Entries by Abbie

A New Chapter: Excel Communications Is Now Part of BEI

Excel Communications Is Now a BEI Company We’re pleased to announce that Excel Communications has officially joined BEI, marking an exciting new chapter for both organizations. This acquisition brings together two teams that share a common focus: delivering dependable technology and communication solutions while building long‑term, trusted relationships with clients. What Stays the Same We […]

What a Real IT Strategy Looks Like for a 25-Person Business

Most small businesses don’t have an IT strategy, they have a reaction plan. Something breaks… you fix it. A new need pops up… you add a tool. Security concern… you patch it (hopefully). It works until it doesn’t. For a 25-person business, this reactive approach starts to create bigger problems: Unpredictable costs Security gaps Systems […]

Is There a Risk When Integrating AI into Your Microsoft Apps?

A client recently asked us this thoughtful question, and it sparked a broader conversation. AI tools are quickly becoming part of the everyday workflow especially inside Microsoft apps like Teams, Outlook, Word, and Excel. Some organizations prefer to use 3rd party AI tools outside of Copilot such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. But as more […]

We Tried 3 Different AIs — Here’s What We Found

AI is everywhere right now and if you’re like most businesses, you’ve probably experimented with at least one tool (or you’re trying to figure out where to start). At BEI, we wanted to move past the hype and test things for ourselves. As an AI-certified team, we’re constantly evaluating new technologies to understand what actually […]

World Password Day: Why Strong Passwords Still Matter in 2026

Every year, World Password Day pops up as a reminder to “change your password.” But in 2026, it’s about more than regular resets, it’s about fixing the habits that attackers rely on every day. Despite better tools, smarter systems, and stronger security options, weak and reused passwords are still one of the easiest ways for […]

HIPAA in a Remote World: What’s Changed Since Work From Anywhere

Remote work didn’t just change where we work, it completely reshaped how healthcare organizations handle protected health information (PHI). What started as an emergency shift during the pandemic has now become business as usual. But HIPAA didn’t disappear when offices closed. Instead, expectations got tighter. Today, healthcare providers, billing companies, and business associates are expected […]

The Most Expensive Email Your Company Will Ever Receive

It looks normal. It sounds urgent, but not suspicious. And it often comes from someone you know. That’s what makes Business Email Compromise (BEC) one of the most expensive and successful cyber scams targeting businesses today. Unlike flashy ransomware attacks, BEC doesn’t rely on malware or technical wizardry. It relies on trust, timing, and human […]

Is that Microsoft Call Real or a Scam?

Tech support scams have gotten more convincing and one of the most common versions right now involves scammers pretending to help with Microsoft licenses or subscriptions. It usually starts with an unexpected call, email, or pop-up claiming: Your Microsoft license has expired / expiring Your Microsoft 365 subscription is about to be suspended There’s a […]