Created in the wake of the financial scandals of the early 2000s, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was the federal government’s attempt to keep public companies honest about their financial status — to investors, employees, and the public. But while Enron and Tyco grabbed the headlines, mega-corporations aren’t the only companies that must comply with SOX.

Any public company — or, crucially — any company intending to go public, must comply.

In the race to generate value, many startups set their sights on an initial public offering (IPO). Others hope to be acquired by a larger company. In the first case, SOX compliance will be mandatory. In the second, it can increase your company’s value in the eyes of potential buyers.

Topics: IT Outsourcing, SOX Compliance

Every successful company is built on a foundation of best practices and finely tuned systems. In the case of early stage biotech companies, few systems are as important to calibrate than that of your IT staffing. Without the right IT systems and staffing in place, your company runs the risk of costly emergencies, slow response times, pivots in workflows, and more.

 

We know that experience, cost, and timeliness are all important factors when considering your IT hires (or outsourcing). Below are some thoughts on the pros and cons (as well as our staffing recommendations) of in-house versus outsourced IT staffing.

 

Topics: IT Outsourcing, IT Support, IT partners

If you think about your business’s technical infrastructure the same way you think about your office furniture or your business lunches, you’re doing it wrong. You will miss out on valuable opportunities and open yourself up to significant risks. You shouldn’t view IT as business expense; view it as an investment.

The truth is that the decisions you make about IT can pay huge dividends down the road, but only if you approach it carefully and strategically. Instead of thinking of IT as just another check to write, think of it as an essential component of your future success.

 

Topics: IT Outsourcing, Backup and Disaster Recovery, IT Support, Data Security

VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) is increasingly becoming the preferred phone service delivery system for businesses both large and small. Without going into the technical details, VoIP essentially runs your entire phone system through an internet connection. All the same features as older, phone line-based systems are still available, but with important improvements and enhancements. It won't be long before all offices rely on some sort of VoIP service.

Topics: IT Outsourcing, VoIP

 “What could go wrong?” That’s a phrase many business owners wish they had never uttered. The truth is, they call “the unexpected” unexpected for a reason. You never know when some out-of-the-blue disaster is going to befall your business, costing you thousands just to get everything up and running again.

Topics: Cloud IT Solutions, IT Outsourcing, Backup and Disaster Recovery

For too many small businesses, IT exists as an abstract concept. It is a vague combination of computers, servers and software that are important for getting business done, but are rarely a business concern. This attitude is understandable, but it is also risky. IT is more than just a one-time expense, it is a living breathing ecosystem that needs constant attention.

 

Topics: IT Outsourcing, Backup and Disaster Recovery, IT Support, BDR, IT investment

If you have ever bought something online, you understand that it’s not always necessary to work with a local business to get the level of service you want. This is especially true for information technology (IT), in which managed service providers (MSPs) can remotely monitor and maintain your IT infrastructure without ever setting foot in your office.

Topics: IT Outsourcing, Small Business IT Support, IT Support, SMB, Managed Services, Hybrid MSP, Local IT Service Provider, MSP

In the rush to get your laboratory online, your offices equipped, and your experiments initiated, it can be difficult to honestly evaluate your IT needs. But once you start setting up computers, installing software and dealing with ballooning data storage, you will understand how important it is to have biotech startup IT expertise on your side.

Topics: IT Outsourcing, IT Support, Biotechnology Startup, Startup

Do a simple online search for “IT Service Provider” and you will quickly realize how many companies are prepared to offer technical assistance to your small business. How do you separate the good from the bad? Keep these three considerations in mind when you evaluate any company you are thinking of working with.

Topics: IT Outsourcing, IT Support, IT Support, Local IT Service Provider

There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re deciding on an IT service provider for your small business. Do you want to work with a large or small company; one that is brand new and ambitious, or long running and proven; one dedicated to your industry specifically, or one with wide ranging IT expertise? All of these are important considerations, but one of the most fundamental and most commonly overlooked choices you need to make is whether to work with a local IT company or one that is not in your region and provides its services remotely.

Topics: IT Outsourcing, IT Outsourcing, IT Support, IT Support, ITO, Local IT Service Provider