December 28th, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Solutions
December 28th, 2017 by admin
Avoid costly data security breaches by training your staff to check for secure connections when handling private information on the Internet. Secure Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, or HTTPS, is a technology legal, healthcare, and financial businesses use...
December 20th, 2017 by admin
Today we announced our predictions for the future of the technology sector. We are preparing business owners for the anticipated technology explosion in 2018, and one of the bases for this prediction is the growing number of employed individuals and...
Posted in: Press Releases
December 6th, 2017 by admin
Oh, the woes of trying to put a new IT budget together. With the new year just around the corner, many of our customers are looking at their service providers and contracts for 2018 projected costs. You might be having trouble finding the logic behind...
Posted in: Services
November 22nd, 2017 by admin
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...
November 16th, 2017 by admin
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...
November 8th, 2017 by admin
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'...
Posted in: Knowledge
October 24th, 2017 by admin
A new spear phishing technique, being used in a hacking campaign called FreeMilk, takes advantage of a Microsoft Office vulnerability in order to hijack existing email conversations to spread malware to high-profile targets. This new technique phishing...
Posted in: Security
October 24th, 2017 by admin
Unfortunately, hurricanes Irma and Harvey had an historic destructive impact on SMBs (Small to Mid-sized Businesses) in Florida and Texas. Many companies in these areas were either destroyed completely or severely damaged by mother nature. In the wake...
Posted in: Press Releases
October 19th, 2017 by admin
We love the good news from Mitel – they have acquired Toshiba's assets and will still be supporting the current Toshiba platforms for at least five years! This means that your recent investments in Toshiba solutions will have many years of benefits...
Posted in: Mitel
October 17th, 2017 by admin
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,...
Posted in: Security
October 10th, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Solutions
October 3rd, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Security
September 26th, 2017 by admin
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...
September 25th, 2017 by admin
Combined Company Ideally Positioned to Take Customers to the Cloud Seamlessly and Simply as a Global UCaaS Market Leader OTTAWA, Sept. 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Mitel® (Nasdaq:MITL) (TSX:MNW), a global leader in business communications,...
Posted in: Press Releases, Mitel
September 23rd, 2017 by admin
ATS Communications a leading provider of unified communications has announced that the company is certified to provide cybersecurity solutions to SMBs (small to mid-sized businesses) to protect them from the barrage of cyber-attacks that occur every...
Posted in: Press Releases
September 19th, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Knowledge
September 17th, 2017 by admin
We believe your focus should be on productivity and profitability, not the day to day logistics of keeping your network up and running. Having 40 years experience, and a wealth of best practices to share, the team at ATS Communications...
Posted in: Managed IT Services
September 12th, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Solutions
September 6th, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Knowledge
August 29th, 2017 by admin
Adobe Flash, the web content standard the Internet loves to hate, will soon meet its ultimate demise: Adobe will finish phasing out the platform in 2020. Flash, first introduced in the early 2000s, has been on a gradual decline for almost as long as it...
August 24th, 2017 by admin
We pride ourselves in our customer based solutions, and fully understand that when it comes to business not one-size fits all. With over 40 years of experience in this field, it stands to reason that we have seen pretty much...
Posted in: Cloud
August 22nd, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Solutions
August 17th, 2017 by admin
We announced today that we will be launching an awareness campaign to educate small to mid-sized business (SMB) owners about the importance of having a 4G backup plan in their organizations. With the vast majority of business owners virtualizing their...
Posted in: Press Releases
August 15th, 2017 by admin
According to a 2017 published study by Advisen and Experian, one of the biggest threats facing small businesses comes from within, such as overconfidence in the organization's ability to protect itself and recover from cyber security attacks. While businesses...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Security
August 8th, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Security
August 7th, 2017 by admin
We want take a moment to share with you some updates and provide some clarification with regards to your Toshiba system(s) currently installed. As we shared with you in late spring, Toshiba announced their plans to stop operations in North America of...
Posted in: Company News, Support
August 1st, 2017 by admin
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,...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Security
July 27th, 2017 by admin
Consolidation accelerates Mitel's move to high-growth UCaaS market OTTAWA and SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Accelerates Mitel's path to growth Delivers attractive shareholder value with $60...
Posted in: Press Releases, Mitel
July 26th, 2017 by admin
As part of our efforts to offer innovate technologies to our customers, ATS Communications has announced they will now be offering an alternative to MPLS and similar internet connection solutions. Software-Defined Networking in a Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)...
