Computer Consulting: Finding Your Prospects Among Your Leads

When looking for your sweet spot consulting clients, there are a couple of factors you want to consider. First these should be companies with around 25 employees who are pulling in an annual 7-figure income. Additionally, they should not be opposed to spending $1,000 to $2,000 per month on IT help and planning.

Good Signs and Bad Signs

When you meet a prospective client and find out that they're working with someone in your community but aren't satisfied, that's a good sign. You can find out what things they like and don't like, and make the good things better and tell them how you avoid the problems they're facing with their current provider.

A bad sign would be that they're working with a friend or moonlighter who charges little or nothing. Since they're not accustomed to paying a lot for computer service, they are not likely to want to pay more now.

The Good News

Once you find a sweet spot client, you are likely to be able to work with their friends and colleagues as well since most business owners of similar sized businesses will know each other. Learn more about finding the best sweet spot clients in the complete article (link above).

Added by Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

IT Service Level Agreements: Troubleshooting for Your Computer

Basic computer troubleshooting should be covered in your IT service level agreement. Instead of trying to deal with the problems yourself and possibly causing more problems, you can hire someone to help you take care of both major problems and minor annoyances.

Even the smallest problems can cause major issues in your business. Losing money for having your computer down for just a few minutes may be extremely costly. Having a qualified IT service agreement in place can guarantee your peace of mind since you know that help will always be within reach.

From virus protection to data backup, your IT service level agreement should be able to cover all of your needs. Be sure to read the agreement carefully and research companies before making any decisions. Once you find the right company, you should never have to look for a new agreement again. Learn more in the article, Basic Computer Troubleshooting Using IT Service Level Agreements (link above).

Blogged by Joshua Feinberg

Benefits of Computer Franchise Ownership

Entrepreneurs buying computer franchises can enjoy many benefits and minimize typical start-up risks, which can make ownership of these franchises an ideal situation for those looking to start their own business. Since new owners typically need help with marketing, financing and training services, will find these resources already available to them as part of computer franchise ownership.

BENEFITS

Buying a computer franchises has several benefits. You are getting an established product as well as operating procedures that are already in place. Training, advertising, advice and other financially draining items are also often already paid for, or available and set up as part of the franchise fee. This means you have the chance to enjoy profit much sooner than with other types of new businesses. All these benefits are part of the reason computer franchises have a greater rate of success than other computer businesses.

A FINAL PRODUCT WITH A TRACK RECORD

One of the best things about computer franchise ownership is that you are buying the rights to a final product or service with a track record. You will be able to use the trademark, name and all advertising tools. Customers will already be expecting good service and quality products your business name implies, which will decrease the time it takes to establish trusting relationships with your customers that will lead to future business.

OPERATING PROCEDURES IN PLACE

As the owner of a computer franchise, you will have a pre-made operating manual that explains procedures already in place. Because the procedures have already been working, you will not have to suffer through a trial and error process. You will already know what products and supplies people want and how sales and service calls are handled. And if you run into trouble, you will have people to call to clarify.

ON-GOING TRAINING AND MARKETING

Owning computer franchises has many special advantages, including support from the company. You will get help with finding a location, management, marketing, hiring and training your employees. Many companies will also provide regular newsletters or workshops with tips to help grow and maintain your business.

Regardless of how many conveniences are waiting for you as a computer franchise owner, buying one still takes time, energy and a great financial commitment. However, buying a computer franchise can help alleviate a great deal of stress.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

IT Service Contracts: Finding the Best Provider

Many companies offering IT service contracts promise to fulfill all your important needs, but then often do not follow what was outlined in the original contracts. Knowing how to evaluate companies offering computer support will help ensure you find the best provider and get IT service contracts designed to fit your specific business.

Often professionals looking for IT consultants offering reliable IT service contracts will decide that a firm willing to merely outfit their office with the equipment they need without going beyond is good enough. The right consulting company is one willing to also provide support with tutorials on programming language, software applications and other important items. Expert IT consultants with a good track record will also be willing to monitor and manage the needs of their clients over a very long period of time.

ASSESSING CLAIMS

Since the inception of Internet business, many professionals offering IT service contracts have opened calling themselves full-service companies that offer many different types of contracts. Since in order to get ahead in a competitive market, many of these companies may overstate their claims, you need to be prepared to investigate the details of what they will and will not do as part of the IT service contracts.

EXTRAS

The right firm for your company will provide you with extra services as part of IT service contracts. The consultants will go out of their way to custom-design your office and give you industry-specific advice and recommendations for any changes. You should talk to the firm providing IT service contracts to make sure it will be willing to meet all your requirements before signing anything.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

IT Consulting Tools: DirectUpdate 4.1 Released by WildUp

The latest in IT consulting tools is version 4.1 of the popular dynamic DNS updater DirectUpdate from WildUp. In mid-February, Microsoft granted the updater a “Designed for Windows XP” logo, as it now can support x64 processors. WildUp is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and creates software for home and small business networking systems, both those of IT consulting firms and those designed by consultants.

DirectUpdate 4.1 can run as an NT service with remote web administration. It can work seamlessly with almost all the free and pay DNS services and enables users to update two or more DNS accounts the minute the IP address changes. The program is also capable of local actions on IP change including FRP upload, email notification, the launching of applications and rebooting of the service.

