855-556-4677 www.azcompit.com
AUGUST 2019
Empowering Small Practices to Deliver the Best Care
IT
Technology is more fundamental to business than ever before, and it only stands to become more integral. Companies rely on IT solutions for everything, including payroll and customer service. Think about how many different programs you use in the course of a day’s work. Each of these tools serves a function and allows you to work more efficiently. Despite the centrality of technology in the modern workplace, too many business owners opt for cut-rate IT solutions. While saving a little on your tech budget may seem prudent in theory, it can be disastrous in practice. Bad software will crush your productivity, frustrate employees, and decrease customer satisfaction. And that’s not even the worst outcome. Poor security can lead to a data breach, which can shut you down for good. Most small businesses don’t recover from a cyberattack. I bet if you asked those folks what they’d change about their company, they’d all tell you they wish they had invested more in tech. Instead, they fell prey to the disease of cheap IT. It’s a comprehensive condition with a number of symptoms, including these four major ones. A LACK OF BACKUPS A network without properly backed-up files is like an ambulance without a defibrillator. If your system goes down and you don’t have backups, there may be no way to resuscitate your files. You’ve spent years amassing your data, and restoring it is as costly and time- consuming of an enterprise. You can create backups using a server, external hard drive, cloud storage, or all of the above. No matter what method you choose, though, you need to back up your files. Computers will crash, parts will burn out, and files will malfunction. These are facts of life, but whether they’ll be minor headaches or catastrophic emergencies depends on your willingness to regularly backup your files. OUT-OF-DATE SECURITY While security patches may not be the headline items when a new version of software debuts, they are perhaps the most important part THE DISEASE OF CHEAP IT 4 Symptoms of Bad Tech Investment
of any update. Hackers and software architects are in a constant game of cat and mouse, and each security patch contains defenses against the latest tactics favored by cybercriminals. Running out-of-date versions of software is the equivalent of putting a “kick me” sign on your network’s back. It lets hackers know you don’t keep up with IT security, which makes you easy prey. A CLUELESS TEAM Investing in technology isn’t just about having the hardware and software to get the job done; it’s about training your people in smart internet practices. The strongest infrastructure in the world can be crippled by an unsuspecting employee clicking on a nefarious link. Everyone on your team should understand the value of creating strong passwords, logging out after they are done on a machine, and avoiding scams. You can’t go through the motions when it comes to educating staff on these topics. You wouldn’t let somebody arrive on day one and start using expensive medical equipment. Your network shouldn’t be any different. WEAK DATA SECURITY The worst decision companies make when it comes to their IT services is choosing cheap break-fix services over a dedicated managed services provider (MSP). An MSP monitors your system 24/7, protecting you against threats before they occur. The break-fix folks, on the other hand, only show up when something’s awry — and they often arrive late and unprepared. Working with a quality MSP is an investment in the continued growth and security of your business. Who wouldn’t want to make that kind of investment? –Byron Adams
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TIPS FOR THE TECH-SAVVY TRAVELER How to Keep Your Data Safe No Matter Where You Are
On the day before you depart, take a moment to update all of your apps and programs so you’ll have all of the latest security patches equipped. While you’re at it, pack two chargers and maybe an extra battery pack just in case. WHEN YOU’RE GONE Be mindful that scammers love to create dubious, free Wi-Fi networks in airports and densely frequented tourist areas. Unless you absolutely must, avoid using any free public Wi-Fi that is not password protected. If you need to use it, do not access any sensitive personal data on it. Similarly, avoid those USB ports at the airport; they may be tampered with to include information-stealing devices. See? We knew that battery pack would come in handy. In addition to making sure your technology stays safe, you need to be safe while using it. For road trips, invest in a hands-free device for calls and GPS directions. A smart phone can be tremendously useful while traveling, but it shouldn’t be overly distracting. After all, the whole joy of visiting a new place is getting to experience it with your own eyes rather than through a screen.
