Hart's PC Repair - Computer Repair, Data Recovery, Online Backup, and Managed IT Services, Guyton, Ga. and Effingham County Area

Windows XP and Office 2003 end-of-life support

Paul — Sun, 05 May 2013 15:00:14 +0000

Many companies and businesses around the world, have not yet upgraded from Windows XP and Office 2003. Businesses did not feel the need to upgrade their systems because they have put tremendous pressure on Microsoft to continue supporting an already aged operating system.

However, within the next year, Microsoft will cease to support its longest ever supported operating system (over 12 years). Microsoft has recently released a statement inviting companies to take a leap towards Windows 8 and Office 2013.

As such, it is important for companies to begin the process of transitioning into a more secure operating system as quickly and smoothly as possible. Newer operating systems offer a much more efficient alternative for businesses. Over the past decade, these operating systems have considerably improved the ease of use by employees and IT managers, increasing companies’ productivity. They also have the important advantage of being supported by Microsoft, such as the one Windows 7 or 8 has over Windows XP.

But what do we really mean by saying that an operating system is supported by Microsoft? Well, it basically means that your business will miss out on important updates to its security systems leaving your company unprotected against new threats and threatening its productivity and the company's and employees' sensitive information.

In addition, Windows 8 has an easy-to-use “User Access Control” feature that allows you to control user access and to determine who gets to be a system administrator. In the short term, you will still be able to run Microsoft XP applications as Windows 8 tricks your system into believing that the operating system is still Microsoft XP. However, any newly designed Windows 8 application and will require the newer operating system to be installed.

Some of the benefits that Windows 8 offer include a much faster system than Windows XP which can in turn maximize productivity and allow for more high-end programs to run smoothly, if we consider that these programs are problematic when they run on older operating systems. Windows 8 has a much quicker power-off speed than any Windows XP machine.

By upgrading to the newer operating systems you will not only protect your company and your employees, but you will also boost productivity. Microsoft’s early announcement of such a decision is actually meant to assist companies begin and successfully complete the transition process with minimal interruption to businesses.

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All data and information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only. Hart's PC Repair makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its consumption or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

3 Overlooked Outlook 2010 Features

Paul — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:00:05 +0000

1. Quick Steps
As the name suggests it, Quick Steps are one-click commands that speed up the completion of common or repetitive tasks in Outlook. If for example, you often move messages to a specific mail folder, you can complete this task using an option set up in the Quick Steps menu. Or, if you frequently email your assistant or colleague, you can create a Quick Step email template for them. The Quick Steps box is located in the Home ribbon and comes with default steps that can be modified or deleted. To create a new Quick Step, expand the Quick Steps box, click on “New Quick Step”, and follow the wizard.

2. Email Conversation View
This is a very handy feature particularly when you want to see all emails from the same conversation, regardless of those emails locations. This new feature is turned off by default and few people use it. To turn on the Conversations feature, all you have to do is click on the View tab and check the “Show as Conversations” checkbox.

3. Search Folders
Search Folders display the results of previously defined search queries. The e-mail messages shown remain stored in one or more Outlook folders.

When you create a Search Folder, you have a number of options, such as "Mail with attachments" or "Mail from specific people." You can also create your own custom Search Folders, defining specific search criteria that e-mail messages must meet to be displayed in the Search Folder. Each Search Folder is a saved search that is kept up-to-date; monitoring all of your folders for any item that matches the search criteria of the Search Folder.

To create a custom search folder, click on the Folder tab and click on New Search Folder. In the Customize Search Folder window select the criteria for the Search Folder.

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What’s the Best Server Platform for Small Business?

Paul — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:00:06 +0000

For quite some time, many small businesses have relied on the Microsoft suite of Small Business Servers (SBS) to build their IT infrastructure and run their businesses. Introduced in 1997 as BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0, SBS have matured into a tightly integrated platform, including the most important services a small company needs: file and printer functions, email, calendar and contact sharing, and document collaboration.

The latest edition, Windows SBS 2011, had two versions: Essentials and Standard. The standard SBS 2011 includes Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange 2010 SP1, SharePoint Foundation 2010, and SQL Server 2008 R2 Express. It has a support capacity of up to 75 users. All core services?, file and print, email, collaboration, and remote access, run on a single server, with the potential of being extended to additional physical or virtual servers with the Premium Add-on Kit, which is made up of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V R2.

