Fastmetrics Business Blog

Author: Cody Miller

Fastmetrics Helps Bay Area Pediatrics Practice Pivot Overnight

Case Study: Multi-Office Bay Area Pediatrics Practice

Fastmetrics case studies highlight real outcomes from the use of our managed services. In each case study we illustrate a customer problem, the solution and results.

Problem: Overcharged & Underserviced For Business Phone Service

A multi-office Bay Area based pediatrics practice approached Fastmetrics to fix a long time problem with their business phone system. Families rely on the practice’s call center receptionists and telephone advice nurses for vital information, but the practice was being overcharged and underserviced for a business phone system from a major national provider. Fastmetrics agreed to improve the practice’s communication system and add more flexibility, so they could more effectively interact with patients’ families.

“With our new Fastmetrics phone system, when shelter-in-place was issued we were able to pivot literally overnight to have the majority of our staff working from home the next day…Fastmetrics has truly been a gamechanger for us”

– Steve, Executive Director – Tamalpais Pediatrics, Larkspur & Novato

Solution: metricVOICE Upgrade, New Phones & Support For A Better Price

Fastmetrics was attentive to the practice’s immediate need and delivered a new level of service for a better price, a true upgrade. We implemented and set up new equipment and a phone system exactly how the client needed it to work. Following COVID-19 stay at home orders, the practice was able to implement our metricVOICE solution overnight at home without disruptions to communications or business, and employees were able to convey information safely.

Results: More Adaptive Comms & Higher Levels Of Customer Service

Communications, productivity, and efficiency have remained consistent for the pediatric practice despite unprecedented quarantine protocols. Seamless internal and external communications continued even with newly set up remote staff, working from home. The practice was able to adapt immediately to meet patient care and contact needs due to the phone system implemented by Fastmetrics. All at a lower cost with higher levels of customer service.

Services Supported For Tamalpais Pediatrics:

All features included with metricVOICE for a flat monthly service fee, can be seen here in this voice features list.

About Fastmetrics, Inc. Building & Business ISP

Since 2002, Fastmetrics is the Bay Area’s only dedicated business ISP. We provide telecommunication services in California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Reliable service – backed by better live and local support. From install to 24-7 proactive monitoring, get treated like a VIP customer. Not a number by a faceless call center. We specialize in managed business internet and phones, dedicated high speed business fiber internet, business WiFi, SIP voice solutions / UCaaS and managed network services. We are a Microsoft and Cisco Meraki Partner. Our team are Certified Cisco Specialists, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Accredited and Polycom Authorized Solution Advisors. We take care of your business network, so you can focus on growth.

July 12, 2022
How To Properly Manage Digital Assets
Key Digital Asset Management Tips

In the past, managing documents including paperwork, photographs and more, meant having a physical copy or file. If you wanted to keep something, it needed a safe place where it wouldn’t get lost or damaged. However, with the advent of digital technology, many assets are now stored electronically. This has its benefits, but also some downsides if not taken care of correctly. It’s much easier to access and share digital files than physical ones. It means that you have to be more careful about managing digital assets.

Here are some key tips for properly managing digital assets;

Use Albums / Folders

Simple, right? Using online albums or folders for images, videos, documents or other files, is an easy way to organize digital assets that can be shared easily with others. For example, you may have a dedicated album of family photos to share with only relatives. Or another album of a work function. Albums are also easier to find. It can be challenging to keep track of everything with multiple files stored on your computer or devices. Albums make it easy to organize, find and share files with specific groups or indivduals.

There’s no shortage of options for creating albums or folders online. Services like Google Photos store and organize photos and videos. File management software options like Evernote or OneDrive are useful for managing other file types. What matters is choosing a method that works for you and being consistent in naming and organizing files.

Keep A Digital Asset Inventory

A digital asset inventory is a list of all your digital assets. It includes everything from online accounts, social media profiles, digital files to documents. Creating an inventory of digital assets is crucial. It gives a clear overview of everything stored online. It also helps keep track of passwords and login information for different accounts. There are a few different ways to create a digital asset inventory. Use a spreadsheet application like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets to create a list of all assets. Or, use a dedicated inventory management tool like Asset Panda. Whichever method chosen, include as much detail as possible in your inventory. For each digital asset, have a name, description, the URL or location of the asset, and login information (if applicable).

Backup Files Regularly

Backing up files is one of the most important measures to protect digital assets. File back ups create a copy to restore data if it is lost or corrupted. Options are endless regarding the different ways to back up your files. You may use an external hard drive, cloud-based storage, or even a USB flash drive. The important thing is to choose a method that works for you and to make sure that you back up files regularly.

Current trends in backups is to move away from local backups to cloud-based storage. Cloud-based storage is more convenient and typically more reliable. Tech experts are also planning to move away from full backups to incremental backups. Only new or changed files are backed up, saving time and storage space. It also helps achieve real-time backups, which back up your data as you change it. This ensures your data is always backed up and up-to-date.

Consider File Upload Functionality

If you have an app or website that needs to store customer data or digital assets, consider adding file upload functionality. This allows users to upload files directly. It also allows the collection and storage or User-Generated Content (UGC). User-generated content can be a valuable business asset. With further analysis, it can assist in business decisions, website or app improvements and the creation of marketing and promotional materials, or even be sold as a product.

