Blog
August 2nd, 2023 by Function4
In today's interconnected digital landscape, many businesses face an ever-growing range of cyber threats that can disrupt their operations, compromise sensitive data, and cause damage to their reputation. With the increasing sophistication of hackers...
Posted in: Business Technology
June 2nd, 2023 by Function4
Collaboration is essential for any workplace to be productive and successful. It helps create a culture of openness, mutual respect, shared goals, and increased understanding of each other's roles. Furthermore, it can lead to improved communication,...
Posted in: Business Technology, General, IT Services
April 5th, 2023 by Function4
Leading MTSP Combines Cybersecurity Experts with State-of-the-Art Technology Sugar Land, TX – Function4, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP) is protecting SMBs (small to mid-sized businesses) from cyberattacks through their...
Posted in: Cybersecurity, Business Technology, Press Release, IT Services
March 20th, 2023 by Function4
Help desk solutions are a type of customer service software used by organizations to streamline responses to customer inquiries and improve the overall efficiency of their customer support. Help desks have become increasingly popular in recent years...
Posted in: Business Technology
March 15th, 2023 by Bill Patsouras
Leading MTSP Invited to Conference with Thought Leaders on Exceeding Customer Expectations Sugar Land, TX – Function4, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP) was invited to attend and share their expertise with top industry organizations...
Posted in: Cybersecurity, Document Management, Business Technology, Phone Systems, General, Press Release, Managed Print Services, IT Services
January 31st, 2023 by Function4
ENX Magazine Announces Function4 Among the 123 Nation’s Top Office Technology Dealerships Chosen This Year as a 2022 Elite Dealer Sugar Land, TX – Function4, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), proudly announced they were...
Posted in: Business Technology, Press Release
September 19th, 2022 by Marc Marlin
Why Help Desk? There are a myriad of reasons why businesses operating in today's technology environment should consider implementing an IT Support Help Desk in their organization. These can include faster response times and mitigation of technical issues....
Posted in: Business Technology
July 27th, 2022 by Function4
There are several flourishing businesses worldwide; however, each business differs from the other. One significant difference between a multi-national firm and a small business is the lack of resources. If you work for or own a small firm, you'd know...
Posted in: Business Technology
July 12th, 2022 by Function4
A fully integrated cloud communications platform is instrumental in improving customer experience, outreach, and engagement well beyond the dealership. With the right communications platform, you can effortlessly transform your customer's car buying...
Posted in: Business Technology
June 9th, 2022 by Function4
The copier machine, since its production, has undergone numerous changes. Today it stands as one of the most polished and user-friendly machines making business life more manageable. While its usage has decreased by a slight margin in the present times,...
Posted in: Business Technology
April 18th, 2022 by Function4
In an organization, it is the job of the sales and marketing teams to enhance sales, keep existing customers happy, and help the company expand, and to do this; they need to present their ideas. Studies show that visual aids can increase...
Posted in: Business Technology
March 22nd, 2022 by Function4
No matter how advanced the world has become, there are some conventional things that we can't just let go of. Printing papers is one of these. You can have all of the information you need in digital form, but some documents must be in physical...
Posted in: Business Technology
January 17th, 2022 by Function4
Are you thinking of buying a new printer or copier for your business? Need to make an upgrade right away in the fastest time? Then make sure to read this post first as we share with you some of the most crucial things to consider when buying a copier...
Posted in: Document Management, Business Technology
January 3rd, 2022 by Function4
To manage a successful business, it is important to keep things well-organized. Though every business has unique organizational needs, how you store, track, and manage internal documents can significantly impact your business's operational efficiency....
Posted in: Document Management, Business Technology
December 10th, 2021 by Function4
A multifaceted and reliable office copier is a critical tool for every company that is success-oriented. However, finding the right company can feel overwhelming. Not only is office equipment like copiers pricey, but if incorrectly selected, it...
