Business Solutions | Shore Home Solutions

Jan 19

0

Commercial Technology Products & Services in Maryland

4 Smart Technologies that Will Benefit Your Business

By Tom Butler | Business Solutions, Business Technology Solutions |

One of the biggest challenges business owners and company leaders face nowadays is keeping up with the latest technology. Obviously, not every new development or piece of technology will be pertinent to what you do or even worth the cost. But it’s still important that you stay up-to-date with new technologies, so that you can take advantage of the ones that will benefit your business significantly. In fact, not updating your commercial technology can actually do harm to your business in the long run.

Check out a few of the smart technologies we’ve deemed the most useful for businesses across all industries! For more on modern business handling, check this post about what is alexa rank.

1) Digital Signage

Digital signage solutions, such as audio and video systems and LCD boards, are an easy and effective way to capture attention and advertise your business. Potential customers are far more likely not only to notice digital signage, but to remember it as well. According to the full service media agency it is also faster and less expensive to update and switch out digital signs as your marketing plan changes throughout the year. You can seek advice from those who have a wide range of experience when it comes to digital marketing. Visit Fuse Animation to learn more about it. Also consider visiting this site for more helpful tips about marketing strategies and how search engines work.

2) Access Control Systems

Make your business more secure by restricting who can enter and exit your building and individual areas within it. Access control systems allow you to monitor and regulate the comings and goings on your commercial property and employee movement within your company walls. These systems are especially useful for businesses that house sensitive information and devices to guarantee security and discretion for your clients.

3) Video Surveillance

Another technology that will help secure your commercial property is a top-tier video surveillance system. Installing cameras in and around your business will help deter theft, prosecute in the event of criminal activity, provide evidence to help solve workplace conflicts, and even lower your property insurance rates. Video surveillance will also make your employees more productive, as they’re more motivated to stay on top of their work if they know they’re being monitored.

4) Hidden Televisions

Hidden televisions offer a sophisticated and professional option for incorporating technology into your business space. Impress clients and limit employee distractions while still retaining access to a useful business tool. Hidden TVs can be helpful for employee and client presentations, employee training, video conferences, and much more.

When you’re ready to take your Maryland or D.C. company to the next level, Shore Home Solutions has you covered. We offer a wide range of commercial technology products and services to enhance your business and improve your workflow, including all of the technologies listed above and more.

And for any business, it’s also important to have a printer equipped with quality toner such as hp deskjet 2710e ink for printing documents!

To learn more about our smart business solutions, get in touch with us today!

Jun 27

0

Problems Caused by Outdated Business Technology

By Tom Butler | Business Solutions, Business Technology Solutions |

Technology is a constantly changing field of production. As a business owner, you may think you’ll save time and money by sticking with the systems and tools you already have and know how to operate. However, it’s important to remember that technology improves as it changes! If you don’t keep up with its evolution, it won’t be long before you and your company become obsolete.

Consider the negative impact outdated technology can have on your organization so you can start working with Shore Home Solutions to get your business up-to-date!

Old technology can reflect poorly on customer service.

In the age of two-day shipping and user-friendly apps at your fingertips, your customers don’t want to wait for anything. System crashes and malfunctioning servers lead to dissatisfied customers. When people are frustrated time and time again by slow service and webpages and phone systems that are too difficult to navigate, they won’t hesitate to take their business elsewhere.

Surely as a business owner you understand how poor customer service hurts your brand and can give you a negative reputation in the industry. Inferior technology makes it harder for clients to find, order, use, and learn about your products—and consequently far less likely to buy them.

Business costs increase when your systems are outdated.

If you’re avoiding upgrading your technology in an effort to cut costs, you’re actually making things worse for yourself. It’s considerably more expensive to maintain and service outdated technology, as it takes longer and there are fewer companies that still do it. Additionally, older systems are more susceptible to cyber-attacks and physical security breaches that could end up hurting your business—and your profits—big time.

When your employees have to sit around waiting for their tools to work or spend time figuring out how to fix or maneuver old systems, your business is taking a significant financial hit. You essentially end up paying your workers to sit around and stare at spinning rainbow wheels and slow loading access systems.

Obsolete technology hinders office productivity.

