The Mozilla Foundation’s Firefox 1.5 earned the top honor in the virtual IT Enterprise Linux category of the 2006 Datamation Product of the Year Awards. The open source browser won just above second place Red Hat Inc.’s Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 with over twice the number of votes. The Zimbra Collaboration Suite from Zimbra Inc. placed third, with Asterisk 1.2 in fourth.
Firefox was the talk of the town in early 2005, but its reputation was fading right before Version 1.5 showed up later in the year. The release was just in time to maintain the energy that was surrounding Firefox, a company that has built a great community through Version 1.5, which because it is an open source product has contributions coming from many different places.
The community is what draws many users to the program, according to Mozilla Corp. The fact that Firefox has 40 million to 50 million active users with 50 to 60 percent of them using Version 1.5 creates an amazing phenomenon. There are many different people participating, including people that help test products and are allowed to view source codes and participate in making the products better. Users become a part of the process.
Virtual IT specialists say there are features that only Firefox has that make it a better browser than many of its competitors. The tabbed browsing catches many malicious web content and makes it perfect for both personal and business use. It helps make a computer more user friendly whether the user is a seasoned professional or someone just learning about the Internet and its capabilities.
Spokespeople for Mozilla state they are expecting to release Version 2.0 later in the year, which will hopefully improve upon some of the minor incompatibilities and help better users’ experiences with the browser.
Added By: Joshua Feinberg
Download This Special Report
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
IT Consulting News: Recent Study Proves Greater Tech Hiring in U.S.
In spite of the trend for American companies to transfer IT consulting and other technology work overseas, a new study shows that the need for U.S. technology workers continues to grow.
The professional development organization, The Association for Computing Machinery released a study last Thursday that claims giving IT jobs to India or China isn’t really a threat to U.S. IT consulting work. This development organization includes academic, government and industry officials from the IT industry.
The study states that only about two to three percent of IT consulting jobs will be lost per annum to lower-wage developing companies through offshoring. But the U.S. IT industry’s growth will be faster than that loss, and the opportunities for IT professionals involved in software architecture, product design, product management and IT consulting will increase.
Experts say that the technology industry in the U.S. is even better than it was during the dot.com boom and predict that it will continue to grow during the next decade along with the opportunities for those involved in the IT profession. One factor in this growth is the use of offshoring by U.S. companies, including start-up firms that limit their costs and grow businesses. This phenomenon creates more opportunities for U.S. workers at the same time as it grows IT consulting firms overseas.
The study noted that companies from many different parts of the economy that invest in IT solutions are always discovering ways to be more efficient and competitive within their respective industries. Presumably, this trend will continue to grow as businesses need to hire IT consulting firms and other IT professionals to stay afloat. Health caree, retail trade, construction and many other services will begin to make more investments in technology as the years progress. Even though technological progress has been great in recent years, bringing about low-cost broadband links with India and China, there are still many reasons U.S. companies will not want to outsource jobs to other countries.
Many parents believe that the IT field does not have good prospects, which is causing students to opt against studying IT fields. Tighter visa restrictions will also prevent more workers from coming to the U.S. to work, thus leaving more jobs for those currently in IT consulting businesses and related fields.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
The professional development organization, The Association for Computing Machinery released a study last Thursday that claims giving IT jobs to India or China isn’t really a threat to U.S. IT consulting work. This development organization includes academic, government and industry officials from the IT industry.
The study states that only about two to three percent of IT consulting jobs will be lost per annum to lower-wage developing companies through offshoring. But the U.S. IT industry’s growth will be faster than that loss, and the opportunities for IT professionals involved in software architecture, product design, product management and IT consulting will increase.
Experts say that the technology industry in the U.S. is even better than it was during the dot.com boom and predict that it will continue to grow during the next decade along with the opportunities for those involved in the IT profession. One factor in this growth is the use of offshoring by U.S. companies, including start-up firms that limit their costs and grow businesses. This phenomenon creates more opportunities for U.S. workers at the same time as it grows IT consulting firms overseas.
