 Whenever Microsoft announces that they have a new operating system in the works, we greet the tidings with some fear and trepidation. Don’t get us wrong. We love computers, and we love technology. While we enjoy most of the operating system upgrades, we were somewhat happy to have skipped a few like the Millennium Edition and Windows Vista.
When we first looked at Microsoft’s new forthcoming OS, Windows 8, we were not sure that we would like it because it looked too much like a smartphone. However, as we checked into the Windows 8 operating system a little further, we found that it was more than just a smartphone on steroids. While the Metro interface does resemble the smartphone’s, Windows 8 also has a more traditional desktop interface that can be used in conjunction with Metro.
We must honestly admit that we did begin to appreciate the look of the new operating system. We suppose the part of the reason is that we had a chance to play around with an all-in-one computer that sported a touch screen monitor. The Metro interface is certainly well suited for tactile computing. Manipulating photos, files, and applications by touch is definitely interesting, if not fun; and computing should be both fun and productive. Furthermore, we were relieved to find out that both the Metro interface and the more familiar desktop both work well using a mouse and keyboard for input.
The interface is not the only thing that has changed. In Windows 8, Microsoft has made great strides in integrating and blending the online and offline computing experience. The user is effortlessly and seamlessly transported from the living room to “the cloud” and back. Much of the integration is accomplished through the Windows Live suite of online programs.
The Windows 8 operating system works well on desktop computers, laptops, netbooks, and Tablet PCs. The system is basically the same for all these formats, making it easy to switch between them. Other improvements, such as a global spellchecker and the “refresh your PC” function just might make computing in Windows 8 a joy. Furthermore, unlike some previous OS versions, this system will actually consume fewer resources and work more smoothly than many before it.
 Advancements in technology have changed personal computing immensely since the 1980s. In the early days, computers could only be controlled via the keyboard. Now we can interact with a computer with a mouse, graphics pad, touch screen monitor, and even with voice recognition technology. For example, I have been writing this article by speaking into a microphone while the words magically appear in my word processing document.
Years ago, the user had to write his or her programs by hand, using somewhat cryptic codes. Now there are hundreds even thousands of commercially available applications for computer use. Additionally, the computing experience has moved from the office and home office desktop virtually out onto the Internet via telephone, DSL and broadband cable connections. Furthermore, Wi-Fi connections, laptops, netbooks, and tablet PCs allow the user to take computing physically out of the office.
The newly developed Google Chromebooks take computing to an entirely new level. These laptops, manufactured by Samsung and Acer, are powered by an operating system that is based on the Google Chrome browser. The new user will notice a major difference from the moment the notebook is opened. The computer starts booting up immediately and will be ready for use in about 8-10 seconds. Internet connection is made through a Wi-Fi or optional three-G adapter.
The operating system’s installation is verified over the Internet every time the computer boots up. This keeps the computer safe from malware and other Internet-based threats, along with other security features. The majority of applications that run on these computers are also web-based and data created on the notebook is stored in the “cloud.”
While these Internet-based features are beneficial for the home user, the implications for educational and business use can be phenomenal. IT department intervention is minimized because group policies, permissions, and other network maintenance tasks are accomplished through a web-based interface. Since computer users access their applications over the Internet, there are virtually no software installation issues to repair. Each user works with the programs and apps that are pushed to them.
Because the files are stored on the Internet on secure servers, the safekeeping of the data is enhanced. If the computer is lost, stolen or damaged, the user merely has to obtain another computer to continue their work. The Chromebooks can be used as standalone computers, or as part of a network that contains other, more traditional PCs.
 The field of information technology is a diverse one, with many different specialties. Most businesses will find themselves needing several of those specialties at different times as different tech challenges arise. It can be tough, though, for a layman to understand the difference between IT specialties enough to know what IT solution is best for the problem at hand. AccuTech offers both IT Support Services and IT Consultant Services, but what exactly is the difference, and when does each one work best?
IT Support Services are designed for everyday solutions to the problems that arise on any existing network. They allow companies to get by without a dedicated IT professional; secure in the knowledge that support is always available. Businesses typically contract for IT Support Services on a continuing basis, rather than for a single issue at a time.
IT Consultant Services are for businesses that have a specific IT issue that they need help addressing. Whether it’s building a database, setting up a software system, or meeting a particular client need, IT Consultants can help a business find a tailor-made solution. IT consulting is especially valuable when a company is working outside the expertise of any staff member, when the market or client involved is particularly difficult to please or hard to recruit, or when the risks associated with failure are simply too high. Bringing in an IT Consultant is a cost-effective way of finding solutions and minimizing risks without having to add staff positions or agree to a lengthy contract. Unlike IT Support, IT Consulting typically lasts only for the length of one project or one problem.
