The Covid-19 pandemic has led many people to stay in and work from home. We now have the liberty of choosing between several web and app-based video conferencing platforms to connect with our friends, family, and work colleagues. We all know how confusing it can be when deciding on which specific platform to use to best fit our needs as every platform has its own features and limitations.

If you're looking for a roadmap to a more secure system, we've got you covered. Check out this list to discover 10 actions you can take using the tools provided in Microsoft 365 to better protect your business from cyber-security threats. And don't forget, RCS Professional Services is here to help you every step of the way.

Panic has been mounting throughout the world in response to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Businesses have been affected a lot, especially small businesses. Many employees are in a state of panic and seeing even small coughs or sick symptoms as emergency warning signs. In an effort to alleviate these fears, companies may opt for a new strategy; one which demonstrates the culture and moral values represented by the organization.

What is the “Right Price” for (Outsourced) IT Support?

Migrating to Windows 10: Should you let go of your hardware While you can purchase and install Windows 10 in your existing PCs–the ones currently on Windows 7 OS–it is not recommended. According to Microsoft, Windows 10 has the following minimum requirements Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC. RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit. Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS. Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver. Display: 800x600 If your existing PCs don’t meet the above requirements, it’s time to move on. The above list are minimums. The market today has PCs with better specs that will help you get the most out of Windows 10 and make the switch to the new OS more productive and efficient. Windows 7 was one of the most loved, user-friendly and efficient versions of Windows. This switch sure won’t be easy. It also entails quite a bit of investment in terms of money, downtime and training. Reaching out to a Microsoft-licensed managed services provider (MSP) can help make this transition faster, more efficient and certainly, smoother.

Windows 7 End of Life: What options do you have As Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7 from January 2020, what choices do you have as a Windows 7 user? While Windows 7 will work after January 2020– it won’t just “shut down”–as a business, you cannot afford to use the older version because it makes you vulnerable to security threats. That leaves you with only 2 options. Option 1: Purchase extended support Microsoft is offering the option to purchase extended support for Windows 7 until 2023. Though the exact price of the extended support option is not known, it is estimated to be around $350 per device for 3 years. But, one thing for you to think about before investing in extended support for your existing Windows 7 devices is that after 3 years you will have to migrate to a newer OS no matter what. In the meantime, your newer software programs or apps may not be compatible with Windows 7. Option 2: Ring out the old and bring in the new--UPGRADE! If you choose not to opt for Windows 7 extended support, you can upgrade to Windows 8.1 or 10. But, 8.1 was probably the worst-received Windows OS–barring Vista, of course–so tech experts suggest opting for Windows 10 instead. But, you need to be prepared for a few things if opting for the newer Windows version. For one, Windows 10 has a very different look and feel compared to 7. It will take some time to get used to this newer version of Windows. Plus, it may not be compatible with all the software programs that you currently run on, using Windows 7. Though most of the applications, personal PC settings and data from Window 7 OS is expected to be supported by Windows 10, there is a chance that some of these may not work as well. Experts estimate antivirus software is most likely one among them. The migration from Windows 7 to 10 is not really rocket science, but for a business, it can be a headache and a major transition. Consider bringing a Microsoft licensed MSP onboard to help you make this switch.

Every year, MSPs worldwide complete an extensive survey and application to report their product offerings, growth rates, annual total and recurring revenues, pricing structures, revenue mix and more. MSPs were ranked according to a unique methodology that weights revenue figures according to how well the applicant's business strategy anticipates trends in the fast-evolving channel ecosystem. Channel Futures is pleased to name RCS Professional Services to the 2019 MSP 501. #MSP501 #501er