The study noted that companies from many different parts of the economy that invest in IT solutions are always discovering ways to be more efficient and competitive within their respective industries. Presumably, this trend will continue to grow as businesses need to hire IT consulting firms and other IT professionals to stay afloat. Health caree, retail trade, construction and many other services will begin to make more investments in technology as the years progress. Even though technological progress has been great in recent years, bringing about low-cost broadband links with India and China, there are still many reasons U.S. companies will not want to outsource jobs to other countries.
Many parents believe that the IT field does not have good prospects, which is causing students to opt against studying IT fields. Tighter visa restrictions will also prevent more workers from coming to the U.S. to work, thus leaving more jobs for those currently in IT consulting businesses and related fields.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
Monday, February 27, 2006
Computer Consulting: Handling the First Sales Meeting
In computer consulting, the initial sales process is really a pre-sales consultation, not a final sale. Because even a successful “sale” on a first phone call or meeting is not final, you need to communicate your professionalism and make an impact so you can distinguish yourself from other computer consulting firms.
Two ways to make an outstanding impression are to take a sincere interest in your potential customer’s business and problems, and get a definite handle on those problems so you can decide if your computer consulting business can provide the appropriate solutions.
FINDING “DIRT”
Sometimes you may look into a prospect and find out some unfavorable information about the person or their company that makes you not want to engage in a business relationship. The computer consulting sales call is a reciprocal interview. If you encounter some strange or generally peculiar information during the call, in background checks or in the news about the prospect, you may want to get out while you still can. It may seem strange to turn down business, but the time investment you give them before the sales call will be minimal, and you will escape a potentially horrible situation unscathed before it even has a chance to begin.
TIME EQUALS MONEY
Before the initial consultation, you will want to take half an hour or a bit more to compile some introductory information to give to your prospect. Even if you are efficient, with driving time, parking, tolls, research and the meeting itself, you will probably spend two or three hours on a client even before you’ve definitely provided them with any real services.
Use the hourly billing rate you are billing out for computer consulting service calls and calculate how much the consultation costs based on that, minus tolls, parking, gas and mileage. You will probably find that this amount really adds up, which is even more of a reason to make sure your prospect is really a good fit before the meeting. Qualifying the client by doing homework about them before-hand will help guarantee that your time and money is not wasted.
Created By: Joshua Feinberg
Two ways to make an outstanding impression are to take a sincere interest in your potential customer’s business and problems, and get a definite handle on those problems so you can decide if your computer consulting business can provide the appropriate solutions.
FINDING “DIRT”
Sometimes you may look into a prospect and find out some unfavorable information about the person or their company that makes you not want to engage in a business relationship. The computer consulting sales call is a reciprocal interview. If you encounter some strange or generally peculiar information during the call, in background checks or in the news about the prospect, you may want to get out while you still can. It may seem strange to turn down business, but the time investment you give them before the sales call will be minimal, and you will escape a potentially horrible situation unscathed before it even has a chance to begin.
TIME EQUALS MONEY
Before the initial consultation, you will want to take half an hour or a bit more to compile some introductory information to give to your prospect. Even if you are efficient, with driving time, parking, tolls, research and the meeting itself, you will probably spend two or three hours on a client even before you’ve definitely provided them with any real services.
Use the hourly billing rate you are billing out for computer consulting service calls and calculate how much the consultation costs based on that, minus tolls, parking, gas and mileage. You will probably find that this amount really adds up, which is even more of a reason to make sure your prospect is really a good fit before the meeting. Qualifying the client by doing homework about them before-hand will help guarantee that your time and money is not wasted.
Created By: Joshua Feinberg
Network Support Contracts Can Provide Personal Help
Network support contracts are most commonly provided in the workplace to help maximize the efficiency of daily operations and also help professionals best keep their technology up and running. But students and others not using laptops for business purposes also need to be assured that their networking capabilities are insured. For these people, it may only take a few simple steps to get the peace of mind of a network support contract.
