HELPING TRIANGLE-AREA
SMALL BUSINESSES GROW

TECHNOLOGY SHOULD WORK FOR YOU

Technology can help us in immeasurable ways, but if your business is not tech savvy, it can hold you, your employees, your clients, and your customers back. With so much change and innovation happening all the time, how can small businesses possibly find and implement all these tools?

Every small business is different, so RossumRobot was built to help small businesses find the right technology for their specific needs, no matter how big or small.

We can suggest the right the right hardware to upgrade your old PC or let you make color copies from your home office. We can suggest software solutions that let you print shipping labels for online orders or run your business from an iPad. We can suggest services that back up all your data to the cloud or build a website to host an online store.

We can also help with the big what-ifs, like security, data protection, and support.

Technology should be a partner, not a foe. We can help you find the perfect solution that suits the unique needs of your business.

 If you want to be smarter with your technology resources,
we're here to help.

Every business is different. That's why we provide each company we work with a personalized action plan that suits their needs and fixes their tech troubles.

  • We want to hear about your technology from you. What is working for you? We want to see that misbehaving server, that one computer still running Windows 95, and the CD's you use to back up important files. We'll take a look at every piece of technology to see how it is - or isn't - working for you and your business.

    We'll discuss every facet of your business’s technology infrastructure to see if there are additional areas that need attention. We'll discuss your future technology goals as well, so your business can be better prepared for upgrades, repairs, and other services you may need down the line.

    We'll also go over expectations and budgets to help guide you to the right technology solutions that will uniquely serve your business and its interests.

  • The action plan is the technology roadmap for your business. We suggest hardware, software and services that fit your small businesses needs.

    We'll lay out our strategies and advice as well as plenty of alternatives, detailing everything from costs, features, and the potential challenges.

  • Not every new technology is easy to start using right away, especially if you need to migrate data and change your business workflows.

    We can help your small business put into place options from your action plan. We can provide assistance moving your data to the cloud, setting up new systems, and educating employees. We want your business to be set up to succeed.

A small law firm in Durham, NC wanted to move to full remote work after the pandemic.

Problem areas:

The law firm’s emails and case files were stored on an old, on-site server that was prone to outages and frequent security woes.

Their office used an old PBX phone system, which meant phone calls and voicemail messages could only be answered at the office.

Solutions:

I migrated the firm to Microsoft 365 so their emails and files would be hosted in the cloud with Exchange and SharePoint. This allowed the attorneys and paralegals to edit and view files on their own devices anywhere they needed to be.

I moved the firm to a VoIP phone service. Everyone received a VoIP desk phone for their home office and could make and receive calls through an app on their cell phone.

Results:

Moving to the cloud allowed the firm to be more flexible and secure without having to worry about expensive server maintenance. Switching their phone system allowed them to set up a more dynamic attendant menu with shared voicemail boxes.

An accountant in Durham needed to replace a dying laptop.

Problem areas:

The client’s aging MacBook Pro, which he exclusively used plugged into a large external monitor, was slowing down and no longer receiving system updates.

He also wanted to have the option to have a mobile computer as he planned to travel more frequently.

Solutions:

After discussing his budget, we replaced his laptop with a Mac mini desktop computer and upgraded his external monitor.

For his mobile needs, I set him up with an iPad that syncs with his accounting software and cloud document provider.

Results:

Rather than simply replacing his laptop with a newer model, the client was able to upgrade his entire work computing experience for a lower price.

A retired realtor in Raleigh wanted to save money with her internet, cable, phone, and entertainment subscriptions.

Problem areas:

The client felt she was paying too much for the services she needed and wanted to know if there were cheaper alternatives.

Her television and streaming device were old, so apps and streaming shows took forever to load.

Solutions:

After going through her cable bill, we decided to switch her internet, television and phone providers. She now gets faster speeds with a fiber internet provider, a web-based television service she can watch and record from any device, and have her landline forward calls to her cellphone.

I suggested a new 4K TV and streaming device to fix her streaming woes. She is now able to watch her shows and movies with zero lag in a much higher resolution. I also set up a new soundbar that can improve the clarity of dialogue.

Results:

Switching service providers ended up saving over a hundred dollars a month. When setting up her new equipment we discovered that she was unknowingly paying for several duplicate subscriptions being charged through her Amazon and Apple accounts. With those savings, she was able to sign up for more services and upgrade her existing subscriptions. She was also able to reuse the old TV in her bedroom.

An author in Chapel Hill wanted to build a website to promote his books.

Problem areas:

The website needed to be user friendly so it would be easy to update and post new articles and excerpts.

Solutions:

I set the client up with a new Squarespace website that we designed together. The website also came with a domain name that we also used to set up a more professional-looking email address through Google Workspace.

Results:

The website quickly became the first search result when searching for his name. He is able to quickly make posts and edits. The Squarespace interface makes it easy to create new pages for new books and modify the design. He can now use a public email address for business and publicity rather than his personal address.

Let RossumRobot show you how to be smarter with technology so your business can evolve.

Si Carpenter

I started RossumRobot because I'm obsessed with technology and how it can improve our lives and work. If there's a new gadget out there, I want to get my hands on it.

I spent my childhood playing around on (and probably destroying) computers running MS-DOS and Windows 3.1. I watch old Apple keynotes for fun. As the dedicated IT person for my friends and family, I wanted to translate that curiosity of technology and desire to help others into a business advising others on their technology needs.

I grew up in Durham and went to school at UNC-Chapel Hill. I'm proud to call the Triangle my home.

RossumRobot?

The name RossumRobot comes from a 1920 play called "R.U.R." by Czech playwright Karel Capek. R.U.R. stands for Rossum's Universal Robots. The play was the first use of the “robot," although Capek envisioned robots as more human android than mechanical machine.

During the course of the play, the robots begin to revolt and end up eradicating all humans. They are left to contemplate their own humanity .

The name Rossum alludes to the Czech word rozum meaning reason or understanding and the word robot alludes to the Czech word robota meaning serf or laborer.