All day long, I'm surrounded by "Technology".  It's pretty pervasive to me, and I try to stay on the cutting edge of technology and technology trends. Some tools, however, are just so commonly used that I neglect to mention them.  The fact is, though, they're extremely helpful to any business.  Today, I present three tools you may not have considered using for your business, but I think would benefit you greatly.

1. Blog Reader/Client

Blogs have taken off in the last few years, and are relatively mainstream, but not for everyone.  If you're not already using one, I recommend you do.  The key here is to realize they're not just about getting a picture of the latest cute cat, or of finding a picture of the hot celebrity. In addition, you can also get great information pertaining to your work.  Chances are, your industry has several related blogs, weather from your trade magazines, or from industry experts.  My recommendation for a client to use is Google Reader, but there are several others, including NewzCrawler and FeedDemon (both for Windows), and Shrook (for Mac).  I prefer Google Reader because it doesn't require any additional software.  If you need help setting up a reader, or finding blogs for your industry, just let me know.

2. QuickBooks Online

I am personally a big fan of this tool.  We all have to do some sort of accounting, even you have your own dedicated accounting professional.  You need to at least have access to your books.  With traditional methods, this means separate licenses for each computer you use to do accounting, emailing files back and forth, and never seeming to have access to your financial data when you need it.  QuickBooks Online solves all of these issues.  You can securely connect from anywhere, from Windows or Mac (and even your BlackBerry/iPhone/Android).  Never again worry about getting access to your company's financials.  If you have questions about the product, just let me know.

3. Instant Messaging

Instant messaging (IM) is certainly not a new technology.  It's uptake within businesses is not, however, particularly high.  This is a shame, though, because it's great for quick messages between co-workers.  Instead of firing off an email, you can just send a quick IM.  Current IM servers will allow you to do this securely, and (if you choose) log your conversations.  "But why not just send those quick messages as emails?"  There are a couple of reasons.  First, it's called Instant Messaging for a reason.  While it's not truly instant, due to how it's set up, it is quicker than email.  Second, if you clutter up your email Inbox with lots of one liner emails, you can loose track of those important emails from clients.  We all have a fire hose of emails coming in.  Separate out those intra-office quesitons and answers out from the others with an IM client.  If you are interested in setting up a secure, robust IM server, we can help.

Use These Tools

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing is a new way to approach your IT services.  It is "hot" now, but like many new IT concepts, two questions about Cloud Computing don't always get answered:  What is it? and Why should I care?  Cloud Computing is moving your computing infrastructure onto the internet ("the Cloud"), instead of inside your business.  Some practical examples of this might include:

• Instead of a local E-mail Server, use a Cloud Hosted E-mail Service
• Insetad of Tape/CD/DVD Backup, store your backup data on Cloud Servers

As to "Why should I care?", I have 5 reasons.  5 ways you can save by using Cloud Computing.

1. Save Money

Cloud Computing is largely about the economy of scale.  By moving services to the Cloud, you are able to leverage that advantage for yourself.  Use fewer servers -- consolidate 6 separate servers into one system within the Cloud.  Use less electricity -- wether you have one in-house server or twenty, they're all on all the time, running electricity bills up.

By using the Cloud, you can cut your costs and save money.

2. Save Data

An inherrent feature of good Cloud Computing is that it is not succeptible to local data interruptions. When your data is stored locally, and backed up locally, you can't be sure about its safety.  By moving your data to the Cloud, you're ensuring that it will be safe and secure.  For example, whith our office data backup solution, your data is kept in multiple geographic locations, and is encrypted during transmission and storage.

By using the Cloud, you can ensure that your data is safe and secure.

3. Save Time

Make yourself more productive!  Sometimes, it just isn't possible to get into the office.  Maybe You need to look after a sick child, or wait for that 6 hour Cable Repair "window".  In the past, that meant no work could get done.  A full Cloud Computing solution means that you have the freedom to work from wherever you like.  You can be more productive with the time you have, so you can spend more time with family and friends.

