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ISSUE 001

October 2024

Spokane, WA

BCA TALK

“Insider Tips to Make Your Business Run

Faster, Easier and More Profitable”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Windows 10: The Final Countdown –

It's Time to Upgrade Your PC ...........................................................................

Gadget of the Month

...........................................................................

Automation for Small Enterprises ...........................................................................

The True Price of IT Downtime

...........................................................................

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Page 2

Smart Office Trends for an

Improved Workflow

........................................................................

Tech Tip of the Month

........................................................................

Before Buying a Used Laptop ........................................................................

Technology Trivia

........................................................................

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We love technology and we love helping people.

Give me a call today for a quick (non-salesy) chat to find out whether my team and I can help you better secure your data and get more out of your existing technology!

- Josh Smith

CEO

WINDOWS 10: THE FINAL COUNTDOWN – IT'S TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR PC

Windows 10 has served us well.

But its time is running out.

Microsoft plans to end support for

Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.

This means no more security

updates, no more patches, and no

more support.

It’s time to upgrade to Windows

11. This is especially true for

business users with many systems

to check and upgrade. This change

isn’t just about getting new

features. It’s about ensuring your

PC stays secure, fast, and capable.

Why You Need to Upgrade

Now

Security Concerns

No more updates mean no more

security patches. Upgrading to

Windows 11 ensures you receive

the latest security updates.

Enhanced Performance

Windows 11 is designed to be

faster and more efficient. It

optimizes your hardware,

providing better performance.

Improved Features

The redesigned Start Menu and

Taskbar offer a fresh, modern

look. Snap Layouts and Snap

Groups help you organize your

workspace. Virtual Desktops allow

you to create different desktops

for different tasks. These enhance

productivity and make your PC

experience more enjoyable.

Hardware Requirements for

Windows 11

Not all current PCs can run

Windows 11. Here are the basic

hardware requirements:

A compatible 64-bit processor with at least 1 GHz clock speed and 2 or more cores.
4 GB of RAM or more.
64 GB of storage or more.
UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability.
TPM version 2.0.
DirectX 12 compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver.

If your PC doesn’t meet these

requirements, consider upgrading.

Upgrading Your Computer

Opportunity to Modernize:

Newer PCs come with better

processors, more RAM, and faster

storage.

AI-Enabled PCs:

Consider PCs that offer advanced features powered by AI.

Energy Efficiency:

Modern PCs use less power without

compromising performance.

Benefits of Upgrading to

Windows 11

Better User Interface:

Windows 11 offers a cleaner UI

with a centered Start Menu and

simplified Taskbar.

Improved Multitasking:

You can easily organize open

windows, switch between tasks and create separate desktops.

Integrated Microsoft Teams:

Quickly start a chat or video call

directly from the Taskbar.

What Are the Risks of

Waiting to Upgrade?

Increased Vulnerability:

Waiting to upgrade increases your

vulnerability. As the end-of-support

date approaches, the risk

of security threats grows.

Upgrading now minimizes this

risk.

Potential Compatibility

Issues:

New applications and updates may not be compatible. By upgrading now, you ensure compatibility with the latest software.

Business Disruption:

Starting an upgrade for your office now gives time for a smooth rollout.

How to Upgrade

Check Compatibility: Check if your PC meets the requirements using the PC Health Check tool.
Backup Your Data: Avoid losing important files during the upgrade process.
Follow Upgrade Instructions: This may involve downloading the installation file and running the setup.
Seek Professional Help: If you’re unsure about upgrading, seek the help of tech experts.

The countdown to the end of Windows 10 has begun. Ensure your PC stays protected and up to date. Don’t wait until the last minute!

Doxie Go SE Scanner

The Doxie Go SE Scanner enables you to scan anywhere and go paperless.

It is everything you want modern scanning to be — clever, simple, and mobile.

Thanks to a small footprint, rechargeable battery, and expansive memory, Doxie fits your life — take Doxie with you and scan anywhere, no

computer required. It has available apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, and web viewer for Linux and Chrome OS.

bca-wa.com

1-509-535-5571

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ISSUE 001

October 2024

Spokane, WA

STREAMLINING SUCCESS: A GUIDE TO TASK AUTOMATION

FOR SMALL ENTERPRISES

Running a small business is a

whirlwind. You juggle a million

tasks and wear countless hats.

You also constantly fight the

clock. What if you could reclaim

some of that precious time?

Enter task automation. It’s your

secret weapon for streamlining

your workflow and boosting

productivity. By automating

routine and repetitive tasks, small

businesses can gain many benefits

such as freeing up valuable time

and resources. Every minute

saved can translate to increased

productivity and profitability.

What is Task Automation?

Task automation involves using

technology to automate repetitive,

manual tasks. Imagine software

handling data entry, scheduling

appointments, or sending out

invoices. All this without your

constant oversight. This frees you

up to focus on strategic initiatives

that drive growth.

88% of small business owners say

that automation helps them

compete with larger companies.

What Tasks Can You

Automate?

You can automate many tasks

across different departments in a

small business. Here are some

examples:

Marketing: Schedule social media posts and send automated email campaigns. You can also generate personalized marketing materials.

