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Hardware VPNs or Software VPNs? What’s the Best Option?

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | Hardware VPNs or Software VPNs? What's the Best Option?

When talking about VPNs, you might hear people referring to either “software VPNs” or “hardware VPNs.”

Fancy and interesting terms, but what do they mean exactly?

Well, this quick 5-minute article will tell you everything you need to know about them (including which option would be ideal for you).

What Is a Software VPN?

Software VPN is the app you use to run VPN connections on your device. VPN providers or independent developers create software VPN and make it available on their websites. Pre-installed clients on your operating system also count as software VPN.

I should also mention that VPN software is what VPN providers use on their servers to establish and handle client-server communications. That’s not really of interest to you, but it’s useful info to know.

What Is a Hardware VPN?

Hardware VPNs are devices with dedicated processors that offer VPN, and firewall features. Unlike software VPN, they are completely standalone. That means they can handle every single VPN function on their own.

To give you an idea of how hardware VPNs look like, here’s a good example – the hardware VPN from Zyxel.

Which Type of VPN Is Better Suited for You?

Well, just reading the definitions won’t help you make a decision on the spot, so I’ll compare the two types of VPNs with a focus on user convenience.

Alright, so let’s get started:

1. Software VPNs Are Much Cheaper

Let’s get one thing straight – hardware VPNs are not budget-friendly at all. Just one of them might cost anywhere between $100 and $500. If you’re looking for high-end features, the price can easily go over $1,000.

Sure, you might (emphasis on might) find hardware VPNs that cost less than $100. But don’t expect them to be as powerful as their more expensive counterparts.

And while a cheap hardware VPN can be a good option for your home network, software VPNs are still better price-wise. I mean, at most you’re looking at anywhere between $3 and $9 per month. Usually, the longer the subscription period, the cheaper the price.

Now I know what you’re thinking – if you use software VPNs, won’t you need to pay for tons accounts for all your employees?

Well, not really. Depending on the service you pick, you can get support for multiple simultaneous connections, like six or seven. In fact, some VPN providers might even offer you unlimited connections.

2. Setting Up the Hardware VPN Is No Walk in the Park

If you’re expecting to just buy the thing, set it in your home or office, turn it on, and relax, you’re in for a nasty surprise.

Basically, if you want to set up a hardware VPN, you’re going to need an experienced IT team by your side. You can try to handle everything on your own, but if you make a mistake, you’ll end up with annoying errors and unsecure VPN connections.

Plus, get this; hardware VPNs don’t have the same configurations like corporate firewalls and routers. So, even a skilled IT team might need some extra training to get everything 100% right.

And that’s not all. Once the hardware VPN is set up and running, the job isn’t done. You’ll still have to configure your network to accommodate the new addition. Also, you’ll need at least one dedicated person to monitor the hardware VPN and perform maintenance when needed.

I mean, you can do it yourself, but it’s going to start feeling like a full-time job fast (it pretty much is anyway).

Well, on the plus side, once you handled everything, you get instant remote access whenever you want.

Though, that pales in comparison to software VPNs. You just download and install the client, run it, connect to a server, and that’s pretty much it. Takes just a few seconds at best, or a few minutes at worst.

3. Both Software and Hardware VPNs Offer Good Security

There’s really not much difference between them. Sure, hardware VPNs use dedicated connections, so you could say it’s a bit safer because you’re not sharing the VPN server with tons of other strangers.

But here’s the thing – there are also risks associated with a hardware VPN.

For one, connection errors can pop up if the IT team didn’t properly set up or monitor the device. What’s more, cybercriminals actually prefer targeting hardware VPNs.

With software VPNs, you can at least relax knowing the VPN provider is taking care of everything for you.

4. Business-Wise, Software VPNs Are More Scalable

If you’re running a small business, you get better scalability with software VPNs. If you hire more people, you just have to get some extra subscriptions to cover the new remote connections.

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | Hardware VPNs or Software VPNs? What's the Best Option?

With hardware VPNs, things aren’t as simple. You’ll need to spend money on add-ons to support the new employees. And if your company really grows, you’re going to have to just buy an extra hardware VPN (or more), or a new model that supports more connections.

The Bottom Line

Overall, I’d say that there’s no need to use hardware VPN if you’re an average online user. I mean you can do it if you have the money and skills, but let’s be honest – hardware VPNs are more suitable for large companies with very skilled IT teams and large budgets that want dedicated VPN connections.

As a regular Internet user, you’re better off with software VPN. It’s cheaper and easier to set up. Plus, you can even use it for your business to secure your VoIP calls, get around geo-blocks, do SEO research, and encrypt remote employee connections to your network – not to mention save money too.

If you need help to find reliable software VPNs, take a look at ProPrivacy. The website has tons of useful guides, and reviews that will help you make a smart decision.

