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The Secret Security Threat: Printers

Cybercriminals are taking advantage of vulnerabilities in multi-function printers because they can become gateways to stealing data or taking down a network

Secret Security Threat: Mobile Devices

Virtually each phone, tablet or music device can represent some level of security threat to the user or business which allows them access to workplace computers, Internet and networks.

Technology Helps Meet the Challenge of Multiple Offices

by Jane Cage, COO, HTS Do you have more than one location? Are you considering an expansion? Running a business with more than one office presents a set of challenges all its own. Here are some of the ways to use technology to bridge the distance gaps: 1. A VoIP (Voice over IP) Phone System [...]

7 Instant Messaging Rules for the Workplace

reprinted with permission from the HP Small and Medium Business Website Because of its efficiency and speed, instant messaging, or IM for short, has become a valuable interoffice tool for employees to exchange information and collaborate in real time. The advantages of IM are clear. But there are drawbacks too. IM can be distracting; employees [...]

Unified Communications: Right For Your Business?

reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center by Heather Clancy While most of us welcome the opportunity to stay in touch virtually anytime from anywhere, keeping up with phone calls, voicemail, e-mail and instant messaging can distract even the most disciplined person from more important concerns. Enter the white knight of “unified communications,” [...]

Creating the Modern Office

The modern business office has many aspects that can be enhanced and streamlined using technology. From the usual desktop/server infrastructure to the newest capabilities of remote monitoring and management, backup and disaster recovery solutions, telepresence, and more, the sky is the limit with your office. Here are some of the services and solutions that we [...]

The Future of Video Conferencing

reprinted with permission from HP Science-fiction fans have long wished for life-sized communication devices that create a real-time image of the person/alien/robot you are talking with. Recently, holographic video technology has begun to surface, although at present the price means it’s restricted to only the wealthiest companies. More realistic options when you want a face-to-face [...]

Holding a Web meeting? 5 pitfalls to avoid

reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center by Christopher Elliott Think hard now. Can you remember your first virtual meeting? For many of you, it was in the latter decades of the 20th century, and you likely called it a “teleconference.” If so, chances are you can recall how simple – but expensive [...]

The Secret Security Threat: Printers

Cybercriminals think they [multi-function printers] are pretty great as well because they can become a gateway to stealing data or wrecking a network.

Winter Storms: Tips for Staying Safe

When a winter storm is imminent or already occurring in your area, it’s time to put your plan into action. The first thing you want to do is pay attention to any winter storm watches or warnings that have been issued for your location. Safety Tips for Staying Indoors You’ll want to be able to [...]

Windows InTune: Big Tech Results. Small Tech Investment.

Windows InTune: Big Tech Results. Small Tech Investment. Used with permission from Microsoft. Business growth is a great thing, but it can come with IT challenges. Our Windows Intune™ service offers you the benefits of enterprise-quality software and IT management without the enterprise-level outlay. Level the playing field with benefits such as these: The ability [...]

Top 10 New Business Features in Windows 8

Top 10 New Business Features in Windows 8 With Windows 8 now available, what are the best features for business use? Here are ten new or enhanced features! 1. Trusted boot/secure boot (UEFI) This implements a secure boot process and allows the machine to verify the integrity of the network environment, thus preventing malicious code [...]

6 Tips to Save Time With Outlook

6 Tips to Save Time With Outlook reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center Organization and shortcuts are the key to efficiency when it comes to e-mailing clients, customers and co-workers. Responding in a timely manner is crucial to business, so keep these Microsoft® Office Outlook® tips at your disposal to stay current [...]

What Is Microsoft OneNote?

What Is Microsoft OneNote? Looking to maximize your multitasking skills? Both Evernote and OneNote are popular choices for keeping track of notes and lists, among other things. In terms of versatility, however, OneNote is the superior option as a one-stop application for managing all types of information. Features With OneNote, you can type down notes, [...]

Office 2013: Here’s What’s New

Office 2013: Here’s What’s New used with permission from Microsoft The new Office is a cloud subscription that provides virtually anywhere access to your familiar Office applications plus business-grade email, calendar, and video conferencing across your devices – from PCs to smartphones to tablets. Here’s what’s new: Devices: The new Office works great across all [...]

Business Productivity with Microsoft Online Services

Business Productivity with Microsoft Online Services In today’s competitive global market, businesses need technology that enables flexibility and cost-effectively adds value to their organization. Internet-based hosted services provide a way to meet these objectives. They deliver feature-rich productivity tools to users while helping to relieve the burden of managing and maintaining business systems — freeing [...]

What is Hardware as a Service?

 What is Hardware as a Service? Hardware as a Service, also known as HaaS, allows you to convert a large capital expense into a manageable operating expense by leasing you the hardware that you need. The hardware is placed at your site and a service provider remotely monitors your hardware and software. This gives you [...]

How to Get More Hours in Your Day: A Managed IT Service

How to Get More Hours in Your Day: A Managed IT Service used with permission from the Cisco Small Business Resource Center How many staff hours would your business reclaim by outsourcing network maintenance and support? A managed service provider (MSP) can handle it for you around the clock–remotely monitoring your network, proactively averting problems, [...]

Bringing Cloud Computing Down To Earth

Bringing Cloud Computing Down To Earth by Susan Twombly used with permission from the HP Enterprise Business Website What is the cloud all about? Does it offer different kinds of technology-based services? Is it different than enterprise computing? Is it the next big thing? The answer to all those questions is a resounding “yes!” The [...]

7 Advantages of Managed IT Services

7 Advantages of Managed IT Services Many small to mid-sized organizations are turning to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to help alleviate some of the strain on their internal IT resources, or take over the management of their network all together. There are quite a few benefits to partnering with an MSP, from improved reliability to [...]

Firewalls: Don’t Skimp on Your Business’s Security

Firewalls: Don’t Skimp on Your Business’s Security In this installment of our “Is Consumer Grade enough for your business?” series, we’ll take a look at firewalls and the differences in the protection they provide your business. Security is quite possibly the most important concern for any business. You need to know that your critical data [...]

Preserve and Protect Your Data

Preserve and Protect Your Data Summary As the amount of data being created continues to increase, and that info is accessed and shared by more people, SMBs can’t afford to ignore the need for data protection. Small and medium businesses are powered by information. Should your business lose that information or even suffer an interruption [...]

The Weakest Link in Network Security

The Weakest Link in Network Security by Peter Alexander reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Your small-business network may be protected by firewalls, intrusion detection and other state-of-the-art security technologies. And yet, all it takes is one person’s carelessness, and suddenly it’s as if you have no network security at all. Let [...]

Advice to Managers: Five Ways to Simplify Your PCI 2.0 Compliance

Advice to Managers: Five Ways to Simplify Your PCI 2.0 Compliance used with permission from the Cisco Small Business Resource Center If the acronym “PCI” makes your heart race, you’re in good company. “Small and medium-sized businesses can feel blindsided by all that PCI requires them to do,” says Aaron Reynolds, an author of the 2011 [...]

The 7 Do’s and Don’ts of Network Gatekeeping

The 7 Do’s and Don’ts of Network Gatekeeping reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center There’s little doubt that the Internet has been a real benefit to organizations – providing instant communication capabilities and an almost bottomless source of valuable, up-to-date information on just about any topic. However, many employees won’t think twice [...]

5 Ways to Win the PC Security Battle

5 Ways to Win the PC Security Battle Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center by Heather Clancy Yes, as you’ve doubtless heard umpteen times, even the smallest business is vulnerable to a PC or network security breach. But you can find some peace of mind simply by taking some preventive measures. Better [...]

New Features of Internet Explorer 10

New Features of Internet Explorer 10 If you’re using an older version of Internet Explorer, you’ll be happy to know that the latest version, Internet Explorer 10, will soon be available. You can get Internet Explorer 10 either by upgrading to Windows 8 or by downloading it from Microsoft’s website once it becomes available to download. [...]

The Future of Windows

The Future of Windows written by David Tan, Chief Technology Office, CHIPS Technology Group LLC Microsoft held their first ever Build Conference in Anaheim in September. It’s a new annual event for Windows developers to gather and learn about building applications for the Windows platform. This one was special not only because it was the [...]

Windows 8: A Game Changer?

 Windows 8: A Game Changer? Microsoft will be releasing their latest version of their Windows operating system, Windows 8, later this year. This OS is unlike any version of Windows we have come to know. How? It’s designed with mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) in mind. According to the Microsoft website, “It’s Windows reimagined and reinvented from a [...]

The Latest on Windows 8 Professional and Enterprise

The Latest on Windows 8 Professional and Enterprise Anticipation for Windows 8 has been fierce because of some major changes to the look and feel of the operating system. We’re bringing you a rundown on some of the new and improved features of both Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise so you’ll know what to expect [...]

The Dark-Side of Cloud Computing

This new article from eMazzanti Technologies explains the darker-side of cloud computing and what small businesses can do about it

Gmail and Google Apps Got You Down? Try Hotmail & Office 365

As I mentioned on this blog yesterday, we’ve placed a series of ads in some major newspapers this week to reach out to people who are concerned or frustrated by some of Google’s recently announced changes to their products and policies. Specifically, we’re doing this to remind those folks that they have a choice when [...]

The new Office brand

by Office Team on July 27 Last week, we unveiled the new Office.  This is our most ambitious release to date. It is a touch-friendly, social release that is at its best on Windows 8 and works wherever you do in the cloud. As part of this introduction, we also unveiled a new logo and new [...]

10 Things You’ll Never Have to Say Again

by Clint Patterson Since downloading the new Office Customer Preview, you’ve likely updated your vocabulary to match the new things you’re doing-sharing links instead of attachments, moving documents from USB drives into the cloud, and using a stylus that never runs out of ink. In honor of saying goodbye to, “I wish I could use [...]

The new Office 365 subscriptions for consumers and small businesses

by Office Team on September 17 On July 16th, we unveiled the new Office, a cloud service that works beautifully with touch, stylus, mouse or keyboard on new Windows devices – from PCs to tablets. With this release, we’re modernizing Office, and an important part of that is the introduction of new subscriptions. Subscriptions open [...]

BYOD – What Is It?

BYOD – What Is It? An acronym that’s been popping up in businesses recently, BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. It’s becoming a hot topic of late because more and more businesses are allowing employees to bring in their own smartphones, notebooks, tablets, etc. This trend can be attributed to the development of cloud [...]

Staying Safe and Mobile: 8 Reasons to Buy a Server

Staying Safe and Mobile: 8 Reasons to Buy a Server by Christopher Elliott used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Worried about hackers, viruses and malware? Are you concerned that your employees can’t access their data when they’re on the road? These are common concerns among small-business owners. The average annual loss reported [...]

Mobile Security: Why You Need to Go Beyond the Basics

Mobile Security: Why You Need to Go Beyond the Basics used with the permission from Symantec Just how quickly are enterprises adopting mobile applications? Very, very quickly. According to one recent survey, as many as 71% of organizations are using or planning to use custom mobile applications. “We have reached a tipping point in the [...]

Is a Remote Workforce the Right Solution for Your Business?

Is a Remote Workforce the Right Solution for Your Business? used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Site Ask yourself the following questions to evaluate whether a remote workforce suits your business. 1. Are you in a client-service business? 2. Do your employees spend more than 50 percent of their time at client locations? [...]

