Phantom Technology Solutions Blog

Shadow IT may have a pretty cool-sounding name, but its impacts on your business are anything but. The term “shadow IT” describes any technology used in the business setting without the express knowledge and go-ahead of the IT department. While it may be common, it certainly isn’t good… despite often having the best intentions behind it.

Step into any modern medical facility, and you'll witness a complex interplay of human expertise and sophisticated technology. From the front desk to the operating room, information technology is not just a convenience; it's vital for nearly every aspect of patient care and operations. 

Consider the intricate systems within a hospital or clinic. When these systems function the way they are designed to, information flows efficiently, decisions are well-informed, and patient outcomes benefit. If this system falters, however, the impact can be immediate and significant.

What are your plans for the summer? If they involve getting out of the office and going on a vacation, then you’ll want to be armed with a couple of technology tips to help you make the most of your time in a safe and secure environment. Here are three tips you should keep in mind this summer.

Today’s workforce is more digitally fluent than ever. Smartphones, cloud apps, instant communication; it's all second nature to most of us. The question becomes, does this everyday agility in using technology automatically translate into mastering the specific, often complex, technology your business relies on? Today, we will go into this very topic. 

There's a crucial difference between general technology use and optimized business technology application. We specialize in proactive business technology support, and we've seen firsthand that even the most tech-savvy individuals benefit immensely from targeted training on the tools and protocols unique to their workplace. This isn't just about fixing problems; it's about unlocking efficiency for every team member to contribute.

You can’t run a business these days without hearing about how AI is changing the technology landscape and what that means for your organization. It gives SMBs like yourself some serious power, often enough to do more complex tasks that it couldn’t otherwise do without significant time and effort investments. But sometimes it’s more about the easy wins, so that’s what we’re covering today: the simple ways your organization can shift operations with AI.

Is your business technology a tangled web of frustrations? You're certainly not navigating this digital dilemma alone. We frequently hear from organizations grappling with sluggish networks, outdated software that feels like a relic from the dial-up era, and the ever-present anxiety of safeguarding crucial business data.

This technological turbulence doesn't have to be your reality. Today, we're charting a course to help you reconstruct your IT infrastructure from the ground up, paving the way for smoother operations and greater peace of mind.

Juggling everything in a small business is tough. Are you constantly dealing with IT issues when you barely have time to do your normal work? You're not alone. Many small businesses find IT more of a hassle than a help.

Running a small business is already a juggling act. Now toss managing IT into the mix and watch the balls start to bounce in every direction. IT for small businesses isn’t just plugging in a few computers and setting up Wi-Fi. It’s an ever-growing web of systems, tools, security measures, and the occasional mysterious error message that nobody understands. Let’s take a look at some of the things that every small business owner needs to look at as far as their technology is concerned.

We all know that person with an ancient laptop, a stubborn printer, or that phone they refuse to part with. At some point, however, that beloved device stops being the sidekick you need it to be and starts feeling more like dead weight. If your tech is making life harder instead of easier, it might be time for an upgrade. Here’s how to know when to let go.

IT should be making your business work smarter, not harder. That’s what we want to discuss today: how IT impacts your business priorities, such as productivity, cybersecurity, and accessibility. Are you making the best choices possible, or are the options you’re selecting hindering your company’s operations?

It’s always good to know what kind of technological assets your business has at any given time, but some business owners don’t keep a detailed inventory. If you don’t know what you have, how will you know what you need? Let’s discuss some of the ways you can manage your IT inventory or make your current practices more effective.

Technology is deeply embedded in nearly every aspect of modern life. As society has become increasingly tech-driven, businesses have found ways to set themselves apart by meeting the growing demand for innovation. While technological dominance has been a recurring theme throughout the information age, today’s leading tech companies wield more power and influence than ever before.

It’s harder than ever to keep your data safe these days. Everyone needs to be careful online, but the constant security steps can feel exhausting when you’re spending hours on a computer every week. Unfortunately, this is the new normal. If you don’t stay on top of your cybersecurity, it can be really hard to keep your business’ tech safe.

Tape backup used to be the go-to backup solution for businesses, but it’s since lost its luster in favor of digital backup solutions. You might still find some uses for it, if you find a good enough excuse. Today, we want to examine why you might still use tape backup, even though a Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) solution far outshines it.

Each new year is an opportunity to reflect on what your business has gotten right and what it needs to improve. Your technology is one of those parts of a business where there’s always some room for improvement. If new IT solutions are on the docket for the upcoming year, here are four questions you can ask to make any new implementation successful.

The Internet is just as essential to business as electricity. One key factor that determines how well your Internet works is bandwidth. Let’s break it down.

Physical security is just as important as cybersecurity, and digital security cameras are a great tool to help maintain spaces. Whether you have an office, a retail space, a warehouse, or any other property, a security camera can help you keep tabs on a place in real-time and reduce liability. Here are three reasons why you might consider ditching an analog camera in favor of a digital camera.

Typically, we use this space to talk about technology-related issues that have a positive impact on business, society, and individuals. Information technology has and will continue to transform the world we live in. One of the central topics of this giant IT transformation is artificial intelligence (AI) and where it fits into the paradigm of modernity.  Much has been made about the potential benefits of AI—and many of them are legitimate—but in today’s blog, we wanted to discuss the dark side of AI, and whether or not immediate regulation of the technology is a prudent decision.

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you’ve seen articles about blockchain before. This week we thought we’d go a different direction and take a look at the question of whether or not cryptocurrency, a construct made possible by blockchain technology, should be made taxable by state, federal, and international lawmakers. Let’s take a look at blockchain, its role in cryptocurrency, and whether or not taxation is on the agenda down the road.

When did you last turn your mobile device off and on again?

While any IT provider worth their salt would be the first to tell you that this is troubleshooting 101, another source also recommends a quick reboot every so often: the National Security Agency.

Let’s explore why the NSA shared this advice and what difference following it can make.