With Microsoft’s decision to discontinue this product back in July of 2012 and if you’re currently running an existing version of Small Business Server, you are certainly wondering about the next upgrade option. Well, here they are:

Windows Server 2012 Essentials with an Office 365 Subscription
Windows Server 2012 Standard with an Office 365 Subscription
Windows Server 2012 Standard with Exchange Server 2010

With the first two options, you get a local server that handles files, printing, and remote access with email service hosted on the cloud. Basically, the difference between Essentials and Standard is a pre-configured limited set of features and roles limited to 25 users that you get with Essentials. With the Standard edition you get a full-featured server product that is supported for virtualization and more users.

The third option is obviously the most flexible and robust of all three. It is geared towards businesses that need to keep an in-house IT infrastructure and which require the added functionalities provided through the Exchange server.

In summary, the three options provide the following common functionalities:

File and print sharing
Automated Backup capabilities
Identity Protection through Active Directory integration
Constant remote access to files and applications
A simplified management wrapper using a pre-configured console for day-to-day management

The Standard edition offers support for more features and more users. The Standard + Exchange option offers an in-house Exchange Server solution.

Whether you've been considering setting up a new server or upgrading from a previous SBS version, we can help you with the planning, design, implementation, and migration phases of your IT solution. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss your requirement.

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Solutions to Monitor Internet Usage at Work

Paul — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:00:47 +0000

Below is a small sample of internet monitoring solutions for small businesses.

Spector 360 (www.spector360.com) Monitors, captures, and analyzes all user and user-group activities, including: sent and received emails, chat/IM, visited websites, applications/programs accessed, web searches, file transfers, and data printed or saved to removable devices. The software offers a centralized dashboard with excellent reporting and alerting capabilities.

Network Enforcer (www.ascendant-security.com/network-enforcer.shtml) Monitors, responds to, and prevents unwanted behaviors occurring on your network in real-time. Network Enforcer prevents and protects your network from inappropriate behavior and malicious activities in real-time. If an unwanted activity occurs on your network, Network Enforcer will immediately alert you. you can also set the software to automatically react and block the activity outright.

Spytech NetVizor (www.spytech-web.com/netvizor.shtml) NetVizor is a network monitoring software that invisibly monitors your entire network from one central location. It tracks workstations and users that may use multiple PC's on your network. NetVizor is deployed from one location and records everything users do, including screenshots, typed keystrokes, program and internet usage, emails and chats, file/document usage, and much more. Detailed activity reports are generated in seconds. You can also generate real-time views of your entire network and receive instant behavior alerts when unwanted activities occur.

GFI WebMonitor (www.gfi.com/internet-monitoring-software) GFI WebMonitor uses smart dashboards to give you a complete view of web browsing activities occurring within your organization. The software can also filter resulting information by categories, websites, and users. Using these drill-down capabilities, different business audiences can obtain tailored information that is vital to their business function without being inundated with data they don’t need.

InterGuard (www.interguardsoftware.com) InterGuard not only monitors and records your employees’ internet activity; it also records their keystrokes and printed, saved, and deleted files. You don’t need to be experienced to use this software. The software provides screenshots of activities monitored by InterGuard and can prevent your trade secrets from leaving the company, by scanning emails. You can also set the software to prevent transferring files into USB storage devices.

Pearl Echo Suite (http://www.pearlsw.com) Pearl Echo Employee Internet Monitoring software monitors users’ web browsing, file transfers, news, chat, e-mails, and instant messaging. It also includes the management of Microsoft Exchange mail and Novell Groupwise. Pearl Echo monitors keywords and text patterns to protect against the dissemination of confidential information in web postings, blogs, IM, e-mail, and even in encoded e-mail attachments.

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Is the latest iPad worth upgrading to?

Paul — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:00:58 +0000

So now that the newest iPad (officially called “iPad with Retina”) has been out for a while a lot of people are wondering if they should upgrade?

Based on features, the new iPad with Retina (also referred to as iPad 4) has 4 major advantages over the previous iPad: the front-facing camera, iOS 6, the A6X processor, and the connectivity port.