WHY USE DIRECTUPDATE 4.1?

There are several reasons to use DirectUpdate 4.1 over other DNS updaters. Companies that use dialup, xDSL or cable connections have different IP addresses each time a new connection is established; this means every time anyone goes online, the IP address will change. DirectUpdate allows companies that use this method of connecting to the Internet to exchange dynamic IP addresses for fixed ones that are easy to remember and in the traditional www.xxx.com format. Having a fixed IP address gives users the ability to remotely reach PC’s within a company, which is useful for global operations. IT consulting firms working with these companies can also provide them with remote support and assistance through DirectUpdate. Companies can also use it to host web, FTP, email and game servers on home or small business PC’s without spending extra money on maintaining a fixed IP address.

HOW DOES DIRECTUPDATE WORK?

DirectUpdate runs in the background like any NT service. It automatically checks for IP addresses and can carry out necessary actions when it detects a new one is being used. It updates dynamic DNS accounts, sends emails containing the new IP, uploads files with the new IP to the FTP server and restarts many types of local services. It can also locally run an application or script. It is safe for use with firewalls and most other security features set up by companies.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

Computer Business News: IBM Chief Gets $20 Million Paycheck

Computer business IBM stated on March 9 that Chief Executive Samuel Palmisano was the recipient of compensation worth close to $20,000,000 in 2005. This raise came about after he helped sell IBM’s waning PC business.

In 2005, Palmisano, a 54 year-old executive was earning a salary totaling $1.68 million plus a bonus of over $5 million and an incentive of nearly $4.25 million. However, Palmisano’s compensation included 230,325 stock options that are said to be worth over $7 million. While his bonus did not change from 2004-2005, his salary did increase by over $1.5 million and his incentive pay doubled. His help with the sale of IBM’s PC business to Lenovo Group Ltd. In May of last year also earned him an extra $990,674 in restricted stock.

A company in New York, International Business Machines Corp. also noticed that according to these reported earnings, Palmisano’s own salary increase actually increased IBM’s earnings per share growth well above the company’s goals. IBM saw a 15 percent increase in operating profit last year.

Palmisano’s sale of IBM’s PC industry helped keep the company on track and helped continue its reputation of growing revenue while maintaining good financial management. With Palmisano’s guidance, the company also concentrated on strong and growing businesses and was able to acquire 16 companies that totaled $2 billion in 2005. Most of these companies fell within the software and computer services fields.

The large incentive pay Palmisano earned in 2005 accounts for the first three-year period he was CEO and chairman of IBM. He started by becoming CEO in 2002 and was appointed chairman the following year.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

Computer Service Agreements: Looking Beyond the First Find

It seems that everyone is offering computer service agreements. Most IT consulting firms are capable of telling your what you need for your company, but not so many can actually combine expertise and hands-on training with invaluable diagnostic tools and speedy service all at prices your company can afford. These important attributes are what you should look for in your computer service agreements.

A FIRM THAT BELIEVES FULLY IN ITS CLAIMS

Anyone in business is familiar with how frustrating it can be when a computer system fails; you don’t want to choose any random consulting firm, and particularly those without professional-looking computer service agreements that show a sense of responsibility and firm belief in the services provided. The firm you choose should be able to fix your problems the first time and follow through with the claims made in the original agreement.

LOOK FOR A BACK-UP PLAN

Broken networks and computers are a daily occurrence in the world of technology. You can prepare for these phenomena by backing up your data on secure servers. Planning ahead like this with back-up can ensure you get your information back again when disaster strikes. A good IT consulting firm will help you design your office from the beginning with this back-up contingency in mind. You should look for this feature as a part of reliable computer service agreements.

THE RIGHT DESIGN FROM THE START

Your best bet at avoiding catastrophe is to have your consultant design a good network from the inception of your business and give you present and future support through computer service agreements. Work stations, digital hubs, phone jacks and all other ports and devices need to be in the best places for your particular office. Having everything in its place will speed up network activity and ease communication within your office. Knowing you have someone to rely on that knows your office inside and out is another benefit.

Even with the best networking plan, you will run into problems. A good computer consulting service offered through computer service agreements will be standing by, even in the middle of the night.

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

IT Service Contracts: How Do You Find the Best Ones?

In the technologically advanced world, IT service contracts can be found anywhere. But because there are so many computer service companies out there, finding the best company to provide IT service contracts for your particular business can be overwhelming.

How do you select the right company? Your choice of consultants providing IT service contracts depends largely on the goals of your company. Factors such as the size of your company and its geographic scope, along with how many computers are in your network will help determine what type of consultant you need to handle your IT service contracts.

IDENTIFYING NEEDS

Many computer services present you with the option of offering customized business solutions as a part of IT service contracts. These solutions can be anything from RAM and hard-drive upgrades to server overhauls. If you have your data all in one place but your production site is somewhere else, you will need a smooth way to connect your hubs. Similarly, if travel is a part of your business, you will need to be connected to important information globally while still protecting that information from infiltration by outsiders. All these factors will help determine what type of company offering IT service contracts you will need.

Once you are familiar with the type of IT service contracts a computer consultant provides and what you need for your business, you will find it much easier to locate solutions. Regardless of what you need, an IT consultant that is right for your company will give you IT service contracts that will meet your needs and exceed expectations.