One of the benefits of modern technology is its ability to allow us to bring vital information everywhere we go. Turning that promise into a reality, however, isn’t as simple as putting your phone in your pocket and heading off to your destination. When traveling, you need to take extra care to ensure your dream getaway doesn’t turn into a data- theft nightmare. Here are a few tips for keeping your information safe while traveling. BEFORE YOU LEAVE It’s important to prepare a pretravel checklist for your devices, not unlike the packing list you make for clothes and toiletries. The first step is to back up all of the essential information on any device you’ll take with you. That way, losing a phone won’t be akin to losing all of your data. You’ll also want to alert your bank of any international travel and look into international data plans if you’re traveling internationally.
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SPOTLIGHT ON CINDY BAKER OF MRI NOW
There is no greater compliment we can receive than kind words from our valued customers. We recently sat down with Cindy Baker of MRI Now in New Braunfels, Texas, to discuss her experience working with AZCOMP for Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) service. “I originally started looking at AZCOMP as a training tool for myself on Medisoft,” Cindy says. “I quickly became familiar with Stacey and the team and was hooked. They were so helpful and really heard everything I was saying.
Call our direct support line: 480-730-3055 Create a support ticket via email: ithelp@azcomp.com
Learn more about how to get unlimited computer and networking support at AzcompIT.com. DOWNLOAD OUR FREE REPORT
Protect Your Data What every small business owner must know about protecting & preserving their
That was very reassuring.” After her initial good experience, Cindy decided to expand her relationship with AZCOMP to include RCM.
“What every small business owner must know about protecting and preserving their company’s critical data and computer systems” covers the essential information you need to know to keep your network safe. If you aren’t up to date on the latest in security, your network will be at risk.
“Honestly, there was not really a billing process in place,” Cindy says of her time before AZCOMP. “Not one that worked anyway. I took over quite a mess, and, thanks to AZCOMP and EMDS, we’ve made a huge change. Now the process flows, and I know where we are and how we are doing.” We love working with customers like Cindy to make independent practices more efficient and secure. Thank you, Cindy and MRI Now. Interested in seeing where your revenue cycle may measure up according to industry standards? Right now, we are offering you a FREE Financial Health Check. Give us a call to get started.
company’s critical data & computer systems!
If you depend on your computer network to run your business, this is one report you DON’T want to skip!
This report is available for free at AzcompIT.com/Protect. Download it today to ensure your computer systems are as secure as possible. With this report, you will have peace of mind and can spend time enjoying your summer without worrying about the safety of your network and data.
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DAVID EPSTEIN’S ‘RANGE’ Why It Pays to Be a Jack-of-All-Trades AWAY LUGGAGE AND BAGS In a world where you never know what to expect at an airport, smart luggage choices can be the difference between an easy flight and a nightmare. Overhead compartments get smaller all the time, you never know when you’ll be asked to check a bag, and who even knows what will and won’t make it through security these days? While luggage company Away doesn’t promise to solve all the indignities of air travel, they do offer excellent gear to make the process a little less painful. Founded in 2015, Away crafts stylish, functional suitcases and bags designed for the realities of travel in the 21st century. While they offer a number of totes and backpacks, it’s their hard-shelled suitcases that have garnered the most attention. Available in cheekily titled sizes like “The Carry-On” and “The Bigger Carry-On,” Away suitcases put traveler convenience front and center. With a durable exterior and TSA-approved lock, you’ll never need to worry about damage or theft should you have to check your bag. With 360-degree wheels, you’ll fly through the terminal. On top of those awesome features, you can opt for a model with an ejectable battery to charge your devices in a pinch no matter where you are — a lifesaver which doesn’t even cost extra. In fact, Away suitcases are surprisingly affordable. The largest model comes in under $300, with prices dropping from there. Oh, and they’re guaranteed for life. Is going to the airport ever going to be a joyous experience? Probably not. But with Away luggage, at least dealing with your bags won’t be part of the hassle. Stylish Gear for the Modern Traveler