Are You Ready to BYOD?

Are You Ready to BYOD? reprinted with permission from the HP Technology at Work As business becomes more mobile, tablets and smartphones are taking an active role in the technology shift. BYOD (bring your own device), where employees use their personal devices to complete work tasks, is becoming common practice—sometimes sanctioned and sometimes under-the-radar. It’s [...]

5 Career Survival Tips for the “Wherever” Worker

5 Career Survival Tips for the “Wherever” Worker used with permission from the Microsoft Business Site Today’s office worker isn’t always found in the office. Even if you’re not in sales, you may do a significant amount of work at a customer site, from conference hotels, or at home. Studies have shown that this kind [...]

Business Continuity: Business as usual. No matter what.

Business Continuity: Business as usual. No matter what. Five steps every business should take to prepare for a business interruption. When people think of disasters, they generally envision hurricanes, tornados or floods – catastrophic events that devastate communities. But for a business, a disaster can be something as small as a failed switch or computer [...]

A Business Continuity Plan Gives You One Less Thing to Worry About

A Business Continuity Plan Gives You One Less Thing to Worry About used with permission from HP Technology at Work When a business’s data is compromised, it’s just a matter of time before things begin to fall apart. As a result, the importance of having a business continuity plan in place is never clearer than [...]

Disaster Recovery Solutions — More Accessible, and More Necessary, Than Ever Before

Disaster Recovery Solutions — More Accessible, and More Necessary, Than Ever Before used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Site Very few of us would hide our life savings under our mattress with confidence that those funds would remain safe and sound. Financial institutions provide us with a plethora of options for the safekeeping [...]

Is Your Business Prepared for an Emergency?

Is Your Business Prepared for an Emergency? Disasters happen. Is your business ready? Preparing for an emergency is a key factor to business continuity after a disaster. Wherever the threat comes from – whether it’s physical, virtual, network failure or cybercrime-related – it’s important your business is equipped to deal with the problem. In fact, [...]

Be Prepared for Anything—Not Just Disaster

Be Prepared for Anything—Not Just Disaster reprinted with permission from HP Most companies spend time anticipating and planning for disasters. But in a global economy, where opportunity and risk go hand-in-hand, other events can be as devastating to the unprepared as any hurricane. The corporate landscape is dotted with potential landmines that can take a [...]

Business Interruption Planning Not Just for Big Business

Business Interruption Planning Not Just for Big Business: 10 misconceptions about disaster recovery Paul Sullivan has seen it all. A 25-year veteran of disaster recovery and business continuity management, Sullivan witnessed the growth of continuity planning among the Fortune 1000 in the 1980s. He watched, first hand, the successes and failures of business continuity plans [...]

Business Resiliency Prevents Downtime, Data Loss & Disaster

Business Resiliency Prevents Downtime, Data Loss & Disaster used with permission from IBM ForwardView For years, midsize companies have protected themselves against downtime and data loss caused by disasters such as hurricanes and fires. But in today’s intelligent and interconnected world, where information is one of the most valuable assets a business can have, many [...]

Ensure IT Resilience

Ensure IT Resilience Creating an IT Infrastructure for Business Continuity Business continuity is an issue that no organization can afford to ignore. In fact, according to The Definitive Handbook for Business Management, between 60 and 90 percent of companies without a proactive disaster plan find themselves out of business within 24 months of experiencing a [...]

Business Productivity with Microsoft Online Services

Business Productivity with Microsoft Online ServicesIn today’s competitive global market, businesses need technology that enables flexibility and cost-effectively adds value to their organization. Internet-based hosted services provide a way to meet these objectives. They deliver feature-rich productivity tools to users while helping to relieve the burden of managing and maintaining business systems — freeing up [...]

Windows InTune: Big Tech Results. Small Tech Investment

PC management & security in the cloud Business growth is a great thing, but it can come with IT challenges. Our Windows Intune™ service offers you the benefits of enterprise-quality software and IT management without the enterprise-level outlay. Level the playing field with benefits such as these: The ability to standardize all your PCs on [...]

The Benefits of an Office 365 Workspace

Truth be told, no one wants to work 365 days a year. However, we do need our technology to be available around the clock because you never know when that hot sales prospect will want a product fact sheet or when you’ll need to coordinate a last-minute cross-country meeting. In most workplace instances, having integrated, [...]

Microsoft Office 365: Move your business to the cloud

Your life, in balance, from virtually anywhere. Microsoft® Office 365 is cloud productivity designed for you. Keep your life in balance from virtually anywhere, whether you’re one professional or a small business.* Microsoft Office 365 is a set of web-enabled tools that combine Microsoft Office productivity with the latest Microsoft communication and collaboration technology. A [...]

Microsoft Office 365: A Fully-Loaded Productivity Suite

Do you feel like you are tied to your servers just to make sure email is up and running every day? Are you able to keep up with demands from your users for larger mailboxes and more storage? Are you ready to expand, but not ready to pay for more servers? Do you have to [...]

Support is ending for Windows XP and Office 2003

Keeping your technology up-to-date is good for your productivity and security—as well as your bottom line. Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) and Office 2003 will be reaching end of support in April 2014. We want to help you avoid the risk of running an unsupported version of Windows & Office, and to assist with [...]

Top 10 Benefits of Windows Intune

1.  Help manage and secure your PCs from anywhere. The Windows Intune cloud service helps keep your employees productive in the office or on the road—all that’s required is an Internet connection. Through a simple web-based console, your IT staff can centrally manage updates, help protect PCs from malware threats, inventory hardware and software, and [...]

eMazzanti Technologies is Microsoft’s 2012 Partner of the Year

eMazzanti Technologies Wins 2012 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award Hoboken, NJ — June 25, 2012 — Today, eMazzanti Technologies proudly announces it won the 2012 Microsoft Small Business Specialist Partner of the Year Award. The company is honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of [...]

Windows To Go

Windows To Go is a new Windows 8 feature that enables enterprise administrators to create bootable USB flash drives containing complete, managed Windows images that users can use to boot and run Windows on any Windows 7 or Windows 8 capable computer. Windows To Go makes it possible for employees to use a managed device [...]

Windows 8 Features

Windows 8 Key Features Touch-First User Interface Metro style. Windows 8 introduces a new Metro style interface built for touch, which shows information important to you, embodies simplicity and gives you control. The Metro style UI is equally at home with a mouse and keyboard as well. Touch-first browsing, not just browsing on a touch [...]

What is Hardware as a Service?

What is Hardware as a Service? Hardware as a Service, also known as HaaS, allows you to convert a large capital expense into a manageable operating expense by leasing you the hardware that you need. The hardware is placed at your site and a service provider remotely monitors your hardware and software. This gives you [...]

Stimulate Your Business

Stimulate Your Business used with permission from the Cisco Small Business Resource Center Q&A with the Small Business Administration on Recovery Act Opportunities for Small Businesses The economy is recovering, but it often takes longer for that recovery to trickle down to small businesses. To provide relief and encourage continued growth, the U.S. Congress recently [...]

Make the Best Even Better

Make the Best Even Better used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Windows 7 can help make your business more productive than ever, but why stop there? Add Windows Small Business Server 2008 – and take productivity to the next level. By now you may have already upgraded your business PCs to Windows® [...]

Three Ways to Thrive in an Uncertain Economic Upturn

Three Ways to Thrive in an Uncertain Economic Upturn reprinted with permission from the HP Enterprise Center Signs of a possible upturn are reenergizing businesses. However, this recession isn’t ending in a sharp economic upturn. “We know that the fall has stopped, but we are not yet sure whether the economy is going to grow [...]

Are You Prepared for the Exploding ‘Digital Universe’?

Are You Prepared for the Exploding ‘Digital Universe’? used with the permission from Symantec “A perpetual tsunami.” That’s how IDC describes the current growth of digital information throughout the world.¹ It may be an understatement. IDC estimates that last year, despite the global recession, the so-called “Digital Universe” grew by 62% to nearly 800,000 petabytes. [...]

Microsoft Office 365: A Fully-Loaded Productivity Suite | Technology Solutions | Increase Business Productivity

Microsoft Office 365: A Fully-Loaded Productivity Suite Use with permission from Microsoft. Do you feel like you are tied to your servers just to make sure email is up and running every day? Are you able to keep up with demands from your users for larger mailboxes and more storage? Are you ready to expand, [...]

Cloud Computing for Small and Midsize Businesses | Cloud Computing | Business Productivity | Cloud Technology

Cloud Computing for Small and Midsize Businesses reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center You’ve no doubt heard a lot about cloud computing (or the cloud). What you may not have learned is how this misty concept can help with the real problems of operating your business, especially in hard times. In short, [...]

The Benefits of an Office 365 Workspace | Virtualization Technology | Cloud Computing

The Benefits of an Office 365 Workspace used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Website Truth be told, no one wants to work 365 days a year. However, we do need our technology to be available around the clock because you never know when that hot sales prospect will want a product fact sheet [...]

Going Hybrid: Best of Both Worlds in Cloud Computing | Cloud Technology | Virtualization

Going Hybrid: Best of Both Worlds in Cloud Computing used with permission by IBM ForwardView With all the chatter about accessing data and applications anytime, anywhere it’s little wonder that cloud computing has generated so much interest. Indeed, the proliferation of mobile devices, high–speed connections and data–intensive applications have challenged many organizations to continuously meet [...]

Ready to Dive into Software as a Service? | Software Technology | IT Support

Ready to Dive into Software as a Service? Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Randy Niederer had a problem. As director of marketing for Unico, a St. Louis-based manufacturer of specialty heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment, he’d gathered leads, which were then sent to about 150 independent sales representatives. Unfortunately, the CRM [...]

7 Reasons Small Businesses Switch to Cloud Based Software | Cloud Computing | Virtualization

7 Reasons Small Businesses Switch to Cloud Based Software used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Small business owners often have big dreams. Whether that dream is to keep your business small or to grow it into a big business, you want your business to run as smoothly as possible – every step [...]

Conjure Up Some Virtual Magic | Virtualization | Virtual Machine

Conjure Up Some Virtual Magic used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Do you remember wondering as a kid how a magician could put one scarf in a hat and then pull out ten? And wishing you could do the same, maybe with a candy bar instead of a scarf? Well, magic might [...]

Maximize Your Virtualization ROI | Virtualization | Virtual Machine

Maximize Your Virtualization ROI reprinted with permission from HP Virtualization technology is a great way to increase business agility while reducing infrastructure costs. But it can also add another layer of management complexity, resulting in higher management costs and lower ROI. You need the right software tools to realize the full benefits of virtualization. Managing [...]

Let a Private Cloud Manage Your Technology Automatically | Cloud Computing | Cloud Technology

Let a Private Cloud Manage Your Technology Automatically used with permission from Microsoft Business for Small & Midsize Companies Ask your company’s managers or employees what the cloud means to them and you’re likely to hear about creating and sharing documents online, storing and downloading music, or video conferences with distant colleagues. But ask your [...]

The Time is NOW for Virtualization | Virtualization Technology | Virutal Machine

The Time is NOW for Virtualization By Blake Britton – VP, Axxys Technologies As we continue to look forward at the IT landscape nothing is growing faster than virtualization. The last 4 out of 5 projects completed by us have all involved creating a virtual strategy for our clients. I know this number does not [...]