SHOULD YOU SEEK THE BEST PRICE?

Like most other business solutions, with IT service contracts you get what you pay for, and the best contracts are not cheap. The high cost of the contracts is the main reason many business people choose to simply try to troubleshoot their own offices. Most often, going without IT service contracts ends up costing more than simply paying for a reliable one in the first place. If you find a trustworthy consulting firm that can set you up right from the beginning through the best IT service contracts, you can save money for the future that can be contributed to important items that will grow your business.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Computer Consulting: Finding Prospects Among Your Leads

You may receive hundreds of leads, but only a few of those should be prospects. You need to target certain types of companies so that you can gain expertise in those areas and corner that section of the market.

In addition, you can decide to work with companies of specific sizes. There are three size groupings to consider:

1. Micro-small businesses – These companies only have a few PCs and does not usually look for high-tech IT services.

2. Sweet Spot Clients – These clients have from 10-50 computers with about double that number of employees. These companies lose a lot of money when their system is down, so your job here is all about planning ahead and getting things back up quickly.

3. Large Companies – Larger clients have 50-100 computers and will often need high-tech IT services. However, these companies will generally end up hiring someone full time because of the high cost of outsourcing.

Now that you know how to find real prospects among the leads, learn more about growing your business in the entire article (link above).

Posted by Joshua Feinberg

The Changing World of Computer Support Contracts

At one time, computer support contracts were a waste of consumers' money and most just decided to pay exorbitant fees when something did go wrong. However, all of that is changing as a few quality companies have changed the way computer support contracts work.

The best companies recognize that not only is price gouging unfair but also that it won't work. Instead, these companies want to give users quality for a great price so they will return year after year.

Companies can offer contracts that cover either on-site or in-store repairs for minimal expense. The best companies will back up their contracts with satisfaction guarantees and they will explain everything you need to know about the contract and needed repairs.

Learn more about choosing a company and a contract in the article, Computer Support Contracts Have Changed (link above).

Blogged by Computer Consulting Kit

Ernie Kerns and Rescuecom: What They're Doing

Ernie Kerns is the founder of Rescuecom, a company that literally rescues small business owners who are in technical distress. This small Indianapolis company has only been open since July, but people are already taking notice, especially the people they've helped.

From security to networks to software, Rescuecom does it all. They even typed a term paper for a client willing to pay the $79 per hour fee. Kerns, formerly an employee for large corporations, said, "I've been a technician for other corporations. I wanted more . . . Small business gets ignored."

Learn more in the complete article (link above) about Rescuecom's focus on small business and how they are changing the way businesses in their area work and view virtual IT services.

Blogged by Computer Consulting Kit

IBM Dumping Windows?

According to the company, they are not. They have simply moved their Linux computers to the Red Hat software. Only about 5% of the companies employees use Linux systems and those are primarily the software developers and designers.

According to Nancy Kaplan, a company spokeswoman, "The Linux plan is for people who have a need for Linux, as part of their jobs, will use it. We have not made Linux available to the general employee population and there are no plans to do that."

IBM did not, however, give promise that this would never be an option but instead said that they simply didn't know. With many people moving away from Internet Explorer and more companies openly competing with Microsoft, a change away from Windows by a company like IBM could have far-reaching effects.

Posted by Computer Consulting 101

Computer Franchises: Choosing the Right One for You

Computer franchises can be found everywhere in the country. Because risks are a part of investment in computer franchises, you want to make sure you consider all factors to make sure you are completely prepared for all the challenges.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A FRANCHISE

A lot of people falsely think that buying computer franchises guarantees a winning business situation. But before you make the decision to buy, you need to consider important things like the demand for your produce and service, the competition you will face, whether you are able to run the business, the popularity of the name and the growth opportunity for the company. These important factors will determine whether computer franchises are your best bet.

FACTORS OF DEMAND AND COMPETITION

Demand for your product or service is the single most important factor to think about when considering computer franchises, and thankfully expert computer services are in high demand most everywhere. Computer businesses can run year round and have the capability to attract repeat customers. Look for a location that does not already have a lot of computer businesses and where there aren’t already franchises like the one you’re buying.

RUNNING COMPUTER FRANCHISES

Buying computer franchises is not risk free, and sometimes the business will fail. Ask yourself if you will be able to manage marketing, advertising or any other elements without a full-time person designated to these areas, in case you have to cut personnel. Answers to these important questions will determine if you are ready to operate computer franchises.

WHAT’S IN THE NAME?

The main reason to buy computer franchises is name recognition. If the company has a long and quality track record, good training programs and support systems it is probably worth your money, even if the franchise fee is very high.

GROWTH

If the franchise you purchase is growing quickly, name recognition will be even better, and you will attract more customers. All this is great news unless you’re understaffed. Make sure the company will be able to support you and the growth of your business.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

LAN Support Contracts Use Technology to Remotely Manage Systems

LAN support contracts utilizing remote resources can be an excellent asset to a busy IT professional. Because of the diversified economy, tools that save time are critical. Remote tech support offered through LAN support contracts can help save money.

