One Up Solutions Northwest Blog

Technology doesn’t just support modern businesses, it drives them. Whether it's handling customer transactions, storing data, or running day-to-day operations, companies depend on their IT systems to work reliably. But what if you could spot problems before they actually cause trouble?

Starting a small business is exciting, but keeping it running is the real challenge. Many businesses start with a great idea, a solid customer base, and high hopes, only to crash and burn because of avoidable mistakes. If you’re a small business owner or planning to become one, watch out for these three major pitfalls that can sink your business faster than you can say bankruptcy.

Besides all of those people who are advocating for the scaling back or non-implementation of tools to save jobs, most people understand the benefit of automation when it makes sense. Not only do machines tend to do certain tasks more effectively, they never willingly take a day off. Unfortunately, for every task that needs to be completed less than half can be automated, and that number drops even further when you take into account everything a human does at their job. Today, there are very few jobs that can be fully automated; even as AI has begun to be used more for business. This week, we wanted to discuss why automation may not be the answer you are looking for and why training humans holds a lot of value.

Managing all the gadgets in a modern office isn’t a walk in the park. The tricky part is keeping tabs on every device, figuring out who’s using what, and noticing any trends. If you’re not already tracking your tech, now’s the time to set up a system that does just that. Using an inventory management system can make this whole process a lot smoother.

Your company’s ability to keep its digital information safe depends largely on how well its technology performs. This is why it’s crucial to teach your employees how to protect your company’s data. To start, it’s important to understand your organization’s security posture. This refers to how actively you or your team work to protect your online presence. With the growing use of cloud applications and remote work becoming more common, every employee plays a role in keeping the company secure. This month we talk a little bit about creating a security culture designed to keep your data and information systems secure. 

Passwords are the most important security tool used to secure digital assets. They are critical for small businesses, as weak or mishandled credentials can lead to serious security problems. Everyone must understand and follow the best practices for creating and managing passwords. This month, we will go through a few of them.

Your smartphone is probably one of the most important tools in your daily life. It helps you stay connected, entertained, and organized. But let’s be real—smartphones aren’t cheap, and replacing one every couple of years can hurt your wallet. The good news? With a little care, you can make your phone last longer. Here are five easy tips to keep your smartphone running like new.

Remote work isn’t a new strategy, but ever since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-office activities for all types of businesses, the amount of remote workers has grown regularly. In 2024, nearly 22 million workers would be considered fully remote, with over twice that amount working a hybrid schedule where they are remote at least one day per work week. This shift in the way that people work has required some adjustments, and this month, we wanted to take a closer look at the employees’ side of the “new normal”

Mind you, this won’t be a comprehensive list of issues that remote workers are dealing with, but we will try to go through some of the challenges and benefits that people deal with when they work remotely.

Have you ever noticed the digital screens at stores or restaurants displaying deals, menus, or videos? These are called digital signs, and they’re incredibly useful for businesses of all sizes. Let’s dive into why they’re so great!

Keeping your small business’ technology up to date is a lot like maintaining a car—you need to make updates to keep it running smoothly and avoid costly breakdowns. The problem is, with IT, where do you start? This month, we thought we’d provide a step-by-step guide to planning tech upgrades for your business.

Being a green business is certainly not a bad thing. Not only does it help boost your company's environmental friendliness, but it can often attract customers and clients who prioritize the environment. Less mentioned, however, is how being greener can actually give your business an advantage in the right circumstances.

The threat landscape is littered with organizations that have failed to adjust their security strategy to the most prevalent and modern threats. If you want to ensure you have the best chance at keeping your network and data secure, you need to build a strategy that actively addresses the threats that are actively trying to undermine your business’ security efforts. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss how to adjust to modern threats competently. 

AI has become a major tool all throughout the modern economy. Businesses are using technology with built-in AI, and that’s because it improves operational efficiency. Let's take a look at some of the benefits small businesses can take advantage of with AI.

The concept of a four-day workweek has started to gain significant traction among businesses of all sizes. There's a subtle distinction between the traditional four-day workweek and the compressed workweek, however. Today, we will discuss the compressed workweek and what it means for employees.

There aren’t many successful businesses left that haven’t embraced technology in some ways. Even businesses that took a while to integrate it, like restaurants, are more often than not going to have some type of online ordering or point-of-sale system. Let’s take a look at some of the ways technology helps businesses advance.

Dealing with downtime is a very expensive and frustrating problem for any business. When we say “downtime,” we’re referring to periods when critical systems, processes, or equipment are not functioning properly. This month, we examine the negative impacts of downtime and what you can do about it.

To maintain a healthy and thriving business, it's essential to have a team that can effectively manage spending. For small businesses, this often means making strategic choices. Let’s focus on why a simple approach to technology might be the best strategy.

We all want our businesses to succeed… that’s generally the point of running one. However, this will require you to set the right goals and do so correctly.

Let’s walk through the process you should follow to accomplish this.

Big data is now a crucial resource for businesses of all sizes, including small enterprises. Today, businesses have unprecedented access to vast amounts of data, enabling them to make more informed decisions and operate more efficiently. This month’s newsletter explores how small businesses harness big data's power.

Technology is a major part of today’s business. It’s fair to say anyone that works in business today is at least semi-proficient with the technology needed to complete their tasks. Unfortunately, for many people, however, the fact that their business requires complicated technology is problematic. This is because at any given moment there are people looking to undermine their job, seeking access to accounts that will allow them to siphon money and data from organizations.