Either way, adding file upload functionality is a great way to add value to an app or website. For instance, Cloudinary is a cloud-based service that provides an easy way to upload, manage, and deliver digital assets. You can upload files directly from your computer or mobile device or import files from popular online services like Facebook, Instagram and Dropbox. But is there a Cloudinary alternative out there? These days, an endless amount of tools are available to help manage digital assets, through efficient uploading. There are platforms with seamless file upload infrastructure for the Internet, and it’s worth trying them.

Focus On Password Handling

Another critical way to protect digital assets is to use password protection. This means using a strong password that is difficult for others to guess. In addition, use different passwords for different accounts. It may seem like more work, but it’s important to remember that your password is the first line of defense against hackers and identity theft. Take the time to create strong passwords and using different passwords for different accounts. This helps protect digital assets and keep data safe.

Also consider password managers. These are software or applications that can help generate and store strong passwords. They also help manage passwords by keeping them in a secure, encrypted database. One popular example is LastPass which has both personal and business options. Many different password managers are available, with varying features and benefits. However, they all serve the same primary purpose: to help keep digital assets safe, by creating and storing strong passwords.

Use File Encryption

Encryption is the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. You do this using software or hardware that uses unique algorithms to scramble the data. Once data is encrypted, it can only be decrypted by someone with a correct key. Encryption is a meaningful way to protect digital assets because it makes it much more difficult for hackers and identity thieves to access data. Even if they can obtain your data, they will not be able to read it without the correct key.

There are many different types of encryption. The level of security needed will depend on the sensitivity of your data. For example, if you are storing financial information or other sensitive data, such as customer details, you will need a higher level of security. Choose an appropriate encryption method that works for you. Make sure to keep your key secure. If you lose your key, you will not be able to access your data.

Consider A Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a type of network that allows connectivity to the Internet through a secure, encrypted connection. All data that you send and receive is protected from being intercepted by others. A VPN can also help to bypass geographic restrictions, allowing you to access websites and content that would otherwise be unavailable in your physical location. Businesses often use VPNs to protect data from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. However, individuals can also use them to protect their own digital assets.

There are many different VPN providers to choose from, and they all offer various features and price points. Some popular VPN providers include;
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
- TunnelBear
- IPVanish
- Surfshark
When choosing a VPN, consider features such as security, speed, and reliability. Ensure the VPN is compatible with your devices and operating system. It’s also essential to consider what you’ll be using a VPN for. If you’re looking to stay anonymous online, many VPNs will work for you. However, if you’re looking to access region-locked content or bypass censorship, you’ll need to choose a provider with servers in appropriate locations.

Be Careful What You Share Online

When you share something online, it can be seen by anyone. That’s why it’s essential to be careful about what you share and with whom you share it. Before you share anything online, ask yourself if it’s something you would be comfortable sharing with strangers. If not, then don’t share it. Also, be aware of the privacy settings for websites and services. Many of them allow you to control who can see your shared information. Watermarks are a way to protect content from being stolen or used without your permission. By adding a watermark to content, you can make it much more difficult for someone to steal or use it without your consent.

There are alternatives on the different ways to add watermarks to your content. You can use software to add watermarks automatically or manually add them yourself. The method you choose will depend on the type of watermarking content and how sensitive it is. For example, if you watermark photos you plan to sell, you will want a more sophisticated method than just watermarking blog posts. No matter what method you choose, the important thing is that you take steps to protect your own personal content.

Update Software Regularly

One of the best ways to secure digital assets is to keep software up to date. This includes your operating system, web browsers, and any other software you use. Hackers and cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit security vulnerabilities, with software which is out of date. When vulnerabilities are discovered, software developers and companies release updates to fix them. However, if you don’t install software updates regularly, software will remain vulnerable to hackers.

It’s important to note that not all updates are created equal. Some updates are more critical than others. Always install the most important updates first, typically security patches. Any updates that fix a security vulnerability, should be installed as soon as possible. Most softwares allow automatic updates, which is the best option to ensure you’re good to go. You don’t have to check for updates manually.

Automate Recurring Tasks

You may perform many tasks regularly, such as backing up data or scanning for malware. These tasks can be automated so that you don’t have to do them manually. By automating these tasks, you can free up your time to focus on more important things. In addition, automating these tasks can help to ensure that they are done correctly and on time. For example, if you automate backups, you can be confident that data will always be backed up. If you automate malware scans, you can be sure that your devices will always be protected from the latest threats. There are many different options available for automation tools, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs.

However, there are a few things to consider when choosing automation tools:
- Make sure the tool is compatible with your devices and operating system
- Check if the tool can be customized to fit your specific needs
- Make sure the tool is easy to use and understand
Educate Teams On Digital Asset Management

With a team of employees who work with digital assets daily, it’s essential to train or share knowledge around adequate management and protection of these assets. Employees should understand the importance of keeping digital assets safe, typically via a cyber or data protection policy. Important to know, is what steps to take, such as using strong passwords and installing software updates. In addition, have policies in place that dictate how your employees can use and access digital assets. Policies should be reviewed regularly and updated as needed. Via training from the right people and having policies in place, you and your team can help ensure digital assets are properly managed and protected.