4 Reasons ‘Virtualization’ Saves Money | Virtualization | Virtualization Technology

4 Reasons ‘Virtualization’ Saves Money by Heather Clancy reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Most articles about virtualization discuss the technology in the context of “big” business. They are glowing about the potential for “data center consolidation” or “reduced system maintenance expenses.” Or they rave about the prospects for a better disaster [...]

Seven Windows 8 Consumer Preview Calculator features you should utilize | Windows Tips | Windows Features

You may already know that the Windows 8 version of Calculator performs basic arithmetic, as well as scientific, programmer, and statistical calculations. What you may not know is that it can also calculate mortgage payments, fuel economy, perform unit conversions, and more.
Here are seven Windows 8 Calculator features you may not know about:

Why You Need a Managed Services Provider | Technology Solutions

Why You Need a Managed Services Provider Information technology (IT) systems are expected to meet high standards of operation, while offering 24/7 availability, security, and performance. In today’s environment, you have to keep pace with the constant changes in IT, performance demands, and pressure to deliver competitive IT functionality. To meet these challenges, many organizations [...]

What a VAR Can Do for Your Business | IT Support | Small to Midsized Businesses

What a VAR Can Do for Your Business by Peter Alexander used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Technology can go a long way in helping your business stay competitive, meet customer expectations and improve operational efficiencies. But most small businesses simply don’t have the resources to evaluate technologies and aren’t sure where [...]

Understanding the Value of a Value Added Reseller (VAR) | Technology Support | Small Businesses

Understanding the Value of a Value Added Reseller (VAR) used with permission from the HP Site VARs have a variety of perceptions about them. Some of these perceptions are right on. Some of them completely miss the mark. The truth is the right VAR can help most businesses more than they realize. Can the right [...]

Thinking About Hiring Your Own Internal IT Staff – Think Again! | Small to Midszied Businesses

Thinking About Hiring Your Own Internal IT Staff – Think Again! Outsourcing your IT brings additional business value by Stuart Crawford, President and CMO of Ulistic Republished August 2011 and used with permission. Businesses today wrestle and grapple with the thought of hiring their own technology support staff to support their daily need for IT [...]

Five New Tips: How to Find an IT Partner That Will Cut Your Costs | Small Businesses | Technology Support

Five New Tips: How to Find an IT Partner That Will Cut Your Costs used with permission from the Cisco Small Business Resource Center Where does your business find the IT expertise it needs? Businesses that lack the staff IT expertise or time that a technology requires can outsource. A sea of techies will claim [...]

23 IT Tips and Tricks for Small Businesses in 2012

IT tips and tricks that will save your small business money and time

Guide: How to select an outsourced IT provider

25 questions that will help you zero-in on a top-notch IT consultant

How Free Antivirus Software Can End Up Costing You | Technology Support

How Free Antivirus Software Can End Up Costing You used with permission from Symantec Free antivirus software may seem like a bargain, but it’s not. Learn what issues you need to consider before you download this particular “freeware.” In this tough economy, getting something for free is always a good thing, right? Short answer: It [...]

The Weakest Link in Network Security | Network Security

The Weakest Link in Network Security By Peter Alexander Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center Your small-business network may be protected by firewalls, intrusion detection and other state-of-the-art security technologies. And yet, all it takes is one person’s carelessness, and suddenly it’s as if you have no network security at all. Let me [...]

Preserve and Protect Your Data | Network Security | Small to Midsized Businesses

Preserve and Protect Your Data Summary As the amount of data being created continues to increase, and that info is accessed and shared by more people, SMBs can’t afford to ignore the need for data protection. Small and medium businesses are powered by information. Should your business lose that information or even suffer an interruption [...]

Watch What You Install On Your Server | Network Support | Technology Support

Watch What You Install On Your Server by Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Download warning: Watch what you install on your server. Today’s server operating systems, including Microsoft Small Business Server 2003, are so user-friendly that you could be left with the impression that anyone with the ability to [...]

Is Your Infrastructure Leaking Money?

Is Your Infrastructure Leaking Money? reprinted with permission from HP Whoever said “don’t sweat the small stuff” never managed an IT infrastructure—and certainly never during turbulent economic times. According to independent analyst Forrester Research, global IT purchases in 2008 will grow by only 6 percent, versus 12 percent growth in 2007. So, although you’re already [...]

What is Green Computing?

What is Green Computing? How can it impact my business? Two great questions that eMazzanti Technologies has answers for. Did you know that in addition to effecting your business communications, online threats also contribute to our growing climate crisis? Viruses, malware and spyware often draw on the processing power of your computer, even when you [...]

Microsoft’s busy year, A to Z

A look back at Microsoft’s busy year, A to Z by Janet I. Tu used with permission from the author (Thank you Janet!)   The year 2011 has been eventful for Microsoft, from its partnership with Nokia to the purchase of Skype and the first peek at Windows 8. Here’s Microsoft’s year, from A to [...]

Windows 8 Key Features

Windows 8 key features and benefits for the upcoming new operating system from Microsoft

Previewing ‘Windows 8′

Microsoft demonstrates the next generation of Windows, internally code-named “Windows 8,” for the first time at the June D9 Conference.

THE TOP 25 WORST PASSWORDS OF 2011

THE TOP 25 WORST PASSWORDS OF 2011 1. password 2. 123456 3. 12345678 4. Qwerty 5. abc123 6. Monkey 7. 1234567 8. Letmein 9. trustno1 10. Dragon 11. Baseball 12. 111111 13. Iloveyou 14. Master 15. Sunshine 16. Ashley 17. Bailey 18. passw0rd 19. Shadow 20. 123123 21. 654321 22. Superman 23. Qazwsx 24. Michael [...]

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 – Better Together

Lost in all the hype about the recent Windows 7 is the excitement around the simultaneous launch of Windows Server 2008 R2. There are probably a few reasons this launch has been so overlooked. First, as I mentioned, it came hand-in-hand with the desktop launch. Clearly, Microsoft’s marketing team doesn’t plan any “I’m a Windows [...]

Why Hackers Hate Windows 7

A lot of the focus is on security and ways of protecting the network and threats from inside and outside. Every day, hackers work on finding exploits and unpatched systems to break into. In the 1990’s, virus’s were written by kids, and college students more for an annoyance then what they are doing today. Today, [...]

5 Steps to a Trouble-free Windows 7 Upgrade

Upgrading to the new Windows® 7 operating system can make your PC faster and easier to use. Many users fear that the upgrade process itself will be stressful and difficult — but fear not! Following these five simple steps will help you have a smooth and stress-free transition. 1. Check to ensure you meet system [...]

Surveillance NOT Just for Spies

This eNewsletter will self-destruct in five seconds. . . Terms such as surveillance, undercover and covert conjure up images typically seen in a James Bond or Mission Impossible movie. These days, however, there are practical yet affordable surveillance applications and equipment businesses can use to creatively save time and money. Practical Application #1: “Eyes” for [...]

Business Resiliency Prevents Downtime, Data Loss & Disaster

Business Resiliency Prevents Downtime, Data Loss & Disaster For years, midsize companies have protected themselves against downtime and data loss caused by disasters such as hurricanes and fires. But in today’s intelligent and interconnected world, where information is one of the most valuable assets a business can have, many midsize companies are not doing enough [...]

How to Bullet-Proof Your Data

How to Bullet-Proof Your Data By Brian Renter, President, Universal Information Systems A recent study of companies experiencing a “major loss” of computer records discovered that 43 percent never reopened, 51 percent closed within two years of the loss, and a mere 6 percent survived over the long-term. For small and medium-sized businesses in particular, [...]

Summer Storms and Your UPS

Summer Storms and Your UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Devices and Surge Protectors by Michael Appollo, CTO, NST We hope you have have successfully weathered the summer storms. Now is a good time to check your UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) devices and surge protectors because there is a good chance they have taken some voltage hits [...]

When Times are Tough, There’s No Room for Risk

When Times are Tough, There’s No Room for Risk used with permission from the HP Midsize Business Center Don’t Stop fortifying against risk Four ways to mitigate risk in a tough economy Every business deals with risk. But medium-sized businesses, with smaller IT staff and tighter operating budgets are often more exposed to risk than [...]

Seeing Double – Practical Productivity

  Seeing Double – Practical Productivity By Jane Cage, HTS COO Do you have the luxury of doing only one task at a time? If you’re like me, I would guess the answer is probably “No”. I find myself answering email, working on a spreadsheet, looking at an accounting issue and searching for info on [...]

Ten Tips for Making Your Business More Efficient

Ten Tips for Making Your Business More Efficient used with permission from CiscoTo keep pace in an increasingly competitive world, your business needs to run as efficiently as possible. “Sooner or later, any company not operating efficiently will be out of business,” says Laurie McCabe, vice president of small and medium business insights and solutions [...]

22 Ways To Work Quicker on your Computer

22 Ways To Work Quicker on your Computer Used with permission from the HP Small & Medium Business CenterWork, family, friends and a few hours for yourself? Sometimes it seems impossible to fit everything in one day. If you are looking to spend less time at your computer and more time somewhere else, check out [...]

6 Keys to Boosting Productivity

6 Keys to Boosting Productivity used with permission from the HP Small Business CenterNow more than ever, companies are pushing their employees to work harder, better and smarter. In effect, many employees are drowning in work, are overwhelmed, less productive and don’t know which task to handle first. If this scenario sounds familiar to you, [...]

5 Sure-Fire Ways to Protect your Private Information

used with permission from the HP Small Business Site Last year, the reputation of online security took yet another major hit when over 200,000 users of Gawker Media websites — including those users who log in via Twitter — had their usernames and passwords hacked and distributed across the web. This massive data breach just [...]

5 Career Survival Tips for the “Wherever” Worker

used with permission from the Microsoft Business Site Today’s office worker isn’t always found in the office. Even if you’re not in sales, you may do a significant amount of work at a customer site, from conference hotels, or at home. Studies have shown that this kind of work flexibility leads to a more satisfying [...]

7 Reasons Small Businesses Switch to Cloud Based Software

  used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Small business owners often have big dreams. Whether that dream is to keep your business small or to grow it into a big business, you want your business to run as smoothly as possible – every step of the way. You might start your business [...]

Disaster-Proof Your Business

  Disaster-Proof Your Business by Jeff Wuorio used with permission from the Microsoft Business Site If you’re a business owner, you need to know how to protect your business. Try as we might, there’s often no way to skirt disaster — whether it’s national, personal or weather induced. But there are strategies to cope with [...]

Find Out How To Get An Extra Hour Every Day

  Find Out How To Get An Extra Hour Every Day used with permission from the HP Small & Medium Business Site Time pressure is acute and frustrations such as commuting, inflexible working hours and tedious meetings make it worse. To get things started here are ten sure-fire ways to get an extra hour a [...]

5 Tips for Top-notch Password Security

  5 Tips for Top-notch Password Security by Kim Komando used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business website Whether it’s a few PCs or hundreds on your network, there’s one thing that can separate your system from being compromised: a great password. Why? Hackers want access to anything and everything. If they can guess [...]

Learning to Actively Listen Will Close The “Gap”

  Learning to Actively Listen Will Close The “Gap” By Craig Kitch www.craigkitch.com There is nothing more fruitful for your business or career than the art of active listening. Unfortunately, most people would rather talk than listen and that’s why most people live lives of mediocrity. You learn nothing when your mouth is moving but [...]