Posted in: Business Technology
November 15th, 2021 by Function4
Embracing remote work has been a love-hate relationship for many small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners. With new technology allowing workers to work from wherever and whenever more than ever before, employers have had to balance...
Posted in: Business Technology
November 8th, 2021 by Function4
In the past week, I heard from several former colleagues who contacted me for advice on managing remote workers. As companies around the globe grapple to address coronavirus and the workplace, managers who have never led distributed workforces...
Posted in: Business Technology
November 1st, 2021 by Function4
Effective communication is a key driver for business productivity across all industries. Today’s business environment makes unified communications nearly an operational necessity. Small businesses (SMBs) may feel such use of technology...
Posted in: Business Technology
October 26th, 2021 by Function4
"The world of work cannot and should not look the same after this crisis." That's what the Secretary-General of the United Nations said recently. We all know the first chapter. When COVID-19 arrived, the business world had to pivot instantly and...
Posted in: Business Technology
October 25th, 2021 by Function4
Having the right technology is critical for any small business. You operate lean and focus on growth, so your investment in tech must be at the right time and for the right reasons. VoIP (voice over IP) adoption can deliver many advantages for you....
Posted in: Business Technology, Phone Systems
September 1st, 2021 by Kevin Box / Glyn Morgan
Recently, one of our more tenured consultants gave an internal lunch and learn to our Sales Team on how to help our customers understand and better manage their printer fleets. This is the sort of “inside baseball”, so to speak, that organizations...
Posted in: Business Technology
June 22nd, 2021 by Taylor Bucher
Business disruption prompting business innovation We’ve all heard the phrase, “Necessity is the mother of innovation”. And if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that this is absolutely true. In the wake of the mass business disruption our...
Posted in: Automation, Business Technology
June 17th, 2021 by Garrett Hollander
It's safe to say that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for all of us — especially for organizations that were in the process of undergoing their own digital transformations as the lock downs started in March 2020. The need to use...
Posted in: Business Technology
June 16th, 2021 by Function4
This infographic shows nonprofit organizations how they can easily get set up with Microsoft Teams—in just 5 simple steps. For additional information, please contact function4 today. View: 5 Easy Steps to Get Started with Microsoft Teams ...
Posted in: Business Technology
June 1st, 2021 by Kevin Kern
Like everything else in life, we all know the world of work is constantly changing. 2020 was undoubtedly a year that brought an unprecedented and unanticipated rate of change in how we work. The sudden transition from working in traditional offices...
Posted in: Business Technology
May 18th, 2021 by Nick Pegley
The IT landscape is in a constant state of change. Whether it’s still seen as a supportive administrative function, an enabler of digital transformation, or an integral touchpoint woven within everyday interactions, it is critically important to...
Posted in: Business Technology
May 13th, 2021 by Graham Smith
Despite the fact that we live and work in a digital age, accounts receivable (AR) processes at many businesses remain a very manual and antiquated affair. Whether it’s manual invoice creation and delivery, back and forth emails and phone calls...
Posted in: Automation, Business Technology
May 6th, 2021 by Taylor Bucher
We’ve all heard the old adage, “Why fix what isn’t broken?” It’s a valid question. I mean, why change things when “business as usual” seems to be working just fine? Well, to put it in Ben Franklin’s words, “When you’re finished changing, you’re...
Posted in: Business Technology
April 27th, 2021 by Garrett Hollander
As one observer noted, even large disasters like Chernobyl didn’t completely stem from a lack of documentation. This crisis caused so much damage because people failed to follow the planned and documented processes in time. While it’s important...
Posted in: Business Technology
April 22nd, 2021 by Elija Paajanen
Information, in all its formats, is the lifeblood of business. Yet, it is an asset that’s often poorly managed, and therefore, provides less value than its potential. Let’s face it. Information only has value when it is refined and used for decision-making....
Posted in: Business Technology
April 20th, 2021 by Garrett Hollander
The sheer volume of information being created on a daily basis by the average business is staggering. In fact, it’s been estimated that more data has been created in the last two years alone than in the entirety of human history leading up to that...
