by myCREcloud | Sep 25, 2025 | Company
Cyber insurance is a type of insurance that protects businesses from financial losses that can result from a cyberattack. While it’s an essential tool for businesses of all sizes, there are some facts you should be aware of before purchasing a policy.
Just because you have cyber insurance, it doesn’t mean you are guaranteed a payout in the event of an incident. This is because you may not have the correct coverage for certain types of cyberattacks or you might have fallen out of compliance with your policy’s security requirements. As a result, it is critical to carefully review your policy and ensure that your business is adequately protected.
Learn from the past
Here are three real-life examples of denied cyber insurance claims:
Cottage Health vs. Columbia Casualty
The issue stemmed from a data breach at Cottage Health System. They notified their cyber insurer, Columbia Casualty Company, and filed a claim for coverage.
However, Columbia Casualty sought a declaratory judgment against Cottage Health, claiming that they were not obligated to defend or compensate Cottage Health because the insured didn’t comply with the terms of their policy. According to Columbia Casualty, Cottage Health agreed to maintain specific minimum risk controls as a condition of their coverage, which they then failed to do.
This case reminds organizations of the importance of reading their cyber policy, understanding what it contains and adhering to its terms.
BitPay vs. Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company
BitPay, a leading global cryptocurrency payment service provider, filed a $1.8 million insurance claim, but Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company denied it. The loss was caused by a phishing scam in which a hacker broke into the network of BitPay’s business partner, stole the credentials of the CFO of BitPay, pretended to be the CFO of BitPay and requested the transfer of more than 5,000 bitcoins to a fake account.
Massachusetts Bay Insurance stated in its denial that BitPay’s loss was not direct and thus was not covered by the policy. Massachusetts Bay Insurance asserted that having a business partner phished does not count as per the policy.
Although BitPay is appealing the denial, this case emphasizes the importance of carefully reviewing insurance policies to ensure you understand what scenarios are covered. This incident also highlights the importance of employee security awareness training and the need to reach out to an IT service provider if you don’t have a regular training policy.
International Control Services vs. Travelers Property Casualty Company
Travelers Property Casualty Company requested a district court to reject International Control Services’ ransomware attack claim. The company argues that International Control Services failed to properly use multifactor authentication (MFA), which was required to obtain cyber insurance. MFA is a type of authentication that uses multiple factors to confirm a user’s identity.
Travelers Property Casualty Company claims that International Control Services falsely stated on its policy application materials that MFA is required for employees and third parties to access email, log into the network remotely and access endpoints, servers, etc. They stated that International Control Services was only using the MFA protocol on its firewall and that access to its other systems, including its servers, which were the target of the ransomware attack in question, were not protected by MFA.
This case serves as a reminder that when it comes to underwriting policies, insurers are increasingly scrutinizing companies’ cybersecurity practices and that companies must be honest about their cybersecurity posture.
Travelers Property Casualty Company said it wants the court to declare the insurance contract null and void, annul the policy and declare it has no duty to reimburse or defend International Control Services for any claim.
Don’t be late to act
As we have seen, there are several reasons why businesses can be denied payouts from their cyber insurance policies. Sometimes, it could be due to a naive error, such as misinterpreting difficult-to-understand insurance jargon. In other cases, businesses may be maintaining poor cybersecurity hygiene.
An IT service provider can help you avoid these problems by working with you to assess your risks and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity plan. Feel free to reach out for a no-obligation consultation
by myCREcloud | Sep 4, 2025 | Company
As the leaves change color and temperatures drop, construction crews across the country brace for one of the most challenging seasons in the building calendar. Fall construction brings unique obstacles that can turn even well-planned projects into costly nightmares. But with proper preparation and awareness, you can navigate these seasonal challenges successfully.
The Perfect Storm of Fall Construction Challenges
Fall presents a convergence of factors that make construction particularly demanding. Shorter daylight hours compress work schedules, while increasingly unpredictable weather patterns can halt progress without warning. Material deliveries face delays as suppliers rush to complete orders before winter, and experienced contractors become harder to book as everyone scrambles to finish outdoor work.
The psychological pressure intensifies too. There’s an underlying urgency to complete projects before winter weather makes certain tasks impossible or prohibitively expensive. This rush mentality often leads to corner-cutting and mistakes that create bigger problems down the road.
Weather: Your Biggest Wildcard
Fall weather is notoriously fickle, swinging from warm, sunny days perfect for construction to sudden cold snaps, driving rain, or early snow. Temperature fluctuations wreak havoc on materials like concrete, which requires specific conditions to cure properly. Paint and sealants also become problematic as humidity levels swing wildly and surfaces may be too cold or damp for proper adhesion.