KEEP COMPUTERS RUNNING UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
A well-plotted and stable network will keep you connected at all times. The purpose of network support contracts is to keep your network running all the time, uninterrupted. If you have a reliable network infrastructure, you will be able to get to files you left at work off-site, any day and at any time. Using professional consultants as part of network support contracts allows companies to give employees access from anywhere. Having these consultants accessible to not only implement but also monitor these networking capabilities will help promote business growth and peace of mind.
PERSONAL NETWORKS
People using their computers at home often want to set up personalized networking options, but find themselves feeling alone sometimes when it comes to the network support contracts they find to help them. No matter how skilled you are at navigating the process of not only setting up but maintaining these at-home networks, you have probably found yourself in need of the extra support provided by a high quality network support contract.
LOOKING FOR ONLINE SUPPORT
Those in academic and government arenas will typically get free network support contracts that help them connect to offices across the campus or between departments. Other people trying to set up networking capabilities can do speedy searches for network support contracts that will help them find Internet resources to trouble shoot when they need immediate or simple help. Online support contracts can provide a wonderful way to get personalized help particularly when balanced with in-person guidance.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit
KEEP COMPUTERS RUNNING UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
A well-plotted and stable network will keep you connected at all times. The purpose of network support contracts is to keep your network running all the time, uninterrupted. If you have a reliable network infrastructure, you will be able to get to files you left at work off-site, any day and at any time. Using professional consultants as part of network support contracts allows companies to give employees access from anywhere. Having these consultants accessible to not only implement but also monitor these networking capabilities will help promote business growth and peace of mind.
PERSONAL NETWORKS
People using their computers at home often want to set up personalized networking options, but find themselves feeling alone sometimes when it comes to the network support contracts they find to help them. No matter how skilled you are at navigating the process of not only setting up but maintaining these at-home networks, you have probably found yourself in need of the extra support provided by a high quality network support contract.
LOOKING FOR ONLINE SUPPORT
Those in academic and government arenas will typically get free network support contracts that help them connect to offices across the campus or between departments. Other people trying to set up networking capabilities can do speedy searches for network support contracts that will help them find Internet resources to trouble shoot when they need immediate or simple help. Online support contracts can provide a wonderful way to get personalized help particularly when balanced with in-person guidance.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Computer Business News: Samsung Makes Driver Source Code Public
Samsung Electronics stated Wednesday that it intends to make the driver source code for its own OneNAND available to Linux/Open Source designers. Samsung spokesperson Jon Kang, senior vice president of technical marketing at Samsung Semiconductor, anticipates that this decision will be very exciting for this community of designers.
Open source code has become a driving force in the technology boom that has caused so many customers to welcome the benefits of mobility into their lives. Therefore, Samsung’s announcement is expected to be well-received in the open design arena, and its effects will be felt by even those outside the industry.
Samsung also claims that revealing the driver source code for OneNAND could very well permit consumer electronic goods designers to easily add OneNAND’s operational instructions to many products.
The design of OneNAND is complex, but incredibly efficient. The fusion architecture sports a single-level-cell (SLC) NAND core with SRAM and logic elements that successfully duplicate NOR Flash interface. OneNAND also offers a sustained data “read” speed of 108 MB/s. This speed is four times faster than regular NAND Flash memory. Samsung also asserts that OneNAND has a “write” speed of 10 MB/s, a speed that is more than 60 times faster than the typical multi-level-cell (MLC) NOR Flash memory.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
Open source code has become a driving force in the technology boom that has caused so many customers to welcome the benefits of mobility into their lives. Therefore, Samsung’s announcement is expected to be well-received in the open design arena, and its effects will be felt by even those outside the industry.
Samsung also claims that revealing the driver source code for OneNAND could very well permit consumer electronic goods designers to easily add OneNAND’s operational instructions to many products.