Digital assets are an essential part of most businesses and personal onlu use. It’s critical to take steps to protect them. The most important thing is to be aware of the risks. Take steps to mitigate them. By keeping software up to date, automating recurring tasks, and via team training and / or sharing knowledge, you can help to ensure proper digital asset management. This will ensure the best chance of protection.
June 1, 2022
AI Concerns & Benefits In A Connected World

AI: Huge Benefits & Great Concerns

There are different perceptions about what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is. Some think of AI as a sentient robot that looks, behaves and feels like a human. Fortunately, that’s largely science fiction. Another perception is far more real. It’s a robot that is nothing like us. This may be technology that powers a driver-less car. It takes you from place to place, without lifting a finger. This AI powered vehicle uses information from sensors and satellites, combining it with algorithms and databases. While also ensuring that a journey is safe and successful. This technology already exists across the world. In fact, governments are adopting legislation to accommodate this transportation shift. There are already draft proposals for self-driving car users to watch movies as they go from A to B.

How Does AI Improve Technology?

The scope of how artificial intelligence can help people is enormous. Especially via automation, which leads to increased efficiency and higher production. AI can help reduce uncertainty, analyze trends, and coordinate data to make smarter decisions. In fact, AI processors which mimic the human brain is available for industries such as automotive, health, IoT, manufacturing and more. Customer experience has also improved due to the use of chatbots and personalized email campaigns. Additionally, there have been breakthroughs in medicine where algorithms can detect diseases before they become malign. Monitoring technology allows doctors to perform more convenient diagnoses without patients going to hospital. Some of these methods are considered intrusive, as patients may believe that it compromises their privacy.

What Are Some Concerns About AI?

Some people became concerned about the power and dangers of AI when an IBM computer beat world chess grandmaster, Garry Kasparov. If computers can best the top player at the most complex game in existence, what hope is there for the rest of us? Many people are alarmed by the rapid rise of AI. Movies like The Terminator, Minority Report and The Matrix only add fuel to the fire. Luckily, there still hasn’t been a robot from the future to tell us that we’ve done something wrong. Jokes aside, the main concern in the AI space is not robots planning to take over the world. It’s hackers exploiting AI based technology to cause harm. That means stealing money and information and compromising devices and data.

How Can AI Be Hacked?

Since an old-fashioned computer can beat the best chess player, the power of AI to do harm is also great. If hackers use AI, then the artificial intelligence becomes a hacker itself. Self-learning programs have an insane capability to exploit vulnerabilities. At a more basic level, most devices are poorly protected and people ignore good cybersecurity practices. This makes IoT devices, mobile apps, mobile phones, and laptops highly vulnerable targets. Today, a hacker can plant malware that exploits a device in ten months time, without leaving a trace. Most hacks are unnoticeable and sophisticated.

How Can We Prevent Hacks?

More than 30,000 websites get hacked every day. Suppose you happen to be browsing one of these sites. An attacker could use your IP address to steal your personal information, social security number, and credit card data. The best defense against this is a VPN that masks your IP address and makes you immune to such exploits. Modern VPNs have their own AI protocols that allow them to scan websites and determine whether they’re safe. You can also create blacklists that hide specific content from your kids. Additionally, there’s the option to stop browser fingerprinting, will stop cookies and trackers being stored on your device.

Hackers can get around security systems with impressive speed, but AI can do it faster. Cracking passwords is a walk in the park since generative adversarial networks can make intelligent guesses. This led to LinkedIn suffering an attack that compromised 30% of user passwords in 2012. Over time, that algorithm has evolved. AI systems of today will get exploited. But the solution also lies in the same technology. We use fire to fight the fire.

Remember that adhering to and monitoring cybersecurity principles and metrics is a must. Create longer and stronger passwords. Always enable two-factor authentication, and make sure to browse the Internet through a VPN with an AI feature. It’s much better to be safe than sorry.

May 17, 2022
5 Tips To Improve VoIP Call Quality

IP Voice Is Great – Ensure VoIP Calls Are Great Too

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services are efficient for workers and businesses to manage voice calls anywhere. VoIP is now a popular alternative to traditional telephone systems. VoIP uses Internet Protocol (IP) to connect and communicate with callers. With sufficient bandwidth, you can pretty much contact anyone via this type of voice service. Besides making / receiving calls over the Internet, a VoIP phone system can also provide other features. These include call recording, call forwarding, voicemail, etc. Overall, a VoIP phone system is a significant upgrade compared to an analog phone system. However, even with these advantages, a VoIP phone system may experience sound issues from time to time.

When these issues are unresolved, they can cause complications on calls with clients, eventually affecting customer satisfaction. Fortunately, below are some steps to enhance VoIP calling experience. Use these five key tips to improve the quality of your VoIP calls and provide a great customer experience, every single time.

1. Invest In CCaaS solutions

A VoIP phone system is certainly more flexible than traditional landline calls. However, it can only perform its promised benefits when used properly. One way to enhance VoIP calls is by engaging a Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) company, such as Odigo or other CCaaS solutions. Instead of managing VoIP business calls on your own, CCaaS outsources to help you provide better customer service to your clients. One major benefits of engaging such a company includes their cloud-based tech, which offers an open platform which integrates easily with existing systems.

2. Utilize A VoIP Prioritized Router

A common issue which affects VoIP call quality is running ALL traffic over a single router. Using the same router for all IP based traffic (voice, data, etc), risks the Quality of Service (QoS) of calls. Prioritize VoIP calls by investing in a business router that can handle VoIP usage. When choosing a router, opt for a VoIP optimized one, suitable for VoIP traffic. Consider selecting a router with extra features like a Virtual LAN (VLAN) or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to improve voice packet reliability. More advanced managed routers or services such as MPLS, can also go a long way to prioritize VoIP traffic.