4 Ways Social Media Can Improve Sales

4 Ways Social Media Can Improve Sales Performance used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business website Every salesperson knows that information is power. The more you know about your prospect, the more insight you have into what makes them buy. The Internet has made researching your customers easier than ever. You can visit company [...]

Software and the Taxman

  Software and the Taxman By Jeffrey A. Levenstam, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP—International Tax Services used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business website What do you consider when you’re buying new business software? How well the product addresses the needs of your organization? Naturally. The cost per seat? Sure. The ease of administration [...]

Buyer Beware

  Buyer Beware Don’t Expect Consumer-Grade Technology to Meet Your Business-Class Needs used with permission from the Cisco Small Business Website When you walk into a business meeting, do you wear pajamas? Do you let your children manage the accounts receivable for your office? When you buy business technology, do you choose products designed for [...]

It’s Time to Cut Down on Spam

  It’s Time to Cut Down on Spam used with permission from Symantec It’s no secret that spammers count on current events to hoodwink email users. In recent years, everything from the Beijing Olympics to the presidential campaign of Barack Obama to the Oscar ceremonies has provided fodder for their scams. But with the economy [...]

Microsoft Windows at 25

  Microsoft Windows at 25 Recently (November 20th to be exact) marked the 25th anniversary of the official release of Windows 1.0. If you’re in the mood for a laugh, check out this image (courtesy of Wikipedia) of what it looked like – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Windows1.0.png. And to think people actually thought that system improved productivity! Fortunately [...]

Eleven Things to Give Up in 2011

  Eleven Things to Give Up in 2011 by Marlene Chism Instead of trying to lose twenty pounds for your New Year’s resolution, what if you decided to give up eleven habits that keep you stuck in your relationships at home and at work. Here are eleven things, in the form of mindsets, habits and [...]

My IT Department – Why So Much Harder to Manage?

  My IT Department – Why So Much Harder to Manage Than the Rest? In the last 5 years PCS has evolved from an IT consultancy to an IT support organization, relying on our people, processes, and controls to achieve our performance objectives. Our focus on service level improvements has, at times, been revealing about [...]

Lending to your Business? Do It Right?

  Lending to your Business? Do It Right. by Joseph Anthony used with permission from the Microsoft SMall Business website Where does your business go when it needs a loan? For many small businesses, the answer is . . . right back to the owner. If you have to lend money to your business, do [...]

3 Essential Steps to Better Business Intelligence

  3 Essential Steps to Better Business Intelligence used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business website Companies today have too much information. What companies don’t have enough of is intelligence – and no, we’re not talking about your staff. Business intelligence refers to the insights you discover when you turn all that data into [...]

5 Steps for Determining an Employee’s Salary

  5 Steps for Determining an Employee’s Salary by Joanna L. Krotz used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business website Putting a price tag on a staff job can be a lot harder than pricing your company’s products and services. Pay packages have so few rules. They go up and down depending on geography, [...]

Go Green with Ease

  Go Green with Ease: 5 Steps for Small Businesses used with permission from the Cisco Small Business Center Easy IT Strategies that Save Money and Help the Environment Smart information technology (IT) practices can reduce the environmental impact of conducting business, and help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) reduce expenses. With employee awareness and [...]

Look to the Cloud to Save Money and Build Business

  Look to the cloud to save money and build business used with permission from the IBM website Cloud computing is not pie in the sky. It offers tangible benefits that real-world businesses need to meet the demands—and take advantage of the opportunities—of today’s instrumented, interconnected and intelligent world. As the world grows smarter, cloud [...]

When You Wish Upon “The Cloud”

When You Wish Upon “The Cloud” by Erin Griffin used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Website It seems that every networking event this year, every tech magazine issue, and every vendor worth its salt is talking about “the cloud.” The cloud, in one of its many forms – public, private, or mixed – [...]

When You Wish Upon “The Cloud”

  When You Wish Upon “The Cloud” by Erin Griffin used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Website It seems that every networking event this year, every tech magazine issue, and every vendor worth its salt is talking about “the cloud.” The cloud, in one of its many forms – public, private, or mixed [...]

Look to the Cloud to Save Money and Build Business

  Look to the cloud to save money and build business used with permission from the IBM website Cloud computing is not pie in the sky. It offers tangible benefits that real-world businesses need to meet the demands—and take advantage of the opportunities—of today’s instrumented, interconnected and intelligent world. As the world grows smarter, cloud [...]

Compliment Your Customers With Positive Statements

Compliment Your Customers With Positive Statements by Debra J. SchmidtIf a customer calls and says he saw “the coolest software while he was at a convention in Las Vegas,” don’t immediately ask the brand and type of computer for which it’s needed. Instead talk about the convention in Las Vegas for a couple of minutes [...]

Does Everyone in Your Organization “Get” the Security Agenda?

Does Everyone in Your Organization ‘Get’ the Security Agenda? reprinted with permission from SymantecSummary End users often understand the need for security only in a general sense, without grasping the vital role they play in maintaining security. This article looks at the steps IT can take to convey the message that all employees must be [...]

Assessing Legal Threats

Assessing Legal Threats reprinted with permission from HPIf you’re like most companies, as much as 90 percent of your corporate communications and business activities take place electronically. And, like most companies, you must live with the threat of legal actions that could trigger sweeping requests for this kind of information. Your current records retention programs [...]

File Storage: How to Use It So You Won’t Lose Your Data

File Storage: How to Use It So You Won’t Lose Your Data used with permission from the Cisco Small Business SiteFile storage systems that provide automated, secure backup and additional storage capacity can play an essential role in your business’s success. The best file storage systems seamlessly help protect valuable data, make it easy for [...]

Maximize Your Virtualization ROI

Maximize Your Virtualization ROI reprinted with permission from HPVirtualization technology is a great way to increase business agility while reducing infrastructure costs. But it can also add another layer of management complexity, resulting in higher management costs and lower ROI. You need the right software tools to realize the full benefits of virtualization. Managing virtualization [...]

Three Quick And Easy Ways to Make Google Juice in your Business

Three Quick And Easy Ways To Make Google Juice In Your Business by Stuart Crawford, Ulistic, Inc.In our world of constant advertising and marketing, more and more of our small business clients are researching for new ways of attracting their ideal clients. Electing to attract the right type of business versus spraying the market place [...]

6 Interview Questions You Need to Ask

Hiring? 6 Interview Questions You Need to Ask by Jeff Wuorio used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business CenterWhen it comes to interviewing potential employees , you need to ask the loaded questions. That’s because hiring the right people is central to the continuing growth and success of your business. So you need to [...]

15 Customer Service No-Nos

15 Customer Service No-Nos by Monte Enbysk used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business CenterSometimes it seems like rude customer service is the rule rather than the exception. But there’s rude — and then there’s rude. When it comes to getting customer service, what’s your definition of rude? What unprofessional behavior irritates you the [...]

What is Voice over IP? The Basics

What is Voice over IP? The Basics used with permission from the Cisco Small Business Center. What is voice over IP? How is it different from unified communications? And how can it help your small business? What is Voice over IP? Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology lets you use the Internet to make and [...]

The Virtual Office Checklist

The Virtual Office Checklist used with permission from the Cisco Small Business Center.Here are some things to consider when choosing Cisco SMB Solutions that enable you and your colleagues to work from anywhere. Adding a VPN and firewall enables the security you need. The technology behind remote access is called a “virtual private network,” or [...]

Two LinkedIn Security Settings You Must Set

Two LinkedIn Security Settings You Must Set by Stuart Crawford, Ulistic, Inc.LinkedIn is one of the industry leading social networks and online communities in use today across multiple businesses and industries. LinkedIn’s focus on business-to-business networking and facilitating the sharing of ideas and strategies has won the trust of business professionals globally. Not unlike many [...]

Managing Software Assets Pays Big Dividends

Managing Software Assets Pays Big Dividends used with permission from the Microsoft Business SiteAwhile back, we brought you the story of Ted , a CIO at a midsized company who was struggling to get a handle on his software licenses and IT costs. If you haven’t taken a systematic approach to managing your company’s software [...]

Online Safety for Kids

Online Safety for Kids Diana Johnson, Marketing, Wood NetworksOur kids are a special gift entrusted to us to raise, nurture, and teach for about 18 years. They don’t come with an instruction manual and we often forget how different the world is from when we were growing up. One area parents often neglect is the [...]

Sweeping OUT my Inbox

  Sweeping OUT my Inbox by Jane Cage, COO, HTSDo you live in your inbox? I do – and sometimes it gets a little crowded. I find myself using messages as a to-do list and a record of communication. When I can’t figure out where an important piece of information should really live, I email [...]

Top 10 Reasons to buy Windows 7

Top 10 Reasons to buy Windows 7 1. Get quicker access to all of your stuff use Pin and Jump Lists to keep the programs and files you use the most right at your fingertips. 2. Manage open windows more easily resize and arrange windows simply by dragging their borders to the edge of your [...]

3 PC Ways to Get Rid of an Old PC

3 PC Ways to Get Rid of an Old PC by Kim Komando used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Are you getting a new PC, or a set of new PCs for your business? If so, the question becomes: What do I do with that old clunker? Don’t just cart it off [...]

Office 2010 – Love at First Sight

Office 2010 – Love at First Sight! by Jane Cage, COO, HTS As your trusted technology partner, we feel duty bound to try before you buy. How can we make recommendations to you about products we don’t know how to use? It’s a dirty job, and sometimes risky, but someone has to try stuff first [...]

The Future of Cloud Computing

The Future of Cloud Computing By Tommy Wald, President & CEO, RIATA Technologies, Inc.I remember when I started my career in computing in 1983, when our primary form of computing consisted of centralized mainframe/midframe computers accessed by simple dumb terminals. Since then our industry has swung from a centralized form of computing to a decentralized [...]

Five Red Flags of Resistance and Why Resistance Keeps You Stuck

Five Red Flags of Resistance and Why Resistance Keeps You Stuck used with permission from Marlene Chism    www.stopyourdrama.com Your boss doesn’t listen to your ideas. Your spouse refuses to try to understand. Your employees resist your leadership, and secretly you know you keep doing things you don’t really want to do but you feel stuck [...]

Drop Me In Dubuque

Drop me in Dubuque I’ll survive anywhere! by Joel Weldon, Success Comes in Cans Schmitz’s reputation was legend!. They said, and rightly so, you could drop Schmitz off in any city in the U.S. at nine in the morning, and by 5 p.m. Schmitz would have made at least one sale. Schmitz was not only [...]

Unified communications security: Keeping your customers’ networks safe

By Heather Clancy Be forewarned: While unified communications security incidents aren’t dominating headlines, the potential for vital corporate data to slip out via this technology solution is very real. “There has been zero recognition of this as being an issue for consumers, but grabbing voice packets out of places like people’s homes can actually be [...]

5 Steps to a Trouble-free Windows 7 Upgrade

 reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center Upgrading to the new Windows® 7 operating system can make your PC faster and easier to use. Many users fear that the upgrade process itself will be stressful and difficult — but fear not! Following these five simple steps will help you have a smooth and [...]

You’re In Sales No Matter What Your Title

by Debra J. Schmidt – used with permission If I ask you right now whether or not you are in sales, chances are you would say, “No, I’m in accounts payable or customer service or marketing.” You might even say, “I’m the CEO.” No matter what your job is, you are in sales. Every time [...]

