Regularly backing up your business's files and computer systems is crucial, but it is just as important to test those backups at least once a year. You do not want to find out that your backup images or files are corrupt and thus useless when you are trying to recover from a natural disaster or cyberattack. But how do you go about testing those backups? In this article we will give you some information on how to test your backups. Testing a full restoration is the best option because you will know for certain that your backups will work. However, it can be expensive because you cannot simply perform the test on the computer that was backed up. During a full restoration, everything on the hard drive is either erased or overwritten, after which the contents of the backup image or files are copied onto it. If the restore operation fails because the backup image or files are corrupt, you might be in the situation where your hard drive is wiped clean and you have nothing to replace its contents. So, if you want to test a full restoration, you should set up an identical test computer or install a new hard drive on the computer that was backed up. To test a full restoration, you need to boot from the rescue media, prepare for the restore operation, and then restore all the files. If you use a new hard drive to test the restoration and the restore operation is successful, you can leave the new hard drive in your machine and keep the old one as a spare. If the restoration fails, you will need to install the old hard drive back into the machine. As you can see, testing a full restoration is complicated and time-consuming, so it should be done by an experienced IT professional, such as your IT service provider. If you do not want to buy additional hardware to fully test your backups, you can do one or some of the following instead: Run preliminary verifications. After performing each backup, run a preliminary verification of it, assuming your backup program has this capability. (You will likely want to do this even if you test full restorations.) Boot from the rescue media, prepare for a restore, and then stop. By doing this, you will at least know that you can boot from the rescue media and perform the preparations. Make sure your crucial files are in the backups. For example, if you use backup images, you can mount a backup image as a virtual hard drive and make sure the files you want backed up are in the image. Restore a single file. If your backup program lets you extract individual files, try restoring a single file. Most likely, you will not have to boot from the rescue media to do this. Your IT service provider can help you determine the best ways to test your backups as well as create a schedule for doing so. Multi IT & Telephony Solutions are backup specialists who offer complete managed backup solutions to give you peace of mind. Please feel free to contact us should you wish to discuss a backup solution for you.

The ability for employees to work remotely has triggered significant workplace change. Some jobs are more suited to it than others – recruiters, engineers and writers, for example, are just some of the people finding it easy to work remotely. However, in some cases, entire business functions, such as call centres, are run with people working remotely, sometimes on the other side of the world. More people are working remotely now than ever before. One US study suggests that 63 million adults will work remotely this year – and that trend is likely to continue. If it’s happening in your workplace, here’s how to empower your remote employees. Check your IT Infrastructure First things first. You can’t establish a permanent remote work policy if you don’t have the infrastructure to support it. So check what you have before you do anything else. Know your internet bandwidth and storage capacity. Ensure your technology is fast and secure. If you already operate in the cloud, employees will find it easy to work via the web. If you don’t, web tools and applications can still make it possible to access email and documents, and collaborate with colleagues. Put a policy in place Just as you have workplace policies in place to cover things such as leave entitlements and workplace health and safety, you need a policy to cover employees working remotely. When preparing the policy, consider who will be eligible, how it will happen, any upper limits on the number of staff who can work remotely at any one time, and any protocols or approvals that are required. Having a policy in place will help employees to understand what’s expected of them. Invest in it It’s not enough to simply write the policy and advise staff that they can work remotely. It’s important that you provide your workforce with the proper tools they need to work efficiently. In some cases, a bring-your-own-device approach is implemented. In others, the company provides the laptops, tablets, headsets and more. Whatever you choose you will need to invest the right high-speed internet connection and security software. Plan for the unexpected It’s important to have a crisis plan in place to deal with the unexpected problems that can arise in any business. Is there a way to get in touch with all staff if you need to, including those working from home? Can you connect everyone at once? An internal communications system or Skype for Business might be a good option. Whatever your solution, have the system installed and ready to go so it’s available in the event of a crisis. Be clear about your expectations While not every role is suited to working remotely, neither is every employee. Be clear about your expectations for those who are given the opportunity to work remotely. Set performance metrics. Keep in touch and be aware of outputs. Ensure employees are being productive. According to a Gallup poll, 58 per cent of US workers say those workers who work remotely are just as productive as those who don’t. Get Expert Advice to work remotely Multi IT & Telephony Solutions have over 30 years experience in the IT industry. By utilising market leading tools like O365 we can give you the correct solution to enable you to work remotely. Contact us now to discuss your IT requirements to enable you to work remotely.

