We have just published a few more of our popular TechTips newletters. TechTips visually show common tips and tricks to make your computing life easier.
To see what might have missed click HERE.
Here is part two of our preparing for business travel articles. Part one can be found HERE. This article contains a few more tips.
Tip #1 – Use your laptop as a power station
Your laptop should work overseas (with outlet adaptor). However, you may have a bunch of smaller items (cell phone, iPod, Camera, etc.) that will need also need recharging. Carrying a bunch of adapters is not exactly ideal. Lucky for you, most of these items use USB adapters. If it has a USB connection, there is a good chance that once plugged into your laptop, it will use the power from the USB adapter to recharge the batteries. Check with your device manual to make sure.
Tip #2 - Patch your computer
Before traveling, it is a GREAT idea to make sure your operating system is updated with the latest security patches. You never know who or what is going to be on the network you plug your laptop into.
Tip #3 – Make that battery last longer
To make your battery last longer you can try the following:
- Dim your screen brightness (some laptops have hotkey combos to do this)
- Anything you have on a CD/DVD, copy to your hard drive before leaving
- Turn off your wireless if you do not need it (WiFi and Bluetooth)
- Make sure your battery is fully charged. Keep your laptop plugged and turned off the day before you leave (unplug and pack up before you go to bed)
Tip #4 – Wi-Fi is an open book
If you are going to use a wireless connection for anything that requires a password, or for sending sensitive material, make sure you use an encrypted connection. It is very common for people to sit in airports and ’sniff’ the wireless network for information.
If you are on a website, make sure it is using SSL (lock icon). If you are connecting directly to a business network, use VPN software provided by your IT department.
If you will be traveling for business, please contact Wireguided for more tips.
-Tim
As the year draws to an end companies are either in the process of creating budgets for next year or at least thinking about them. With the current economic climate many business owners and CFO’s are scaling back purchases of new IT equipment such as computers and printers.
Depending on your existing IT infrastructure, you might want to consider replacing older machines with new ones in 2010. The reason, to save money. That doesn’t make sense, does it?
Studies have show the following about computers older than 3 years old:
- Cost nearly 50% more to manage than newer designs
- Suffer 3X the security incidents of newer designs
- Experience 1.2X the downtime of newer models
- Are 3X slower at multi-tasking than newer models
It starts to become clear that the potential productivity loss, security exposure, and maintenance costs of older machines can become a fiscal liability to your business. In addition, employees are expected to be more productive with less so you can add employee frustration to the mix (” My computer is slow”, “It takes forever to open anything”, etc).
Also, machines older than 3 years old are probably not ready for Windows 7. As Windows XP support ends, this becomes a more important issue.
Wireguided recommends a budget of $550 per system as a good ballpark budget number. Wireguided provides our clients with hardware, software, and licenses at the prices we get. As a partner with TechData (largest distributer in the world) and also a Dell Gold Partner, our prices should be the lowest your business can find.
If you would like assistance with your 2010 IT budget or need pricing for upcoming IT purchases, please contact Wireguided.
-Tim
We are proud to announce that Wireguided has received the status of Cisco Select Certified Partner. In addition, the company was awarded a SMB Specialization that is focused on small and medium-sized businesses (up to 250 users) and demonstrates our company’s technology and business expertise specific to the SMB market.
The SMB Select Channel Partner status is awarded to organizations with a high level of expertise in Cisco networking technologies and to organizations with a strong track record of providing SMBs with leading IT solutions.
Our new partner status will allow Wireguided to provide our clients with the latest in best-of-class networking, security, and voice solutions. In addition, we can now provide these solutions at lower costs to our clients.
A question we get asked all the time from businesses is what should they purchase with their new computer. How much memory, which processor, disk drive size, etc.?
The answer will depend on the needs of the individual using the computer and available budgets. Our philosophy is that a desktop computer should have a life of between 3-5 years. When we design a system for our clients, the hardware may be overkill for their current needs, but the long term cost savings of not having to buy (and reinstall) a new computer every 2 years is worth it.
For a general office computer (Word/Excel/Outlook, web surfing, and a business application or two) there are a few standards you should have:
Desktop Computer
- Processor (CPU)- Intel Core2Duo (any speed), 1333Mhz FSB
- Memory -3GB (the more the better)
- Disk- Any size will do. (Your data should be saved on a central server)
- Monitor - 19″ LCD, Widescreen
- Video Card – Integrated Graphics (no 3rd party card)
- Media - DVD-ROM drive
- Warranty - 1 Year, Next Business Day – Hardware replacement
- Operating System - Windows 7 Professional
Laptop
- Processor (CPU)- Intel Core2Duo (any speed), 1066Mhz FSB
- Memory -3GB (the more the better)
- Disk- 160GB +
- Video Card – Integrated Graphics*
- Wireless - 802.11n
- Media - DVDRW
- Warranty - 3 Year, Next Business Day – Hardware replacement
- Operating System – Windows 7 Professional
* Video cards on laptops cannot be upgraded. Make sure your business applications do not need any extra graphics horsepower.
Summary
When purchasing a computer think of what your needs WILL be in a few years. People should not be fixated on CPU speed anymore. Instead of speed, think cores (these are the individual processors inside a single physical chip (Think multiple engines under the hood of your car).
Anti-virus software should not be purchased with the system. As a business it better to buy a corporate level product, such as Symantec Endpoint Protection, in one license bundle.
For more information and pricing, please contact Wireguided.
Windows 7 Pro
Windows 7 has finally arrived. Now what do you do? Windows 7 is the next generation of Microsoft’s Windows operating system (XP –> Vista –> Windows 7). Should you go run to the store and buy it? Start upgrading your all business systems? The answer depends on a few things.