The design of OneNAND is complex, but incredibly efficient. The fusion architecture sports a single-level-cell (SLC) NAND core with SRAM and logic elements that successfully duplicate NOR Flash interface. OneNAND also offers a sustained data “read” speed of 108 MB/s. This speed is four times faster than regular NAND Flash memory. Samsung also asserts that OneNAND has a “write” speed of 10 MB/s, a speed that is more than 60 times faster than the typical multi-level-cell (MLC) NOR Flash memory.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
U.S. IT Consulting Firm Bought by Fujitsu
Fujitsu, Ltd. Announced the purchase of a U.S. IT firm recently. The acquisition is an opportunity for the Japanese company to increase its clientele in North America.
A United States branch of Fujitsu, Fujitsu Consulting, will buy Rapidigm, a Pittsburgh-centered IT consulting firm that also holds offices in 22 additional major municipal markets in both the United States and India.
The Japanese company will be able to leverage its national IT consulting presence with the addition of Rapidigm as well as increase the company’s ability to deliver products and services offshore, according to Fujitsu Consulting representatives.
As soon as the process of buying Rapidigm is complete, Fujitsu Consulting will add approximately 1,200 U.S.-based consultants, which will make the total number at the North American IT consulting firm over 4,900. As part of the acquisition, Fujitsu will also add an additional 800 India-based consultants spread out between two development centers.
Even though the financial details of the purchase were not revealed, earlier it was reported that the price would be about 20-30 bin yen.
Added By: Computer Consulting Kit
A United States branch of Fujitsu, Fujitsu Consulting, will buy Rapidigm, a Pittsburgh-centered IT consulting firm that also holds offices in 22 additional major municipal markets in both the United States and India.
The Japanese company will be able to leverage its national IT consulting presence with the addition of Rapidigm as well as increase the company’s ability to deliver products and services offshore, according to Fujitsu Consulting representatives.
As soon as the process of buying Rapidigm is complete, Fujitsu Consulting will add approximately 1,200 U.S.-based consultants, which will make the total number at the North American IT consulting firm over 4,900. As part of the acquisition, Fujitsu will also add an additional 800 India-based consultants spread out between two development centers.
Even though the financial details of the purchase were not revealed, earlier it was reported that the price would be about 20-30 bin yen.
Added By: Computer Consulting Kit
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Computer Franchises: What's Your Chance for Success?
One option to consider when starting a new business is a computer franchise. But do you have what it takes?
Buying computer franchises can reduce your risk for failure. Training, basic operating procedures, financial support and advice and many other perks are included in the initial fees associated with computer franchises. However, starting out and maintaining business is not necessarily easy, and you need to carefully consider before even embarking on this venture whether you have the qualities you need to succeed.
DETERMINING YOUR ABILITY TO RUN COMPUTER FRANCHISES
Before you consider running computer franchises you need to make yourself aware of your talents and abilities. Are your computer skills up to par? What is the nature of your experience? What will you need aside from technical skills in order to make this business work?
DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PERSONALITY?
In order to be successful in the franchise business, you have to be naturally out-going and completely driven. You have to be capable of strong leadership, but also be able to work within the rules of the company. Therefore, you have to achieve a delicate balance between the flexible spirit of the entrepreneur and a more rigid corporate structure.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
Computer franchises are one of the biggest commitments a business owner can make. This being said, you have to be very qualified in order to meet the many challenges associated with this type of commitment and guarantee your own success. Your expertise in the computer field is certainly something to think about because it will help you meet the expectations of the company. If you have more knowledge you will spend less time on technical issues and be able to devote more resources to learn about and retain new procedures and protocol.
THINK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY
When you consider buying computer franchises, you have to think about your family. You will need to sacrifice a lot of time and energy to make the business work, and your family should be willing and able to accept the changes and all the risks associated with this endeavor. If your family is behind you 100 percent, you will be able to ease some of the stress. While owning computer franchises may not produce immediate success, if you make an educated decision you can have a rewarding and exciting experience.
Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg
Buying computer franchises can reduce your risk for failure. Training, basic operating procedures, financial support and advice and many other perks are included in the initial fees associated with computer franchises. However, starting out and maintaining business is not necessarily easy, and you need to carefully consider before even embarking on this venture whether you have the qualities you need to succeed.