The display is 2048x1536 pixels in a 9.7 inch screen. That’s more pixels than a 55 inch HDTV! This makes pictures more vivid; fonts clearer; and watching HD videos much better.

Despite the fact that it’s called iPad with Retina, the older iPad 3 also has a Retina display at the same resolution. So in that regards it’s a tie. But it’s a major improvement from iPad2 or the original iPad.

The new iOS 6 offers major upgrades and improvements compared to older iOS 5 and iOS 4. Mainly Passbook, Maps, Siri, Facebook, Photos, Facetime and Phone features. The iPad 3 is upgradable to iOS 6, the iPad 2 is also upgradable but without the Siri option.

The dual-core A6X processor makes the iPad 4 snazzier and more responsive. If you’re into games, this will be a noticeable upgrade over older iPads and some games are already reported to be loading and running faster.

So to answer the question, whether or not you should get an iPad 4: it depends. If you own the iPad 3 or iPad 2 and you’re not into gaming and you’d like keep your accessories and peripherals, then you probably will not notice a big improvement (certainly not the kind that costs $500 and up).

However, if you have the original iPad or don’t have an iPad (or tablet for that matter), then you should seriously consider the iPad 4 as it still remains the top tablet on the market today.

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App of the month: Cozi (www.cozi.com)

Paul — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:00:05 +0000

As a web-based app for organizing family activities, Cozi™ allows you to share, organize, and plan family calendars, shopping lists, to-do lists, meal ideas, general note taking, and journal entries. The app is also compatible with mobile phone and text integration whereby you can text notes to Cozi™ and vice versa or get your shopping list texted to you.

The most powerful feature of this app is its simplicity. Family members share one same password which can be used online or through the accompanying free app (available for Android, iPhone, and blackberry).

The app is available in two editions: an ad-supported free edition and an ad-free professional version that costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.

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How much improper internet usage is costing your business?

Paul — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:00:34 +0000

According to a recent Gallup poll, the average employee spends over 75 minutes per day using office computers for non-business related activities. That translates into an annual loss of $6250 per year, per employee. Multiply that by 20 employees for an average small business and the bill will go up to $125,000 per year!

These activities revolve around personal email, online gambling, instant messaging and chat programs, chat rooms, social media, and a host of other websites and applications.

These activities are major time wasters and a huge drain on labor costs and business productivity. Additionally, due to the improper nature of some of these activities, such as pornography and gambling, these activities present a major liability for your business in case of a breach or violation which could lead to major fines.

Another major drawback is the amount of internet bandwidth being wasted and which prevents other employees from getting their work done in a timely manner. Additional exposure to time wasting websites can also increase the likelihood of catching malware and/or virus infections which adds another cost dimension, in case this causes business outage and an involved cleanup process.

By implementing a system to monitor and track these activities not only you will increase your business productivity, but it will also result in significant cost savings. A system with good reporting capabilities is invaluable during performance reviews and will keep employees “honest”.

There are many systems available on the market today. They come in all shapes and forms: free and commercial, standalone or centralized. Some solutions can be installed on the network and others need to be installed on individual workstations. Some solutions are purchased outright and others are leased or have a monthly subscription. Some solutions are installed on your premise and others are delivered over the cloud.

A very important factor to consider is to understand the legality of implementing an employee monitoring system. You’ll also want to have an Acceptable User Policy (AUP) that clearly defines what can and cannot be done online during work hours; and that all computers and online activities are monitored. Employees must be notified of such policy and of the internet monitoring system in place. Consult with your lawyer on the implementation of such a system.

Every business is unique and what works for other businesses might not work for you. A sure way to find the best solution for your business is to have us review your systems with you and go through a quick assessment/questionnaire. Once we figure out your requirements, exact specifications, and budget, we can recommend the solutions that will best fit your business.

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What you absolutely must know about your domain name

Paul — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:37:31 +0000

Your Company’s domain name (internet address) is an important part of your business. And should be considered like any other business asset such as your phone number or email. Just for that reason you’d want to protect it.

Domain names are typically purchased through domain registrars. Every domain has assigned administrative and technical contacts which become obsolete over time because they may have been purchased through a third party or by ex-employees. It is crucial to make sure that the domain contact information is correct in case a change is required. Only authorized and registered contacts can make those changes.

