PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9th at 4 AM for much of Northern California. For planning purposes, PG&E suggests customers prepare for outages that could last several days. Please take appropriate actions to ensure the safety of your systems if you are in a targeted shutdown area. See if your area is affected here...

Blog Articles from ATS Communciations

The Importance of Cyber Security Awareness Training

February 10th, 2023 by admin

A person using an e-learning platform to learn new skills and gain knowledge

Cyber security awareness training is a program designed to educate employees about the risks of cyber-attacks and other digital threats, the importance of establishing secure online practices, and how to respond if they become victims of an attack....

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Services

ATS Communications Prepares SMBs to Seamlessly Adopt Windows 11

April 11th, 2022 by admin

Mature businessman looking at notepad shown by female colleague with a man sitting in background. Business people working together in office.

Leading MTSP Increases Their Customers’ Productivity with New Microsoft Applications CONCORD, CA – ATS Communications a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), is preparing small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs)...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Press Releases

ATS Communications Your One-Stop Solution to All Your IT and Voice Needs – Professional, Proactive and Proficient

March 21st, 2022 by admin

Smiling businesswoman using tablet on futuristic high tech blue background.

Are you looking for a technology partner for your business that can provide you with all your IT needs and solutions to improve your business? Then you have come to the right place. ATS Communications is an industry leader in IT solutions that has...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Services, Solutions

The Cybersecurity Workforce Gap and How It's Affecting Businesses

November 21st, 2019 by admin

eyes on a blue background with technology concepts

As cyber-attacks continue to intensify, businesses are having a hard time finding skilled cybersecurity workers to protect their operations. The cybersecurity industry has taken a significant hit with the labor shortage causing many companies to fall...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Support, Services, Security, Solutions

Stay on Top of Your Operations with the Technology Optimization Program (TOP)

November 8th, 2019 by admin

IT professional checking systems using a tablet

Are you experiencing an influx of operating costs due to maintenance and upgrades for your IT and phones? Or are you a small business looking to avoid paying for unnecessary IT costs? It may be time to rethink your IT investment strategy and join our...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support, Services, Solutions

Preparing Your Business for Windows 7 End-Of-Life

August 21st, 2019 by admin

Windows desktop background

Windows 7 is coming to an end, so what does that mean for businesses still running on the platform? It may mean complex migrating, tons of time and resources that will be spent on training, configuring, and an added expense to install the new system....

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Company News, Support

How Rapid Growth Can Negatively Impact Business.

June 25th, 2019 by admin

Business building

During the beginning stages of operations, demand can be slow at first and then gradually start picking up, but what happens when small demand increases to significant demand in a short period? When a company is experiencing expansion, it is usually...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support

Get a Reliable 24/7 Support Team for your IT Service

June 24th, 2019 by admin

Technicians working on network servers

Having available ongoing support for your IT services is vital for your business to thrive, and we want to ensure that your business stays on top of its operations. Should questions arise or unexpected issues happen, you need responsive experts to resolve...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support

Grow Your Business with Our Industry Expertise

December 7th, 2018 by admin

office buildings

ATS provides IT consulting services for many industries, from nonprofit and Legal sectors to healthcare and biotech, we offer industry expertise to help you expand your business to the next level. As companies start to grow and evolve, many concerns...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Solutions

Supporting Your IT Team with the Help They Deserve

November 21st, 2018 by admin

Male and Female Techs Working in a Server Room

Anyone in IT can tell you that it's a hectic job to manage. You have to make sure everything tech related is running smoothly and efficiently. That's if it's a good day. On a bad day, they are working hard to fix whatever has gone wrong on top of their...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Services

Lowering the Bottom Line: IT Management Support and Cost-Saving Benefits

June 27th, 2018 by admin

Shifting to IT management support services can make a huge difference in reducing your business' operational bottom-line. IT management goes a long way to streamline both infrastructure and support while providing access to a larger knowledge pool than...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Support

Making the Switch to BYOD? Pros, Cons and Security Implications to Consider First

