without creating more significant problems.

Keeping track of your business' technology is really important for smooth operations and long-term success. You need to monitor things like computers, servers, mobile devices, and software licenses to avoid unnecessary costs and security problems. A good inventory system helps you know what technology you have, where it is being used, and when it needs maintenance or replacement. This ensures that your team has the right tools when they need them, which boosts productivity and growth.

Video conferencing has become a must-have tool for businesses, especially after the rise of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It used to feel like something from science fiction, but now it's a key part of how we work together. Video meetings are not only more reliable and easy to use, but they've also become a lot more accessible, helping people connect no matter where they are. Let's take a look at some of the ways video conferencing has improved: