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Safeguarding Small Businesses Against Cyber Threats

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:48:03 GMT

In an era dominated by digital transformation and technological innovation, businesses are experiencing a surge in growth, relying on technology to enhance operations and reach wider audiences to fuel their business. And while this digital evolution presents unprecedented opportunities, it also exposes businesses to a heightened risk of cyber threats.

Especially to small businesses.

Smaller companies are increasingly not only perceived as easier targets due to resource constraints but are finding themselves at the forefront of a growing battle against hackers and security breaches.

With the ever-increasing threat, it’s time for small businesses to both plan and protect themselves, as well as take an honest look at the reality of its implications to their data, critical IT infrastructure and unseen costs that can happen if cybercriminals attack. As the trusted experts, TMG suggests the following for you to consider as you strengthen your defense.

Small Companies Face a Double-Edged Sword

As we all know, the business landscape is witnessing a massive influx of small companies, especially post-pandemic. New and rapidly growing technology has empowered and enabled enterprise to a level most of us have never seen before. And although we’re witnessing a historical shift in increased abilities and popularity in becoming an entrepreneur or forming a small business, it also paints a large target on the collective back of those small businesses to hackers.

Cybercriminals, aware of resource constraints, see these enterprises as low-hanging fruit ripe for exploitation.

The sheer number of small businesses presents a unique challenge. Unlike their larger counterparts, these enterprises may lack the financial muscle and means to invest heavily in cybersecurity. This creates a double-edged sword for both sides – a vast number of potential targets for hackers who don’t need an exorbitant budget to wreak havoc on and a vast number of small businesses who are not fully prepared for a cyber-attack.

The cat and mouse game between these criminals and the CIOs, CTOs, and CISOs trying to defend their network is hard to win because threats are constantly evolving.

At TMG we’ve seen that when small businesses take a proactive security approach understanding the double-edged sword, and plan for not “if” but “when” at attack happens, it can help you mitigate these growing threats quickly, comprehensively and dynamically.

Breaking the Myth: Hackers vs. Corporate Giants

Contrary to popular belief, hackers often prefer targeting small businesses over corporate giants. Why? Because big companies have and boast formidable defense mechanisms, including dedicated cybersecurity teams and substantial financial resources.

Hackers, on the other hand, are operating on unlimited budgets. They see smaller organizations as vulnerable entry points and easier to prey upon. In choosing their targets, cybercriminals pick organizations with known vulnerabilities or those that may lack comprehensive cybersecurity measures.

Small businesses need to understand their attractiveness as targets due to perceived weaknesses in their cybersecurity infrastructure. It’s important to work with experts like TMG that can help you not only take a closer look at your cyber threat potential, but help you navigate the status as a prime target.

This awareness and acknowledgement of vulnerability is the first step toward strengthening your security defense. The next step is conducting regular security assessments to determine the functionality of your current security controls, detect weaknesses in security posture, and to predict possible threats while guiding the planning of effective responses during a cyber threat or attack.

Breaching the Small to Reach the Big

Hackers employ a strategic approach by breaching smaller accounts to gain access to larger, more lucrative targets. They understand the interconnected nature of business ecosystems – think supply chains, partnerships, and collaborations. This not only creates a web of vulnerabilities that hackers deftly exploit, but also can make a small business an accomplice in larger-scale cyber-attacks.

Understanding this threat is pivotal for small companies, you’ll quickly see it’s not just about securing your digital borders; it’s also about recognizing the role you play in a broader network of potential targets.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to understand how to run the right tests for your business’s unique situation and needs. TMG has access to best-in-class security firms, giving you well-vetted options and expert guidance in choosing the right testing to ensure not only you are protected, but so are the people and companies you do business with.

Guard Against Overspending

In the pursuit of cybersecurity, the temptation to overspend is real. Very real.

TMG often sees this evidence in two critical areas – insurance and cyber solutions. Small businesses often fall into the pitfalls of spending on the wrong tests, the wrong people or the wrong solutions giving them a false sense of security.

The Insurance Paradox

They also tend to think having insurance that equates to cyber protection. They also think their spend on cyber protection is “enough” as they treat that the same as insurance. The thought we hear is; “I am already spending x, isn’t that enough”. If I add anything else it will be more than we need/want/can afford/ and is the equivalent of overspending on insurance. Investing in cybersecurity insurance is a smart and necessary move. Small businesses often struggle with finding the right balance, both for their needs and especially on how much to spend. While insurance provides a financial safety net, relying solely on this mechanism can create a false sense of invincibility.

Over-insuring by thinking you are covered since you have security services in place will not stop cyber-threats.

It’s essential to evaluate insurance needs meticulously, and at TMG we’ve seen an influx of requests from our small business clients asking us to do just that for them. It’s important for small businesses to take a holistic approach to risk management with a focus on controlling overspending and insurance costs should be assessed. First, we want to understand the potential financial ramifications of a cyber incident for our clients, then balance that coverage with a robust cybersecurity strategy.

The Other Elements to Consider

The belief that a combination of endpoint solutions and an IT manager equates to a foolproof cybersecurity will set you up for failure. We’ve seen it happen one too many times.

Small businesses must shift their focus from buying widgets and tools, to what they SHOULD be doing. And what they should do is make sure they partner with a trusted advisor like TMG to get the FULL picture – evaluate the unique risk, develop a customized plan, and assess their overall security posture.

A checklist mentality won’t cut it in the complex landscape of cyber threats.

There are other elements to consider:

The Human Element: An IT manager, no matter how skilled, cannot operate in isolation. Due diligence extends far beyond implementing solutions – it involves continuous learning, staying abreast of evolving threats, and adapting defenses accordingly.

The AI (Artificial Intelligence) Element: AI stands as a formidable ally in the fight against cyber threats. Its ability to analyze vast datasets and identify patterns makes it a valuable tool for threat detection. However, the efficacy of AI comes with a caveat – time and learning curves.

Small businesses leveraging AI must understand that it takes time for these systems to learn and adapt. The dynamic nature of cyber threats means that AI might not catch everything immediately. Our leaders at TMG will dive deeper into this in coming months.

Remember, both people and AI have a learning curve. Just one missed threat could leave you exposed and lead to the bad guys straight to you. This reality necessitates a layered approach to security, combining AI with human oversight to bridge the gap. Tap TMG to help you simplify and build that more focused layered approach that is essential in today’s times.

The Unseen Cost of Cybersecurity Incidents

The most obvious fallout of a cyber-attack, besides breached data, are the huge financial implications. But beyond the immediate financial implications, the unseen cost of cybersecurity incidents for small businesses can be devastating.

The fallout includes:

Financial Consequences: Remediation costs, legal fees, and potential regulatory fines contribute to the financial burden.
Reputational Damage: Trust is hard-earned and easily lost. A cybersecurity incident can tarnish a small business’s reputation, leading to customer distrust and potential loss of business.
Operational Disruption: Cybersecurity incidents can disrupt normal business operations, leading to downtime and lost productivity.

Tap TMG to help you protect data and critical IT infrastructure, as well as your reputation from cybercriminals. There’s too much at stake, both seen and unseen, for you to just “hope” you’re protected. Be proactive and focus on how you can strengthen your defense.

Change Starts Here

As small businesses stand at the crossroads of opportunity and vulnerability, the need for strategic cybersecurity measures has never been more important. The surge in small companies brings both promise and peril, with cyber threats lurking at every virtual corner.

Yes, cybercrime is growing, but by having a firm understanding of what your small business is vulnerable to, strategically spending to mitigate, and honestly accessing your vulnerabilities, you’ll be able to develop a plan that is right for you. If you’d like us to help assess your situation, providing expert guidance in how to reduce your risks and increase your protection and exposure, connect with us at TMG.

Regardless of how insignificant you think your company is to a criminal’s plans, you never know what kind of data they may be seeking from you or what they plan to do with it. And with smaller companies being a big target of cyberattacks now, as well as for the unforeseeable future, it’s time you plan for change.

Small businesses can successfully navigate the unfortunate cyber threats a digital frontier comes with, by staying both vigilant and having the full picture to develop a strategic plan. Both for now, and the road forward.

No business is too small for cyber security. Let experts like TMG help you prepare, protect and save money. There’s confidence that comes with having expert advisors on your side.

Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape with TMG and eSentire

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:42:53 GMT

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, TMG has stood as a beacon for enterprises. We are a haven for those seeking unparalleled expertise in making data-driven decisions and navigating the cybersecurity landscape. With over two decades of experience, TMG offers a unique blend of comprehensive insights and hands-on experience to craft tailored technology solutions.

Generative AI Technologies

As businesses increasingly embrace generative AI technologies for efficiency, TMG recognizes the critical need to address the accompanying cybersecurity challenges. In a groundbreaking webinar, TMG and eSentire, dives deep into the cyber risks associated with the use of generative AI. Together, they shed light on how security leaders can leverage tools like ChatGPT and similar solutions while fortify their cybersecurity posture and enhance overall cyber resilience.

TMG emphasizes the importance of a high-touch, relationship-driven model that places clients at the center of technology decisions. This approach extends to addressing the specific challenges posed by generative AI technologies. The webinar explores how organizations can set up, deploy, and utilize Large Language Model (LLM) gateways to safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. This includes those mandated by the SEC and other regulatory bodies.

AI Investigator Tool

eSentire, a prominent Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, takes center stage in the discussion, introducing their revolutionary AI Investigator tool. This tool empowers customers with real-time answers to security data queries and instills confidence in internal investigations. The collaborative insights delve into how MDR providers are leveraging generative AI tools to elevate threat detection and response capabilities. Ultimately delivering superior security outcomes for enterprises.

The TMG and eSentire webinar provides a holistic view of the impact of generative AI technologies on businesses. This emphasizes the significance of a strategic cybersecurity approach. By harnessing AI tools and embracing LLM gateways, organizations can mitigate cyber risks but also gain a secure and compliant technological future. TMG’s commitment to being a Technology Acquisition Partner™ is evident. We guide enterprises through the intricate intersection of technology and cybersecurity. This ensures they remain at the forefront of innovation while safeguarding their digital assets.

Webinar on the Horizon

TMG and eSentire invite you to join our upcoming webinar on January 30th at 11 am ET. Titled “How Generative AI is Impacting the Future of Cybersecurity,” the webinar is a testament to our shared commitment to knowledge-sharing and navigating the cybersecurity landscape. Register here .

Navigating the Waves of Change with TMG

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:41:40 GMT

“In life, change is inevitable. In business, change is vital” – Warren G Bennis. These words resonate more than ever in today’s fast-paced world, where the only constant is change. For businesses, stagnation is not an option. A business that doesn’t change is a business that dies – a stark truth that, though intimidating, serves as a call to action rather than a foreboding warning.

The forefront of business evolution is technology, an ever-evolving force that can either propel companies forward or leave them lagging behind. Embracing change, especially in the realm of technology, can be a daunting prospect. The fear of the unknown, the complexities of implementation, and the uncertainty of outcomes can paralyze even the most robust enterprises. It is here that the role of a reliable partner becomes crucial.

Confidence in Change

Enter TMG – your technology acquisition partner. In a world where change can be intimidating, TMG offers a steady hand to guide businesses through the turbulent waters of technological evolution. We understand that technology is not just a tool; it’s the catalyst that transforms businesses. With TMG as your partner, the fear of change dissipates, replaced by the confidence that comes with having a seasoned ally with 25 years of experience, by your side.

Investing in your IT department is not just a strategic choice; it’s a necessity. Many IT teams find themselves in a delicate balance – too lean, lacking experience, or even too large to discern a concise picture of the business’s technological needs. TMG steps in as the bridge between the aspirations of a thriving business and the dynamic landscape of evolving technology.

TMG makes technology acquisitions easy by helping our clients understand how technology can empower and enable their enterprise. We go beyond generic solutions, providing a tailored bespoke approach that aligns seamlessly with your business objectives. Our hands-on implementation ensures that your IT decisions are not just seamless but transformative.

Embracing Change

Change is indeed scary, but with TMG as your partner, there is no need to fear the unknown. We thrive on the belief that the only constant is change and that it is an opportunity for growth. By embracing change, investing in your IT department, and partnering with TMG, your business can not only navigate the waves of change but ride them to unparalleled success in the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology.

In conclusion, change is the lifeblood of business growth, and technology is the engine driving that change. The fear of change is natural, but with TMG as your technology acquisition partner, that fear transforms into confidence. As businesses continue to evolve, those who recognize the importance of embracing change and investing in their IT infrastructure will not only survive but thrive in an ever-changing world. TMG stands ready to be the catalyst for your business transformation, making change not just a necessity but a pathway to enduring success.

Migrating Your IBM iSeries and AS400 to the Cloud

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:40:25 GMT

I was at a client’s site last week and we started talking about the IBM iSeries and AS400 and how companies might need to think about migrating to the cloud.

The conversation quickly turned to “green screen” (5250 emulator) and at the point I admit, I got a little lost! Then later that afternoon, the same conversation came up with another client.

The iSeries and AS400 came out when “things were built to last” and believe me, it has stood the test of time. It got me thinking that there are probably a multitude of companies that are still using this workhorse on-premise who have yet to transition it to the cloud and probably do not realize that they should.

Transitioning to the Cloud

In the realm of enterprise computing, the IBM iSeries (formerly AS/400 or AS400) has long been a stalwart, supporting critical business operations for decades. Its robust architecture, reliability, and scalability have made it a trusted platform for countless organizations across various industries. However, as businesses strive for agility, scalability, and cost-efficiency, migrating from on-premise IBM iSeries and AS400 systems to the cloud emerges as a strategic imperative.

Here’s why migrating from on-premise IBM iSeries and AS400 systems to the cloud is essential:

Scalability and Flexibility:

Traditional on-premise systems often struggle to accommodate fluctuating workloads and evolving business requirements. Cloud platforms provide unparalleled scalability, enabling organizations to seamlessly scale resources up or down based on demand.

Cost-Efficiency:

Managing and maintaining on-premise infrastructure incurs significant capital and operational expenses. From hardware procurement and maintenance to energy consumption and IT personnel costs, the financial burden can be substantial. Cloud migration shifts these costs to a pay-as-you-go model, eliminating the need for upfront investments in hardware and reducing ongoing operational expenses. Moreover, cloud providers offer economies of scale, enabling organizations to achieve cost savings through resource optimization and efficient utilization.

Enhanced Security and Compliance:

On-premise systems require meticulous attention to security protocols and regular updates to safeguard against vulnerabilities. Cloud providers, however, offer robust security measures, including data encryption, identity and access management, and continuous monitoring. By migrating to the cloud, organizations can leverage enterprise-grade security features, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery:

Unforeseen disruptions, ranging from natural disasters to hardware failures, can wreak havoc on business operations. Traditional disaster recovery solutions often entail complex setups and significant investments. Cloud platforms, with their geographically dispersed data centers and built-in redundancy, provide resilient disaster recovery capabilities out of the box.

Innovation and Agility:

The pace of technological innovation accelerates unabated, driving unprecedented opportunities for business growth and transformation. Cloud-native services, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, and IoT, empower organizations to innovate rapidly and deliver superior customer experiences. By migrating to the cloud, organizations can leverage these cutting-edge technologies without the burden of managing underlying infrastructure, fostering agility and innovation.

If the above doesn’t get you thinking then from a cost perspective, we just recently spoke with a client that has an AS400 onsite and by taking him to the cloud we are reducing his cost by over $300,000 per year.

In conclusion, migrating from on-premise IBM iSeries and AS400 systems to the cloud offers numerous compelling advantages for businesses. It provides scalability and flexibility to adapt to changing workloads, cost-efficiency through a pay-as-you-go model and resource optimization, enhanced security and compliance with robust cloud provider measures, and improved business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities. Furthermore, cloud migration enables organizations to leverage cutting-edge technologies for innovation and agility without the burden of managing underlying infrastructure. With substantial cost savings and a pathway to future-proofing your IT infrastructure, the case for migrating from IBM iSeries and AS400 to the cloud is compelling and strategic. With TMG as your partner, we will make the transition as easy and smooth as possible.

The Challenges of SaaS

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:39:03 GMT

In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations are increasingly turning to Software as a Service (SaaS) applications to drive efficiency and innovation. However, the rapid growth of SaaS has introduced the challenges of an uncontrolled SaaS environment, including overspending and security risks .

The Challenges of Uncontrolled SaaS Environments

From identifying shadow IT to rightsizing SaaS license counts and types, uncontrolled SaaS environments can lead to significant financial and security implications. Consider these alarming statistics:

40% of IT budgets are consumed by unsanctioned applications.
50% of IT leaders are concerned about their SaaS cost-per-user.
80% of CIOs say they will reduce spending by optimizing SaaS licenses.

TMG: Your Partner in SaaS Optimization

At TMG , we understand that navigating the complexities of SaaS optimization can be daunting. That’s why we offer hands-on consulting and solution design services to help you architect a SaaS solution that drives future growth and stability while optimizing costs and reducing administrative burden. TMG will help establish a baseline current state, assess needs and requirements, design a solution, acquire the technology, implement it and provide ongoing management and support(if necessary).

How TMG Can Help You

Our consulting services focus on:

Identifying Shadow IT: We help you identify and manage unsanctioned applications to reduce security risks and unnecessary costs.
Optimizing Costs: We work with you to optimize your SaaS environment, leading to significant cost savings.
Reducing Administrative Burden: We streamline your SaaS management processes, reducing administrative overhead.

One of the suppliers we would like to spotlight this month for this service is Tangoe.

Tangoe Cloud for SaaS: A Solution for Cost Savings and Optimization

Tangoe Cloud for SaaS offers a comprehensive solution to these challenges. By leveraging Tangoe’s expertise in SaaS optimization, organizations can expect to see significant cost savings ranging from 15% to 40% within the first year alone.

Contact TMG Today

Don’t let the challenges of uncontrolled SaaS environment hinder your organization’s growth. Contact TMG today to learn how our Tangoe Cloud for SaaS consulting services can help you optimize your SaaS environment and network infrastructure for success.

Slam Dunk Your IT Challenges with TMG

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:37:39 GMT

As March Madness approaches, it grips the nation with its excitement and fervor, and we can’t help but watch. The stories of underdogs, watching the one seed dominate their opponent, and the last second buzzer beater that brings euphoria to winners and devastation for the losers. We get drawn into the emotions and wins of the tournament. We can’t help but draw parallels between the tournament and the world of business. In both arenas, there is a palpable sense of competition, the drive to succeed, and the recognition that, in the end, there can only be one winner. However, at TMG we don’t “win” because we scored our clients a deal. In fact, we win when TMG becomes a part of the clients team and they are set up for success in their industries.

At TMG, we understand the spirit of March Madness. In fact, most of our sales and marketing team has played sports at the collegiate level. We know what it takes to compete, to strive for excellence, and to emerge victorious. Our approach combines the strategic insights of the largest technology consultancies with the bespoke touch of a Technology Acquisition Partner. This ensures that our clients have the winning edge in their industries.

Becoming a Part of Your Team

Just like in basketball, success in business requires a strong team. TMG becomes a part of the clients team. We sit on the same side of the table as you and we are working solely on your behalf. TMG also makes sure to have a strong internal team. We are a group of professionals who share a commitment to our core values that guide us in how we engage with clients. We want to make sure that we fit with our clients just as much as our clients want to make sure that we fit with them.

In the world of March Madness, every game matters, and every decision can make a difference. The same is true in business. That’s why at TMG, we take a strategic approach to technology, delivering solutions that are tailored to our clients’ specific needs and goals. We focus on the bigger strategic picture, ensuring that our clients never lose sight of their journey to success.

So, as we immerse ourselves in the excitement of March Madness, let us also embrace the spirit of competition and the drive to succeed. With TMG as your partner, you can be confident that you have a team that is committed to your success. We will go above and beyond to help you achieve your goals. Let’s make this March a winning month together!

April Showers Bring May Flowers with TMG

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:36:35 GMT

As Spring approaches, so do the days of rain. To raise the spirits around us the old saying is said, “April showers bring May flowers.” We know that some days we must get through the gloom so we can appreciate the beauty that comes after. Similarly, in the realm of managing technology, challenges and setbacks can often be compared to these showers. However, we know that with the right approach and support, these challenges can bloom into opportunities for growth and success.

At TMG , we understand the importance of weathering the storms that come with managing technology in today’s fast-paced world. Just like the unpredictable weather of April, technology can be equally unpredictable, bringing its own set of challenges and complexities. From cybersecurity threats to the complexities of cloud migration, these challenges can often feel like a deluge of rain, dampening the spirits of even the most seasoned IT leaders.

But just as May flowers bloom after April showers, TMG can help you navigate through these challenges and emerge stronger on the other side. With our years of experience and the experts on our team, we can help you transform your technology landscape and turn these showers into flowers of success.

Eliminating the “Showers”

One of the keyways TMG can help eliminate the “showers” in your technology landscape is through our cybersecurity solutions. While dealing with setting up your new security systems seems a little “gloomy”, nothing compares to the “thunderstorm” that will come if a breach happens. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, protecting your business from potential breaches is more important than ever.

Another area where TMG can help is in cloud migration. Moving your infrastructure to the cloud can offer numerous benefits, including increased flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. Sounds like your business will be in “full bloom” with all those benefits. However, the process of migrating to the cloud can be complex and challenging. This is where TMG can bring the sun and help you navigate this process smoothly, ensuring a seamless transition.

Gardens of Success

In addition to cybersecurity and cloud migration, TMG also offers expertise in so much more. We are here to help IT leaders get through “gloomy” patches and into the gardens of success. Technology acquisitions do not have to be painful. With TMG sitting on the same side as the tables as you, you know that you are being offered the very best deal.

In conclusion, just as April showers bring May flowers, the challenges and setbacks in your technology landscape can bloom into opportunities for growth and success with the right approach and support. TMG is here to help you navigate through these challenges and emerge stronger on the other side. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help transform your technology landscape and turn your “showers” into flowers of success.

TMG and Edify’s Partnership in Innovation

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:35:21 GMT

In the bustling of technology, TMG stands as a beacon of reliability and innovation. Since its inception, TMG has had a dedication to excellence. We been more than just a consultancy; we have been a true partner to our clients, guiding them through the ever-changing landscape of technology with a personal touch. Guiding our clients through this process of acquiring technology, even with the rapid pace of change in technology, by sticking to one of our core values of “always keep learning”. TMG knows that it is hard as a decision maker to shift through all the different providers and solutions. So that is where we step in.

TMG’s journey is one of resilience and commitment to its clients. Our team, driven by a passion for serving others, stays true to a simple yet powerful idea: to support clients better than anyone else, without the pressure of pushing specific brands. We sit on the same side as the table of the client so you know we are truly a part of your team.

Over the years, TMG has grown and adapted to meet the evolving needs of its clients. We work tirelessly to ensure that our clients are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Due to this work, we remain a at the forefront of being the technology acquisition partner you trust. As your business continue to seek ways to enhance their communication strategies, we provide unparalleled support and guidance every step.

TMG’s Dedication to Excellence and Edify’s Innovative Approach

That is why we are excited to introduce Edify was one of the many logos that we work with. Together, with TMG’s dedication to excellence and Edify’s innovative approach, we offer a comprehensive suite of solutions. This enable businesses to enhance their communication strategies and streamline their operations. From integrations and programmable voice to chat collaboration and agent assist functionality, we provide businesses with the tools they need to succeed in a fast-paced, digital world.

One of Edify’s standout features is its agent assist functionality, which automates repetitive tasks and provides agents with relevant customer data and business processes. This allows agents to focus on maintaining positive customer experiences while efficiently resolving customer needs on the first attempt. This level of assistance not only boosts key metrics like AHT, sentiment scoring, and FCR but also results in happier agents, happier customers, and a well-optimized business.

TMG and our team stay on the path of our commitment to providing our clients with best-in-class communication solutions. By leveraging their innovative platform, TMG ensures that its clients are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. TMG provides everything businesses need to improve how they connect with customers, make their work smoother, and reach their goals. With TMG’s dedication to excellence and Edify’s innovative approach to communications, businesses can confidently embrace the future, knowing that they have the support of two industry leaders by their side.

The Great Consolidation Debate – What Is Security Stack Consolidation?

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:34:09 GMT

This is the first part in a series from TMG talking about security stack consolidation. Stay tuned for more in-depth discussions of the pros, cons, common pitfalls, and more of security consolidation.

When you get enough security professionals together in a space these days, two things tend to happen.

First, they start speaking in acronyms that make the conversation nearly incomprehensible to non-security people. (This, as anyone who has ever met someone in security will confirm, is not novel behavior.)

The second thing they tend to start doing is start talking about security consolidation.

What is security stack consolidation?

To explain this conversation, let’s look at another industry where the same trends have occurred: television and streaming entertainment.

For those of us who are not surprised to find a gray hair on our heads, we remember a time when television services were mostly delivered through cable providers who also happened to be ISPs. These companies introduced many people (some might choose the word “forced”) into the idea of bundling services. If you wanted sports channels, they came in the package with celebrity news. Even more sports channels meant you were tied into more home shopping. Oh, and your home phone and internet were tied into these bundles as well, with very little negotiating room, notoriously terrible customer service, and random price increases.

Looking back, it shouldn’t have been surprising when customers started growing disgruntled with the state of affairs. The early cord cutters – the ones who cut cable and went fully to streaming services – showed us that we could start to cut the “fat” of our entertainment by choosing streaming services instead.

Fast forward a little bit and jokes about the nonsense of juggling bunches of streaming services are almost as trite as comedians in the ‘90s asking why they don’t make the whole plane out of the black box material. This is also as we are starting to see streaming services merge and bundle their offerings again. Building back toward the entertainment consolidation customers fought against.

The difference in the security world, of course, is that the consequences of these scattered services aren’t where to binge a series over the course of a weekend. These consequences result in possibly catastrophic losses of data and costs recovering from disaster.

Why are security teams considering consolidation again?

The pipeline from consolidated services under a large corporation’s umbrella to more bespoke, independent options, and then back toward consolidation mirrors the security world.

Security and finance teams grow frustrated with bundled security services they didn’t use or need from the mega corporations. They started building out their own set of security stacks and filling gaps with both large and independent vendors based on compliance and best practices. However, many organizations found this has become unmanageable for their teams for a variety of reasons, such as:

Tools have difficulty talking to each other and often overwhelm security teams with redundant alerts.
Teams having trouble managing all the different tools and UIs.
Updates can be manual processes that are easily missed.
Company acquisitions can lead to uncertainty and fears of sunsetting the technology entirely.
Multiple bills and contract renewals a year with various vendors.

The debate around consolidation often centers around the idea of perfect conditions versus reality. In an ideal world, security teams could pick and choose their very best security stack tools and technologies across all the vendors based on needs, coverage gaps, staff, etc. If every tool and technology integrates well with one another, and the staff is trained and plentiful enough to manage updates and alerts, it’s likely this bespoke setup would, indeed, be the “best”.

As we all know, though, we are far from living in these perfect security conditions. Security budgets are tight, teams are stretched, and integrations often fall far from their vendors’ promises when implemented. The question then becomes if consolidating security stacks with major vendors, with (ideally) more native integrations, fewer panes of glass to manage, and almost-as-good (if not just-as-good, in some cases) protection is worth the risk of putting more eggs in one basket and the hassle of dealing with behemoth vendors who can be much slower to respond to issues and mired in layers of red tape.

How to navigate the consolidation debate

The debate around consolidation – just as in all security decisions – is never about if it’s a “good or bad” idea, but rather a company’s risk tolerance. Is 80-90% coverage of your security needs with a single vendor less risky than a hodgepodge of different solutions?

One company’s security needs and coverage are inherently going to be different from another’s, based on their setup, scaling abilities, locations, budgets, teams, and many other factors. And while their teams are stretched trying to keep everything safe, they can’t also be expected to be experts in all the different solutions, vendors, bundles, and security landscape. This is where TMG comes in- to help with security stack consolidation.

As technology acquisition partners, we understand the pain points security teams are facing. We while also having a firm grasp of the cybersecurity landscapes to help navigate your team. We can help guide you through the pros and cons of tool consolidation, as we have expertise with any number of setups, architectures, vendors big and small, and how they align with your business needs. Perhaps most importantly, we can help with the transitions, as change management is often even more important than tool selection.

If you have questions about consolidating your tools, vendor selection, or anything else, please reach out.

Peace of Mind With Sotera SecurePhone

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:31:52 GMT

In today’s digital age, our phones have become more than just communication devices; they are personal assistants, memory banks, and gateways to our digital lives. They hold a treasure trove of personal and business data, from photos and messages to financial information and sensitive work documents. However, this convenience comes with a price – the constant threat of breaches and data theft.

At TMG, we understand that privacy is paramount. We recognize that your phone holds a significant amount of your personal and business data. The thought of someone gaining unauthorized access to this information is not just concerning; it can be catastrophic. No IT leader one wants to be the person whose employees bank information is compromised or who has to face the Executive Leadership Team boss and admit that sensitive information was leaked due to their phone’s insecurity.

The High Stakes of Data Breaches

The risk of mobile phone breaches and information theft is higher than ever. Sophisticated malware like Pegasus ,can hack without user interaction, can infiltrate even the most secure smartphones, compromising everything from location data and camera roll contents to WhatsApp encrypted conversations. The consequences of such breaches can be devastating, leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and even legal implications.

The SecurePhone Solution

Fortunately, there is a solution – the Sotera SecurePhone. Operating on the same OS that secures the U.S. nuclear arsenal and high-grade military aircrafts, the SecurePhone is the most secure mobile device on the market. Trusted by security experts, international governments, global enterprises, and individuals. The SecurePhone provides a safe zone for voice and text communications even if you are traveling in state sponsored countries.

Peace of Mind with the SecurePhone

With the SecurePhone, you can communicate with confidence. You can know that your conversations are protected by end-to-end private network, voice, and messaging security. The device instantly secures out of the box, allowing you to start using it without worrying about vulnerabilities or exploits.

Your privacy is non-negotiable, and protecting your communications should be a top priority. Don’t wait until it’s too late – invest in and safeguard your personal and business information. TMG is here to help you simplify securing your phone. With TMG and the Sotera SecurePhone, you can communicate securely and confidently, knowing that your privacy is protected.

The Great Consolidation Debate – Part 2 – Vendor Consolidation Pros and Cons

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:30:52 GMT

This is the second in a series from TMG talking about security stack consolidations, where we dive a little deeper into the pros and cons of security stack consolidations. Our first post explained what the debate about security stack vendor consolidations is all about – be sure to check it out .

One of the biggest conferences in the cybersecurity industry – RSAC (or just RSA, depending on who you’re talking to and what mood they’re in) – wrapped up a few weeks ago. For those unfamiliar, it’s almost impossible to describe what 40,000+ cybersecurity industry people together is like. There are security vendors of all shapes, sizes, and funding stages as far as the eye can see – literally. In other words, RSAC…is a lot.

If we look through the eyes of RSAC and its dizzying displays of new technologies, vendors, and services, it would almost seem like the questions around security stack vendor consolidation are over and the trends of consolidation are dissipating. What we’re seeing, on the ground, though, can feel like just the opposite: the consolidation movement is still growing. In fact, RSAC’s sheer enormousness might almost be a bellwether of the debate itself: deconsolidation is just becoming too much to manage.

So it seems that despite the most valiant marketing efforts from vendors, the debate around security stack consolidations is continuing to grow. So let’s talk about it and take a deeper dive into security stack consolidation with some of the pros and cons of moving toward a single vendor for security teams.

Quick recap: the security consolidations debate

As threat actors grew more and more advanced, security teams were increasingly adding more tools to cover the gaps left by the major players in the game. Recently, however, security teams are starting to feel crushed by too many tools that aren’t talking to each other easily enough, throwing duplicate alerts, and requiring multiple panes of glass to manage. This has caused these very teams to look back toward single solution providers.

Consolidation Pro: Fewer integration headaches, updates, and management consoles

While you’d be hard pressed to find someone who would argue the large vendors such as Microsoft are near perfect (to put it lightly), many security teams now are finding vendors like this probably provide 80-90% of the coverage they need with far fewer integration headaches of multiple tools from various vendors. This becomes even more enticing with deals such as Microsoft Enterprise Agreements (EAs) coming with credits to apply to other tools within their suite to use and customize to your specific needs.

While every vendor promises easy integrations to other tools, the more tools that need to talk to each other, the more headaches these integrations can cause if something goes wrong, leading to duplicate alerts on the same issues and subsequent alert fatigue for the staff, difficulty diagnosing incidents, and managing multiple tools across multiple panes of glass.

Finally, one of the most effective tools in any security team’s belt is one of the simplest: security patches and updates. These updates in a consolidated stack are much easier to automate and manage than having to coordinate across multiple systems and tools to ensure everything is up to date. Since unpatched updates are one of the easiest ways in for threat actors, making this process easier is an incredible win that lowers the threat surface significantly.

Consolidation Con: Eggs, meet basket

As companies, security teams, and even governments are pouring themselves into one single vendor for their security needs, the conversation around all of the security eggs going into a single basket naturally arises. Legacy tech companies such as Microsoft are also left trying to secure an immense amount of technical debt they have amassed over nearly a half century of development, as well as their forays into the cloud and AI, which are amassing technical debt at breakneck speeds as well. And when adoption climbs, so does the target on the vendor, because one vector in could mean getting the keys to many, many castles.

Consolidation Pro: The old guard is stepping up

Many of the larger companies also are battling their past selves for their years, if not decades, of failing to prioritize security in development. Their attitude for these exploits was largely perceived – earned or not, though most might argue it was – as the companies essentially giving a shrug of the shoulders and minimal commitment to addressing concerns quickly enough, and developing mediocre, clunky tools as almost an afterthought. If they had most of the market share – and the federal government contracts – what motivation did they truly have to improve?

In a win for competition (and the vendors at RSAC), it seems that the pressure from security professionals, insurance carriers, and a more intense threat landscape has made a dent. Add onto this bombshell headlines such as an ex-White House cyber policy director claiming Microsoft is a “national security threat” and there have been some hopeful changes in the right direction. Since then, almost all of the major security vendors have made pledges to recommit to security, tying executive pay to security outcomes and investing more in their dev sec.

In addition, the security products themselves have improved significantly. Microsoft’s SIEM solution, Sentinel, tends to get about as decent marks as any of its competitors, if not better. And when each Windows machine comes equipped with Defender Plan 1 as an endpoint solution, as well as the ease of integrations mentioned above, the choices start to make more and more sense for stretched security teams.

Consolidation Con: Locking into large companies

While the large players have certainly upped their security games, many security teams do bemoan just how behemoth they are. From confusing terminology changes of products and offerings to bundles of packages to contracting to customer service, these large companies can feel overwhelming while customer service can feel a little, shall we say, lacking. Many smaller vendors can be more receptive not only to feedback but to customer service calls as well, leading to quicker resolutions.

Finally, whether you’re looking to consolidate your security stack vendors into one, or diversify, having technology acquisition partners on your side to help with these types of decisions and analyses can make these processes much smoother and less frustrating for everyone. No matter where you are or what strategy you’re looking ahead to, TMG can help you along the way.

Mid-Year Check-In: Are You Hitting Your Goals?

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:29:17 GMT

Time sure flies! As the middle of the year is here, it’s a great time to pause and reflect. Are we on track to hit our annual goals? How am I doing on my quarterly goals? Are my technology solutions still doing what they need to do? It is easy at the beginning of the year- and even the quarter- to set ambitious targets that are fueled by ambition and energy due to a fresh start. But now, halfway through, it’s essential to reassess and ensure we’re on the right track. This mid-year goals check-in is crucial for maintaining focus.

Summer is here, and with it comes the allure of sun-soaked days and well-deserved vacations. While it’s important to enjoy these moments, it’s equally crucial not to lose sight of our professional goals or what our company needs to stay connected in the rapidly evolving tech scape. Balancing relaxation with productivity can be challenging, but it’s the key to maintaining momentum.

In the realm of technology, staying on top of your goals is just as critical. The rapid pace of technological advancements means that constant vigilance and adaptation are necessary. Whether you’re aiming to optimize your IT infrastructure, enhance security, or migrate to the cloud, mid-year is an ideal time to evaluate your progress and plan your next steps. If you find yourself lagging, don’t be discouraged. Use this time to recalibrate. Reach out to TMG and we will help identify the obstacles that have impeded your progress and develop a strategy to overcome them.

TMG is here to support you in achieving your technology goals. Our expertise in areas like Cyber Security, cloud migrations, and more ensures that you have the guidance and resources needed to stay ahead. We understand the unique challenges that come with managing IT projects, and we’re committed to helping you navigate them successfully.

Use this mid-year goals check-in as a moment to reflect, reassess, and recharge. By balancing enjoyment and effort, and with the support of TMG, you can ensure that you finish the year strong. Nothing better than having achieved the goals you set out at the beginning. Stay focused, stay motivated, and most importantly, enjoy summer with loved ones.

Why Picking the Right Team Matters

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:28:21 GMT

We have all been in a position that has either made us grateful or irritated to be working with the team surrounding us. Those days where the whole team is working hard and cohesively toward a common goal makes the work worth it. Then there are days when nothing seems to connect. It feels like you are working in one direction and your counterparts are marching plum in the other. Those days can feel long and tiring, even if you are excited to accomplish the teams goals.

Technology acquisition projects are projects that are important to have the whole team marching towards the same goal. However, in today’s day and age, we know that IT decision makers are facing a lot of different type of “team” problems that can make the project harder to accomplish. Here are some of the main problems that we are hearing from IT leaders like yourself.

One of the biggest problems is that their teams are too “lean” due to budget cuts or other reasons. This makes teams learning about new technology difficult and maintaining the blinking lights a chore. As we all know, great tech people are hard to find and even harder to keep. You end up hiring people with a lack of experience that is necessary to hit the ground running to keep a project running smoothly. The last main problem that is conveyed to us that the company is too large. When there are too many team members it can be hard to commit to a course of action. All those problems can make a difference in how long and efficiently your technology acquisition projects goes with your team.

Now I know you are thinking- how on earth did I know exactly what your problems are? Well, because we know and work with IT leaders just like you and are empathetic to the situation that you and your team find yourself in. These problems with your team can seem daunting and you are probably wondering well how can fix these problems?

Well, here is the great news. You mostly cannot, however, TMG CAN. TMG is the team member that can be the answer to your problems. With our tenured staff that becomes an extension of your internal team. Your team is too “lean”? TMG is always on top of learning the newest technology while vetting the suppliers that are being brought to the table. So you know that suppliers offered are the ones that hit what you are looking for. Your team lacking experience? Our team of sales specialist are experts in their field and are excited to help lead you and your team. We will sit in the same side as the table as you and walk you through the process. Your team too large? TMG will make a personal project plan for you and will help with running and implementing the new technology changes.

Picking the right team matters. With TMG on your team you will never guess if your team is marching in the same direction because you know they are. TMG believes that we are a member of your team, and we literally sit on the same side of the table as you. Let us show you that TMG being on your team is one way to make sure that technology acquisition projects easy.

The Great Consolidation Debate – Part 3 – The Case For Consolidation

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:27:23 GMT

This is the third in a series from TMG talking about security stack consolidation. We have been exploring the topic of security stack consolidation. Our first post explained what the debate about security stack vendor consolidation is all about. Our second focused on the pros and cons of consolidation. Today we are going to discuss the case for security stack vendor consolidation.

If you were to set up a bingo card with phrases you’ll hear from vendors during security tool sales pitches these days, “single pane of glass” would probably appear next to “AI-powered” and “intelligence-driven”, and would likely sit right under “next-gen.” This isn’t to say these marketing and sales teams are lying. They’re much, much more likely to be telling the truth. However, they are only telling the truth about their product.

Gartner recently published research that, on average, organizations work with 10-15 vendors and manage 60-70 security tools. Of course, many of these tools don’t require hands-on, active management every day and can run more or less in the background. However, I suspect there is a near 100% chance each of those 10-15 vendors promised a single pane of glass, not considering the other 9-14 other “single panes” security teams are tasked with managing. Consolidated stacks (should) have the innate advantage of actually reducing the panes of glass security teams are looking at, since the tools are natively integrated.

One of the long-standing idioms in security is that “complexity is the enemy of security.” And with every additional vendor comes inherent complexity, such as:

· Integrating the tools to talk to each other correctly (and fixing the issues when they stop)

· Maintaining updates and patches

· De-duplicating and triaging

· Alerts from multiple vendors

· Maintaining identities and access to these systems

Many organizations are finding the risks of adding these complexities far outweigh the (often negligible) benefits of a competitor’s tool. When consolidating security stacks, the difficulty of all these tasks inherently goes down.

How the CrowdStrike Outage Affects the Consolidation Debate

As the now-infamous “CrowdStrike outage” in July 2024 showed us, large market share in a single place can lead to even larger failures when something goes wrong. We saw this globally as we watched as some of the world’s largest industries ground to a sudden halt.

Consolidating security stacks means buying into one of the largest players such as Microsoft or Google in the market who can produce and support enough tools that can protect companies’ data. It’s also important to remember a few things about that incident:

1. The CrowdStrike outage wasn’t caused or exacerbated by consolidated security stacks . Microsoft machines all went down that day due to updates from a non-consolidated stack tool (i.e., CrowdStrike’s Falcon EDR) that were not tested properly.

2. These types of failures can – and probably will – happen to all vendors of all sizes . Whether they’re bugs, updates, attacks, or anything else, you cannot assume any vendor – no matter what promises their sales team make – will never have something go wrong that could affect your business.

When we think about these two facts together, the questions about consolidation change from, “What happens if my consolidated stack’s vendor has an issue and everything goes down?” to:

· What is their testing process like?

· What happens if the vendor has an issue?

· Do they have the resources and capacity to pull to fix it quickly?

· Will other integrations also fail because the tools don’t natively integrate?

· Will they communicate effectively with me and other necessary connected parties when something goes wrong?” (CrowdStrike answered this one with a resounding “No.”)

While very few companies operate with extra capacity these days, we cannot assume that amassing a multitude of vendors will protect you from a single point of failure. And sometimes many of those questions will lead to answers that actually favor vendor consolidation due to native integrations, testing, and resources to put into large scale problems. Of course, this requires the customers to hold companies accountable for quality services and products. This can make you feel powerless when facing massive tech behemoths.

Administrative Benefits of Security Stack Consolidation

Vendor consolidation allows for administrative benefits, both from cost and efficiency standpoints. Single vendors can bundle their packages for savings on the tools, which can allow for extra budgetary room for security teams to fill the final 10-20% their consolidated stack is missing. And while contract renewals are never “easy,” reducing the number of them each year can also be a boon to leadership and budgetary planning teams.

