tsts Sign Up Information

DECEMBER

Free Client Event: transition from Windows 7 to 10

Featured Article

Top Tech Trends for 2020
Technology infiltrates every aspect of your business. Learn about trends for 2020 and how they can impact your bottom line. 

Recently Launched

Planning for an Annual Report?

When reporting your year-end accomplishments to stakeholders and need to provide information in clear, beautiful graphical format, TSTS can help! Printed piece or PDF on your website, we have a skilled graphic designer on staff to help you navigate this annual requirement. Contact us today to start planning. 

Join us for our free monthly client event:
Making the Change from Windows 7 to 10

Software upgrades should be easy and worth the effort. Get the most out of your upgrade from Microsoft Windows 7 to 10 by attending our January client event led by network engineer Evan Furniss. Evan will demo how to navigate the new look of Windows 10 and how to maximize the new features.

Thursday, Jan. 9 at 8-9 am
Twin State Technical Service
3543 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport 52807

 

Join us for our free monthly client event:
Fall in Love with the Microsoft Power Platform: tech tools that transform data

This event will definitely teach you to work smarter not harder.
If you are responsible for making data-driven decisions, this free event will give you the power to see your data in new ways, optimizing your tech use for business growth and success.
Austin Thomas and Sheela Nikam, TSTS Power Platform Developers, will lead the hands-on session to make your business smarter, more connected, and more efficient.
 
You will learn how to take a business task, such as expense reimbursement tracking, and learn fast ways to collect the data, turn that data into information – and the best part – turn that information into knowledge! Gather your receipts, pull the data into the Power Platform and analyze a specific expense, such as a cellphone. You can make a data-based decision on whether to provide cellphones or continue to reimburse.

Join Austin Thomas and Sheela Nikam, TSTS Power Platform Developers, as they provide insight on how to get the most out of tools you already have in your tech arsenal to make your business smarter, more connected, and more efficient.

Register at: February Client Event. And bring a colleague.

Thursday, Feb. 13 at 8-9 am
Twin State Technical Service
3543 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport 52807

JANUARY

Free Client Event: Microsoft Power Platform

Featured Article

Upgrading to Windows 7 to 10
After 10 years, support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020. We at TSTS know changing operating systems can be a hassle, but thanks to our partnership with Microsoft, we are ready to help you upgrade.

We made a short tutorial video to help you get started with Windows 10.

Are you using your tech tools to the max?

Consider these stats:

• 72% desktop computer users use Microsoft products
• 91% of Fortune 100 companies use Microsoft Teams
• There are 90 million Microsoft Outlook Mail App users
• There are 155 million Office Users

Recently Launched

Free October Event

Free Step By Step Workshop:
Creating Your Business YouTube Channel

Register for our October Virtual Client Event: Oct 22, 1 - 2 pm 

Setting up a YouTube channel can be easier than you think. In this month's virtual workshop, our videographer will answer questions to make sure your YouTube channel is up and running. This workshop is free, but registration is required.

How to prepare for this event:

1. Register.

2. Read our article & follow the video tutorial you will receive via email.

3. Attend the live Q&A event.

Who should attend: Staff responsible for Marketing, Sales, and Communications.

FREE March Client Events

Google''s Business Insight Tools: 3/11/20

Business Process Improvement: 3/18/20

NOVEMBER

Free Virtual Events:

The Complete Guide to SEO 2020

Register for our November Virtual Client Event: Nov 18, 1 - 2:30 pm

Our Presenter: Neal Rabogliatti has more than 25 years of experience in web development and more than two decades in search engine optimization. Starting with a sales and marketing background, Neal worked for several web development and marketing agencies and currently teaches SEO at Iowa State University through CIRAS. Neal has helped more than 2000 clients ranging from startups and local businesses to Fortune 500 corporations and the Federal Government.

Who should attend: Leadership, Business Development, and owners who want to improve their digital presence.

Top Technology Tips & Tricks

Register for our December Virtual Client Event: Dec 10, 1:30 - 2:30 pm 

If you depend on any of the following to do your job: Windows/Mac, E-mail, Internet Search, Microsoft Office, Cell Phone, Video Conference, or Work Remotely, you should attend this interactive learning session packed with tips & tricks to make working with tech more enjoyable.

All attendees are sure to learn either a new technology skill, shortcut, or workflow improvement to increase individual productivity, company sales, and new ideas of how technology can tackle the challenges of 2020.

• Slash through E-mail faster
• Find new ways to look at your spreadsheets
• Be a pro in video calls
• And many more useful, everyday hacks

Featured Article:

Best Ways to Prepare Your Website for the 2020 Holiday Season

As we head into the holiday season, things are still feeling very different for consumers and businesses. The pandemic is still lingering, and it has impacted everything from consumer buying habits to where employees work. Here are several tips for preparing your website to take advantage of e-commerce visitors and capture new leads.