Depending on the issues your company is facing, IT Support may be the best answer, or IT Consultation, or even a mixture of both. Once a consultant has set up a tech solution, IT Support may be useful for monitoring the system and ironing out any future wrinkles. A business with an IT Support contract in place might find it useful to use an IT Consultant when it comes time for a substantial upgrade or an entirely new tech project. Whatever your business needs, AccuTech is ideally suited to provide specialized solutions.
 When you run a networked business, you know how important it is to have full network access. Your business’ network is its spinal cord and nervous system, allowing communication and data transfer from every point in your company near-instantaneously. Network downtime, even outside of business hours, can paralyze your entire company, costing money and potentially damaging valuable company data. It’s vital to ensure that no matter what happens, your network is monitored and protected against threats large and small.
Some companies look in-house for their network support services, hiring IT professionals to maintain the network and all the computers and equipment. Dedicated IT professionals are great at what they do, but many times dealing with the hardware takes up enough of their time that monitoring the network itself becomes a lower priority. An in-house network tech support also may not be available every hour of the day without prohibitive expense. If a particularly specialized threat arises against the network, there’s also the risk that the IT staff may not have the specialized expertise to handle the threat.
A cost-effective solution to the problem of network monitoring is hiring an outside company for online computer tech support and network monitoring. AccuTech’s AccuLive service provides 24/7 monitoring for your network, watching for even the smallest interruptions in network performance. This could be something as relatively minor as a challenge to the network from an unsupported device, or something as major as a network crash or overload.
AccuLive will work with you to provide the alerts you want to know about, whether that’s every incident or only major events. If something does happen that threatens your network, their staff of tech professionals are available day or night to tackle the problem and get your network running again as quickly as possible. Many times, AccuLive is able to detect a problem and act to resolve it before employees or customers ever notice anything is wrong.
 In a competitive world, every business does certain things to increase visibility and attract customers. Factors like a highly visible location, great signage and widespread advertising are obvious ways to attract attention to a business. But with more customers than ever using the Internet to shop and find services, it’s increasingly likely that a customer’s first contact with your business is going to be on your website. By making the most of your website, you can increase the chance that this contact will result in sales leads, new customers, and more business.
Many companies make the mistake of thinking that a website is a signpost directing customers to the store, giving contact information, hours of business, and a summary of services. Those are all important factors, and any good website design will feature them prominently. A really good website, however, can do so much more. Providing tools like opt-in lists for customers to receive coupons and promotions, running online specials, and providing valuable information on your field are all ways to encourage online researchers to become real life customers.
Most people who search for businesses online will be presented with several different options. You may have no more than a few seconds of browsing to stand out from the crowd, and that’s where a professional website will make all the difference.
Creating a professional website with interactive features requires a company with experience in website development, one that is on top of emerging online trends. A professional web team will work with you to personalize your website to suit your needs, whatever they are. Most companies staff Designers and IT professionals that can build the perfect interface to let you interact with customers and grow your mailing list while protecting your customers’ data. Make your first online impression a great one, and you will reap the benefits.
 In today’s post-telephone book world, the internet is the most valuable tool any business has to solicit new customers. For the average consumer, finding a merchant or service provider is as easy as typing in their need and the name of their city into a search engine. Capitalizing on this point of contact is vital for growing and maintaining your customer base. Paying attention to your website development is an investment that will pay off more quickly than you think.
It’s easy to believe that any website is good enough so long as it contains basic information like contact information, hours, and location. Anyone can set up a website like that in a couple of minutes for almost no money. Remember, though, that the website is the very first contact many customers will have with your business. The impression you make there will affect how they think of your entire company.
Imagine you were looking at two storefronts on a street. One store has a professional-looking marquee sign, clean glass windows, and an automatic door, while the other one has a hand-drawn sign in the window that may be years old and a cluttered sidewalk that makes it hard to reach the door at all. It’s not hard to decide which store to visit, and the same idea is true for a website. A professional website that is easy to navigate inspires trust and interest from customers.
Hiring a professional company for your website design has multiple benefits. Their experience will make creating your website fast and easy. They can help create a personalized professional look that is able to function on all browsers and mobile devices. Most professional companies will research your specific field to find the most effective web marketing strategies, and then optimize your site so it stands out from the competition. No matter your field, a professional website development team can help your company build an online presence and attract new customers.
 July 2011 deployment to GM1 or Golden Master developers of Apple’s operating system OS X Lion (technically, OS X 10.7). Apple’s Lion release, critically hailed as the “Windows 7, plus, plus” of security.
Three main factors for Lion’s upgraded security are:
(1) its advanced ASLR (address space layout randomization); (2) its updated secure sandboxing; and (3) its full disk encryption system that bypasses interference with other OS features.
This ASLR now masterfully changes the memory location of critical system components in a way only rudimentarily achieved by Apple’s earlier Leopard system, making hacking far more difficult.
Lion’s new sandboxing severely restricts application interaction with the OS. For one, its Safari Web Content has separated the browser interface function from that which parses JavaScript, images, and like web content.
