Month: July 2017

StoredTech Develops New Service Model Provides Clients New Equipment Options

July 12, 2017

StoredTech president Mark Shaw, center, with staffers Brett Cofer, left, and Timothy Cruz.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Susan E. Campbell

Technology is central to every company and organization in this 21st century. Even if the only hardware on site is a telephone, not much business will be conducted without it. And if it breaks, somebody needs to fix it or replace it.

But what if a team of IT professionals were already on the pulse on all the business systems in a company, monitoring networks and anticipating what might go wrong next? What if instead of calling an IT consultant, your IT consultant were calling the company?

This is the premise that drives Queensbury-based StoredTech and its new service, CloudCare. StoredTech was founded in 2010 by Mark Shaw to “provide a significantly different approach to IT consulting.”

“In the 1980s and 1990s, if you had a computer problem you would call the IT guy to come fix it,” Shaw said. “It should be the polar opposite.”

StoredTech’s approach is to get ahead of a problem and propose early solutions before the emergency call needs to be made. In some cases problems are fixed remotely before the customer even notices it, he said.

“We see some things that look bad, maybe with the network or servers, so let’s fix them before they get very bad,” said Shaw. “Don’t wait for failure.”

By actively managing customer relationships in such a way, StoredTech becomes a proactive partner invested in the success of that client company. It has tools that monitor all kinds of hardware: firewalls, computers, servers, data storage, telephones, security cameras and access control systems. Its product line is being expanded all the time, so rather than sending clients to a different third party firm for resolution, the firm continually becomes an expert in additional areas of need.

Business Report: Paper To Digital Transformation

July 12, 2017

Rick Gallup, owner of Document Solutions of the North Country.

By Rick Gallup

One of the many challenges facing business owners and managers today is the transformation of documents from paper to digital. Although most people agree that this change is necessary, implementation is not a simple process.

Why go from paper to digital? Remote workers have access to information on many devices from virtually anywhere. If important documents are trapped in paper format, you are not fully utilizing the tools that mobile technology provides.

Another reason is that digital documents make it very easy to store and retrieve large volumes of data. Other reasons include cost savings, security, and sustainability, to name a few.

What are the challenges? First there is acceptance. Most people are resistant to change. Getting everyone on board is essential to a successful digital transformation strategy.

Then there is the process. Some companies will choose to eliminate printers, or install software that restricts printing. These can be effective measures, but only if you have a good understanding of the workflow, and how this action may impact it.

The path to transformation can be divided into four stages (understand, educate, execute, and improve). First you must understand how and where you use paper today. The distinction between “good” and “bad” paper can identify areas where you really need to use paper, and areas where you don’t.

Business Report: Don’t Ask!

July 12, 2017

Michael Cruz, president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.
Courtesy Lighthouse Advisors LLC

By Michael Cruz

Hiring the right people for your organization is critically important, right? And, interviewing people is the way we determine if they are the people you want. Typical questions often include – Where do you see yourself in 3 years? How do you handle conflict? What are your strengths (or weaknesses)? These are terrible questions. Don’t ask them!

I often work with clients on hiring issues. We work on ways to ensure new hires are a 90% fit to their company. Good interviews take preparation. Few people take the time to prepare to ask purposeful questions. Before we figure out what to ask, we need to understand why you should not ask the questions above.

Where do you see yourself in three years? What do you want them to say? How does their answer tell you much about them? If I meet you somewhere, could you answer that question? Don’t ask it. Focus your questions on what you want them to do in the next three years.

How do you handle conflict? This one is a little different. We all need to handle conflict at work. The phrasing of this question is hypothetical. People will answer based on what they think you want to hear. Whoever told you that they scream at people? Or that they will pout? Instead, ask them to Give me an example of a time that you had a conflict with a coworker? Tell me the situation and describe how you handled it. This change in phrasing allows you see what they do in that situation. It is no longer hypothetical. It is behavioral. It describes their actual behavior in that situation.

‘Open Studios’ Tour Comes To Region In July, Promotes The Quality Of Local Artists’ Work

July 12, 2017

Greenwich artist Karen Koziol points to materials that go into the making of her art. She is part of the Open Studios of Washington County tour July 13-16
Courtesy Open Studios of Washington County

Some 20 artists in Washington County will be displaying their works and promoting artists in the area when Open Studios of Washington County makes its biennial return to the region July 13-16.

The event has brought thousands of visitors to local studios while generating significant revenue for participating artists. It has also raised the visibility of the artists in the communities in which they live.

“Open Studios is a great opportunity for people to discover the extraordinary talent of our regional artists,” said Sue Sanderson, organizer of Open Studios of Washington County. “This year we have a record 20 artists. Many are nationally and internationally acclaimed. Those who aren’t are making their mark. And all support each other.”

She said the diversity of the artists is important to the success of the tour. Established tour artists attract an engaged audience and bring credibility to the event. First-time tour artists offer collectors the opportunity to discover new talent.

Greenwich artist Karen Koziol experienced the enthusiasm for new artists during the 2015 tour. “Doing the tour was absolutely exhilarating,” said Koziol. “People were really engaged and interested in what I was doing, why I was doing it and how I was doing it. I made some great connections.”