Apple’s rise to dominance in the 2000s wasn’t based on having the most-advanced technology; it was based on creating designs that resonated with people. While a select few companies keep an industrial design team in-house, most opt to work with industrial design firms to help bring their ideas to life. Year after year, one firm has been behind an incredible number of innovative products: Ammunition. The firm was founded in 2007, and whether you know it or not, you’ve probably used a product they’ve worked on. Have you ever used those new-fangled cash-register interfaces powered by Square? Ammunition designed that. Noticed which car was your Lyft based on the light in the windshield? They were behind that, too. Admired your coworker’s fancy Ember coffee mug that keeps their drink warm all day? Your envy is the result of Ammunition’s eye- catching and practical design work. “Ammunition’s philosophy of design is to build very simple, meaningful things,” explains founder and partner Robert Brunner. “Our focus is on building simplicity from a usability and visual point of view, and yet not creating things that are homogeneous. We aim to create emotional characteristics that people will respond to. To do that, we take into account how the design of a product feels, looks, behaves, and captures the imagination.” Brunner believes design is a constantly evolving process, one that requires careful testing of an iteration before a product comes to market. “Most people focus on the product idea and concept stages and think that once you create the concept, the work is done,” he says. “In reality, that is a small amount of the work. The bigger task is bringing the idea to life and making it work. That is how you become design-driven.” In a world where product innovation is at an all-time high, quality design has never been more important. Design firms like Ammunition are helping bring products that improve our lives to market, earning accolades and new clients in the process. The Design Firm Behind Today’s Most Innovative Products AMMUNITION GROUP
Success, we are told, comes from the relentless pursuit of a solitary gold. We are bombarded with stories of people who knew what they wanted to do when they were a child and spent their life actualizing that dream. But is that really the surest way to success? David Epstein thinks not, and his new book, “Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World,” seeks to prove it.
A former sports journalist, Epstein comes from a world where specialized narratives are the most prevalently told, if not the most common. He begins the book by comparing the career trajectories of Tiger Woods and Roger Federer — the former who was relentlessly dedicated to gold and the latter who had a more diverse upbringing. “The professed necessity of hyperspecialization,” he writes, “forms the core of a vast, successful, and sometimes well-meaning marketing machine, in sports and beyond. In reality, the Roger path to sports stardom is far more prevalent than the Tiger path.” Epstein goes on to tell stories from all arenas of life that demonstrate the value of being a generalist, citing studies and delivering pearls of wisdom along the way. Often, he withholds the name of the person he’s discussing until revealing it well into a chapter, making “Range” read with dramatic urgency you rarely find in a book of this type. That’s just one of its many values.
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2500 S. Power Rd., Ste. 117 Mesa, AZ 85209 i nside this issu e Is Your IT Sickly? PAGE 1 Tech Safety Travel Tips PAGE 2 Meet an AZCOMP Customer PAGE 2 A Leader in Innovative Industrial Design PAGE 3 Want to Get (an) Away? PAGE 3 AZCOMP Leadership Library: ‘Range’ PAGE 3 The Worst Person to Find at a Card Table PAGE 4
In fact, he doesn’t refer to himself as a magician, but rather a card mechanic. His act demonstrates the reasons why, as he puts it, “you don’t play cards with strangers.” He shows how card cheats can deal from underneath the top card so deftly you can’t even perceive what’s happening. He manipulates a deck in so many ways you’d be forgiven for mistaking he can make cards levitate. While Turner’s feats are remarkable on their own, the fact that he’s developed these skills with failing eyesight is inspirational. One of AZCOMP’s core values is seeing challenges as opportunities, which we call “chasing Mavericks.” Richard Turner is a person who’s chased Mavericks his entire life. Despite challenges most would find insurmountable, Turner never once considered that he couldn’t become an expert card mechanic. Instead, he pursued his goal relentlessly. That’s no magic trick. It’s the power of the human spirit. If we all had the drive and fortitude of Richard Turner, there’s no telling what we could accomplish. By Ethan RICHARD TURNER’S INCREDIBLE VISION
Imagine being so skilled with a deck of cards you could organize an entire deck in order without anyone at the table realizing what you’re doing. Imagine being able to move cards at will, so you can amaze and astound onlookers with feats that appear supernatural. Richard Turner can do both of these with ease. He’s also a black belt in karate. Oh, and he’s been legally blind since he was 9 years old, though he would quibble with that distinction. “I have no sight, but I don’t call myself blind,” Turner says, “because I see things in ways that other people can’t see.” Turner has developed his sense of touch to such a refined degree that he can feel the markings on the faces of cards. To the untrained eye, it looks positively impossible, but Turner doesn’t pretend he’s creating illusions or doing anything magical.
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