Zinc Blog

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) need every advantage they can get. The Internet of Things (IoT) offers a powerful way to boost efficiency and drive growth. 

Simply put, IoT connects everyday business objects—from machinery and vehicles to thermostats and inventory—to the internet. These connected "things" use sensors to gather data and communicate, often automating actions without human intervention. This creates smarter, more responsive business operations.

Before we even get into small business technology management, it’s worth noting that your typical SMB is already handling a lot. IT isn’t as simple as adding new hardware or downloading a new application; it’s managing an entire technology ecosystem that needs to operate and interact with each other. Let’s examine what goes into small business IT and what you should prioritize as a business owner.

Data centers—off-site locations where you can store your business’ data—are an excellent opportunity to decentralize your data infrastructure and improve accessibility, redundancy, and security. But how do you choose a data center for your business’ needs, anyway?

Today, we’ll explore some of the more critical elements you should consider for your data center needs.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is easily becoming one of the most transformative technological advancements. While some businesses assume IoT is too costly or complex to implement, a well-planned strategy can make these tools pay for themselves quickly. Let’s explore how organizations are using IoT, the most effective solutions, and the significant return on investment (ROI) these technologies can bring.

Artificial intelligence is invading business IT infrastructure around the world, with chatbots being one of the more commonplace solutions out there. When implemented appropriately, chatbots can act as a cheat code for managing customers, handling inquiries, scheduling appointments, and even marketing your services.. Today, we want to help you get set up with chatbots so you can make better use of your time.

Artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm, and you can now find it in just about all areas of life. Businesses in particular have a lot to gain from AI, yet many people still don’t know what it is, what it actually does, and, most importantly, how to use it well. Today, we’re tackling AI literacy and how you can use it to your benefit.

Good communication is key for any business. Today, there are tons of ways companies stay connected: phone calls, emails, messaging apps, and video meetings. While all these tools can be helpful, they can also get confusing if not managed properly. Let’s break down the basics of business communication so it’s easy to understand.

Accessibility is a crucial but often underappreciated aspect of modern life… particularly in the workplace and the technology enabling any work that needs to be done. Fortunately, the Windows OS has quite a few features intended to boost its accessibility baked in.

Let’s review some of them so you know what’s available to you.

While we hate to be the bearers of bad news, it would be irresponsible of us not to address the fact that 2025 is shaping up to be a challenging year where business technology is concerned.

Let’s go over a few predictions being shared about the industry, and how these situations can be addressed.

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the countless devices connected to the internet today. These include everything from smartwatches to connected thermostats. For businesses, figuring out how to use IoT effectively can feel overwhelming. Not only do you have to think about the new possibilities these devices bring, but you also need to take their security seriously—especially since many IoT devices have little to no built-in protection. Let’s take a look at why IoT matters and how you can use it to be an effective tool for your business.

If your business has a server room—or maybe just a small, stuffy closet with some machines in it—you might wonder if you’re taking care of it properly. Servers need constant care to work their best, and if you’re unsure how to manage them, it’s smart to get help from a managed IT company. This way, your servers are in good hands, and you get the most out of them.

Who makes the decisions related to technology for your business? If you’re the one calling the shots, can you honestly say you have all the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions regarding your technology infrastructure’s future? If the answer is “no,” we’ve got just the service for you: a virtual CIO.

Technology plays a huge role in how businesses operate today. To get the most out of it, investing in and maintaining reliable IT systems is essential. However, not all businesses have the time, staff, or budget to handle IT needs on their own.

When you check how much your company spends on communication tools, you might not be happy with the numbers. If you feel like you're paying too much for too little, you're not alone. Many businesses are switching to modern communication tools that use the Internet. Let’s explore some of these options.

ZIP files, the affectionate nickname for compressed folders, are quite useful for businesses. However, some employees don’t realize just how useful they can be or the benefits they are foregoing. Let’s discuss what a ZIP file is, how it can contribute to productivity in your office, and how to make one.

Blockchain technology is in the zeitgeist, but few people know how to explain it to someone else. They might think that it’s something to do with Bitcoin, to which they would be right, but it’s more broad than that. Today, we want to explore what the blockchain is and some of the ways businesses are using it.

Software is a big part of how businesses operate today. It helps with everything from managing schedules and paying employees to creating products and selling them. Simply put, businesses need software to run smoothly.

You may have noticed a particular icon on some of the websites you’ve visited. An orange box with what looks like waves emanating from a dot in the bottom-left corner, this icon indicates that the website uses something called RSS technology.

So, what is RSS, and what is it for?   

The United Nations is responsible for protecting human rights all over the world, as well as creating more sustainable and climate-friendly policies. With the rise of artificial intelligence being at the forefront of many countries’ technological innovations, it’s natural that AI would be thrust into the crosshairs at some point. The UN hopes to develop guidelines that protect people’s access to and use of AI without allowing it to cause more significant problems.

AI is everywhere and it could be said that it is transforming the modern economy. With each passing day the technology is becoming an essential tool for businesses looking to boost their overall business efficiency. Small businesses can use AI in a number of ways and in today’s blog, we’ll explore how they can use AI to their advantage.