Grove Networks Blog

If your business relies on software tools to handle everyday tasks, there is a date you always need to keep on your radar: the "End-of-Life" (EOL) date. A prime example is happening right now: Microsoft Publisher is reaching its official End-of-Life in October 2026.

If you have team members using Publisher to whip up flyers, newsletters, or quick marketing templates, October 2026 might sound like a long way off. However, in the IT world, letting an EOL date sneak up on you is one of the easiest ways to cause unexpected downtime, lose critical files, and scramble for expensive last-minute fixes.

For over three decades, Microsoft Publisher has served as a trusty helper for quick flyers, party invitations, and office newsletters whenever Microsoft Word proved too stubborn with image positioning.

However, all tech chapters eventually come to a close. Microsoft has officially set an End of Life (EOL) date for Publisher on October 13, 2026.

If your business relies on software tools to handle everyday tasks, there is a date you always need to keep on your radar: the "End-of-Life" (EOL) date. A prime example is happening right now: Microsoft Publisher is reaching its official End-of-Life in October 2026.

If you have team members using Publisher to whip up flyers, newsletters, or quick marketing templates, October 2026 might sound like a long way off. However, in the IT world, letting an EOL date sneak up on you is one of the easiest ways to cause unexpected downtime, lose critical files, and scramble for expensive last-minute fixes.

Every month, when you look at your company's P&L statement, there is usually one line item that feels like a complete black box: your IT budget.

You see the money going out the door, but it is hard to tell if you are overpaying, underinvesting, or just throwing cash into a deep digital hole. (I talk to business owners all the time who feel like tech spending is just an unavoidable tax on doing business, rather than a tool to help them grow.)

Let's pull back the curtain on what a realistic, healthy technology spend actually looks like for a small-to-medium-sized business.

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a double-edged sword. When managed well, it’s a high-performance engine for growth; when ignored, it becomes a silent bleeder, slowly draining your budget through automated monthly charges that no one is tracking.

The question isn't whether you need SaaS—you do. The question is whether your SaaS is working for you, or if you’re just working to pay for it.

The point-of-sale (POS) system has evolved from a simple cash register into the dynamic hub of your business operations. Beyond that satisfying sound it makes (if you turn on that feature) it now handles inventory, customer data, and more. Your POS is working harder than ever—but is it working smarter for you? As a mission-critical system, choosing or upgrading your POS isn't just about processing payments; it's about future-proofing your success.

When Microsoft rolled out Windows 10, it was a big deal, especially since Windows 8.1 wasn’t exactly a fan favorite. Now, ten years later, Microsoft is officially pulling the plug on Windows 10 support as of October 14th. If you're still running it, it’s time to start thinking about your next move.

In business, paper tends to pile up, gets lost, and sometimes mysteriously multiplies overnight like gremlins exposed to water. If your business is drowning in paper or struggling to find important files, it might be time to consider digital document management. But when exactly does it make sense to invest in this technology? Let’s break it down.

Windows 10 is rapidly reaching the end of its secure lifetime, with support scheduled to end on October 14, 2025. While this doesn’t mean that the OS will no longer be available to use, it does mean that it will no longer be able to be safely and securely used—a critically important distinction.

That is, however, unless you pay for the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates… but is this a feasible or maintainable strategy for businesses?

Everyone relies heavily on software. From operating systems, to Internet browsers, to applications, software runs the world. For a long time, many software titles were seen as too expensive as you had to purchase the software license (usually a year), the hardware to run it from, and additional hardware to disseminate it. Nowadays, there is a better option: Software-as-a-Service.

Printers… they’re the tech we love to hate, especially when they just don’t work right. You’d think a device with one main job could handle it! So, why do printers mess up so often? Here’s a look at the main reasons why printers fail. Usually, it’s because of one of these three things: software issues, problems with the paper and ink, or connection issues.

An operating system is the main program on any device, like a computer, phone, or tablet, that helps it work. It's what lets you open apps, go online, and get stuff done! For businesses, keeping their OS updated is super important. Here’s why:

You probably use your email every day without even thinking about it. Email is, however, one of the main places hackers go when they want to steal personal information. Here are three easy steps you can take to keep your email secure.

Businesses can’t ignore the advantages that technology can bring to their business.  One of the primary benefits is the ability to automate routine tasks, which saves time and reduces the risk of human error. By using technologies that work to make processes more efficient, small businesses can operate more efficiently and focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth. Let’s look at four of the most valuable technologies small businesses can use today.

Professional services encompass many of the “experts” people rely on, and today’s firms in this sector depend heavily on technology to boost efficiency, enhance client service, and streamline operations. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll explore four key technologies that professional services firms rely on. 

To maintain a healthy and thriving business, it's essential to have a team that can effectively manage spending. For small businesses, this often means making strategic choices. Let’s focus on why a simple approach to technology might be the best strategy.

Software fuels most businesses nowadays, even the small shops down the street. Depending on the size and scope of the business, however, managing software can be complex and downright unfun. Today, we want to highlight a type of tool that your business can find great value in: a software management solution.

How often does your business find that it’s struggling with new technology implementation, either on the software side of the house or on the hardware side? Have you considered that the cloud provides powerful solutions to your business’ woes in the form of virtualization? With the right resources at your disposal, you can use virtualization to create incredible opportunities to improve operations for your business and make it more secure and flexible in the process.

Remote employees are in a conundrum when it comes to data security. While you might be able to protect data stored locally on your company’s in-house network, securing data in use by employees while out of the office is another matter entirely. How can you guarantee that your business is protecting its data and other sensitive resources from prying eyes?

Sometimes, good things come to an end. For users who have been using the popular note-taking application Evernote, that time might be now. Let’s dive into why users are jumping ship from what was arguably once the best note-taking app in the world, and what options you might have.