Do You Find Your Business Challenging?

On an average day, many clients mention the numerous challenges they face as small- to mid-sized businesses. Often, it's just a passing comment or maybe a story of a few weeks past. What is interesting about these conversations is that implementing a technology strategy can often solve the issue.

Challenge #1: "Our company's network continually goes down when I am out of the office. It's not dependable and is starting to really cut into what was once a profitable bottom line. What can we do?"

Soultion #1: If you're finding that keeping your network running smoothly is a constant burden to your IT department, implementing a managed services program could help your company to reduce costly emergency IT calls. With a managed services program, businesses benefit from 24/7 network monitoring, virus scans and updates, faster performance and often the reduction of computer glitches that can cause extensive downtime for a company. Here's a brief case study on how a Managed Services program, when implemented and outsourced correctly can make a huge difference on the way a company works.

Challenge #2: Staffing our IT department is always a challenge. We want top-notch professionals, but aren't sure where to find them.

Solution #2: Many businesses are looking to outsource their IT departments. Through outsourcing, businesses can bring on highly-qualified IT professionals and benefit from their expertise without worrying about staffing a department. Outsourced IT professionals track their time hourly, so it's easy for business owners to forecast future IT costs and predict end of year costs. What's more, outsourced IT professionals keep up-to-date on the latest technology advances as it gives them a competitive edge.

Challenge #3: We are moving to a new location and have 300 computers that need to move with us. What can we do to keep our IT department of two from working overtime?

Solution #3: When it comes to moving a business' computers, it's more than just a few cable issues here and there. By outsourcing your computer networking IT needs like relocation, a outsourced computer network provider can predict the roadblocks you might face as they come into contact with many of the same issues on a day-to-day basis. If you haven't worked with an outsourced IT department and are facing a relocation, make sure you bring a layout of your new location, mark the locations of outlets, determine the best place for the printers and determine the number of computers to be installed.

MDL Technology, LLC is a Kansas City-based company that creates computer networking solutions to help make running a business easier. We partner with companies to design, build and install network systems to fit the needs of their organization. Once up and running, we train their associates and keep the network running smoothly to help meet the needs of the company. Our number one goal is to help our clients be successful.

Businesses Demanding 24/7 Uptime Find Answer with Managed Services

A growing number of businesses are looking for effective ways to decrease the amount of computer glitches and downtime experienced in their day-to-day operations. One such way companies like MDL Technology LLC are helping their clients decrease computer downtime is by offering a Managed Service program.

With a Managed Service program, a company can have the power of a full-time, completely trained, IT department at their fingertips, 24/7. What's more, after implementing a Managed Services program most business owners discover that their organization's productivity increases and so does the ability to accurately forecast each month's IT budget, as most Managed Service programs have a monthly agreement rate. But probably the number one reason a company chooses to go with a Managed Service program is to reduce the number of "emergency" computer network repairs and office calls.

If your business is needing a cost-effective way to reduce your IT costs and up your IT functionality, here are a few things to consider.

8 Benefits of Using Managed Services:

• Reduce or eliminate the cost of maintaining an in-house IT department
• Ability to focus on core competencies by leveraging off-site hosting capabilities
• 24/7 network monitoring
• More productive employees, eliminating constant downtime due to a poorly functioning network
• Save money, allowing for reinvestment in new technology
• Conserve your technology budget with monthly preventative network maintenance
• Fast access to technical support, so if you have a question, you'll receive an answer
• A protective defense against deadly computer viruses, hackers, spyware and spam that can compromise your network

MDL Technology, LLC is a Kansas City-based company that creates computer networking solutions to help make running a business easier. We partner with companies to design, build and install network systems to fit the needs of their organization. Once up and running, we train their associates and keep the network running smoothly to help meet the needs of the company. Our number one goal is to help our clients be successful.

4 Ways To Make Office 2007 Work For You

Let's face it, you're constantly looking for ways to make your business documents look better, while reducing the time it takes to create the item. So whether you battle spacing issues or can't figure out how to import a spreadsheet into your document, we offer up these helpful tips.

Here are four ways you can make Office 2007 work for you, not against you!

Tip #1: When working in MS Word, use tables for your page layouts.

When you work with tables, you have an easy-to-use, simplistic way to organize your content and make a showy piece all at once. From importing graphics like your logo to importing charts to further support your topic, using tables is a time-saving function that many Word users don't utilize. To learn more, check out the 2007 Microsoft Office Tables demo.

Tip #2: For graphic support, leverage Excel and PowerPoint.

If you need a supporting graphic or chart within the Word document you create, using Excel or PowerPoint can be quite helpful. You can draw objects, design easy-to-read charts and create your own unique look with either of these programs. Once designed, you can then import your graphic into your document with the click of your mouse.

Read more about creating effective charts in Excel.

Tip #3: Keep control of your documents by using different views.

Did you know that there are three different views you can use when creating a document? To switch from the current view you use to another layout, go to the View menu or you can go to the File menu and click on Print Preview. Using various views allows you to save time editing your documents. One example is that with the Print Preview you can easily see what your final document should look like, allowing you to click on the magnifier to view and then edit your document.

Tip #4: Make your document expressively you.

Gone are the days of boring, text-only documents. Now you can choose your own color scheme, allowing you to create documents that can be branded to your specific business. You can formate the document's font, utilize line-shading, borders and even choose color fill options. What's more, it's easy to create a color specific piece that works with your business' look. Discover how to change your document's color palette.

