Soaring Technology

Technology and Managed Services Blog – A WingSwept Production

Understanding the Diverse Components of WingSwept

Jan 5

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Local News, Press Releases | Comments off

In the Garner community, the WingSwept brand is recognized and the faces of the people that make up the WingSwept team are well known, but what WingSwept does is often misunderstood.

Locally, WingSwept is synonymous with IT support, but our team is full of experts in multiple technology fields. The company is made up of four divisions, each with their unique and diverse customers, all which strive to help customer leverage technology for better results. The divisions are Network Support, Vertical Marketing, Web Development, and Government Services. WingSwept is blessed to have a major presence in multiple arenas and over 2,000 customers across the country, and the diversity of the company has been a major attribute to its ongoing success.

The Network Support team does everything from designing networks and installing hardware to providing complete managed services to companies earning anywhere from 1 to 100 million dollars in revenue. The engineers can completely manage your business’s technology or be the second line of defense for your already existing internal IT team.

The Vertical Marketing division provides customers in different industries with websites in a quick and affordable fashion. The industries that WingSwept has a presence in today include the automotive repair industry (www.repairshopwebsites.com) and the HVAC market (www.surfingduct.com). This division has customers in all 50 states, as well as international customers.

The Web Development division creates enterprise-level custom web applications for customers around the country from major universities to small businesses. The applications developed by the WingSwept team allow organizations to solve issues or improve processes unique to their customers.

The Government Services division focuses on serving the Office of Inspector General community with an investigative case management product called CMTS. OIG customers turn to CMTS when they want to replace their manual process of case management with a secure and accessible web-based product. Whether WingSwept is keeping a large corporation’s network up and running or setting up a website for an independent repair shop, they believe in professional service with a personal touch. Visit www.wingswept.com to learn even more about the growing company.

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Giving Thanks – A Note from A WingSwept Staff Member

Nov 23

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Industry News, Local News, Managed Services, Press Releases, Technology Tips | Comments off

Oh, the satisfaction of christening that new toy! Holding your new Samsung Galaxy tablet; making that first phone call (or giving your first reminder to Siri) on your new iPhone 4S; booting off your new SSD and marveling at its speed: these are the moments that make us all feel like kids again. Around this time of year I am reminded of how fortunate I am to have these moments, and I give many thanks for that.

Then I think of those people who rarely, if ever, get to have these opportunities: Kids, adults, neighbors, and strangers who struggle to keep on their lights or keep food on the table. They cannot afford to splurge on the technology we have grown to expect. Yet that does not mean they want nor need it any less than we do.

So as you discover the cool tricks your new toys can do, take a minute to look around your house or office. If you are like me, there are probably old phones, game systems, computers, VCRs, DVD players, etc., just collecting dust and taking up valuable real estate. Some of the less-fortunate people around this area would love to use that technology!

Several organizations in this area accept used equipment and repurpose it: the United Way and the Kramden Institute, to name a couple of them. A good resource on the Web is Givmo, with a page for resources in Raleigh.

Before you slice into that beautiful turkey or peel back the golden foil on your Honey Baked Ham tomorrow, give thanks for everything hard work, great friends and family, and good fortune have afforded you. Then stuff yourself and sit back after dinner (probably in a food coma) and enjoy those new toys. But make certain you reserve some time this weekend to gather your unused equipment so you can donate it to the needy. The feeling of gratitude you feel this Thanksgiving will pale in comparison to the feelings of gratitude those lucky recipients will feel after getting their “new” toys.

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NC IT Support and Services Firm, One of the Nation’s Fastest-growing Companies in 2011

Aug 30

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Industry News, Local News | Comments off

Inc. magazine ranked WingSwept No. 2947 (No. 372 in the IT Services Industry) on its fifth annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent entrepreneurs. WingSwept joins thousands of other prominent brands featured on this year’s list.

In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2011 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains an impressive 94 percent. The companies on this year’s list report having created 350,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $366 billion, up 14 percent from last year.

WingSwept has a tight-knit team that delivers service with a personal touch despite their growth.  They are deeply rooted within the Garner, NC community and enjoy helping local organizations thrive through secure IT solutions.  Among other services, WingSwept provides technical support, managed services, data backup, cloud computing, and network design.

WingSwept has been growing steadily in company and customer size, but being honored on the Inc. list is a true testament to how far the technology company has come.

Inc. has sought to recognize and to celebrate the creativity, dedication, and hard work that entrepreneurs put into building their companies. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/5000.

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WingSwept Keeps Growing!

Jul 14

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Local News, Press Releases | Comments off

WingSwept, the continually growing Garner-based IT firm, has seen an increased demand in their Network Support division thanks to enthusiastic support from their clients. As part of their effort to provide the best possible customer service, WingSwept has brought two new members to the Network Support division as Systems Analysts: JC Cranford and Michael Johnson.

As professional Systems Analysts at WingSwept, Cranford and Johnson will assist in handling the large volume of maintenance and technical jobs performed by the Network Support division, assisting clients remotely and on-site. Both new members bring extensive talent in the field of information technology to WingSwept.

“Cranford and Johnson will be vital to the Network Support division’s ongoing scalability and efficiency as WingSwept continues to grow,” said CEO Jay Strickland. “They’ve proven to be a great fit and we’re looking forward to providing better service than ever before.”

Cranford comes to WingSwept with a breadth of IT training and knowledge, Johnson as an NC State University alum with Information Systems as a major field of study. “My colleagues at WingSwept have been very welcoming and it’s been a pleasure to walk in every morning,” said Johnson. “WingSwept swept me off my feet.”

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Garner IT Company Named #6 Small Business in the Triangle, #57 in the South

Jul 7

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Industry News, Local News, Press Releases | Comments off

WingSwept recently secured a top spot in the Business Leader Magazine list for the Top 300 Small Businesses in the South for 2011.  The IT company in Garner, NC came in at #57 overall and #6 out of 60 winners from the Triangle area.

