--- title: BLOG | Dillon MacInnis description: Industry news and insights on Information Technology in the Boston Cambridge area, specifically for small and medium business enterprises. Supported by Focus Technology Solutions IT Consulting Firm Boston, MA. --- ![blog-and-news-banner](https://info.focustsi.com/hubfs/blog-and-news-banner.jpg "blog-and-news-banner") ## Dillon MacInnis ### Recent Posts ## [Office 365 vs. Hosted Exchange: Is there a right answer?](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/office-365-vs-hosted-exchange-is-there-a-right-answer) Posted by [Dillon MacInnis](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/author/dillon-macinnis) on Mon, Jan 04, 2016 ![Office_365_vs._Hosted_Exchange](https://info.focustsi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Office_365_vs._Hosted_Exchange.png?t=1451525250550&width=457&name=Office_365_vs._Hosted_Exchange.png "Office_365_vs._Hosted_Exchange") Small and medium-sized businesses are certainly not without options in regards to how they manage their documents, store their files, access word processing applications, internally communicate, and send emails. Not only can they choose to take advantage of a managed IT service provider, internal IT department, or subscription service, but there are also a variety of specialized services to choose from within these options. Furthermore, businesses are not required to limit themselves to only one, and they can choose to access a subscription service, coordinate their IT team with IT Consulting services , or use their own IT department to manage their subscription services. As an I[T Managed Services Provider](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/topic/managed-services/why-should-i-use-an-it-managed-services-provider) the question has recently been raised as to whether [small and medium-sized businesses](http://blog.nskinc.com/IT-Services-Boston/bid/68697/Why-Microsoft-Office-365-is-NOT-for-Small-Businesses) should choose [Office 365](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/topic/microsoft/how-secure-is-office-365) or [Hosted Exchange](https://www.nskinc.com/it-services/hosting). [Read More](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/office-365-vs-hosted-exchange-is-there-a-right-answer) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/office-365-vs-hosted-exchange-is-there-a-right-answer#comments-listing) Topics: [Microsoft](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/topic/microsoft), [IT Services](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/topic/it-services), [Office 365](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/topic/office-365) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## [Databases: The Underlying IT Business Solution](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/databases-the-underlying-it-business-solution) Posted by [Dillon MacInnis](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/author/dillon-macinnis) on Thu, Aug 20, 2015 ![databases](https://info.focustsi.com/hubfs/databases.jpg) When building an office solution, an [IT](http://blog.nskinc.com/it-services-boston/disaster-recovery-as-a-service-highlights-it-development) professional must naturally include the historical essentials: word-processing programs, spreadsheet applications, and email management software. These are the kinds of tools that allow users to organize and nominally exchange information through a practical and familiar process. Certainly, however, they are primarily built to support the capacity of the individual within the workplace. These tools do not necessarily unify or integrate an office into an operational system where information is uniformly available and actionable. The tool that delivers this function is a database, and it is an investment that defines the true establishment of an [information system](http://blog.nskinc.com/it-services-boston/information-systems-as-a-matter-of-fact). Databases are a solution that comes in several sizes and fashions. Additionally, large and [small businesses](http://blog.nskinc.com/it-services-boston/small-business-challenges-and-mobile-solutions) alike are able to use databases in a way that best meets their needs as an organization. Depending on industrial, compositional, and geographical requirements, a business can uniquely utilize databases to create a comprehensive information system that improves its collective ability to coordinate its actions. [Read More](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/databases-the-underlying-it-business-solution) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/databases-the-underlying-it-business-solution#comments-listing) Topics: [IT Services](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/topic/it-services) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## [Windows 10 vs. Windows 8: What to Expect](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/windows-10-vs.