SAVING MONEY WITH REMOTE SUPPORT

In a fast-paced technological world you don’t have to have top tier tech support employees on-site. Having remote tech support under LAN support contracts allows you to use remote technology and save money and time by not adding more in-house employees. Success in business means looking for efficient ways to support working staff. In order to support remote workers under LAN support contracts, consultants you employ have to be able to log into their personal computers to view problems.

THE RIGHT SOFTWARE CAN INCREASE EFFICIENCY

If you have a remote work force or field support workers you have to give them access to tech support. You can do this without spending exorbitant amounts of money or having to send a tech support rep directly to your workers. Remote tech support software as part of LAN support contracts can achieve this goal.

Tech support staff offered as a part of LAN support contracts can handle even the most complex problems directly from remote workstations. Remote technical support software eliminates the need to send anyone directly to employees. You should make sure this remote assistance is a part of any LAN support contracts you agree to sign.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional KIt

IT Marketing: Successful Seminars

Making the most of your IT seminars is integral to your business success. Here are a few important tips for getting everything you can from these seminars.

Registration

Most of your seminars should be free, but you still want to require some type of registration. Have participants fill out surveys at the door with all their contact information and basic questions about why they came, what they're looking for, how their business works, etc. In exchange for this information, you can draw for a door prize at the end of the night. Now that you have all the information you need to contact prospects from the seminar, what should you do?

After the Seminar

Before letting everyone go for the night, hand out a flyer with your contact and business information on it. Also, add a section with a limited time offer. Remember to add some highlights from the presentation or later mail these attendees a short article from the seminar.

For best results, use this same article and try to get it published in the local business journal and other organization newsletters. Make sure you always include contact information so that people can contact you with further questions or request for your services.

You could also use the article as a free report that you can send to companies. Advertising this free report on y our direct mail postcards can be a great way to get responses. Remember to have a deadline on any offer, though, so that you'll get more responses.

A Traveling Seminar

You can also consider conducting a traveling seminar for organizations. Perhaps you could speak at the Kiwanis luncheon or chamber of commerce breakfast. You may also want to talk to some business partners about referring you to potential clients.

Learn more about making the most of your seminars to make your business successful in the complete article (link above).

Added by Computer Consulting 101

Computer Support Contracts – Times Are Changing

Until recently the best computer technicians worked for large companies, so the average consumer had no access to their expertise. Recently, though, these large companies have been moving their IT consultants to contracting positions. Thus, you can get the same service from these consultants that the large companies receive.

The Professional Way

A truly great computer consultant will take a professional approach to running their company. They will back up their claims with certifications and references, and they will also guarantee their work.

These technicians are working more and more from small stores that are in your own backyard. Knowing where to look is key so ask friends, relatives, and colleagues for references and also research companies on the Internet and by phone.

Relax

After you find a reputable company and sign a computer support contract, then all your worries should be over. These companies will only hire technicians with extensive knowledge and experience so that all your needs can be cared for quickly.

Posted by Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Possibilities of SAS

Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) technology has been through a heavy period of hype over the past few years. But the question resellers and others are asking is whether SAS is really all that it's cracked up to be.

Although SAS obviously offers increased capabilities for data storage and the possibility of a larger margin for resellers, little has been done with it until now. Vendors may be promising benefits with SAS, but most resellers are still hesitant.

Most of the leaders in the industry, though, are convinced that SAS will eventually take off and become the next big thing in the market. Although it may take a while to convince the market that SAS can meet all their needs, forward-thinking resellers are already preparing for the wave by learning all they can about SAS and preparing to sell it.

Find out more about SAS and what people are saying in the article, Could SAS storm a profit for resellers? (link above).

Posted by Computer Consulting Kit

VAR Opportunities with Salesforce.com Unlimited?

Salesforce.com is offeringa helping hand to VARs in the form of their new Unlimited Edition. The company is offering a program to assist VARs in making their customized applications and expertise more widely available.

The Salesforce.com Unlimited Edition will sell for $195 per month and allow VARs to customize applications using the AppExchange applications and tools and sell those products more effectively.

The Unlimited Edition also allows VARs access to the company's Sandbox system that will allow them to test-run their applications in production mode before making them available for wider sale. Users will also receive 120 MB of storage and 2,000 custom objects.

According to George Hu, senior vice-president of Salesforce.com, "I use the iPod analogy. You pay per song. Here you get access to a bigger container, more storage, more customization capacity---it's an odd phrase,but it means you can have more database tables, more custom tabs. And if I want to automate the HR process, I can buy it for $20 to $30 per month but maybe now instead I can build it on the platform myself or have an integrator build it and run it forever."

Blogged by Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Small Business Servers: IBM Offers Stripped Down Tivoli to Businesses

IBM joins other small business servers and storage vendors to provide condensed software packages in order to attract small businesses to enterprise-style storage management. Late last week the company introduced a group of new software, including a trimmed-down version of Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM). Called TSM Express comes with just backup unlike its high-end enterprise variety. Regular TSM offers back up to both disk and tape, whereas TSM Express only backs up to disk.

TSM Express also operates only Windows platforms instead of supporting 13 different operating systems that include HP-UX, Sun Solaris and Linux among others.

Although TSM Express lacks many of the features of its enterprise version, it is a great deal cheaper than the pricey expanded edition. It starts at $195 per processor instead of $620 for the full-featured model. The express version also offers continuous data protection for just $35 per laptop or desktop.

