RiverTrail Technology Blog

Try taking a carpenter's power drill away and handing them a rusty manual screwdriver. You will likely get an earful, followed shortly by a resignation letter.

In the modern office, software and network infrastructure serve the exact same purpose. Business owners often view technology through the lens of monthly licensing fees and software renewals, while employees see those same tools as the only things keeping them from drowning in administrative busywork. When a tool removes daily friction, workers consider it non-negotiable that the tool be included.

What does your desk look like after a chaotic, high-pressure week? You probably have folders stacked high, a small collection of empty coffee mugs, and sticky notes covering every inch of your monitor. Just finding a simple notepad turns into a five-minute search.

Here’s the thing, your computer experiences the exact same clutter. You just can't see it.

Halloween is the time of year to tell spooky stories, mostly to frighten and entertain. What many overlook, however, is how a scary story can teach an important lesson. Let’s consider what we might learn from a retelling of H.H. Munro’s (or, to use his nom de plume, Saki’s) “The Open Window.”   

Want to win every deal that comes across your desk? Unfortunately, this simply isn't possible. Prospects change their minds, market conditions shift, and unexpected hiccups have a habit of showing up right after a great quarter. As you cannot win every scenario, squeezing maximum value from the opportunities you do secure is critical to staying profitable.

When momentum swings in your favor, you need to capitalize on it immediately. Pushing high traffic or a sudden spike in leads through broken, manual processes wastes the exact advantage you worked so hard to build. Technology bridges the gap between temporary good fortune and sustained revenue.

Opening an invoice to find an ongoing list of surprise fees and charges is a great way to ruin your day.  Unfortunately, that’s the reality when working with many of today’s service providers, even those that allegedly offer “flat-rate” options.

Let’s review what you should know to avoid before you tie yourself to a company that will happily charge extra for whatever they can.