Posted in: Business Technology
April 12th, 2021 by Kevin Box
Let’s face it, managing printers isn’t glamorous, and all end-users genuinely care about is if they can print. If the answer is no, the end-user must find an alternative to fix the problem. This is a microcosm of why having a printer service organization...
Posted in: Document Management, Business Technology
April 6th, 2021 by Tom Darnall
Corporate printing costs can get expensive. These costs can amount to as much as 3% of annual revenue (some estimates even go as high as 12%). It’s important to keep those costs in check. And with print security becoming an increasingly urgent priority...
Posted in: Business Technology
March 30th, 2021 by Brian Wistisen
Print servers are the go-to choice when it comes to a corporate printing infrastructure. Conventional direct IP printing is different than server printing. With direct IP, printers are managed on a workstation-by-workstation basis. Print...
Posted in: Document Management, Business Technology
March 24th, 2021 by Garrett Hollander
What is a Document Management System (DMS)? What is a document management system? Put simply, a document management system is an automated business software solution used to organize, secure, store, capture, digitize, and tag business files....
Posted in: Document Management, Business Technology
March 23rd, 2021 by Tom Darnall
You can probably imagine how eliminating print servers also helps to end single points of failure. This means increased printer availability and more printer uptime at your organization. A welcome bonus? Fewer calls to the service desk. ...
Posted in: Business Technology
March 5th, 2021 by Max Queen
Here are a few signs it’s time to make a change! Employees are constantly waiting. Is there a group of employees gathered around the copier waiting for their documents? If so, you have inefficient...
Posted in: Business Technology
March 4th, 2021 by Neil Thomas
2020 has been a big year for organizations moving their business processes to software as a service (SaaS). Recent corporate surveys have indicated that 80% of all businesses were already using at least one SaaS solution. By the start of...
Posted in: Business Technology
March 3rd, 2021 by Ross Lasley
The software industry has been rapidly changing over the last several years. The most significant change has come in adapting software as a service instead of selling perpetual licenses with maintenance agreements. Microsoft was one of the first...
Posted in: Business Technology
March 2nd, 2021 by Brian Wistisen
As IT professionals look to move away from legacy print solutions, the idea of a serverless print infrastructure is becoming more widespread. That’s true even in large enterprise organizations, where print servers were a necessary evil for far too...
Posted in: Business Technology
February 26th, 2021 by Kevin Box
Contact a Solutions Expert There was a time in history where the "On-trend" method for managing copier and printer fleets was to map out the office and strategically place workgroup copiers & printers within the office space to maximize...
Posted in: Cybersecurity, Business Technology
February 23rd, 2021 by Garrett Hollander
One of the most important things to understand about a digital transformation is that ultimately, you’re talking about exactly that: a transformation from where you are today to where you hope to be tomorrow. In order to get to that point,...
Posted in: Business Technology
February 23rd, 2021 by Tom Darnall
At Function4, we have one overarching mission: to eliminate print servers. They’re a huge pain point for print environments of every shape and size, a resource vortex that devours time, money and effort with very little to show for it. IT departments...
Posted in: Document Management, Business Technology
February 18th, 2021 by Kirsten Barta
Businesses that are still relying on old-school methods such as on-site servers for file storage and an on-premises legacy phone system for communications are taking a risk. Without the flexibility and efficiency of the Cloud, you’ll be choking on...
Posted in: Business Technology, Phone Systems
February 2nd, 2021 by Kirsten Barta
Communication is one of the most important aspects of any company’s operations. Often, communication tools are not fully integrated, creating challenges for your team. By leveraging cloud communications, you can assure greater mobility and accessibility....
Posted in: Business Technology, Phone Systems
January 27th, 2021 by Brian Wistisen
Contact a Solutions Expert As IT professionals are looking to move away from legacy print solutions, the idea of a serverless print infrastructure is becoming more widespread. That's true even in large enterprise organizations, where print servers were...