Greener, Leaner IT Lowers Costs, Boosts Efficiency

The article re-printed courtesy of IBM ForwardView eMagazine www.ibm.com/expressadvantage/forwardview Market forces, such as the fluctuations of commodity prices, play a role in how SMBs operate and compete. These days, energy is perhaps the most influential of all commodities, and its impact upon SMBs can be tremendous. According to a recent report issued by IBM entitled [...]

How To Avoid Workplace Favoritism

by Rieva Lesonsky reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Q: I know from past experience that bosses sometimes favor some employees over others based on personal reasons. Now that I’m a business owner, how can I be sure I’m treating my employees fairly and not showing favoritism? A: You’re right to be [...]

Protecting Confidential Information in a Down Economy

reprinted from Symantec Did you know that an estimated 90% of data loss incidents are accidental? That may be surprising news in light of the fact that cyber-criminals have never been busier. But according to a recent survey by TheInfoPro Inc., data loss is “more the result of non-malicious activity as compared to malicious actions.” [...]

Put It In Writing: Your Business Has Ethics

by Jeff Wuorio reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Ethics are on people’s minds these days, as newspaper headlines scream about insider trading, companies cooking their books, and other scandals involving business executives at mostly major corporations. Unfortunately, accounting fraud and other scandals can taint all businesses, large and small. Still, many [...]

Social Networking Can Attract Some Unwelcome “Friends”

By Gene Marks – from Symantec David never considered himself a gossip. He wasn’t a big computer guy. And as the owner of a profitable business he barely had enough time to spend with his family. But still, he heard all about these social community websites and the need to do online social networking for business [...]

Top Seven Tips for Reducing Workplace Negativity

By Marlene Chism used with permission Negativity is the number one productivity problem in the workplace. Signs of negativity include backstabbing, gossiping, power struggles and lack of teamwork. The end result is absenteeism, low morale and turnover. Here are seven tips for improving workplace relationships and reducing negativity. 1. Facilitate Regular Staff Meetings When done [...]

Social Networking: First Do No Harm!

By: Robert H. Spencer, PhD & Randolph P. Johnston, Exec VP, NMGI It has been estimated that more than 76 million “millennials” (Americans born between 1978 and 2000) are ready to enter the workforce throughout the next decade. At the same time significant numbers of the “Baby Boomer” generation will be retiring. It seems that [...]

ROI: Extending the Benefits of Energy Efficiency

The article re-printed courtesy of IBM ForwardView eMagazine www.ibm.com/expressadvantage/forwardview What’s good for the environment can also make incredibly good business sense. By taking advantage of green IT strategies such as virtualization and server consolidation, midsized businesses can realize immediate ROI in 2010. What’s more, today’s energy-efficient technologies do more than just alleviate power and cooling [...]

Five Essential Elements of Business Recovery

The article re-printed courtesy of IBM ForwardView eMagazine www.ibm.com/expressadvantage/forwardview In the current business environment, the old adage “time is money” applies now more than ever. So what happens when everyday operations are disrupted? According to the U.S. Labor Department, more than 40 percent of all companies that experience a disaster never reopen – and more [...]

Six Steps to Smarter Printing

reprinted with permission from HP Making changes to your printing and imaging systems is an easy way to reduce your environmental impact and show measurable cost savings. Selecting the right imaging and printing tools and implementing responsible in-office practices are crucial to developing a cost effective environmental strategy. Here are six key steps to getting [...]

Demystifying Data Deduplication

Stop Repeating yourself – How to eliminate redundant data from backups reprinted with permission from HP Data deduplication is a storage technology for managing explosive data growth and providing data protection. There’s a lot of talk about the technique, but little clarity on details and practical applications. What is it? Data deduplication is a method [...]

Business Productivity with Microsoft Online Services

In today’s competitive global market, businesses need technology that enables flexibility and cost-effectively adds value to their organization. Internet-based hosted services provide a way to meet these objectives. They deliver feature-rich productivity tools to users while helping to relieve the burden of managing and maintaining business systems — freeing up IT departments to focus on [...]

Avoid Virtualization Pitfalls

Five best practices for getting started with virtualization reprinted with permission from HP To save money on equipment and time on system maintenance, more and more businesses are deploying virtual servers. Reduced overhead and simplified management can free up resources that can be applied toward innovation and other valuable projects that sharpen the business’ competitive [...]

The 8 Steps of Empowerment:

Leadership Principles for Navigating Change By Marlene Chism www.stopyourdrama.com Change, whether it is wanted or unwanted brings out our best and worst. The Stop Your Drama Methodology incorporates 8 principles and multiple tools for navigating change or reinventing any part of your life or business. 1. Clear the Fog Where drama is, clarity is not. [...]

Lessons Learned From Bad Tech Hires

by Kim Komando reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center For many small businesses, a key hiring challenge is finding the right person to care for your computers and networks. These folks usually carry the title of network or system administrator. And as your business grows, you may need someone (or two) on [...]

5 smart green ways to save money for your business

  Skeptics suggest an economic crisis will stall sustainable business practices. They cling to the myth that going green costs more money. But many businesses are discovering green habits save big money, especially when it comes to information technology. The savings are many: Reduced power consumption, IT maintenance and hardware procurement costs. This can lead [...]

IT Business Risk Management

Don’t stop fortifying against risk.  Four ways to mitigate risk in a tough economy reprinted with permission from HP Every business deals with risk. But medium-sized businesses, with smaller IT staff and tighter operating budgets are often more exposed to risk than larger companies. This reality is never more evident than in a down economy: [...]

Your Business Really Blew It: What Now?

by Jeff Wuorio used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center We all make mistakes. It’s the damage that really counts. Not long ago, Twin Partners, a Rochester, N.Y., advertising agency, signed on a media behemoth as a client. During the agency’s first media buy for the project, it switched to a less-expensive freelancer. [...]

10 Ways to Work More Securely

used with permission from Microsoft At Work The security of your computer and data is crucial for you and the success of your company. Lost or stolen information can reveal company secrets, or expose your confidential or personal information. The more you do to keep your computer secure, the safer your information will be. Use [...]

The Future of Computing is in the Clouds

By Shane Robison, Chief Technology Officer, HP reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center Technology is in the early stages of a big shift, one that will transform how companies and individuals access information, share content and communicate. This next wave will be driven by a new model of computing: people and businesses [...]

Managers Beware – Your Employees Are Watching you

by Debra J. Schmidt used with permission Is “walking the talk” a tired old cliché or a bold new concept? Very few managers today are receiving formal management training. As a result, many are poor communicators and weak in their delegation and leadership skills. According to a Gallup poll, 25% of U.S. employees would fire [...]

Smile – You’re on the Phone

Used with permission of Joel H. Weldon & Associates, Inc. http://www.SuccessComesInCans.com Forget the research evidence, the dozens of pages of documentation and the years of prodding by communications consultants. Do your own survey right now. Pick up your telephone and call ten companies or businesses in your area that provide some sort of customer service, [...]

What a VAR Can Do for Your Business

by Peter Alexander used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Technology can go a long way in helping your business stay competitive, meet customer expectations and improve operational efficiencies. But most small businesses simply don’t have the resources to evaluate technologies and aren’t sure where to find the right technology partner. That’s where [...]

Your Nonprofit Needs a Technology Plan

by Monte Enbysk used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center To the surprise of the nonprofit sector, Internet technology is enhancing good works. Relief agencies such as the American Red Cross have demonstrated how effectively online systems can speed cash donations to tragedy-stricken parts of the world. Smaller nonprofits have found the Web [...]

Acceptable Computer Usage Policy

Acceptable Computer Usage Policy -Eric Reynolds Wood Networks, Senior TechnicianWhether presented as part of the company handbook, or as a standalone document, an Acceptable Computer Usage Policy is a must in today’s workplace. Having a good policy in place will clearly communicate to the staff what is acceptable and what is not. The main reason [...]

10 Tips for Using Instant Messaging for Business

10 Tips for Using Instant Messaging for Business By Monte Enbysk Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business CenterBlame it on instant messaging. Here’s the scene: A couple dozen professionals at a New York advertising agency quietly type away at computer screens congregated near each other, in an open room devoid of office walls [...]

8 Tips for More Effective E-Mails

8 Tips for More Effective E-Mails reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center Most business people receive dozens, even hundreds, of e-mails each day. Without question, e-mail is now the primary means of communication in the professional world. That’s why it’s very important to create messages that effectively communicate your point while presenting [...]

Are you an e-mail addict?

Are you an e-mail addict? reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center What would be most harmful to your health: no food; no water; or no e-mail? All over the world, people are beginning to wonder why all roads now lead to our inboxes. In less than 20 years e-mail and its off-shoot, [...]

Unleash the Power of E-mail Signatures

How to Unleash the Power of E-mail Signatures By Joanna L. Krotz Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center  Every time you send an e-mail message, you have an opportunity to share something personal or powerful or playful in an “e-mail signature.” Yet few people realize its potential. E-mail signatures are the wise or [...]

Instant Messaging is Great…As Long as it’s Secure

Instant Messaging is Great…As Long as it’s Secure Instant messaging has blossomed to become a staple mode of communication for millions of Internet users. Protect yourself from the risks associated with the use of IM. From its beginnings as a simple buddy-to-buddy chatting service, instant messaging (IM) has blossomed to become a staple mode of [...]

E-Mail Manners

E-Mail Manners Convenience, timeliness and ease of use have made e-mail the principal form of business communication for many professionals. However, for all its convenience, e-mail can hurt your business if it isn’t used correctly. Sloppy writing, misunderstood subtleties, poorly labeled messages and other missteps can waste time, delay decisions or even fray relationships with [...]

Email on the Head of a Pin

Email on the Head of a Pin Etiquette for wireless It’s now to the point you are never absolutely certain your important communication will actually get read. While spam and the volume of email are culprits, your missive now has another hurdle to jump, -. handheld. devices. Itty bitty screens and ittty bitty keyboards are [...]

6 Tips for Bridging the Communication Gap

6 Tips for Bridging the Communication Gap By Joanna L. Krotz Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business CenterAs you may have observed, women and men who work closely together often get tied up in communication knots, especially over issues that involve power, advocacy, and managing the troops. That’s because the sexes have distinct [...]

Key Steps to a Secure Remote Workforce

Key Steps to a Secure Remote WorkforceAbstract The workplace has undergone fundamental changes over the past decade. No longer is the corporation housed within physical walls; it now transcends those buildings, even extending beyond distant geographic borders. The corporate network too, expands far beyond the corporate perimeter to provide access to partners, clients, suppliers, and [...]

Beware This Latest Threat to Your Personal Identity!

Beware This Latest Threat to Your Personal Identity! It is really too bad, but the reality today is that we can’t be too trusting any more. It seems like there is some criminal around every corner ready to dupe us into giving up personal information and then stealing us blind. The only solution is to [...]

Should sensitive data be stored on laptops?

Should sensitive data be stored on laptops? BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) — Every month seems to bring another episode of sensitive personal information escaping into the wild because a corporate or government laptop computer is lost or stolen. A common response is a lot of hand-wringing over how the data should have been encrypted.But some key [...]