These administrative benefits also apply to personnel issues. One of the most daunting issues in the cybersecurity industry right now is that of a massive talent shortage. The World Economic Forum recently estimated that by 2030, we will face a talent gap of 85 million cybersecurity workers in its recent Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework white paper. This shortage poses many problems for organizations, service providers such as MSPs, and vendors all looking to secure their environments, such as:

· Rising salaries of talented cybersecurity professionals

· Difficulty attracting talent

· Difficulty retaining talent due to the sheer number of job openings

· Employee burnout

· Loss of historical knowledge and gaps in knowledge transfers

· Time lost due to onboarding and training

Many organizations are moving toward MSPs to minimize these effects and to ensure appropriate coverage. But whether the security teams are internal or managed elsewhere, vendor consolidation works in organizations’ favor. This is because they are more likely to be familiar with managing these larger players’ solutions, and the onboarding and training time is reduced significantly. This also makes finding talent in a tough candidate pool that much easier, when experience with these solutions is likely a requirement.

Tips for Successful Security Stack Vendor Consolidation

Of course, one of the criticisms of security stack consolidation is the idea of putting your eggs into one basket. (And this is certainly what you’ll hear from the vendors whose businesses depend on non-consolidated security stacks.) To be clear: this is a valid criticism and one that needs to be accounted for if moving toward a consolidated stack.

1. Assess, plan, repeat . Assess your environment and security stack, vendors, integrations, etc. Gain a good understanding of where the security teams are struggling. If moving into a consolidated stack would potentially alleviate some of those issues more than introduce new ones.

2. Align with business objectives. Operational efficiencies, budgets, and performance should all tie into these conversations and plans.

3. Ask hard questions of your potential single vendor in the sales and renewal process. How do the native integrations improve processes? What process improvements and integrations will my team benefit from directly? Scour service-level agreements to understand them.

4. Know you may still have to supplement. The large tech companies have finally started investing in their native tools so they are truly competitive with other vendors (Microsoft Defender and Sentinel are two that come to mind, as examples). Just know there will still be coverage gaps. For instance, protecting SaaS applications, their connections, and data requirements – which is where almost all modern business is now being conducted – is still an area where the major security players are falling behind. The large vendor will probably cover 80-90% of your security needs with native integrations and a singular ecosystem. You should also understand what that last 10-20% is for your business.

Vendor consolidation is a complex consideration and undertaking, from concept to assessment to planning to selection to implementation. When the options are this vast and complex – and your team and team members are stretched thin – these types of projects can lead to extra expenses at best, and disastrous implementations and lowered security postures at worst. At TMG, our Technology Acquisition Partners live and breathe this world. We can help you make the best decisions for your business. If you’re considering consolidating – or deconsolidating! – we can help you find solutions that fit.

The Great Consolidation Debate- Part 4

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:26:04 GMT

This is the final installment in our series about security stack consolidation from TMG. We have been exploring the topic of security stack consolidation. Our first post explained what the debate about security stack vendor consolidation is all about. While our second focused on the pros and cons of consolidation. Our third discussed the case for security stack consolidation. Today we are going to summarize the prior posts to round out this security stack consolidation deep dive series.

Understanding the Security Vendor Landscape

Just as consumers moved from cable bundles to individual streaming services and are now seeing a return to bundled offerings, security teams have experienced a similar journey. Going from one single security vendor to multiple – often smaller and/or startup – vendors for each tool, and now going back to the bigger players such as Microsoft for their security stacks. Recently Palo Alto released their commitment to “platformization” , i.e., security vendor consolidation. They tout a Gartner statistic that states “75% of organizations are pursuing security vendor consolidation, compared to only 29% in 2020.” (At TMG we have seen this to be true!)

Frustrated by red tape, slow responses, and a perceived lack of rapid innovation against threat actors, many organizations moved away from large, bundled security solutions. Orgs now favor of best-of-breed tools from various vendors. Gartner recently published research that organizations work with 10-15 vendors and manage 60-70 security tools on average. However, many are now reconsidering consolidation due to challenges such as:

· Tools struggling to integrate and communicate effectively

· Overwhelming and redundant alerts

· Difficulty managing multiple user interfaces

· Maintaining patching and updates with potential tool integration disruptions

· Uncertainty from vendor acquisitions

· Multiple bills and contract renewal

We’re currently at another crossroads in cybersecurity where many organizations’ security teams operate under strict budgets and low headcounts. This makes bundled packages from large vendors appealing. This is especially bolstered by those vendors’ tools and products ranking among best available now, not just more convenient – yet not “best” – options. However, companies are rightly worried about the idea of putting all your security eggs in one basket.

Many organizations are considering whether a single platform that can cover 80-90% of their security needs without the drawbacks of a more widely varied security stack. Let’s take a closer look at the pros of security vendor consolidation and some of the cons. Then what your organization needs to do before security projects, whether they be a complete forklift or adding to an already crowded stack.

Benefits of Security Stack Vendor Consolidation

While perfect security conditions might allow for a carefully curated stack of best-in-class tools, reality often falls short of this ideal. Consolidation offers several compelling advantages:

· Improved Integration and Visibility: Consolidated stacks (should) provide seamless data flow between tools and unified dashboards. This reduces the number of “panes of glass” security teams must manage. This visibility can be vital during disaster response as well, since the response teams don’t have to collect logs and information to then aggregate and get a full picture of the problem.

· Simplified Management: With fewer vendors, administrative overhead often decreases. Important tasks such as updates and patch management become more streamlined. This is a critical vulnerability, as noted by Verizon’s most recent annual Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) when they found 14% of breaches last year were caused by this exact issue, showing the importance of removing friction whenever possible in the patching process since these numbers are only continuing to rise. We know that “most” organizations do not allow for the cost of administration of such a project and/or work expectation. However, the IT decision makers we work with take this into consideration prior to any decision.

· Cost Efficiency: Bundled solutions often come with better pricing and organizations can potentially reduce training and staffing costs.

· Widened Security Staff Talent Pool: Exactly because of the fact these major vendors’ platforms are widely used and adopted, that means that many security professionals also have direct experience with them, which makes staffing much easier. With limited budgets, finding security employees can be challenging. Especially if the position requires experience with most of 10-15 niche and/or smaller security vendors. However, most mid-career security – and often entry-level to some degree – will have had at least some experience with most of the bigger players’ tools and protocols.

· Enhanced Response: When you need to investigate a threat or a breach, every second can matter. Aggregating reports from multiple panes of glass and/or tools in order to hunt down a threat is time your response is delayed. Consolidated security stacks don’t suffer from this problem nearly as much.

Security Stack Consolidation Concerns

The primary argument against consolidation is the “all eggs in one basket” concern, noting that a significant breach in that vendor would mean a large, single node of failure for the company. The CrowdStrike outage in July 2024 highlighted potential risks of relying heavily on a single vendor. However, it’s crucial to remember that:

1. The outage wasn’t caused by consolidated stacks but by a non-consolidated tool. In addition to this, many of the “consolidated stack” organizations utilize multiple non-consolidated tools.

2. All vendors, regardless of size, can experience issues.

The key is to ask tough questions about testing processes, issue resolution capabilities, and communication protocols when considering either a consolidated or less consolidated approach.

· Note: There has been a rush from suppliers to make rather “bold” statements such as, “Companies should consider diversification in areas like XDR.” For example, we heard one industry leader go so to such lengths to avoid putting all his eggs in one basket he suggested implementing three (3!) different endpoint products. They suggested segmenting their base as an example: servers, user endpoints and OT. This means that if an issue is not a technology failure rather a process failure – say, testing prior to release – then the company with 3 endpoint solutions would never be able to know when or if any of those segments will fail.

At TMG we feel statements and suggestions like this are preposterous and potentially dangerous to companies trying to implement secure postures while also able to manage the solutions. This is more trying to cover the “tyranny of the issue” rather than seeking a responsible resolution.

But those aren’t the only questions to ask. Others to ask about the solutions and/or consolidation are:

· As the company grows, do all the solutions scale as well?

· If a tool requires one full time employee to run successfully, how many will you need a little on down the road? (And how quickly will that happen?)

· How much time do they (or would they) spend on integrations between tools, and how much of that could be relieved?

· Will this reduce alert fatigue for your team?

· If you need to replace someone on the staff quickly, how long does onboarding take and how hard will it be to find someone with experience on that tool/toolset?

Ultimately the one question that is or should be always asked and answered is: Does this add value to the organization?

The answer must be YES, and with artifacts to support the yes! By doing this decision makers are supporting their intent and showing value to the business, generally almost always leading to an approval from leadership or boards.

Steps Toward Successful Consolidation

Whether you’re consolidating or not, these decisions require thoughtfulness in every step of the project to learn about your organization’s security needs both now and as you grow.

1. Assess your current environment, security stack, and pain points.

2. Align consolidation efforts with broader business objectives.

3. Thoroughly evaluate potential vendors, asking hard questions (see above).

4. Understand that you may still need to supplement a consolidated stack for complete coverage, but that getting you to 80-90-95% of what you need in a way that’s more functional means that “last mile” will be much easier to traverse.

Looking Ahead

We expect to see a move toward consolidation for many companies, as their complexities grow past their ability to secure them with disparate tools and integration headaches. And as major vendors are investing heavily in improving their native tools, they have succeeded in making them increasingly competitive with specialized solutions.

However, it’s important to remember that consolidation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Each organization must weigh the benefits against potential drawbacks and make decisions based on their specific needs and risk tolerance. This is where partnering with Technology Acquisition Partners can come in from the start, and help you understand your needs and what solution(s) meet those needs best.

Whether you choose to consolidate or maintain a diverse vendor ecosystem, the key is making informed decisions that align with your organization’s security needs and business objectives. If you have questions about vendor consolidation or want to chat more, please contact us

TMG is available for a conversation, not a sales pitch, to dive into what you are looking for and ask questions to help challenge you to think differently. Remember what you do once every 3, 5 or 7 years, is what we live and do every day. We see what the industry is doing, we see strategies that work and those that fail, we see the trends, and we KNOW about the rapid pace and change that is occurring in technology.

One final question: How do you as a leader keep up with all the demands and areas of your day job, AND stay up to date on all suppliers that are entering into the industry? That is exactly what TMG provides for our clients. We help find solutions that work for them both now and as they scale.

BYOD or COPE – Which is the Better Option for Your Organization?

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:22:51 GMT

Nashville ZENITH 2026

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:28:18 GMT

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TMG's Masters Day 2026

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:28:17 GMT

Join TMG for our annual Masters Day “Work From the Course” Event!

Bring your laptop and spend the day watching the Masters with peers in greater Cincinnati. Quiet areas will be available for phone calls and/or webinar discussions if needed. The Masters will be on the big screen all-day and food and drink will be included all day! And don’t forget your favorite wedge and putter if you want the chance to win some prizes in our putting and chipping contest!

Where: TPC River’s Bend, 316 Winding River Blvd, Maineville, OH 45039
When: April 9, 2025, 10am-5pm

Click HERE to Register for Master’s Day 2026!!!

Register by filling out the form below

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Have Fun and Get It Done

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:56:04 GMT

Have Fun and Get It Done

In a world where technology plays a pivotal role in business success, finding the perfect balance between hard work and enjoyment can be a game-changer. We are highlighting our fourth of five core values that we live by “Have Fun and Get it Done”. We have embraced this core value as one of our favorites. In this blog post, we will explore how this simple, yet powerful approach has transformed the way we deliver technology solutions, ensuring a rewarding and impactful experience for our clients and our team.

Embracing the Power of Joy

As a faith-based organization so we like to lean on the Bible for inspiration and Ecclesiastes 2:24 says that there is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. We at TMG like to live out that verse and firmly believe that work should be more than just a mundane task. When our team is passionate and excited about what we do, it creates a positive ripple effect that extends to our clients. The enthusiasm we bring to the table fosters an environment of collaboration, creativity, and innovation, making the entire process more engaging and fulfilling.

Productivity through Positivity

“Have Fun and Get It Done” helps us bring our most productive selves to our clients. We know that there will be days when the stress hits us hard and when that happens, we lean hard into finding the joy in our work. For us, the joy comes from being productive with our clients, finding the best solution for their problems, and striving to deliver excellence. When we “ Do the Right Thing ” for our clients and find them the best solutions our positivity soars and so does our production.

Embracing the Challenge, Finding the Fun

We acknowledge that IT procurement is a process that is not only hard on us but on you, the client. A lot of businesses and their IT teams struggle to keep up with the rate of change in technology due to their departments being too lean, lacking experience, or too large where the team isn’t working cohesively together. As our clients begin their journey, they begin to sift through the all the options all while trying to figure out what the need for their business and if they need to be compliant with standards in their field. That is where TMG comes in. We offer a tailored bespoke solution while creating a personal connection because your goals, needs, and feelings matter. And that is where the fun comes in, we embrace the challenge of finding the best solution for the client while finding the joy in doing a job well done.

Building Strong Client Relationships

The heart of our success lies in the strong relationships we build with our clients. “Have Fun and Get It Done” fosters an environment of trust and rapport, making it easier to connect with our clients on a personal level. We take the time to understand their unique challenges and aspirations, ensuring that the solutions we deliver are not only effective but also aligned with their vision.

Achieving Excellence

The “Have Fun and Get It Done” core value has allowed us to be a single-source Technology Acquisition Partner™ that helps enterprises make data-driven, intelligence-backed decisions and expertly executed implementations across best-in-class IT infrastructure suppliers and solutions for over TWO DECADES . Business’s do not stay in business for that long unless they are delivering an excellent experience and products to their client’s time and time again. Our CEO, Troy McCracken says,

“Anyone you have done business with prior to us will pale by our comparison. Anyone you do business with after us will be measured by the new standard we set."

We live by this quote and tackle challenges with enthusiasm and turn obstacles into opportunities for growth. Our dedication to excellence, combined with the joy we find in our work, ensures that our clients receive top-tier technology solutions that make a real and lasting impact on their businesses.

Conclusion

At TMG, we have discovered the true power of combining fun and hard work. “Have Fun and Get It Done” has become more than just a core value: it is the beating heart of our company culture and the driving force behind our success. By embracing joy and enthusiasm and leaning on core verses, we have redefined how technology solutions are delivered, creating a positive and rewarding experience for our clients and ourselves. In this exciting and dynamic world of technology, we invite you to join us on a journey where excellence and enjoyment go hand in hand.

The Potential of UCaaS – How to Empower Your Business Communications and Efficiencies

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:53:49 GMT

If you’re looking to streamline operations and enable your sales teams to act with more precision, it’s time to look to the potential of UCaaS. In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern business, communication technologies have emerged as fundamental infrastructure, essential for driving growth, efficiency, and collaboration.

Among the transformative technologies in digital transformation, Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) has rightfully gained significant attention for its ability to revolutionize the way organizations operate and connect. Think flexibility and connection at its finest. These technologies live at the heart of all business models, supporting organizations from the ground up.

Consider it a massive leap forward for many reasons, but the biggest being efficiency and its overall cost savings to your organization. And although certain communication efficiencies may seem small individually, those chats, calls, file sharing and video conferences when interfaced together can translate into untold billions of dollars in value. Especially when multiplied across your organization and over time.

TMG is focused on helping our clients lower risk, and UCaaS is a popular choice due to demand for increased redundancy, minimal physical equipment needs, and a cost-effective alternative to traditional voice technology. So together, let’s dive into the world of UCaaS, shedding light on its significance, benefits, and the services it can provide to businesses of all sizes.

Segmented by Strategy

UCaaS adoption is, and continues to be, a priority for many companies when mapping out strategies tied to meeting the needs of digital transformations. Fast-tracked over the pandemic, at TMG we’ve seen growth and higher demand.

To put the increased demand into perspective, interest spiked by 86% during the pandemic and hasn’t slowed much due to the value it has driven to both our client’s teams as well as their bottom line.We saw during this time a very quick shift to this technology, now that we are passed that point it is review time for most clients as they look at “what do we really need or want/expect from this technology?”

Based on components, the UCaaS market has been for the most part segmented as follows:

Telephony – Work smarter with an all-in-one app that brings together calling, chat, meetings and collaborations. Includes VoIP and PSTN options.

Unified Messaging – Whether one-on-one chat or group chat, your team will have the ability to voice their thoughts and share files in individual or group messages within channels, all in real time.

Conferencing – Communicate face-to-face in an online meeting or call from virtually any device using audio conferencing features.

Collaboration Platforms and Applications – Make workflows more efficient with a variety of interconnected apps and services geared towards helping you collaborate across departments and connect any time.

Analytics – Measure and monitor activities, utilization and adoption across all of your communication and collaboration channels (calling, IM, sharing, video conferencing) and gain highly-valuable data on employees.

There are often different variations on these options, but features tend to fall into these categories. While many products and services fulfill at least some of these functions on a point basis, the true value of UCaaS lies in its ability to connect and communicate in a coordinated way and its integrations.

Together is indeed better. Value is driven when you combine all these features into a fully unified and fully compatible communications solution that displaces a series of point products. The result? Simplifying management and strengthening the ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of the information.

At TMG tap us to guide you to understanding which help particular systems and related options are best suited to your circumstances and business strategy. You don’t have to do it alone – we have the expertise you need to help you on your journey.

The Key Benefits of Simplifying Operations and Enhancing Connectivity

Here at TMG we understand the many benefits of UCaaS and can help you quickly see why it’s a cornerstone of digital transformation to ensure long-term growth. Besides being a simple, cost-effective and highly secure solution delivering seamless communications across multiple channels, as network speeds accelerate across the world it’s likely to expand over the coming years. Now is the time to TAP into its powers.

When working with our clients, we can show you how improvements to your operations and connectivity go hand in hand with UCaaS as well as the key benefits below.

Simplified Operations:

Imagine a scenario where IT teams could effortlessly handle once intricate tasks with the mere click of a button, while sales teams engage with prospects and customers with unparalleled precision, all the while having enterprise-class features at their fingertips. Welcome to the realm of UCaaS, where operational complexities are streamlined, and business interactions are supercharged.

Enhanced Connectivity:

The UCaaS delivery model transforms traditional communication systems enabling businesses to expand their reach and deliver seamless customer experiences. It takes “access anywhere” to a whole new level.

With UCaaS, geographical boundaries are rendered irrelevant. Employees can access communication tools from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote work and flexible collaboration.

Greater Redundancy:

Alongside that enhanced connectivity is the desire to eliminate the burden of managing onsite hardware that involves ongoing maintenance costs. Moreover, the need for redundancy to minimize costly outages has led to the widespread adoption of UCaaS solutions.

UCaaS ensures that communication channels remain open, even in the face of disruptions. The cloud-based nature of the service means that it inherently offers redundancy, minimizing the risk of costly downtime.

Gain Enterprise-Class Features:

UCaaS equips businesses with a suite of enterprise-class features, including video conferencing, instant messaging, and collaboration tools. These features foster improved teamwork and productivity.

Scalability and Flexibility:

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, scalability is key. UCaaS solutions can effortlessly scale to accommodate changing business needs, ensuring that communication systems align with organizational growth.

Starting the UCaaS Conversation: What to Consider

For businesses contemplating the transition to UCaaS, it’s crucial to have a true understanding of your current communication setup and future needs. Here are some conversation starters to help us guide your digital transformation and help move your business towards success:

Assessing Current System: Evaluate your existing phone system. Is it outdated and under maintenance? How many vendors are involved in its management? What redundancy measures are in place?
Business Integration: Consider the integration between your PBX and Line of Business (LOB) applications like Instant Messaging (IM) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Are there opportunities to enhance integration for improved workflows?
Mobility Strategy: Examine your strategy for mobility. How do remote users interact with on-premises employees? Is the user experience uniform across different locations?
Advanced Features: Could your business benefit from advanced reporting, analytics, and backup and disaster recovery features offered by UCaaS?
Unified Experience: Explore the potential for providing a consistent experience to end-users across various sites and locations.

When you partner with the experts at TMG – we can help show you how UCaaS can help you avoid costly outages and mission critical disruptions with a seamless voice infrastructure delivered over a safe and secure cloud connection.

For The Digital Transformation Now and The Road Ahead – Unleashing the Power of UCaaS

UCaaS is not just a technology shift; it’s a transformative force that empowers businesses to transcend geographical constraints, enhance collaboration, and streamline operations. At TMG we believe by embracing UCaaS, organizations can redirect their focus from managing complex communication infrastructures to driving innovation and growth.

As we highlighted above, the benefits are clear: simplified operations, enhanced connectivity, improved redundancy, scalability and flexibility, all while improving teamwork and productivity. It will empower your team, whether remote, in-office or hybrid, with a context-rich experience centered around flexibility. This not only will help keep your team focused and organized, but instantly connects you no matter where you are. And with AI becoming more and more prevalent, the UCaaS industry is among the first adopters of AI. Many suppliers are in the 2nd or even 3rd generation of AI within their solution. This is a massive area of change and one that is shifting the landscape rapidly between Leaders and Laggards with the UCaaS suppliers.

So, as you navigate the ever-evolving business landscape of digital transformation, tap TMG to help you consider the possibilities that UCaaS can unlock, with the goal of helping quickly propel your organization toward a more connected and prosperous future.