Posted in: Business Technology
January 19th, 2021 by Max Queen
As a small or medium-sized business (SMB) owner, you wear many hats. One of those responsibilities may be IT security, although you may have a nagging suspicion that your company is not adequately protected. With cyberattacks continuing to escalate,...
Posted in: Business Technology
January 14th, 2021 by Max Queen
Managed IT services provide countless benefits that help improve efficiency, budget-friendliness, and morale across any company—but what can it do for your company? Here's a quick look at just a few reasons why managed IT is right for you. A Crash-Course...
Posted in: Business Technology
January 5th, 2021 by Mehryn Corrigan
The display industry was already going through considerable changes when COVID-19 hit. Now, the pandemic has accelerated that innovation. The following are five key trends based on our new environment that companies in the display space should keep in...
Posted in: Business Technology
December 22nd, 2020 by Paul Perez
In previous blogs, we touched on new developments in Inkjet technology from a high-level macro perspective. Now that business class inkjet has had some time to carve out its niche, we felt it necessary to dive into it a little more precisely. (We will...
Posted in: Business Technology
December 17th, 2020 by Brad Yocum
When many technology companies are broadening their scope of services, one of the most common is hardware organizations providing IT Support Services. At first thought, this may not seem like an easy transition. The technical requirements may appear to...
Posted in: Business Technology
December 15th, 2020 by Darcy Mekis
You’re working on your monthly sales target report when your youngest barges into your bedroom, screaming her lungs out because the brother just took her toy. Now you have to pause working and solve the sibling rivalry. Or, you’re busy working on that...
Posted in: Business Technology
December 10th, 2020 by Brad Yocum
In today's environment of remote workforces and shuffling of staff to different locations throughout the office, supporting employee's technology needs can be very challenging. One of the biggest ongoing challenges for the IT department is the print...
Posted in: Business Technology
December 3rd, 2020 by Sharp
For a time, touchscreen displays were the height of innovation. Forget the old-school buttons; that was so last century. Everyone wanted an interface that reminded them of their iPhone. And that technology is still great – there are many possibilities...
Posted in: Business Technology
December 1st, 2020 by Taylor Bucher
Businesses know that customer experience (CX) is quickly becoming the key differentiator among brands. In fact, according to Gartner, when it comes to making a purchase, 65% of people find customer experience more important than price. So when a business...
Posted in: Business Technology
November 11th, 2020 by Ross Lasley
Google Air Print is officially going away on December 21st, which will cause a problem for many organizations' print environment. Google has reported that organizations will have two options: direct IP printing from Chromebooks or an alternative print...
Posted in: Business Technology
November 10th, 2020 by Christian Colasono
In today’s increasingly evolving print/imaging technology industry, it is of the utmost importance to know what to look for, avoid, and what questions to ask when selecting your next technology partner. One of the most essential and overlooked areas...
Posted in: Business Technology
November 3rd, 2020 by Dave Volberding
INDEPENDENT DEALERS In business, the concept of cutting out the middleman often makes logical sense. After all, why pay someone else to get you what you need when you have the option to buy straight from the manufacturer? Fortunately, you have a choice...
Posted in: Business Technology
October 27th, 2020 by Glyn Morgan
When I started in this industry, most copiers were still using liquid toner and premix. You could always tell who had utilized these devices by the stains on the carpet in front of them. Once copiers transitioned over to dry ink, people were delighted....
Posted in: Business Technology
October 23rd, 2020 by Paul Perez
Many organizations have moved to produce graphics and marketing materials in house to save on outsourcing costs and eliminate waiting on the local print shop. Now that print jobs can be taken directly from design to print, the challenge of finishing the...
Posted in: Business Technology
October 15th, 2020 by Bill Patsouras / Ross Lasley
How to Successfully Implement a Software Project In today’s business environment, everyone is looking to increase productivity, reduce expenses, and streamline efficiencies. Many times, the answer lies in introducing more software to the environment....