How to avoid it: Build substantial weather buffers into your timeline. Instead of assuming perfect conditions, plan for delays and have indoor tasks ready when outdoor work becomes impossible. Invest in weather monitoring tools and establish clear protocols for when to pause work. Consider portable shelters or heating solutions for critical tasks that must continue despite weather challenges.
The Daylight Crunch
Losing an hour of daylight each week might not sound significant, but it compounds quickly. What starts as a full eight-hour workday in early September shrinks to barely six hours of good light by November. This reduction forces difficult decisions about overtime costs, artificial lighting expenses, or accepting slower progress.
How to avoid it: Start fall projects earlier in the season when daylight is still abundant. Prioritize exterior work and tasks requiring natural light for the beginning of your timeline. Invest in quality portable lighting systems if you plan to work extended hours. Consider adjusting work schedules to maximize available daylight, even if it means starting earlier in the morning.
Material Mayhem
Supply chain disruptions peak in fall as manufacturers rush to fulfill orders before winter slowdowns. Popular items become backordered, prices fluctuate, and delivery schedules become unreliable. Lumber moisture content varies dramatically as suppliers work through summer inventory mixed with freshly cut wood that hasn’t had time to properly dry.
How to avoid it: Order materials well in advance, ideally by late summer. Build relationships with multiple suppliers to have backup options when shortages occur. Store materials properly to protect them from moisture and temperature swings. Consider alternative materials that might be more readily available or better suited to fall installation conditions.
Labor Shortages and Quality Concerns
Skilled contractors are in high demand during fall as property owners rush to complete projects. This scarcity drives up costs and can force you to settle for less experienced crews. The pressure to work quickly in deteriorating conditions also increases the likelihood of mistakes and shortcuts that compromise quality.
How to avoid it: Book contractors in spring or early summer for fall work. Get multiple references and verify licensing and insurance before committing. Build quality checkpoints into your contract that must be met regardless of weather or time pressures. Consider breaking large projects into phases that can be completed across multiple seasons rather than rushing everything into fall.
Foundation and Concrete Concerns
Concrete work becomes increasingly challenging as temperatures drop. Cold weather slows curing times and can lead to weak, brittle concrete if proper precautions aren’t taken. Excavation becomes more difficult as ground begins to freeze, and foundation work may be impossible once frost penetrates the soil.
How to avoid it: Complete all concrete and foundation work early in the fall season. Use cold-weather concrete mixes and curing compounds when temperatures drop below 50°F. Protect fresh concrete with insulating blankets or heated enclosures. Have backup plans for foundation work, including the possibility of waiting until spring if conditions become unsuitable.
Roofing and Exterior Risks
Roof work becomes dangerous as surfaces become slippery from morning frost, falling leaves, or sudden precipitation. High winds common in fall create additional safety hazards and can damage materials. Exterior painting and siding work faces similar challenges as adhesion problems increase with temperature and humidity fluctuations.
How to avoid it: Prioritize roofing work for calm, dry days and have crews ready to mobilize quickly when conditions are favorable. Use proper safety equipment rated for wet and slippery conditions. Choose materials specifically designed for cooler weather installation. Consider postponing non-critical exterior work until spring rather than risking poor installation or safety incidents.
Planning Your Fall Construction Success
The key to avoiding fall construction headaches lies in realistic planning and flexible execution. Start your projects earlier than you think necessary, build substantial buffers into both timeline and budget, and maintain high standards even when pressured to rush.
Communicate regularly with your entire team about changing conditions and be prepared to make tough decisions about when to pause work rather than compromising quality or safety. Remember that a project delayed until spring is almost always preferable to a project completed poorly under adverse conditions.
Fall construction doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With proper preparation, realistic expectations, and a commitment to quality over speed, you can successfully navigate the season’s challenges and complete projects you’ll be proud of for years to come. The key is respecting the season’s limitations while leveraging its opportunities – after all, some of the most beautiful construction happens when the leaves are falling.Retry
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Fall IT Infrastructure Headaches: Your Guide to Avoiding Seasonal Technology Pitfalls
As organizations prepare for year-end pushes and budget cycles, fall becomes a critical season for IT infrastructure projects. But this timing creates a perfect storm of challenges that can derail even the most carefully planned technology initiatives. From hardware procurement delays to staff scheduling conflicts, fall IT projects face unique obstacles that require strategic planning to overcome.
The Year-End Pressure Cooker
Fall IT projects operate under intense pressure from multiple directions. Budget deadlines loom as fiscal years close, forcing rushed procurement decisions and compressed implementation timelines. Meanwhile, businesses demand minimal downtime during their busiest seasons, creating narrow maintenance windows that complicate deployment schedules.