Business Leader honors companies based on a variety of factors, including percentage of sales generated in their local market, revenue growth, businesses achievements and civic contributions.  With hundreds of applicants from Raleigh, Atlanta, Miami and other economic capitals of the South, WingSwept is honored by the impressive ranking of #57 amongst the other honorees. 

The IT staff members help companies leverages technology to achieve better results within their organizations.  WingSwept delivers the highest quality services while remaining dedicated to their community.  WingSwept has a positive impact in Garner and surrounding areas through chamber memberships, community event sponsorships, local charity support, and its very own annual community service event.  WingSwept has been recognized for its contributions in the community and IT industry, and they remain grateful for every honor.

“We’re very proud to be recognized for our efforts and it’s an honor to earn such a high ranking,” says President Jay Strickland.  “Congratulations to our staff at WingSwept and thanks to our customers for enabling us to grow like we have.”

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Save Money, but Don’t Skip on Security for Your Business

May 31

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Technology Tips | Comments off

Ann Marie van den Hurk recently wrote an article, “Hacking happens, so be prepared”, about how information hacking can happen to anyone and does.  People are hesitant to spend money in these economic times, but holding back on security for your network and data is not the place to do it.  WingSwept specializes in network security and data protection in North Carolina and customizes IT plans for small to medium sized businesses.

Ann Marie van den Hurk writes:

“Sony’s PlayStation Network was taken offline for about a month after an attack that compromised its 77 million users’ personal information. In April, the email marketer that handles customer communications for companies including Kroger, Capital One and JP Morgan Chase was hacked.

With companies of such size and resources victimized, what can small businesses do to protect themselves?

First, you must understand the problem. Hacking comes in many forms, such as viruses, malware, password attacks, spoofing, phishing and distributed denial of service attacks, commonly called DDoS.

The two most common attacks are viruses and DDoS. Viruses copy themselves onto your customers’ computers, while DDoS prevents your customers from reaching you because hackers bombard your site’s servers with visits and overwhelm it to the point of not functioning.

The most concerning of these issues is data theft, as it’s costly to resolve and can damage the trust between you and your customers.

Sarah Granger, founder of the Center for Technology, Media and Society and a network security expert, said many companies think they’re saving money by not investing in network security. But it’s just the reverse, as it costs more to be reactive than proactive.

According to a recent study on the cost of data breaches by researcher Ponemon Institute, data breaches cost U.S. companies $204 per compromised customer record in 2009. Data breaches caused by malicious attacks were more costly to resolve.

As a business owner, your goal should be to prepare. Granger strongly urges companies to create disaster recovery plans so that if their data or sites are compromised, they already know what to do.”

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/05/30/1755558/hacking-happens-so-be-prepared.html#ixzz1NxZPJV8b

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Having A Long-Term IT Plan

May 24

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Technology Tips | Comments off

Businesses that lack a long-term technology plan tend to face a lot of problems. Without realizing its long-term needs and planning accordingly, a business can wind up with technology that is unnecessary, or hardware that isn’t adequate later on. Upgrading or replacing hardware is often an arduous process for a business to endure; having a long-term plan helps to keep business running smoothly. It’s important that a business communicates well with its IT provider to assess long-term goals and ensure that it receives appropriate technology solutions. As an IT provider in Garner NC and supporting businesses around North Carolina, WingSwept encourage you to let us know about any and every technology demand that your company faces. Contact us if you are a small to medium sized business in North Carolina and would like a business and technology review.

 

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What Could Tornadoes and Unexpected Events Mean to Your Business?

May 12

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Industry News, Local News | Comments off

Houses, businesses and property were recently damaged across North Carolina.  Reports have indicated that around $100M of damages were caused by tornadoes.  WingSwept, a Garner-based technology firm, encourages you to keep reaching out to your neighbors who are in need of our relief efforts.

 

Beyond the physical harm that the storms caused, businesses lost power, connectivity and data.  As a small contribution, an engineer at WingSwept took it upon himself to setup wireless Internet access before lunchtime on Sunday at the command site for the North Carolina Baptist Men disaster relief team.

 

A couple weeks later, WingSwept’s team would like local businesses to rethink how they manage data.  Unexpected events, from natural disasters to human error, cause loss of critical information on a daily basis.

 

WingSwept considers data backup an insurance policy for your business. Losing data could mean more than lost information, but could result in loss of reputation and loss of business.  Some businesses do not have a backup policy at all while others don’t consistently carry out their backup procedures.

 

WingSwept offers data security through managed services for clients who want backups properly done on a consistent basis. Contact WingSwept at 919-600-5100 for more information on backup solutions and disaster recovery services.

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Triangle East Reader’s Choice Awards 2011

May 4

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Local News | Comments off

Thank you! WingSwept was nominated for the best small business in Garner, NC!  WingSwept is a technology firm that specializes in Managed Services for local companies.  Managed Services helps businesses leverage technology for better results at an affordable cost.

Triangle East Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards are highlighting many categories including food and fun! Voting closes on May 6, 2011! Go here to vote, and help your favorite local businesses get recognized for their quality service!

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Is Patching a Forgotten Task at Your Small Business?

May 3

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Managed Services, Technology Tips | Comments off

It is extremely important to update patches from third-party programs such as Flash and Java. Total Care Managed Services at WingSwept includes patching of over 80 of these programs so our customers don’t have to. WingSwept provides IT support to small and medium sized businesses in North Carolina.  We deploy patches to these clients so that they don’t experience unnecessary glitches in their programs and system. If your office is experiencing difficulty deciphering which patches are important to add and carrying out his ongoing task, contact our team.

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