When it comes to High Tech Phone Services, the Future is Now!

It’s hard to imagine now, but it wasn’t long ago when most people thought that mobile telephones were something that only the wealthy could afford. Fortunately, the technology eventually became much more affordable, and now over 90% of Americans have at least one wireless device. Predictably, this has impacted standard telephone service, and present estimates indicate that less than 40% of U.S. households still have landline service. The phenomenon of “cord-cutting” is also affecting business telephone services. After all, most small business owners struggle financially for the first several years that they’re in business, and when there are only a few employees who all have their own cell phones, it’s difficult to justify the expense of telephone service for the office.

What would you say if we told you that you can have crystal-clear telephone service with a host of advanced connectivity features, and at a fraction of the cost of standard office telephone services? It’s no joke! VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) internet phone service is an exciting new technology that continues to grow in popularity among small business owners! VOIP phone systems convert analog voice data into a digital signal that’s transmitted over the internet in real time.VOIP service will usually be able to connect with your existing data network, and setup is a quick process. In most cases, the only hardware expense that you’ll have during installation will be inexpensive VOIP-enabled telephones.

VOIP service offers many advantages. For starters, it’s scalable, and easy to add or remove lines of service. It’s flexible, and can integrate with your email exchange system and mobile devices. In most modern offices, your employees don’t spend much time sitting at their desks, and you can easily transfer a call to a mobile phone, or have a single number ring simultaneously on multiple devices. And, since we currently deal with over 35 telecommunications companies, we can save you up to 70% off your current telephone bill by keeping them in constant competition with each other!

The modern office telephone has changed in many exciting ways, and our team at Network Services Group is ready to show you how easy and affordable that the transition to VOIP can be! To schedule your free consultation, contact us online, or at (501)758-6058.

Don’t Wait for a Breach to Think about Network Security!

You only have to look at the headlines to know that if your business’ network security isn’t high on your list of priorities, it’s high on someone’s list. If your unsecured data hasn’t been compromised, it’s probably only because no one has gotten to you…yet.

One of the biggest mistakes small businesses make when considering their IT security is thinking that data breach prevention is just a concern for the big boys. But when it comes to data theft and computer virus attacks, hackers go by one mantra: no job is too large or too small. If you use data (and who doesn’t?), you’re a target.

It helps to fully understand what a data breach is to truly understand the risks. A hacker breaking into your network to steal or damage files is a data breach that most people understand. But a data breach can also be as low-tech as someone accessing unauthorized information on an office computer because an employee didn’t keep his password safe, or even someone seeing information they aren’t supposed to have by reading over your shoulder. So, not only does your external security need to be as solid as possible, your internal controls must be thorough as well.

It stands to reason that if IT isn’t your business, you may not know all of its ins and outs, and what you don’t know definitely can hurt you. That’s why Network Services Group is the go to IT provider for businesses in some of the most important industries in Arkansas, including the automotive, medical, and financial industries.

We not only design your system around your business, we protect your data with hourly onsite backups, which are uploaded daily to remote secure servers for redundancy. And, for added protection, our data center’s files are also copied daily onto a remote server located out of state, with every bit of it protected by military grade encryption.

Don’t leave the security of your data to chance! Contact Network Services Group online at this link, or by calling 501-758-6058 and let us show you the peace of mind that total network security protection can provide!

You aren’t in the IT Business so Why Spend all of Your Time Wrangling With IT?

When you have problems with your computer or your data network, you always call Karen for help. She gets there as quickly as she can, and even though it often takes her some time, she almost always manages to resolve your issues. But the trouble is that Karen was hired to do a completely different job, and the time she spends dealing with computer problems is interfering with the time that she has to perform her regular job tasks.

Does this sound like your company? Many businesses feel like they’re too small to need IT or network management services, and choose instead to rely on that one employee that’s “good with computers.” Unfortunately, that decision often costs companies more in terms of lost productivity than they’d spend paying a managed service provider to keep their network running! Our team at Network Services Group offers small businesses the benefits of a full-time IT department, and we keep our services affordable by allowing companies to share the expense. It’s called Managed IT,  and it’s much more affordable than you think.

We start by installing a secure server and exchange system with network attached storage. Your system will fully integrate your email, file management, and scheduling systems, and you’ll enjoy 99.9% uptime with lightning-fast connection speeds. And the system is scalable if your company is growing, or employs seasonal help.

During off-peak hours, software updates and antivirus definitions will be automatically downloaded and installed. Each morning, your employees will have the most current versions of all software, and won’t have to sit around waiting for files to download. In addition to hourly onsite file backups, your files will be backed up offsite, and protected at all times with military-grade encryption.

Finally, at NSG, we don’t just set up the network and say goodbye. All of our clients enjoy 24/7 telephone helpdesk support, and onsite support as needed. We know how devastating that network outages can be for a business, and when they happen, we’ll have you back online right away.

Don’t keep thinking that IT services are something that you don’t need, or can’t afford. You do, and you can. Schedule your free consultation here, or give us a call at (501)758-6058 if you have any questions!