The issues that inevitably arise with outdated systems and hardware don’t just eat up money, they waste time as well. Less work gets done when you have to wait for IT support or constantly restart phone and control systems. According to information mentioned on this site

, technological hiccups interrupt your office work flow and make it difficult to resume tasks with optimal focus. Old systems also run slower and make work more difficult to complete, resulting in less output.

Be proactive about keeping your business modern and technologically efficient. Learn about the commercial services Shore Home Solutions offers to smoothly integrate new technology into your company. Contact us today so you can start seeing positive results before it’s too late!

May 30

0

Why Digital Signage is More Effective

By Tom Butler | Business Solutions, Digital Signage |

If you’re looking to update your advertising strategy and increase the profits of your business, then digital signage is the way to go! LED displays are a modern, efficient, and cost-effective solution for enticing more customers and selling more product.

Are you more likely to remember one out of five print billboards you pass on the highway to work every day, or is it the flashing cyber sign that’s going to stick out in your mind? Chances are it’s the latter. If you’re wondering whether or not your business will benefit from transitioning from print to electronic signage, there are a few things for you to know.

Take a look at these reasons why digital signage is far more effective for attracting new customers and maintaining a good reputation with regular ones. Once you’re convinced, be sure to learn how to create productive digital signing so you can see how quickly and easily it ends up paying for itself!

Easy to Notice

A bold, vibrant electronic sign is striking and eye-catching in a way that print advertisement is not. People are likely to spend more time engaging with digital signage since it has more to offer in terms of appeal, entertainment and presentation.

Research has shown that over 60% of customers will actually see and take note of digital signage, and that it reaches 70% of the general public.

Not only are people more likely to detect digital signs, they’re also likely to recall more of the information they read. It’s easy for words to blur together at a quick glance in print advertising, and to close out of pop-up ads on the Internet. Material displayed distinctly in bright and flashing LED letters is much harder to ignore—and forget!

More Customer Appeal

The luminous, constantly moving words on a digital sign are dynamic and inviting to customers. The distinct presentation of information and continual motion draws the eye more successfully than a static display. An ostentatious digital presentation in the front window exclaiming that your bakery’s frosted pastries are BOGO, will attract and direct more attention to your business than even a large print advertising the same information.

Digital signage is more informative and engaging for customers, and thus better at communicating why they should choose your business. They’re also usually capable of supporting video and other animations to spark interest and captivate an audience. You could also check out this 10X White Label; this will help you with your marketing strategy and advertising.

Cost Effective and Efficient

It’s easy to assume that sticking to print signage is the cheap option for your business, but that’s not true in the context of a comprehensive marketing plan. Electronic signs deliver content constantly and instantaneously; the two best ways to maintain customer connection and interest. You’ll assure your customers that they’re getting the most up-to-date information as soon as it’s available—prices, sales and special promotions, news, local and emergency alerts, and even the time and weather.

Digital signage puts the control of your business’s most effective advertisement tool directly in your hands. It’s easy to change the messages, graphics, and ads displayed on a digital sign once installed. Marketing becomes less time consuming for you and more engaging for existing and potential customers.

Also consider that the overall cost of digital signing ends up being significantly less than if you were to be perpetually printing signs and ads. Quick updates and corrections can be made using a few simple buttons, instead of needing to pay for an entirely new order. You’ll eliminate shipping costs and regular expenditures on new advertisements. Plus, the price of hardware and software is actually dropping and becoming more affordable, making costs that follow the initial investment minimal.

Boost Sales and Revenue

Last, but certainly not least, digital signage is proven to be effective at increasing business profits. The increased amount of exposure translates to more paying customers and more product sold. Deals and sales are better promoted—drawing in even more business—and cost less to advertise.

Electronic signs are ideal for maximizing the visibility of your company and eliciting the highest viewership and awareness of what you have to offer. Because they’re always updated with the most accurate information, they’re constantly available to help your customers determine prices and view product descriptions, effectively streamlining the shopping experience.

Digital signage is an investment in your enterprise that pays for itself. Don’t miss out on a larger pool of customers and more profits sticking to your old, tired out print advertising methods. Contact Shore Home Solutions to secure the best digital signage solutions available for you and your business!