July 25th, 2017 by admin
In June 2017, WikiLeaks released secret documents that exposed the tools the CIA uses to infiltrate public and private networks through routers. These documents have shined a light on how easy it is for someone to hack a router. This begs the question,...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Security
July 18th, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Managed IT Services
July 11th, 2017 by admin
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...
July 5th, 2017 by admin
It happens in every office eventually: an employee is going about their workday and suddenly their computer or monitor won't turn on. Fortunately, there's gold in those unused desktops and laptops stuck in the storage closet. Aside from the computers...
July 5th, 2017 by admin
Provides seamless path forward for Toshiba customers and partners with global communication and collaboration market leader OTTAWA, July 05, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Mitel® (Nasdaq:MITL) (TSX:MNW), a global leader of enterprise...
Posted in: Press Releases, Mitel
June 27th, 2017 by admin
Getting caught off-guard in a cyber security attack is a disaster for any business, large or small—and the frequency of attacks is only getting worse. According to the CyberEdge 2017 Cyberthreat Defense Report, hackers successfully compromised...
June 27th, 2017 by admin
ATS Communications will now offer a turn-key; television, internet, nurse call, business and residential phone service in a managed solution to the senior living communities across the nation. We are an elite provider of managed IT services that is capable...
Posted in: Press Releases, Solutions
June 20th, 2017 by admin
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...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Services
June 13th, 2017 by admin
Many small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) have taken to hosting their own intranet to increase productivity in the workplace. For those unfamiliar with the term, "intranet" is not a typo, but rather an internal network that behaves like a private Internet....
Posted in: Solutions
June 6th, 2017 by admin
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)...
Posted in: Managed IT Services
May 23rd, 2017 by admin
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,...
May 19th, 2017 by admin
As you may have already heard, there was a major ransomware attack across the globe recently. On May 12th, WannaCry/WCry 2.0 infected thousands of computers, taking the user's data hostage and demanding bitcoins to release it. We can't know how many...
May 16th, 2017 by admin
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions can help small and medium businesses increase productivity by enhancing your communication potential. VoIP isn't just a simple digital upgrade over your existing office analog phone service: It opens the...
Posted in: Solutions
May 11th, 2017 by admin
MoU includes the transfer of inventory to provide Toshiba customers and partners a seamless path forward OTTAWA, Ontario, May 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Mitel® (Nasdaq:MITL) (TSX:MNW), a global leader of enterprise communications,...
Posted in: Press Releases, Mitel
May 10th, 2017 by admin
It happens to everyone: You turn your computer back on after you intended to leave the office, or come in early to get a head start on a new project, only to be greeted by a 20-minute operating system (OS) update session. This common workplace frustration...
Posted in: Solutions
May 3rd, 2017 by admin
Anyone who has ever lost years of work due to computer failure will tell you that backing up your devices can save you considerable heartache and frustration. Reliable, redundant, and regular data backups are your business's best strategy for disaster...
Posted in: Solutions
April 26th, 2017 by admin
Email and social media accounts provide a wealth of cyber security challenges for businesses. Hackers often look for exploits in account operations to steal information and seize control—both of which can be extremely damaging and difficult to combat....
Posted in: Security
April 19th, 2017 by admin
Samsung's March 2017 announcement that its flagship smartphone would support first-party peripheral that makes the device work like a desktop computer could mean big changes for how people look at their productivity devices. While this is not the first...
Posted in: Managed IT Services
April 18th, 2017 by admin
When you hear the word "cloud", it might be difficult at first to understand what that means in IT terms. Essentially, your data and applications are saved with off-premise data storage software and can be accessed from anywhere you log in. You can...
April 11th, 2017 by admin
If your business hasn't already made the switch from Windows 10's predecessors to a new operating system, it's time to make the initiative a priority. While your IT staff doesn't need to upgrade every computer in your office, it's necessary to make sure...
Posted in: Managed IT Services
April 10th, 2017 by admin
Dear Valued Client; As you have already been informed by ATS, Toshiba has announced they are "winding down" their operations for the telecommunications division as part of their global restructuring. ATS continues to stand committed to offering and maintaining...
Posted in: Company News, Support
April 5th, 2017 by admin
If one of your office computers always seems to shut down or slow to a crawl at the busiest of times, you may have a case of overheating on your hands—especially if IT can't find anything wrong on the software level. Performance hiccups might seem like...
March 28th, 2017 by admin
If the sounds of disgruntled employees complaining about poor Wi-Fi connectivity are all too familiar in your SMB, it's time to consider switching to a mesh network. Unlike traditional Wi-Fi networks that use a single point of origin and optional...