Consider Encrypted Cloud-Based Storage For Extra Security

As a small business owner, you already know that one of your most important assets is your data. In fact, the thought of suddenly losing it all due to a massive power surge (or a clumsy employee who accidentally reformats your hard drive) is terrifying! Unfortunately, storing your data files exclusively on a local computer is about as safe as stuffing your life savings under your mattress at home. How do you keep your data safe?

The answer is cloud-based storage! By connecting your office to the cloud, you’ll be able to instantly access your files from anywhere in the world. And if you’re worried about data security, you can rest assured that your files will be quite safe from prying eyes! Our team at Network Services Group will be glad to schedule a service consultation to show you the numerous benefits of using cloud services for secure online document handling. In the meantime, here are the answers to a few questions that you might have:

What is the cloud?

Not unlike the internet itself, “The Cloud” is not a physical thing, but a network of powerful computer servers that serve different functions. Some power social media sites, some support subscription-based software services, and some are designated strictly for file storage. One big advantage of using the cloud is that you don’t have to transfer all your files over every time that you get a new computer.

How will my office connect to the cloud?

We’ll set up a server and exchange system for your office with Network Attached Storage (NAS). The system will automatically update your software and antivirus definitions during off-peak hours. The system will also backup your files locally on an hourly basis, and offsite every night.

Are you sure my data is safe?

For starters, all of your files will be protected with military-grade encryption. And, in the event of a data loss, all you have to do is select a designated restore point, and you’ll be back in business in minutes. Additionally, our offsite backups are also backed up to redundant servers in other parts of the country!

Cloud-based data storage has revolutionized the high-tech industry, and if you haven’t made the switch, you risk getting left behind! Schedule your free, no obligation, consultation here, or give us a call at (501) 758-6058.

If Your Phone System isn’t VOIP – We Have 3 Reasons Why it Should Be

More and more people are now becoming “cord cutters,” and abandoning landline telephone service at home. Over 90% of people now have mobile devices, and it’s hard to justify the expense of a home telephone. But as a business owner, it’s still important to have a main phone number that won’t change, even if your personnel does.

Network Services Group has been central Arkansas’s leader in business telephone services since 1989, and our reputation for offering cost-effective managed IT services is second to none. We also offer our clients top quality VOIP phone systems at competitive prices. Here are a few of the reasons why transitioning to internet phone service makes sense:

Advanced Features

With VOIP Service, you’ll have all the features of a standard telephone, plus a whole lot more! Your phones will be integrated into your server and exchange system, which means that your voicemail messages can be copied to your email. And for employees who don’t spend much time sitting at their desks, you can also easily transfer a phone call to a mobile device!

Lower Cost

The days of telephone service monopolies are long gone, and that’s good news for your bottom line! We work with over 35 telecommunications providers, and they all know that if they’re not prepared to offer our clients a bargain price, their competitors will! When you switch to VOIP service, you can expect to save up to 70% on your telephone bill!

Scalability

As your company grows and the size of your workforce expands, adding telephone lines is quick and easy! And VOIP service is also a great option for companies that employ seasonal help, because it’s just as easy to remove them when they’re no longer needed.

There’s never been a better time to upgrade to VOIP telephone service, and we’re ready to show you how easy and affordable that it can be! And we don’t just set up your system and say good-bye; we’ll make sure that your staff is trained on all of the features of your new telephone system, and back you up with 24/7 live and helpdesk support. Schedule your service consultation now, or give us a call at (501) 758-6058 if you have any questions!

Start the New Year Right and Get a Handle on Your IT Needs

Most people look forward to the New Year, because it means getting a fresh start. But for some people, there’s also a certain sense of anxiety that comes with the fear of breaking resolutions. But when it comes to managed IT services for your small business, our team at Network Services Group will never break our resolution to keep your office online and secure.

Managed data services keeps your office connected at a price that will meet your budget. You’ll have the benefit of a full IT staff, but you’ll only pay for the services that you actually use.  Here’s what you can expect as a managed IT client:

99.9% uptime

There are few things more devastating to productivity than downtime, and our policy is “not on our watch!” One of the keys to our success over the years has been keeping our clients online, and we take our commitment to network uptime very seriously.

24/7 live and helpdesk support

When it comes to IT problems, we’re all familiar with Murphy’s Law. But the truth is that there’s never a convenient time for a network outage. In the event that you do encounter a problem, our team will be there right away to get you back in business.

Automatic software updates

One of the most effective ways to maximize functionality for your office is to maintain current software updates and antivirus definitions. Your office computers will be set up to automatically download and install updates during off-peak hours, and you’ll have current software every morning!

Secure online backups

We’ll set up a Network Attached Storage (NAS) system for your office, which will locally backup your files on an hourly basis, and nightly to redundant off-site servers. And you’ll never have to worry about your files falling into the wrong hands, because they will all be protected with military-grade encryption.

Managed IT is a great way for a small business to think big, and it’s a mistake to think it’s something you don’t need, or can’t afford. You do, and you can. NSG is is central Arkansas’ leading managed IT service provider, with the expertise necessary to keep your data safe and your business online. To schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation, contact us online or give us a call at  (501) 758-6058.