Many non-profits and other small businesses with tight budgets have agreed that cost has always been daunting for products like Tivoli provided by small business servers. Most still feel that despite the pared-down offerings of TSM express, it would help speed up the process of backing up files. The lack of support of TSM Express for programs other than Windows also doesn’t necessarily pose a problem, since most small businesses use that operating system exclusively.

IBM Tivoli Storage Systems spokesperson says that many smaller businesses are looking for storage programs that are low cost and easy to use, which is how the company decided to downsize the enterprise version of Tivoli. TSM Express is designed for firms that have no more than 25 storage servers.

IBM is not the first in the world of small business servers to create downsized packages. Symantec created Backup Exec last year. Backup Exec, however, offers support for more operating systems, including Unix, Linux and Windows. However, the price for this software is significantly higher than TSM Express at $795.

IBM plans to expand TSM Express offerings in the future to include broader support in its new release for Linux. The program will be available March 17.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

VARs: Survey Cites Shortage of Tech Workers

In VARs-related news, a new survey administered by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) states that deployment of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is held back by the fact that there are too few skilled technology workers. The results of this survey were announced as a part of the RFID World 2006 conference.

Although the figures were down from a similar survey administered in 2005, seventy-five percent of the tech companies that took part in the CompTIA survey stated they don’t think there is a properly skilled, hirable talent group in RFID. Of the companies that cited a talent shortage, 80 percent thought that the lack of skilled tech workers would directly affect technology development. This particular figure is quite a bit higher than in 2005, when 53 percent said the worker shortage would have an unfavorably influence RFID and other technologies.

David Sommer, vice president of electronic commerce at CompTIA says that RFID is a complicated technology that is still growing, and those working with it need to be complete experts in order for it to work properly. He believes that there is much work to be done in the world of RFID education, training and professional development.

CompTIA continues to collaborate with over 20 major figures in the RFID industry. This group includes product manufacturers, distributors, system integrators, education providers and trainers, users and VARs to create a professional certification for RFID skills.

CompTIA RFID+™ sells neutral certification of RFID skills and addresses the needs of RFID hardware/software manufacturers, VARs, training developers and those that use the technologies. The certification will be available worldwide on March 28th and is designed for professionals with 6 months to 2 years of experience in RFID technologies or related fields.

Created By: Computer Consulting 101

IT Sales – Sell Knowledge Not Commodities

The biggest mistake that new business owners make is that they sell based on product and price rather than on knowledge. You need to add value to your services since most other companies can sell the same product that you can sell. Instead, you want people to buy you incorporated.

Experience Wins

If you have experience to do many of the hard things that confuse others in the industry, then this can be a strong selling point for you. When these companies are in a real jam, they'll need you and without a relationship, they know it will cost them.

Your knowledge and expertise makes you stand out above the crowd. Companies will no longer be as concerned about price, so they are more willing to pay more and you can increase your margins.

When you are creating marketing materials, always remember that you are selling yourself, not your products or price. If some of your materials aren't helping you simply get rid of them and start over selling you incorporated.

Blogged by Computer Consulting Kit

Evaluating PC Service Contracts

Many individuals are more than happy to sell you a PC service contract whether or not they know what they're doing. Since computer work is generally billed by the hour, hiring someone without the needed expertise can really leave you up a creek without a paddle. So, how do you evaluate the value of a PC service contract?

Research, Research, Research

When you are looking for a great service contract, talk to friends and colleagues who may have experience with high quality firms. You may also want to do research on the Internet. The most important thing, though, is to read the terms carefully so that you know exactly what and who you're getting.

Many high school students, and like-minded adults, believe that they are computer experts when they don't really have what you need in a pinch. A firm should be able to provide you with past work history and references to verify their expertise.

Learn more about choosing the perfect PC service contract in the article, Consultants Who Offer PC Service Contracts – Sorting The Good from the Bad (link above).

Submitted by Computer Consulting 101

Computer Service Agreements Help Computers Work Together

Computer service agreements will help make certain that all your networked computers are monitored and maintained. A professional computer networking consultant that offers you computer service agreements will allow your machines to talk to each other.

YOU CAN DEPEND ON PROFESSIONALS

Someone with both expertise and experience that understands all the different languages and protocols that your PCs, servers, routers and printers use is your best bet for networking your company. You will find this type of consultant with the best computer service agreements.

EXPECT NETWORK PROBLEMS

If you don’t expect network problems, you could find yourself in an emergency situation somewhere down the line. When they happen, you need the security provided by a professional computer networking consultant provided by computer service agreements. The consultant is available to come out immediately and resolve issues with your network so you can go back to normal office communication as quickly as possible.

DON’T SKIMP ON COST

The last thing you want to try to get cheaply is your networking equipment. Because you need to make your computers communicate, often across the globe, spending those extra dollars on professional, high quality network design from the beginning is always a good idea.

OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY

When all the employees in your office can do everything they need to do on their computers smoothly and efficiently, you will notice increased productivity in your business. A professional computer networking consultant provided by computer service agreements can help make sure that you always have a reliable network so you can e-mail, text message, share files and do everything else you need to do on a daily basis.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

Software Maintenance Contracts Maintain Efficiency

Software maintenance contracts with Microsoft tech support professionals are critical for all computer users because the program is the most widely-used in the world. But you have to make sure you choose the most experienced and qualified consultants when deciding who will handle your Microsoft issues.

THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE IS CRUCIAL

Software maintenance contracts are a necessity when your business relies on technology. A consultant who is an expert in Microsoft applications will offer the best software maintenance contracts.

EMERGENCIES

Systems always seem to fail when we are trying to finish important reports, presentations and projects at the last minute. Because Microsoft Office® is used so frequently by businesses, chances are good you’re probably using it when you experience problems. Consultants that offer software maintenance contracts can help with emergencies so you don’t miss your most important deadlines.

While Microsoft products are not susceptible to problems, its popularity makes users more likely to have trouble with it and need software maintenance contracts and the support they offer. Consultants under the umbrella of these contracts will often help people resolve routine problems on their own.

NOT ALL CONSULTANTS CAN OFFER SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS

Just because there are so many consultants offering software maintenance contracts does not mean they are all skilled at addressing your problems. Only those trained in Microsoft tech support will truly be able to quickly fix your problems and offer you the best service.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

IT Consulting News: Oracle Creates New Enterprise Search Engine

Oracle challenged Google in the area of enterprise search on March 1 by announcing a search engine that can easily locate information buried in E-mail, corporate documents and mainframe applications. This comes on the heels of an announcement by Google that it was teaming up with an IT consulting firm for the same purpose.

Greg Crider, Oracle senior director of product marketing said the new search engine, Oracle Secure Enterprise Search 10g makes information accessible throughout an entire corporation while not violating any restrictions placed on individuals within a company.

In February, Google said it joined forces with the IT consulting firm BearingPoint to give enterprise search to companies. BearingPoint has already been using Google to provide search services to specific industries. One of the issues of enterprise search has been trying to get search engines to work through all the data sources at a corporation and make an index of the contents. Oracle is the first company that has claimed to easily supply this type of service.

Oracle claims its search engine can simply and quickly index the contents of any standard database system, not only its own database. It can also scour file systems and the databases that bolster ERP and CRM applications, including such applications from major companies such as Siebel Systems, J.D. Edwards, PeopleSoft, Oracle and SAP. The search engine will offer data from the application’s database in the same way the application itself would present it.

Crider does admit that SAP customers will have to customize the Oracle engine so it can reach the innermost parts of SAP application data, but the company provides a tool called Secure SDK that can help with setting up the search engine properly.

Oracle Secure Enterprise Search 10g can also index sources such as E-mail systems and documents, web servers, portals and any source accessible through the http protocol or Secure http. The search engine stamps everything with access control information as it goes through the process of data collection. This feature gives specific employees access to specific databases they need without allowing employees to go outside their allowed area of use. Access to information through the search engine can also be synchronized with identity management systems already in place.

Pricing for Oracle Secure Enterprise Search 10g will be approximately $30,000 per CPU.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

Solution Providers Say New "Bagle" Worm Attacks with Legal Threats

Yet another threatening Bagle worm showed up on Friday, March 3. Unlike the previous Bagle worms, security companies and other solution providers state this one makes threats to call lawyers on the recipient instead of the police.

The UK-based company Sophos said that Bagle.do spreads through emails that have misspelled subject lines including the following: “Call to your lawer immediately” and “Lawsuit against you.” The actual body of the message takes on many different forms, but all of them state legal claims from identity theft to fax spamming to the sender’s fax machine or computer.

The file attached to the message has varying names, including “lawsuit.exe” and “explanation.exe,” and claims to have legal documents which are actually the worm. Opening and running the file infects the recipient’s PC with a backdoor and decreases the machine’s security settings. If left untreated, it may also end up downloading unwanted and harmful code to the entire system from different websites.

The Bagle.do worm also spreads via peer-to-peer file sharing by imbedding copies of itself in various folders used by P2P applications including KaZaa and Limewire.

Solution providers and security companies say those that receive this email won’t believe it is meant for them, but they might respond to the sender to tell the person it was sent to the wrong person. What causes the infection is actually opening the attachment, which is how the recipient will infect his/her computer and risk passing it to other users.

Anti-virus companies have called the worm by different names. McAfee called it “Bagle.dy,” and Symantec called it “Bagle.dx.” McAfee reported that the creator of the worm put a message inside the malicious code: “In a difficult world In a nameless time I want to survive So, you will be mine!!”

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

Computer Service Agreements Let You Focus on Your Business

The best computer service agreements offered by reliable companies can give you the extra time and energy you need to handle important daily aspects of your business. When you no longer are worried about your computer needs, you will be able to concentrate on customer acquisition, sales, marketing and all other important elements.

Outsourcing computer and IT needs to a computer expert that offers valuable computer service agreements is the only way to put your mind at ease.

A TRUSTWORTHY PROFESSIONAL

Since computers are the center of nearly every company, finding a computer professional that offers ongoing computer service agreements and is knowledgeable in your particular industry is essential. Even if your product isn’t made by computers, you probably still handle all inventory, supplies, payroll, taxes, accounting and finance issues with computers, and the last thing you need is to worry that they will not keep working during the busiest times.

THERE’S NO REASON TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF

Most business people don’t have the technical expertise to handle all the computer issues in your office. This is why hiring an IT consulting firm that offers ongoing computer service agreements is so important. A technician with the right skills and credentials will strategize with you to find optimal solutions for every computer need.