Posted in: Business Technology
September 16th, 2020 by Brad Yocum
For many years now, we have all heard the term “Digital Transformation.” .” What does that mean to our organization? Can we survive without paper? What is the cost, and can my staff even adopt the concept? There are so many questions that must go thru...
Posted in: Business Technology
September 3rd, 2020 by Kevin Box / Trent Tate
Many who work in Corporate Procurement and Information Technology understand the differences between Toner and Ink in relation to printing, however not everyone understands the nuances between each and the impact it can have on your bottom line. Our...
Posted in: Business Technology
September 2nd, 2020 by Paul Perez
Ink has recently roared back into the mainstream printing space with virtually all print manufacturers releasing some form of an inkjet printer. The “Inkjet is the future” message is plastered all over print publication websites and has inkjet touted...
Posted in: Business Technology
August 19th, 2020 by Ross Lasley
Every business leader is trying to make better decisions for their organization. It does not matter how good of a business person or leader, you are if you are making decisions from incomplete data. Today we have an overload of data. Most businesses...
Posted in: Business Technology
October 29th, 2019 by Function4
“How do I get out of a copier lease?” As a copier dealer, this is a question we commonly hear from businesses unhappy with a lease they signed with a competitor’s leasing company. Contact a Solutions Expert The business may want to break their copier...
Posted in: Business Technology
September 23rd, 2019 by Function4
Even in an increasingly digital age, some things just work best in print. Visit any booming business, and you’ll likely see their copier humming. This points to a copier’s essential function in a successful business, and it makes copier acquiring decisions...
Posted in: Business Technology
April 15th, 2019 by Function4
Mobile device usage in the workforce is now commonplace, with an increasing number of workers turning to personally or company-owned mobile devices to perform daily tasks. The benefits for employers are well established, including those in the healthcare...
Posted in: Business Technology
March 25th, 2019 by Function4
You may be familiar with the core benefits of a managed IT services partnership, but some advantages aren't as well known. Managed IT services providers have valuable solutions to offer your company that could make a big difference in productivity and...
Posted in: Business Technology
February 20th, 2019 by Function4
Is your company adopting more digital processes in the coming year? Forward-thinking leaders recognize the inevitability of digitization and are doing everything they can to update their business processes. While the benefits of switching from paper-based...
Posted in: Business Technology
February 4th, 2019 by Function4
Not sure whether you should handle your IT responsibilities in-house or outsource them to a managed IT services provider? Tech researchers like IDC have run the numbers for you, and the managed approach is the clear winner. Here's a look at four financial...
Posted in: Business Technology
January 21st, 2019 by Function4
The 21st century has already seen some astonishing advances in the technology sector, with new opportunities coming so fast that many businesses struggle to stay on top of changes. Mobile device management is one technology solution your organization...
Posted in: Document Management, Business Technology
January 14th, 2019 by Function4
Should you outsource some or all of your IT responsibilities to a trusted provider? For many small and mid-sized companies, outsourcing to a managed services provider is an excellent way to access benefits not ordinarily available for smaller organizations....
Posted in: Business Technology
December 31st, 2018 by Function4
Have you considered outsourcing the management of your IT infrastructure to a managed IT services partner? Small and medium-sized businesses are among a growing group of organizations recognizing the value provided by partnerships with advanced managed...
Posted in: Business Technology
December 17th, 2018 by Function4
The predictions were accurate—mobile workforce numbers continue to grow as companies realize the value of an agile staff with 24/7 access to business data. Here's why the most successful among these business leaders look to mobile device management to...
Posted in: Business Technology
December 3rd, 2018 by Function4
As a small or medium-sized business (SMB) owner, you wear many hats. One of those responsibilities may be IT security, although you may have a nagging suspicion that your company is not adequately protected. With cyberattacks continuing to escalate,...
Posted in: Business Technology
November 26th, 2018 by Function4
Allowing your employees to use personally-owned mobile devices for work doesn't mean that you have no say in how those devices are used. If you're too hands-off, a simple mistake by an employee could give hackers access to your company's confidential...
