The Simply Smarter Blog

Take a closer look at how to create appealing, effective content for digital signage for your store.

The following reflections about Memorial Day have been contributed by the Sharp Veterans Education Resource Group (Veterans ERG), whose mission it is to empower and enable our proud veterans by providing them opportunities to share experiences, improve veteran recruitment, enhance professional growth and provide feedback to improve the overall Sharp community.

Summer is nearly here, which means more time for vacations and traveling. With remote and hybrid work, many individuals will be taking calls, answering emails or collaborating with teams while on the go. Although working where you want may be convenient for your personal or business travel plans, it's critical to be aware of potential cyber threats when using devices both en route and at your destination.

A recent article by Cybercrime Magazine predicted that global cybercrime costs will increase by 15% per year, amounting to $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Here are some tips on how you can make sure to protect your data – and that of your organization – from potential cybersecurity breaches.

A 2023 study found that 68% of organizations in the United States and Europe experienced data loss due to unsecure printing. Modern multi-functional printers (MFPs) offer a wide array of advanced productivity features to keep employees engaged and connect them to various business applications. Given their strategic importance in today’s workplace, how can we ensure MFPs have proper security measures in place so that they avoid becoming weak points that open doors to bad actors? Following are some steps Sharp has taken to address this.

Classrooms have completely evolved over the past 20+ years.  We all remember the days of messy chalk on blackboards and overhead projectors.  Those big, bulky pieces of machinery wheeled in on a cart in the middle of the classroom.  Who doesn’t remember the thrill of being allowed to write on the transparency with a dry-erase marker and seeing the results projected on the wall? Fortunately, there has been an evolution in how educators can display their lessons.

Phishing remains one of the most common types of cybercrime according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report.  Cybercriminals took advantage of our state of unrest and found ways to profit from our heightened dependence on technology. With $10.2 billion in profits, internet crime is a lucrative business to be in. As cyber criminals get more savvy in the art of deception, these emails are getting harder to recognize. They are no longer desperate requests for money or a plea from an offshore prince. They are simple messages with a simple objective – to get you to click or respond.

Email is a key that cyber criminals can use to comprise you or your employer’s sensitive data - and bank account. It’s time to for us to treat it as such by analyzing every email received to catch phishing attempts. After practice, it will become second nature. Here are a few tips to follow in order to take back our inboxes.

You might only see the action on the playing field, but behind the scenes, it takes a lot of technology to support college athletics. Today, schools and their athletes need to stay ahead of the competition more than ever by incorporating collaborative digital tools for everything from personalized training apps to video capabilities for reviewing plays and archival footage. It’s no exception for Army Athletics of West Point, the oldest of the five American service academies educating cadets for commissioning into the United States Army.

Often overlooked as a gateway into your network, your copier is the most unsuspecting way cybercriminals gain access to your company information. Printer security is often lower on the security agenda than say email or cloud platforms. Which is why with the recent launch of our new BP line of copiers, we decided to layer on the ultimate cybersecurity tools to keep customers one step ahead.

We are migrating to a digital era, but that hasn’t stopped educators from relying on their school’s multifunction printer (MFP) to quickly produce 30 copies of their students’ homework as they scarf down food on their lunch break. Despite an increase in digital technologies being incorporated into the classroom and at home, educators are still printing many documents each school year, from homework and assignments to study guides, worksheets and tests.

We can look at the data to determine why print is important from usage alone. But there are underlying benefits to having an MFP in the library, faculty lounge or administrative office. Let’s take a closer look.

The pandemic has changed so much of how the world works. From virtual learning to leading global meetings from makeshift living room offices, we have adapted regimes to ensure we are completing the best work possible. What happens when old routines, programs, and technology no longer fit the mold and aren’t helping us excel? There’s one clear answer: Change.

Sharp and Bitdefender recently entered a new partnership, one that strengthens cybersecurity threat prevention in our new range of business MFPs at a time when cybercriminals are increasingly targeting endpoint devices – including printers – to plant malware, steal intellectual property, and launch espionage campaigns. 

Bitdefender is a recognized industry leader in threat prevention, detection and response, with its antimalware detection technology consistently achieving top performance results in independent, third-party tests.

Sharp sat down with George Yunaev, Senior Software Developer at Bitdefender to discuss the partnership and why it is so important to protect all endpoints of any network – regardless of business size.

