As COVID-19 has shifted from epidemic to pandemic status, precautionary action has become essential to reduce the spread of the virus. Now more than ever, we must find ways to support each other from a distance and help those in need using digital means. Local businesses are embracing ‘grab and go’ methods, while more and more corporate companies have adopted video conferencing software like Webex. Outside of work, families living separately have become acquainted with FaceTime and Skype to stay connected.

We are excited to announce that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named us to its 2020 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Elite 150 category! This annual list recognizes North American solution providers with innovative approaches to managed IT services. “Earning recognition once again on CRN’s MSP500 list validates our commitment to providing value to our customers through innovative technological solutions," said Chuck Steiner, President & CEO of IE. "We humbly attribute our success to our people, processes, and the technological innovations that come to us through our valued partnerships and expertise in the field. These factors enable us to provide custom-tailored solutions for our customers while building lasting relationships which contribute to real business value.”

We are excited to announce that we have successfully renewed numerous certifications and specializations with Cisco. In addition to meeting the requirements to maintain our status as a Cisco Gold Partner, we’ve been re-certified in Master Collaboration Specialization and as a Cisco Cloud & Managed Services Master Partner (MSCP). We’ve also gained certification in Cisco’s Master Networking Specialization.

Video conferencing is becoming the norm for companies everywhere in response to the rise in remote work, international meetings, and travel. Team collaboration and check ins require top-notch video conferencing software to accommodate the needs of your company. You’ve been tasked with the important decision, what video conferencing software will work best for your team?

If you’re an IT Admin, we don’t need to tell you how difficult and demanding your job can be on a daily basis. You’re not only installing network gear and keeping it updated, but you’re also managing everything from clients to applications. Not to mention the demands associated with business growth. When the business grows, so does everything else in the network: the type of uses, devices, and applications. All of that falls on you and your team to install, update, and maintain. While managing these groups of clients has always been challenging, now along comes security to keep you up at night.

With just a few days left before the official kick-off of the 2019 holiday shopping season, it’s easy to get swept up into the magic and excitement that it brings. Especially if that means your business is expecting to see an influx of profit from holiday shoppers. Many retailers use Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday as drivers for business as they offer special promotional deals to shoppers. The Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2018 pulled in record numbers with $6.22 billion in online Black Friday sales, nearly $18 billion from Small Business Saturday sales, and 7.9 billion on Cyber Monday. Yet the responsibility of keeping shopper data safe and protected is a burden felt in the days and months leading up to the season that many don’t look forward to. How can they when retailers also saw a record number of online retail data breaches in 2018? Unfortunately, cybersecurity isn’t one of those areas where merchants can afford to avoid responsibility.