Dec 20

0

Signs Your Office Needs a New Phone System

By Tom Butler | Business Phones, Business Solutions, Commerical Phone Systems |

Are the phones that you’re using in your office right now on the older side? If so, it’s a pretty clear indication that you might want to consider updating to a new phone system sooner than later. A new phone system will come with new phones that can help keep your employees and your customers connected in a much more efficient way.

There are a few signs that’ll let you know it’s time to pull the plug on your old phone system. Take a look at them below:

Your current phone system is struggling to keep up with an increased number of calls

If more people are trying to get in touch with your business these days, that should be a good thing. But unfortunately, it’s not going to feel that way if clients and customers are having a hard time getting through to your office. Your phone system should be capable of taking all the calls that come in. You should also be able to scale your phone system up so that it includes more extensions and features. If you can’t do that, obtaining a new phone system should be a top priority.

Your remote employees aren’t able to access your phone system

There are more and more companies allowing and even encouraging their employees to work from a remote location these days. But one problem they’re running into is that their employees can’t always access the company’s phone system remotely. You should upgrade your phone system so that all of your employees can use it regardless of where they might be located.

Your company is moving

Is your company preparing to move into a new office space? Packing up your old phone system, transporting it to your new location, and hooking it all up could end up costing you more than it would to install a brand-new system. Moving will give you the perfect excuse to update the phone system that you’ve been meaning to update for quite some time now.

If you’re thinking about installing a new business phone system in your office, Shore Home Solutions can take care of the installation for you. We’ll provide you with a state-of-the-art system that can handle as many calls as your company needs it to. Contact us today to get started!

Aug 24

0

How to Make Sure Your Digital Signage is Effective

By Tom Butler | Business Solutions, Digital Signage |

Do you want to capture people’s attention when they step up to your booth at a trade show or entice your customers when they walk into your store or restaurant to place an order? You can do it with digital signage. It can convey any message you want and get people interested in your business. There are also great resources like this at sites https://shop-fronts.co.uk/.

Take a look at a few ways to make your digital signage as effective as it can be:

Carefully consider the size of your digital signage

There are some business owners who mistakenly believe that need to purchase THE BIGGEST DIGITAL DISPLAY POSSIBLE! This couldn’t be further from the truth. While a large digital signage display might come in handy if you have a gigantic store, you don’t want to go overboard. You also don’t want to settle on a small sign that no one will be able to see. Choose the right size for your specific purpose. You want people to be able to read your digital signage easily without being overwhelmed or underwhelmed by it.

Find the right place to put your digital signage

In addition to considering the size of your digital signage, you should also consider where you’re going to put it before you actually place it there. Are people going to need to interact with the signage and scroll through slides on it? Put it somewhere where they can access it easily without getting in other people’s way. Is it something you want people to see as they first walk into your store? Situate it near the door in a place they can’t miss. This will guarantee your digital signage gets the attention it deserves.

Change the displays on your digital signage early and often

The best part about purchasing digital signage is that you can change the messaging on it as often as you like. So why aren’t you taking advantage of that? While you don’t necessarily need to change your digital signage every other hour, you shouldn’t allow for it to become stagnant. Give people new information to read each time they walk past it.

At Shore Home Solutions, we understand how valuable digital signage can be to a company. We can provide you with the best digital signage solutions in the business. Call us at 410-878-2448 to hear more about our digital signage options.

Jul 02

0

Why You Need Video Surveillance at Your Business

By Tom Butler | Business Solutions, Surveillance Cameras, Video Surveillance Systems |

Do you have a video surveillance system installed in your business? If not, you could be putting your inventory, your building, and even your employees at risk. There are more and more businesses increasing security efforts these days, and they’re doing it for all kinds of reasons.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why you need video surveillance set up at your business.

It will reduce theft

It doesn’t matter if you own a convenience store, a warehouse filled with different items, or another type of business. You could be the victim of theft at any time. The simple act of installing video surveillance will often deter would-be thieves from trying to burglarize your building. And, in the event that they try to steal from you anyway, you will be able to provide the police with video evidence of what took place.

It will make your employees more productive

When your employees know that their every move is being recorded, they’re a lot more likely to bring their A-game to work every day. They will be less prone to slacking off and taking breaks when they know you can check the tape at any time to see what they’ve been doing.