Additionally, domain names have expiration dates. Often times an unmonitored domain expires leaving the business with no website, email, or other vital functions closely linked to the domain name. That is also why it’s important to monitor and renew domain names prior to their expiration dates.

Domain name registrations include information, such as where the website is hosted, how email is routed, and other DNS functions such as sub-domains.

A quick way to find all of this information is to visit http://whois.net. A quick search on your domain will reveal your domain registrar, the expiration date, the administrative and technical contacts (name, address and phone), and where the DNS servers are hosted.

Most registrars offer a private registration option whereby the contact information is replaced by the registrar’s proxy contact info. As such, your information is kept private, yet you don’t miss out on any communication sent through the registrar’s contact.

If you have any questions related to your domain name(s), give us a call and we will help you figure it out.

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3 Mobile Payment Tools For Businesses

Paul — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:47:31 +0000

As mobile commerce gains more momentum, it is more incumbent on businesses to be able to process credit card payments whenever business happens at the office or on the road. The following are three mobile payment tools and services that you can start using today.

1. Intuit GoPayment (Apple iOS, Android, Blackberry)

From the makers of the all ubiquitous accounting software Quickbooks, comes Intuit GoPayment. When you sign up for an account with Intuit, the company will send you a credit card reading device. This device is easily attached to your mobile phone and turns it into a credit card reader. Further, because the same company who created this device also created the QuickBooks accounting software, the two platforms are highly integrated. This is a huge advantage and a time-saver for Quickbooks users.

2. Swipe (Apple iOS)

The Swipe technology is only available on the Apple ecosystem. Upon signing up for a Swipe account, the company will ship you a card reader for free which is hooked into an iPhone or iPod using the bottom port and becomes an instant credit card register. They have a tiered fee structure, depending on the type of transaction (debit vs credit) that you will be doing. The company is getting good reviews and is praised for their customer service.

3. Square (Apple iOS, Android)

The Square system was just launched in February of 2011. Despite its recency it has gained a lot of momentum and followers to the tune of 100,000 new accounts every month! The technology is very similar to the two previous services and is available with all mobile platforms with the exception of Blackberry. It comes with a free App that allows you to create and manage products and services that you want to sell on your mobile phone. It has a much simpler fee structure, deducting 2.75% at the time the transaction is processed, and their service is highly rated by many of customers.

Certainly, more players will be coming into the credit-card and payment-processing space as mobile commerce continues on its explosive growth curve.

Be sure to read the fine print and don’t get locked into a mobile payment solution that will not serve your business needs over the long run.

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Is Your Business Ready For Cloud CRM?

Paul — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:41:33 +0000

For a fraction of the price, cloud CRM software offers most small and medium sized businesses the ability to utilize enterprise software solutions that were once reserved for large established businesses. In addition to its cost advantage, the cloud CRM offers many benefits, such as:

Easier Deployment: cloud CRM services can be purchased and deployed on the same day! The only time you will spend is in customizing and training for the new system. And even then, most cloud CRM deployments are estimated to take 10% of the time required to install a traditional CRM platform.

Mobility: With its web-based and “always-on” connectivity, cloud CRM services are second to none. With so many businesses now relying on road warriors and extended home-based workers, the convenience of total mobile access is too obvious to ignore. Additionally, traditional desktop/server solutions are not cloud friendly and some systems just do not allow any type of access beyond the company’s firewall.

Integration and automation: Due to the fact that most cloud CRM vendors have standardized their systems based on open web services it has become easier and more common to see different vendor systems integrate with each other. This adds another cog in the wheel of business automation and integration.

Security: Despite all the hype about the cloud inherent security weaknesses (sometimes justifiably so), cloud CRM vendors are running one of the most secure platforms available and their track record is a witness to that. The integrity and security of their platforms remain one of their top priorities, seeing how important and sensitive their clients’ information is.

Customer Experience Improvement: cloud CRM solutions improve customer experience by offering portal access to clients. This access to self-service solutions improves response times and service quality which ultimately increases customer loyalty and retention.

Some of the best cloud CRM solution providers are: salesforce.com, NetSuite, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and salesboom.com.

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