3. Use High Quality Headsets

Poor sound quality during calls is a turn-off for clients and frustrating for VoIP users. These may be caused by simple hardware related issues. Cheap headsets can affect VoIP call quality. Headsets with thin or poorly insulated cables can impact audio clarity. Consider investing in higher quality headsets. You don’t necessarily need a top shelf model, but take time researching for better headset options. These may have noise cancelling features, bluetooth compatibility or cables with solid insulation. (Check bluetooth compatible phones and headsets recommended by Fastmetrics).

4. Replace WiFi with Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications

Most Wi-Fi connections will suffice for using the VoIP phone systems. But WiFi is also vulnerable to interference, especially when shared across a large area or when many devices are trying to connect to the same WiFi access point. This affects the signal strength and therefore VoIP. When you have “slow” internet, you’ll also likely experience calls which chop in and out, or delays with VoIP calls.

Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication (DECT) phones aim to solve the above issue, especially when making calls while away from your desk. DECT is a digital wireless technology that can be used for personal and business landline telephony. It has its own radio frequency and can operate long-range calls, for better call quality with less risk of call interruptions.

5. Check Bandwidth Usage

VoIP delivers data in packets, over a network. But even with stable internet connections, voice packets may not get through efficiently. Your network may experiencing congestion or not be optimized to support multiple users. As a result, both sides of a VoIP call may experience long periods of silence or robotic voices. To ensure high quality VoIP calls and avoid packet loss, consider increasing your bandwidth. Sufficient bandwidth helps handle high volumes of users and reduce latency, without affecting calls. The FCC states that a typical VoIP call uses between 5 – 25 Mbps of bandwidth. So if you have multiple callers using VoIP at the same time, allow enough bandwidth to cover that. Tip: if your business is running a VoIP based call center, Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) with enough bandwidth will be necessary for VoIP to function at peak quality.

When using a VoIP phone system for business, ensure you keep these tips in mind to maintain the superior quality of your VoIP calls and boost customer satisfaction. Improving VoIP call quality is a worthwhile investment as it improves communication, which is vital for any business.

About Fastmetrics, Inc. Building & Business ISP

Since 2002, Fastmetrics is the Bay Area’s only dedicated business ISP. We provide telecommunication services in California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Reliable service – backed by better live and local support. From install to 24-7 proactive monitoring, get treated like a VIP customer. Not a number by a faceless call center. We specialize in managed business internet and phones, dedicated high speed business fiber internet, business WiFi, SIP voice solutions / UCaaS and managed network services. We are a Microsoft and Cisco Meraki Partner. Our team are Certified Cisco Specialists, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Accredited and Polycom Authorized Solution Advisors. We take care of your business network, so you can focus on growth.

May 11, 2022
SD-WAN Adoption Surge & The Role Of MPLS

Understanding SD-WAN & Why MPLS Still Has a Role

Over the past few years, enterprise network options like SD-WAN have multiplied at a dizzying rate. There’s new providers, complex hybrid solutions, and seemingly endless jargon. This can make configuring an enterprise network, feel like a a complex and time consuming task. That’s part of the reason why Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) has been a staple of the industry for such a long time. MPLS is a solution enabled by a single provider that can handle business network traffic, without the need for heavy oversight or complex network configuration.

But, as we move into the era of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and cloud-based operations, the constant back-hauling that MPLS requires is becoming a much less attractive option. As a result, MPLS utilization is on the decline. Many companies are opting for the more flexible networking solution offered by Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WANs), which are seeing a massive boost in popularity.

Part of the appeal is that SD-WANs operate as an overlay network, essentially bypassing the restrictions of a physical hardware network (to which MPLS is bound), and allowing for a lot more flexibility in network configuration. With all of this in mind, transitioning from MPLS to SD-WAN might be the best move for your enterprise network, but there are pros and cons to weigh up with both options.

How SD-WAN Stacks Up Against MPLS

Network Agility: First, it’s worth recapping how MPLS handles data. Essentially, MPLS creates dedicated “pathways” through the network and “labels” packets of data to ensure optimal routing efficiency. The data then follows a set route, including a central server or data center. This enables guaranteed speeds and performance, but also means that changing network configuration can be a long and potentially frustrating process.

With SD-WAN the network becomes virtualized, essentially decoupling it from the underlying hardware, and making it possible to easily route data between any two nodes. There’s no reliance on a single provider, so network expansion is extremely easy compared to MPLS. In a rapidly evolving, digitally transformed world, you really can’t put a price on that kind of business agility.

Cloud-friendly: Better still, SD-WANs mean that cloud and SaaS applications can be accessed without the need for constant backhaul through a data center. This includes access to services that provide peering into major public cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud.

Network Management and visibility: Because SD-WAN is an overlay network, there’s also more general flexibility when routing data, and greater visibility into how data moves through the network. It therefore becomes easy to see which applications and users are the most demanding, and to tailor the network to support priority data movements while deprioritizing unnecessary usage. In other words, while Joe’s Facebook feed takes a back seat, bandwidth can be prioritized for VoIP or video call meetings.

Cost Reductions: Lastly, SD-WAN-enabled networks are generally more cost effective than MPLS. Because instead of sending all data through MPLS infrastructure, SD-WAN can use the public Internet as an underlay network, or can combine MPLS and Internet.