When an online retailer, or a website, gets hacked, oftentimes all you hear in the news is about how many credit cards were lost or what the financial damage was. You rarely hear about the user accounts that were compromised. However, if you have an account on a compromised website, the username and password you used very possibly could be published and available to anybody who wants to look at it at on the Internet. Read on to learn about the one thing you can do to help remember your passwords without compromising your personal or businesses' security.

Educational technology helps today’s teachers to integrate new tools into their classroom. Teachers are able to upgrade and improve the learning in their classroom that enables them to engage their students in unique and innovative ways. Teachers are also able to expand their network and connect with other teachers and educators nationally and globally. Let’s dive into three ways in which technology impacts the classroom and its implications for the future of education.

It may be one of the greatest pet peeves for teachers. You get some fancy new technology to use in the classroom, oohs and aahs abound, but it’s incompatible or difficult to use with existing software and other systems. Or you need to learn an entirely new system, so it becomes a major time investment that counters what you thought you’d save with the technology. What educators need – and what will invariably make their jobs easier – is technology that can link up to existing devices seamlessly and that will require minimal effort to get up to speed on. This is where having an open platform solution can provide huge benefits. For interactive displays, open platform is essentially an agnostic tool that can connect with any other devices in the classroom environment.

Workers are embracing remote and hybrid work like never before, making a well-equipped home office essential for productivity and comfort. Flexibility and the ability to seamlessly work from anywhere are top priorities for professionals, especially when their workspace is optimized for efficiency. Here’s a look at the tools and setups our followers identify as must-haves for a successful remote office.

Did you ever watch a game at a sports bar or restaurant? How about looking at a meeting agenda on a display in a hotel lobby or a virtual directory in a hospital or shopping mall? Chances are, you were looking at a commercial TV. You may be asking yourself, “Isn’t that the same TV I have in my house?” Not quite. While consumer 4K TVs and commercial display products are increasingly similar in design, each is built with features specific to its intended environment.

Let’s explore the differences.

Data breaches and other cybercrimes are becoming increasingly common. But it’s not just large organizations that are at risk. Small and medium-sized businesses are equally, if not more, attractive targets for cybercriminals because they often lack the robust security infrastructure of larger organizations. Many owners report feeling vulnerable to cyberattacks, highlighting the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures and insurance coverage. If your business falls victim to cybercrime, recovery costs can be significant — including specialized repairs, legal fees, and damage to your brand’s reputation. That’s why cyber liability insurance can be a smart precaution for businesses of all sizes.

You’ve heard countless messages about the importance of data security.  In recent years, bad actors have stepped up their activity and are using more sophisticated techniques to take advantage of distributed and remote work environments. In today’s widespread threat landscape, a well-balanced, multi-layered security strategy is needed to help ensure your copiers and printers keep your information safe from malicious intruders. Read on to learn about some features that can keep your copier on lockdown.

Well-managed organizations are not immune to the risk of potential business interruptions and need to pivot and adapt in the face of adversity. Even the most agile businesses are not prepared for everything. In the event of a catastrophe, having a Business Continuity Plan is essential to keep your organization running. Without proper planning, your business could struggle to recover when a disruption occurs. Let’s talk about business continuity and how your organization can safeguard its operations.

When shopping for a new copier or multifunction printer (MFP), things can get tricky. When you look at the specification sheets of similar devices from different manufacturers, at first glance, it may not seem like there is much differentiation among the group. But just because these devices look the same on paper doesn’t mean there isn’t a difference between them. And if it’s been a while since you’ve been in the market for a piece of print hardware, you may be surprised at what today’s devices offer.

For years, we have been hearing that print is dead. Digital technology has become a dominant part of how we consume information and media. Many industries, such as healthcare and education, have shifted toward digital records and resources, though print remains an important tool in certain contexts. But is print really dead? Not so fast. Many industries have embraced digital, and over time, consumers have experienced digital fatigue, seeking ways to reduce screen time and engage with content offline. Print provides a welcome break from screens. It is often easier to read long text in a printed magazine or book than on a digital device.

At Sharp, we’re always looking for ways to help you think “simply smarter.” So, we thought it would be a great idea to feature our leaders to get an inside look at what they are working on and their views on the office technology space while learning some fun facts about them too! Today, we’re interviewing Tom McElligott, CIO & VP of Information Technology. We hope you enjoy getting to know Tom!