TMG’s Commitment to Cybersecurity: Introducing Xcitium

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:51:44 GMT

n today’s world, cybersecurity is a paramount concern for businesses of all sizes. As cybersecurity attacks occur at unseen volumes, the costs of these attacks can be detrimental to a business. Let’s look at a cyber security attack that has recently occurred- MGM , hacked by “Scattered Spiders”, is losing up to $8.4 million each day as they struggle to resolve the issue. The constant evolution of cyber threats requires innovative solutions that offer comprehensive protection. Enter Xcitium , a revolutionary cybersecurity platform. TMG is providing you with suppliers that offer cutting-edge technology and personalized service that places your security needs at the forefront.

TMG: Your Cybersecurity Expert

At TMG , we understand that navigating the ever-changing world of cyber security can be challenging. That’s why we’ve partnered with many suppliers, one being Xcitium, to bring you a comprehensive solution. Our mission is to create and implement technology solutions that are tailored to your companies’ specific needs. TMG understand that trying to defend your companies’ network and endpoints can feel a lot like a cat and mouse game. Threats are always evolving, and it can seem like as soon as you have protection, something new is popping up. Our proactive security approach can help mitigate the threat quickly, comprehensively, and dynamically.

TMG and Xcitium: A Powerful Partnership

TMG is partnered with Xcitium, a cybersecurity solution dedicated to eradicating cyber breaches. With over 6,000 satisfied customers and safeguarding more than 120 million endpoints, Xcitium has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the cybersecurity industry. TMG’s mission is to empower businesses with the best-in-class technology solutions, and Xcitium is a shining example of this commitment.

Key Features of Xcitium, Backed by TMG

Zero Dwell Containment: Xcitium leverages its patented ZeroDwell-Containment technology, setting it apart from other solutions in the market. This innovation allows Xcitium to identify both known and unknown threats in real-time without relying on detection methods. Threats are promptly neutralized within virtualization sessions, preventing unauthorized access to critical assets and resources.
Unlimited, Free Incident Response (IR): TMG and Xcitium join forces to offer you inclusive Incident Response services. With no retainer fee and no cost to you, Xcitium provides a $1 million warranty in case IR is required, ensuring that you have peace of mind during crisis situations.
Zero Breaches : Xcitium offers a complete cloud-native framework that establishes a true zero-trust architecture with active breach protection. To date, Xcitium technology has maintained an impeccable track record, ensuring that its customers have never experienced a breach.
Total Endpoint Protection: In a crowded marketplace with multiple cybersecurity vendors, Xcitium simplifies your cybersecurity stack. It can replace up to 10 vendors with a single pane of glass, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses of all sizes, with TMG as your trusted partner.

TMG, (partnered with Xcitium) is poised to revolutionize your cybersecurity. Together, we offer unparalleled protection against cyber threats while providing personalized service that ensures your unique needs are met. Cybersecurity is a paramount concern for businesses of all sizes. Don’t wait until the next breach occurs; partner with TMG and Xcitium today to fortify your cybersecurity defenses and safeguard your business’s future.

Always Keep Learning

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:50:42 GMT

“Those people who develop the ability to continuously acquire new and better forms of knowledge that they can apply to their work and to their lives will be the movers and shakers in our society for the indefinite future.” — Brian Tracy, motivational speaker.

At TMG, our commitment to growth and excellence is unwavering. We firmly believe that to thrive in an ever-changing technology world, we must be able to stay relevant with that pace of change. We are highlighting our fifth and final core value that we live by and that is “Always Keep Learning”. In this blog , we highlight two recent experiences that TMG hosted and attended that reaffirms this core value.

Technology Acquisition Partners Zenith

In September, TMG hosted our Technology Acquisitions Partner Zenith (T.A.P.Z) event. This was an incredible gathering of clients, prospects, and suppliers who share our passion for learning and knowledge sharing. Our suppliers were able to share some cutting-edge ideas and technologies to prepare us for the future. The networking opportunities were unparalleled, and the camaraderie amongst attendees was truly fantastic.

Tech 4.0, a key focus of our event, brought forth a brand-new understanding of what the future holds for technology. It’s not just about keeping up with the latest trends; it’s about shaping the future. The TMG team understands that the best way to serve our clients is knowing what the future of tech will be and giving our clients the opportunity to hear from the suppliers themselves. We are immensely grateful to all the suppliers who educated and shared their knowledge with us so we can always keep learning.

Industry Leading Event

Our thirst for knowledge doesn’t stop there. The TMG team recently embarked on a journey to Phoenix to participate in an industry leading event. The theme of this event, “limitless,” perfectly encapsulated the spirit of continuous learning and growth that defines our organization. TMG knows that one of the best ways to learn is to be surrounded by peers that are dedicated to their growth. This event offered exactly that with 2,000 people all coming together to interact and learn together. We understand that by pooling our collective knowledge and experiences, we can achieve more together than we ever could individually. However, we didn’t just go to learn. Seth Marsh, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, spoke on a panel about the importance of marketing and events.

In the corporate world, it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day operations and overlook the importance of learning and growth. But at TMG, we embrace a different mindset. We know that the key to our success is our unwavering dedication to staying curious, pushing boundaries, and evolving as a team.

Our journey is a testament to the transformative power of continuous learning. It’s a reminder that as we expand our horizons and push the boundaries of what’s possible, we set the stage for innovation and excellence to flourish.

In conclusion, the Zenith event and our participation in the industry leading event have reinforced our commitment to learning, growth, and collaboration. Together, we are well on our way to reaching our limitless potential. Our journey is a testament to the power of continuous learning and our unwavering dedication to always being our best.

Thanksgiving Reflections: “Giving Thanks” at TMG

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:49:28 GMT

As Thanksgiving approaches, members of our team at TMG take a moment to reflect on the significance of the season and the role of gratitude in both their professional and personal lives. Through our diverse experiences and perspectives, we share insights into our Thanksgiving traditions, the meaning of “Giving Thanks,” memorable acts of giving back, and specific milestones we are thankful for at TMG. Get to know a little bit more about your TMG team and how we like to “Give Thanks” in this season.

Personal Gratitude

One way we like to “Give Thanks” is spending time with friends and family. James Brighton, our Technology Solutions Advisor, says “Thanksgiving for me is a time to connect with family and set new goals for the upcoming year. So it serves as an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and work towards personal and professional aspirations.” Seth Marsh, Director of Sales and Marketing, elaborates more on the subject. He says, “I celebrate by hosting gatherings throughout the weekend, bringing family and friends together to share in the joy of the season.” Family and friends are such an important part of this season. Community is something that we should all be grateful for and this season is about bringing that community together.

“Giving Thanks” can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. We asked our CEO, Troy McCracken to speak on what this means to him. “It involves expressing gratitude to God for blessings while recognizing the disparity that exists, emphasizing the importance of empathy.” We also asked our Marketing and Events Manager her feelings of what “Giving Thanks” means. She said that “Gratitude means acknowledging what we have, appreciating the blessings, and helping those less fortunate.” So no matter what “Giving Thanks” means to you, it is always nice to acknowledge where you have been, what you have, and where you can be in service to those less fortunate than you.

Some of the best ways of “Giving Thanks” in this season is findings ways to giving back to your community. Jack McCracken, our Inside Sales Rep, and his wife volunteer at the Free Store Food Bank as an annual tradition, highlighting the importance of contributing to those in need. Vasti Martinez, our Project Coordinator, also takes a hands-on approach. She volunteers at shelters, and connecting with the homeless on a personal level, fosters understanding and compassion.

Professional “Giving Thanks”

There are so many ways to personally express gratitude but sometimes we struggle to find gratitude in our professional lives. Seth Marsh touches on the professional impact of expressing gratitude. He says that “Expressing gratitude daily, humility, and a commitment to helping others contribute to positive professional relationships. It’s about more than personal gain; it’s about making a meaningful impact.” Troy McCracken also touches on this. “Living by the principle of “Pay it Forward” and expressing gratitude daily creates a ripple effect that positively influences professional interactions and relationships.” We get caught up in everyday stressors of our jobs that we forgot we can grow, collaborate, and work together.

Another way to express gratitude in a professional environment is to see what milestones and success you have achieved. Kaelynn Lesniak said that hosting successful events with different themes and venues has been a remarkable milestone. Gratitude is expressed for the trust and opportunities given to accomplish these events with over 300 clients and 60 different suppliers in attendance. James Brighton has a different approach to what success is in the workplace. He said, “Team collaboration and a commitment to education are constant sources of gratitude. Success at TMG is a collective effort, and the emphasis on learning is a perpetual blessing.” TMG is always ready to accomplish what is next.

TMG also loves to express gratitude with our clients and prospects. Jack McCracken loves to infuse thanksgiving cheer into client emails and face-to-face meetings in an effort to show appreciation. While Vasti Martinez incorporates personal touches, sharing reasons for gratitude, and even sending thank-you cards contribute to fostering positive relationships. We love what we do and want to make sure that you all know that as well.

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, we at TMG reflect on the importance of gratitude. From giving back to expressing thanks in business interactions, these insights showcase the multifaceted ways in which gratitude plays a pivotal role in shaping the culture and success of TMG.

Revolutionizing Business Connectivity

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:45:47 GMT

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern businesses, efficient and reliable connectivity is the backbone of success. The frustration caused by delays in internet connectivity installations is not unique to any specific industry. Recognizing this universal challenge, TMG has partnered with Starlink to introduce a transformative solution that caters to a diverse range of business sectors.

Swift Connectivity Solutions Across Industries

Whether you operate in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, or any other industry, the need for prompt and reliable internet access is paramount. TMG and Starlink provide an alternative solution that eliminates the frustration associated with waiting for traditional connectivity options. Experience internet access within days, coupled with 24/7 support and rapid replacement services, irrespective of your business sector.

Overcoming Connectivity Delays in Various Sectors

Businesses across different sectors often face challenges related to the time it takes to install internet services, causing disruptions and impacting productivity. TMG and Starlink address these concerns by offering access to remote sites, high-speed options, and improved communication reliability. Bid farewell to delays and welcome a team that can swiftly get your internet service operational.

Eliminating “Last Mile” Internet Challenges for All Industries

Starlink’s disruptive technology isn’t limited to specific industries. It provides high-speed, low-latency internet services globally, making it an ideal solution for businesses irrespective of their sector. TMG and Starlink offer flexibility as your primary, secondary, or tertiary connectivity solution, providing coverage for remote areas and compatibility with SDWAN appliances. Say goodbye to “last mile” challenges holding your business back.

Staying Competitive with Reliable Connectivity Solutions

Slow internet speeds can hinder operations in any industry. TMG, in collaboration with Starlink, offers competitive pricing plans along with 24/7 support. Stay ahead of the competition and revolutionize your office connectivity with affordable and reliable solutions tailored to suit the unique demands of various business sectors.

Embracing the Future of Business Connectivity

If your current internet service providers are causing delays and slowing down your operations, it’s time for a change. TMG and Starlink provide lightning-fast installation speeds, 24/7 support, and competitive pricing. Embrace the future of business connectivity and pave the way for a more connected and efficient future, regardless of the industry in which your business operates.

A Universal Solution for Business Connectivity

TMG’s strategic partnership with Starlink offers businesses across diverse sectors a transformative opportunity. Overcoming connectivity challenges, reducing delays, and enhancing operational efficiency are now within reach for companies regardless of their industry. If you’re ready to usher in a new era of business connectivity, reach out to TMG and Starlink today. Experience a seamless, swift, and reliable internet solution designed to meet the unique demands of your industry.

Safeguarding AI and Security

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:44:41 GMT

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, all businesses- small, mid-sized, and enterprise businesses-often find themselves caught between the hope of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a security savior and the lurking dangers it presents since it rapidly seeped into the business landscape.

There’s a delicate balance between being empowered with cutting-edge AI solutions, while also understanding and safeguarding against the potential pitfalls that most companies must face when using them. Especially if they are utilizing security solutions that have AI embedded or enabled for their IT security.

Yes, there’s an increasing value to using AI to enhance your IT security measures, besides the obvious of time and money savings to your company. But there’s also some things you should be aware of when developing a plan around AI to prepare and protect your business, largely with the growing number of cyber-threats and other data privacy issues.

At TMG, we can help you navigate this delicate balance to get the results you want, and suggest considering both how AI can help you, as well as potentially how the lure of AI can possible harm your organization, when looking to build or strengthen your security infrastructure while still protecting the best-interest of your company.

The Pros – AI as a Security Guardian

AI has become a powerful tool in the fight against cyber threats. As we covered in our previous blog , it can help you detect, analyze, and respond to malicious attacks faster when you have a holistic plan around it.

Proactive Threat Detection:

AI’s prowess in threat detection is helping companies of all sizes, but it’s extremely helpful for small to mid-sized ones who are increasingly facing sophisticated cyber threats from hackers who are targeting them. With machine learning algorithms, AI can analyze vast datasets and identify patterns and anomalies that may escape the human eye of your IT Manager or team.

This real-time analysis that happens in a fraction of the time it would take humans to do. Most importantly, it allows for early detection of potential security breaches, enabling your business and IT team to not only thwart attacks, but also act quickly before irreparable damage occur, both financially and to your reputation.

Automated Incident Response:

We all either know, or have learned the hard way, incident response time is critical in the face of a security breach. AI can automate incident response procedures making it easier for you to stay on top of your cyber security needs.

Through predefined protocols, AI systems can swiftly isolate affected systems, contain the threat, and even apply necessary security measures such as patches. This not only minimizes the impact of an attack, but also ensures a consistent and rapid response, crucial in the dynamic and often complex world of cybersecurity.

User Authentication and Access Control:

AI contributes significantly to bolstering user authentication and access control mechanisms. Behavioral biometrics, for example, can analyze and recognize patterns in user behavior, enhancing the accuracy of identity verification.

This ensures that only authorized personnel gain access to your sensitive data and systems, diminishing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

Scalability and Cost Savings:

When it comes to scalability, AI can automate those tedious security tasks. From a team-force perspective, this helps by taking away the tasks most likely weighing your team resources down. This either ultimately frees the team to focus and shift into other more pressing areas of your business, or for your company to not have to have as big of a team you might have needed previously.

AI solutions themselves are also easily scalable. The best method is to choose an organization that has deep security ties and on that can help you plan and build a strong security posture incorporating them, you can obtain additional protection without significant hardware or personnel costs.

Tap the experts at TMG to help you shift your strategy from reactive to proactive to protect your data and critical IT infrastructure to defend against increasing risks. By taking a comprehensive look at your business and emerging security trends that would benefit your unique business, we can help you take a forward-thinking approach that includes AI to predict potential security threats.

The Cons – AI Has Its Limitations

Just like anything in life and business, AI carries risks of its own. Despite its ability to analyze large data sets with lightning speed and appear like a superhero of sorts, AI also has some downfalls.

Although having AI solutions to aid you in your company security is definitely a pro, it’s also important to look and factor in the following cons. When you’re able to look at both sides of the coin, and plan accordingly, you’ll have a stronger posture and can mitigate the risks of solely relying on this technology. Experts like TMG can help you assess your current AI needs, factor in the good and potential short-comings, and help draw up a strategy that’s focused on preparing you for the future.

AI Has a Learning Curve:

It’s no secret, AI has a learning curve. It only knows what it knows based on the data inputs point it to, so in layman’s terms, what it has been programmed to search for! And it’s a notable danger understanding that while AI is a huge part of the security landscape now, it can only do so much…. And this is the big issue is that for it to “learn’ it must ‘see” the issue a few times before it can take any actions. The learning curve for organizations that utilize AI in their solutions involves understanding the intricacies of AI algorithms, then adapting them to specific business contexts, and ultimately fine-tuning them for optimal performance.

As we’ve said before, just one time is too many when it comes to a cyber-attack or massive security breach to your data and IT infrastructure due to AI needing to learn that it needs to react to a specific need. By fully understanding both the solution’s AI capabilities and limitations, TMG can help you plan for either underutilization or overreliance and help set up comprehensive training when it comes to updating and refining your AI solutions.

Bias and Discrimination in Decision-Making:

One of the most significant concerns associated with AI in cybersecurity is the potential for biased decision-making. Biases can originate from skewed data sets or algorithms lacking objectivity, leading to discriminatory outcomes. Biases in AI come from lopsided data or algorithms that don’t see the whole picture.

Let’s give an example… If an AI system processes biased inputs, it may generate false positives, blocking legitimate users and causing disruptions in productivity or customer satisfaction. The consequences of these types of errors can be severe. It’s important to be hyper-vigilant when it comes to the management of biases in AI systems and educate and train your team to monitor for them.

Security Concerns are Driving Bans:

There’s no debate that AI has taken the world by storm, especially the business world. And quickly. Because of this, large organizations throughout the world have their CISOs, CIOs, CEOs, VP’s, Directors, legal, finance and HR all pushing for major restrictions or bans due to fears. Remember, unsecured AI apps pose large-scale cybersecurity threats.

Additionally, every time you enter information into AI solutions or apps, you are putting yourself in the position of potentially sharing proprietary or confidential information. A leak of this type of information could be detrimental to your company, no matter how big or small. These security and privacy concerns are driving these bans and restrictions, until more is learned about AI and laws around its potential legal implications.

The Potential for Misuse or Abuse:

The big allure of AI is not only in its potential for good, but also in its attractiveness to protect against cybercriminals. As we covered in our previous blog , the bad guys can exploit AI algorithms to create new and sophisticated forms of malware, giving them the ability to develop targeted attacks quickly identifying vulnerabilities in your company’s infrastructure.

Robust security measures are a must, and TMG can help develop a customized plan based on the potential your company uniquely faces for misuse or abuse.

AI is Here to Stay – Here’s How to Plan Your Next Steps

Yes, AI has revolutionized the landscape of IT security. But its adoption comes with a set of its own challenges. You need expert to show you how to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity effectively, with a balanced approach.

TMG understands there needs to be a relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence to stay secure and compliant in today’s digitally driven world.

While AI brings many advanced capabilities to the table, human expertise is vital in interpreting, managing, and adapting AI systems.

Tap the experts at TMG to help your company balance the scales when it comes to harnessing the power of AI. Our experts can assemble a plan that considers the inherent risks, building the strong framework you need to get the results you want today, while also planning for the future. The time is now to construct a robust and resilient cybersecurity framework for the digital age.

Always Be Humble

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:12:08 GMT

At TMG, a shared set of core values defines the way we live and work. Each month, we plan to share one with you. This month we’d like to highlight a mantra we repeat often and a commitment we make to ourselves and each other: “Always be humble.”

Let’s explore what this means to our organization.

We don’t brag– our results speak for themselves

We are a faith-based organization and we strive to treat others as we would want to be treated. It’s simple– we are grateful to God and kind to others. We don’t need to brag or boast to promote our services, nor do we need to posture ourselves or act like know-it-alls. We believe genuine relationships and a humble, willing-to-listen mentality allow us the best opportunities to grow.

Success isn’t an endpoint; it’s an ongoing journey.

To be humble means to acknowledge that, while we have learned a lot over our combined decades in the industry, we don’t know everything. Even if we did, the world is always changing. New technologies will emerge, new risks will arise, and the way IT teams operate will evolve. We are committed to putting aside our biases, taking an agnostic approach to technology solutions, and doing due diligence. We evaluate the changing needs of our clients and the shifting marketplace with careful attention and objectivity. We don’t stop learning, growing, and striving for our clients, and our shared successes only inspire us to continue on this path forward. That’s how we provide the experience you deserve from a passionate and committed technology partner.

We put collaboration first, not ego.

We may be the experts in our industry, but only you know the intricacies of your business’s needs and vision for the future. We listen receptively to our client’s ideas and make honest recommendations, considering your experience and desired outcomes. The process of learning about your goals, needs, and preferences allows us to narrow down the perfect solution. The combination of our industry knowledge and leadership, along with your input, is the key to finding what works best and helping you implement and manage that solution with ease. We don’t take credit for your successes– we collaborate with you to create these positive outcomes. That’s what makes us truly proud to do what we do.

Thanks for taking the time to read about this value. It’s one we hold dear, and we believe that sharing the commitment to modesty and ongoing growth with one another is part of what makes our organization great.

Do The Right Thing

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:12:03 GMT

The wise businessman Roy E. Disney once said, “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” Our team is united in the commitment to upholding and living our core values– we hold the same things dear to our hearts, hold each other and ourselves accountable, and strive to be the best people we can be, both in and out of the office.

At TMG, our values guide our every decision. We believe that the strongest partners have the integrity to honor their commitments– and that includes commitments to themselves, to their neighbors, and to their communities, just as much as to their clients.

In that spirit, we want to share with you some of the guiding principles that define TMG and how they help us deliver the best possible experiences as your technology acquisition partner. Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing each of our values and how we apply them to our client work, starting with this month’s value: #1: Do the right thing.

#1: We Keep Things Transparent

Around here, we do the right thing, even if it isn’t always the easy thing. This means giving transparency about expectations, the scope of work, and cost– not sneaking in hidden fees, delaying progress, or simply telling our clients what they want to hear. We know that you hear this from many different suppliers and partners; however, you can count on us to demonstrate this commitment to you. We lead through our actions, and every one of our current client engagements demonstrates as much.

When undertaking a new technology project, it can be intimidating to enter into a discovery process where so many fees, potential issues, and personal motivations are often hidden. Have you ever entered into a vendor agreement only to be stunned by the amount on your first bill? Or, maybe you’ve adopted a technology that was promised to be a fix-all, only to find that new problems emerged in the implementation phase?

