Photo: The Entech Family at our annual dinner looking forward to 2012.

We hope you had a great 2011, excellent Holidays, and are enjoying 2012 so far!

We’re really excited about 2012, and the biggest buzz in our industry has been, and continues to be, the exponential growth of Cloud Computing.

If you’ve been following our blog, you noticed we wrapped up a series on “7 Ways Cloud Computing Will Change Your Business” (also available as a free eBook) in October.

Over the last few months, we’ve been asked how businesses are actually switching to, and using Cloud Computing.  We’re extremely excited to say we’ve compiled 8 great examples for our new free eBook that will be debuting shortly, entitled:

“8 Ways to Use Cloud Computing in Your Business”

We’ll be reviewing how Cloud Computing helps businesses continue to grow and flourish through having centralized business document storage, secure online accounting & billing (allowing business owners the ability to more closely monitor cash flow!), and even enhance the relationships you have with your clients through online customer relationship management!

Be sure to get your free copy of our “7 Ways Cloud Computing Will Change Your Business” eBook and you’ll automatically be notified of when our new eBook debuts!

As always, if you have any technology questions, or need help with your computer systems, or network, please give us a call at (800) 573-0234, or contact us online.  We’re here for you!

Thank you, and Happy New Year!

-Martin

…that appeared in Southwest Florida’s “December 2011 – Gulfshore Business” publication.

Congratulations, Jake!

In the article, Jake talks about the most common questions he receives lately regarding cloud computing, and they are:

“What’s the cloud?  What’s cloud computing?”

In a nutshell, the latest buzz of “cloud computing” simply means doing & storing your work on the Internet (which is commonly referred to as the ‘cloud’) as opposed to your computer, or company file server.

One of the perks of cloud computing is not having to maintain your own file servers.  Another is “mobility”, since your work is stored securely online – you can generally work from anywhere you have an Internet connection and a mobile device (think Smartphone, such as the iPhone or Android, or Tablet, such as the iPad) or computer.

Generally, companies pay a monthly recurring fee to continually have access to their programs securely available in the cloud.

Jake mentioned that “in Southwest Florida, cloud computing is catching on, however, many are nervous about the switchover because they feel think they will lose control, however, that’s not necessarily the case”.

Be sure to get our free “7 Ways Cloud Computing Will Change Your Business” eBook that will help you understand what cloud computing is, and how it can help you!

Also, you can read the Gulfshore Business article online, too!

Enjoy,

Martin

…more small businesses are making the move to Cloud Computing Services!

Interestingly:

• 3,258 small and midsize business owners from 16 countries around the globe were surveyed,
• the businesses were asked about how cloud computing will have an impact over the next three years,
• 39 percent of businesses expect to be paying for one or more cloud services in that time frame (up from 29 percent),
• small businesses stated that a positive service experience from the service provider was a key factor in selection, AND
• buying cloud services from a local provider was important!

If you’re not sure exactly what Cloud Computing Services are, feel free to read our “What is Cloud Computing?” information, contact us, or give us a call at (800) 573-0234.  We’ve been helping many businesses understand how to properly implement cloud services, while saving money on expensive network upgrades.

It’s our goal help you have a positive experience with technology.

Feel free to read the entire article, “More Small Businesses Make the Move to Cloud Services“, too!

Thank you!

…and I’m sure that it’s a large part of your personal life as well.

So exactly what computer basics might I be talking about?

Well there are 5 things that are quite important to think about when using your computer, whether for personal or professional use.

• Computer security
• Computer updates
• People who use your computer
• Computer speeds
• Computer backup

While you are using your computer you should always be cautious and take every preventative measure that you can so that you can avoid the pain and frustration of having to fix your computer.

Luckily if you are using your computer professionally, you will probably have a technology person who can help you out.

But if you don’t, who are you gonna call?

If you are experiencing any problems with or you need any help with your Computer – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

…that you know that’s one of the very first steps in creating a solid Disaster Recovery Plan.

Recently, one of our local newspapers, the News-Press, interviewed us about this very topic, and Buddy, our Chief Operating Officer mentioned:

“Having a backup plan and being prepared for a disaster are two very different things.  Disaster recovery plans focus on ways businesses can continue to operate even during a disaster.”

The big question to ask yourself is “What if I walked into my office tomorrow morning and my computer, and server, were gone?”

Would that put you out of business?

If so, and if you’re worried about it — we can help you assure that you not only have an off-site backup of your computer(s), but have a plan in place to get your business back up and operational as soon as possible (sometimes within hours!)

Some of the basics you’ll want to think about are:

• Backing up your file, nightly!
• Preparing a ready-to-go e-mail list for clients & vendors to notify them in case of an emergency.
• Familiarizing yourself with your programs, and assuring you know programs like Quickbooks, have hosted services where you can access them online from the Internet (securely).

