Cornerstone Group © 2024 AUGUST 2024 LET’S CELEBRATE LEARNING Range is a big supporter of our community’s schools and the important work happening inside their classrooms—from solving problems to inspiring creativity. As a new school year begins, we wish good luck to all the students, parents, and teachers in our service area. range.net 800.927.2643 CYBERSECURITY TIPS FROM WILLIAM PHELPS Range’s Cybersecurity Specialist, William Phelps, shares these tips for parents: Educate Your Children. Make sure your children know about online safety practices—such as not sharing personal information with strangers, being cautious of unknown links or downloads, and recognizing potential scams. Establish guidelines for internet usage at home, including appropriate websites and time limits for online activities. Implement Parental Controls. These features allow you to filter inappropriate content, monitor online activities, and set limits on device usage for children. Range’s Smart Home App and the Ultimate WiFi program can provide this peace of mind. They allow for regular reviewand adjustment of settings as needed to accommodate changing needs and ensure effective protection.
Range’s Chief Government Relations Officer shares an update on Wyoming’s 2024 Legislative Budget Session: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM JASON HENDRICKS The 2024Wyoming Legislative Budget Session ended March 8. The legislature appropriated $10 million that could be used by companies tomeet matching obligations for federal broadband grants. The possible availability of this moneywill be taken into consideration as Range evaluates federal broadband grant opportunities. Other communications-related bills we monitored did not pass out of the legislature. Following the conclusion of the Budget Session, the Management Council—which is comprised of legislative leaders from both political parties—approved a list of interim topics that will be considered by legislative committees in this interim period prior to the 2025 General Session. Range will be most actively involved in the discussions regarding the Wyoming Telecommunications Act (“the Act”), which is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2025. As previously reported, the Act is important for consumers because, among other things, it authorizes the Wyoming Universal Service Fund (WUSF). Range usesWUSF support to help keep our local voice service rates affordable. As of this writing, the Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee held one meeting to discuss this topic, and testimony was provided by industry representatives and theWyoming Public Service Commission (WYPSC) on the history of the Act and the WYPSC’s role in the regulation of local phone service and in the administration of WUSF. Industry reps, consumer advocates, and WYPSC staff have met many times to draft a bill that would update and extend the Act in a manner that can be supported to the fullest extent possible by all parties. The goal is to have a draft bill finalized for consideration by the Committee at its July 30-31 meeting and, ultimately, to have a committee-sponsored bill with zeroto-minimal opposition for the 2025 General Session. Much progress has been made in these discussions, and updates will be provided in future newsletters. range.net/business/managedservices 800.927.2643 CyberDefender SAAS (So ware as a Service) Email Services & More! Workstation, Firewall & Server RMM (Remote Management Monitoring) Range Managed Services
AUGUST 2024 CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED MANAGED IT SERVICES Range prides itself on offering competitive pricing and unparalleled customer service as a Managed Service Provider (MSP), more commonly known as Managed IT. Under the leadership of Randy Hyder, MSPManager, we’ve redefined and modernized our MSP program to ensure our clients receive the highest level of protection and support. Randy, a Sheridan native with 27 years of IT experience and nine years in MSP, joined Range two years ago and has transformed our services from the ground up. Our MSP focuses on cybersecurity rather than merely licensing or fixing computers. Our goal is to safeguard our clients' data and networks, ensuring compliance with industry standards and potentially reducing their insurance costs. Previously, our MSP offered only basic services. But thanks to Randy’s leadership and our Business Solutions Specialist Team—Tobi Johansen, Chris Donnelly, and Gabe Rees—we’ve equipped our program with next-generation security firewalls and endpoint detection response software to thwart ransomware and other cyber threats. We’ve also revamped our service model to guarantee rapid response times. Clients can now submit tickets via an icon on their computer screens, ensuring swift action, minimal disruption, and maximum efficiency. Whether it’s managing servers, setting up new computers, or addressing cybersecurity threats, we function as an extension of our clients' IT departments, eliminating the need for them to incur employee costs. Our enhanced MSP program is hands-on and affordable. It offers an option that saves businesses money compared to hiring internal IT staff. Our clients range from small mom-and-pop shops to larger businesses, and we ensure each one meets compliance laws, such as those required for cybersecurity insurance discounts. We provide comprehensive training to keep businesses informed and secure, contributing to potential insurance savings. Randy’s favorite aspect of his role is interacting with customers, understanding their unique needs, and implementing security measures that fit their specific requirements. He enjoys bringing peace of mind to clients by cleaning up their networks and ensuring everything runs smoothly with minimal ongoing intervention. Range is dedicated to our customers and maintains a manageable growth rate to ensure we never compromise on service quality. With a strong local team and a focus on complete network security, we offer a one-stop-shop for all IT and security needs. Our services allow business owners to concentrate on their core operations while we handle the rest. Is your business looking to enhance IT security with top-tier tools and support? Our sales team is here to assist you. Call us at 800.927.2643 or visit www. range.net/business/managedservices to learn more. Randy Hyder (left), MSPManager, and Calvin Hiser, MSP Support Technician
Cornerstone Group © 2024 AUGUST 2024 Western Sage isn’t your typical accounting firm. Founded in 2011 by Larry Heiser and Kristi Baumstarck, this powerhouse partnership blends decades of experience with a genuine passion for helping businesses succeed. It offers top-notch accounting and business consulting services. RANGE BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: WESTERN SAGE ACCOUNTING, INC. Larry has been an accountant in the area since 1986. He began his career in Casper, Wyoming, where he navigated the ups and downs of the oil and gas industry. A brief stint in Denver followed, but Larry's heart was always in Worland. He returned in 1986 and has stayed ever since, giving him a deep understanding of the local business landscape. Kristi is a North Dakota native who moved to Wyoming in 1985. She worked for First National Bank and Farm Credit Services before joiningWestern Sage in 2001. After taking a break to focus on her family, she returned in 2013 with renewed dedication. Kristi holds an EA license from the IRS. Teamwork is at the heart of Western Sage. With eight year-round employees and two additional staff members during tax season, every detail is meticulously handled. The firm specializes in generational business transitions and tax planning, emphasizing the importance of preparing clients for changes in tax laws, especially upcoming shifts in estate tax regulations. Their goal is to save clients from future struggles and highlight the importance of planning. Kristi particularly enjoys working with agricultural clients, which make up a significant portion of their business. They have clients as far away as Forsyth, Montana, and their reputation has grown primarily through word of mouth—a true testament to client satisfaction. Western Sage has embraced technological advancements, working with Range’s Randy Hyder, MSPManager, and Tobi Johansen, Business Solutions Specialist, to upgrade their phone system and enable seamless computer system protections. Initially cautious about the transition, especially during tax season, Larry found it smoother than expected. Range’s highspeed internet paired with a 3CX phone system and Managed Services Protection have greatly benefited the firm. Outside the office, Larry is an avid hunter, specializing in big game and bird dogs, particularly English field cocker spaniels. Kristy enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her family. With her youngest daughter graduating this year, she's preparing for the transition to an empty nest. Western Sage stands out not just for their professional expertise, but also for their personal touch and commitment to clients. Larry, Kristy, and their dedicated team provide peace of mind by ensuring all accounting and business consulting needs are met with precision and care. Call them at 307-347-3633 or visit westernsagecpas.com to learn more. GaryWantulok, CPA Owners Larry Heiser (back row, third from left) and Kristi Baumstark (back row, second from left) with the rest of the Western Sage Accounting, Inc. team
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