It will help you resolve conflicts

There are many conflicts that can take place within a business. Some might involve your employees arguing with one another. Others might feature employees and customers going at it. Whatever the case may be, you can play back videos of conflicts to get to the bottom of what really happened. You won’t have to worry about dealing with he-said, she-said situations anymore.

It will lower your insurance premiums

When you install video surveillance in your business, your insurance company will likely cut you some slack and lower your premiums. This will help you save money, and over time, your video surveillance will actually end up paying for itself.

Are you thinking about installing video surveillance in your business? Shore Home Solutions can set you up with commercial video surveillance in Maryland and tell you more about how it works. Call us at 410-878-2448 today to get started!

May 22

0

History of Video Surveillance

By Tom Butler | Business Solutions, Surveillance Cameras, Video Surveillance Systems |

Today, there are video surveillance cameras installed in lots of different places. You’ll find cameras installed inside of homes, outside of businesses, and everywhere in between. But it wasn’t always this way. Video surveillance has come a long way over the course of the last 70 years or so, which was when closed circuit television systems first popped up.

Check out a history of video surveillance below.

The First CCTV Systems

Video surveillance is not particularly new. It first arrived on the scene in the early 1940s, when a closed circuit television system was used to watch V2 rockets that were launched in Germany. Commercial video surveillance cameras started showing up on the scene a few years later, and by the late 1950s, companies like General Precision Labs were creating CCTV systems that were used in medical institutions, schools, and more.

The Evolution of Video Surveillance

A lot of the earliest CCTV systems captured video in black and white. But eventually, color cameras started to become more prominent as the 1950s wore on. There was a lot of debate over whether or not color was a better option than black and white at first, since black and white provided better resolution and could pick up better video in low light. But color made it easier to identify people in videos.

Many of the earliest CCTV systems were also only available to be used for real time viewing since there weren’t many options as far as video recording was concerned. It wasn’t until videocassette recorders came along in the 1970s that video surveillance could be recorded. It led to a spike in video surveillance use.

The Big Changes That Pushed Video Surveillance Forward

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, video surveillance became more popular for home and businesses owners, thanks to the development of the VCR. But video surveillance really took off in the 1990s once companies found a way to use ethernet networks and IP cameras as part of their systems. This allowed people to capture digital video. It also allowed them to record videos in much higher resolutions. Companies like Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony started creating systems that took off and put video surveillance into many homes and businesses.

The Modern-Day Video Surveillance Solutions

There are more than 30 million surveillance cameras that are used by home and businesses owners all across the United States today. There are also more than 100 million surveillance cameras used worldwide. Video surveillance is still growing by leaps and bounds, but it’s amazing to consider just how far the technology has come since it was first used.

Do you think your home or business could benefit from using video surveillance? Shore Home Solutions can provide you with residential or commercial video surveillance options. Call us at 410-878-2448 today to set a system up.

Apr 30

0

Why Business Phones Are Still Very Relevant

By Tom Butler | Business Phones, Business Solutions, Business Technology Solutions |

The internet has made it easy for people to find out information about businesses without having to call them. They can check out a company’s hours, learn about products and services offered by a company, and even troubleshoot issues they might be having with a company without jumping on the phone with someone. They can either use the company’s website or email a company representative to do it.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should do away with your business phones if you’re in charge of handling communications for a company. In fact, it’s arguably more important than ever to maintain business phone lines so that people can get in touch with a company when they can’t find what they’re looking for online.

While technology has made it easier than ever for companies to keep in touch with their customers, there is still a large segment of the population that prefers to speak directly to a human on the phone when conducting business.

One Google study actually showed that human interaction is especially important when people are thinking about spending money on a product offered by a company. More than 60 percent of people reported that they will call a business when they’re considering making a purchase rather than attempting to get in touch with someone online.

Part of this is because there is so much that can get lost in translation when you choose to contact someone through email or a live chat rather than speaking with them on the phone. Part of it is also because humans can speak a lot faster than they type. Humans use more than 125 words per minute on the phone in most cases as opposed to just 40 words per minute while typing. That makes it difficult for companies and customers to communicate clearly and get on the same page, which is why many people will just call, not email, from the start to make sure they get all of the information they need.

If your company doesn’t currently have business phones, it’s important for you to change that immediately to give yourself the best chance for success. Shore Home Solutions can perform business phone system installation for you and set you up with the right phone system for your specific type of business. Call us at 410-878-2448 today for more information on how our phone systems can benefit your company!

