The Right Fit For Your Information Technology Needs
Our Fort Collins IT Consulting services help ensure you get the information technology that’s right for your needs.
Buying new information technology can be a minefield. Nothing’s more painful than making a mistake when you purchase new technology. New equipment and software can be expensive; and when the technology is unnecessary, incompatible with your current system, or has too little or too much horsepower, that’s money down the drain.
IT consulting from a knowledgeable team that has your interests and needs in mind helps assure you get the answers and IT solutions you need. No one has cash to waste on the wrong information technology.
“We were having a clash between our hardware and a critical software product. The software company said the problem was on our end. NoCo Technology Solutions came in and got each part of the system checked out and fixed; including proving the software had some hosting errors. Bringing in NoCo Technology Solutions was the turning point.
I’m impressed with all their techs. If I have questions, they have answers or they find the answers quickly.”
Mike Shaver, Facility Plant Manager, Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of the Rockies
How To Choose an IT Consulting Partner
You need an IT consulting partner who understands that information technology is a business tool, and makes suggestions based on your business.
At NoCo Technology Solutions, our approach is: start with the client’s business goals first, then apply the technology to support that goal. We’re not like many other IT companies that can only look at the technology and don’t understand the bigger picture.
We will ask you many questions to make sure we understand exactly what you need to accomplish. Questions such as:
- What are you trying to achieve now?
- What is changing in your industry?
- What future adjustments do you foresee in the way you do business?
- Do your employees need remote access to your system?
- Is your business growing?
- What are your security requirements?
- What is your budget?
- Do you prefer owning or leasing?
- What is your timeframe?
All these questions and more go into a technology recommendation that makes sense for your business.
Every company is different so we’ll also analyze your current systems. If you mainly use your network for email and word processing, for instance, you have very different storage and processing speed requirements than an architectural firm that produces large graphic files on a constant basis. We take into account how you currently use your information technology, likely future needs, and current challenges you’re facing.
Stay Within Your Budget
But, besides considering your business needs and determining which technology will actually serve those needs, you also have a budget to consider.
Luckily, there are many technology solutions to accomplish most business goals. When we apply our knowledge and creativity to your situation, we can find IT solutions that respect your budget.
NoCo Technology Solutions provides the complete Fort Collins IT solution.
Once you’ve decided how you’d like to proceed, we’ll install and set up your new equipment while minimizing downtime. We’ll explain your new IT system carefully so you can start using it immediately. You’ll be on your way to accomplishing those business goals with your new system in place!
970-223-1885
Research Before You Buy
Call NoCo Technology Solutions before you buy new information technology. Our Fort Collins IT consulting services will help you get the best value out of your investment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is RAID? Do I need it on my network?
RAID, or Redundant Array of Independent Drives, provides the computer network and its users with many benefits including network reliability, also called reduced downtime, and faster performance.
A RAID array refers to multiple hard drives (or hard disks), which the network operating system uses as if they were one drive. Hard drives are, unfortunately, subject to failure. Since a RAID system has several hard drives, the system can be designed so it continues operating if one of the hard drives fails.
Network reliability is enhanced since RAID systems for businesses automatically creates a copy of network data (data redundancy) to protect you in case of hard drive failure. This reduces downtime and risk for your business.
Many businesses would benefit from the dependable, consistent performance of a RAID system. If keeping your network up and running is critical to your business and success, a RAID system may be the answer for your computer network system.
At NoCo Technology Solutions, we are experienced with RAID technology and will perform a solid analysis of your business and your computer network needs to provide you with the appropriate RAID system so you get the results you want. If you want to learn more, call us at 970-223-1885. We’ll be happy to sit down with you and talk about your business, the problems you’re having with your computer network (or problems you want to avoid) and whether RAID is the solution for you.
What is PCI compliance and how does it relate to my company?
If your business takes credit cards, you will probably be hearing about PCI compliance soon, if you haven’t already. PCI stands for Payment Card Industry. The PCI Security Standards Council is a group founded by credit card companies; including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, JCB International and American Express. This group develops Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) to help ensure the safety of customers’ credit card information. All businesses that take credit cards must comply with the technical requirements of the PCI DSS.
The following overview of PCI compliance is from the PCI website.
“The PCI DSS follows common-sense steps that mirror security best practices. There are three steps for adhering to the PCI DSS – which is not a single event, but a continuous, ongoing process. First, Assess — identify cardholder data, take an inventory of your IT assets and business processes for payment card processing, and analyze them for vulnerabilities that could expose cardholder data. Second, Remediate — fix vulnerabilities and do not store cardholder data unless you need it. Third, Report — compile and submit required remediation validation records (if applicable), and submit compliance reports to the acquiring bank and card brands you do business with.”
A page from the PCI DSS Quick Reference Guide v2.0 is shown below (this and other documents can be found on the PCI Security Standards Website.)
The PCI Data Security Standards
PCI DSS is the global data security standard adopted by the payment card brands for all entities that
process, store or transmit cardholder data. It consists of common sense steps that mirror security best
practices.
Goals and PCI DSS Requirements
Build and Maintain a Secure Network
1. Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
2. Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
Protect Cardholder Data
3. Protect stored cardholder data
4. Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program
5. Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs
6. Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Implement Strong Access Control Measures
7. Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know
8. Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
9. Restrict physical access to cardholder data
Regularly Monitor and Test Networks
10. Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
11. Regularly test security systems and processes
Maintain an Information Security Policy
12. Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel
The software I use for processing and storing credit card information, QuickBooks, says it is PCI compliant. So, I’m OK, right?
PCI-compliant software is only part of the picture. Besides software, there are standards that apply to your system security; network design, or architecture; policies and procedures for handling and protecting data technology systems; and other protective measures, along with software design.
The PCI companies want merchants to proactively protect customer account data. The standards explain what they want you to do.
What if I don’t comply with the PCI Data Security Standards?
There are penalties for not complying with the PCI DSS. The penalties are applied by the individual credit card companies with whom you have a contract. These penalties vary but are very substantial.
Since most of the security measures they require also benefit your company and help secure your computer network and company data, compliance makes sense.