MDL Technology, LLC is a Kansas City-based company that creates computer networking solutions to help make running a business easier. We partner with companies to design, build and install network systems to fit the needs of their organization. Once up and running, we train their associates and keep the network running smoothly to help meet the needs of the company. Our number one goal is to help our clients be successful.

3 Ways to Save Some Green by Going Green

It doesn't take a fortune to save some serious time and expense when it comes to your computer network. In fact, many businesses across the nation are finding ways to incorporate money-saving tactics into their day-to-day office practices by going "greener".

At MDL Technology LLC, we're always keeping our ears open for new ways to help our customers green up their IT practices. Here are 3 tips to save a little green when going green:

Tip #1: Print one less document a day.

Constantly using your printing equipment can be a costly venture not to mention the large amount of paper your business utilizes. Each time you print a document, you increase your end cost by having to pay for the electricity, the ink and the toner to print the document. This extra expense has many companies going paperless and opting not to use their organization's printer as often. If this isn't an option for your business quite yet, try to get everyone in your company to print one less document a day. It can make a huge difference on your bottom line and help the environment to boot.

Tip #2: Recycle old IT equipment properly.

Many businesses are looking for ways to get rid of used computer monitors, printers and hard drives. Often times, your old equipment can be donated to area charities and schools. In fact, one such way MDL Technology LLC recycles used computer equipment for it's clients is by donating used items to the KVC Behavioral Healthcare organization.

In addition to donating your used equipment, we can provide helpful tips on how to properly recycle your computer monitors and printers as most contain hazardous components. See this recent 60 Minutes story "The Wasteland" that documents where computer equipment that has not been recycled properly or donated to a cause actually ends up after a company discards it. You can also stay up-to-date on all the electronics recycling laws. Check out the Electronics Takeback Coalition website for the latest details.

Tip #3: Save some dough with off-site storage.

By storing your company's computer data off-site, you can reduce your energy consumption, cutting your utility bill down to a more affordable rate. Many computer network providers, like MDL Technology LLC, offer customers a variety of storage options that help to free up physical space in your office and on your hard drive, while eliminating the need for expensive cooling equipment. In addition to off-site storage, having your data monitored on a monthly or even quarterly basis by your provider also ensures your data is safe and secure.

We also provide our Managed Service clients with 24/7 monitoring, in addition to providing automated desktop migration. With desktop migration, we can remotely deploy user customization allowing our clients to experience increased productivity and energy conservation through automated machine power with on/off/idle functionality.

Stay tuned to the MDL Technology LLC blog for more IT Green Tips. Let us know what your company is doing to consolidate your corporate footprint, we'd love to hear from you!

MDL Technology, LLC is a Kansas City-based company that creates computer networking solutions to help make running a business easier. We partner with companies to design, build and install network systems to fit the needs of their organization. Once up and running, we train their associates and keep the network running smoothly to help meet the needs of the company. Our number one goal is to help our clients be successful.

Is Your Office ... Paperless? Why It's Easy Being Green.

If you're like most businesses out there, finding ways to reduce the amount of paper your company stores is a top-of-mind topic. Many of our customers at MDL Technology LLC find themselves pondering ways to reduce, reuse and recharge their business operations with paperless solutions.

One solution we offer our clients is FileHold. This document management software allows our customers to easily and effectively reduce the amount of paper being used. They can also store and access all of their documents from one secure place.

According to Mark Dyer, owner of MDL Technology, his goal is to help customers find a solution that makes running a business not only easier, but also more profitable. In fact, Mark often sits down with his customers taking them through an hour long demonstration that helps business owners identify the areas within their organization that could benefit from a personalized document management system like FileHold.

Benefits of Being a Paperless Office:

• Centralized document storage. No matter what important document you need to retrieve, you can locate it quickly without rummaging through numerous file cabinets stuffed with documents.


• Document sharing and comparing. Reduce the amount of time it takes to walk to multiple levels of your building with the easy to use document sharing feature of FileHold. Instead of mounds of printed documents to pass around the office, now your team can "share the stack" online.


• Easy to use interface. Your associates don't have to be technology savvy to utilize the many impressive features of a document management system. From organizing your documents to sharing your latest changes with the team, FileHold's document management system is easy to use and provides a number of helpful training tools.


• Increased productivity. By implementing a document management system, you'll find that not only are you paperless, your office is more efficient. Work smarter, not harder by giving your employees the ability to work on documents across numerous lines of business without skipping a beat.


• ROI ROI ROI! Return on investment (ROI) is a very important aspect to any software a company brings on board. With FileHold, your team will operate more efficiently thanks to easy to access documents and condensed work flow.


• Keeps clients & vendors happy. With a paperless office, you can offer your customers, vendors, distributors and suppliers access to documents that pertain to their needs without wasting time trying to locate piles of documentation.


• Easy to install and deploy. MDL Technology LLC stands ready to help you get started with this easy to use program. No longer do you need to worry about set up and installation. We'll help set FileHold up on your centralized server, allowing your associates to easily begin accessing the software from day one.


• Low cost to owners. Everyone loves saving money these days. That's why online software makes sense. Now businesses can purchase minimal licensing agreements and get their associates up and running on vital software upon implementation.

Thinking a document management system might be the next step to your businesses success? Drop Mark or any of his team a line to learn more about a system that can make your paperless office a reality.

MDL Technology, LLC is a Kansas City-based company that creates computer networking solutions to help make running a business easier. We partner with companies to design, build and install network systems to fit the needs of their organization. Once up and running, we train their associates and keep the network running smoothly to help meet the needs of the company. Our number one goal is to help our clients be successful.