By using the Cloud, you can be more efficient with your time.

4. Save Downtime

By moving systems to the Cloud, you have the ability to take advantage of secure, redundant systems, with multiple failsafes and security. All this means that your systems are much less likely to go down.  If your local internet is down, your Cloud based services still work.  Your email stays up.  You can work remotely.  If your business gets featured on the internet, and your web site gets several million hits in an hour, a Cloud solution will handle it seamlessly.

By using the Cloud, your systems can be more reliable.

5. Save Trees

All of the above savings mean less resource use.  Fewer servers, less electricity, less time wasted, less commuting.  All of these savings are good for your wallet, and they're also good for the environment.  Saving the environment may not be in all of our Business' Vision Statements, but if we can have all of the above, and reduce our environmental impact, that's one more thing we can be happy about.

By using the Cloud, you can be more responsible about the environment.

What Can I Do Now?

If you're already working with us to meet your Technology needs, you may already be using Cloud Computing!  We have Cloud Based solutions for E-Mail, Backup, Web Sites, Servers, and Software Solutions.

If we aren't yet helping you meet your needs or if there's more we can do for you, please contact me.  I'd be happy to work with you to find out the best Cloud solution to meet your needs.

We all have important data.  If it is important, you should be backing it up.  If you're backing it up, I encourage you to make sure your backup system has all three of these features.  If it doesn't, you could get into trouble.

1. It Must Be Automatic
2. It Must Be Off-Site
3. It Must Be Fully Encrypted

Automatic Backup

Let's face it, we're all busy, and no matter how much we'd like to change out those tapes, or burn that backup CD, we're going to forget.  You need a solution that remembers for you.

Off-Site Backup

If you're keeping your data backups in your office, you'll have that data if you accidentially delete a file, but not if something happens to your office!  Keep your backups somewhere other than where your data is normally.

Encrypted Backup

Some systems don't secure your backups at all.  Some secure it during transmission.  Some secure it only when it's being stored.  Hackers are incredibly aggressive now days, and you need your data to be secured/encrypted 100% of the time that it's backed up.

Good News!  We have a solution that includes all of these must haves.  If you don't have backup, or if your current backup solution doesn't includes thes features, just let me know and we can help you out.

Greetings!

In all the time that I've been working with Tailored Technologies, I've often mused starting a blog or newsletter, but I've never found a compelling enough of a reason.

Now, I have one.

In the last two months, we've dealt with a new threat at a rate that is boggling to me.  This new threat is being called "scareware".  We've certainly dealt with our share of viruses in the past, but this new threat has infected computers at a rate that is truly astonishing.  We estimate that we've had a 300% increase in troubles caused by viruses, and most of it is due to scareware.

Scareware, briefly, is malicious software intended to make you think that you have a virus, and that the only way to remove the virus is to buy a certain "anti-virus" program.  The problem, however, is that you're often buying that "anti-virus" program from the same people who gave you the virus!

What you can do:

• Keep your computer up to date. Run your OS and software updates regularly.
• Run your computer from a "limited user" account.
• Run legitimate anti-virus software, and keep it up to date.
• Back up your data regurlarly.
• Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox whenever possible
• Be aware of where you surf.  Be suspicious of sites that look "wrong", or that don't seem right.  Trust your gut.
• Call Us.  We can help ensure your computers are configured properly.

What if it's too late:

• Don't buy the software.  You'd just be encoraging them to do more of this!
• If you're unsure about the virus, disconnect your computer from the internet.
• Call Us.  We have experience with these viruses, and we can take care of them for you.

You are definitely capable of handling many of these steps yourselves, but, please know that we're here for you.  Getting a virus is never fun and is in many ways emotionally impactful.  We can help you set up preventative maintenance programs to keep you from getting viruses, and we can help you if you ever do get a virus.

What questions would you like answered?  Let me know and I'll do my best to answer it for you.