Why Bother With MPLS When There’s SD-WAN?

Based on the above, it seems like an obvious choice for companies to ditch MPLS in favor of SD-WAN. But the truth is there are advantages to the older system. For starters, having a provider manage your data from point to point under the terms of an SLA is tremendously convenient. It alleviates pressure on any internal IT team (although managed SD-WAN is also an option). And because MPLS is a private, dedicated network, you can rest easy at night knowing your network quality is iron clad. For companies where security or latency are mission critical, MPLS is an attractive option. Especially for data that you might feel is too sensitive to move through the public web (that said, SD-WAN has security capabilities that can also pacify these worries).

Is MPLS Here To Stay?

The short answer: probably. Although market share of MPLS will continue to decline as SD-WAN gains traction. It’s important to remember that even though they’re often positioned as competitors, SD-WAN and MPLS aren’t mutually exclusive. SD-WAN can still use MPLS as part of its underlay. As with many things in the networking world, the answer to which one is better depends a lot on what your requirements are, and what you aim to achieve via your network.

About Fastmetrics, Inc. Building & Business ISP

Since 2002, Fastmetrics is the Bay Area’s only dedicated business ISP. We provide telecommunication services in California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Reliable service – backed by better live and local support. From install to 24-7 proactive monitoring, get treated like a VIP customer. Not a number by a faceless call center. We specialize in managed business internet and phones, dedicated high speed business fiber internet, business WiFi, SIP voice solutions / UCaaS and managed network services. We are a Microsoft and Cisco Meraki Partner. Our team are Certified Cisco Specialists, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Accredited and Polycom Authorized Solution Advisors. We take care of your business network, so you can focus on growth.

April 27, 2022
Data Science and IoT – How Can They Work Together?

Using Data In A IoT Connected World

We live in a world powered by data and technology. Businesses, governments, organizations and scientists strive to find innovative ways to use, collect and store more data. Enough quality data allows for more informed decisions. Harnessing the power of data can inform marketing strategy to life and death situations, such as emergency disaster preparation. As fields such as AI and IoT emerge, technology continues to find more efficient ways to combine them.

Before continuing, it’s worth refreshing on what data science is. Data science refers to an interdisciplinary field between mathematics, statistics and computer science. Data and engineering teams are common in many businesses today. A key aim of data science is to determine how to collect large amounts of data and extract insights from it. With the IoT market expanding rapidly and producing so much data, there is a need to analyze it. Making data science key.

The ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is a broad concept. Essentially, any device that collects information (data) and can network via Internet connectivity (like WiFi or cellular data). IoT connected devices cover everything from sensors, security, wearables, intelligent appliances and more. Some examples of IoT devices are; smart watches, smart speakers, smart TVs, Nest thermostats, security cameras and more.

Why Combine Data Science & IoT?

Why should data science and IoT work together? The main benefit of combining data science and the Internet of Things is it allows more efficient and accurate data analysis. With technology’s ability to transfer data at higher speeds over the Internet, specialist expertise is necessary to manage data volumes. As IoT devices produce high volumes of data, data science helps process and extract insights into meaningful formats.

Most businesses are familiar with data. But as customers connect via more devices and IoT becomes ingrained in daily life, processing and quality data analysis can be challenging. To draw valuable insights from data requires invesmtent in technology and expertise. With the real-time nature of data, this can help businesses stay on top of current trends. When it comes to the ‘big data’ that IoT can produce, data science experience is likely a necessity.

Can They Work Together?

Can it be done? Yes. Should they work together? Definitely. The Internet of Things can collect data across multiple devices. IoT data at a macro level can be useful, however data science allows for deeper extraction of insights at a micro level. Whilst IoT devices collect data, data science provides algorithms for presenting and making sense of the data.

As an example, think of a smart TV manufacturer. At a macro level, sales data can inform the company where the most smart TVs are sold. This can help marketing and sales teams focus efforts. At a micro level, deeper data analysis from a data scientist or team may tell the manufacturer which apps are the most used on each TV, or the average power consumption of a particular TV model. This can help product teams improve design, UX and energy efficiency of future smart TVs, providing an improved product for better sales in the future.

There certainly is challenges in getting quality data from the amount of different data collection points we have access to today. Again, we’re seeing technology step up. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the cutting edge of processing large data sets. It can assist with collecting, storing and analyzing big data seen from IoT connected devices. Check the full details of one such platform which uses AI for analyzing big data sets.

Applications Of Data Science & IoT

Expanding on the smart TV example above, the application of data science with IoT (often called IoT analytics) is becoming an asset in industries such as retail, healthcare and manufacturing, to name just a few. The retail industry uses IoT and data science to controll stock and predicting demand. The impact of data science and IoT on healthcare has been literally lifechanging. Users of smart watches now have access to data covering sleep, steps, running distances / speeds and more, to help reach health goals.

IoT and Data Science Challenges

As IoT and data science work together, it’s worth noting that there are also challenges. Security, data storage, scaling and of course – costs. The Internet of Things allows for faster collection of some personal data, opening up concerns around consumer privacy. With the vast amount of data collected, organizations must secure this critical data.

Regarding scaling, solutions for vast amounts of data do have capacity limits. When working with data collection > storage > analysis at scale from a field as broad as the IoT, make sure there are scalable solutions in place. This may mean investing in IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), Platforms as a Service (PaaS) or a level of enterprise connectivity that is capable of handling large data loads. All of these are investments, but plan accordingly when combining IoT with data science.