When Mobile Systems Fail

When Mobile Systems FailThe deployment of mobile technologies has transformed today’s small businesses, fueling tremendous productivity gains. Even so, many of these organizations are at a loss when their mobile systems fail. This article looks at how to speed the recovery of the mobile client. For most of today’s small businesses, “going mobile” is a [...]

Securing Your Smartphone or PDA

Securing Your Smartphone or PDA Don’t overlook the security needs of these small devices. Here are some key security measures to take to protect your smartphone or PDA. Smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) have become important business tools in recent years, and that trend appears to be continuing. According to Gartner Inc, worldwide PDA [...]

4 Ways Small Business Server Empowers Mobile Workers

4 Ways Small Business Server Empowers Mobile Workers By Christopher Elliott Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center at http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness. You probably know what a server can do for your office. But do you know what it can do when you’re out of the office? A 2003 survey of Small Business Server users [...]

Five Ways to Prevent Your Laptop from Being Stolen

Five Ways to Prevent Your Laptop from Being Stolen When your laptop gets stolen, you lose a lot more than your computer and the cost of the replacement; that is why it makes sense to take these simple steps to protect it.  DON’T let your computer out of your sight, even for a moment. Wi-Fi [...]

4 Battery Tips for Your Mobile Gadgets

4 Battery Tips for Your Mobile Gadgets By Christopher Elliott Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Mention the words "battery life." The first gadget that comes to mind is probably the energy-consuming laptop computer — particularly if you’re on the go a lot. If not, it should be. There never seems to [...]

Need Security Help? Enlist a Partner

Need Security Help? Enlist a Partner Sometimes it’s okay to ask for help — especially if you are a small or mid-sized business that doesn’t have the time, staff, or expertise to properly manage your IT security and availability. Security help is available — you just need to know how to find the right partner [...]

Having Trouble Finding Something Online?

Having Trouble Finding Something Online? Then Look Smarter The last time the experts measured, we learned that we spend 6% of our time online just looking for things. Not impressed? Let’s look at your companies bottom line. Over an eight-hour workday, that little 6% adds up to 2.5 hours searching a week. With just five [...]

Do you suffer from feature fatigue?

DO YOU SUFFER FROM FEATURE FATIGUE?   If so, you’re not alone. Most of us do. What’s feature fatigue? The phrase was coined by Roland Rust, a marketing professor at the University of Maryland, and it refers to the feeling most of us get when we confront the range of possibilities today’s technology presents. Do [...]

Great Tips for Better Holiday Photos

Great Tips for Better Holiday Photos This year, you don’t have to worry about making your holiday photos stand out. Here are some great tips that are sure to improve your pictures! Tip: Plan Ahead The classic problem with holiday photos is that they have to be taken weeks in advance so you can send [...]

The Weakest Link in Network Security

The Weakest Link in Network Security By Peter Alexander Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center Your small-business network may be protected by firewalls, intrusion detection and other state-of-the-art security technologies. And yet, all it takes is one person’s carelessness, and suddenly it’s as if you have no network security at all. Let me [...]

Security and Return on Investment

Security and Return on Investment It’s not easy, but more and more businesses are looking at ways to calculate a Return on Investment for their security spending. All businesses take risks if they can lead to rewards. That’s partly what return on investment (ROI) is all about. In exchange for this much money spent, you [...]

Practical Approach to Security

How to Take a Practical Approach to Security If your small business is like many, it is extremely dependent upon technology and electronically stored data. Many of the steps you need to take to secure your information infrastructure won’t cost your business money, or even much time. Here are some practical considerations and security precautions [...]

Are you using weak passwords?

Passwords If you’ve ever lost your wallet, you know the sense of vulnerability that comes with it. Someone might be walking around with your identification, pretending to be you. If someone stole your passwords, they could do the same thing online. A hacker could be opening new credit card accounts, applying for mortgages, or chatting [...]

Multi-Tiered Approach to Email Security

Multi-Tiered Approach to Email Security Taking a holistic, multi-tiered approach to email security is important. Learn how you can protect your business from email threats and spam. Securing the email environment is an important aspect of a business’ IT operations. In fact, a 2005 survey conducted by IDC found that 90% of small and medium-sized [...]

E-Mail Marketing for the Holidays

E-Mail Marketing for the Holidays Creative e-mail marketing tactics to increase holiday sales. by Gail Goodman Ready for the holidays? You still have plenty of time to purchase all your gifts. You can even do your shopping as late as December 24, if you dare. But when it comes to holiday communication from your business, [...]

Thinking Beyond Antivirus

Thinking Beyond Antivirus Taking advantage of the Internet to make your small business’ information more accessible to employees and outsiders can offer business benefits. If the Internet is a part of your business then you should be equipped to deal with the security issues that have been introduced. If your business is connected to the [...]

The Future of Authentication

The Future of Authentication We’ve been saying it for a while – static passwords are on the verge of extinction – so where will business go for its future authentication solutions? According to Gartner … The Gartner Group predicts that in the next two years alone, two million US consumers will be using two-factor authentication [...]

Virtual Desktops: Dumber is Better

By Ned Smith The traditional desktop PC computing model is an endangered species, at least in the corporate world. Desktops are expensive ― Gartner estimates that the annual cost of a typical desktop installation runs from $4,000 to $6,000 a year. Maintenance is a chore and security is a constant nag. And, by most measures, [...]

Virtual Desktops: Dumber is Better

By Ned Smith The traditional desktop PC computing model is an endangered species, at least in the corporate world. Desktops are expensive ― Gartner estimates that the annual cost of a typical desktop installation runs from $4,000 to $6,000 a year. Maintenance is a chore and security is a constant nag. And, by most measures, [...]

Drowning in Data?

Drowning in Data? Tiered Storage Can Help You Stay Afloat The statistics are overwhelming. Researchers predict that more data will be produced in the next year than has been generated during the entire existence of humankind. Unfortunately, this onslaught means your company data may be growing out of control, and your staff could be struggling [...]

8 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Server

8 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Server By Christopher Elliott Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center Your server hardware is a ticking time bomb. Don’t be alarmed. It may never actually "blow up" — which is to say, melt down and take lots of data with it. But one day, sooner or [...]

Never Lose Another File

Never Lose Another File Four Reasons Why the Time Is Right to Adopt Document Management Where’s the latest client services contract? What’s the medical history on this patient? Where is the case filing from last year’s lawsuit? Why can’t we seem to find the documents we need? If you’re like most small to midsize businesses [...]

Information Overload

Information Overload Written by: David Tan, CTO Courtesy of CHIPS Experts estimate that as of 1999, there was a total of 9 exabytes of electronically created data in the world. To put that in perspective, 1 exabyte is 1000 petabytes; a petabyte is 1000 terabytes; a terabyte is 1000 gigabytes – you get the idea. [...]

Get More from Your Data Center

Get More from Your Data Center Creating An IT Infrastructure to Support Consolidation & Virtualization Server consolidation and virtualization can increase computing and data center performance while reducing costs. But they also change the power and cooling profile of your data center and can introduce potentially crippling power and cooling challenges. With consolidation and virtualization, [...]

Era of Electronic Discovery Drives Need for Data Management

Era of Electronic Discovery Drives Need for Data Management By Brian Young, Trivalent Group Today’s technology has created information overload for companies worldwide. We are inundated with digital data every day. In a recent study, research firm IDC reports electronic information created and replicated within the workplace is growing at a faster pace than any [...]

Survive the E-Mail Flood with Better Storage

Survive the E-Mail Flood with Better Storage If each e-mail was a drop of water, your company would likely find itself in the midst of a flood. That’s because e-mail has moved beyond business convenience into the role of strategic communication tool. Along with all of its tremendous benefits, however, e-mail systems have also introduced [...]

10 Financial Yardsticks for your Business

10 Financial Yardsticks for Your Business by Joseph Anthony reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center  Recently I’ve been doing some work with a nonprofit organization. Somewhat to my surprise, I’m discovering that many of the money issues confronting this nonprofit are similar to those faced by small, for-profit businesses. Things like:  Understanding [...]

4 Tips for Using Mapping Tools to Increase Sales

4 Tips for Using Mapping Tools to Increase Sales by Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center Seeing is believing, at least when it comes to your customers. Put another way, it’s one thing to know your clients — to have a detailed profile of each one in your records. It’s another [...]

Use Testimonials to Attract Prospects and Win Sales

Use Testimonials to Attract Prospects and Win Sales By Kendra Lee In today’s economy you need every advantage in your sales kit. Prospects are scrutinizing all requests for their time and each purchase decision. You want to pass their piercing investigation but the sales tools you’ve used in recent years aren’t cutting it. You need [...]

Make Your Biz Thrive with Technology: 6 Ways

Make Your Biz Thrive with Technology: 6 Ways by Jeff Wuorio reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center We all can recall a standout teacher, one whose insight and enthusiasm made a definite impact on our lives. For small businesses, technology and software can often prove to be the best teachers around. But [...]

Get Back In the Driver’s Seat

Get Back In the Driver’s Seat Do you remember when owning a car used to be simple? 20 years ago we felt competent enough to do a lot more with our cars than just fill them up with gas. It wasn’t even uncommon for the average guy to carry out some solid repairs without ever [...]

4 Signs It’s Time to Start Hiring

4 Signs It’s Time to Start Hiring By Philipp Harper Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center  Entrepreneurs riding out the economic ups and downs may not have spent much time wondering whether to add new employees. As the economic recovery begins to take shape, however, they may want to start thinking about it. [...]

eMazzanti’s Open House – The Networking Event of The Year

August 2009 In this issue: ► Open House ► Case Study ► Quote of the Month ► Just for Laughs     Case Study Camera Retailer Focuses on Improved Customer Service with Windows 7 Camera retailer and imaging specialist Bergen Country Camera (BCC), Westwood, New Jersey, is a photography resource for its customers that range [...]

Make Documents Look Great in Word 2007

Make Documents Look Great in Word 2007 With Microsoft Office Word 2007, you can quickly and easily turn a plain-looking document into one that looks professionally designed. Use styles to quickly format major elements in your document, such as titles, subtitles, and headings. Start with predefined, coordinated designs and then customize to suit your needs. [...]

Presenting with PowerPoint: 10 dos and don’ts

Presenting with PowerPoint: 10 dos and don’ts by Jeff Wuorio reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center Cherie Kerr knows how PowerPoint can be both provocative and persuasive in a business meeting. She’s also aware that precisely the opposite can occur. "It can be the very best friend you have," says the Santa Ana, [...]

Planning for a Quick Recovery

Planning for a Quick Recovery Learn about what you can do to quickly and effectively recover your business’ systems in the event of a disruption. For most small and mid-sized businesses, computing systems and electronic information are necessary to conduct business on a daily basis. You shouldn’t have to think about disasters causing you to [...]

Outlook 2007 ‘To-Do Bar’ Helps You Manage Your Day

Outlook 2007 ‘To-Do Bar’ Helps You Manage Your Day Outlook 2007 includes new productivity features like the To-Do Bar, Instant Search and more E-mail is a big part of more and more jobs, with some workers now required to respond to dozens of mails each day. So, naturally, the tools used to manage e-mail keep [...]

Do You Know Office Secrets?

Do You Know Office Secrets? By Alan R. Earls Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center  Microsoft Office 2007 has a wealth of features that you may have overlooked that could help your business. Here are four you may want to learn about. In Summary: • Microsoft Office 2007 is chock-full of useful features [...]

