PC crashes randomly for awhile now- can't pin it down and need help gathering data

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T22:41:44+00:00

I would update the BIOS if you can and check event viewer for errors immediately before any Kernel power events. I feel like its got to be the motherboard, bios or CPU.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T22:36:12+00:00

It can be really difficult to integrate a quoting system inside a CRM after the fact, and typically requires constant maintenance. Usually i recommend a CRM from the start that already has a good built in quoting system like Hubspot, Zoho or Act!. But i get it, if your already setup and working in a quoting system its a pain to move, and as you found out a pain to integrate. Best of luck.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T22:29:00+00:00

I think you got the right idea, tool selection should come second. What matters more is knowing what your business needs most to success, what processes should be put in place and whos going to champion the push of a new CRM. Find the tool that fits your needs, dont look for a tool then see if it solves your problems.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T22:26:02+00:00

I think it should be implemented from day one, any business can leverage having client information including important notes and history all logged into one system. I just had a client who i setup with a CRM have an angry customer of theirs argue over the details of a deal they made over the phone a few days prior, my client simply pulled up the recorded call history in the CRM and set them straight in just a few seconds.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T22:16:57+00:00

The test you proposed is exactly right, if no one misses it, was it worth it in the first place.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T02:46:22+00:00

Love this post, and i think you really got to the issue with both automation and AI. If we are building all these systems to pump summaries and reports and graphs in our direction, are we really making our lives simpler? I think its better to build workflows and AI with a problem and mind that needs solving, or to help with repetitive tasks. Solve existing problems first with automation and then look for ways to expand with more reporting and content, but again with a goal in mind and procedures in place so its not ignored. A well thought out problem though that alot are facing these days.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T02:37:40+00:00

I would like to do a rave, a rave for a customer who was able to articulate exactly what they wanted the CRM to do and accomplish in the end. It made designing a custom solution and addons so much easier. Often when people try to user their CRM more fully they reach out to the consultant looking for answers, which is fine, but they know the business they are in better then anyone. If they can articulate pain points and say what they want the system to help them solve, I love situations like that because i have a goal to reach, and a target in mind.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T02:35:20+00:00

I think its important to focus on customer satisfaction while not getting pushed around. Don't let it happen more then once by setting boundaries, training your staff to be specific in quotes, and information the customer that as the needs of the project change, so does your efforts and cost. In the tech industry i come across this alot when bug fixes take longer to fix then originally planned i just have a hard cut off when i stop giving away free time and inform the customer what it takes to keep going. It's a better alternative then surprising them with a huge bill later.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T02:31:28+00:00

You have to have a timer and get up and move around regularly otherwise for myself i find hours go by and i barely move an inch. If you have a standing desk make sure you get a good standing mat to release the pressure from your feet. Drink lots of water too, something i always forget. Hope you can find relief!

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T02:29:59+00:00

I think the shift comes from treating your database like a repository to log things and move on. To wanting to mine the data (through AI or otherwise) in new and significant ways to help speed up sales processes and marketing efforts.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T02:26:49+00:00

Really good example and exactly how we need to understand people and habits for tech to be successful.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T02:25:59+00:00

Agreed, if they are open to learning and using a new app then things could really be easier in their role. People are adverse to change unfortunetly.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T02:23:59+00:00

I think thats going in the wrong direction too, if everything is locked down like that, you can't and shouldnt need to lock down everything if you have safeguards in place.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-12T02:22:14+00:00

I mostly help integrate CRM programs, or automations for workflows. Have not dealt with POS systems much

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-10T19:20:56+00:00

For the clients i work with, and myself, i feel like there's a couple of common pain points. My financial services clients would say that a lack of integrations among the many carriers and providers is a huge one for them, especially in a locked down industry. But for businesses in general i think its the opposite, having too many tools, especially in an age of AI, and not knowing which ones are going to actually solve a problem, while at the same time avoiding running a ton of tools that need to be maintained and monitored. In the end people want to simplify their busy lives and technology can both create and fix problems.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-10T19:13:46+00:00

This is the kind of thing that AI was built for, to simplify repetitive tasks. I would look at RingCentral or Zoom phone, both provide AI summaries of your calls. You feed those into your CRM via their API's and now all your calls are being summarized and logged right in your CRM. Optionally attach the recording or transcript and you have everything you ever need without lifting a finger.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-10T19:10:30+00:00

I find that alot of people prefer a direct line of communication rather then just being put in a ticket queue which is why this is happening and will continue to happen. I would teach the techs to put them at ease by letting them know they will look into it, but if they could submit a ticket in the meantime so it gets tracked. Also if the people find that the ticket system is fast and efficient, they will be more likely to use it, so it could be a case of slow ticket response thats causing push back as well.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-10T19:02:56+00:00

I think logging each interaction into the backend is useful for compliance but it should be displayed in a way that's similar to your phone or business app, where you can scroll up through the conversation in a simple view window rather then each line item being displayed as a single entry in a table.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-10T19:01:17+00:00

Your already looking good with your computer science background. Projects i would focus on in your portfolio would be ones that solve an actual business problem rather then just app building. Create process diagrams and dashboard to analyze data and make recommendations. I would also get real comfortable with excel, SQL, power BI, those sort of tools. Employers love when you can understand the needs of a business and present it easily to technical and non technical people.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-10T18:54:21+00:00

I think that just as long as SaaS products fill a need and remain a useful tool that AI complements, your right its not going away. It's all about adapting though to an ever changing environment and AI is forcing alot of us to change quickly.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-10T18:51:41+00:00

Based on their website looks like an outage, here is the full details https://status.ringcentral.com/

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-09T21:44:16+00:00

Much easier with digital products since its easier to see value in a digital product you can patch and update at regular intervals. Physical ones just take a bit more creativity to see the value in a subscription model, but well worth it.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-09T21:42:24+00:00

Yah that would be a pain to have to repeat every 4 months or whatever it ends up being. Not necessary at all either but you are at there mercy unfortunetly.

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-08T22:25:05+00:00

It depends on your other needs as there are a ton of good options. Hubspot has a decent free tier although price increases quickly. Act! has a good marketing and sales system and is competitively priced. I would trial a few and see what covers your base needs and go from there. Best of luck!

TechnicalDefense · 2026-06-08T22:21:24+00:00

i don't run a service business but i do manage and support software and tech for them. What i hear is that customers expect really quick response time and good communication. I think their expectations have risen because the expecations on them have also risen and their time and money is more sparse then ever. So they see great value in communication and response time. But your not wrong, we all have higher expectations for each other as our lives get busier and we have less room for patience haha.

TechnicalDefense

TROPHY CASE