AUGUST 2026 Question 3: Where is our technology slowing us down? Most productivity issues don’t look dramatic enough to trigger an IT emergency. They show up when your team loses momentum throughout the day. An employee waits 15 seconds for an application to load dozens of times before lunch. A sales call freezes halfway through a proposal. Someone avoids using a system altogether because it’s become unreliable and frustrating. Ask your provider: • Are there recurring performance problems? • Are we outgrowing our current hardware or software? • What systems generate the most complaints internally? • Is there anything we should optimize or replace? Technology should help your team move faster, not train them to tolerate inconvenience. Question 4: Are we still compliant with industry regulations? Compliance regulations change constantly, whether you’re dealing with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, cybersecurity insurance requirements or other industry-specific standards. A company that was compliant last year can easily drift out of alignment without realizing it. Ask: • Have any compliance requirements changed recently? • Are there gaps in our documentation or policies? • Do we need additional employee training? • Are there security controls we should strengthen? The cost of noncompliance usually extends far beyond fines. It affects insurance claims, legal exposure and customer trust. Question 5: What should we be budgeting for next quarter? Good IT planning eliminates surprises. Your provider should be tracking aging hardware, expiring warranties, software license renewals, upcoming infrastructure upgrades and security investments worth planning for. Quarterly reviews should help you make decisions early, spread costs out intelligently and avoid emergency purchases that wreck budgets. ... continued from Cover CARTOON OF THE MONTH Question 6: Where are we falling behind that’s leaving us exposed? This is the question too many IT providers avoid because it requires strategic thinking, not just technical fixes. Ask them: • Are there new tools or automations we should consider? • Are we lagging behind in any security protocols or performance benchmarks? • What are other businesses our size doing that we aren’t? • Have cybersecurity standards changed in ways that affect us? Technology moves fast, but cybercriminals move faster. A good IT partner helps you stay ahead of both. You aren’t having these conversations? Red flag If your IT provider doesn’t have clear answers to these questions or isn’t offering to meet with you quarterly, that’s a red flag. You need someone who’s actively preventing problems, not just reacting when something breaks. The right partner helps you avoid costly downtime, reduce risk and make smarter technology decisions before issues arise. Answer: B. Tiktok Walmart partnered with TikTok to host a shoppable livestream event. Viewers watched creators showcase products, purchased items directly through TikTok, and completed transactions without leaving the app. The Tech Cumulus Technology That Works! • 844-KLOUD9IT (556-8394) • 2 Unfortunately, That Excuse Doesn’t Replenish Your Bank Account, Resolve A Data Breach Or Erase Any Fines And Lawsuits. Get your FREE “Cyber Security Tip of the Week” at Kloud9IT.com/weeklysecuritytip It’s coming ... That day a hacker steals critical data, rendering your office useless ... That day when your bank account or credit card is compromised ... Or that day when your customers’ private lives are uprooted ... Cybercriminals and hackers are constantly inventing NEW ways to infiltrate your company, steal your assets and disrupt your life. The ONLY way to STOP THEM is this: You Must Constantly Educate Yourself On How To Protect What’s Yours! Now, for a limited time, we have the perfect way to help reduce your risk and keep you safe! Simply sign up to receive our FREE “Cyber Security Tip of the Week.” We’ll send these byte-sized quick-read tips to your e-mail inbox. Every tip is packed with a unique and up-to- date real-world solution that keeps you one step ahead of the bad guys. And because so few people know about these security secrets, every week you’ll learn something new! “I DIDN’T KNOW”
View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.