In a data-driven world, there’s no question that data science will be an essential field for many industries moving into the future. The ability of data science to gather and analyze data will be further improved with other technology such as AI. Using IoT and data science together, industries can collect data at faster speeds and produce more accurate insights. Consequently, this allows for better informed and data-driven decisions.

About Fastmetrics, Inc. Building & Business ISP

Since 2002, Fastmetrics is the Bay Area’s only dedicated business ISP. We provide telecommunication services in California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Reliable service – backed by better live and local support. From install to 24-7 proactive monitoring, get treated like a VIP customer. Not a number by a faceless call center. We specialize in managed business internet and phones, dedicated high speed business fiber internet, business WiFi, SIP voice solutions / UCaaS and managed network services. We are a Microsoft and Cisco Meraki Partner. Our team are Certified Cisco Specialists, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Accredited and Polycom Authorized Solution Advisors. We take care of your business network, so you can focus on growth.

April 20, 2022
How To Plan For Business Data Storage Needs
Business Data Levels At An All Time High

In the age of big data, business data storage is as important as ever. Websites, databases, customer contact info, metrics, contracts, spreadsheets, emails and more, are all vital sources of business information. This data needs to be stored securely, but also accessible. From small to large business operations, here’s how to go about thinking and planning for business data storage needs.

Plan for Growth

As any business grows, so to do business data needs. Planning and creating a business data storage strategy that accommodates for growth is crucial. Data storage needs are not always an easy subject to navigate. It depends on various factors, such as the specific industry or the type of customers that a business operates in. For example, the business data needs of an walk-in retailer, are going to be very different to that of a financial services company, or an AI startup. An e-commerce retailer may have a significant number of online customer generated transactions and data. A financial services company will have a need for highly secure data storage. In the AI space, this is likely to have demanding data needs to both store and access code and / or applications. But whatever the case, plan data storage for scaling, to accommodate any future business growth.

Determine Business Needs

You cannot plan for data storage before knowing how much storage your business needs. The amount of storage will depend on how big a business is and its operating industry. This is where the choice between MLC and TLC data storage technology comes into play. Whatever the case, a simple strategy to assess the needs of your business is to first look at the common software used and the largest files created or used in the process. Determine which servers store your data and the applications that run in them.

How Easy Is It To Get Information & Run Applications?

The security of your IT infrastructure should be robust and persistent even when your business is smaller. Indeed, new or smaller e-commerce businesses are not exempt from cyber attacks, and unlike bigger organizations, they stand to lose the most. The smaller businesses may not have the resources to recover from an attack. With that in mind, the best practices to reduce the risk include data encryption to prevent exploitation. Train staff to avoid human error as much as possible.

Explore Your Options

Data storage options available to your business are on-site and cloud storage. Cloud services are by third-party providers on remote servers, and the option is typically cheaper and easier to scale. Keep in mind that cloud services depend on an Internet connection, and if there’s an outage, the storage remains inaccessible for the duration of the outage.
- On-premise storage doesn’t always require an Internet connection. However, investment in better data storage devices such as servers and computers is necessary to keep up with the business growth.
- On-site storage options provide better security. But off-site access for employees is only possible with additional support devices and services.
Data Organization & Management Policies

Without a doubt, setting detailed policies is an important phase of any business data management plan. Determine the organization and document data and clear access rights. Even small businesses (think some startups) may use big data. This requires suitable business data storage.

Important insights can be gained for the smallest of e-commerce businessess. But this does require effectively organized data and access processes. This can be achieved by focusing on the visual presentation of trends, instead of complicated figures and databases. This will aid effective analysis. Data visualization also makes it easily shareable with others. The way you organize your data will determine how easily accessible it is.

Data Management Capability

Large organizations can easily maintain whole IT departments and data management personnel. But it is a different story altogether for smaller businesses. Small and medium enterprises can decide to maintain in-house data management or employ IT management services. While in-house departments have advantages, it comes with various costs. There are licenses and fees, personnel salaries, and costs of buying and maintaining the devices.

Outsourcing Data Management

Dedicated third-party operators can provide data storage and data security services at a cost. The services often have better equipment, personnel, and expertise and often help you achieve compliance. This allows you to focus on other important matters, such as retention and business growth.

About Fastmetrics, Inc. Building & Business ISP

Since 2002, Fastmetrics is the Bay Area’s only dedicated business ISP. We provide telecommunication services in California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Reliable service – backed by better live and local support. From install to 24-7 proactive monitoring, get treated like a VIP customer. Not a number by a faceless call center. We specialize in managed business internet and phones, dedicated high speed business fiber internet, business WiFi, SIP voice solutions / UCaaS and managed network services. We are a Microsoft and Cisco Meraki Partner. Our team are Certified Cisco Specialists, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Accredited and Polycom Authorized Solution Advisors. We take care of your business network, so you can focus on growth.
April 7, 2022
Key Cybersecurity Metrics To Monitor

Five Key Cybersecurity Metrics To Monitor In 2022

Cyber insecurity has become a big concern, with hacking cases escalating every day. Today hackers are sharper, more equipped, and can effortlessly break into the most secure of networks. Failure to implement a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy can risk massive financial losses. For this reason, CSOs and IT managers should establish ways to explain to boards and decision makers why cybersecurity is critical. Also what value it brings to a business. With that said, here are five crucial cybersecurity metrics you need to monitor and present in 2022 to justify further investment into cybersecurity measures;

1. Mean Time to Detect and Mean Time to Respond

The mean time to detect and mean time to respond highlights the organization’s preparedness and capacity to identify and contain potential cybersecurity threats. Slow detection and response times can leave a company vulnerable and provide a prime target for hackers. If a company’s security mechanisms cannot detect and contain threats early, a business can experience massive financial losses. No worthy business leader would willingly allow an enterprise to operate at a deficit, if it can be prevented.

