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HIPAA for MSPs

ByMonica Caraway HIPAA, Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Karl speaks with David Sims, an MSP based in Charlotte, NC who runs the HIPAA for MSPs website. David Sims

David says the website was borne out of his own experience and frustration with trying to educate himself and maintain HIPAA compliance. He also explains how the website has evolved into a terrific general resource for IT professionals.

David also talks about the advantages of running a private group on LinkedIn. He says his group is a space connecting professional members in a Mastermind type setting, with current real business problems being hashed out and advice being given, to including advice from his HIPAA for MSPs team.

 

Bob NitrioComputer Wallah Bob Nitrio also joins the show in our Oddballs segment.

Bob talks about business continuity and disaster recovery. He offers advice on handling recovery from such malware as CryptoWall and CryptoLocker and gives feedback on the SmartShield utility program and on Easy Recover Essentials from NeoSmart.

 

Today’s episode also includes information on upcoming Tech events happening around the country and our Tech news segment as provided by Neowin.net.

 Click below to catch today’s episode!

Odd Tuesdays

 

 ** And listen to catch the code to take advantage of money off on MSP online classes over at Great Little Seminar! **

 

MSP Classes

 

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Lead with Training, Follow With Managed Services

ByMonica Caraway HIPAA, Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Bigger Brains
Karl talks to Chip Reaves, from Bigger-Brains, about their Bigger MSP Program.

Chip says the program is a high quality video series featuring online training for business professionals covering Windows 8, QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, Gmail, sales & marketing, and more. The training series has several key elements.

1) The training is compelling – Chip says the videos were filmed with multiple cameras in studio with a focus on engagement. He says any clients that have compared the Bigger-Brains training next to comparable online training programs have found the difference to be night and day. Often online training is quite boring with a simple voiceover and screen shots. He claims their training is a cut above the rest.

2) The training is convenient for the end user –  The videos are structured so you can do the 10-minute training sessions on basically any device that can access the internet.

3) The training was built with resellers in mind – Chip says the program is IT Channel focused and adds to the offerings MSPs have overall for their clients. It is noted that MSPs could put together creative bundles/packages featuring the online training and managed service plans.

There is some mention that MSPs often neglect to consider the budgets SMBs designate annually for training, which goes beyond the IT budgets MSPs normally target. In fact, it is noted that this can be a good angle in targeting more business, with MSPs first earning new clients based on business professional training offerings and then moving into a managed services soft sell. Karl mentions that another angle to consider is that as the economy begins to recover, there are untapped government grants that pay for people to get training. MSPs could educate themselves about such grants and include that in pitches to potential clients.

Chip encourages anyone considering their training to check out their website at http://biggermsp.com. He also notes the further training Bigger-Brains is currently developing, to include a HIPAA training they hope to have up and running by the end of March 2014.

Bob Nitrio, Computer WallahAlso featured in this Odd Tuesdays episode is our returning Oddball Computer Wallah Bob Nitrio discussing Software Defined Networks (SDN).

 

 

 

Click below to hear March 18th’s show:

Odd Tuesdays

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HIPAA and HaaS

ByMonica Caraway HIPAA, Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

April Sage, Online TechApril Sage, from Online Tech, joins us to discuss HIPAA compliance – a topic our Odd Tuesdays audience has been asking more and more about (Follow Karl’s HIPAA Pinterest Board).

April encourages MSPs to embrace the notion of HIPAA compliance because trying to work against or get around the regulations can cause a lot of headaches. She says it is a good idea to become familiar with the Business Associates Agreement – a contract that outlines the accountabilities in the chain of trust and what the flow of responsibilities are. She notes that the Department of Human Services has a good example of what that agreement should look like (See link here).

Rayanne Buchianico joins us in her debut Oddballs segment. She discusses how to record Hardware as a Service (HaaS) in QuickBooks. She outlines four key points:

1) What to record right after you buy the equipment

2) How to set up the rental income accounts

3) How to track associated costs

4)  How to retire the item at the end of the lease term

Click below to hear March 4th’s show:

Odd Tuesdays

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Fear Not HIPAA

ByMonica Caraway HIPAA, Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

April Sage, Online TechApril Sage, from Online Tech, joins us on our March 4th episode. Online Tech is a company that provides a range of solutions with the focus on handling security and compliance safeguards that are required for sensitive data.

April will be giving advice on HIPAA compliance, something her company closely works with MSPs on understanding and avoiding governmental compliance repercussions.

Rayanne Buchianico

We will also be joined by Rayanne Buchianico in her debut Oddballs segment. Rayanne is the owner of ABC Solutions based in Florida. 

She provides complete accounting, business, and tax consulting services to IT professionals in the US, particularly to those using Autotask and looking to integrate their accounting systems.