At TMG, we provide all of the information you need to make a solid decision up front. If we believe you may experience difficulties at any stage of your technology project, we tell you ahead of time and offer solutions to mitigate the headache. Because we vet our vendors and make suggestions based on longstanding relationships, you can be sure that your estimates and quotes are realistic and that there will be no surprises when it comes time to pay your bill.

Building an excellent technology stack relies on a clear understanding of what’s to come and how it may affect your business– whether that’s anticipating hiccups, mitigating risk, or fitting a new technology into a tight budget. We believe it’s only right to be transparent about all aspects of your engagement, and we commit to providing that transparency in all projects, big or small.

#2: We Take an Agnostic Approach

The way we value doing the right thing is evident in our agnostic approach– we put customers’ best interests first where others might seek personal gain.

Doing right by our clients means taking our personal biases, motivations, and professional relationships out of the decision-making equation. We won’t push you toward a certain solution just out of financial motivation or because we golf with an executive at the providing company, nor will we allow our own preferences for technology to get in the way of what may be a better solution for your unique needs. We think this industry should run on trust, and you can trust us to do what’s right, no matter what.

#3: We Do All Things with Honesty and Integrity

Part of doing the right thing means having integrity and not being afraid to speak up to help you reach success. We aren’t yes-men who will tell you whatever you want to hear– we are your partner in technology, and a good partner tells the truth, even when it’s hard.

If we don’t think an idea will work out, we tell you so. If we don’t think a decision is correct, we advise otherwise. If something goes wrong, we don’t hide it– we work together with our clients to resolve the issues and prevent them in the future. We believe it’s best to be upfront about potential or current issues, as that’s the way forward toward a resolution. Biting our tongues or sweeping a problem under the rug only compounds to cause greater issues later– and that’s definitely not the right way to go about a professional partnership.

Part of our commitment to honesty and integrity is inherent in how we are paid. Unlike a sales representative, we don’t represent a single company and therefore have no motivation to shill a service that may be a poor fit for you just to make money. Our relationships with clients are the motivation behind our suggestions, and our relationships with vendors come second. We don’t need to push you in a single direction or maintain loyalty to just one provider, so you can trust that we have your best interests at heart, not our own.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our company. Though we aren’t as large as one of the Big 4, we can provide the same type of data metrics along with the ability to help you acquire and support the same solutions! We achieve more and more for our clients every day, and our commitment to our values is a catalyst for our success. Doing the right thing has always led to the best results, and we have formed many valuable, longstanding client relationships as a result of this commitment. We look forward to staying on this journey together, and we are proud to be a partner you can trust.

3 Ways to Prevent Cyberattacks Through Human Psychology

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:10:44 GMT

Human psychology is becoming a more and more central focus across industries. There are podcasts and reports dedicated to “brain hacking,” books on training the mind, diets and supplements promising improved brain function, and apps for everything from meditation to getting more REM sleep to habit-stacking – the list goes on and on. We are constantly striving for improvement, looking to increase productivity and better our lives through psychology. When it comes to cybersecurity, we can do the same.

Most companies take a punitive approach to cybersecurity training, hoping to fight human nature with scare tactics, punishments, and threats. Many utilize the same-old, same-old existing security training programs available, relying on Partners and End-Users who aren’t specialists to deliver security training effectively. Unfortunately, most of their top choices for security training are proven ineffective– over 3 years, employers spend $9 billion on cybersecurity training, yet still have $6 trillion stolen. It’s time to take a more psychological approach.

More Than Just a Firewall

Though security can be achieved through many avenues, human nature will always be a risk. You can add hardware and software or even hire an MSSP to stop infrastructural attacks, closing up the technological gaps in your security posture and working to prevent bad actors from making their way in, but psychological attacks are just as dangerous– and hackers know how to exploit human behavior.

It’s time to fight the psychological tactics of bad actors, utilizing what we know about human behavior to reduce liability and risk. We’ve got three tips to share that will help you enhance your cybersecurity with some mastery of the mind.

3 Ways to Keep Employees Safe with Psychological Training

#1. Focus on the positive

Studies show that positive reinforcement, the addition of positive stimulus for good behavior, is more effective than punishment or negative reinforcement. In fact, University of Central Florida calls positive reinforcement “The most effective way to teach a person or animal a new behavior.”

In the workplace, we see positive reinforcement play out in a variety of ways for different departments and circumstances: employee reward programs, gamification , performance-related rewards like trips or retreats, and even something as simple as a sincere “great job!” Negative reinforcement includes nagging and scolding, threatening consequences like write-ups, or purposefully scaring employees into following the rules (like telling them that if they don’t change their passwords, their bank account could get hacked and they’ll lose all of their money).

As it relates to cybersecurity, consider rewarding or simply recognizing employees who follow cybersecurity rules. For example, offering free donuts to those who change their password each quarter, newsletters about cybersecurity hygiene that focus on positive results (a stronger company, less individual and collective risk) that result from these behaviors, a friendly competition to check off the most cybersecurity hygiene practices, or other small but worthwhile incentives.

And, don’t go with scare tactics – panic doesn’t particularly strengthen an organization, even when it pertains to important cybersecurity hygiene practices.

#2. Educate on common tactics

They say “what you don’t know won’t hurt you,” but when it comes to cybersecurity, the opposite is true. While negative reinforcement and scare tactics aren’t effective management tools, education certainly is. Some staff members may think that they’re too smart to get scammed or hacked, but that would be an underestimation of the sophisticated tools, methods, and knowledge that bad actors possess– and nobody wants to admit that they could fall for a scam.

Hackers often exploit both the ego and the good nature of people to gain access to systems via social engineering. They know how the mind works, and use both fear and common sense to breach the perimeter. For example, if you saw a thumb drive in the parking lot labeled with a company logo, you may think to plug it in, determine the owner, and return it.

Though it seems like common sense, this good samaritan effort can infect company devices with malware and viruses in an instant, and someone without a strong understanding of cybersecurity threats may not even consider that this is a tactic used by hackers. Some bad actors will ensure that the hardware is particularly tempting, with labeling that promises information on salaries, raises personal information, and more… these bad actors know that curiosity is a powerful motivator , even when we know better than to do something risky.

Battle back by teaching employees to think like a cybersecurity professional, instilling habits like:

Never plug in found hardware, even if it’s official looking.
Don’t trust notifications or emails that cause panic, like “you’ve been hacked” or “fraud alert” messages– report them rather than follow prompts.
Always verify with a third party if a message seems suspicious, and report any fishy messages to IT.
Never give out personal information or passwords via email, chat, or other apps, even if it is to a coworker.
Do not write down or share passwords.

Educating your workforce is an important part of maintaining your security posture and avoiding the exploitation of human behavior that bad actors are known for. Keep your employees smart and savvy to all of the potential traps set by bad actors– and how to avoid them.

#3. Put your security to the test

So, how do you know if positive reinforcement and education are working, or if employees are falling asleep during cybersecurity briefing meetings? Much like with any learned skill, you have to test your efforts from time to time.

You may already be running pen tests to gain more knowledge about potential security vulnerabilities in your hardware and software, but you’re probably not testing one of the most vulnerable links in the security chain: your people.

Periodic phishing tests are an excellent diagnostic tool for your company’s vulnerability to social engineering. Here’s how it works: IT sends out a controlled, fake “phishing” email with all of the hallmarks– a slightly “off” sender address, perhaps typos or low-quality logos, and a scheme to acquire personal information – and monitors how many employees click, respond, or fail to report. You can present negative findings to your team to demonstrate just how easy it is to fall for a phishing scheme , and highlight positive findings as an example of how to respond in a real incident.

Another test to try is a simulated USB drop. Plant an official-looking thumb drive in high-traffic areas like bathrooms, break rooms, or parking lots, and determine how many are turned in or reported versus plugged in or taken home. This test helps you determine your employee’s resilience to hardware drops and their considerations for maintaining cyber hygiene.

A Partner in Psychological Training

It can be difficult to implement psychological strategies into your cybersecurity training, especially when you’re neither a psychologist nor a cybersecurity expert. Luckily, TMG partners with a leader in psychological cybersecurity training, and you can, too… we’d like to introduce you to Hook Security.

Hook Security is the proprietor of PsySec™, a cybersecurity training methodology that utilizes “humor, repetition, a positive approach, and the latest research in neuroscience to train the part of the brain that houses threat recognition and response.” Alongside this innovative training module with fresh and entertaining videos, Hook Security offers compliance-based training, relevant phishing testing , monthly deep dives, actionable reporting, and a “Campaign of the Month” for each phishing test. Businesses that use Hook Security’s one-of-a-kind program reap the benefits of expert psychology-based cybersecurity training , like easier compliance, actionable intel on employee habits, and the ability to nurture a culture of safety long-term.

Ready to fight back against the mind games of bad actors and secure your organization from the inside out? Tap TMG today to learn more about Hook Security!

Why Your Cybersecurity Measures Are Obsolete– And How To Upgrade Them

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:09:03 GMT

We’re sure you’ve heard the news: Zurich CEO Mario Greco revealed that cyberattacks will soon be uninsurable. The announcement couldn’t come at a worse time, as cyberattacks increase in sophistication, severity, and volume– and experts are few and far between .

Widespread cyber crimes, with increasingly high stakes and whopping ransoms, have put insurers in an impossible position. How can they possibly guarantee payouts for affected companies when the amount of attacks increases every year, soaring to astronomical levels and costing an average of nearly $9.5 million in recovery per affected company? It’s no wonder that cybersecurity insurance providers are rolling back coverage– or eliminating it entirely.

Two responses are likely after this announcement. Some overconfident companies will take stock of their firewalls, machine learning, and pen test results and claim, “We got this!” Others, however, will take a realistic look at their current security posture and decide to step up their game. With all due respect, the second response is the correct one.

The question boils down to trust– who do you trust with your cybersecurity in this delicate time, and can you trust yourself and your current resources to hold steady? Who do you turn to if your cybersecurity coverage is cut, whether due to the increasing cost to be insured or scarcity in insurance availability? Can you trust your existing partners or providers, or do you need to consider new options to better your security posture? More than anything, organizations need to ask themselves: when things go wrong, who can you fall back on to pick up the pieces?

It’s time to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Now that the most popular failsafe of all, insurance, is coming off the table, organizations need more than a few firewalls and a hope that hackers will skip them over and go for the bigger, shinier option. Any company of any size can be attacked, and it’s time we start preparing for it. Here are three ways you can get a head start.

Tip #1: Operate under the assumption that you will be attacked, and plan ahead for it.

If you didn’t think you’d be attacked, you wouldn’t have insurance in the first place, right? Though cybersecurity insurance can be considered a “just in case” measure by many, the reality is that it’s an investment that was considered worthwhile at the time you signed the contract.

Let’s talk for a second about risk versus odds. If the weatherman says there’s a chance of rain, you’re going to take an umbrella with you or risk getting caught in some drizzle – a small measure in the face of a small risk. Or maybe you won’t because the chance of getting a little wet may outweigh the inconvenience of carrying the umbrella.

But if the weatherman says there’s a tornado down the street, you’re going to get down to the basement immediately, right? Greater risks and greater odds of a more disastrous outcome call for greater degrees of preparation and more robust precautions. Cyberattacks are no longer an unlikely and unpleasant possibility, they’re now a virtually unavoidable reality, and they’re more devastating than ever before.

IT and business leaders need to shift their mindsets away from “backup plans” and into future plans. Proactivity is of the essence, and reactivity will leave you high and dry as insurers step back from the plate. It’s not enough to just train employees, to set up firewalls just in case, to take preventative measures that indicate an attack is a possibility– you need to be acting as if you will be attacked. Build a strong posture now, consider cybercrime, not an unfortunate chance but an imminent threat, and take security more seriously than ever before.

This shift in mindset means taking accountability for your preventative security measures in addition to backup measures, considering maybe for the first time if your software, hardware, or services are really protecting your organization, or if they’re gestures of compliance. As you begin to ponder this question, you’ll find a few key points worth addressing– one of the biggest of which is, would you know if you were being attacked right this second?

Tip #2: Make sure you can detect and identify an attack as quickly as possible

The average cybercriminal can go undetected for, as a conservative estimate, 99 days, while many studies suggest quite longer. That’s 99 days or longer of probing for sensitive information, and 99 days or longer of poking around under the radar, 99 days or longer to fully integrate themselves and put an attack into action. This seems impossible to many– you’d think you would know if a bad actor breached your system. Wouldn’t you notice, wouldn’t you be notified, wouldn’t there be a tell? Unfortunately, most organizations don’t have the level of threat monitoring that would detect an attack immediately or even quickly– and unfortunately, that lack of clarity can be disastrous.

One of the main issues is a blind spot in your areas of vulnerability. How much insight do you really have into the vulnerabilities across the full scope of your tech stack? Do you know exactly where bad actors could or are currently attacking ? Failure to discover and record all threats throws a huge wrench in your security plan. It’s a vicious cycle of failure to detect, failure to record, and failure to prepare for the future.

Companies and Threat Actors are growing, changing, and adopting new technologies every day, and chances are you can name quite a few additions to your tech stack made in recent months. It’s critical to ensure that every new avenue for bad actors is monitored and sealed, and that begins with finding a trustworthy partner for seamless and safe implementation. Security is holistic, and your approach to monitoring threats needs to be, too– beginning with the very first step in the process and continuing in an ongoing effort to secure your organization and close off new and existing entry points.

Look at it this way. If you’ve got a mouse in your house, you’re going to take precautions, ensuring food is properly stored, setting traps, and placing them in areas you’ve noticed little critters are attracted to. But, unless you search for, discover, and seal off the areas where mice are entering from, you’re just dealing with the same problem endlessly. As soon as you block one entrance, a mouse will search for and find another…which is precisely what cybercriminals do, too. When one door shuts, they tweak the attack ever so slightly, and find a new way to penetrate your perimeter. It’s the same old cycle, endlessly repeating until you find a true, comprehensive solution.

You can protect your sensitive data behind firewalls, under layers of authorization, and behind encryption, but if you don’t find the holes in your security posture that bad actors slip in through, you’re continually dealing with the same problem– more bad actors entering through the same gaping hole. And not unlike clever mice, hackers will eventually outsmart the measures you put in place to stop them.

Once your points of vulnerability are identified, you’ll need to resolve these specific issues and monitor your evolving technology architecture for more. With every new implementation of a cloud service, an application, or even a new device, there come new threat vectors and new security risks.

Common cybersecurity detection measures can be ineffective, leading to ineffective responses. Firewalls are relatively unsophisticated, with attackable prevention/detection, and detection is limited to prior programming. The same issues plague SIEM / LOGS, which are similarly loaded with a limited data set and can only detect known threats. Unless you can anticipate an exact method of attack, how will you ensure that your firewall is programmed to detect the tools actors will be using? And, do you really have the resources in-house to manage and utilize these technologies properly, or are they just expensive gestures? And often, your event logs are filled with too much white noise and you’re unable to detect the actual signal of a real attack.

Overconfidence in the intelligence of your security and the results of diagnostic measures like pen tests is a high-risk security practice. For this reason, it’s best to leave threat monitoring, recording, and response to the professionals. An expert cybersecurity partner can utilize technology like SIEM in the best possible way, alongside other important security measures, to ensure that you’re not wasting money on technology you’re not confident in your ability to manage and leaving yourself open to attack. An MSSP offers 24/7 monitoring, a huge asset that diverts less attention from your employees’ core competencies while creating a laser focus on, and expert insight into, security at all times.

Now, what if all of this planning fails, and you find yourself under attack?

Tip #3: Have an actual, planned, and practiced remediation plan

The industry standard to resolve a security intrusion is 27 days or longer – yet companies can be tied up in litigation and other fallout for months, if not years, after a successful attack, and can experience financial losses and tanking brand equity that could shutter them forever.

To avoid this worst-case scenario, you need to plan ahead for what will happen when you are attacked– again, operating under the assumption that you will be.

Do you have a practiced disaster recovery plan? Have you designated whose responsibility it is to initiate remediation and response, and are they prepared with the tools and capabilities to do so? Chances are, the current talent shortage and recession-induced budget cuts will prevent your organization from hiring experts and outfitting them with the technology needed to perform, and when you do find yourself fending off a cyberattack, any shortcuts taken will become quite apparent.

It’s vital to take several actions in the event of a disaster: reduce downtime, initiate backups and failover/failback operations, and contain the threat. Several actions need to be put in motion, like spinning up new servers, monitoring traffic, and beginning to notify proper entities– authorities, business leadership, and customers alike.

All in all, the amount of precision needed to pull off a successful disaster recovery plan comes with practice and with preparation, both of which take time, knowledge, and resources that you may not have to spare. It’s best to outsource disaster recovery to a dedicated team of experts who have the knowledge, tools, and experience needed to successfully help your organization contain, eliminate, and bounce back from a threat successfully– because botching this process can spell the end of your organization.

Tip #4: Find yourself a trusted partner in cybersecurity.

Unless you are a cybersecurity expert with years of experience and a deep, evolving knowledge of the current threat and vendor landscape, how do you know that your intuition or thoughts will lead to a successful cybersecurity plan? Are you truly capable of determining the strength of your security posture, and how to improve it? Do you really have the time and expertise to parse through the dozens of cybersecurity widgets, services, and provisions hitting the market daily, and can you guarantee the choices you make will pay off in the event of a disaster?

For many, if not all organizations trying to parse this new cybersecurity landscape, the answer is clear: you need a partner. At TMG, we have fought to stay at the forefront of innovative, effective cybersecurity solutions for more than two decades. In that time, we have protected our clients from attack, offered them cutting-edge solutions at competitive rates and terms, and led them through successful disaster recovery.

Our approach is holistic and proactive. From the assessment and planning phase to active monitoring, and response, all the way down to disaster recovery, we stand strong in the face of cybercrime. We help our clients prevent, remediate, and recover with services like NOC/SOC, SIEM, MEDR, and so much more. Instead of staring blankly at pages of threat logs or struggling to interpret test results, you’ll have access to our team of experts, who can give educated insights and support that makes data and information actionable for your safety.

With insurance becoming obsolete and threats increasing to unseen numbers, it’s time to form a partnership that keeps you safe. Tap TMG today to get proactive about your cybersecurity before it’s too late.

3 Reasons SASE is the future of Security Technology

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:05:10 GMT

SASE is making headlines across the IT sphere. You may have heard of the emerging cybersecurity solution and wondered if it’s right for your business, enticed by promises of next-level security and productivity. As a technology acquisition partner, we believe that this solution has the potential to help many businesses defend their edge with previously unmatched ease and efficiency– and we’ve seen it work for businesses across verticals.

SASE merges WAN technology with the features you need, offering elite access management, a Zero Trust approach to security, enhanced network visibility, and so much more. Here are our top three reasons to get in on the ground floor and adopt a SASE solution.

1. It’s born in the cloud

One of the main selling points of SASE is that it’s cloud-delivered. It plays nicely with your existing apps and infrastructure while offering enhanced visibility into the corners of your business that operate on the cloud. You may not even need to make sweeping changes to your existing WAN infrastructure– SASE converges your network and security services while integrating existing WAN and adding layers of cloud security.

By now, most businesses have at least begun to migrate to the cloud. In a few short years, they’ll likely have to, as more and more applications require cloud capabilities to access and utilize properly. It’s best to get ahead of the curve by adopting a security solution with existing cloud capabilities, making future integrations and implementations seamless and minimally risky.

Cloud services like SASE are agile and scalable, allowing them to be contoured to the changing needs of your organization as you evolve. The unification of network and security services gives a steep advantage, allowing for a swift and efficient, single-source solution and eliminating the need for disparate providers and technologies to keep you productive and safe.

2. Because your security perimeter needs enhanced protection

Today, more people than ever are working from home. They’re merging both personal and professional use, utilizing the same devices to stream, scroll, video conference, email, and so much more– and they’re doing it from various locations. Some will join a Zoom call on hotel wifi, update spreadsheets in a coffee shop, or access company databases while commuting… and all of this widens the perimeter and creates vulnerability.

SASE’s elite access management system, which operates on a Zero Trust concept, ensures added protection for these modern circumstances, including in some cases enhanced inspection of public wifi and device encryption. This makes it safer for employees to access infrastructure on the go, preventing bad actors from taking advantage of new and widespread vulnerabilities.

3. Because the world is chaotic – and SASE is resilient

If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s that in an instant, the way we work and the infrastructure we operate on can be unexpectedly upended. From local weather events to global disasters and everything in between, SASE offers the resiliency you need to feel confident in your network.

SASE is uniquely scalable and offers advantages like PoP (Point of Presence) inspections that reduce the need to rely on a crowded data center. It’s a single solution that covers edges and aspects across your business, including mobile and physical devices in multiple locations across regions, with unmatched redundancy and ease of use. This makes it a perfect fit for businesses looking to maintain and enhance resiliency and prepare for the future– whatever it may bring.

Cato: The World’s First (and Favorite) SASE Solution

TMG is proud to partner with Cato, the original SASE solution. Cato has offered a complete SASE architecture since the company’s inception in 2015, four years before SASE’s introduction, and they are known for their expertise and pioneering technology.

Security has become a priority with every organization, and Cato is truly leading the security charge at the edge. If you’re in talks to implement a new network or are seeking to upgrade your current WAN infrastructure to include security or replace MPLS, we highly recommend Cato’s SASE solution.