Jun 20

1

Important Facts about Surveillance Cameras

By danbrenner3 | Business Solutions, Residential Solutions |

Surveillance cameras have been around since 1942 when the first one, invented by Walter Burch, was installed at a rocket launch site in Peenemunde, Germany. It wasn’t long after that that banks installed them to help prevent and solve crime. Since then, the growth of the surveillance industry has been fast and furious, and they are now used in all government buildings and offices, as well as in high traffic areas in cities.

For businesses, including retail stores, and restaurants, surveillance cameras are necessary. Most shoppers and diners know that there is surveillance nowadays, and so crime prevention has been much better. But surveillance also helps in solving crimes by providing images of robberies, assaults, traffic accidents, and murders.

Surveillance cameras are also used in public places like airports, and train and bus stations. It is said that in the UK, for every 14 persons, there is 1 surveillance camera. Cameras are monitored in special monitoring stations 24/7 so there are images in real time of potential crimes.

Many times, surveillance cameras are used in industrial complexes, in places where it is not safe to enter, or entry is forbidden, like nuclear plants and chemical plants. In some of these environments thermographic cameras are also used to monitor the temperatures in these high-risk areas. Residential areas also use residential intercom installation and home security systems to make their homes safer.

Unfortunately, criminals also use surveillance cameras to track the comings and goings of people in businesses, restaurants, convenience stores, and residential areas. So those businesses, homeowners, and industries have to do their utmost to stay several steps ahead of potential crime such as commercial video surveillance system replacement.

Surveillance is here to stay. Those who cry “invasion of privacy” will have to make their peace with this truth. The world’s emotional and political climates have forced this fact upon us. For businesses, due diligence is absolutely necessary for the prevention of crime.

Jun 20

0

Choosing the Right Phone For Your Business

By danbrenner3 | Business Solutions |

Communication is the lifeline of every business. If clients and customers find it difficult to reach you, or you are working with a phone system that is unreliable; it could cause you to lose potential customers and clients for your services and products. Finding the right phone system for you business is a must, in order to create long-lasting success.

There are many options available today when it comes to choosing a suitable phone system; but first there are important factors to consider.

What kind of phone system will you require?

Every business is unique in size and structure. Some businesses require a system that can handle multiple lines and extensions; others may need only one reliable phone line. Your business may be able to utilize an array of features, such as multiple extensions, multiple phone numbers, and multiple voicemail setups. A smaller business may find all of this confusing and overwhelming for employees and will greatly benefit from one basic phone line.

POTS or Digital?

These days, digital phone service is very common. Digital phone service transmits data over data lines or the Internet. This system is significantly different from what is called POTS service, (Plain Old Telephone Service) which is what we all are familiar with. POTS phone service is simplistic, easy to use, and does not require technological experience. Digital service can work just as easily, but will come with some bells and whistles that some customers are not accustomed to using.

The good news is that the prices of POTS and digital phone service installation and use, are comparable to one another. The price may differ by approximately $10-$12 dollars a month. Of course it all depends on what features you add to your business phone system.

Digital systems, or VoIPs as they are called in the industry, can be setup as business or residential phone lines. Popular VoIPs like magicJack and Vonage, are becoming more popular than POTS service in homes today. But beware; a home VoIP system is quite different from a business digital system; so it is imperative that you know what you are looking for.

Direct Connection Digital Lines

Direct connection digital lines are also available in some areas. These digital phone lines go directly from your business location to the digital service provider. Direct connection is more costly, but many businesses choose to pay the cost because direct connection service does not depend on the quality of your Internet service. Basic business VoIp may be sporadic in its speed and sound quality, if your Internet service is not always reliable.

Consider the area in which you are conducting business to decide between a basic VoIP system and a direct connect.

Most good business phone systems are a mix and match of available options and features. This is why consulting with your phone service and technology provider is vital to choosing the right one for your particular business.

It is wise to sit down and consider your needs as a manager or owner; plus the needs of your staff. Will you need phone service at every desk? Will you have a receptionist who will need to be able to transfer calls from one department to another?

After you create your list of requirements for your business, it will be simpler for your consultant to design a system that will successfully work for you and your business needs.

Blog + News Updates