June 26th, 2018 by admin

Sleek, slim laptop on a gray business desk

Making the switch to a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) business environment extends well beyond the decision to let employees choose their devices. Your business should look at the pros and cons of the concept before deciding how to approach it and to what...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support

Key Strategies to Boost IT Security in the Workplace

June 20th, 2018 by admin

Businesses have more to worry about than ever when it comes to dealing with new forms of cyber-attacks. The shift to a BYOD workplace adds even more challenges to protecting your digital assets. While hardware and software solutions continue to improve...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support, Security

Unique IT Challenges Financial Services Providers Face Today

June 19th, 2018 by admin

Skyscraper office buildings tinged in blue

Financial services providers find their IT challenges list is always growing because of security issues, employee needs, customer protection, regulatory laws and business requirements. Keeping up with IT concerns is important not just because failing...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Solutions

What Nonprofits Should Seek in an IT Provider

May 29th, 2018 by admin

Group of 5 business professionals looking at a laptop

While many of the technical needs at nonprofit and for-profit businesses overlap, there are still several key considerations for nonprofits looking for the right IT services provider. Nonprofits' motivations may be driven less by the concept of "spending...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services

What Changes in Net Neutrality Could Mean for Your SMB

April 19th, 2018 by admin

Close up of Ethernet cables going into a switch

The FCC net neutrality 3–2 repeal vote of December 2017 could lead to major concerns for IT staff at small and medium businesses. As of February 2018, the FCC is continuing to move toward the net neutrality repeal, but actual business changes will take...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support, Services, Solutions

Addressing the Unique IT Management Needs at Law Firms

April 11th, 2018 by admin

Close of up businessman's holding a pen, wearing a black watch and a gold wedding band

Law firms face many unique IT management challenges that stem from the confidential nature of the information they work with. And that confidential data is why law firms must make the protection of information a key IT priority. Threats can come from...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Services, Solutions

5 Commonly Overlooked Workplace IT Disasters

February 28th, 2018 by admin

Stylized graphic in blue of a figure holding a giant-sized magnifying glass

Because IT staff get so invested in making sure software, networking and security elements are working, they sometimes overlook the human, environmental and contingency planning factors that can invite workplace IT disasters. In many cases, preventative...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Solutions

Spectre and Meltdown: Valuable Lessons for Your IT Security Team

February 12th, 2018 by admin

White lock icon on a backdrop of code snippets

At the end of 2017, the world learned about Spectre and Meltdown: two far-reaching security threats that exploit how CPUs work to expose protected information on nearly every recent PC, server and smartphone. Hackers can use these exploits to do things...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Security

5 Specific IT Considerations for Remote Employees

February 5th, 2018 by admin

White-bloused businesswoman using a slim laptop on a birch colored desk

Businesses have a lot to gain by hiring remote employees, including the ability to recruit from a larger talent pool and the potential for less expensive workplace accommodations. However, remote employees introduce new challenges in IT security because...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Solutions

Does Fintech Pose a Threat to Cybersecurity at Financial Services Companies?

January 29th, 2018 by admin

Sample portfolio summary being displayed on an iPad

Financial services companies should embrace a healthy dose of caution when implementing new fintech in their business. Fintech, or any technological innovation in the financial sector, is not inherently more or less secure than any other new technology,...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Security

3 Subtle Ways IT Management Makes Day-to-Day Operations More Manageable

January 22nd, 2018 by admin

Outstretched hand holding stylized, brightly-colored gears and cogs

For many businesses, it is difficult to gauge how helpful IT management can be in the workplace on a day-to-day basis — mainly because when things are going well, there's little to notice. Some of the most important benefits of an IT managed services...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Solutions

Offering Professional IT Help Desk Support

January 18th, 2018 by admin

ATS knows all too well the troubles that many IT teams have, balancing daily troubleshooting support with the management of service providers, technology projects, and network management. Why not free up their time to focus on the work they’re best at?...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support