Business Continuity: Business as usual. No matter what.

Business Continuity: Business as usual. No matter what. Five steps every business should take to prepare for a business interruption. When people think of disasters, they generally envision hurricanes, tornados or floods – catastrophic events that devastate communities. But for a business, a disaster can be something as small as a failed switch or computer [...]

Making Sure Disaster Plans Aren’t Disasters

Making Sure Disaster Plans Aren’t Disasters It’s like practicing a fire drill and discovering that the fire alarm doesn’t work. Since the early 1990s, Countrywide Financial (NYSE:CFC – News) kept a well-honed and updated business continuity plan on how to keep running in the face of a disaster. The $10.5 billion company based in Calabasas, [...]

Annual IT Checkup — Have you had yours?

Annual IT Checkup — Have you had yours? If we take our health seriously, we have an annual checkup. If you take your company’s technology seriously, you should consider an annual periodic review of the following: Can a new technology solve your business problems? Can technology help you increase customer satisfaction? Can technology help put [...]

No Socks Day: An Excuse to Prospect?

No Socks Day: An Excuse to Prospect? by Kendra Lee, President, KLA Group reprinted with permission I’m always looking for a new reason to connect with a prospect that hasn’t yet responded to my emails. Clearly triggering events are the number one message to center on, but what if they haven’t responded? After 3 or [...]

Cloud Computing for Small and Midsize Businesses

Cloud Computing for Small and Midsize Businesses reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center You’ve no doubt heard a lot about cloud computing (or the cloud). What you may not have learned is how this misty concept can help with the real problems of operating your business, especially in hard times. In short, [...]

Excel Tip: Excel on the Road

Excel Tip:  Excel on the Road reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center We all know Excel is a powerful application. But what about Excel Mobile? Does Excel’s functionality translate to the spreadsheet’s mobile version for use on your smartphone? The answer is yes and no. Excel Mobile can only offer a subset [...]

Chasing Too Much Paper?

Chasing Too Much Paper? Making the Transition to Electronic Document Management If your company is exploring the idea of electronic document management, you may be thrilled with its promise of higher efficiency, but also intimidated — even overwhelmed — by the complexity of transitioning to such a large system. That’s because if your company is [...]

Summer Storms and UPS

Summer storms and your UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) devices and surge protectors by Michael Appollo, CTO, NST We hope you have have successfully weathered the summer storms. Now is a good time to check your UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) devices and surge protectors because there is a good chance they have taken some voltage hits [...]

Tips for greener printing

Tips for greener printing reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center HP wants to make maintaining an environmentally conscious workplace a reality for businesses everywhere. Adopting a more environmentally responsible workplace doesn’t mean your company has to undergo a major reorganization of its daily operations. In fact, HP has a few tips that [...]

The Future of Video Conferencing

The Future of Video Conferencing reprinted with permission from HP Science-fiction fans have long wished for life-sized communication devices that create a real-time image of the person/alien/robot you are talking with. Recently, holographic video technology has begun to surface, although at present the price means it’s restricted to only the wealthiest companies. More realistic options [...]

Be Prepared for AnythingNot Just Disaster

Be Prepared for Anything—Not Just Disaster reprinted with permission from HP Most companies spend time anticipating and planning for disasters. But in a global economy, where opportunity and risk go hand-in-hand, other events can be as devastating to the unprepared as any hurricane. The corporate landscape is dotted with potential landmines that can take a [...]

Whos listening to your phone calls?

Who’s listening to your phone calls? reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center Simple to use and cost effective, VoIP (Voice over IP) solutions have taken the communications world by storm. But with this increase in popularity come serious security issues. The problem with VoIP calls is the very thing that makes them [...]

Want better graphics capabilities?

p>Want better graphics capabilities? reprinted with permission from HP   If good graphics quality is important to you, you’re going to love the new DisplayPort technology. Even if you’re not an architect, graphic designer or someone who needs high resolution and better display performance now, these features are going to benefit everyone as we all [...]

Make Social Networking Work: 7 Tips

Make Social Networking Work:  7 Tips by Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter connect millions of like-minded people every day through the Web. But did you know they also can help your small business connect with customers? "Social networking can help promote [...]

Ideas to Help You to Use SharePoint Effectively in Your Business

Ideas to Help You to Use SharePoint Effectively in Your Business Top 20 ways that SharePoint can solve your common business needs. And I want to emphasize that these 20 are only a few of the many ways to utilize SharePoint. 1. Store all your emails on a secure and centralized Website for easy archive. [...]

HP 2140 Mini Note

HP 2140 Mini Note: Even Bigger Possibilities reprinted with permission from HP The HP 2133 Mini Note brought new levels of configurability and portability to the business notebook PC world. Now the second generation HP 2140 Mini Note ups the ante with: A bigger 10-inch diagonal screen Up to six different operating system choices Three [...]

Holding a Web meeting? 5 pitfalls to avoid

Holding a Web meeting? 5 pitfalls to avoid by Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Think hard now. Can you remember your first virtual meeting? For many of you, it was in the latter decades of the 20th century, and you likely called it a "teleconference." If so, chances are [...]

5 Easy Ways to Speed Up Your Computer

5 Easy Ways to Speed Up Your Computer reprinted with permission from HP One of the most common complaints heard by IT helpdesks is: “My computer is running too slowly – what can I do?” There are actually a number of reasons why this could be happening, and luckily, a number of ways to solve [...]

The Weakest Link in Network Security Continued

The Weakest Link in Network Security Continued by Peter Alexander reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Your small-business network may be protected by firewalls, intrusion detection and other state-of-the-art security technologies. And yet, all it takes is one person’s carelessness, and suddenly it’s as if you have no network security at all. [...]

HP can help you transition to ENERGY STAR 5.0

HP can help you transition to ENERGY STAR 5.0 reprinted with permission from HP Nearly all current HP business desktops are ENERGY STAR® 4.0 qualified, but those standards will soon change. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will introduce new ENERGY STAR® 5.0 requirements on July 1st, 2009. What’s going to change? What do you have [...]

Warning: Don’t Ignore COBRA Rules

Warning: Don’t Ignore COBRA Rules reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center By Joanna L. Krotz Fair warning: This is not fun. It’s exactly the part of running a business that entrepreneurs love to hate. And that’s undoubtedly why so many otherwise savvy business owners end up sidestepping COBRA regulations — a decision [...]

Laptop or Desktop: Which One is Right For You?

Laptop or Desktop: Which One is Right For You? reprinted with permission from HP In the not-so-distant past, the choice between a desktop and a laptop computer was simple: do you want portability, or not? There were a few other clear-cut differences, too. Desktop models offered more power and features and were less expensive, while [...]

The Tale Of Two Dogs

The Tale of Two Dogs A reminder about the benefits of positive reinforcement Used with permission of Joel H. Weldon Associates, Inc. As a first time dog owner, he failed. He would call, “Ginger!” but Ginger wouldn’t respond. She continued wandering and sniffing bushes, as dogs are wont to do, and only return when she [...]

7 Ways Technology Saves Money

7 Ways Technology Saves Money reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center By Jeff Wuorio   Every small business owner knows that new technology can be pricey. But technology can also pay in the form of significant savings-particularly over the long haul. Savings from technology isn’t just a matter of plugging in a [...]

Why outsource, isn’t that un-American?

Why outsource, isn’t that un-American? by Mike Gonsalves, StrategicFusion Hardly! Outsourcing is as American as Mom and Apple Pie! A lot of people believe that outsourcing is the problem with America’s economy today. For the most part they equate outsourcing with sending jobs overseas (off-shoring). The fact is that outsourcing started long ago when production [...]

Don’t be an Unknowing Victim of the Downturn

Don’t be an Unknowing Victim of the Downturn By Jack Safrit, AXXYS If you have listened to the radio recently, you may have heard commercials regarding the illegal installation of software. The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is a non-profit trade association supported by its vendor partners in an attempt to advance the goals of the [...]

The 7 do’s and don’ts of Network Gatekeeping

The 7 do’s and don’ts of Network Gatekeeping reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center There’s little doubt that the Internet has been a real benefit to organizations – providing instant communication capabilities and an almost bottomless source of valuable, up-to-date information on just about any topic. However, many employees won’t think twice [...]

Share Contact Information the easy way with Electronic Business Cards

Microsoft Outlook Share Contact Information the easy way with Electronic Business Cards Traditional paper business cards are a time-honored and effective way to get business and contact information out to current and prospective clients. But these days, a lot of business is done in e-mail. So how do you make sure that people know how [...]

Turning Distress into ‘De-stress’

Turning Distress into ‘De-stress’ reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center How often do you see it? An IT project team starts out collaborating well, showing great thought leadership and proactive management, only to end up in firefighting mode three months later, constantly laying blame on others and treating contradictory points of view [...]

7 Things to Know about Virus Writers

7 Things to Know about Virus Writers by Monte Embysk reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center I spend a growing percentage of my time getting rid of unwanted e-mails that contain viruses. If I open one of them, it potentially could overwrite files and disable my antivirus software. What exactly is in [...]

Enhance Microsoft Office with business add-on tools

Enhance Microsoft Office with business add-on tools By Philipp Harper reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center A new breed of solutions called Office Business Applications helps extend the usability of your desktop and line-of-business applications. For many companies, the ROI in enterprise software isn’t what it could be. Office Business Applications create [...]

Top 3 Sales Resolutions for 2009

Top 3 Sales Resolutions for 2009 By Kendra Lee It’s a new year, with a fresh sales quota and a new set of sales resolutions. I’m always looking for ways to improve and January consistently finds me evaluating my performance from the previous year then setting goals for the coming one. While I’m ranked as [...]

Get a Second Chance when your PC Crashes

Get a Second Chance when your PC Crashes reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center It’s a common scenario. You’re working at your computer when all of a sudden, with no warning, the PC freezes. Nothing seems to be working. The screen goes dark. You may even be unlucky enough to see the [...]

3 Easy Strategies to Pare Travel Costs

3 Easy Strategies to Pare Travel Costs By Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Pinching pennies is a time-honored tradition among many travelers. But it’s a practice that’s now gaining increasing popularity among an unlikely group: business travelers. Road warriors long have had rich tastes in travel. Back in the [...]

Avoid a Data Disaster on the Road: 5 Tips

Avoid a Data Disaster on the Road: 5 Tips by Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center   Reliable information can make or break your next trip, whether it’s the ability to cultivate a business contact, ensure accurate company records or keep you safe. In other words, your PC data is [...]

6 Steps to Help Secure Your Brand-New PC

6 Steps to Help Secure Your Brand-New PC by Kim Komando Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center There’s nothing like cracking open the box of a brand new computer. But don’t be so quick to just connect it all up and hop right on the Internet. According to the software security company [...]

Cut Prices in a Sluggish Economy? No Way

Cut Prices in a Sluggish Economy? No Way by Rieva Lesonsky reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Q: This economy is really starting to affect my business. Business is down. People around here seem to be staying at home and not shopping. I’m thinking of cutting prices to bring people in. What [...]

Infrastructure Leaking Money

Is Your Infrastructure Leaking Money? reprinted with permission from HP Whoever said "don’t sweat the small stuff" never managed an IT infrastructure—and certainly never during turbulent economic times. According to independent analyst Forrester Research, global IT purchases in 2008 will grow by only 6 percent, versus 12 percent growth in 2007. So, although you’re already [...]