The “get it done before January” mentality pervades everything from server migrations to software rollouts, often leading to inadequate testing and documentation. This urgency frequently results in technical debt that haunts organizations well into the following year.
Hardware Procurement Nightmares
Fall marks the beginning of the worst period for IT hardware availability. Manufacturers focus on consumer holiday products, leaving enterprise equipment with longer lead times and higher prices. Server components, networking gear, and storage devices that were readily available in summer suddenly face 8-12 week delivery windows.
How to avoid it: Place hardware orders by August for fall deployments. Maintain relationships with multiple vendors and distributors to source alternative products when primary choices become unavailable. Consider leasing arrangements that provide faster access to equipment. Build 20-30% buffer inventory for critical components that frequently fail or require replacement during large projects.
The Vendor Vacation Void
November and December create a vendor support black hole that can strand critical projects. Key technical contacts disappear for extended holidays, escalation paths slow to a crawl, and new support cases pile up in queues that won’t be addressed until January. Software licensing renewals face similar delays as account managers become unreachable.
How to avoid it: Complete vendor-dependent work by early November. Identify and document alternative support channels and escalation procedures before holiday seasons begin. Front-load critical vendor interactions and resolve licensing issues well ahead of renewal dates. Negotiate extended support agreements that guarantee response times during holiday periods.
Staff Scheduling Chaos
IT teams face competing demands during fall months. Budget planning consumes management time, annual reviews require extensive documentation, and holiday schedules reduce available personnel just when projects need the most attention. Skilled contractors become scarce as they prioritize long-term engagements over short fall projects.
How to avoid it: Begin resource planning in summer, securing key personnel commitments before competing priorities emerge. Cross-train team members to reduce dependency on individual specialists. Consider temporary staff augmentation from consulting firms that specialize in short-term technical deployments. Build project timelines that account for reduced capacity during November and December.
Network and Security Vulnerabilities
Fall brings increased cybersecurity risks as attackers exploit holiday distractions and reduced monitoring. Meanwhile, network infrastructure faces higher loads from seasonal business activities, creating performance bottlenecks that complicate infrastructure changes. Backup and disaster recovery systems often fail under the stress of both increased usage and deferred maintenance.
How to avoid it: Conduct comprehensive security audits before peak season begins. Update and test all backup and disaster recovery procedures. Implement enhanced monitoring during high-risk periods. Schedule security patching and system updates for early fall rather than during peak business seasons. Establish incident response procedures that account for reduced staffing during holidays.
Software Deployment Disasters
Software rollouts during fall face unique challenges as user training competes with year-end business activities. Testing cycles get compressed as release deadlines approach, leading to inadequate quality assurance. Integration challenges multiply when multiple systems require updates simultaneously to meet compliance or reporting requirements.
How to avoid it: Plan software deployments for early fall when users have more capacity for training and adaptation. Implement phased rollouts that allow for course correction before full deployment. Maintain robust testing environments that mirror production systems. Develop rollback procedures for every deployment and test them thoroughly before go-live dates.
Budget and Procurement Bottlenecks
Capital expenditure approvals slow as finance teams focus on year-end closing activities. Purchase orders face additional scrutiny as departments try to optimize spending against annual budgets. Multi-year contracts require extensive legal review that conflicts with compressed project timelines.
How to avoid it: Submit budget requests and purchase orders by early October to avoid year-end processing delays. Develop relationships with procurement and finance teams to understand their peak periods and constraints. Consider breaking large purchases into smaller components that fall under simplified approval thresholds. Negotiate flexible payment terms that align with organizational budget cycles.
Data Center and Cloud Challenges
Physical data center work becomes more complex as facilities teams balance infrastructure maintenance with heating and cooling demands. Cloud migrations face increased scrutiny as organizations evaluate annual spend and negotiate new contracts. Performance issues become more critical as holiday traffic patterns stress existing systems.
How to avoid it: Schedule major data center work for early fall before weather creates additional facility constraints. Complete cloud architecture reviews and cost optimizations before Q4 traffic spikes. Implement auto-scaling and load balancing solutions before seasonal demand peaks. Develop capacity planning models that account for both business growth and seasonal variations.
Planning Your Fall IT Success
Successful fall IT projects require early planning, realistic timelines, and flexible execution strategies. Begin project planning in summer with detailed dependency mapping and risk assessment. Build relationships with key vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders before you need them.
Most importantly, resist the temptation to cram too much into fall schedules. Projects that seem urgent in October often prove less critical when evaluated against implementation risks and resource constraints. Sometimes the best decision is postponing non-critical initiatives until Q1 when resources and attention can be properly allocated.
