Technology Consulting Archives

How to Reduce IT Costs for Your Business (Without Sacrificing Support)

Keeping up with technology is expensive. But for most businesses, it's not the tech that's breaking the bank. It's outdated systems, overlapping vendors, and surprise support costs that quietly drain your budget. IT budgets are getting tighter, and business owners everywhere are under pressure to do more with less. But slashing your IT budget doesn’t mean sacrificing the tech, security, or support your business needs to grow. The real secret? Stop overspending on tools, staff, and vendors that aren’t delivering results. Partner with someone who can do it smarter. Where Businesses Overspend on IT Most business owners don't realize just how much of their IT budget is wasted on things that don't move the needle. Here's where we see money slip through the cracks: Paying for unused licenses and unused software Relying on multiple vendors with overlapping responsibilities Security incidents that could’ve been prevented Hidden costs from downtime and slow ...

Kristy Mossoian2025-05-07T16:07:38+00:00

Navigating Microsoft Entra Lockouts: Why Having a Trusted IT Partner Matters

Over the weekend, some organizations using Microsoft Entra ID experienced unexpected user lockouts tied to a new security feature rollout specifically, the MACE Credential Leak Detection app, designed to proactively disable potentially compromised accounts. While this tool adds an important layer of security, it also caught many IT teams off guard, especially those without dedicated support or visibility into conditional access changes. At Red Level, we see this as a reminder of just how critical it is to have an experienced Managed Services Partner (MSP) in your corner, someone who can help you adapt quickly, respond efficiently, and keep your business running smoothly. What Happened In certain environments where Phase 2 security baselines were active, Microsoft’s rollout of the MACE app triggered widespread account lockouts. Even accounts with strong passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication were affected. This wasn’t a breach or a bug, it was a well-intentioned rollout of a new ...

Kristy Mossoian2025-04-21T16:52:39+00:00

License & Registration Check – Make Sure Your Microsoft Setup is Street Legal

When was the last time you took a close look at your Microsoft Cloud licensing? If you’re like most businesses, it’s something that often gets set up and then forgotten, until you run into an issue. Just like driving without proper registration can get you into trouble, operating without optimized Microsoft licenses could be costing you more than you realize. Are You Paying Too Much for Licenses You Don't Need? Many businesses purchase Microsoft 365, Azure, or other cloud services and never revisit their licensing. Over time, this can lead to: Over-licensing: Paying for seats or features your team isn’t using. Under-licensing: Missing out on features that could boost security, productivity, or compliance. Misaligned Licensing: Employees may be assigned higher-tier licenses when a lower-tier one would suffice. What Happens When You Don't Keep Your Licensing In Check? Wasted Budget: You could be spending thousands on unnecessary or unused licenses. Security ...

Kristy Mossoian2025-03-19T19:18:30+00:00

Is Your IT on Santa’s Naughty or Nice List?

As Santa’s making his list and checking it twice, it’s a great reminder for business owners to do the same with their IT systems. Are your tech tools spreading holiday cheer and supporting your team—or are they acting more like a Grinch, causing headaches and slowing things down? Naughty List Warning Signs If your IT is feeling more “bah humbug” than “ho ho ho,” it’s time to take a closer look. These common challenges might land your business on the naughty list: Cybersecurity Risks: Are you constantly worried about breaches or struggling to keep up with security updates? That’s a clear sign it’s time to step up your game. Frequent Downtime: Nothing kills productivity (or morale) like unplanned outages. Are preventable issues costing you time and money? Outdated Systems: Using tools from tech’s version of the Ghost of Christmas Past? Aging systems can hold your business back. Limited Scalability: Growing ...

Kristy Mossoian2024-12-11T16:47:44+00:00

Why Choose Red Level for Microsoft Licensing?

When it comes to CSP licensing, Red Level offers a different experience than big-name corporations. Here’s how our unique approach brings real value to your business: 1. A Direct Line to Expertise With Red Level, you’re not navigating layers of support just to get answers. Our CSP specialists are easy to reach, familiar with your business, and ready to provide clear, actionable insights tailored to your needs. We simplify licensing questions, guide you through options, and address your needs without delay. 2. Flexible Licensing Options That Fit Red Level offers custom-fit licensing bundles to match your specific requirements. You get the solutions you need without overpaying for features you’ll never use. And when your business scales or shifts, we make adjusting your licensing straightforward and stress-free. 3. Essential Resources at Your Fingertips Managing CSP licensing should be easy. Red Level provides clients with direct access to resources like our customized ...

