BlackCSI Blog

The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming one of the most exciting tech trends out there, but it is difficult to know where to start. It means using Internet-connected smart devices to help businesses run better. Some companies think IoT is too expensive or too complicated, but when done right, it can actually save a lot of money and make things work smoother. Let’s break down how businesses are using IoT and why it’s totally worth it.

Running a small business is already a juggling act. Now toss managing IT into the mix and watch the balls start to bounce in every direction. IT for small businesses isn’t just plugging in a few computers and setting up Wi-Fi. It’s an ever-growing web of systems, tools, security measures, and the occasional mysterious error message that nobody understands. Let’s take a look at some of the things that every small business owner needs to look at as far as their technology is concerned.

We all know that person with an ancient laptop, a stubborn printer, or that phone they refuse to part with. At some point, however, that beloved device stops being the sidekick you need it to be and starts feeling more like dead weight. If your tech is making life harder instead of easier, it might be time for an upgrade. Here’s how to know when to let go.

Business is all about disaster mitigation and damage control. You never know exactly when something bad is going to happen, but you have to be ready for it when it does. Today, we want to discuss a couple ways that smart technology can help you in specific situations where your business might otherwise falter.

IT should be making your business work smarter, not harder. That’s what we want to discuss today: how IT impacts your business priorities, such as productivity, cybersecurity, and accessibility. Are you making the best choices possible, or are the options you’re selecting hindering your company’s operations?

It’s always good to know what kind of technological assets your business has at any given time, but some business owners don’t keep a detailed inventory. If you don’t know what you have, how will you know what you need? Let’s discuss some of the ways you can manage your IT inventory or make your current practices more effective.

Last month, we wrote about how Windows is not the only operating system out there and that new users may be coming to the OS for the first time. We want to continue this discussion by sharing how to navigate the many features of Windows 11, including one of the more useful ones: the Start menu. You’ll find the other articles in this series by checking the “Learning Windows” tag here on our blog.

Technology is deeply embedded in nearly every aspect of modern life. As society has become increasingly tech-driven, businesses have found ways to set themselves apart by meeting the growing demand for innovation. While technological dominance has been a recurring theme throughout the information age, today’s leading tech companies wield more power and influence than ever before.

Windows PowerToys is a collection of handy utilities that can offer a lot of value to those with some use for them. We wanted to briefly run through some of the most business-friendly options you might want to implement into your operations.

Windows might be the standard for business, but that’s because it was the original standard. These days, children grow up with Chromebooks in schools while using Mac and Apple products for their personal devices. It might not be safe any longer to assume that today’s workers know what they’re doing with the Windows operating system, especially as a younger generation grows up and enters the workforce.

Google Chrome takes the idea of a bookmark feature further than most other browsers. Instead of simply saving certain web pages for repeated viewing, Google Saved (a feature previously known as Google Collections) gives you a place to keep track of pages you want to return to later. But it’s more than just a simple bookmark; let’s take a closer look at Google Saved and how it works.

This year, we’re making it our goal to help more businesses than ever, and a big part of that is making sure they have the best technology available. If you're not happy with your current phone system, we've got great news. You don’t have to stick with old-school landlines—there’s a better option called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

Technology is one of the key enablers of automation for businesses, so it makes sense that it would eventually creep into email. Automated emails have the power to contribute to more streamlined operations when used well, but they are far from flawless. Today, we want to get you thinking about the pros and cons of automated email as it pertains to running your business.

Tape backup used to be the go-to backup solution for businesses, but it’s since lost its luster in favor of digital backup solutions. You might still find some uses for it, if you find a good enough excuse. Today, we want to examine why you might still use tape backup, even though a Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) solution far outshines it.

Each new year is an opportunity to reflect on what your business has gotten right and what it needs to improve. Your technology is one of those parts of a business where there’s always some room for improvement. If new IT solutions are on the docket for the upcoming year, here are four questions you can ask to make any new implementation successful.

The Internet is just as essential to business as electricity. One key factor that determines how well your Internet works is bandwidth. Let’s break it down.

Some businesses spend entirely too much on their communication tools, while others spend entirely too little. But it’s not easy to nail down communication in any case. Today, we want to help you explore some of the tools out there.

The Internet of Things is an umbrella term for internet-connected devices, but whatever you want to call it, the integration of technology into manufacturing and distribution processes can have a lot of benefits. Today, we’ll take a closer look at manufacturing IoT.

With so much of the world now online, it’s no wonder that advertisers have shoveled countless dollars into embedded advertisements. Whether you’re reading articles, watching videos, or even scrolling through your social media feed, it’s expected that ads are a part of that experience—even though most people find them to be disruptive, annoying, and invasive. Many users have resorted to ad blockers in an attempt to make the Internet bearable.

With AI changing the way we work forever, it was only a matter of time before it infiltrated the mobile market. Nowadays, smartphones and tablets are smarter and more powerful than ever, all through the use of AI. Let’s look at the trends in mobile AI usage and how your business can leverage it to your advantage.