-windows-8-what-to-expect) Posted by [Dillon MacInnis](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/author/dillon-macinnis) on Tue, Aug 18, 2015 ![Windows_10_vs_Windows_8_image](https://info.focustsi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Windows_10_vs_Windows_8_image.jpg?width=623&name=Windows_10_vs_Windows_8_image.jpg) As [Microsoft](http://blog.nskinc.com/it-services-boston/microsoft-azure-opening-doors-and-closing-windows) subscribers encounter the offer to update their operating system, it is important for them to consider what they can expect from [Windows 10](http://blog.nskinc.com/it-services-boston/topic/microsoft/what-happened-to-windows-9) in terms of upgrades and alterations. **At NSK, Inc., we recommend that our customers and clients wait to initialize the Windows 10 upgrade until after they have discussed expectations and advantages with their IT Managed Services Specialist**. Nonetheless, we have created a comparison chart that outlines some of the simplest differences between Windows 10 and its predecessor. We will offer comprehensive training and advice regarding how to navigate Microsoft's new operating system. As Microsoft has declared that this will be their final operating system to be made available in this traditional form, understanding Windows 10 may become a vital part of taking full advantage of the integration of cloud computing into personal computer technology. [Read More](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/windows-10-vs.-windows-8-what-to-expect) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/windows-10-vs.-windows-8-what-to-expect#comments-listing) Topics: [Microsoft](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/topic/microsoft) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## [Microsoft Azure: Opening Doors and Closing Windows](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/microsoft-azure-opening-doors-and-closing-windows) Posted by [Dillon MacInnis](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/author/dillon-macinnis) on Mon, Aug 17, 2015 ![azure](https://info.focustsi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/azure.jpg?width=631&name=azure.jpg) The reality that a massive online retailer, dominating search engine provider, and long-reigning operating system developer have all entered the cloud platform industry is proof of cloud technology’s prowess as a solution. Although Amazon Web Services is a popular attraction for businesses of all sizes, the cloud-computing platform enterprise remains competitive as businesses of all sizes devise new methods of taking advantage of large, networked data centers. Parallel to the recently released Windows 10 Operating System, Microsoft has increased the vigor of their approach to developing and marketing their own cloud-computing platform called Microsoft Azure. While the brand that they are promoting highlights the benefits of adopting their platform, Microsoft does not lack the versatility required to support the authenticity of their fairly aggressive campaign. Microsoft Azure’s arsenal of web services make their platform a viable option for countless businesses. [Read More](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/microsoft-azure-opening-doors-and-closing-windows) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/microsoft-azure-opening-doors-and-closing-windows#comments-listing) Topics: [Microsoft](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/topic/microsoft) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## [f.lux: Technology Accounting for Human Biology](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/f.lux-technology-accounting-for-human-biology) Posted by [Dillon MacInnis](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/author/dillon-macinnis) on Thu, Aug 13, 2015 ![rainbow](https://info.focustsi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rainbow.png?width=630&name=rainbow.png)Staring at a display monitor has become a standard in the American work environment. Few industries allow any of its workers to avoid the use of a computer altogether, and those workers who do not have to spend their workday managing tasks and exchanging information using a computer often use a portion of their free time to navigate their [mobile devices](http://blog.nskinc.com/it-services-boston/the-meaning-of-mobile), tablets, or personal home computers. Nonetheless, it is no secret that humans are spending more and more of their time using computing devices, but it is important to notice the mandatory nature of this phenomenon. Although businesses and scientists alike are constantly discovering new ways to improve the capabilities of these computers and devices, less time is invested into decreasing the negative effects of spending so much of our time looking at these screens and living virtually. Recently gaining momentum, however, is a computer software called f.lux that acknowledges one of the problems with fixating our eyes on displays that is regularly ignored. While we are becoming more careful about adjusting our brightness to match our environment, there is no built-in setting in our operating systems that allows us to manage the color temperature of our screens. f.lux resolves this concern. [Read More](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/f.lux-technology-accounting-for-human-biology) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/f.lux-technology-accounting-for-human-biology#comments-listing) Topics: [Technology Improvements](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/topic/technology-improvements) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) | | [Next](https://info.focustsi.com/it-services-boston/author/dillon-macinnis/page/2) | | --- | --- |