Businesses in Chicago might be safer from natural disasters than those in coastal areas, but data breaches and other man-made catastrophes are just as big a risk in the Windy City as they are in any other part of the country. Last year, the number of cybersecurity attacks that crippled businesses all over the world made 2017 one of the worst on record.

Planning ahead is one of the best things any business owner can do to ensure reliable business growth. It's true for human resources and it's true for technology. But unless you're a seasoned IT expert, keeping up with a constant barrage of updates and changes to the hardware and software solutions you hope to implement is a losing battle.

Data is power. When your company data is utilized to its full potential, it can reveal patterns in consumer behavior that will help you make the right marketing, sales, and customer service decisions. In order to use your data to the fullest, you might need custom web applications.

Web apps are often the easiest and most efficient way to keep customers connected and engaged. And thanks to cloud technology, people no longer need to deal with bulky downloads, software installations, and the compatibility issues that come with them.

Digital activities generate 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day. As consumers and businesses alike become more reliant on technology, information becomes more complex and diverse. Even small companies have terabytes of data at their disposal, generated by Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, social media, and other online resources.

MXOtech had an amazing turn out for our second annual Client Appreciation and Summer Social event at City Winery on August 2nd. Clients old and new, as well as supporters and business partners, came together last Thursday evening to mingle, share stories and connect with other Chicagoland business leaders.

Managed Services providers (MSPs) are popping up all over Chicago these days, but a lot of them simply don’t measure up. When outsourced IT support is done right, it’s unbelievably valuable for businesses that don’t have the budget or in-house expertise needed to handle their own technology solutions.

Traditionally, software design has used a Waterfall method. This process requires the development team to gather all information on the project application upfront, including requirements, desired functionalities and internal processes. The project manager designs the project roadmap.

Cybersecurity is at the forefront of every business leader’s mind these days, or at least it should be. Data security gets more complicated and multifaceted every day, especially as businesses rely more on mobile devices, “smart” gadgets, and other hard-to-secure office connections.

BYOD (bring your own device) is quickly becoming the workplace standard. Today, 82 percent of companies allow employees to use personal devices for work, and that number will only grow.

But before you turn your employees loose with their smartphones and tablets, you have to lay some ground rules.