The main characteristic of a good businessperson is knowing when to hire a professional to help them. Computer service agreements can help these people to assure computers are running properly.

EASY OR DIFFICULT ISSUES

Your computing needs could vary from simple to complex, but regardless, IT outsourcing and ongoing computer service agreements can help you in any situation. Skilled consultants can handle everything from power surges to crippling viruses.

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

Software Maintenance Contracts Offer Protection

Computer users everywhere are looking for software maintenance contracts that can help eliminate viruses. Personal computer users at home and at the office are susceptible to viruses that can entirely destroy systems and halt daily operations. The only way to keep them from happening is by implementing prevention plans like those provided by high quality software maintenance contracts.

UPDATE YOURSELF ON THE LATEST VIRUSES

New computer viruses appear very frequently and are so common and devastating that they often make headlines and halt businesses entirely, either because of infection or because they want to take preventative measures before disaster strikes. Many websites exist that give people ideas about how to avoid computer viruses. Ongoing software maintenance contracts can help take the guesswork out of keeping abreast of the latest viruses by providing help with research, information and professionals to take active measures to stop viruses before they start.

TAKE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

The best advice offered by consultants obtained through software maintenance contracts is to delete mail from unknown senders immediately without opening, and to never open attachments you did not anticipate. Consultants recommend updating virus protection software on a regular basis, which means once a week to keep up with changes.

NOT ALL VIRUSES ARE YOUR FAULT

Even those that take every imaginable precaution against computer viruses will get one at some point. Thankfully computer virus help obtained through software maintenance contracts is available to every type of computer user today. Looking for computer consultants that offer software maintenance contracts is as simple as an Internet search, and professionals can typically quickly take you through the process of fixing a computer with a virus. Prevention is always best, but your ideal option after a virus strikes is a trained professional that offers comprehensive software maintenance contracts.

Blogged by: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

IT Sales: Position Yourself as a Service Provider

When marketing your IT consulting firm, make sure you brand your company in the right way – as a service provider. There are a few questions you want to ask yourself before you begin creating your marketing materials:

1. Does your company name represent your company well?

2. What does your tag line say about you?

3. Consider what your logo symbolizes.

Your name, tag line, and logo say a lot about you and your company, and before you print everything up, you want to make sure that these things will properly reach your customers and give them the right impression about you.

Advertise Your Niche

You want to make sure that you advertise your niche when sending out your marketing materials. For example if you work with many dental offices, you might say something like this: "Learn how dental network solutions can help you increase your patient billing by up to 73 percent without increasing your payroll. Call for our free report today."

Certifications and Products?

Don't talk about them. It's not that they're not important, but the benefits to the customers are more important than your features. You always want to talk about the customer and what you can offer them instead of how great you are. Remember you are selling services not just computers, so make sure your name and materials let the customer know that you are involved in a variety of services for their company (link to full article above).

Posted by Joshua Feinberg

PC Service Contracts – Take Charge Of Your System

PC service contracts can help you to take charge of your system. Computer problems are going to occur but there's no need to let them take you by surprise. Instead, you can take charge of the life of your computer by planning ahead.

Never Feel Helpless Again

The worst part about computer problems is that helpless feeling that comes over you when you have no clue what happened. To make matters worse, you then have to go stand in a long line and ask questions of people who may or may not be able to give you answers.

Plan Ahead

But, if you plan ahead, you won't need to feel helpless anymore. Instead, you'll have a PC service contract with a competent IT firm who can answer all your questions and get your system back up to par in no time. Also, once you learn more about the different types of repairs and the ones most common with your type of system, you can create a PC service contract that perfectly meet your needs.

For more on PC service contracts and how they can benefit your business read the full article (link above).

Blogged by Computer Consulting 101

Diamond's Viper X1900 XTX: Combining Quality and Speed

Diamond Multimedia is an industry leader in creating PC graphics cards. With their new Viper X1900 XTX, they are going above and beyond by combining amazing speed with high-quality graphics. The clock speed for the Viper is 90 nm.

The X1900 also uses Direct X9, bringing three times the shader power to most programs, including games. In addition, it uses a powerful ATI Radeon Chip to make it the most powerful graphics card available.

Diamond offers a guarantee quality on all their cards. For more on their new Viper X1900 XTX, read the article, Diamond's Viper X1900 XTX Combines World's Fastest Consumer 3D Graphics Processor With Top Frame Rates for Best Graphical Detail (link above).

Added by Computer Consulting Kit

Oracle Finds Search

With all the big boys expanding their search capabilities, Oracle refuses to be left behind. Oracle joins Google, IBM, and a host of startups in creating corporate search capable software. Secure Enterprise Search 10g will offer options similar to those offered by Internet searches while allowing companies to search their own networks as well.

With the new enterprise search technology companies have the ability to index all their corporate data and allow it to be searched by authorized users. Secure Enterprise Search 10g should be available by the end of May. "Secure Enterprise Search 10g will also integrate directly into authentication and security policy systems on the corporate network."

For more on Oracle's new enterprise search system and the industry in general, read the full article.