Four Security Threats Your Company Could Face in 2018

January 16th, 2018 by admin

Close up view of network Ethernet cables plugged into ports on a switch/router

Hot off the tail of the massive 2017 Equifax breach that exposed personal information of 143 million customers, businesses are on high alert concerning IT security in 2018. While the IT security industry has been successful in mitigating and cracking...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Security

Putting Unused Computers Back to Work

December 28th, 2017 by admin

Black MSI laptop with red highlight coloring, opened and facing the viewer

There are many ways to reuse an old computer. Replacing an old computer that still works is a good feeling.   The device survived the replacement cycle. However, some desktops and laptops have the potential to lead second lives in the workplace. Re-assigning...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Solutions

Latest Popular Smartphones Significantly Dip in Drop Test Performance

November 22nd, 2017 by admin

iOS device with cracked and broken screen in the bottom left side

After years of improving smartphone glass durability, a shift design is bringing back the perils of dropping the device only to discover the glass has cracked on impact. The newly released iPhone 8 and iPhone X aren’t doing well in drop tests, with screens...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support, Solutions

Don't Neglect Surge Protectors in Your Workplace

November 16th, 2017 by admin

Isolated black surge protector strip with 6 outlets

Businesses use surge protectors every day without thinking about them; however, they are an incredibly important piece of technology that can make the difference between a $20.00 and a $2,000.00 equipment replacement. While uncommon, a power surge can...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support, Solutions, Knowledge

Problems with Power Loss: Tips for Workplace Computer Battery Backups

November 8th, 2017 by admin

View of the backside of a wooden desk with 2 Apple computers and an Apple laptop, all in gray

It's inevitable: employees working hard on a time-consuming project and then out of nowhere, the lights start to flicker and the power goes out. Suddenly, those workers express their frustration by pulling out their hair because they've just lost hours'...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Knowledge

Alternative Employee Device Security: Fingerprints, Facial Recognition, and Iris Scans, Oh My!

October 17th, 2017 by admin

Stylized magnifying glass resting on three oversized fingerprints

So far, 2017 has been an eventful year for increasing access to password-alternative smartphone and laptop unlocking techniques. Notably, Samsung added Face unlocking to the Galaxy S8 line and Apple introduced Face ID on the iPhone X. Of particular note,...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Security

Wireless Charging in the Workplace: iPhone Joins Android

October 10th, 2017 by admin

Hand holding a white iPhone plugged in and charging from empty

Wireless charging in the workplace has the potential to make it easier for your employees keep their arsenal of devices running throughout the day with fewer of those pesky low battery warnings. Until recently, wireless charging hasn't been as good at...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Solutions

Equifax Breach: What does it teach us about IT security?

October 3rd, 2017 by admin

Highly zoomed icon of a hand-shaped cursor clicking on a link labeled 'Security'

The 2017 Equifax hack is teaching a painful lesson about the necessity of businesses keeping up with software patches for IT security and to avoid catastrophic damage. The hack, which resulted in potentially exposing the financial information necessary...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Security

Flash Drives: A Productivity and Security Guide

September 26th, 2017 by admin

Wireless dongle, USB drive, micro SD chip, and 2 SD chips on a field of black

With proper planning, your business can take advantage of USB flash drive technology to increase productivity, while eliminating most of the medium's inherent risk. The USB flash drives likely lying around your business offer excellent opportunities to...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Security, Solutions

Screen Mirroring Mini-Guide

September 19th, 2017 by admin

Conference room with dark wood table, black and silver chairs, a speaker phone, and a tv display on the far wall

Setting up your conference room for wireless screen mirroring is the answer to employees sharing in a collective groan when it's time to connect a computer or mobile device to show a presentation. While setting up the conference room television or projector...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Knowledge

The System Is Down: How To Stay Online When Your Service Provider Is Offline

September 12th, 2017 by admin

Stylized icons that indicate free WiFi is available

It's easy to take a functional Internet connection for granted until it's no longer working. When that Internet connection inevitably goes down, your business could be left scrambling to figure out how to keep working until service is restored. The best...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Solutions