Posted in: Business Technology
November 19th, 2018 by Function4
If you've been handling all of your IT needs in-house, you may be wondering if it's time to consider outsourcing to a professional Managed IT Services provider. For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), outsourcing may seem like a risky financial...
Posted in: Business Technology
November 12th, 2018 by Function4
Should you keep a technician on staff or outsource to a professional IT security company? For many companies, the latter is the most cost-effective choice. Here's a look at how an IT security company can provide you with 24-hour protection at a cost that's...
Posted in: Business Technology
October 29th, 2018 by Function4
manage [man-ij] to bring about or succeed in accomplishing, sometimes despite difficulty or hardship. (Dictionary.com) How well are you succeeding at managing your IT infrastructure on your own? Are you killing it or are ongoing issues plaguing your...
Posted in: Business Technology
October 22nd, 2018 by Function4
Your employees probably use their personally-owned mobile devices for at least some of their work. They may use them to check email, text co-workers about projects, or put meetings on their calendar. Rather than risk security issues when employees devise...
Posted in: Business Technology
October 1st, 2018 by Function4
Personal mobile device usage is now so prevalent in company work environments that few question the practice. As more and more BYOD employees enter the workplace, Mobile Device Management professionals provide a wide variety of services to protect confidential...
Posted in: Document Management, Business Technology
September 10th, 2018 by Function4
Mobile workers are expected to comprise nearly 75% of the workforce in the U.S. within the next two years. The healthcare sector can expect to see a similar trend, and controlling data access will become even more complicated than it is today. While...
Posted in: Business Technology
August 27th, 2018 by Function4
Access to expert tech support is essential for the modern small business, and you'll need to spend some time researching your IT options. Your organization can't afford to waste money, but cutting corners in critical areas is not a good choice, either....
Posted in: Business Technology
August 20th, 2018 by Function4
How much will it cost your company to recover following a data breach? New research from the Ponemon Institute and IBM paints a sobering picture, with costs increasing by 1.8% in 2017. And here in the U.S., businesses can expect to pay even more than...
Posted in: Business Technology
August 6th, 2018 by Function4
Want to get more value from each workday? Mobile device management can help by providing strategies for managing your company's BYOD (bring your own device) and COPE (corporate-owned, personally enabled) mobile strategies. Here's how mobile device management...
Posted in: Business Technology
July 30th, 2018 by Function4
Developing an in-house IT solution means you'll be starting from the ground up. Here's a look at the primary considerations when deciding whether to outsource to managed IT services. The In-House Solution One of the benefits of an in-house IT solution...
Posted in: Business Technology
July 23rd, 2018 by Function4
Owning and operating a business can be all-consuming, with little time left over for distractions; an IT security solution that isn't performing is a distraction you can live without. Allowing someone to manage your system for you may be a perfect solution...
Posted in: Business Technology
June 25th, 2018 by Function4
As a business leader, you're tasked with keeping your company moving forward without going over budget. Today's digital economy makes it more critical than ever to keep pace with technology. If you're struggling to keep up, increasing your IT investment...
Posted in: Business Technology
May 21st, 2018 by Function4
It might feel like your company has a lot to keep up with--technology, customers, the business world at large--but when it comes to managed IT services, there's only one thing to focus on: you. This innovative solution was designed to move at your pace...
Posted in: Business Technology
April 30th, 2018 by Function4
Managed IT services provide countless benefits that help improve efficiency, budget-friendliness, and morale across any company--but what can it do for your company? Here's a quick look at just a few reasons why managed IT is right for you. A Crash-Course...
Posted in: Business Technology
April 23rd, 2018 by Function4
Do you remember reading textbooks in school and not being able to imagine any of those things happening in real life? The same is true when it comes to business solutions like mobile management. If you can't visualize the processes and their benefits,...
Posted in: Business Technology
Function4 serves Houston, Beaumont, Paris, and the surrounding areas.