Norco Technologies Blog

In the past, teams managed tasks with sticky notes and endless email chains—hardly effective in today’s hybrid work environments with fast-paced deadlines. A McKinsey study shows that employees spend about 28% of their workweek handling email and nearly 20% just searching for information or collaborators. CNBC

This article introduces Microsoft Planner—a tool that’s easy to adopt and powerful enough for both simple task tracking and complex enterprise workflows. With support from an IT partner experienced in small-team setups, Planner can transform how you organize, collaborate, and deliver.

Nothing throws off your day like a frozen screen or a sluggish computer. If you run a small business, you’ve probably dealt with outdated tech more than once. Sure, squeezing extra life out of old equipment feels economical, but it often costs more in the long run.

Small businesses lose approximately 98 hours per year, equivalent to 12 working days, due to technology concerns such as slow PCs and outdated laptops.That’s why having an IT refresh plan matters. It keeps your team running smoothly, avoids unexpected breakdowns, and helps you stay secure.

Regardless of whether you outsource managed IT services or handle them in-house, a solid refresh strategy can save time, stress, and money down the line.

Whether you work remotely or in an office, the line between personal and work tasks can become blurred when working on your company computer. If you’re in front of a computer for most of your time during work, then it’s not unusual to get attached to your desktop PC. Over time, this can lead to doing personal things on a work computer. At first, it might just be checking personal email while on a lunch break. But as the line continues to get crossed, it can end up with someone using their work computer just as much for personal reasons as work tasks.

Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats. These hats run from managing operations, handling customer inquiries to keeping everything running smoothly. There's a solution that can lighten the load, AI-powered automation. Thanks to technological advancements, these tools have become more accessible and cost-effective than ever, allowing small business owners to automate tasks they previously had to handle manually.

No need to break the bank or hire a large team. AI can handle much of your busy work, freeing you up to focus on more important aspects of your business. Whether you're a solopreneur or managing a small team, AI can step in as your virtual assistant, improving efficiency and streamlining operations.

If you're looking to dive deeper into how AI can transform your business, this blog post discusses how you can automate daily tasks and free up your time. We will show you how to leverage affordable AI tools to save time, cut down on repetitive tasks, and boost your business efficiency.

Upgrade Your Device

In today’s fast-paced digital world, technology evolves rapidly. According to Statista, the average consumer replaces their devices every 2–3 years. But figuring out exactly when to upgrade isn’t always obvious.

At Norco Tech, we specialize in managed IT services for small businesses, and we know that staying up-to-date isn’t just about having the latest gadget—it’s about security, performance, and reliability. Whether you're managing a business or just trying to keep up with daily digital demands, having the right device can make all the difference.

Let’s explore the seven key signs that it’s time to consider a device upgrade.

Device storage decides how many applications, photos, and files you can retain on your device. When you run out of storage, it can affect your productivity and device performance. But finding the right storage amount isn’t always easy.

We can underestimate what we need or get too much storage. This guide will help you figure out how much storage is actually needed.

Malware is bad software that can hurt your computer or phone. It can also make your device run slow and steal your info. Here is how you can spot hidden malware on your devices.

In this article, you will learn how to organize your device. You’ll learn ways to boost your productivity and get more done.

In today’s fast-moving world, everyone wants to work wiser, not harder. The involvement of AI tools will definitely help you do just that. They can make your work easier and faster. Let’s explore some AI tools that can boost productivity in your office.

Passwords unlock our digital lives. We use them for email, bank accounts, and more.

Remembering all these passwords is hard. Password managers help us keep our accounts safe and make our lives easier.

A business network is the lifeblood of operations. It's the digital artery that pumps data through your organization. It enables everything from email to critical applications and cloud services.

When problems sever that lifeline, the consequences can be catastrophic. Communication is cut off and productivity grinds to a halt. Additionally, it can leave your customers hanging and dry up revenue streams. This is the stark reality of network downtime.

When downtime happens, it’s important to identify the source as fast as possible. Understanding the issue can save you time, money, and countless headaches. Let's get started on keeping your network up and running smoothly. Read on for six helpful tips to troubleshoot common business network issues.

Buying a used laptop can be a great way to save money. But it comes with risks. You need to be careful and thorough in your evaluation. Otherwise, you could end up wasting your money.

You can’t only look at the outside when evaluating technology. This guide will help you understand what to look for when buying a used laptop (or desktop PC). These steps can keep you from losing money on a bad tech decision.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer a futuristic concept. It's rapidly transforming industries and reshaping how large and small businesses operate. IoT is a blanket term to describe smart devices that are internet enabled. One example is smart sensors monitoring production lines. Connected thermostats optimizing energy consumption is another.

Experts project the number of connected devices worldwide to continue growing. It’s estimated to rise from about 15 billion in 2023 to 21 billion in 2026.

IoT devices are weaving themselves into the fabric of modern business operations. But successfully deploying them on your existing network isn’t always easy. It can feel like navigating a maze.

Have you been struggling with the integration of smart devices? This guide will equip you with the knowledge and steps you need.

Two monitors are often better than one when it comes to getting things done efficiently. A dual-monitor setup can significantly enhance your productivity. This is true whether you're a gamer, a creative professional, or an office wiz who loves to multitask. 

A study by Jon Peddie Research found that dual displays can increase productivity by 42%. But it’s not as simple as just setting up an extra screen.

It’s common for people to feel “off kilter” when trying to work from two monitors. They may even find it harder despite having more screen real estate. The cause is usually the setup. They either have the screens positioned wrong or aren’t optimizing the settings.

We’ll dive into some dual-monitor setup best practices. These should help you improve your two-screen experience and take it to the next level.