Kristy Mossoian2024-11-04T13:51:30+00:00

5 Essential IT Moves to Wrap Up the Year and Start 2025 Strong

As we hit the home stretch of the year, it’s a good time to review your IT setup to make sure you’re heading into 2025 prepared for anything. With a few strategic adjustments, you can boost productivity, tighten up security, and set yourself up for a smoother, more profitable year ahead. Here are five essential IT moves to consider before the year wraps up: 1. Tighten Up Security Cyber threats don’t take a holiday. The end of the year is a great time to give your cybersecurity a quick tune-up. Ask yourself: Have there been any close calls or issues this year? Take time now to update passwords, review access controls, and check that everything from firewalls to software patches is current. A little extra security now can save a lot of headaches (and money) later. 2. Streamline Cloud and Data Storage Chances are your team relies heavily on cloud ...

Kristy Mossoian2024-11-04T13:41:27+00:00

20 Reasons to Choose Red Level for Your IT Solutions

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary at Red Level, we're proud to reflect on our journey and the milestones that make us a leading provider of IT solutions. Here are 20 reasons why partnering with Red Level is a great choice for your business: Two Decades of Experience: We've been in the IT industry for 20 years, continually evolving and adapting to new technologies Expert Team: Our team consists of certified experts who are passionate about technology and customer service. Comprehensive IT Solutions: We offer a full range of IT services, from cloud services to advanced cybersecurity measures, all tailored to meet your specific business needs. Award-Winning Services: Our consistent delivery of high-quality services has earned us multiple industry award, underscoring our commitment to excellence. Proactive Support: We offer 24/7 monitoring and proactive support to ensure your organization is always running smoothly. Customized Strategies: Each client is unique, and we provide ...

Kristy Mossoian2024-06-26T18:47:12+00:00

The Top 5 Common Tech Issues & How to Solve Them!

Welcome to another "Troubleshoot Thursday," where we address some of the most pressing tech problems that businesses face today. As a leader in the tech consulting sphere, we've often been approached with a range of technical glitches, big and small. Today, we'll be sharing the top 5 tech issues our clients frequently encounter and, more importantly, how to solve them! 5. Slow Computer Performance Explanation: Nothing is more frustrating than a lagging computer, especially when you have a mountain of tasks to complete. The reasons for this lag could range from too many background apps running, malware infiltrating your system, or simply outdated hardware. Solution: Background Processes: Regularly open your task manager to see which applications are hogging your system’s resources and close unnecessary ones. System Scans: Schedule regular malware scans to ensure no malicious software is slowing down your computer. Hardware Upgrades: Sometimes, all your computer needs is a ...

Kristy Mossoian2023-09-14T14:53:14+00:00

What is IT Change Management?

What is IT Change Management? Definition: Change management is a process for controlling the lifecycle of changes while minimizing disruption to an organization’s employees and IT services. Things do fall apart. Printers jam, Wifi goes down, laptops die, and networks lag. That’s why we hire IT consultants. Repair and maintenance come with a cost, not the cost of hiring an IT vendor, but rather the cost of downtime, work disruption, and getting employee acceptance and buy-in. When not carefully planned out, repairs and even standard upgrades can often cost more in lost productivity than the cost of repairs. Change management focuses not only on maintenance and repair but on how a company and its employees are affected when changes take place. Change is hard on people, especially when it means learning a new process or when it affects someone’s job in unexpected ways. There are multiple methods on how ...

Red Level2024-08-30T14:14:35+00:00

5 Ways to Leverage Technology to Surpass Your Competition

Looking for a leg up on your competitors? Making sure you have the right tech can set you on the fast track to success. Technology is no longer just for tech companies. Any organization can benefit from adopting technology to run operations – boosting productivity and skillfully leveraging data analytics. Here are 5 ways technology can help you gain a competitive advantage - Boost Productivity Investing in technology will provide your employees with the tools they need to complete their tasks swiftly and effectively. Use technology to improve internal communications and help employees stay organized as they manage multiple tasks at once. You can also use tech-based tools to keep projects in sync or track employee time to understand where to automate or speed up processes. You will pull ahead of the competition as your team produces higher-quality work in less time. Automate Processes Automating business processes will increase your ...

Red Level2024-09-10T14:17:45+00:00