Strengthen your privacy settings in iOS 8 by Laurie Lake – Macs at Work

Macs at Work of Shrewsbury, MA is a trusted and valued business partner; Laurie Lake is their Operations Manager.  Her article, “Strengthen your privacy settings in iOS8”, appeared in their October 2014 newsletter.  (Sign up for their e-newsletter.) The minute you download and install iOS 8, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system for […]

The value of outsourcing IT

Many organizations invest in Information Technology (IT) as a strategic advantage; others see it as an expensive necessity.  We tend to favor the former perspective, but empathize with the latter; although IT can consume significant financial resources, it is a cornerstone of most modern organizations. Either way, a key decision is whether to keep IT […]

Bryley Basics: Current VPN issue with iOS 9

If you currently use an Apple device (iPad or iPhone) with a Static IP address, please do not yet update to the new iOS 9 software. There is currently a problem on Apple’s end where the new software is not compatible with a Static IP address and you may lose your VPN connection. If you […]

Technology roundtable at the Central Mass. Business Expo

Please join our panel of local IT experts for Examining the Cloud, Mobility, and Data Security, an information-technology roundtable at the Central Mass. Business EXPO (CMBE) on November 5th from 2pm to 3pm at the DCU Center. Information technology is a strategic concern of business owners and managers.  Our panel will address timely issues, such […]

A (mostly) true tale: The Company We Keep (or From Buses to Beer)

Cathy and Gavin Livingstone, owners of Bryley Systems, a Managed IT Services Provider (MSP) ranked in the top 500 MSPs worldwide, went to dinner with friends.  While entering the restaurant, a WRTA (Worcester Regional Transit Authority) bus drove by; Gavin said to the couple: “Hey, that’s our client!” The couple was impressed. During the meal, […]

Introducing Microsoft Office 2016

Microsoft Office 2016 for Windows should launch on September 22nd; the Macintosh version released in July.  After this upcoming release, perpetual licenses of Office 2013 and earlier versions will be difficult to acquire legally. Significant changes include: Create, open, edit, and save Cloud-based documents Real-time co-authoring New Tell Me search tool Not so significant features […]

Migrating to Windows 10 – Now, later, or never?

Migrations bring about change in the lives of technology end-users, whether desired or not.  Often, the IT-support team receives undeserved blame for issues with a new operating system; although, they can help smooth the way by testing core software applications and devices for compatibility before upgrading. So, here you are with new computers that ship […]

Bryley Basics: Undo a sent email via Microsoft Exchange or Google Gmail

Google recently introduced a new feature, Undo Send, which permits the sender to retract a sent email; Microsoft has a similar, though somewhat limited, feature with the ability to recall or replace a sent email named Recall This Message. Google’s Undo Send works for all emails, but it is time-constrained:  Google permits up to 30 […]

Bryley Basics: Free anti-malware plug-in for WordPress

Intel Security’s McAfee group now offers a free McAfee SECURE certification plug-in for WordPress-based websites.  This plug-in protects WordPress websites from unwanted malware while site-visitors can verify a site’s integrity by right-clicking on the McAfee SECURE logo (shown below). The free version covers the first 500 site-visitors each month; a paid version (about $80 per […]

Livingstones participate as judges at the STEM Expo at Marlboro High School

The June 12th STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Expo at Marlboro High School featured interdisciplinary-team research projects on “Going Green at Marlborough High School” (9th graders) and “How to Reach and Colonize Mars” (10th graders).  These research projects were the culmination of a semester of intense, independent, original research. About 40 professionals from different […]

Microsoft Windows 10

Microsoft is releasing Windows 10 on July 29th.  It is available as a free upgrade to licensed users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 through the Get Windows 10 (GWX) application which is part of Windows Updates.  (Note: Some companies, including Bryley Systems, are temporarily blocking this update to permit a controlled migration to Windows […]

Recommended Practices: IT security cheat-sheet

This is a multi-part series on recommended IT practices for organizations and their end-users.  Additional parts will be included in upcoming newsletters. All organizations are at risk of a breach in IT security, whether externally (by a party outside the organization’s computer network) or internally (by a person connected to the organization’s computer network); studies […]

Roy Pacitto achieves 20 years at Bryley Systems

Yes, Roy Pacitto, Director of Business Development, has made it through 20 years. Roy started with Bryley Systems on May 22nd, 1995.  He initially provided service dispatch and management, but quickly moved to business development, where, over the years, he has transformed this group into a tightly-knit team. Congratulations, Roy:  We’re looking forward to another […]

Winner of our monthly Service-Ticket Survey drawing

Monthly, we select a winner from all respondents to our service-ticket surveys.  Congratulations to DG of FCI, our survey-response winner from last month. Our winner received a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Bryley Systems.

Selecting a Macintosh computer

Yes, the business world still thrives on Microsoft Windows; it remains the most-compatible platform for business-oriented applications.  However, we do have Mac users and they occasionally seek our advice.  Well, thanks to Laurie Lake of Macs at Work, a business partner of Bryley Systems located in Shrewsbury, MA, we can share these tips for selecting […]

Firewall Trade-Up program for existing clients

We are offering a trade-up program to existing clients; we will rebate the cost of your current firewall plus provide low, fixed-price installation of a new Cisco ASA firewall/VPN appliance. For details, please contact our Business Development team at 978.562.6077 option 2.  Or, email ITExperts@Bryley.com.

Bryley Basics: Microsoft Windows is not as vulnerable as Apple OS or Linux

Due to their size and complexity, it is difficult to completely secure a computer operating system, which leaves them vulnerable to attack.  With the number of reported hackings, most might consider Microsoft Windows to be extremely vulnerable, but Windows actually ranked less vulnerable than Apple Mac OS X, Apple iOS, and Linux. This ranking was […]

Recommended Practices: Basic training for IT end users

This is a multi-part series on recommended IT practices for organizations and their end-users.  Additional parts will be included in upcoming newsletters. End users receive the benefits of IT, but usually with some pain involved, which they are glad to share with the IT administrators and technicians.  Oftentimes, the pain comes from not knowing the […]

Bryley Basics: How ransomware (Crypto Locker) makes backups more critical

Ransomware – usually Crypto Locker and its variants – is a form of cyber-malware based on encryption software that seeks payment (ransom) to undo the damage; when infected, the malware typically encrypts all data files, rendering them useless until the ransom is paid.  (Encryption software scrambles a files’ contents and creates an encryption key, essentially […]

Recommended Practices: How to update technology

This is a multi-part series on recommended IT practices for organizations and their end-users.  Additional parts will be included in upcoming newsletters. The psychological impact of an IT upgrade is significant:  Most employees are excited to receive new equipment (larger monitor, faster PC, better tablet), but often balk at a significant change – like introducing […]