The Bottom Line: Fall IT projects can succeed, but only with careful planning that acknowledges seasonal constraints. Focus on critical infrastructure first, maintain rigorous testing standards despite time pressure, and never compromise security for speed. Remember that a project completed properly in January delivers more value than one rushed to completion in December with ongoing technical issues.
By respecting fall’s unique challenges while leveraging early preparation and strategic resource allocation, IT teams can navigate seasonal headaches and deliver successful projects that support business objectives without creating technical debt or operational risk.
by myCREcloud | Sep 4, 2025 | Company
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, the ability to import and integrate external data with Sage 100 Contractor is more critical than ever. Yet, Sage 100 Contractor lacks flexible import capabilities and a modern programmatic API out of the box.
The Sage 100 Contractor Cloud Connector closes this gap with a secure, serverless, true cloud-based integration solution designed for both everyday users and advanced developers.
For day-to-day needs, the Cloud Connector offers a comprehensive suite of CSV import options, making it easy to bring in data without manual re-keying or time-consuming workarounds. This ensures greater accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in your data management processes.
For more advanced use cases, the Cloud Connector provides a robust REST API, allowing you to connect Sage 100 Contractor with virtually any other system. This enables seamless programmatic integrations, automation of routine tasks, and the ability to build sophisticated workflows across platforms.
With the Cloud Connector, you can:
- Streamline operations by eliminating manual data entry
- Automate processes for greater productivity
- Connect systems to unlock the full potential of your technology stack
- Maximize ROI from your Sage 100 Contractor investment
Flexible, secure, and scalable, the Cloud Connector empowers your business to stay ahead in an ever-expanding digital landscape.
NEXT STEPS
Visit Ei Dynamics online! Website
by myCREcloud | Sep 3, 2025 | Company
Trusted by hundreds of contractors using Sage 300 CRE, Anterra is designed to eliminate tedious spreadsheets, improve productivity and help you make smarter, data-driven decisions.
With Anterra, you can:
- Gain unshakeable confidence in your data. See numbers clearly, drill into transactions, and answer business questions with ease.
- Achieve dramatic efficiency gains. Spend less time running and managing reports and more time using them to drive business forward.
- Unlock proactive financial control. Bridge the gap between ops and finance, get ahead of risk, and get the right data in the hands of the right stakeholder.
Anterra offers two powerful solutions designed for Sage 300 CRE users: Anterra Data Center (ADC) for lightning-fast data replication and Anterra Business Intelligence (ABI) for advanced reporting and financial management.
Anterra Data Center (ADC)
ADC is a lightning-fast Pervasive-to-SQL server replicator for Sage 300 CRE.
- Replicates to SQL 100x faster than the Sage Data Replicator
- Improves reporting in Power BI, Office Connector, Crystal, and more
- No table locks, no errors, and no new hardware required
- Installs in under an hour with immediate results
Anterra Business Intelligence (ABI)
ABI is built for construction with powerful out-of-the-box dashboards, reporting tools, forecasting capabilities and more, all in the cloud.
- Automates WIP reporting, AR collections, forecasting, and financial statements
- Includes drag-and-drop report builders, customizable KPI dashboards, and AP/AR image integration
- Built-in construction-specific analytics and precalculated measures
- Accessible from anywhere with secure, cloud-based access
Visit Anterra online!
Website
by myCREcloud | Jul 31, 2025 | Company
If your business gathers customer data like names, email addresses or phone numbers, you have a responsibility to keep their data safe. Your customers trusted you with their sensitive information, and now it’s your turn to return the favor.
Data privacy is all about how responsibly you treat your customer information. It’s not just about how you collect or store data, but also how you dispose of it.
In this blog, we’ll explore why data privacy matters, what can go wrong when you aren’t careful and, most importantly, how you can stay compliant and build trust.
Why data privacy is so important for your business
The efforts that you put into implementing data privacy show how much you value customer trust, safety and long-term growth. Here’s why data privacy is so important:
Protects your customers’ rights: Every individual has the right to the privacy of their data. Data privacy ensures that your customers have a say in who can access their personal information and who cannot.
Prevents harm: By implementing effective data practices, you can protect your customers from the consequences of identity theft, fraud and other malicious activities.
Maintains trust: When your customers understand that you put a great deal of effort into protecting their personal information, they’re more likely to stay loyal and even refer others.
What happens when you don’t comply
Ignoring data privacy laws can have serious consequences for your business. Here’s what happens when you don’t comply:
Financial penalties: Regulatory bodies can impose substantial fines on your business, depending on its size and revenue.