While Vista was to be avoided at all costs, Windows 7 is the exact opposite. We have been using it for a few months now internally and is is getting rave reviews. It looks like Vista (with some great productivity improvements), runs faster than XP (in general), and can run on most desktops, laptops, or netbooks bought in the past few years.
If you would like to determine if your system is ‘Windows 7 compatible’ click here to download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.
Businesses – What to do?
The first thing you should NOT do, is go buying licenses for Windows 7 to install on your computers. The main reason for this is that there is no direct upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7. You will need to rebuild each XP machine to run Windows 7. Yes, that stinks. However, planning should be started now for a Q1 / Q2 2011 migration. Things to consider:
- Any computer bought after June 22nd, 2009 is eligible for a free Windows 7 upgrade. No need to purchase new licenses for these systems.
- Computers SHOULD have at least 2GB of memory. Now is the time to start replacing old computers and start purchasing computers with 3 or 4GB of memory as the standard. Windows 7 will work on system with as little as 1GB of memory, but the more the merrier.
- Older computers (3+ years) will more then likely not have the graphics cards in them to use the new ‘Aero’ interface. Not a biggie, but it could effect training scenarios and manuals.
- Plan to be fully windows 7 by Q1/Q2 2011.
- 2010 is a big Microsoft release year. Windows 7, 2008 Server R2, and the new Office suite are all coming out. Prepare your capital budgets.
Personal – What to do?
If you have a Windows Vista system, upgrade as soon as you can. Just for the speed increase alone (and the removal of those annoying pop-up alerts) it is worth it.
If you have a Windows XP system, it is best just to wait until you need to buy a new computer. Since there is no direct XP to Windows 7 upgrade path, you would need to reinstall the operating system which is not worth the heartburn for most folks.
Summary
If you are a business, start planning today for your Windows 7 future. Bump up computer specs on new purchases and set aside some extra cash to your capital budgets for licenses and hardware.
If your business would like more information or needs assistance in planning for a Windows 7 migration, please contact Wireguided.
-Tim
One of the most common questions we get is ‘how much is it going to cost’ and ‘what do I get’. The chart below provides the clear answer. Not only does Wireguided provide the most comprehensive managed service package, we also do it at the lowest price. Maybe that is why we have over a 96% retention rate.
Click on the below graphic for the full size chart.
Contact Wireguided today and start saving.
Is your organization located in Massachusetts or does it do any business in Massachusetts? If so,and your business contains information on any MA resident, you have until March 1st, 2010 to get compliant with the new law (201CMR17.00) or face some serious penalties.
What is 201 CMR 17.00?
201CMR17.00 is a new law defining mandatory computer security requirements for businesses that operate in Massachusetts?
What is the scope of this new regulation?
To quote the law:
“The provisions of this regulation apply to all persons that own, license, store or maintain personal information about a resident of the Commonwealth.”
What does it mean to my organization?
Section 17.03 states that organizations covered by the law MUST:
“develop, implement, maintain and monitor a comprehensive, written information security program (“program”) applicable to any records containing” protected information which is consistent with industry standards. A program must contain “administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality”
So what does it really mean to my business?
In short, your business will need to create a detailed written security policy, lock down your data with encryption, ensure security software and hardware is active and up-to-date (antivirus, antispyware, firewalls, etc.), and much much more.
What happens if my business is not compliant?
Massachusetts General Law 93H allows for penalties of $5,000 for each violation. Also, improper data disposal could be subject to a fine of up to $50,000 for each instance.
More information
Here is the text of the law and a great article which provides the nitty gritty details.
If you are not sure if your organization is 201 CMR 17.00 compliant or would like more information on how to become compliant, please contact Wireguided.
After coming from ten days on a farm in Ireland I though it would be a good idea to share what tools and tips a business traveler should know about before leaving on a business trip. Part 1 is all about the tools you will need. I will assume you are bringing a laptop.
Tool #1 – Global outlet adapter
Notice I did not say POWER adapter. Many countries (e.g. Europe) use 22o volt outlets, which is not compatible with equipment made for the US (120 volt). However, 99% of laptops can be used on both voltages. Check the bottom of the power ‘brick’ that sits between the laptop and the outlet. Check the ‘Input’ field to see if it says ‘Input: 110-240V’. If so, you can use it overseas. You just need a way to plug it in. I use the Kensington Travel Plug Adapter. Unlike other power adaptors, it is one unit without multiple loose attachments. It is ugly, but works great.
Tool #2 – Softphone software (and headset)
A softphone is just software that sits on your computer which allows you to make and/or receive calls over the Internet. Basically, your laptop becomes your phone. You may be saying “but I have a cell phone”. If your cell phone works overseas AND is paid for by your company, skip this section. If not, and you do not want to have a crazy phone bill, use a softphone. There are two options I recommend, Skype and Vonage. Skype allows free calls and 1-to-1 video conferences to other Skype users. For additional fees you can make/receive calls to/from regular landlines or cell phones. You will be provided a local US number for people to call. Vonage has a device called a V-Phone which is a little USB adapter that contains all the software needed to make and receive calls. It auto-installs when plugged in to the computers USB port which makes it great if you need a US number on any machine you will be using. The device costs ~$40 plus Vonage fees. The V-phone can also be used as a 250MB flash drive for storage.
Tool #3 – USB Flash Drive
Pick up one of these drives anywhere (or here).It should contain backups of all your applications and critical documents you will need on your trip. Scan a copy of your passport as well. You would be wise to also put a file on it with all your emergency / business contact numbers. Feel free to throw some photos from home on it as well. Then, encrypt the flash drive and throw it in your pocket before you leave for the airport. Do not store it in your laptop bag.
Other tools might include a web camera (with built in mic) or external travel mouse. If you will be traveling for business, please contact Wireguided for more information on this topic.