Have you been stuck using the same mouse for several years now? If you’re feeling a bit of pain in your mouse clicking hand, then it’s probably time to consider an upgrade. We don’t always pay attention to it, but a good mouse can make a big difference. The perfect mouse will let you work efficiently, be easy to wield, and is comfortable enough to save your wrists and fingers from injury. So the next time you’re busy choosing the right mouse for work, keep these tips in mind. Cable or wireless? Choosing between a wired or a wireless mouse is a factor you have to consider if you’re planning on purchasing a new mouse. Wireless mice are generally more comfortable since your range of movement isn’t limited by a cable and they’re usually very travel friendly. However they tend to be less responsive than their wired counterpart, which can be a problem for users requiring more precise mouse control. In some cases, wireless mice can also interfere with other wireless devices nearby. Furthermore, wireless mice require batteries, which can be a drag if you forget to buy some at the store. If you’re planning on using the same mouse for both work and home, you run the risk of losing the tiny USB receiver for your wireless mouse. On the other hand, wired mice are cheaper and easier to use since you simply plug it in and you’re good to go. The only problem you’ll have to worry about is dealing with tangled wires. So when you’re deciding on a new mouse, think about whether you’re looking for comfort or convenience. Ergonomics matters You’re going to be using the new mouse for a while, so it’s important in choosing the right mouse for work that it feels comfortable in your hands. When deciding on the right mouse, focus on the size and the grip of the device. The size of the mouse usually comes down to the individual’s hand size. For example, someone with smaller hands might find larger mice quite unwieldy. Certain mice can also accommodate for different types of grips: Fingertip grip: With a smaller and flatter body, this mouse allows you to control the entire device with just your fingertips. This type of mouse usually provides you with more precise control of your cursor. However, it doesn’t give any room for your palms to rest on, increasing the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Avoid using this grip unless your work requires a lot of photo, video or sound editing. Palm grip: Palm grips are the complete opposite of fingertip grip mice. With a bump at the back end for your palms, this type of mouse reduces the stress on your forearm and wrist. This grip sacrifices precision for comfort so people prone to repeated stress injuries (RSI) should definitely opt for this type of grip instead. Claw grip: This type of mouse is usually the one people are most accustomed to. Named after the shape your hand makes when you hold this type of mouse, claw grip mice give you the best of both the palm grip and the fingertip grip. Like the palm grip, your palms can rest on the mouse but this type of grip also gives you a bit more control. While the palm grip is still the most ergonomical mouse, the claw grip gives a good balance of both comfort and precision. Do more than right and left clicks Don’t just assume that extra buttons on a mouse would mean that it’s only meant for gamers. Extra buttons add more functionality to your mouse. For instance, you can assign your spare mouse buttons to Copy and Paste so you’ll no longer have to input keyboard shortcuts. Want to switch between open windows quickly? You can assign the Alt + Tab (for Windows) and Command + Tab (for Mac) to those mouse buttons. While this isn’t a requirement when picking a new mouse, it’s definitely a neat feature that will save you some time. DPI (dots per inch) For precise movements, higher sensitivity is a must. Whether you’re editing images, videos or audio files, you’re going to require more precise mouse movements to execute them well. If you ever had to move your mouse around because your cursor was stuck, then a high sensitivity mouse can solve your problems. Try looking for mice with 1200 DPI or greater for finer control. Mouse specifications could be the last thing on your mind when it comes to buying new hardware. But comfort is important. A good mouse with the right fit, can make you more efficient and reduce the risk of injury. If you need help choosing the right mouse for work consider Multi IT Multi IT & Telephony Solutions are procurement specialists and understand your business challenges and needs. Contact us the next time you are considering replacing your IT hardware.