Thank You!

Recent E-Commerce Projects

FREE May Client Event

Fortinet:
Security Camera Customer Briefing

AUGUST

Free Training:
PRTG: Simple and Secure Monitoring

Attend our September Virtual Client Event: September 17, 8 - 8:30 am 

Automated monitoring of any device or system is easy and secure with PRTG. Our helpdesk experts will demonstrate this real-time watchdog. Create dashboards to monitor all tech systems, devices, traffic, and applications to keep your downtime at a minimum.

Who should attend: IT staff responsible for systems reliability

Featured Article

5 Indicators that your Processes Need Automation

Save time and money when you automate workflows that are pain points in daily business flow.

Stop Using Microsoft Office 2013 in Two Months and Here''s Why:

*A correction to our announcement last month*
Microsoft will end support for Office standalone versions of Office 2010 and 2013 October 2020.  These versions will be a cyber-security risk and *may* no longer have access to O365 cloud services (like hosted email). We recommend planning to uninstall all copies of office 2010 & 2013 and budget for upgrades to a supported version now. Contact us and we will help you with a plan and correct licensing.

TSTS Wins Business of the Year Award 

APRIL

Free Training:
Manage Your Business Remotely

Attend Google''s Livestream: Wed. May 6th @ 11am - 12pm

Learn how to update critical business information online to keep customers informed and how to host virtual meetings and events. We'll also share the latest resources from Google and other partners to help support small businesses and nonprofits.

Products: Google My Business, Google Ads, Google Meet, and YouTube

Featured Article

Working Remotely: Safe & Secure
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed our work style. You probably already have had some experience working and attending remote meetings with co-workers as well as clients. At TSTS, we want to ensure your remote work setting is efficient, safe, and productive.

Top IT Actions You Can Start Today

Local businesses are leaning on TSTS strengths to keep their teams safe on the job and working at maximum speed and efficiency. TSTS can help!

• Assign an internal company response coordinator.
• Coordinate with Twin State to create safe remote environments for all staff. 
• Determine any additional software licensing needs.
• Educate employees on how to work remotely and what the tools they need at their home office. 
• Designate certain employees to work remotely to test systems.
• Determine how phone call flow will be handled if your office is closed.

We put together a short video to provide you some helpful tips on preparation and etiquette for online video meetings.

Website Launch

JULY

Free Training:
5 Things That Cause IT Downtime

Attend our Aug. Virtual Client Event: Aug. 20, 8:00 - 8:30 am 

Neglecting messages, employee slip-up, your staff''s friendly replies to criminals, and holes in your workstation software, all invite evildoers.

Learn how to solve these unavoidable issues during our 30-minute client event.

Featured Article

Top 10 Considerations for 1:1 School Computing Devices
The use of 1:1 technology in the classroom continues to be an important way to engage students and enable teachers to deliver curriculum in a more learner-centric, adaptive way. When selecting devices, you will want to consider battery life, durability, update strategies, and more.

Stop Using Microsoft Office 2013 in Two Months and Here''s Why:

ADA  Celebrates its 30th Anniversary

The Twin State Tech Team is still business as usual,
ready to quickly solve your challenge.
Contact Help Desk - we want to help you.

There is no one-size-fits-all in this situation - Our staff can tailor your plan with: 

• Advice & Insights
• Quick Start Guides
• Promotional & Trial Pricing

We have tested and are currently using the following tools for remote collaboration. Let us answer your questions. 

JUNE

Free Training:
Learn Microsoft Teams

Attend our July Virtual Client Event: July 16, 8 - 9 am 

Managing your team in today's work-from-home environment is made easier with Microsoft Teams. Our free, online July client event will show you how to bring your remote workforce together. We will explore how this chat-based workspace combines instant messaging, calls, video, and file sharing/editing to help your team increase productivity.

Featured Article

Redesign Your Website: When & Why
With more people using the internet than ever before, it''s time to take a hard look at your own website and decide if it''s time to redesign. 

Top IT Actions You Can Start Today

Local businesses are leaning on TSTS strengths to keep their teams safe on the job and working at maximum speed and efficiency. Here is how TSTS can help you!

• Assign an internal company response coordinator.
• Coordinate with Twin State to create safe remote environments for all staff. 
• Determine any additional software licensing needs.
• Educate employees on how to work remotely and what tools will be needed at their home office. 
• Designate certain employees to work remotely for testing systems in advance.
• Determine how call flow will be handled if your office is closed.

Recent Projects

Free Client Event: Aug. 20

Attend our August Virtual Client Event: Aug. 20, 8 - 8:30 am 

Neglecting messages, employee slip-up, your staff''s friendly replies to criminals, and holes in your workstation software, all invite evildoers.