Providing management or a board with a graphical representation of the cybersecurity situation can help validate cybersecurity investment. Ideally, collect and plot incidents. Explain severity levels. Highlight response and remediation times, to demonstrate whether the company requires advanced tools or current tools are providing optimum protection. The primary goal is to protect a business’s intellectual property by improving existing cybersecurity mechanisms and systems.

2. Systems With Known Vulnerabilities

Establishing the number of systems in an organization with known vulnerabilities is another critical cybersecurity metric to monitor. Identify these assets by performing a vulnerability scan using available programs. Vulnerable systems and software must be patched with the latest security updates to avoid loopholes that online intruders might use to attack a company or organization. Most software developers release patches and updates to help fix minor bugs and seal security loopholes. However, managing and monitoring these patches can be complicated since they require one to be consistently on the lookout.

Fortunately, you can check patch release dates of individual applications, programs, operating systems, and other software by visiting a developer’s website. Enforcing a vulnerability management program is also another excellent idea to deal with potential threats. Promptly patching and updating vulnerable applications, operating systems, and tools demonstrates that you are on top of the game and all systems are up to date with the latest security patches.

3. Detected Hacking Attempts

Another cybersecurity metric worth checking is the number of detected hacking attempts. Stats displaying intrusion attempts can confirm if a company has and will continue to be a target for hackers. This gives a picture of the number of threats a business is likely to face. If the current security mechanisms are working and threats are minimal, a board and management may assume a company is no longer a prime target. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Hackers are cunning individuals, and can make a point to attack when least expected it and vulnerable. Sharing stats and metrics highlighting intrusion attempts can help convince a board to invest more in cybersecurity. Statistics prove that threats still exist and continue to grow as a business expands its online and offline presence.

4. Insider Threats Detected

Many people mistakenly assume cybersecurity threats and attacks originate only from outside a company or organization. However, insider threats exist and are a significant concern given the nature of these type of attacks. As the name implies, insider threats are security risks that originate within your organization. This may be from current or former employees, contractors and business associates. People with direct access to your network and data can leave a trail of destruction if they opt to sabotage a business, or do so unwillingly. Examples of insider threats include data loss and identity theft. Sharing cybersecurity metrics can help demonstrate the gravity of an issue. Also why any business or company should reinforce existing security measures to quell potential threats. One effective way to prevent insider threats is to build, implement, and manage a zero-trust framework into an organization.

5. Data Volume Generated by the Business

No matter the size of the company, nearly all organizations generate plenty of valuable data that they can use to produce better products and improve service delivery. If you know how to create a Google Review link on your website, you can redirect customers to your company’s testimonial page, where they can leave reviews and comment about your products and services. This can also classify as valuable data generated by the business.

Even though an organization’s overall data volume is not necessarily a cybersecurity metric, it highlights what is sent through a given company’s network. Convince upper management to invest in upgraded security tools to secure and safeguard this data from unauthorized access or hacks, to respond promptly to mitigate any issues accordingly.

Cybersecurity is critical for growth, sustenance, and business success. Without proper security measures, businesses can become a prime target for hackers and other malicious individuals. The damage caused can lead to massive financial repercussions. Knowing what metrics to monitor can help secure your company’s network from threats and support investment. Presenting these stats to business leaders can also validate any allocated funds spent.

March 22, 2022
Fastmetrics Presenting Sponsor of San Jose Quakes Match At PayPal Park

Fastmetrics Title Sponsor: San Jose Quakes vs Columbus Crew

Saturday, March 5th, 2022 – Fastmetrics will be the presenting sponsor of the San Jose Quakes Major League Soccer game versus the Columbus Crew. Members from the Fastmetrics team will be hosting more than 100 customers, partners, colleagues and friends in one of the end line suites on game day, with giveaways, catering and of course – all the action of a MLS game day. A special Fastmetrics guest will be participating in the coin toss pre-game. Fastmetrics will also be sponsoring the half time giveaways when fans play rapid soccer on the pitch.

We look forward to being involved on game day and hope to see lots of support for the Quakes! Full match day details and information can be seen on the San Jose Quakes website here.

Check out the Match Guide for everything you need to know before game day.

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) March 3, 2022

Official Fastmetrics Press Release

Fastmetrics, Inc. the Official Business Internet Service Provider of the San Jose Earthquakes and a leading B2B ISP, will be the presenting sponsor for their Major League Soccer match on Saturday, March 5 (2:30 p.m. PT), when the San Jose Earthquakes host the Columbus Crew at PayPal Park. The multi-year sponsorship is aligned with Fastmetrics’ community support initiatives which include a partnership with the San Jose Earthquakes, the Mill Valley Little League and kite surfer Adam K who has been training with the Olympic team. Additionally, Fastmetrics works with local non-profits, including TODCO South of Market Neighborhood Builders.

