Technology Management for Business Owners: Part I

Kordel

PART I: Business vs. Consumer Technology

INTRODUCTION
Our world is business – Business Technology, that is. Business Technology is entirely (or, almost entirely) different than Consumer Technology. In our world, boring is good. Simple, normal, “Industry Standard” is the ideal. Stability is king. Speed and performance are good, and widgets, bells and whistles are fun – but here, consistency and dependability are the most important components of our clients networks.

As Technology consultants, we come in contact with a dizzying array of systems and products in the course of serving our client base. Even though we are a relatively young company, our clients span a wide range of technology – from Novell GroupWise on legacy 90’s era Compaq hardware, to industry specific ERP systems on IBM AIX and DB2, or HP Unix and internally developed (as well as other Unix variants), to various more modern Linux flavors (such as CentOS, Ubuntu, and more), as well as the whole range of Microsoft products and technologies (from the moderately old Windows 2000 to the latest Windows 2012 R2). We like to think we’ve seen a little bit of everything.

BACKGROUND
At home it’s all nice and good to have the latest, fastest, flashiest gadget or system. At home even I enjoy the new Operating System, the new tablet or smart watch or smart refrigerator (what does that even mean?) Consumers delight in (and in fact, drive innovation towards) new version of software, hardware, gadgets and systems of every type. Consumers are drawn to the latest greatest like bees to honey. But at the office?

At the office it’s different. I’m not talking around the corner at Starbucks or across town at Best Buy (where young minds soak up change like sunlight, or consumers consistently flock to the latest craze) – I’m talking about at the plant, in the shop, on the production floor, or on the sales floor. In these places the latest greatest tends to distract. New technology means new expenses. It (tends to) means new problems, new systems to learn, new trainings to host (or attend), and new glitches to interrupt production and distract from the real business of Business (whether that’s making towels, designing buildings, selling widgets, crunching numbers, or whatever it may be for your business).

THE PARADOX:
As Technology Managers supporting our customers’ networks, and (especially) as we relate to and interact with Business Owners, IT Managers and business decision makers, we find ourselves constantly confronted with an complicated paradox.

In our world where new versions and new systems are available every year (or even every few months), how does a Business (where stability is the goal and change is a monster) balance the needs of Operational Stability with issues like Regulatory Compliance and Data Security, within the constraints of ever tightening Operations Budgets?

THE ANSWER:
Like any complex problem, the answers aren’t universal. Each business (and business owner) will define it’s business priorities, acceptable levels of risk, and (of course) budgetary constraints differently – and all of these factors affect the answers.

But let me take them time in this multi-part series to share with you some practical advise from my perspective as both a Business Owner AND an IT Consultant. I’d like to share a few case studies and practical examples from our experience. I don’t expect to be able to make decisions for you, but I DO hope to be able to give you the tools you need to make informed decisions.

After all, whether you like it or not, Information Technology has assumed a central role in your business. Technology has sucked us in and changed our way of life (or way of business). It’s a brave new world, entirely different from business of 20 years ago. It’s a world where keyboards have replaced pens, email has replaced both Fax and Letters, and marvels such as iPads and Excel Spreadsheets have created new possibilities that didn’t even exist before.

In such a world, the game has changed. And it’s important that we (as Business Owner and decision makers) open our eyes and realize what all that change entails.

Stay tuned as we explore the right, wrong, and many in between ways to manage your crucial Business Systems!

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Technology in Construction & Manufacturing: Why It’s More Than Just Device Management

January 20, 2026

Modern construction and manufacturing sites are no longer just about heavy machinery; they’re digital ecosystems. Tablets, laptops, IoT sensors, and mobile apps are now essential for everything from blueprint access to production monitoring. These tools enable real-time collaboration, safety compliance, and operational efficiency. But when your workforce is spread across remote job sites or large facilities, keeping these systems connected and secure becomes a challenge. Construction Blueprint & Plan Access: Crews use tablets to view updated plans on-site, reducing errors and rework. Safety & Compliance Reporting: Mobile apps allow instant incident reporting and safety checks. Equipment Tracking: IoT sensors monitor heavy machinery usage and maintenance needs. Manufacturing Production Line Monitoring: Tablets and IoT devices track throughput and detect anomalies. Quality Control: Mobile devices capture and share inspection data in real time. Inventory Management: Connected devices streamline material tracking and reduce downtime. These tools keep projects moving, but only if they’re secure, updated, and accessible anywhere. Why Remote Access Is Critical Construction sites and manufacturing plants often operate in remote or rugged environments. Workers need secure, reliable access to company systems, whether they’re in the field, on the shop floor, or traveling between sites. Without proper management, connectivity issues and security gaps can lead to delays, data breaches, and compliance failures. How a Managed IT Services Partner Helps You Win Partnering with a Managed IT Services provider lik e Eberly Systems ensures: Centralized Device Management: Configure, update, and secure all devices remotely using Microsoft Intune. Enterprise-Grade Security: Microsoft Defender protects against threats across IT and OT environments. Identity & Access Control: Microsoft Entra ID enables MFA and conditional access for subcontractors and BYOD scenarios. 24/7 Monitoring & Support: Proactive threat detection and performance monitoring keep operations running smoothly. Scalable Solutions: Whether you have 50 devices or 500, policies and updates roll out automatically. This means your teams can access critical tools and data securely anytime, anywhere, without worrying about downtime or cyber risks. Construction and manufacturing thrive on precision and speed. Technology makes that possible, but only when it’s managed effectively. A trusted Managed IT Services partner doesn’t just keep devices secure, it keeps your business moving, your workforce connected, and your data protected. Ready to empower your teams and safeguard your operations? Contact Eberly Systems today for a free consultation.