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There is a range of options to consider when deciding how to manage your company’s IT infrastructure. Can you accommodate an inhouse IT team? Is the ad-hoc support you are receiving from contract IT professionals enough? Or should you consider a managed IT service provider?

Managed IT service providers can offer companies bespoke support packages for a monthly retainer which will cover your personal IT setup. So, rather than employing a full IT team which can be expensive and unworkable for a small company; a managed service provider will adjust its package to suit the company’s size and infrastructure.

If you opt for a local managed IT service provider, you can also benefit from their close proximity to your offices, which will allow their IT professionals to visit and get to know your company more. Rather than employing a full IT team, a local IT support provider can become your IT department for much lower costs.

Reasons why a managed local IT provider could be right for you

E2E is a managed IT provider based in the North West, supporting a range of small and large businesses with their IT infrastructure. We believe that a well-organised and efficiently run IT infrastructure at the heart of your business enhances productivity and performance, improves your bottom line, facilitates scalability, and avoids costly errors.

If you’re considering changing the way your business makes use of IT support, here is a list of things to look out for which could indicate your company is ready to start using a managed IT provider.

You need to improve your cyber security

Good cyber security is vital to the safety of your business. Cyber-attacks are becoming more and more frequent as hackers improve their methods. Plus, with the increase in remote working, companies are now more at risk than ever. It’s never been more important to have reliable protocols in place. A managed IT provider will continuously monitor and update your security software to ensure all threats are under control.

You have implemented remote working or a hybrid structure

Most companies have now introduced some form of remote working for their employees, whether it’s full-time or a hybrid model. However, even though remote working can be beneficial for logistics and work-life balance, a change in working practices inevitably creates more IT support issues. A managed IT provider will ensure that your employees have access to all of the equipment they need both at home and in the office, providing the best software, hardware and connectivity options.

Your IT costs and support needs are too unpredictable

If you find that you are in need of more regular IT support, but your needs aren’t high enough to require an inhouse IT team, a managed IT provider can offer you a happy medium. Whether your business is scaling up or you are finding that your budget is being spent on unmanageable IT costs, having a lack of organisation when it comes to IT can really impact your bottom line. A managed IT team will charge you an agreed fee each month, which will provide you with the correct services for your company. They will monitor your systems, manage installations and perform maintenance. A local service provider will also offer you site visits, which provide a more personal service.

You are looking to grow your business

If you are scaling up your business, using an ad-hoc IT service will inevitably incur larger costs, even if you have an agreed upscale project fee agreement. If you use a managed IT provider, they will take the time to learn the business and your infrastructure, offering great advice on how to grow the company using cost-effective IT solutions.

Downtime is increasing and impacting productivity

An increase in downtime is bad for business and can affect profits and your reputation with customers, clients, and stakeholders. If you are seeing this in your company, it is an indication that your IT infrastructure is no longer fit for purpose. By partnering with a managed IT provider, you should see a decrease in downtime as they restructure your IT setup. They will constantly monitor performance, make necessary changes, and run updates to keep everything running smoothly.

Think you’re ready to partner with a managed IT team?

If some of these points resonated with you, it might be time to consider a managed IT provider. If your company is going through changes, or you’ve seen your workflow compromised by poor support, it’s important to problem-solve now. For more information on E2E and the managed IT services we provide, get in touch with the team today.

In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the intricacies of invisible watermarks, their creation, and the best practices for their use. We also examine the effectiveness of these digital safeguards and how they can be a valuable asset in the fight against digital piracy and content theft.

Understanding Invisible Watermarks
An invisible watermark is a covert digital marker inserted into a file, which remains hidden during normal viewing but can be detected using specific tools. This marker often contains details about the file’s creator, origin, and ownership. According to a study by Digimarc, a leader in digital watermarking technology, digital watermarks can also enhance user engagement by connecting physical products to digital experiences.

The Role of Invisible Watermarks in Asset Protection
Invisible watermarks are more than just a claim of ownership; they are a proactive defense mechanism. While copyright laws provide a legal framework for protecting creative works, they do not prevent misappropriation or unauthorized claims of authorship. Invisible watermarks fill this gap by embedding proof of original creation directly into the digital file, allowing rightful owners to assert their claims and take legal action if necessary.

Crafting Your Invisible Watermark
Creating an invisible watermark is straightforward with the right tools. Software like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP allows users to add a watermark layer to their images. The key is to adjust the opacity to a level that is undetectable to the eye, typically between 10-20%. Once satisfied with the placement and transparency, saving the image finalizes the watermarking process.

Best Practices for Watermarking
To maximize the effectiveness of invisible watermarks, consider the following guidelines:

Ensure the watermark is robust enough to resist removal attempts without being visually detectable.
Vary the watermark placement across different images to prevent batch removal.
Maintain consistency in your watermarking approach to streamline the identification of unauthorized usage.
Assessing Watermark Efficacy
When evaluating the success of an invisible watermark, consider these factors:

The watermark’s concealment: The best watermarks are those that remain hidden until actively sought.
The degree of protection offered: Including comprehensive information within the watermark, such as personal details or copyright notices, enhances security.
The cost-benefit analysis: Weigh the expense of creating watermarks against the level of protection they provide to determine their value for your needs.
Conclusion
Invisible watermarks are a potent tool for tracking file access and preventing the illicit reproduction and distribution of digital works. They offer a user-friendly solution for securing digital content and ensuring that creators can maintain control over their intellectual property. As digital assets continue to proliferate, the use of invisible watermarks is likely to become an increasingly common and necessary practice for content protection.

For those seeking to shield their digital creations, invisible watermarks present a compelling option, blending ease of use with robust security measures to safeguard against unauthorized access and duplication.