Legal troubles: Your customers can sue if it is proven that you failed to handle data effectively. These lawsuits are not only expensive but can also severely impact your business and its daily functions.
Damage to your reputation: Your customers trust you to protect their data. Data breaches and non-compliance can drive them away, leading to reputational damage and business loss.
Business disruptions: When faced with non-compliance and security issues, your team will have to divert their time and energy to fix them instead of growing your business.
Increased scrutiny: Once you are found to be non-compliant, your business might be subjected to increased scrutiny, and you may have to face more restrictions. That’s not something any business wants to face.
Where an IT service provider comes in
Here is how an experienced IT service provider can make things easier for you:
Compliance support: Experienced IT service providers are well-versed in laws and regulations. They can help you understand the state, federal or industry regulations that apply to your business and show you how to meet them.
Security practices: A trusted partner can help you implement strong security protocols like encryption, firewalls and multi-factor authentication. They also carry out regular security audits to reduce your exposure to risks.
Data management: A crucial part of data privacy is managing your data. An IT service provider can assist by ensuring the data is collected, stored and deleted in compliance with the prevailing data privacy laws.
Regular risk assessment: An IT partner can conduct regular risk assessments to spot weaknesses and patch them up before bad actors can exploit them.
Incident response: An experienced IT partner can respond quickly and help contain the situation before it spirals into a major event. They can investigate the cause and take corrective action.
Employee training: Your employees need to act as your first line of defense. That’s where an IT service provider can step in to help you educate your team about privacy best practices and other related topics.
Protect what matters effortlessly
As a business owner, you already have a set of priorities that you need to focus on. Don’t let data privacy requirements overwhelm you. As an experienced IT service provider, we can help you understand what matters for your business, implement the right protections and stay compliant.
We can do the heavy lifting for you while you focus on running your business. Schedule a no-obligation consultation today.
Note to MSPs: To ensure your content doesn’t get tagged for plagiarism, add the “no index” meta tag.
by myCREcloud | Jul 11, 2025 | Company
In today’s business world, technology plays a significant role in almost every industry. It has disrupted the way we live, work, interact and collaborate.
There are endless ways that technology can benefit businesses like yours. Technology can help you automate processes, connect with new customers and improve communication within your company. Ultimately, technology can help you reach your business goals and be more successful.
However, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often have more difficulty implementing new technologies than larger businesses. This could be due to a lack of resources, compatibility issues with existing systems or complications in managing new technology. You might also find it hard to keep up with the latest technological trends.
This is where you need to consider hiring an external IT service provider in addition to your existing IT team or simply rely on an IT service provider if you don’t have an internal IT team. An IT service provider is a specialist who can act as your outsourced IT team.
The benefits of outsourcing IT services over hiring internally
There are many benefits of outsourcing IT services rather than hiring internally, including:
More comprehensive support
Outsourcing your technology needs can be a great way to get more robust support for your business. By outsourcing, you gain access to a team of professionals with a wide range of skill sets rather than just one person or a small group with a specific skill set. This can be beneficial for businesses looking for assistance in a range of areas.
On-demand
If you only have one person providing your IT services, you only get service when that individual is available. That’s why it’s crucial to look for 24/7/365 support and that’s where an IT service provider comes in. With an IT service provider, you have a team of experts who are always on call to help you with your IT needs.
You can rest assured knowing that your systems are being taken care of and that you’ll never be without service again.
More reliable
When you hire a specialized IT service provider, you are basically hiring a team of experts. That means if someone from that external team leaves, your support will not suffer. You’ll continue to have access to the same level of support as before.
Internal hires, on the other hand, don’t come with that same safety net. When someone quits or gets fired, your support abruptly dwindles. You’ll have to spend time training a new hire and getting them up to speed.
Worry-free
An IT service provider will provide you with the necessary software, tools and staff to manage your entire IT environment. You can focus on your business and leave the IT management to them. This is an excellent option for small businesses that lack the time or resources to manage their own IT department.
Predictable cost
The most enticing benefit of partnering with an IT service provider is the monthly bill you’ll receive. This predictable bill will take away the worry of budgeting for employee benefits, bonuses, etc.
Collaborate with the right partner
An IT service provider like us might be exactly what your business needs. We can help you by providing a single point of contact for all your IT needs, right from industry-best software to support and maintenance. We can also provide you with access to resources you may not have otherwise, such as a broader range of software and skill sets, as well as security, compliance and backup services.
Finally, we can help you stay up to date on the latest technologies, which can improve your business efficiency and competitiveness. Feel free to contact us today to take the first step towards solving your technology woes.