“Strengthening our communities is very important to us. Especially in light of the many challenges that people and businesses have faced over the last two years” said Fastmetrics CEO and founder, Andreas Glocker.

The San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer franchise uses Fastmetrics managed high speed fiber internet service to power team and operational needs from their head office at PayPal Park.

About Fastmetrics Inc.

Fastmetrics is an award winning Internet Service Provider and a leading ISP for businesses and entire buildings throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and across the U.S.A. Managed high speed fiber Internet, installed quickly and professionally, is a most sought-after service, followed by Voice over IP and Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) integrations.

Additionally, Fastmetrics provides a range of enterprise connectivity and network service options including dedicated Ethernet, direct cloud connect, WiFi optimization and managed router and firewall solutions. For more than 20 years, Fastmetrics has remained the Bay Area’s only dedicated business ISP, empowering businesses to increase productivity and communicate more effectively. Since 2002, Fastmetrics has dedicated its services, expertise, customer care and support to thousands of San Francisco and Silicon Valley businesses and partners. For more information visit; www.fastmetrics.com.

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About Fastmetrics, Inc. Building & Business ISP

Since 2002, Fastmetrics has connected Bay Area businesses and buildings with reliable business Internet and voice services. As a preferred local ISP, we empower businesses to grow and communicate more effectively. Our live Bay Area support team provides solutions to unique challenges. Fastmetrics network engineers are accredited Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Admins, Cisco Meraki qualified and Cisco Certified Specialists.

March 3, 2022
Online Faxing: How Relevant Is It In 2022?

What Does Online Faxing Offer In 2022?

Today, tech advancements aim to streamline business processes by leveraging the digital ecosystem. Faxing is no different. With online faxing, efficient and accurate information transfer via the Internet can be achieved. For users of digital faxing services, the future looks encouraging. Developers have integrated further features to Internet faxing services. For that reason alone, online faxing uptake is expected to grow in 2022 and beyond.

More benefits of internet faxing can be found at reputable providers such as eFax.com and others. They can help determine if this service is a viable addition to your information transmission needs. Read on to find out how relevant online faxing is in 2022 and to learn some of the latest features available.

1. Seamless Mobile Compatibility
Developments in technology have significantly reduced infrastructure required to transmit information. Telefaxing requirements like fax printers and a dedicated telephone line or number, have become obsolete due to online faxing. Consequently, mobile applications are gradually penetrating the faxing arena. Users can download and install mobile apps on devices like tablets or smartphones. This enables the ability to send and receive faxes on the go. It cuts the need to print and respond to transmitted information. Online faxing service providers have simplified the application prompts to accommodate everyone using modern devices.

2. A Secure Communications Channel
The digital age is an era dominated by cybersecurity threats that can cripple business operations. It requires strategy when considering security measures to combat breach attempts. Online fax services offer features like electronic signatures, that help authenticate inbound and outbound faxes. The use of encryption and assignment of access rights to selected users, are further options to increase security. However, these do require keeping antivirus software, mobile and Internet apps updated, to safeguard fax transmissions. (Outdated versions may still expose you to cybercrime threats).

3. Paperless Transmission
Online faxing solutions aim to reduce the paperwork method of the telefaxing era. In 2022, send and receive faxes without printing or scanning. Attach videos to your faxes, and recipients can access them by downloading recordings. Such innovations in paperless faxing are attracting more businesses to add or hold on to a faxing service in their communication systems.

4. Substitute For Emails
Online faxing is an obvious improvement on telefaxing. Apart from being paperless, it includes additional features like email and virtual phone numbers via internet connectivity. It ensures seamless transfer of information such as images and voice recordings that can be integrated into existing programs. Send and receive faxes by entering a recipient’s virtual mobile number and get an instant response, if emails are bouncing back to your inbox. It also saves the headache of trying to recover lost emails on your smart devices.

5. Cloud Enabled
The digital landscape demands that you’re properly equipped to handle big projects, especially if you have a large workforce or mulitple locations. Online faxing is a useful tool to assist project management and fulfill your overall business goals. Cloud based online faxing helps relevant parties view their inboxes or dashboards and action assigned tasks. Furthermore, you can store or save faxes for future reference and trace communications for project timelines and accountability purposes.

6. Document Organization
Online faxing and smart devices rely on memory to increase output in service delivery. Instead of handling piles of paperwork that need arrangement and filing, with the risk of losing important documents, online faxing brings document organization. Recipients or partners can virtually access digital copies. In addition, transmit bulk documents in a given order and maximize large file transfers, via faxing online.

The benefits of sending faxes via the Internet are set to increase over time. Innovations seen in the tech industry aim to promote efficiency, security, and traceability in the faxing arena. It’s expected that faxing will continue to appear in the contact info of businesses.

About Fastmetrics, Inc. Building & Business ISP

Since 2002, Fastmetrics is the Bay Area’s only dedicated business ISP. We provide telecommunication services in California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Reliable service – backed by better live and local support. From install to 24-7 proactive monitoring, get treated like a VIP customer. Not a number by a faceless call center. We specialize in managed business internet and phones, dedicated high speed business fiber internet, business WiFi, SIP voice solutions / UCaaS and managed network services. We are a Microsoft and Cisco Meraki Partner. Our team are Certified Cisco Specialists, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Accredited and Polycom Authorized Solution Advisors. We take care of your business network, so you can focus on growth.

January 13, 2022