Learn how Flex IT solves these unavoidable issues during our 30-minute client event.

Your weakest links in cybersecurity may be obvious but often get little attention. So we did the research for you. Our IT experts found the best-rated tools in the market and have packaged them as Flex IT for a simple, all-inclusive low price. This includes installation, monitoring, and proactive prevention of work-stopping events.

Who should attend: anyone who can''t afford unexpected IT expenses or downtime and are ready to simplify IT; IT admins who need more time in the day.

Issues solved in this event: email security, employee security awareness training, hardware/software preventative alerts, next-gen anti-virus monitoring, and automated software patching.

June 11: Virtual Client Event

Free Training:
Learn to Use Microsoft Teams

Attend our July virtual client event: July 16, Thursday, 8 - 9 am 

Microsoft Teams is a robust, uniform platform for entprise-wide messaging, meetings, and file sharing/editing. Learn to use the many features of Teams to make your workforce more productive, especially while working remotely. Teams can be used from anywhere to chat with colleagues, host a meeting, make calls, and collaborate on files. 
TSTS network engineers Matthew Johnson and Perry Peterson will be our presenters. 

FREE May Client Events

Google Livestream:
Manage Your Business Remotely

Fortinet:
Security Camera Customer Briefing

Free Client Event: Microsoft Power Platform

June 11: Virtual Client Event

Free Training:
How To Start & Increase Online Sales Now

Attend our June virtual client event: June 11, 8 - 9 am 

No matter the size of your business, you can benefit from the growth of e-commerce by adding creativity to your product offerings. 

E-commerce functionality is becoming more and more easy to implement. The web design and marketing team at Twin State Technical Services often describes a website as your "salesperson that never sleeps." A well-designed website is one of the best ways to market your business and drive sales any time of the day or night.

Discover the Benefits of Adding E-Commerce to Your Business

The Benefits of Adding E-Commerce
E-commerce has grown more than 146% in the past two months due to the pandemic. Stay in the game with this easy tactic to bring traffic to your site and increase sales. Small or large, e-commerce is a great strategy to keep your current customer base. 

MARCH

Free Training:
Creating Video for Social Media

Attend our Free Client Webinar: Thursday, Apr 23 @ 8-9 am

• Businesses engaging in video marketing has increased from 61% to 85% in the last 4 years.
• Viewers retain 95% of a message when in a video format, compared to 10% in text.
• Social media posts with video have 48% more views.

Learn how to plan your next simple or professional video project. We will also share tips on how to shoot and edit videos all on your own and compare the various different social platforms.

Featured Article

Practical Animation Techniques for Business
Animation isn''t just for cartoons. Your business can utilize 2D and 3D animation to catch eyes, communicate, guide, entertain, or simply add to your professional look. Consider animation for logos, promotional videos, instructional content, prototypes, presentations, social media, websites, and apps.  

Top COVID-19 business concerns answers

Local businesses are leaning on TSTS strengths Strategies to keep you working effeKeep your team functioning at maximum speed and efficiency. TSTS can help!

• Working remotely: effectiveness, connectivity, ease of use
• Digital communication: website updates, email blasts, conferencing 
• Sales and revenue: e-commerce opportunities, forecasting, reporting

COVID-19 Hometown Heros

DECEMBER

We will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For non-emergency issues, please submit a ticket via helpdesk@tsts.com or leave a voice message at 563-441-1504. For emergencies, follow the Emergency Support Chain of Command document sent to you at onboarding or visit https://www.tsts.com/covid-19-resources  
 

Highlights:

Our team has worked with some of you for more than 25 years. The QC Times shared a bit of our story and how we have grown with all of you in the Quad Cities. 

Community Involvement:

Our CEO, Beth Tinsman, was recently honored to present during these two events: QC Chamber AMP UP and Junior Achievement Connecting the Best with the Next. Listen as QCA young entrepreneurs interview local business experts. Visit our YouTube channel to view the streamed live recorded videos. 

Free Virtual Event:

Register for our January Virtual Client Event: Jan 20, 1:30 - 2:30 pm

How you have your Google My Business account set up has a direct impact on how your organization shows up in Google results. A well-configured profile gives you the ability to differentiate yourself on Google and drive more traffic to your site. The proper setup of your Google My Business account is a vital part of your national and local SEO strategy. 

Featured Article:

Year-End Technology Purchases That You Can Use for Tax Write-Offs

2020 has been an unpredictable year for many companies. But one thing that has not changed is that businesses will be paying their annual taxes in the not-too-distant future. One of the standard year-end activities accountants will often recommend is to make business equipment investments by December 31?that can be written off as. 

Recent E-Commerce Projects

Happy New Year!