As a pioneer, Cato has mastered the intricacies of SASE architecture and enhanced its benefits with redundant and agile technologies, like The Cato Private Backbone: a global, geographically distributed, SLA-backed network of 65+ PoPs, interconnected by multiple tier-1 carriers. This offers support around the globe, with elite monitoring and edge protection created through identity-driven policies.

A number of our clients recently test-drove CATO products and were impressed by their quality and ease of use. Here’s what they had to say:

“The Cato difference provided us with the “Art of the Possible”

– Director of IT, of the 3rd largest national automotive retail organization

“This will allow us to simply deploy security and WAN services globally easier than we have in our current traditional environment”.

– Senior Infrastructure Engineer at a Medical Device Manufacturer

As our customer, you’ll receive the best rates and terms on a wide variety of SASE products, including Cato’s revolutionary offerings. To learn more about SASE, TapTMG today!

AI’s Buzz Is Louder Than Its Critics. Here’s How To Cut Through The Noise

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:03:51 GMT

AI has stepped into the limelight, with recent developments like the rollout of ChatGPT and countless AI art generators (including OpenAI’s other darling, DALL-E) alongside more tenured tools like chatbots and facial recognition software. In fact, there are numerous real-life, everyday uses for AI, some of which have been gaining popularity for years.

But, like the term “Cloud” and “VoIP” before it, AI has different meanings and connotations for everyone. We think it’s important to level-set what AI is before you get excited about tools and technologies that boast an AI component.

The first thing you should know is that there are different types of AI, each with their own strengths, flaws, use cases, and applications. For example, ChatGPT utilizes natural language processing technology– and while it falls under the “artificial intelligence” umbrella, one could argue that ChatGPT is not really an example of intelligence at all, but rather a synthesis of content and information provided to it by its developers. The term “AI” is an umbrella, and possibly a misnomer, with distinctions between our expectations and the realities of its capabilities and processes.

Artificial intelligence vs. machine learning – is there a difference?

Artificial intelligence is defined by Coursera as “computer software that mimics the ways that humans think in order to perform complex tasks, such as analyzing, reasoning, and learning.” The keyword here is “mimics”– while AI can skillfully imitate human cognition, it cannot perform said cognition.

Machine learning is often a function or tool for AI, not a different type of intelligence. Machine learning involves training algorithms to synthesize information to “learn” to perform a task.

Other subsets of AI include:

Deep learning, the systematic training of a machine to “think” like a human using artificial neural networks.
NLP (natural language processing), training machines to process and understand language similarly to how humans do.
AGI (artificial general intelligence), a machine that can process a wide breadth of information, mimicking human brain function.

The latter is likely what most people assume AI actually is– but most artificial intelligence is not AGI. It’s also not deep learning. In fact, ChatGPT is a highly sophisticated NLP tool– but that’s precisely what it is. ChatGPT isn’t writing essays (hopefully… do your own homework, kids!) or providing intelligent insights… it’s chopping, mashing, and reforming responses from pre-existing bodies of text, using a transformer-based neural network incomparable to the nuance of human linguistics.

As AI tools gain popularity, these nuances become increasingly important. By understanding what AI can and can’t do, and how it works and doesn’t work, you can make clear decisions about the technology you are considering acquiring without getting wowed by, what could be, a meaningless marketing term.

1: AI is a great talking point…. But for many, it’s not much more than that.

It’s very en vogue for IT vendors and providers to include a statement about their platforms or services leveraging “AI”. But, they often aren’t transparent about their technology’s current capabilities, what it’s learned, or where it learned these things from. There’s a saying I heard a long time ago, “there’s margin in magic”, so it’s no wonder companies are quick to include AI in their message without too much detail. So… how do you evaluate its value to the product you are buying and the outcome you are trying to achieve?

The short answer is that you can’t, and most of the companies touting AI as a strength are very much hoping that you won’t. Providers tout how much internet data they see, and scour, as a point of advantage for their AI. But, the internet is a big place, full of misinformation, bias, prejudice, and various opinions… and without understanding how– or even if– AI discerns value, we in turn can’t ascribe a value to what it produces. In fact, ChatGPT specifically has been known to lie as well as display highly offensive prejudice and bias – not to mention, it could really use a math tutor .

Many vendors tout AI solutions as a point of strength– but might they be a weakness? We don’t know for sure, because most people stop short of asking the hard questions, possibly because they’re simply dazzled by the technology itself. And, even if you ask, prepare to be met with a vague answer. Regardless of the promises made by vendors touting AI, transparency is necessary– and when it comes to IT services, it’s in your best interest to demand the full story.

What should you ask? If a provider is pitching AI as a cornerstone value proposition of their service, ask them 1) What kind of AI is it? 2) What is its purpose? 3) How does it work? 4) Why is this solution better with AI than without?

Use this information to help you make a decision about the solution holistically, for example, is this really a value-add over a comparable solution? Or am I paying a premium for this technology, and is it ultimately worth it?

2. AI may “Learn” the wrong lessons

Do you remember when social media platforms started to gain in popularity? The algorithms they used were primitive compared to how they function today. Back then, you followed people or businesses and you would see their content in your stream. The platforms started to simplistically identify your interests based on your activity and would recommend new content or accounts for you to see.

What they evolved into is unrecognizable from the early days. The algorithms now are oriented toward getting you to engage. That’s often driven by content or accounts that you don’t follow, and don’t even like. Because the algorithm has realized that anger, hate, and disagreement trigger engagement more than things that you like or agree with.

Or, maybe you’ve accidentally or curiously clicked on something that’s outside of your scope of interest only to find that the algorithm quickly shifts to serve you more of that content even though you really don’t want to see more of it.

AI in the context of IT solutions could have similar issues. What is it really learning for the behaviors it monitors? We don’t know. We have no way of knowing if, for example, it making call flow changes in a CCaaS context based on an aggregation of data across many call centers are actually going to be appropriate for your specific business. If it’s localized to your specific activity, we don’t know how heavily it is weighing anomalous behaviors, for example.

In a cybersecurity context, much of the perceived benefit of utilizing AI in a security context stems from its pattern-matching and recognition capabilities. This sounds promising in areas such as threat detection and malware prevention, but there’s one glaring hitch: AI can’t learn from seeing things once, and has to see things multiple times to grasp them. By then, it could be a little too late to recognize a threat. Or, perhaps it predicts threats based on past behaviors or bad actors or bots, but fails to predict changes in actual user behavior and causes too much friction for your users.

None of this is to say that AI can’t be beneficial in an IT service as a tool or an input in the larger scheme of things, but that is to say, let’s not put too much emphasis on AI as a feature and be sure we consider the solution holistically and with open eyes not clouded by the hazy hype of AI.

3. AI Isn’t as Intelligent As You May Think

We know that ChatGPT has serious math deficiencies and that it lies– sometimes egregiously. Other AI tools and applications have made mistakes ranging from offensive– like the time that Amazon’s recruitment AI was discovered to be biased against women – to deadly , as was the case in the fatal crash of a self-driving Tesla car. When we trust AI too much, the consequences can be irreparable. A missed turn, an implicit bias, or another, simpler error can lead to large-scale and highly damaging consequences.

AI– and specifically NLP– technology is not comparable to the neural capabilities of a human, and thus lacks human sensitivities. Machines commit faux pas, spread misinformation, and display insensitivities… a compounding issue as the technology grows in utilization for things like email generation , simple conversation , and even journalism , all of which are vectors for consequences stemming from misinformation and factual errors as well as the spreading of hateful ideas. The emotional sensitivity of a machine is nonexistent because the machine is not sentient. It has no code of ethics to prevent it from spreading misinformation and dangerous conspiracies. Without that emotional element, any “intelligence” a machine possesses is incomplete, especially when compared with the intelligence built through socialization, perspective, and a prefrontal cortex.

Image-based AI has its own host of issues, especially in copyright. An AI art generator tool recently went viral on Tiktok. The tool allowed users to upload “selfies” and then generated portraits of the user across different time periods and art styles. However, the tool didn’t “create” these images– it stole the works of independent artists and sold the Frankensteined creations for spare change.

While the saying goes that “all art is derivative”– how do we know exactly how derivative AI-generated images are, and what constitutes copyrigh t in these intricate scenarios? Whether it’s books, articles, or images, anyone planning on using AI-generated content needs to understand where these creations come from. It’s not thin air, but rather pre-existing, copyrighted works… and you don’t want to face the liability, legally or in brand equity, from their misuse.

The lesson here is that AI tools being deployed by lines of business need oversight and understanding to mitigate any current or future risks that include legal or potential mistakes or eros that could cause embarrassment or damage to the brand.

The Bottom Line: Buyer Beware

AI isn’t really smart, and it’s far from prodigious. It’s riddled with biases, factual errors, and security risks. But, it’s also a helpful tool, when applied with and metered by real humans.

Technologies like chatbot and call monitoring are applications of AI that have elevated the capabilities of CCaaS , providing insights and allowing customers to get answers faster and more efficiently than ever before. In the world at large, AI tools have revolutionized healthcare by providing potentially life-saving insights and alerts, aided aerospace professionals in mapping planets , and lent a helping hand to those with writer’s block (although not without red flags ).

The common denominator in AI’s triumphs has been, perhaps disappointingly, the monitoring and proper use of the tools by a real-life human being. Though AI has numerous uses, impressive developments on the books, and the potential to be a powerful tool across industries, it’s just that– a tool for humans to use, not a replacement for their work.

You don’t need to eschew AI altogether for its flaws, and you probably shouldn’t. To really maximize the potential of AI in your business, you need to get curious and get patient. Don’t be dazzled or take claims at face value. Ask the hard questions, do the lengthy research, and most importantly, don’t put too much faith in the technology. Even the most sophisticated tools are only useful in the hands of an educated user, and most of us have a long way to go to understand what AI knows, and how we can actually use it without risking security, offense, or copyright violations, in the worst case. In a less severe mishap, you may just end up with a plain old “epic fail” like these .

Curious which IT providers and services have deployed AI in a beneficial way? TAP TMG’s experts to find out.

Think Big. Act Small.

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:01:43 GMT

If you have been following along, TMG has been sharing our 5 core values that we adhere too. As a recap, we have already covered “Do the Right Thing” and “Always be Humble”. Our next core value is “Think Big. Act Small.” And we know that some of you are probably thinking, “isn’t that a contradiction?”. The answer is no and let us tell you why.

We live in a world where bigger is better in every way- deals, number of social media followers, houses, etc. “Acting Small” seems to go against what society is preaching. Below are some reasons of what this means to TMG and why going against the grain can be a good thing and why we adhere to this value as a company.

Small Steps Make Easy Progress

Our team, adheres to “Always Keep Learning” (keep your eye out for next months post). This couples with our post about “Thinking Big but Acting Small”. We “Think Big” by immersing ourselves into emerging technologies and see how we can use them to improve our clients way of business. We drive ourselves to understand how these new technologies can impact our clients. See, we accomplished the first half of our core value, we have definitely “Thought Big” and now we need to “Act Small”. How do we accomplish this while bringing new ideas and thought leadership to our clients? Instead of trying to get our client to just buy, we need to break down the process by showing our clients that we understand their business as well as they do, if not more so. By bringing “potential” solutions to known or unknown issues for our clients, we run full steam ahead to make these dreams a reality.

Mind The Details

Another aspect of “Act Small” is that we believe that there is no job too small for us to get done. Just like how every machine needs all its pieces to function, TMG needs every member of our team to be committed to all aspects of their job description. We recognize that each job is crucial for the success of our company, and our team understands that they must perform even the smallest tasks in the smallest job to the best of their ability.. We are making sure that all of our I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed because doing all the “small” things correctly will ripple out to help us help our clients to succeed!

Treat Everyone The Same

Albert Einstein once said, “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university,” and that quote fully encompasses the idea of “Act Small”. No matter what success we have as individuals or as a company we must always remember that we are no bigger or better than the person next to us. It is very easy to us to be kind and respectful to people we view as our peers or bosses and show them grace when they make mistakes. But our true character comes out when we interact with people by always “Doing the Right Thing” for our clients, no matter what that is, large or small. How we treat the barista when the mess up our coffee or how we react when someone cuts you off while driving, really showcases who we are. “Acting Small” doesn’t mean we take up less space or ask for less, it just means that we remember that at one point we are all in this together, as a team and that should motivate us to be the type of person that speaks and treats everyone the same. That is what “Think Big, Act Small” means to us, and what we live by at TMG

Understanding the Cloud: 4 Advantages to Empower Your Business

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 21:59:02 GMT

Today’s businesses increasingly depend on the cloud to not only streamline operations and have the ability to focus on their core competencies, but also give them the capacity to meet constantly evolving conditions.

In order to stay ahead of the inevitable change digital transformation has brought, and continues to bring, successful businesses must anticipate, evolve and understand how to manage infrastructure risks, especially with something like the cloud. And they TAP trusted advisors like TMG to help empower them to do this.

As technologies continue to grow more complex, especially in terms of integration with other products and services, it’s important to understand what the cloud is, as well as the wide range of options and provisions that are included in private, hybrid, and public models. With distinct advantages to offloading what internal teams may not be specialized enough to plan, manage, optimize and troubleshoot to third party experts, especially when it comes to cloud management, you’ll have the ability to navigate change quickly in order to have more opportunities to get the results you want.

But knowing who to trust, what strategy you should be building, how to reduce your risk and human capital, as well as securing optimal rates and terms isn’t always easy. With a trusted advisor like TMG by your side, together let’s look at the advantages of cloud services, and understand how strategic decisions can give your business the edge it’s after to position itself for long term success.

“ The only constant is change, and the rate of change is increasing.”

– Peter Diamandis

What Should the Cloud Mean to You

For some businesses the cloud can conjure up meanings such as powerful, scalable, secure, and efficient. But for others the meaning can be more ubiquitous.

In today’s digital age, the term “cloud” has become increasingly prevalent in discussions surrounding business technology. In reality, the cloud encompasses a wide range of options, including private, hybrid, and public models, each offering various cloud-based provisions. Just as no two businesses are the same, no two clouds are the same, and no two solution designs.

Essentially the cloud abstracts, pools and shares scalable computing resources across a network as well as enables cloud computing, which is the act of running workloads within that system. Whether it’s Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), Desktop as a Service (DaaS), or Backup as a Service (BaaS), the cloud revolutionizes how businesses approach hardware and software, shifting from solely premise-based solutions to more flexible and dynamic environments.

Put plainly… the cloud has become an essential tool for businesses looking to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. It’s no longer a valuable asset just for large scale businesses, but with its ability to provide scalability, enhanced security, agility, as well as cost efficiencies and optimization, it makes it a valuable asset for organizations of all sizes.

Advantages of the Cloud and Partnering with the Experts

In order to understand the advantages of the cloud, it’s important to first understand that neither cloud computing nor clouds are technologies unto themselves.

· Cloud computing is an act—the function of running a workload in a cloud.

· Clouds are environments—places where applications run.

· Technologies are things—software and hardware used to build and use clouds.

No matter what your business needs are, there are some pretty big advantages to partnering with a trusted partner like TMG that offers white glove implementation alongside advising, especially when it comes to developing a strategic plan around what cloud solutions can and should be designed to help you achieve your goals.

Cost efficiencies: Building and maintaining an in-house cloud infrastructure can be a costly endeavor, not to mention time-consuming and often confusing due to the many suppliers available in today’s market. It requires substantial investments in hardware, software, and skilled personnel, along with ongoing maintenance and continuous upgrades. TMG can help you leverage project acceleration and secure optimal rates and terms, helping you quickly deselect the suppliers that are not a right fit.

Additionally, the cloud suppliers we partner with operate on an economies of scale model, spreading infrastructure costs across multiple clients. This shared infrastructure allows your business to benefit from cost efficiencies, paying only for the resources they use, and avoid capital expenditures associated with building and managing their own infrastructure.

Enhanced security and compliance: Security and data protection are paramount concerns for businesses in the digital age. TMG can help you reduce your risks and partners with cloud providers that prioritize robust security measures and invest heavily in advanced security technologies and practices.

By understanding your unique business and field, we can connect and support you with dedicated security experts, that implement strict access controls, and maintain industry-standard certifications to ensure data integrity and compliance with regulatory requirements. By entrusting your cloud infrastructure to a reputable provider we partner with, your business can benefit from enterprise-grade security measures that would otherwise be challenging to implement and maintain in-house.

Access to expertise: The digital transformation requires a modernization of businesses to lean on the experts to help plan, procure and implement the technologies you need to be successful in today’s times. We have access to best-in-class providers that possess specialized knowledge and expertise in managing cloud infrastructure and invest significant resources in building robust and secure cloud platforms, as well as employing experienced professionals who understand the complexities of managing and optimizing cloud environments.

By partnering with TMG, businesses can TAP into this expertise and leverage the latest advancements in cloud technology to design a solution without having to constantly build and maintain your own infrastructure.

Scalability and flexibility: One of the significant advantages of cloud computing is its inherent scalability. TMG understands you want to have the ability to scale resources up or down as needs change, providing the necessary flexibility to accommodate fluctuating workloads and changing demands. Having a partner that recognizes the importance in strategizing around scalability empowers your business to be able to respond quickly to changing market conditions, ensuring that your applications and services remain available and performing, without the need to invest in additional hardware or face the limitations of your own infrastructure.

As you now understand, there are big benefits of the ever-resilient, flexible and capable cloud. And when you partner with trusted advisors like TMG you can remove hurdles, become more cost effective, quickly gain actionable insights and have more flexibility for whatever comes next as your business evolves.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

While building an in-house cloud infrastructure is a viable option for some businesses, the vast majority look to leverage third party cloud providers and lean on experts who have the experience, expertise, and supplier relationships to achieve outcomes faster with better results. Especially when it comes to helping architect the cloud solution that best fits your business needs.

When you have a trusted partner like TMG, you’ll have the ability to TAP into advantages such as efficiencies, enhanced security, expertise, and scalability with cloud solutions so that your businesses can unlock their full potential for success in today’s times. With a quickly changing landscape of technologies, suppliers, expenses and costs well as dependencies to navigate, it’s critical to have an experienced guide to help you both now and in the future.

TAP TMG today and find out firsthand how our expert advisors can help you plan, procure, and implement the technologies that are the cornerstones of digital transformation and your business success.

Streamline Your Cloud Migration Project

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 21:57:36 GMT

Cloud migration projects require careful planning, expertise, and a reliable partner to ensure a smooth and successful transition. TMG understands that migrating to Cloud and selecting the right one for your organization can be a daunting task. That is why we are highlighting DartPoints – which has over a decade offering secure and tailor-made cloud solutions.

Understanding the Cloud and its Advantages

The cloud enables businesses to have on-demand customizations, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and robust and redundant networks. The cloud encompasses a wide range of options, including multi-tenant, private, hybrid models, each offering different benefits and features. Multi-Tenant cloud services has multiple users that are sharing the same infrastructure resources. Private Cloud is a great option for businesses that want the infrastructure dedicated specifically to them. Going with this option allows for tighter security, better performance, and allows tailored infrastructures and services to the specific needs of the client. Hybrid Cloud is great mix of both Multi- Tenant and Private by allowing organizations to integrate and manage their workloads across multiple cloud environments.

Choosing the Right Cloud Provider

Choosing the right cloud provider can be daunting. There are many different options and they all sound like the exact same…so how do you choose? Here are some factors to consider when you are looking into selection process.

First and foremost, choose to work with a partner, like TMG that you trust, one that can help lead you, who understands your organization’s needs, and has the ability to match those to all the hundreds of suppliers that are available.

Next, with the help and interaction of your chosen partner, work through each workload for its unique needs within your org. Where does it best live? It could still be on-prem. Many applications still are not ready for the cloud, or for your unique organization needs, it needs to be located closer, each and every workload needs this focus and dedication to make certain that what you move and where is the proper and unique fit for you.

Security and compliance must be a top priority when selecting a cloud provider. Is your organization held to any relevant industry-specific regulations, such as HIPAA or GDPR for examples. Choosing a provider that prioritizes security and compliance is mandatory in picking the right provider for you.

Reliability and performance are essential for making sure that business is thriving once you migrate over to the cloud. Work with your chosen partner to help determine the right supplier fit. Look into the uptime history of potential cloud providers and review their Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to understand their commitment to availability and compensation policies for service outages.

Scalability and flexibility are of the upmost importance when you are choosing the right cloud provider. Who you choose should be capable of easily scaling the services up or down based on your changing needs. See if they offer flexibility for different plans during those peak and off-peak times so you can increase and decrease the plan as needed.

Customer support plays an important role in choosing the right provider. Assess the level and quality of support offered by the provider. Consider their availability, response time, and support channels, such as email, phone, or live chat. Great customer support ensures that you can quickly address and fix any issues or concerns that may occur during your cloud migration.

Data management policies may play a larger role than you realize in picking the right provider. You need to understand where the provider stores your data, the protocols for data transfer, and their backup and recovery procedures. This will help you determine if the policies align with your businesses requirements and compliance obligations.

Cost is another area you will need to compare between providers by considering the immediate costs but also the long-term return on investment. Consider factors such as migration costs, storage fees, data transfer charges, and any additional fees that may apply. This will help you choose a provider that offers cost-efficiency.

