What is virtual workspace?
STAN TROFIMCHUK: In a nutshell, virtual workspace is your business computers and servers in the cloud. It is faster, more reliable and more secure IT for business.
From an end-user perspective, there is nothing new to learn. It looks and feels just like the computer you use for work but much faster and efficient. It also never breaks and can be accessed from any internet-connected device anywhere in the world.
How can virtual workspace technology help businesses effectively manage data?
TROFIMCHUK: Virtual workspace technology centralizes data, so it is no longer scattered across all employees’ computers and devices.
This allows for easier management and opens up new horizons for analytics like AI and machine learning.
Future applications of such analytics tools – made easier through centralized data - could allow for instant discovery in legal proceedings and create new methods for diagnosing diseases. And, complex financial institutions could partner with AI or machine learning companies to most effectively assess their data.
How does this technology enhance productivity and bottom-line?
DAVID REESER: Virtual workspace technology provides greater flexibility in how companies share files, data, programs and software in order to achieve seamless collaboration.
Since everything is centralized, it’s available to you anywhere with a reliable internet connection. So, it is a great solution for companies with multiple locations and remote employees.
The added value of partnering with IT Works is our promise of being more than just a vendor. We see ourselves as an extension of every business with which we partner.
With the help of our clients, we are continually discovering new ways to grow their business and add value by leveraging our technology. We truly care about our clients and want to help them succeed.
Can a virtual workspace be utilized through smartphones and tablets?
TROFIMCHUK: Virtual workspace users can now utilize a web-portal – which was previously unavailable – to access their workspace with more speed and security.
While the best use of our virtual workspace is your desktop or laptop, the web-portal allows businesses to work from other devices like tablets, phones, library computers – any device with a web browser.
How does virtual workspace technology help mitigate the risks of ransomware attacks?
TROFIMCHUK: IBM’s CEO has called cyber-crime ‘the greatest threat’ to companies large and small, and Cybersecurity Ventures projects that by 2019, a business will fall victim to a ransomware attack every 14 seconds.
Virtual workspace is fundamentally immune to ransomware, and more flexible than a traditional computer environment. In the event of an attack or other disastrous event, a business can be back to work within 10 minutes.
And given a ransomware attack, our technology not only erases the threat and restores your files, but also returns computers back to their complete healthy “system state,” as if nothing ever happened, almost like a time machine!
What IT costs do businesses most frequently underestimate?
REESER: Data from Gartner and IDC estimate that small businesses spend about 6.9 percent of their revenue on IT. Around 30 percent of that money is spent on avoidable costs relating to lost revenue when a computer dies, and the “soft cost” of lost productivity when an employee is dealing with or fixing IT problems.
How can small businesses budget for IT and related expenses?
REESER: In the past, companies would hope a new server or computer would last five years, only to have to replace one or the other – or both – in only three years. Leveraging a virtual workspace eliminates the need for physical servers, and even extends the life of laptops and PCs.
Our solution is engineered to be cost-efficient, so that all our clients enjoy best-in-class technology at a fraction of the cost. This solution can be scaled up or down to be affordable, while meeting the custom needs of each business.
As a result, budgeting all aspects of a company’s IT needs becomes much more predictable, both now and into the future.
A major financial benefit to a virtual workspace is there is no need to purchase any new hardware. The only upfront spending is in moving data to the new virtual workspace. And there is no risk because if a client is unhappy with our services after 30 days, for any reason, we will switch him or her back at no cost.
What advice do you have for small businesses that do not have in-house IT manpower?
TROFIMCHUK: Utilizing the virtual workspace, your computer will never need an upgrade again, which means that in addition to alleviating the risk of ransomware attacks, businesses will not have to spend valuable time constantly updating every application, operating system or piece of hardware.
All computing power is delivered from the cloud, so no matter how slow or old your computer may be, it will be fast when connected to our virtual workspace. All applications, operating systems, security updates and patching are done automatically in the background for you. The same is applicable to disaster recovery and backup services. The virtual workspace is a complete solution that makes your IT work for you.
Let IT Works help you find a customizable solution to your business’ IT needs. Call (910) 594-4862 or visit ourITworks.com.