4 Services Small Businesses Can Outsource

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | 4 Services Small Businesses Can OutsourceRunning a small business requires wearing a lot of different hats. You don’t have to do everything yourself or hire full-time staff to take care of all the daily tasks needed to keep your business going. Here are four services to consider outsourcing.

1. Technological Support

If you use any technology to operate your business, even if it’s just website maintenance and email, you need some type of IT support. It may not be cost effective to have your own team on staff, though. IT outsourcing can help you manage your technical infrastructure and keep everything running smoothly.

2. Janitorial Services

When you have a brick-and-mortar location, you want to keep it clean to protect yourself, your employees and your customers. You can ensure that regular cleaning happens when you enlist the help of janitorial services Minneapolis. You can set up a schedule that works best for your business.

3. Accounting

You hope that all areas of your business run well, but one area you need to be as close to perfect as possible is accounting. Accounting helps you keep track of payroll, revenue, expenditures and taxes. You can use payroll software for basic functions, but hiring outside experts can help you avoid costly mistakes.

4. Marketing

Analyzing the marketing strategies that will work best for your particular business can be time-consuming. That’s why it makes sense to outsource your marketing to a team of professionals. Marketing specialists can focus on finding the best way to reach new customers and keep your current customers informed. This releases you to have the time you need to focus on what you do best.

Part of running a small business is making sure everything is taken care of. Instead of trying to add a lot of employees to the payroll, try outsourcing as many services as possible.

Keep Your Workplace From Going Viral

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article | Keep Your Workplace From Going ViralWith the recent virus outbreak many people have become concerned with sanitizing their workplace to prevent the spread of the virus and germs. As a cleaning professional with over 25-years of experience, I have some good insights on how to handle this process. We at Cleaning Group Inc. have developed a protocol for disinfection and preventing infection in offices, gyms, medical facilities, restaurants, and other venues where the public meets with your staff.

The first piece of advice I can give you is don’t panic. Panic prevents rational thought and hinders the ability to make informed decisions. The first thing to do is assess the actual exposure. This is determined by how many people visit your facility on a regular basis and the probability that those people may be infected. Medical offices that treat patients or perform procedures in-office are at higher risk of infection than an office that only has a few employees and rarely receive visitors. The next thing to consider is where germs can be transferred. The most common places transfer takes place are telephones, door handles, light switches and restrooms. Air quality is another consideration as germs may become airborne and spread through ventilation systems.

Whether your workplace has a high or low risk, you should consider consulting a professional to assess what needs to be done in your facility. A professional cleaner will determine exactly what your individual needs are. There are safeguards that everyone can take. Start by informing employees, coworkers, clients and visitors of the risk factor. If you are a medical office treating infected patients or if you have employees who have been exposed, you need to inform everyone who enters your facility to take precautions. If you are hosting a meeting or conference, designate areas where visitors will be and properly clean and disinfect those areas before and after the meeting. Put hand sanitizing stations at entrances and lobby areas. Most people will use it if it is available. I recommend a touch free dispenser. When several people touch a soap dispenser before actually using the soap, they are leaving germs on the dispenser. Designate a phone that your visitors may use and place disinfecting wipes next to it with a sign asking people to wipe the phone before and after using it. Any keypads or touch screens that are heavily used should be treated the same way.

Signs should be placed in all restrooms asking everyone to please wash their hands. Touch free soap and towel dispensers are a great idea. Touch free faucets are beneficial. Electric hand dryers are better than paper towels. The restroom fixtures should be disinfected at a frequency that coincides with their use. A cleaning professional will be able to determine the proper frequency. Using the proper chemicals is key. For example, bleach evaporates much quicker than most other water-based disinfectants. In order for a disinfectant to work properly it must remain on the surface for several minutes. All surfaces should be wiped with a disinfectant daily.

Treating the air can be the trickiest. I recommend changing filters weekly using a high-quality filter that traps the most amount of allergens. Hepa filters work best. Having ducts professionally cleaned will help prevent germs from collecting in the ventilation system. Disinfectant fogging is the best way to treat the air and kill airborne virus. This process must be done by a professional. The fogger atomizes the disinfectant and sprays it into the air. This will treat areas that are hard to reach and may normally get overlooked.

Lunchrooms and kitchens are another area where disinfecting is important. Utensils and cups should be washed, dried and put away in a cabinet. Everyone should clean cups and utensils before and after each use. Water cooler handles should be disinfected as well. Make sure you replace kitchen sponges frequently and use an antibacterial dish soap. Wipe counters with disinfectant before and after each use also.