3 Lessons SMBs Can Learn From Retailers On Thanksgiving Weekend

September 6th, 2017 by admin

Two monitors with arms reaching out of them, exchanging a gold credit card for purchased items

Online retailers are already working on business strategies for the Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday online shopping weekend months in advance. These three days are the busiest online shopping days for retailers, bringing in nearly $6 billion...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Knowledge

When Windows 10 Support Stops

August 22nd, 2017 by admin

Dark wood desk with a Mac desktop, a gray MacBook Pro, and a white table resting on it

In July of 2017, some Windows 10 users received an error message when trying to install the Creators Update, stating, "Windows 10 is no longer supported on this PC." This first-of-its-kind problem stems from an incompatibility with a handful of Intel's...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Solutions

Addressing the Unique Ransomware IT Security Issues in Healthcare

August 8th, 2017 by admin

Stethoscope, glasses, and pills resting on a paper ECG readout

Ransomware, a type of malware that holds a computer hostage and tries to force the victim to pay money to recover access, is a nightmare for any business, but the healthcare industry faces the more severe side of a ransomware attack. The healthcare industry...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Security

Looking at USB/NFC Keys for Extra Account Security

August 1st, 2017 by admin

White security icon spotlighted on a dark field of colorized programming code

Hijacked accounts are an IT security nightmare, so it makes sense for your company to look at new technology for better ways to keep your digital assets safe. While security professionals are working out new ways to look at what account credentials are,...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Security

Avoiding Hardware Overkill: IT Consulting to the Rescue

July 18th, 2017 by admin

Close up of a circuit board

Spending far too much money on excessively overpowered computer hardware can quickly deplete your company's IT budget, taking funding away from other important expenses. Two exciting products released in June 2017, Apple's new iMac Pro ($4,999) and Intel's...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services

Flaws in 2-Factor Authentication Methods Could Leave You Vulnerable

July 11th, 2017 by admin

Close up of a businessman holding a Microsoft smartphone in his hands

If your business is using 2-factor authentication or 2FA, methods to secure your important accounts, you may need to investigate better ways to implement the practice. Security experts widely recommend using 2FA, a system which utilizes a second security...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Security, Knowledge

Amazon Alexa in the Workplace: What Could You Do With a Virtual Assistant?

June 20th, 2017 by admin

Graphic of six people-shaped figures with question speech bubbles above them

Amazon Alexa, the voice-based intelligent personal assistant you may have seen an early adopter friend use at home, has surprising business use potential to increase productivity in the workplace. Like Apple's Siri, Google Assistant, and Microsoft's...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Services

The Cost of Memory: Trends to Impact Your Upgrade Cycle

June 6th, 2017 by admin

Close up view of a 16Gb G-die DDR3 SDRAM chip K4B1G0846G

Computer memory market trends could play a role in your business’s decision on when to upgrade or replace employee computers. According to PC World, the technology research experts at Gartner predict that prices for both RAM and Solid State Drives (SSDs)...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services

Android and IOS: Is the Device Just Old, or Is It Obsolete?

May 23rd, 2017 by admin

Relief drawing of a pocket watch with roman numerals I through XII

When trying to determine if a piece of technology is simply old or completely obsolete, keep in mind that there are different criteria for Android and iOS devices than for desktop and laptop computers. An employee stuck using an obsolete device is likely,...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Support, Solutions

How a Managed Service Provider Can Increase ROI and Influence Long-Term Business Success

September 30th, 2013 by admin

Two puzzle pieces being drawn in the air, one saying 'partner' and the other 'ship'

Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is one of the most important decisions you can make to ensure the longevity and productivity of your SMB. Why? An experienced MSP is a true business partner, reduces and streamlines IT costs, and takes...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services

4 Crucial Benefits of a Managed Service Provider

August 27th, 2013 by admin

Drawing of 'computer network' with six spokes of other words pointing in towards it

Managed Service Providers - or MSPs - are tasked with the critically important job of managing IT to help businesses run smoothly. Information Technology is the foundation upon which businesses operate, communicate, and grow, and must therefore...

Read Full Story »

Posted in: Managed IT Services, Solutions