Lastly, lean on the expertise of your partner and trust that they did their due diligence on your behalf. Have the partner provide references from other clients that have worked with that supplier in the past. Ask to speak with them about the planning and transition, the interactions between teams, when something went wrong -as it always will- how did that supplier work with them to solve the issue? There are many things to uncover and doing this by yourself can be daunting and confusing. All the upfront work your partner does is so very important to the ultimate success of your cloud migration… take the necessary time to work through everything!

Navigating cloud migration, learning about different Cloud solutions, and understanding the benefits and features requires expertise and reliable partner. Enter TMG and tap the experts to understand more about how Cloud can work for you and your business.TMG understands that Cloud providers come in a wide range, from Hyperscalers to Hybrid approaches and all the options in between. We utilize a hands-on advising and solution design, which allows us to help you architect a Cloud solution that drives future growth and stability– while still optimizing costs and cutting down on administration. Alongside DartPoints’ secure and tailored cloud solutions you will have enhanced security and compliance, access to expertise, scalability, and flexibility all well not having to do it alone.

Unlock the full potential of cloud technology and drive long-term success by tapping into the joint capabilities of TMG and DartPoints. Contact us today to embark on your cloud migration journey.

Considering BYOD or COPE? Choose COPE.

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:34:31 GMT

Taming mobile device expenses in the workplace has been an ongoing challenge for many organizations. They can’t be ignored, not only because everyone has them now, but because integrating them into your employees’ workflows delivers proven benefits to their productivity.

The old-school model of providing a device that can only be used for company business is both inefficient and unpopular with employees, who often end up carrying a second phone or tablet for personal use. In response, two different models have emerged to bridge the gap.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

The BYOD model allows workers to access corporate data with the device of their choice. While this approach is very popular with employees, it can be difficult to support and presents a risk to your company’s security.

When BYOD first came on the scene a few years ago, it seemed attractive as a cost-cutting measure. The theory went that by shifting the cost of the device to the end user, organizations could eliminate one of their major expenses.

In reality, the associated MDM, management costs and stipends for users’ phone bills—not to mention keeping up with a flood of devices with an average lifespan of 9–12 months—have proven to be much higher. That hasn’t stopped some big organizations from sticking with the BYOD model, but fewer and fewer companies are still claiming cost savings as an advantage.

Liability issues are also a growing factor. Some countries, for example, prohibit the remote wiping of data—even proprietary corporate data—on a device your company doesn’t own.

All of these issues are contributing to the growth of a second model that we consider far superior to BYOD:

Corporate Owned, Personally Enabled (COPE)

COPE is a hybrid approach that combines some of the flexibility of BYOD, while retaining the advantages of corporate ownership. In this model, the devices are chosen by the employee but the management and carrier costs are the responsibility of the company.

Corporate ownership allows you to negotiate bulk discounts for some devices and utilize the entire buying power of the company when it comes to usage cost. Don’t get me wrong, there are still challenges with COPE but in the end it makes it easier for your IT people to manage devices and overall costs. It also puts you back in control of any liability, security and device compliance issues.

Both models require corporate and personal information to be isolated from one another on the device. This protects both parties by keeping corporate data secure from unauthorized access and preserving the privacy of the end user’s personal information. Again, COPE has the upper hand. In the BYOD model, the company “sandbox” has to be carved out of the device owner’s available space, whereas the COPE model ensures that every device meets your organization’s minimum requirements.

Not sure which model is right for you? Call McCraken today (change link to new website area) for a no-risk evaluation. We’ll help you determine if switching to a COPE model could help your organization not only cut costs and improve efficiency, or if a partnership with us could help remove the burden from your team.

Is BYOD Right For Your Company?

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:33:42 GMT

The “bring your own device” (BYOD) model is a trend that more companies are turning to for a seemingly quick fix for their mobile device strategy. But, is it really the right fit for your company? More importantly, is it really saving your staff time and your company money? There are many things to consider before entering into this type of agreement with your employees, and many questions to answer before making that decision:

How much is the stipend? And, will it cover all expenses, even those that are true business expenses (e.g., international roaming charges)?
Can your IT and helpdesk departments easily support multiple devices and maintain data security?
Will you need to purchase mobile device management (MDM) services from a third party provider?

On the surface, BYOD may look like a low-cost, low-maintenance option. But, a closer inspection determines what’s really at stake.

Stipend
Companies have differing opinions on the dollar amount they consider appropriate for a monthly mobile device stipend. A typical range is anywhere between $75 and $150. Obviously, the higher the stipend, the higher the company’s out-of-pocket expenses.

Security
Many companies allow their employees to choose and upgrade their own devices, yet still use the company’s IT systems and applications for work purposes. But, what happens when these devices fall into the wrong hands? From an IT and helpdesk support perspective, the greater the variety of employee devices in use, the more difficult it is to maintain a standard footprint of support. Will you be able to secure every employee’s device?

Mobile Device Management
Without MDM, BYOD not only introduces unwanted risks to sensitive data, it also represents the potential for increased costs. Are you sure you have accounted for these increased costs in your wireless budget?

So, your employees are happy because they’ve purchased the device they want and you’ve agreed on a stipend. But, do you know what the true mobile costs are for your organization using a BYOD model? Or, could you be saving even more with McCracken’s mobility management and cost optimization services?

While BYOD seems simple on the surface, a closer look can determine what’s really at stake. Call McCracken today for a no-risk evaluation. We’ll help you determine if your BYOD model is actually costing you, or if a partnership with us could put money back in your pocket.

Data Responsibility Lies with Each of Us

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:32:41 GMT

Do you know who you’ve shared data with?

Do you know where it is with those organizations?

Do you read the fine print that we all accept?

Do you stop to think with whom you, (yes, it is your choice), choose to share data with?

These are all important questions to ask yourself in today’s data driven world.

Twice now in the past 16 months, large corporations like Marriott have proven that we should be careful when sharing our private data , and it’s not only Marriot we should be concerned about. The list is long.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

Who do you have your data with? It’s important to verify who you have your data with. First ask yourself, how much data do I “have” as well as who and what am I currently sharing it with. Here are a few questions and tips to get you started below.

Do you use multiple email accounts? The majority of us despise all the “unimportant” emails we receive, mostly because it can take what feels like forever to stop those, even with opt-out capabilities. Because of it’s nuisance and security risks, we recommend choosing to have multiple email accounts and / or platforms, making everything separate from your “true data” life as possible. By using these multiple email accounts and platforms, having more control and say it what we allow outbound data for.

Do you have and set calendar reminders? Each of us lives by a calendar at work and the majority of us also have a personal calendars dedicated to family, personal, and organization commitments. You’ve blocked off time to facilitate or complete projects, tasks or discussions, and scheduling to clean up your personal information as well as changing your passwords is equally as important of a commitment! Place reminders on your calendar to change passwords monthly and quarterly. Schedule quarterly and semi-annual cleanups of sites and places that have your personal info, delete those that you no longer use, or truly need.

“Free” WIFI is propagated literally everywhere it seems, do you stop to think about WHERE you are attaching to WIFI?

If you think WIFI is “free” in certain places, think again… When you log on you not only agree to the hosts terms, you ultimately share your IP address, as well as any information or data you share while using it. Not only are you likely to be retargeted for ads, you increase your chances to be potentially exposed to hackers or a personal data security breach.

Choose data connections wisely: Most carriers now offer unlimited data, along with the faster data connections. It has changed the capabilities, ways and speed at which we can interact with our data. With these added abilities, it’s important to STOP and THINK – do I really NEED to connect to an unsecured WIFI connection?” If it’s not an emergency it’s best and safest for the sake of your data and information to wait until you’re able to safely and securely connect.

WHY ARE YOU TRUSTING ANY ORGANIZATION WITH YOUR DATA?

REALLY think about this article . As simple as the conversations you probably have asking people you interact with, “can you or do you trust the government (subjectively in general, not from a data integrity perspective)?” Most people would smirk, laugh, and / or shrug and say “NO!” (potentially with an expletive preceding)!!

So that begs the question: why are you trusting any organization with your data? Once you provide this data to them you have now passed the baton to those organizations to have access to your data security!

Yet another question: How have organizations proven that they are capable of this monumental task? Remember whose data it is they have access to…it’s YOURS!! Our Director, Business Development, Seth Marsh, shares a personal story to help understand this concept:

“With my children, as they matured in age, when they came to me and asked, “Have you seen, or do you know where my shoes, phone, toy, whatever is?”, well they very quickly learned what my response would be. Whose shoes, phone, toy or whatever does it belong to? It wasn’t my responsibility to know where the item is that they were looking for. The same exact scenario applies today at an even higher expectation for you and your data! It is YOUR job to track, stay on top of, and protect your data.”

Quite literally, we read about a significant data breach nearly every day, especially from major companies…… So, at McCracken we suggest as the old saying that was brought to us as children for fire safety states… Stop, Drop and Roll! We suggest changing it when it comes to how, where and with who you share your data with to STOP, THINK and SHOULD I?

As we progress forward in our continual migration to becoming a fully digital society, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your personal information and by taking the steps above you should be a step ahead in doing that. Here at McCracken we’re committed to providing IT Solutions to help protect data security. Contact us to find out how we can help you and your organization, and discover why we’re considered THE trusted IT partner for over 20 years.

Introducing TMG

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:31:32 GMT

We have an exciting announcement: The McCracken Group has undergone a nearly year-long process, working in partnership with an industry-leading branding and creative agency, to hone in and re-emphasize who we are as an organization and how we deliver value to our customers and partners. The result of this process is a rebrand – including a new brand story, logo and visual identity, and brand experience including an updated website.

The McCracken Group is now TMG – your Technology Acquisition Partner (TAP). When you need to find and procure new technology services, TAP the experts at TMG!

This industry we are in – IT technology advisory services – is fundamentally about change. Changing technology. Changes in the way enterprises leverage technology. Navigating a changing landscape of providers and manufacturers. Changing risks and threat vectors. And even changes in the role the IT department plays within an organization.

As the relentless pace of change drives forward, the way we support you and our areas of expertise have not just kept pace but led the way. Admittedly, the message delivered in the past was not consistent with the level of our services, echoing one of our core values of “Always be humble.” And that’s why it was time for a change in our brand; to make sure the image we portray and the message we deliver match our current capabilities and the position we occupy as a high-end, high-touch consultancy that delivers a personal experience and expert advisory services.

So what does this mean to you?

In one sense, it means nothing to you. You will engage with the same people and have the same level of service and expertise you’ve come to expect.

In another sense, it means everything. We’ve made a significant investment in this process – both time and money – and it signals a commitment to you and our market that we intend to stay at the forefront of this industry and that we continue to care about the details.

We’d love to have you visit our new website. We think it does a great job encapsulating who we are and our value to you as well as demonstrating the wide range of capabilities, IT advisory services, and technologies we offer. You might be surprised to learn how much we can do to help your IT department!

Meet Sinch: A (Not-So) Brand New Option for Elite CPaaS

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:30:41 GMT

Have you ever wondered who’s behind the household names in the enterprise telco space?

You may not know their brand, but you’ve experienced their service. Say hello to Sinch .

Despite their differences in offerings, branding, and methodology, many enterprise providers (that you’re likely using right now) contract Sinch as a source for cloud communications. Sinch specializes in connecting businesses and customers through a seamless, integrated suite of cloud services and solutions across multiple facets of your business. The top five telco companies are using Sinch’s services, and therefore, so are you– at a markup, of course.

I have an exciting announcement to share with you: for the first time since the company’s inception in 2008, Sinch is going direct to market, and TMG is connecting customers with Sinch for direct-to-customer options –helping you cut out the middleman.

With TMG’s help, you can utilize Sinch’s services for internal and external communications, delivered with ease through the cloud. Sinch offers solutions across marketing, operations, and customer service, and if you’ve been an enterprise customer, chances are, you can attest to their quality. As the underlying Voice provider for the top five Telecom companies, the top five mobility companies, and the top five CPaaS companies in the world, it’s a huge win for companies like yours to be able to access these services… especially at the incredibly low cost Sinch is offering.

Now, you can utilize Sinch with an extremely affordable metered rate, paying for only the bandwidth that you use, and forgoing the expensive brand-name markups charged on a user, license, or trunk basis . Think of it this way: you pay your internet provider every month for access to multiple applications, but really, you only use Netflix. Netflix costs roughly a tenth of your internet bill, but without paying the internet provider, you can’t watch your favorite shows and movies.

If Netflix offered metered internet access to use their platform, at a much lower rate and without excess service, you’d probably opt to end your internet service through your main provider. With Sinch, instead of paying for an excessive CPaaS package, you choose the services you need, and pay the metered rate. This saves you a substantial amount of money, while enhancing the modernity and quality of your CPaaS stack.

TMG is ready to help you integrate the trailblazing solutions offered by Sinch. Are you ready to elevate your customer interactions with modern, diverse communication capabilities? Let’s explore what this opportunity means for you.

Reach out to us to learn more about Sinch today .

How Does Your Post-Covid CCaaS Stack Hold Up?

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:29:43 GMT

ENTER OUR CCAAS CHECKPOINT

Let’s talk about your recent CCaaS performance. Do any of the following disappointing metrics sound familiar?

Many call centers are currently experiencing…

Employee Turnover/Attrition
Diminished Employee Satisfaction/Morale
Diminished Customer Satisfaction
Poor Rep Schedule Adherence (aka Attendance)
Low Rep Occupancy (actual Reps working/available hours)
Other Unsatisfactory KPIs: Handle Time, Service Level, etc.
Call Quality issues
High Customer Abandon Rates

Do these issues ring a bell?

Post-covid, call centers are left with crossed wires: disorganized technology and disparate, broken culture, both of which degrade the quality of customer experience. Call centers are in need of sustainable solutions to help revive employee productivity and ensure, as the emphasis rises, that customer experience is of the highest quality– and that the technology you utilize supports both.

H2: SO, HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE HARMONY BETWEEN CULTURE, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY?

Let’s discuss the biggest problems that threaten this delicate balance, and how to solve them.

Problem #1: Are you providing the best Customer Experiences? You need to be.

Customer experience is a more vital differentiator than ever before. As the digital shift progresses, stoked further by conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer use of cloud technology is skyrocketing. People are no longer willing to settle for subpar experiences and outdated technology, and customers’ communication preferences have shifted dramatically toward digital, omnichannel platforms.

To put it plainly: no one wants to call customer service anymore. Everyone is using digital communication, even your oldest customers, and as for your youngest customers, they don’t want to call anyone ever.

Chat, SMS, email, and other methods of communication are reigning supreme, and these technologies should serve as a liaison for high-quality individual performance by customer service representatives. Both the technology supporting omnichannel, digital communications and the satisfaction of customers throughout interactions need to be emphasized.

After making the options available for multiple communication methods comes the more difficult capture: ensuring that employees are up to the job of managing them.

Problem #2: Trouble Managing a Post-Covid Call Center Workforce

As COVID-19 made its way around the globe, call center employees everywhere were sent home, and companies instated quick-fixes to bridge the gap between new necessities and old infrastructure. Culture was left out of the conversation, to huge detriment.

The culture that once hallmarked call centers came to a halt when working from home commenced. The sudden change posed a huge problem for supervisors, whose efforts to boost morale and productivity relied on environmental factors held in a physical room– think balloons in a cubicle, employee of the month posters, and a real-life community fostered by in-person interactions. Digital adaptations have failed to create the same effects , leading to worsening employee performance at a critical time: poor customer service majorly tarnishes brand reputation and a downturn in brand loyalty, especially in the modern communications climate.

Most people have adapted extremely well to working from home, and many have no desire (or incentive) to go back to the office. Yet, workers are feeling isolated, lonely, and unsupported, and they want the culture they once knew to be nurtured in a digital environment. Employee retention and performance hinge on your ability to provide this to your team.

Problem #3: Technology Triage: Does your digital solution hold up?

Most call centers, pre-COVID, were operating with on-prem technology as a critical facet of their architecture. Pieces of the technology central to operations were suddenly left to gather dust in a vacant room, and IT departments struggled to connect home-workers to both customers and each other. This led to quick fixes with shaky solutions, constructed with the idea that people would return to work in no-time. As we know now, this was not the case.

It’s time to rip off the band-aid: companies need to replace the rushed, temporary solutions instated during the pandemic, and the nearly obsolete legacy technology they hold onto, with sustainable, modern CCaaS alternatives.

Communications technology (the phone system, contact center software/hardware) was already evolving pre-Covid, and it has been massively accelerated as a result of the pandemic. You may be wondering what the advantages are– are these new solutions really routing calls better? If not, what’s all the noise about, and where are the hundreds of million dollars in R&D going?

CUT THROUGH THE NOISE AND REACH PERFECT HARMONY WITH TMG

With all of these issues plaguing your contact center, we know one thing for sure: you’re already tired, overextended, and looking for a way to make changes without sacrificing all of your time and resources.

You’ve probably realized by now that most vendors are capitalizing on your choice paralysis : in today’s marketplaces, we have so many choices that it can actually be more draining to have to make a decision than it would be to choose from a handful of options. In this case, we’re referring to enterprise-level vendors and providers, whose household names are often shortlisted by busy CIOs and IT leaders looking to save time and energy on the research process. Their branding stands out in a sea of smaller, more similar competitors, and therefore continue to bring in the most business, regardless of quality or how their services might impact your specific business.

At TMG, we specialize in matching you with the right vendor– not necessarily the biggest, the flashiest, or the most popular. In fact, our CCaaS specialists will evaluate your unique challenges and goals, the ailing symptoms of your call center, and your goals for the future, sorting through our trusted vendors to bring you the most productive, uniquely matched shortlist.

Looking to break the bad CX cycle, win over your customers, and re-energize your contact center? Look no further. Tap TMG about CCaaS today .

Better Resolutions in 2023

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:28:37 GMT

As the New Year approaches, so do new technology projects and resolutions. You may be resolving to finally tackle some of the big projects you’ve been considering for a long while, like cloud migration or enhanced mobility. Maybe you’re looking to improve overall performance in your organization– and you know it’ll require more efficient, modern technology to achieve your goals.

TMG STANDS OUT IN THE CROWD

No matter what you’re looking to accomplish in 2023, a technology acquisition partner can help equip your company with the tools and services needed to make positive change. We understand that you have many technology advisors to choose from, each promising better outcomes, elite service, and unbeatable prices. The decision can be difficult to make.

When choosing between fierce technology competitors, it’s important to know what makes each one different– and who will offer you the best support. Let us help you make the right choice.

Here’s why TMG is the best technology acquisition partner to work with in 2023.

We Have The Industry Knowledge You Need

At TMG, we choose to hire only the most experienced, talented, and committed technology experts. We have decades of combined experience, and have helped hundreds of clients with problems both common and unique. If you have a problem, chances are we’ve solved it before.

One of our core values is continued learning, and we commit ourselves to staying ahead of the curve on technology changes, trends, and innovations in addition to our wealth of existing professional knowledge.

Our Advisors Are 100% Agnostic

We are a client-first company, meaning that our loyalty and commitment is to you, the customer. We have no personal agenda to push nor do we stand to benefit from promoting any single technology, unlike a traditional sales representative. We prioritize finding the best and most valuable solutions for your business, no matter where they come from– providing you with professional guidance unique to your situation and free of bias.

We Are a Multiplier of Time, Money, and Resources

Time, money, and resources: the three things every CIO wishes they had more of. With TMG, you’ll save time by letting our expert liaisons handle sourcing, negotiations, procurement, and management. You’ll free up resources when letting TMG take professional services and tedious tasks off your plate. Our customers receive the best rates and terms as a result of our advocacy and leverage with vendors, saving them significant amounts of money.

We Offer a Wide Breadth of Services

When seeking a technology advisor, one of the most important traits to consider is how far they can extend their expertise to help key areas of your business. We consider your technology holistically, offering services with focus ranging from digital transformation and connectivity to customer experience, mobility, and augmentation/management. This wide range of specializations allows us to care for every aspect of your business long-term– not just offering the handful of solutions you may need today.

Our team is well-equipped to handle all of the needs of a modern business, and we stand with you as you navigate the changing landscape. From increasing security threats to staff shortages, we offer solutions and services that meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

In fact, we have an event coming up we’d like to invite you to. As demand for excellent customer service increases, and call centers face difficulties keeping up after COVID, we’re proud to host our CCaaS Event, a networking event featuring elite CCaaS service providers and their offerings, as well as expert insights from primary speaker and TMG team member Tad Alper, Contact Center and CX Practice Director. Get the details here!

Start Working with TMG in 2023

TMG is the Technology Acquisition Partner you need to empower your company. With cutting-edge solutions, dedicated customer service, and a wealth of knowledge and experience to share, our team works as an extension of yours, helping advocate for your best interests and saving you time, money, and resources in the process.

It’s time to come in with the new– new solutions, new goals achieved, and new levels of service for your business. Don’t settle for the same-old, same-old. TapTMG today and accomplish more this year.

Why Mobility Matters in 2023

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:21:31 GMT

Is your mobility costing you big?

A company-wide mobility initiative is a great way to keep data secure, people connected, and communication flowing. But, without proper resources and tools, your mobility efforts could be a drain on resources, creating far less value than problems.

With multiple– sometimes hundreds and thousands– of devices, staff changes and additions, and increasing costs at play, today’s mobility practices require more support than ever before. Harnessing a mobility initiative requires a team dedicated to managing devices, keeping tabs on contracts, and meticulously tracking inventory.