Thinking about hiring your own internal IT staff think again!

Thinking about hiring your own internal IT staff – think again! Outsourcing your IT brings additional business value by Stuart R. Crawford, V.P. Businesses today wrestle and grapple with the thought of hiring their own technology support staff to support their daily need for IT support without fully understanding the risks and the costs associated [...]

Life Without Internet?

Life Without Internet? reprinted with permission from the HP Small and Medium Business Website When the Internet first came about, it was simply a source of knowledge and entertainment. Now, however, many people rely on it for everyday activities such as banking, doing business, storing information, mapping locations, communicating and more. This puts a huge [...]

7 Instant Messaging Rules for the Workplace

7 Instant Messaging Rules for the Workplace reprinted with permission from the HP Small and Medium Business Website Because of its efficiency and speed, instant messaging, or IM for short, has become a valuable interoffice tool for employees to exchange information and collaborate in real time. The advantages of IM are clear. But there are [...]

Moving Your Office? 5 Tips for Staying Productive

Moving your office? 5 tips for Staying Productive by Christopher Elliott Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Even if you are only moving to another floor in your building, the thought of relocating probably sounds about as appealing as going totally without carbs for a week. After all, moving your business or [...]

Riding the economic rollercoaster

Riding the Economic Rollercoaster reprinted with permission from HP Stephen Minton, vice president, Worldwide IT Markets and Strategies, IDC, offers insight on how outsourcing can help you ride out the economic downturn—and maybe even gain a leg up on the competition along the way. Rising gasoline prices. Falling consumer confidence. Subprime mortgages. Inflation. Budget cuts. [...]

New Uses for old PCs

New uses for old PCs reprinted with permission HP We’ve got some good news and bad news. The good news? Computers and technology have changed our lives in amazing, life-altering ways. The bad news? The latest technology stands atop a mound of yesterday’s outdated or unwanted technologies and hardware. The constant cycle of innovation begs [...]

How Big is Your Mailbox?

How Big is Your Mailbox? We have spent a lot of time recently (which translates to a lot of extra expense for our customers) troubleshooting, managing, and working with VERY large mailboxes. From a purely technical standpoint, once a mailbox gets over a GB in size, it starts to become a minor challenge in terms [...]

Laws You May Choose to Ignore

Laws You May Choose to Ignore Moore’s law describes an important trend in the history of computer hardware: that the number of transistors that can be inexpensively placed on an integrated circuit is increasing exponentially, doubling approximately every two years. The observation was first made by Intel co-founder Gordon E. Moore in a 1965 paper. [...]

Excellent Customer Service

Excellent Customer Service by Jeff Wuorio reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center In the business world, good customer service often isn’t good enough anymore. Customers and clients are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the merely adequate. For them, extraordinary service is the rule, not the exception. Anything less, and they’re happy to vote [...]

Out Of Memory

How to avoid ‘Out of Memory’ errors: 3 tips by Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center There comes a time in the life of every computing device when it says "enough!" Can’t go on. Need . . . more . . . memory. The dreaded "Out of Memory" error is [...]

Wireless Threats

6 wireless threats to your business by Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center If you think a promiscuous client is a scantily-dressed customer, you’re in trouble. And I’m not talking about having an affair. Think an evil twin is a horror-movie villain? Wrong again. The horror you should be bracing [...]

5 Chronic Small-Biz Mistakes To Correct

5 Chronic Small-Biz Mistakes To Correct By Jeff Wuorio Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center To paraphrase Yogi Berra, chronic business mistakes are deja vu all over again. Missteps, miscalculations and outright duds are unfortunate, yet ever-present starters in any small-business lineup. If nothing else, if it weren’t for the battalion of snafus [...]

6 Cool New Online Banking Tips

6 Cool New Online Banking Tips By Joseph Anthony Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center  In ancient-financial times (say, in the year 2000), banks began offering small business customers the ability to bank online — for a price. Sometimes a hefty price. You can probably guess what happened next. Business owners responded with [...]

7 Good Reasons To Call A Lawyer

7 Good Reasons To Call A Lawyer By Jeff Wuorio Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center  For many small-business owners, contacting an attorney is akin to opening a faucet — everything gushes out but little comes back in return, short of a hefty water bill. OK, so this analogy is a little trite. [...]

Ensure IT Resilience

Ensure IT Resilience Creating an IT Infrastructure for Business Continuity Business continuity is an issue that no organization can afford to ignore. In fact, according to The Definitive Handbook for Business Management, between 60 and 90 percent of companies without a proactive disaster plan find themselves out of business within 24 months of experiencing a [...]

Are You A Control Freak? 5 Ways To Stop

Are You A Control Freak? 5 Ways To Stop By Joanna L. Krotz Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center  For entrepreneurs, the drive to be in control is the best of traits and also their waterloo. Certainly, infant businesses can’t thrive without a founder’s laser focus and passionate attention to detail. But as [...]

The Power Of Saying Thank You

The Power Of Saying Thank You By Joanna L. Krotz Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center  The wheels of business revolve with such spin and speed these days that we roll right over the courtesies. Who has time for quaint customs? More to the point, who can afford to let competitors rush onto [...]

eMail Connector

“Hey! Can you help me with my computer?””Do you know how to.”Boy, just walking down the hallway again and I got “hall-jacked”. No, that’s not a terrorist thing. That’s when you walk down the hall and someone stops you for help on your computer or asks about the server or network. But it gets worse. [...]

Sit Up Straight and Keep Your Wrists in Neutral

Sit Up Straight and Keep Your Wrists in Neutral By Monte Enbysk Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Ergonomics is not a four-letter word — even though many business owners may think otherwise. That’s because when business people hear the word ergonomics, they immediately think of dollar signs — as in what [...]

Watch What You Install On Your Server

Watch What You Install On Your Server by Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Download warning: Watch what you install on your server. Today’s server operating systems, including Microsoft Small Business Server 2003, are so user-friendly that you could be left with the impression that anyone with the ability to [...]

How to ‘Undo’ a Big Mistake in Windows

How to ‘Undo’ a Big Mistake in Windows by Kim Komando Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center It used to be, back in that last century, that people wished for a reverse time machine. This would allow them to go back in time after they messed up their computer. Well, Windows XP [...]

Service Pack vs

Service Pack vs "Patch" contributed by the Technical Department at ITsynergy Microsoft has been busy the last several months, and among other things has released two new major service packs that will affect most of our customers. We thought that we first might provide some benefit by discussing the difference between a service pack and [...]

Barnacleware

Barnacleware Keeping up to date with security patches for non Microsoft applications can be a daunting task. Redmond Security Watch author Russ Cooper recently referred to applications that come pre-installed on new computers as barnacleware. The name is apropos, these pre-installed utilities cling to new PCs slowly eating away at resources (both hard disk and [...]

Collect on Debt: 5 Ways to Make Them Pay

Collect on Debt: 5 Ways to Make Them Pay By Jeff Wuorio – Microsoft Small Business Center You thought you had been so careful, so very prudent. A customer, perhaps even a supplier, seemed so above-board, so solvent, so trustworthy. But you’ve been left high and dry. Maybe a client owes you money for products [...]

Business Interruption Planning Not Just for Big Business:

Business Interruption Planning Not Just for Big Business: 10 misconceptions about disaster recovery Paul Sullivan has seen it all. A 25-year veteran of disaster recovery and business continuity management, Sullivan witnessed the growth of continuity planning among the Fortune 1000 in the 1980s. He watched, first hand, the successes and failures of business continuity plans [...]

Microsoft sets 6/30/08 deadline for sales of XP Operating System

Microsoft sets 6/30/08 deadline for sales of XP Operating System Microsoft appears to be sticking with its announced deadline of 6/30/08 for sales of their Windows XP O/S. There is a grass-roots effort to convince Microsoft to extend that deadline, and despite Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s comments in Belgium that “If customer feedback varies we [...]

The Problem With Power

The Problem With Power We live in the Information Age where countless data is created, transmitted, and stored. We live in the Electronics Age where numerous electric-powered machines aid in business and household tasks, as well as entertain and inform us. The reality of living in this time of technological innovation is that the power [...]

Do You Need to Turn Off Your PC at Night?

Do You Need to Turn Off Your PC at Night? by Monte Enbsyk Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center For many years now, I’ve been shutting off my computer at night. But I’m now convinced you can leave your computer on at night and still conserve as much energy. If you’re a [...]

4 Tips to Extend the Life of your Laptop Battery

4 Tips to Extend the Life of your Laptop Battery by Christopher Elliott reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center On a recent stopover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, I flipped open my laptop PC, hoping to chip away at the 7,000-some e-mail messages that had accumulated since leaving Anchorage, Alaska, four hours earlier. [...]

Declare War on Paper

Declare War on Paper by Jane Cage, COO, HTS Here at the office I refer to myself as the “Anti-Paper” . . . It drives me crazy when I see the amount of information everyone sends to the printer when that same information is available on the screen. In this special “green” issue of our [...]

It’s Not Easy Being Green!

It’s Not Easy Being Green! Written by: David Tan, CTO Traditionally, standard business practice for Information Technology has dictated that the primary focus of IT decisions and initiatives is based on the economic impact and viability. In other words, how much will it cost, and how much will it save me over time, and when [...]

5 Key Tax Code Changes Affecting Small Businesses

5 Key Tax Code Changes Affecting Small Businesses by Joseph Anthony Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center The tax bill signed into law by President Bush in late October 2004 was widely derided by editorial writers as a special-interest giveaway, an early “corporate” Christmas tree. Indeed, many provisions of this bill apply [...]

4 tips for Troubleshooting your Broadband Blues

4 tips for Troubleshooting your Broadband Blues by Kim Komando Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Many small-business owners shell out big bucks for high-speed Internet access. The savings in time are usually rewarded with higher productivity. If your high-speed system happens to be running slower than a clogged drain, don’t complain [...]

6 Tips for a ‘Paperless’ Office

6 Tips for a ‘Paperless’ Office by Joseph Anthony reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center Many people who use computers — whether it’s for their home or business — are moving toward a "paperless" office. Simply, they are tired and overwhelmed by scraps of paper, clunky old file folders, envelopes — and [...]

Preserve and Protect Your Data

Preserve and Protect Your Data   Summary As the amount of data being created continues to increase, and that info is accessed and shared by more people, SMBs can’t afford to ignore the need for data protection. Small and medium businesses are powered by information. Should your business lose that information or even suffer an [...]

Ten Security Recommendations for SMBs

Ten Security Recommendations for SMBs Small and mid-sized businesses can be the hardest hit by new malicious code, spam, and phishing. Disruptions and down time can be avoided, however, by following the measures outlined in this article. Introduction The security landscape is constantly changing, so the threats your business faces today are different from the [...]

Top Resolutions for 2008

Written by Laura Steward January, 2008. Time for the annual list of things you must do this year to make sure your technology and business will run smoothly and successfully and have minimal unplanned downtime. For those of you who are regular readers of this column, you will see some familiar items on the list [...]

Using the Web for hiring: 6 tips

By Kim Komando Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center    If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you’ve done the painful hiring dance. I sometimes refer to it as, "The revolving door policy." I’ve hired some good ones and some bad ones. I’ve used newspapers, college Web sites and the [...]