The best defense against germ and virus transfer is a good plan. Work with a cleaning professional and consult your local health department to assess risk factors and determine the level of reported infections in your area. These and other tips are available in more detail in our guidelines for disinfection. I realize that some of these things may seem extreme or expensive. Most business owners are reluctant to increase the cleaning budget. I can assure you that the money is well spent. Keeping your customers, clients and employees healthy is as equally healthy for your bottom line.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Glenn GreeleyGlenn Greeley is founder of CGI Cleaning Group Inc. headquartered on Long Island. For more information visit www.cleaninggroupinc.com, call 631-669-6033, or email [email protected] for a free disinfecting guideline.

What’s The Most Important Thing For Your Business Growth?

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | What’s The Most Important Thing For Your Business Growth?

When it comes to being in business, it’s safe to say that you’re going to want to make sure that you can grow. But this isn’t something that you can do overnight. And it’s not always easy to make it happen. And so, when you know that you want to get somewhere with your business, you have to be intentional about it. Being intentional with your business means knowing what it is that you need to do to grow. It means having a plan and focusing on the right things. And this can be hard. So, it’s important for you to work on the things that are the most important to your growth. Let’s consider a few options.

The Right Intent

To begin with, it may be as simple as you having the best intentions for the business. Sometimes, it’s easy to think that you know what you want to achieve, But then your actions don’t match that. And so, you need to be able to make sure that you are setting goals and then following through with actions that allow you to achieve them. If you are really keen to grow, this is something you definitely have to stick to.

Better Research

Or maybe for you, the most important thing to focus on right now is research. If you have a particular product that requires advancement or that is in a technological or scientific area, then research is everything. And you will want to invest here. Whether that’s in Chemyo SARMs for research or for the team and equipment, it’s important to do it. Because if this is the one thing that will guarantee you success, you should go for it.

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | What’s The Most Important Thing For Your Business Growth?

More Sales

Sometimes, it can be as simple as needing to get more sales. When you want to increase your revenue, it can feel like you have to jump through hoops to get there – but that’s not always the case. Have a great product, try to help others, and watch the sales come in.

A Connection

When it comes to finding any kind of success in business, you’re likely to find that it matters for you to make a connection with your customers. So if you know that you want to see exponential growth soon, learning how to connect with your customers can really help you. So this is definitely something that you should make a priority. Because if you care to connect with them, it really makes a difference.

Perseverance

Sometimes, the most important thing that you can do is just keep going. Business success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not a quick thing – it takes work and perseverance. It’s important that you can be patient and keep going – because the results will come. You never know whether the thing you need to make everything a success is right around the corner. So keep going – the growth will come.

Deftly Walking Through the Minefield of Business Error

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The pursuits of business can sometimes feel a little like pot luck, as it’s not always completely predictable just what will define our success and what may delay it. Of course, that’s the gamble we all take when launching a business, but there are measures we can partake in to reduce that gambling potential. For instance, staying on good terms with our customers and clients, using honest promotional tactics, acting with integrity in honoring our business arrangements, and treating our staff well will almost always be a set of positive influences on our brand, and if not, you’ve unfortunately experienced some terrible luck.

That being said, deftly walking through the minefield of business error is not always so easy. For that we need to continually refine ourselves, learn from the goings-on around us and staying abreast of all developments in our industry. To that end, we’re sure to approximate the best forward solution.

But how do we get started as far as this is concerned? Might it be worth considering our vital role in this going forward? With that in mind, let us consider the following advice:

Your Staff Are Ambassadors

Your staff are ambassadors of your firm, regardless of if they willingly fill that role or not. Their activities on social media, how they drive in your company car, how they speak to clients on the phone, all of it is included in the overall perception of your company. It’s important to make them aware of this, and to train them in the best social media or public facing policies and practices you hold. Additionally, reserving the right to discipline or terminate employment based on if these requirements have been ignored can also be a worthwhile means of distancing yourself from bad behavior.

Your Legal Standing

It’s essential to ensure your legal standing is perfect, from hiring the best accountant to establish your tax contributions, to using legal services to help in setting up a corporation, especially knowing the difference between S-Cop and C-Corp options can be vital. Protecting yourself through the hiring policy that allows candidates to submit to best practice, and ensuring your safety protocols and policies are watertight before permitting staff to exercise dangerous tasks, perhaps in your manufacturing line, is crucial to covering your back, and ultimately protecting everyone involved in your business approach.

Promotional Blunders

It’s also important to consider protecting yourself against promotional blunders. Revise your marketing strategy to ensure it will not offend, or will not promise over the mark. Additionally, ensure that with any business marketing strategy that you’re completely clear about what it is consumers can expect, what your privacy policy will be, and what you require from them for using your services. Do not hide charges, or market towards one group of people, as you can never tell just who might be interested in your brand. When you focus on that, you’ll ensure most of your promotional blunders are cared for.

With this advice, we hope you can deftly walk through the minefield of business error.

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