The full disk encryption system has been expanded from the user directory level to the block level, now permitting entire hard drive encryption. File Vault 2 further allows disk content encryption as Mac sleeps and CDs are no longer required to restore backup files. The new system interfaces with Mac’s T Machine feature for automatic disk content backup.
 Microsoft 365 is software that gives users online versions of popular Microsoft products such as Microsoft Office, Lync Exchange (which combines Live Meeting and Office Communicator), and SharePoint. Lync is an instant messaging program that allows users to send/receive messages, video/audio, and VOIP. Lync used to be known as Communications Server. Lync Exchange offers new features such as integrated archiving and Voice mail with Unified Messaging. There are several different plans offered by Microsoft 365 for business and personal use.
There are several advantages to using Microsoft 365. One of these advantages is that Microsoft Office Suite is integrated with the web, making it easier for companies that use Microsoft Exchange in collaborations and interactions with others. Another advantage to using Microsoft 365 is that as long as the user is connected to the Internet, they will always be able to access emails and documents from any place. Microsoft 365 also has a 99.9% guaranteed uptime, which is close to being the industry standard.
There are also some disadvantages to using Microsoft 365. One of these disadvantages is that it is actually over integrated, meaning users only get the program’s full potential if they rely on Windows and/or Windows-based products such as the Windows Phone 7. The other disadvantage to using Microsoft 365 is that it gives the user all of the features of the program and it cannot be scaled back to fit your exact needs. There is no in-between when it comes to Microsoft 365 because it is an all or nothing application.
While there are several advantages and disadvantages to using Microsoft 365, most businesses can benefit from the integration of so many software programs into one, easy-to-use interface. Microsoft 365 can be obtained through the Microsoft website and users have the option of getting a free trial period before they commit to buying the software.
 This is a question that every computer user, business owner, agency head or organization president should be asking. The amount of data stored on computers and servers increases every year, often by as much as eighty percent. Files on computer and server drives have replaced reams of paper documents stored in file cabinets.
According to one source, hard drive failures, either logical or physical, cause crashes at the rate of 140,000 per week in the United States. Additionally, power surges and drastic weather conditions destroy computer equipment and cause data loss. Critical data and important documents take time to re-create, if they can be re-created at all. Inaccessible data causes costly downtime for any business or venture. Therefore, an effective backup plan is essential to prevent disruption of business or operations.
A local, onsite server-based backup is a logical, responsible choice. A duplicate copy of the files on every PC is stored in a central, easily accessed location. However, the main drawback is that the server is subject to the same conditions as the computers it backs up. Furthermore, the cost of the equipment is often high and deploying the server backup could take days or weeks to accomplish. There are maintenance costs as well.
Other local backup options include burning files to CDs or DVDs, saving to a secondary internal hard drive, or backing up to an external hard drive. Disk backups become cumbersome; internal drives are subject to system failures. Newer external drives hold several terabytes of data. Nevertheless, they are susceptible to the same power, weather, and disaster conditions as the PC to which they are connected.
Another backup option, often used in conjunction with local backups, is online storage and backup. AccuTech International, a trusted leader in online backup solutions, provides online backup solutions that are affordable and secure and that will work seamlessly with your current data protection plan. After the initial backup, the program runs quietly in the background, providing you with protection and peace of mind your business deserves.
With the economy the way it is today, companies are under pressure to cut costs. But at the same time, as business grows, managers are more dependent on computer systems to perform the business of the day. There is a solution to this problem: Remote Support. These companies can provide support at a fraction of the cost you’re currently paying, and can save you valuable time to run your business.
Why Use Remote Support Services?
1-Lower costs
The business model of support service companies means lower costs for the business owners they work with. In addition, hiring someone to do remote computer support means no extra health insurance costs, no extra salaries to pay, and no extra space to accommodate the support. You can reinvest the funds you save into your business or any of other things.
2-You have more free time to build your business.
By outsourcing the smaller jobs, you can concentrate on your strategic marketing plan, your financial output in 5 years, and providing valuable customer service. The employees you have on hand can be freed up to perform other functions within your company, while the remote computer support takes care of an entire department for you.
3-This is our specialty.
Remote support services are what we do. Unlike some other companies, we don’t wear different hats. We provide excellent remote support services and that is our hallmark. We hire the best remote IT support and we are there when you need us. Don’t wait until there’s a problem to call in the specialists.
4-Using remote services adds another layer of security to your business.
Companies that provide support service typically make decisions based on all clients, and with that responsibility are therefore keyed in to trends, forecasts, and new technologies. This allows them to save money for business owners, who often run the risk of spending a lot of money in the hopes that they will not be left behind.
With remote IT support you can lower costs and free up internal sources, with the knowledge that specialists are working hard for you. Give us a chance to make your job easier.
Talk to us about how we can best support you today!
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