To learn more about disaster recovery planning please visit our “Managed Backup & Disaster Recovery” page on our web site, contact us, or give us a call at (800) 573-0234.

Here’s to being prepared, and knowing your business has a plan in case a catastrophe happens.

- Martin

This is our 12th tip in our series “Mac OS X Snow Leopard – 15 Tips You Need To Know”.

Most computer users have, and when it happens you could lose all of your saved Data!

Apple has come up with a solution and it’s called Time Machine.

Backing up your computer is vital in today’s digital age. It’s also easier than ever before!

To use Time Machine you must have and external hard drive (sold separately).

Time Machine will back up

• System files,
• Applications
• Accounts,
• Preferences,
• Music,
• Photos,
• Movies, and
• Documents.

Time machine backs up your files hourly so that you have the most up-to-date back up of your system.

You won’t have to worry about a thing as, even while your working, Time Machine can back up your system.

If at any point you lose data on your Mac you can go “back in time” and retrieve any file that has been on your computer that was lost.

So save yourself from major frustration and pain by using Time Machine for Mac!

If you are experiencing any problems with Time Machine or you need any help with your Mac – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

This is our 11th tip in our series “Mac OS X Snow Leopard – 15 Tips You Need To Know”.

Be able to quickly access information or perform a common task?

Apple brings you the Dashboard and Exposé.

The Dashboard is apples way of allowing you to access information very quickly.

Information such as

• Real-Time Weather (for multiple cities),
• A Dictionary and Translator,
• A Calculator and Unit Convertor,
• Stocks,
• Recent News,
• Or more than 4,000 other “widgets.”

You can bring up and put away your dashboard by simply pressing F4 (or F12 on some Macs).

Exposé will help you perform the task of switching between programs faster and easier.

It allows you to see all open windows by pressing F3 (or F9 on some Macs) and chose which one you would like with the click of your mouse.

There are a few other “hotkeys” that you can use to access different features on your Mac

• F8 – Spaces
• F10 – Clears the screen of programs so that you can access your desktop.

If you are experiencing any problems with your Dashboard or Exposé or you need any help with your Mac – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

This is our 10th tip in our series “Mac OS X Snow Leopard – 15 Tips You Need To Know”.

But now with iChat you can not only talk to your friends but see them as well.

iChat also includes a fully featured instant messaging client that can connect with

• iChat,
• AIM,
• Jabber, and
• Google Talk.

Most Mac’s includes a built-in iSight camera and mic. So you don’t have to go out and buy anything to get going.

iChat even allows you to have a conference video chat with up to 4 different people (including yourself)!

If you want to use iChat to it’s fullest you must purchase Mobile Me. The 4-person video chat will only work if you have Mobile Me (1-person video chat will work without Mobile Me).

If you are experiencing any problems with iChat, the built in iSight, or mic or you need any help with your Mac – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

This is our 9th tip in our series “Mac OS X Snow Leopard – 15 Tips You Need To Know”.

But not had the money to purchase one?

Well Apple has you covered!

Front Row is Apple’s version of an entertainment center built right into your Mac.

You can view full-screen

• Movies,
• Music Videos, and
• Photos

You can also listen to any music that is in your iTunes!

Front Row works with any computer in your house, so if you have a computer with all of your movies on it you don’t have to drag it into another room just to watch movies that aren’t stored on the computer connected to your TV.

If you have an apple remote you can even use it to control your Mac and Front Row from the comfort of your couch!

Woo all of your friends with your sweet new entertainment center by having a movie night, it’s sure to impress.

If you are experiencing any problems with Front Row or you need any help with your Mac – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

This is our 8th tip in our series “Mac OS X Snow Leopard – 15 Tips You Need To Know”.

Well when you get an Apple computer, these 3 programs work together to improve your computing experience.

Apple offers Mail (email), Address Book and iCal (calendar) to help you get things done with efficiency and accuracy.

Mail works with the most popular email standards of today as well as the most popular email services (Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, and AOL Mail).

You can even have multiple email accounts in Mail, so all of your emails are in one place!

Address Book gives you a place to store your contact information. You can

• Import information from applications,
• Create distribution lists, and
• Print address labels and envelops.

Address Book even uses the vCard format, the most popular format for contact information today, so that you can send and receive vCards.

To load a vCard onto your Mac, simply click and the contact information stored in the card is automatically loaded into your contacts.

iCal allows you to create multiple calendars to separate your work and home life (for example).

You can even hide calendars to simplify viewing.

One of the extra neat things about iCal is that it allows you to create events. You can then use your Address Book to send emails to your guest list and it will keep track of attendee responses. If you get an invitation it will automatically be added to your iCal.

These 3 programs are fully integrated into one another to help you get stuff done faster and easier than you could ever imagine.

If you are experiencing any problems iCal, Mail, or Address Book or you need any help with your Mac – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.