Accent Workshop Educates Business Owners about Rapidly Changing Face of IT

Information Technology (IT) is the engine that keeps businesses running smoothly, however most companies don't realize how important it is until it breaks down. That is when Marty Kaufman, president of Accent Computer Solutions, gets the call.

Rancho Cucamonga-based Accent Computer Solutions is one of Southern California's premier IT support companies serving small and mid-sized businesses in the manufacturing, financial, professional services, non-profit, and health sectors.

Kaufman says business technology has changed so much in the last 10 years, and it is important that business owners and managers stay aware of how new IT developments could reduce their risk  and increase their bottom line.

"Mobile technology and having anywhere, anytime access to critical business data is quickly becoming essential for small to medium-sized businesses," Kaufman said. "Nowadays employees have smart phones and laptops, and are commonly working remotely or on the road. Although these new platforms are changing the way we do business, they are also raising new security issues."

Realizing the need for more business owners to understand the IT world, Accent plans to host a number of free workshops to educate the local business community about important IT issues and changes.

The first workshop titled, "Navigating the Cloud," will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, 12505 Cultural Center Drive in Rancho Cucamonga. The workshop will teach attendees about cloud computing, a shift in the world of business IT where applications and documents are accessed through the Internet, instead of through a server or a hard drive in your office.

Accent's cloud computing workshop will focus on the benefits and disadvantages of cloud computing, the various Google and Microsoft options, security and back-up concerns and critical facts every business must know before switching to a cloud-based network. There will also be a demonstration of some of the new, popular tablet computers and cloud devices.

“There is a lot of hype surrounding ‘The Cloud,’ but very few business owners and professionals know what it is and how to utilize it for business, so there is a great demand for straight-talk education on the subject,” Kaufman said.  “We held this same event last month and after filling the room with more than 50 people we decided to help out the local business community and hold it again.”

Local business owners and managers are invited to attend the event. For more information or to register, visit www.accentonit.com/cloudseminar or contact Courtney Kaufman at CourtneyK@TeamAccent.com, (909) 481-4368.

Accent is reaching out to the public as part of new branding campaign to show how their IT specialists can help rescue businesses from their technology problems. The company has introduced a new cartoon superhero brand and launched a redesigned website to help promote the campaign.

The new web site, www.TeamAccent.com, features information about the company’s IT services and solutions, and a blog offering helpful IT tips, news and reviews to keep readers informed. It also showcases Accent’s superhero and reflects the company’s core philosophy. 

“Business owners are often frustrated with the IT function in their company for one reason or another, so they turn to us to take away the headaches and let our team manage any part of their technology that’s distracting them from their business,” Kaufman said. 

"When a company's network goes down, applications aren’t working, files are lost, or printers won’t print, we are the heroes who get everything working smoothly again -- and make sure no valuable customer information it lost in the process," Kaufman said.

Kaufman believes IT should empower businesses to run better rather than giving them more problems to worry about.

“Businesses easily fall victim to IT failures and problems if they don’t have the right IT team in place,” Kaufman said. “Accent focuses on strategic IT planning and proactive management to mitigate the costs and risks related to technology. The new web site reflects our corporate culture of customer service to help businesses better navigate the technology world and get the results they want from their IT systems.”