Many organizations lack the resources to truly optimize their mobility experience. Most are paying a significant amount for devices that aren’t even in service, or continuing contracts with suppliers who aren’t offering the best possible rates and terms. Then, there’s the issue of security– properly wiping devices, monitoring use, and keeping software in line with current security standards within the organization.

It can be overwhelming to deal with. At TMG, we serve as your partners in improving, enhancing, and streamlining mobility. Learn how we add value back into the mobility process .

Our Expertise & Knowledge Saves You Money

When it comes to managing mobility, you need a high level of industry expertise to make the most of your experience. For example, your in-house team is tasked with choosing a provider and securing valuable contract terms alongside affordable rates. The team believes they’ve negotiated a great deal with a top provider. But, this “deal” actually ends up costing an extra $10,000 per year– and they don’t know it, because they’re only negotiating with one supplier and one representative.

TMG has been providing mobility services since 2006 and has established strong professional relationships with suppliers, which we leverage to get you the best deal possible on your chosen service or solution. We can see pricing across the world, comparing and contrasting each supplier’s prices and offerings with both competitors. This visibility, alongside our longstanding supplier relationships, sharp negotiation, and combined buying power, can get better savings and deals for the client than an in-house team is capable of. Simply put, leveraging TMG saves you money : 97% of the time, we save our customers double our fee.

Flexibility for A Changing Landscape

One of the key factors for success in today’s technology landscape is agility. Companies need the flexibility to accommodate fluctuations and changes, in both their organization and the industry at large. TMG advocates for flexible rates, plans, and equipment, helping you keep your mobility solution tailored to your needs, even as they change over time.

Ease of Deployment

TMG is with you throughout the entire mobility lifecycle . We don’t drop out after contracts are signed. Instead, we stay involved through implementation, and procurement, and offer ongoing management to help keep your mobility running smoothly.

Our project management includes managing device upgrades, retirements, and transfers, monitoring your finances for billing errors and savings opportunities, and assisting with issue escalation and resolution.

All-In-One Platform

Wouldn’t it be nice to have access to a single source for management, deployment, cost optimization, and more?

Now, you can.

Not only does TMG support your company through the entire mobility lifecycle– we make it easy to manage, monitor, and take action with a simple, streamlined platform.

All of our mobility customers receive access to our internal portal, which offers seamless integration into your existing infrastructure.

With our portal, you can easily complete tasks like:

Orders and request tickets
Helpdesk cases
Management of resource allocation with your existing AP / GO by size, location, etc.
Tracking requests through a transparent, user-friendly platform

This tool contains features for proactive pre-invoicing, device management, data management, and more. We assign a dedicated account manager to all mobile customers, giving your organization full access to expert monitoring and service.

TapTMG for Better Mobility in 2023

The new year is a perfect time for new initiatives, including optimizing and tailoring your mobility to meet the evolving needs of your organization. At TMG, we have dedicated mobility experts available to guide you through the full lifecycle, accruing savings and adding value at no additional cost to you. With support from our team and access to our proprietary mobile platform, you’ll kick 2023 off right with added productivity and optimized cost.

Stay connected, no strings attached. TapTMG today to get started on mobility optimization !

Turn Your Mobility Solutions into a Strategic Resource

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:20:04 GMT

Let’s start by defining what we mean by “optimizing mobility.” Mobility is the fleet of devices and the service that connects them, in turn connecting your organization. It’s vital to your infrastructure– when mobility suffers, so does collaboration. Dropped calls, service interruptions, security threats, archaic devices, backordered inventory, and overbilling are just a few of the issues that plague organizations when mobility management isn’t a focus.

In addition to affecting day-to-day business, poor mobility can be very costly, and optimizing your budget means taking care of a few key areas. Let’s break down three of the major places to look, where optimizing your mobility budget can save you money.

Optimized Mobility is Secure

Security events are some of the most costly occurrences a company can face today. The Cost of a Data Breach report by IBM lists the average cost of a breach as $4.35 million in 2022 – a staggering figure for any business, even in the enterprise sector. Not to mention the damage to the brand and customer goodwill.

Mobility optimization, from a security perspective, means having the systems and processes in place to keep on top of the security patches and updates for devices and software installed. Whether utilizing corporate-owned devices or going BYOD, the main threat to security in mobility is a lack of control .

In order to avoid security issues, your mobility structure, service, and management need to be up-to-date with current standards and best practices. This means that you aren’t running old software riddled with holes and vulnerabilities, using older devices that aren’t up to current security standards, letting information slip from hand to hand when devices are passed off, or allowing former employees access to company information.

Optimizing mobility means strengthening a vulnerable point in your security posture, deploying the most up-to-date technology and managing upgrades while maintaining security hygiene as devices are retired or passed off.

Make The Connection: Mobility + UX/CX

Maintaining a modern, useful mobility infrastructure allows you to provide the best service possible to clients. Conversely, poor mobility solutions can beget poor customer experiences for your internal users and the customers they connect with– translating to poor ratings, reviews, and diminished brand equity overall.

For employees, poor CX can look like anything from lagging and glitches to serious, unresolved device issues and service interruptions that prevent them from doing their best work. Otherwise, motivated people can grow frustrated when the technology available to them limits their performance– not to mention the toll that takes on human capital.

Imagine how frustrating it would be to maintain communicative relationships with clients when every other call drops? How productive can your outside sales force be when their efficiency is limited by poor mobility technology? And how motivated will clients be to continue business with a company that provides subpar experiences, especially in customer support or issue resolution?

You should know that customer dissatisfaction costs money– “90% of Americans use customer service as a factor in deciding whether or not to do business with a company” (Microsoft), and “roughly 61% of customers say they would switch to a new brand after one bad experience.” (Zendesk)

To optimize your UX/CX , you’ll need to optimize mobility. This includes managing the upgrading, repair, and replacement of devices, ensuring that your infrastructure supports your organization’s needs, as well as the needs of your team and customers, that your provider has good coverage in your geographic footprint, and that it can support the applications needed while on the move. People are people, and when an experience is unrewarding, patience and motivation run thin. Show your employees you value their efforts by supporting them with easy-to-use, up-to-date technology.

Save on Ops and Admin with Staff Augmentation

Part of optimizing mobility is optimizing the labor spent associated with it. Hiring a team to keep track of inventory, contracts and budgeting, mobility management, and upgrades not only saves you time and money on in-house labor– it also assures that these vital processes are being completed expeditiously and consistently.

As your technology acquisition partner, TMG offers a suite of mobility services and access to our custom platform to help you optimize mobility and start saving. A dedicated team handles contracts, inventory, device maintenance, and more.

We leverage our industry position to ensure you get the best rates and terms for your unique needs, including international mobility, cost optimization, lifecycle management, and more.

See how we’re turning a burden into a strategic resource.

Growing, Giving, and Go-Getting: How We’re Upping the Ante in 2023

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:18:48 GMT

Happy New Year from TMG!

As the new year begins, we step forward into the future with exciting plans, strong commitments, and lofty goals. We want to take a moment to reflect on 2022, another record year here at TMG, and give you some insight into what’s coming up in 2023.

2022 At A Glance

2022 was another outstanding year of growth and success for us, and by extension, for our clients. We refreshed our brand to match our commitment to staying ahead of the evolution of technology and providing the best service to our clients, continued our track record of significant growth, and even won an award.

TMG was presented with the Leadership Award for being the Best IT Services Company from Technology First. This award recognizes “individuals and teams exemplifying Technology First values: Creating a Community to Share Knowledge, Grow Business, and Build for the Future,” and we couldn’t be more honored to accept.

One of the core pillars of our company, and what sets us apart, is our culture of family, faith, and togetherness. We celebrated our team Christmas party on December first. It was wonderful to share this time of celebration and warmth with all of the TMG family, and we had a blast. Not only did we have a good time, we also did a good deed: we were proud to support Lighthouse Youth Services with donations from each member of our team, helping them continue their tradition of helping and healing youth and families in Ohio.

Exciting Events in 2023

Our first event of the year provides a valuable opportunity for our clients to get acquainted with the new rules of CCaaS. On January 11th, we’re hosting a dinner with TMG Contact Center and CX Practice Director Tad Alper, who will give insight into COVID-19’s effect on the contact center, the practices and technologies becoming obsolete in the new year, and which solutions can help restore your contact center’s efficiency, productivity, and innovation. We’ll also give you the run-down on cloud: how it exists in our personal world, and benefits businesses in many ways, including improving CX. Join us at 6:30 PM at Tony’s Steakhouse in Cincinnati! Register here:

TMG will also be hosting our annual Sales Kickoff Meeting once again, an event we look forward to each year! This event allows our sales team to become acquainted with the latest and greatest TMG offerings, networking with industry-leading suppliers to get to the heart of their offerings and gain a deeper understanding of the goals and trajectory of our company for the year. This year, we’re meeting at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort on January 23rd and 24th. We are proud to give our team the opportunity to start the year off right, coming together in a wonderful location to take bold steps toward giving our clients their best year yet with TapTMG!

TMG Continues to Give Back

As you likely know, at TMG, we’re passionate about giving back to our community. We are active philanthropists, supporting causes close to our heart both individually and as a company.

In 2023, we plan to continue our charitable giving by continuing our support of several organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Hilton Head, South Carolina, an organization we have long worked with. We are growing our charitable efforts and giving additional support to the Cincinnati chapter of this organization, along with other organizations whose missions we are passionate about.

Our Resolutions and Goals in 2023

This year, we have so many exciting things planned. We look forward to continuing our immense growth trajectory. Over the past three years, we have grown by 20% year over year, and we are excited to continue this trend. We plan to add multiple personnel in different locations, from Central Ohio all the way down to Atlanta!

More than anything, this year will bring new opportunities to provide our clients with outstanding service, valuable and innovative solutions, and the latest and greatest in technology. We can’t wait to help you achieve more, add value, and transform your IT department in 2023.

Thanks for joining us year after year. Cheers to the beginning of the next best year ever at TMG!

IT Table Talk: It’s Time To Enhance Your Cybersecurity in 2023

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:17:44 GMT

State of Cybersecurity Entering 2023

2022 was a great year for bad actors– and a bad year for companies without ample cybersecurity protection.

Cybersecurity insurance premiums skyrocketed, breaches exposed roughly 22 billion records , and Statisa cites the cost of 2022 cyber crimes as $8.44 trillion . Remote and hybrid work environments continually exacerbated holes in security postures, expanding the perimeter and leaving understaffed companies with little resources to close the gaps.

Notable breaches included popular applications like Twitter, WhatsApp, and Uber, as well as governmental and medical records, including breaches of student loan information in the U.S. and medical data plundered from Australia’s MediBank. Hackers traded sensitive data on the dark web, caused organization-wide shutdowns, and held private information for ransoms– the cost of which, between actual demands and remediation / cascading costs, landed at over a million dollars per company.

As we enter 2023, experts expect upward trends to continue, spelling trouble for those with limited protection.

Why You Need Protection This Year

As experts get to work calculating the full scale of impact for cybercrimes in 2022, predictions are beginning to roll in for what we can expect in 2023. Statista estimates that global cybercrime costs will increase from $8.44 trillion in 2022 to $23.84 trillion by 2027.

Security Intelligence cites several reasons for the increase in cybercrimes worldwide, from economic factors and geopolitical conflicts to expanding attack surfaces and Malware as a Service. As opportunity for hacking– from exploiting open source coding to finding cracks in the security perimeter to expert phishing schemes– increases, so does the risk for companies who aren’t fully protected.

Companies today have few resources to work with. Simply put, most can’t afford to hire the necessary help in-house, and resort to diverting existing staff away from their core competencies. Not only is this costly, it’s futile: most of the help available within a department comes from non-security experts. That simply won’t stop the ruthless attacks plaguing companies globally in 2023.

Today, companies need an affordable and dedicated cybersecurity solution, run and backed by experts, to meet their security needs and ensure their data safety. That’s why we’d like to introduce you to Threatblockr.

Threatblockr- The Total Cybersecurity Solution

TMG is a proud partner to Threatblockr, the G2 award-winning cybersecurity solution that instantly shuts down incidents before they occur. This innovative SaaS security enhancement easily neutralizes risks, offering enhanced, intelligence-driven protection that shields against bad actors.

Threatblockr is the added layer of security you need, offering a buffer to outdated firewalls and holes in the security posture. The platform is seamlessly integrated into your existing stack, offering an ideal protected network with no disturbance to your existing technology and easy, time-saving automation.

Tap TMG today to get started!

Threatblockr is offering a valuable risk assessment completely free of charge to TMG customers. If you’re reading this, you can get protected today, discovering the gaps in your security posture, current threats and risks, known bad traffic, and more, all alongside a comprehensive analysis of your current security posture and assets.

It’s time to get covered in 2023. Click the button below to receive your free Threatblockr security assessment!

Thinking Differently About Cybersecurity in 2023

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:13:19 GMT

I’d like to share with you a few facts that every IT leader should take to heart. Cybercrime is more profitable than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined . Ransomware attacks occur every 14 seconds, and attackers can go undetected for 90 days on average. Add an additional 27 days’ remediation time from the date of the attack, and you’ll see how one simple breach can affect a company for nearly half a year– not to mention the months on average it takes to litigate and repair the damage. As for brand tarnishment, poor customer outlooks and reputation damage can last forever. We outlined some of the facts and figures for your 2023 cybersecurity outlook in our last blog post– take a minute to check it out .

All that said, it’s time we re-evaluate our cybersecurity in 2023, adopting a modern outlook and approach to protecting ourselves. I encourage you to dive into a factual narrative of risk, mitigation, and protection– tuning out the buzz from millions of vendors and outlets trying to capture your attention. Let’s talk facts.

Anatomy of an Attack

An attack can be internal or external. An internal attack has several risk factors and vectors, like emails, firewalls, downloads, lost devices, and social engineering. Internal attacks can be accidental– password sharing, wifi vulnerabilities, and human error can offer entry points into your business.

External attacks often exploit human nature with phishing and scareware or utilize popular hacking methods like DDos, APT, and Ransomware in order to steal private information (and often sell it).

Attackers can begin through your ISP, crawling through multiple layers of cloud or on-prem security measures and systematically gaining access through your chain of servers and applications to steal your data. They may even take down backup servers in order to render your organization helpless.

No company is exempt from the risks of a cyberattack. As figures climb and predictions roll in for 2023, it is becoming increasingly obvious just how important proper and proactive cybersecurity will be, with global cybercrime costs surpassing $23.84 trillion by 2027.

The Risks: Real or Perceived?

The list of risks for a cybersecurity attack is unbelievably long. Attackers can enter from anywhere– home or public wifi networks, downloads or hardware (like planted USB drives), open source vulnerabilities, third party providers… virtually everything you need to run a business and manage an IT department. Chances are, you’re dancing with risk 24/7– as long as you’re running a network and storing data anywhere in the world.

Ask yourself this: do you, as an organization, have a real or perceived risk on your hands? You likely do. Do you acknowledge the possibility of an attack or incident? You definitely should. And do you want to proactively stop it or be left with a mess on your hands during remediation down the line? Hopefully, you’re ready to plan ahead to strike down incidents– and if so, you may need to think of threat mitigation and response a little differently.

When Proactive Isn’t Proactive Enough

When you picture a cybersecurity attack, you’re probably picturing a scene from a movie, with sirens going off throughout the office and red lights flashing overhead. If only it were that easy to identify when something goes wrong. Unfortunately, you may already be under attack, or at least in the early stages, with no indication that anything is awry– and that’s even scarier than imagined.

As you know now, it can take three months to detect an attacker in breach. That’s three months of a bad actor lying in wait, creeping through the holes in your security posture, and taking stock of your private data. By the time you’re in the thick of an incident, finding help can be difficult– and finding immediate help can be nearly impossible. Proactivity is the only way to stop a risk from becoming an incident. By the time you know you’re under siege, it could be far too late to contain the damage.

Leaning on cybersecurity insurance, halfhearted security measures cobbled together in-house, or out-of-date technology like on-prem backups and riddled firewalls can be equally as moot as relying on luck alone. Hackers have access to state-of-the-art technologies and consistently research vulnerabilities and security measures– do you?

Chances are, you’re looking at relying on a third party to handle your cybersecurity. As we’ll discuss, this can be tricky, especially in the era of cloud computing.

The Cloud: A New Frontier of Trust in Cybersecurity

You may be operating on public or private cloud, hybrid or colo, but chances are, you’ve got a foot in the door, utilizing cloud on some level and in some aspect of your operations. If you aren’t yet, you will be soon, as cloud becomes a prerequisite for utilizing numerous applications and enhancing the productivity and agility of your organization.

Today, virtually all on-prem security has vanished. The sweeping migration to cloud has necessitated a new level of trust in providers. When utilizing aaS security solutions and cloud-delivered applications, we’re forced to trust that our providers have the tools, measures, and expertise in place to protect our data.

Some companies are utilizing disparate cloud providers, meaning that not only must they rely on multiple entities to meet their security needs, but they must also ensure that their security standards and measures flow through both. Reaching a synergistic balance between cloud providers, and being choosy with who you put your trust in, is critical to maintaining a proactive security posture.

Trust in TMG and Cut Through The Noise

We founded TMG with a simple mission in mind: to help you cut through the noise in IT and get the most value out of your technology acquisition partnership. As you browse cybersecurity options, you’ll be bombarded with similar marketing tactics, language, and promises: as Grandview states, “the global cybersecurity market was valued at $202.72 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3% from 2023 to 2030.”

Within that gigantic market are enterprises taking up sizable shares and mid-size to boutique firms clamoring over what’s left. All in all, it’s a lot of loud voices and a lot of questionable facts, inflated figures, sales pitches, bids, and conversations to sift through on your own.

As your technology acquisition partner, TMG helps you vet all of the available vendors, presenting only the best options for your business. We narrow down your search to the top candidates and empower you to make choices that add the most possible value to your business. With us on your side, you can be sure that your cybersecurity vendor meets strict standards, has an excellent track record of service and results, and will properly protect your organization against a litany of threats.

Don’t go at it alone in 2023– the risks are just too high. Tap TMG today to learn more about finding the right cybersecurity solutions, MSPs, and more.

Enterprise Customers Tired of Paying More for Wireless Than Individuals

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 22:35:35 GMT

In today’s 24/7 global market, it’s necessary for both office and remote/field staff to have access to mobile technology, but it’s not always easy for a company’s IT division to efficiently manage those devices and service plans. And most companies lose unnecessary profits on overpriced mobile service charges. This was the case for the U.S. division of a leading global manufacturer of premium consumer packaged goods. As the person responsible for the mobile device expenditures of more than 3,000 employees, the telecom manager found he was spending a considerable amount of time putting together monthly reports on mobile expenses and fielding calls from the company’s help desk to authorize orders and service requests. More importantly, he noted the mobile service carriers offered significantly lower rates to individuals than they did to enterprise customers, and he felt they should be able to dramatically reduce their wireless expenses. The question: Should they turn to a BYOD program, continue to leverage in-house resources or find an outsourced solution?

CASE IN POINT: Unmotivated Carriers

Lack Incentives to Help Reduce Costs After months of dealing with an unresponsive carrier, a sales representative and a sales manager who mostly seemed MIA, the telecom manager went in search of a company that could help streamline their mobile plans and reduce their costs. A trusted IT partner referred him to McCracken, where he found a unique blend of wireless expense management solutions, and the ability to proactively manage both the costs and maintenance plans for his current wireless carriers.

He challenged McCracken to address his two main issues:

1) The company needed to see at least a net 15 percent reduction in mobile service costs.
2) The technology department needed to reduce overhead time spent managing devices and building monthly expense reports.

While deciding whether to work with McCracken, the telecom manager finally heard from the primary service carrier, who unsurprisingly proposed a meager 10 percent reduction in costs. Considering the carrier recommendation, he decided to engage McCracken, which promptly found several opportunities for additional credits and savings. Due to McCracken’s knowledge and expertise, the company was able to receive a savings of more than 35 percent on their monthly mobile service costs.

More Transparent Reporting Sheds Light on Expenses, Saves Time

Each month, the telecom manager would tackle the tedious and time-consuming task of building a cost report for the executive team itemizing their mobile device and service plan costs. After importing the carrier’s .csv files into Excel, he would then spend hours matching this information line by line with data from Human Resources. What should have been a relatively simple task would take hours of overhead time to build. And because the costs varied from month to month, he would often have to go back to the invoices from the carrier to determine the cause of the cost, e.g., if an employee received a new phone or had a number of unexpected international calls.

Wireless expense management application, the telecom manager can easily and quickly create a more detailed report that includes the reasons for any unusual costs, not only reducing the time he spends building reports but also virtually eliminating follow-up questions from the executive team. McCracken also provides a series of other monthly reports, allowing him to better view his enterprise wide costs and usage so he can swiftly and efficiently investigate any anomalies.

Now, using McCracken’s TrueVue® the company has seen other operational benefits from using McCracken as well. The company’s help desk uses TrueVue to self-manage their devices for selections and changes, procurement, activation and troubleshooting. The telecom manager receives fewer calls from the help desk staff now that they have access to TrueVue to manage devices. Overall, the premium consumer goods company is extremely satisfied with their cost savings and the greater clarity they have over employees’ mobile device expenses. McCracken has streamlined the company’s processes and saved hours of overhead time in device reporting and management. And to “put the icing on the cake,” McCracken reduced the company’s cost by 25 percent more than the carrier’s proposal.