Posted in: Knowledge
March 27th, 2017 by admin
We’ve been noticing an alarming trend regarding cyber security. Actually, more so a lack of security. One of the best practices on the frontline of security is your password. Unfortunately, this is an area that a lot of people will gloss over, often relying...
March 21st, 2017 by admin
With a little bit of effort, your staff can reap all the benefits of a laptop, and many of the perks of a desktop, with a little bit of planning and some additional hardware. It's a common perception that laptops lead in portability, while desktops specialize...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Knowledge
March 20th, 2017 by admin
Dear Valued Client; As your trusted advisor, it is our responsibility to proactively communicate with you when events take place in the business technology community. We have received a letter this past week from Toshiba Telecommunications Systems Division...
Posted in: Company News, Support
March 14th, 2017 by admin
The malware infection, discovered in late January, that's been hiding out on Mac and Linux devices for more than two years doesn't mean the security floodgates are open, but it is a reminder that these devices aren't invincible. Apple is calling this...
Posted in: Security
March 9th, 2017 by admin
Network-Attached Storage (NAS) servers are a great asset for small businesses managing data. For the uninitiated, NAS is essentially a streamlined server designed specifically for sharing files between devices. Because of their simplified...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Knowledge
March 6th, 2017 by admin
We are excited to introduce you to your Customer Advocate, Janet Stephen. The Customer Advocate plays a key role in ATS's partnership with you. As her title indicates, her primary responsibility is to be the advocate for our customers. How will Janet...
Posted in: Company News
March 6th, 2017 by admin
We are excited to introduce you to your Customer Advocate, Herb Sherman. The Customer Advocate plays a key role in ATS's partnership with you. As his title indicates, his primary responsibility is to be the advocate for our customers. How will Herb help...
Posted in: Company News
March 1st, 2017 by admin
When it comes to your office computers, a little bit of spring cleaning goes a long way. Sure, cleaning office computers can seem tedious. But think of it like preventative maintenance on a vehicle: In the best-case scenario, you'll never know all the...
February 23rd, 2017 by admin
It's quite common that, over time, Windows systems accumulate a laundry list of programs that load when a user signs in. While generally benign, most of these "startup" programs are unlikely to actually benefit the user—so the computer ends up...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Solutions
February 17th, 2017 by admin
If you're working with several different vendors for your IT system, you'll know the hassle of talking to too many people to fix a few simple problems. Your service provider for video surveillance solutions will point fingers at a slow network connection,...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Services
February 15th, 2017 by admin
It's a familiar sighting in the workplace: the employee with half a dozen sticky notes attached to their computer monitor. While not the most confidential or elegant solution, these employees are on to something. Fortunately, technology has stepped in...
February 8th, 2017 by admin
Your employees' computers may not be up to speed anymore after two or three years of use, but in many cases your staff can upgrade or tune up these devices to keep pace with work demands. Upgrades can often be purchased and installed for under $100 a...
Posted in: Managed IT Services, Support, Solutions
February 1st, 2017 by admin
Multi-tasking wizards have a secret: Modern operating systems offer a handy technique for managing multiple windows while maximizing available screen space, significantly increasing productivity. Depending on the OS, this feature may be referred to as...
January 27th, 2017 by admin
There's been a lot of talk lately about data protection, hackers, best practices for emails and storage - we can understand if you're a bit worried about your business. Much of our work these days runs through networks and servers. Is your business taking...
January 24th, 2017 by admin
Unlike most IT security threats, phishing scams attack the human element instead of the machine element. Phishing scams try to bait a person into exposing confidential information by posing as a legitimate, reputable source, typically by email or phone....
January 18th, 2017 by admin
Depending on your industry, modern virtual reality (VR) devices could offer impressive options to improve productivity. The video game industry, for one, has been a major player in pushing VR technology. Despite a handful of flops like Nintendo’s 1995...
Posted in: Knowledge
January 11th, 2017 by admin
For anyone unfamiliar with the Google Applications platform, Google Docs et al. are a Cloud-based spin on mainstay office suite programs that can help your staff work better together. With a zero-dollar price tag (compared with Microsoft Office's...
January 5th, 2017 by admin
If your small-to-medium business (SMB) isn't looking at ways to increase productivity through Cloud services, you could be missing out on exciting opportunities. But while the Cloud offers countless opportunities for business expansion, it can also taking...
Posted in: Cloud