Why MSP Is Still the Right Term (Even as the IT Industry Invents New Ones)
Hello everyone, this is Bob Coppedge, CEO of your favorite MSP, Simplex-IT. Today, I want to talk about something that's been annoying me for some time in our industry - the never-ending rebranding of the term "MSP."
Software Basics: What It Is, Why It Updates and How It Keeps Your Business Running
If you’ve ever used a computer, smartphone, or tablet - and let’s face it, you have - you’ve used software. And even if you don’t consider yourself much of a tech person, you’re interacting with software pretty much every day. But what actually is software?
Outsourced IT Support: The Biggest Challenges and How to Prevent Them
Outsourcing IT sounds pretty appealing on paper. You get expert support, you don’t have to manage the tech yourself, and often, it looks like you’re saving money compared to building a full in-house team. And honestly, for a lot of businesses, outsourcing IT is a smart move.
What Type of Broadband Is Best for You?
Broadband is high-speed internet. It’s the way data travels to your home or business, allowing you to stream movies, play games, download files, or hop on video calls without constant buffering or delays.
How to Find a Trusted IT Partner and Avoid Outsourcing Nightmares
Outsourcing your IT can be a game changer for your business. It saves time, gives you access to experts, and takes a lot of technical pressure off your team. But there are stories out there about hidden fees, slow responses, or just not getting the support you expected. Here’s the good news:
What Is Endpoint Protection? How Firewalls Safeguard Your Network Devices
Before we talk about the firewall, let’s quickly explain what an “endpoint” is. Think of an endpoint as any device your employees use to connect to your business’s network. This could be a laptop, a desktop computer, a tablet, or even a smartphone.
Who Are White Hat Hackers and How Do They Keep Companies Secure?
If you’ve ever heard the term “hacker,” you might think of someone breaking into systems, stealing data, or wreaking havoc online. But what if we told you there’s a type of hacker that companies actually hire to break into their systems - legally and with full permission? Enter the white hat hacker.
Are Packet Sniffers Safe? What They Do and How They Protect Your Network
If you've ever heard the term "packet sniffer" and pictured some kind of digital detective snooping through internet traffic, you're actually not that far off. A packet sniffer is a tool - usually software, sometimes hardware - that watches data as it travels across a network.
How Excel’s New Link Policy Will Impact Your Business
Hey spreadsheet warriors! Got a habit of linking your Excel files to random stuff across the internet? Well, Microsoft just said: “Nope. Not anymore.” Starting October 2025, Excel will start blocking links to sketchy file types. Why?
What Makes Simplex-IT Different from Other Managed Service Providers
If you’ve been researching Managed Service Providers, you’ve probably noticed a pattern. Most of us make the same promises, tailored IT services, complete coverage, exceptional support. At Simplex-IT, we want to show you how we’re not just another MSP. We’re not your standard MSP, we’re the IT partner you’ve been searching for.
How to Tell If Your Co-Managed IT Provider Is Actually Co-Managed
When Is “Co-Managed” Not Really Co-Managed? At Simplex-IT, we’ve built a reputation as one of the leaders in co-managed IT services, a model where internal IT teams and managed service providers actually work together as partners.
Is a Server Just a Big PC? Not Exactly.
When distinguishing between servers and desktop PCs, it's essential to understand their unique roles, hardware configurations, and software environments. While both servers and desktop PCs are integral to computing environments, they are optimized for different purposes.
Brute Force Prevention Guide: Steps to Keep Hackers Out
A brute force attack is a common cyberattack method where attackers try every possible combination of passwords or encryption keys until they find the correct one. This trial-and-error approach might seem tedious, but with modern automated tools and significant computing power, attackers can quickly test thousands.
Shadow AI: The Hidden Security Risk Lurking in Your Business
Let’s talk about Shadow AI. No, it’s not a cool new Marvel villain - it’s the AI your employees are using without telling you. Think ChatGPT, Claude, or whatever shiny tool they found on Reddit last week. If it’s not sanctioned, not secured, and not monitored, congratulations - you’ve got Shadow AI.
What ERP Failures Can Teach Us About Today’s AI Hype
Ah, the 1990s. A time of dial-up internet, floppy disks, and - wait for it - ERP systems that promised to revolutionize business. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. In fact, up to 60% of ERP implementations failed. Why?
URL Explained: Here’s What Business Owners Need to Know
If you’ve ever typed a website name into your browser’s address bar, you’ve used a URL. For business owners, URLs are more than just addresses; they’re opportunities. A clear, memorable URL can make your website easier to find and navigate, helping you attract and retain customers.
A Simple Guide to Microsoft 365 Licenses for Small Businesses
Whether you’re running a growing business or just getting started, managing your Microsoft licenses might feel a bit like trying to read a foreign language. What’s a license?
Why Every Business Needs an AI Acceptable Use Policy in 2025
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become integral to various organizational operations. As AI tools, especially generative models like ChatGPT, become more accessible, it's imperative for organizations to establish clear guidelines
The Most Common Ways Data Breaches Happen And How to Stop Them
A data breach is essentially someone sneaking into your digital world and taking your information without permission. It can lead to financial loss, legal trouble, and damage to your business’s reputation. But by staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can protect your business and reduce the chances of becoming a victim.
Is Your Job Safe from AI? The Surprising Answer
Well ask yourself this: are you a telephone operator or a bank teller?Everybody knows AI is the next big thing, and it's huge. It's going to have a heavy impact on the job market. But are there examples in history that give us an idea of how things could play out? Turns out, yes. Let's talk about telephone operators and bank tellers.