Classroom lessons have evolved considerably thanks to game-changing technology. Students today are learning more efficiently by engaging with a technologically forward learning experience. Interactive whiteboards invite students to actively participate in lessons, while teachers are no longer limited in what they can present or how they collaborate with their students.

Does your school need a technology upgrade? If you’re still using chalkboards or older smartboard models, the answer is likely yes! Technology plays a central role in almost everything we do, and giving students early access to modern devices helps build collaboration and technical skills. Modern display technology also enables teachers to streamline lesson plans and create a fully interactive learning environment.

Small businesses are especially vulnerable when they lack the technology and IT support needed to effectively mitigate and recover from cyberattacks. Limited resources can leave organizations more exposed to cyber threats, and as business processes continue to digitize and employees work remotely, cybercriminals grow increasingly sophisticated. Implementing proper defenses to protect against security breaches is essential. Here are some practical tips to help small businesses strengthen cybersecurity and reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

In a time where hybrid and remote work is more common than not, IT departments have played an integral role in keeping distributed teams connected and secured while working away from the office. Today, IT teams must accommodate the growing needs of videoconferencing, collaboration and simplified communication solutions. However, the demands for IT departments have dramatically increased over the past few years. As many businesses know, not having the right people puts pressure on how fast any company can move, regardless of budget.

There are advantages to having a dedicated technology provider that can scale an IT environment, maintain business agility, upgrade an outdated IT infrastructure, provide advanced cybersecurity support and more. So, what are the benefits of Managed IT Services, and why consider them?

Even though inflation remains high, SMBs are feeling the pressure from rising costs, a tight labor market, and unpredictable fuel prices. Businesses are navigating these financial challenges while trying to maintain operations and growth. For most people, disposable income is shrinking. I find myself in the dairy aisle weighing the cost of organic versus regular milk or making the difficult decision to cut my Netflix subscription, but what about business owners? The weight on their shoulders is increasing, and P&L sheets are taking a hit. Tough decisions are being made, from raising the cost of goods to contemplating layoffs. Times like these call for creative measures. Readjusting departmental budgets is a start, but if you look closer, there may be wasted money hiding in plain sight. Where to begin? A workplace technology assessment is a strong starting point. It offers many benefits, with the immediate focus on recovering wasted expenses. Here are five ways a technology assessment can help businesses offset financial constraints.

The workplace continues to evolve, and the need for communication and collaboration is more important than ever. Digital technology is reshaping the way people work. Employees bring tablets, laptops, and smartphones into meetings as ways to share information. Additionally, many employees work on a hybrid schedule, partially in the office and partially remote. One of the most impactful ways companies can create a collaborative space is by introducing an interactive whiteboard into their meeting rooms. With an interactive whiteboard in a business setting, meeting attendees can use their personal devices to share information with all participants using the interactive display, whether working in the office or remotely.

Technology continues to evolve rapidly, and this progress is particularly noticeable within the higher education sector. Students once carried backpacks filled with textbooks, notebooks and supplies. Many now rely on slim laptops and tablets that contain the materials needed to complete assignments, take notes and collaborate with others in their class. It’s critical for the classroom to evolve alongside students’ tools to create a streamlined, productive learning experience for all.

One way to achieve this is through the addition and/or upgrade of interactive displays within the classroom. While chalkboards and whiteboards have long been effective tools, they do not reflect the technological needs and contemporary classroom environments of many learning spaces. Interactive displays offer an enhanced learning experience for both students and professors, while also providing the classroom with an updated, modern look.

Picture this. You’re a high school administrator trying to figure out how to best help your students in the stretch run of April and May, gearing up for exams, projects and (gulp) final grades. You assume that they each have reliable personal laptops to get all their work done, in between gaming or binge watching their favorite streaming shows, of course. Or so you thought. What if it turns out their laptops aren’t as new or functional as you all believed them to be? You do NOT want to put your students in a position where they need to wait in line for a library computer to study for their chemistry final.

Whether it’s due to an outdated machine, or accidentally losing or breaking it, unexpected laptop mishaps happen. But educators need not despair. Here are a few tips to help you figure out exactly what kind of new laptop your students will need to wrap up the school year with flying colors and cruise into summer.