Posted by Computer Consulting 101

IT Marketing – Sales Copy That Delivers

Only extremely compelling sales copy will get your reader's attention. Especially with long letters, you should be sure to follow these four steps:

1. Long sales copy is acceptable if you’re writing a letter IF the letter is a compelling read. In fact, you can go on for several pages. Remember to include endorsements and testimonials.
2. Never use jargon. Stay away from anything that even remotely resembles IT speak. Make sure your copy has a strong business focus because, in most cases, with small businesses, that’s who you’re mailing to – a business owner or business manager.
3. Show that your business has a satisfaction guarantee.
4. Look for a way to personalize it as much as possible. If you have a common connection there, make sure that’s very high up on the letter so they know that.

Urgency Makes It a Priority

In order to get responses from either letters or postcards, you need to make your sales copy urgent. Prospects should have a certain number of days to receive a free needs analysis or a similar free service. The other option would be to say that the first 25 respondents get that service. The sense of urgency convinces business owners to respond immediately instead of putting the paper in a file that may never be opened again.

Learn more about getting the most out of your sales copy in the full article (link above).

Submitted by Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

IT Service Level Agreement: Maximizing Your Technology Replacement Program

With more changes in the industry and an increasing need for frequent laptop upgrades, your technology replacement program is an integral part of your business. By having a service level agreement with an IT consulting firm, you can get expert advice on when and how to replace your hardware.

Choosing the Right Firm

Choosing the right IT firm is the most important part of the process. There are two areas that need your total attention when you choose a company. First you want to make sure that they are certified in their supposed area of expertise. You also want to make sure they have adequate experience to handle your needs with references for you to contact.

Learn more about service level agreements and IT firms in the article, Maximize Your Technology Replacement Program with Effective IT Service Level Agreements (link above).

Posted by Computer Consulting Kit

IT Sales Mean Establishing Client Needs

The first time you meet with prospective IT sales clients, you want them to tell you what their top three issues are. You might find out that the problems they have are not the one you or anyone in your network can handle. If this happens, you should move on. But getting your prospects talking is the gateway to IT sales.

DETERMINING PREFERENCES

You want your prospects to talk about what they have liked and disliked about previous IT support they’ve received. Finding out about their past experiences can help you find out what they are seeking.

The first meeting is also an opportunity for you to decide if their needs are urgent and need to be addressed within the next few days, or if they are looking for something exploratory like an IT audit, site survey, or technology assessment.

Sometimes clients will surprise you and want something you weren’t at all expecting. Usually, however, your clients will be best served by a tech assessment or emergency services.

BRINGING CLIENTS FROM FREE TO FEE

The way to get your prospects from the initial IT sales call to surrendering the fee for your services, you need to find out exactly what their needs are. But you also have to have something prepared to offer them and have proposals that clearly and simply handle their issues. Often you can bring blank forms with you to the IT sales call so you are prepared to have them sign in the event they want to right away.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

Software Maintenance Contracts Provide Advice for Technology-Reliant Companies

Software maintenance contracts are perfect if you need help managing your IT infrastructure or want impartial advice about your next major technology acquisition. The cost of technology may be decreasing, but in contrast, the support necessary to help run it is increasing. In order to fight this problem, companies are still investing in the best technology, but are finding much more reasonable prices for support and maintenance through software maintenance contracts.

THE BENEFITS OF OFFSHORE OUTSOURCING

Many companies worldwide are choosing to outsource software maintenance contracts to consulting firms in order to reduce costs. India has managed to capture almost $8 billion dollars of American software maintenance contracts. But why are so many professionals putting themselves in the hands of offshore software experts?

In 2003, a study asserted that the cost of labor in India for an IT professional is one quarter of the typical U.S. consultant’s earnings. Firms are realizing the potential of not having to pay $80 an hour for the expertise of IT professionals working across the world. Because of the advancements of technology and communication, these relationships are growing quickly.

TODAY’S FIGURES

Banks, investors and other professionals within the financial field are benefiting from the more affordable service provided by software maintenance contracts. 75 percent of people inn a Deloitte Research study said they would definitely choose off-shore outsourcing to fulfill their software maintenance contract needs in the next two years. Cost savings through outsourced software maintenance contracts have reached nearly 39 percent, indicating offshore outsourcing will only continue to boom.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Slashing Migration Costs

SmartDB Corporation is the leading U.S. company providing professional data application migration tools. Today SmartDB announced that it would be teaming with Wave Consulting Group to feature the SmartDB Workbench in the Wave Conversion Factory. SmartDB considers this to be a low cost, high efficiency alternative to outsourcing overseas.

Two of the primary players in the project speak out about its benefits to both companies and to their customers:

Rodney Joe, Managing Director of Wave Consulting Group: "As this market rapidly grows, we have a great chance to become an invaluable partner to our customers. We can compete with anyone on cost and with the SmartDB Workbench, the quality and speed of our work is excellent."

George Langan, SmartDB CEO: "Time, expense, and risk are characteristics of traditional efforts to navigate the intricacies of complicated data conversions. SmartDB eliminates most of those challenges as it guides users through the conversion process and automates testing and execution."

Discover more information about SmartDB and Wave Consulting Group's plans in the article, SmartDB Corporation Teams with Wave Consulting Group to Slash Migration Costs (link above).

Posted by Joshua Feinberg

Former HP Executive Signs On As Global Channel Vice President