IT Solutions

June 2009
In this issue

Who are those guys
anyway?
Justifying Data Security
Value of Social Media
Cool Computer Tools
IT Manager to Superhero
Technology Saves $$$

From IT Manager
to Superhero
in 5 Steps
reprinted with permission from HP

Some of the IT managers among us still remember the day we helped liberate someone from the era of “snail mail” with their first e-mail. And it’s those heroic moments that shine out in our careers. We are here because we have felt the after-glow of technology empowering ourselves and other people.

Here are some IT management leadership strategies to help you better connect with the people you serve.

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 new gizmo and watching the cash roll in. You have to evaluate your priorities and choose the right technology that meets your operating and budgetary requirements.

With that approach in mind, here are seven ways that technology can save your small business money:

Quote from Melissa

"Democracy is the art of running the circus from the monkey cage."

Henry Lewis Mencken

1801 Tully Road Suite E
Modesto, CA 95354
Voice: (209) 578 9739
800 845 4628
Fax: (209) 578 5463

Who are those guys anyway?

Butch Cassidy: Who are those guys?
Sundance Kid: Hey, Butch?
Butch Cassidy: What?
Sundance Kid: They're very good.

For those of you whose memories don’t quite function at peak capacity and for the majority that were not even born yet, the dialogue above is excerpted from the famous 1969 movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, one of the all time favorites of movie fans.

Truth is, some of those lines can apply to us too. Who are we? What do we do and are we good?

Well, here’s the rundown in case you may have missed some of it along the way. . .

COMPUTING
We offer a full range of hardware and software services for your computer and computer related products. Our technicians can fix any technology related problems you may be experiencing.

NETWORKING
We are equipped to handle all of your networking needs. Our certified network support professionals will assist you in getting the most out of your network.

Server migration
Structured cabling
Network design and management
Security audits
Product procurement
Disaster recovery

• On-going systems maintenance & support

We simply support all technology as it relates to the segments below. . .

HOME COMPUTIING - SMALL & MEDIUM BUSINESS - GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

EDUCATION - HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS

And by the way. . . we are good, very good. Thanks for listening.

Justifying Data Security in Tough Times

As businesses reign in spending during this bad economy, many are cutting back on data security projects. But it is now that companies need to keep their guard up.

Budget cutbacks on information risk projects puts companies, no matter what industry they are in, at a higher risk to fraud and intrusions. A bad economy brings a rise in crime. This is not new, but what escalates this statement from past down economies is now we have the increased digitization and sophistication of network intrusions along with the desperation and willingness of inside employees to challenge the security controls of sensitive data. Companies now must deal with outside and inside security threats like at no other time in history. So to sacrifice the budget being allocated to continuing the prevention of breaches is a very risky move and could cost you more in the long run.

For instance, if you eliminate 24x7 intrusion monitoring to save costs, you will be transitioning from a preventative mode to a reactive mode. This increases the burden of inside IT personnel. If you have also decreased your staff, this can leave you wide open to vulnerabilities. Know what risk these decisions pose and be prepared to react if an incident should occur.

Business value of Social Media part 1: online networking
reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center

If you could connect to the world’s business professionals, in the time it takes to check your email, wouldn’t you? Welcome to the world of online networking, where valuable business connections are made every day on social and professional networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.

Social and professional networking simply refers to the interaction between a community of people who share a common interest. Through these personal connections you make with an otherwise impersonal medium, you can give your business a personality, build brand awareness, and equally importantly, tune in to what people are saying about you.

Cool Computer Tools to Make Your Life a Little Easier
reprinted with permission from Applied Tech, Madison, WI

Here's a cool computer tool we'd like you to know about because it can save you time and money: PDF995 is simple to use FREE software that converts documents to PDF (Portable Document File) format.

What is PDF format? "PDF is a file format that captures all the elements of a printed document as an electronic image that you can view, navigate, print. . . or forward to someone else regardless, of the computer. . . program it was first created in." (Source: UCL Learning Technology, London, England).