Sales: Generate quotes and send automated follow-up emails. Track sales performance through automated reports.

Customer Service: Set up chatbots to answer frequently asked questions. Automate email responses for order confirmations. Have automation manage appointment scheduling.

Human Resources: Automate payroll processing and manage employee onboarding tasks. Send out automated reminders for performance reviews.

Finance: Automate data entry for invoices and receipts. Schedule recurring payments and generate automated financial reports.

Getting Started with Task

Automation:

Identify Repetitive Tasks.

Analyze your daily workflows and

pinpoint repetitive tasks. Ask

employees what manual tasks

take them the most time.

Choose the Right Tools.

There’s a vast array of automation

tools available. You’ll find everything from simple scheduling apps to complex management platforms. Research and choose tools that integrate seamlessly with your existing software.

Start Small.

Don’t try to automate everything at once. Begin by automating a few key tasks and gradually expand as you get comfortable.

Invest in Training.

Provide your team with proper training. You want them to feel comfortable integrating them into their workflow.

The Future of Automation

for Small Businesses

Automation technology will

continue to evolve. Small

businesses will have access to

even more powerful tools to boost

productivity. Automating now

gets you ahead of the competition.

UNMASKING THE TRUE PRICE

OF IT DOWNTIME

Imagine this: you walk into your

office on a busy Monday morning, ready to tackle the week. But something’s wrong. Computers are unresponsive. Phones are silent. The internet is a ghost town. Your business has come to a grinding halt – victim of an IT outage.

It’s a scenario every business owner fears. But beyond the initial frustration are expenses you may not immediately see. IT downtime carries hidden costs that can significantly impact your bottom line. Let’s peel back the layers and expose the true

price of IT outages.

The Immediate Impact:

Lost Productivity

When IT systems go down, your

employees are effectively sidelined. Sales can’t be processed. Emails pile up unanswered.

Customer Impact: Frustration and Lost Trust

An IT outage isn’t just an internal inconvenience. It directly impacts your customers. Frustrated customers can’t place orders or access their accounts.

Reputational Damage:

A Hit to Your Brand Image

IT outages can tarnish your brand image. Customers expect businesses to be reliable and accessible.

Hidden Costs: Beyond the

Obvious

The financial impact of IT downtime extends beyond lost productivity and sales. It includes:

Employee Demoralization
Emergency Repairs
Data Loss or Corruption
Compliance Issues

Investing in Uptime: Building Business Resilience

IT downtime is a threat every

business faces. By understanding the true cost and taking proactive

measures, you can reduce the risk. Remember, downtime has the potential to damage your reputation and customer relationships.

So, focus on IT security and invest in preventative measures. Every minute counts when it comes to technology.

Traveling with technology has

become a necessity. Whether for

work, communication, or

entertainment, we rely heavily on our

devices. But traveling exposes these

gadgets to various risks. Theft,

damage, and loss are common

concerns.

We’ve put together some helpful tips

to mitigate the risk of any tech

mishaps on your next trip. Follow

these eight best practices to ensure

your devices remain safe when

traveling.

Use Protective Cases
Leverage Tracking Apps
Keep Devices Close
Use Strong Passwords
Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
Back Up Your Data
Be Mindful of Your Surroundings
Use Anti-Theft Accessories

TOP 6 SMART

OFFICE TRENDS

FOR AN IMPROVED

WORKFLOW

Gone are the days of sterile cubicles

and monotonous routines. Today’s

smart offices are hubs of innovation.

They’re designed to empower

employees, optimize workflows, and

foster collaboration.

This shift is driven by technology,

including smart features that

seamlessly integrate into the physical

workspace. But with so many options

available, where do you begin?

Here are the top six smart office

trends you should consider adopting.

They can power productivity and

boost employee satisfaction.

Internet of Things (IoT) Devices
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
Collaborative Technologies
Remote Work Solutions
Smart Furniture
Data Analytics

8 TIPS FOR

SAFEGUARDING

YOUR GADGETS

WHILE TRAVELING

AI DATA BREACHES ARE RISING! HERE’S HOW

TO PROTECT YOUR COMPANY

AI is rapidly transforming

industries. It offers businesses

innovative solutions and

automation capabilities. But with this progress comes a growing concern: AI data breaches. As AI becomes more integrated into our systems, the risks increase. The data it collects, analyzes, and utilizes becomes a target.

A recent study on AI security

breaches found that in the last

year, 77% of businesses have

experienced a breach of their AI.

This poses a significant threat to organizations.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to mitigate your risk:

Data Governance
Security by Design
Threat Modeling
Employee Training
Security Patch Management
Security Testing

Stay Informed.

Keep yourself updated on the latest AI security threats by subscribing to reliable

publications and seeking out

workshops on AI and security.

Each month you have a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card by being the first person to email us with the answer to our Technology Trivia Question of the Month!

The question this month is:

When is the National Computer Security Day celebrated?

The first person to email me at josh@bca-wa.com with the correct answer gets

a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

TECHNOLOGY TRIVIA TIME

bca-wa.com

1-509-535-5571

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