DETERMINING YOUR ABILITY TO RUN COMPUTER FRANCHISES
Before you consider running computer franchises you need to make yourself aware of your talents and abilities. Are your computer skills up to par? What is the nature of your experience? What will you need aside from technical skills in order to make this business work?
DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PERSONALITY?
In order to be successful in the franchise business, you have to be naturally out-going and completely driven. You have to be capable of strong leadership, but also be able to work within the rules of the company. Therefore, you have to achieve a delicate balance between the flexible spirit of the entrepreneur and a more rigid corporate structure.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
Computer franchises are one of the biggest commitments a business owner can make. This being said, you have to be very qualified in order to meet the many challenges associated with this type of commitment and guarantee your own success. Your expertise in the computer field is certainly something to think about because it will help you meet the expectations of the company. If you have more knowledge you will spend less time on technical issues and be able to devote more resources to learn about and retain new procedures and protocol.
THINK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY
When you consider buying computer franchises, you have to think about your family. You will need to sacrifice a lot of time and energy to make the business work, and your family should be willing and able to accept the changes and all the risks associated with this endeavor. If your family is behind you 100 percent, you will be able to ease some of the stress. While owning computer franchises may not produce immediate success, if you make an educated decision you can have a rewarding and exciting experience.
Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg
Computer Maintenance Contracts Are the Ultimate Investment
If you have managed to decipher the fine print on the extremely complicated service contracts delivered by small companies, you will probably discover you don’t get much in terms of a warrantee. That’s because not many of these businesses have the type of credentials you need to ensure technical work that will help your company succeed. There are many different types of computer maintenance contracts, and some are better than others.
A FUTURE INVESTMENT
If you get your computer repaired the right way by a high quality computer maintenance contract, you are making one of the best investments you can in the longevity of your company. If you rely on someone without all the necessary credentials or training, you might permanently compromise the integrity and life of your delicate computer. You don’t need to take this risk, particularly when there are competent professionals out there who will proudly guarantee their work through professionally designed contracts and warrantees.
COMPANIES WITH REPEAT CLIENTS
You should always look for computer maintenance contract companies with work that lasts for months or more. A good company will have a strong base of repeat clients, businesses and consumer watchdog groups who keep supporting the work the professionals do and re-signing contracts again and again. If you go with computer maintenance contracts provided by unknown, small hobbyist-type companies with no base of loyal customers, you are gambling with important data and the future of your business.
THE RIGHT CONTRACT FOR YOU
If you learn as much as possible about the companies you look at to give you the right type of computer maintenance contracts you are protecting yourself for the present and the future. You want itemized lists and clear explanations within the contracts that will give you insurance you are getting what you are paying for. A credible and reputable firm will always have your computer ready to go again in a week or less.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit
A FUTURE INVESTMENT
If you get your computer repaired the right way by a high quality computer maintenance contract, you are making one of the best investments you can in the longevity of your company. If you rely on someone without all the necessary credentials or training, you might permanently compromise the integrity and life of your delicate computer. You don’t need to take this risk, particularly when there are competent professionals out there who will proudly guarantee their work through professionally designed contracts and warrantees.
COMPANIES WITH REPEAT CLIENTS
You should always look for computer maintenance contract companies with work that lasts for months or more. A good company will have a strong base of repeat clients, businesses and consumer watchdog groups who keep supporting the work the professionals do and re-signing contracts again and again. If you go with computer maintenance contracts provided by unknown, small hobbyist-type companies with no base of loyal customers, you are gambling with important data and the future of your business.
THE RIGHT CONTRACT FOR YOU
If you learn as much as possible about the companies you look at to give you the right type of computer maintenance contracts you are protecting yourself for the present and the future. You want itemized lists and clear explanations within the contracts that will give you insurance you are getting what you are paying for. A credible and reputable firm will always have your computer ready to go again in a week or less.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Network Maintenance Contracts for Hewlett Packard
Hewlett Packard has enjoyed great success in recent years, and as a result the company has had to add comprehensive tech support offered through network maintenance contracts to their repertoire. The steadily-growing company has become famous for its quality products and affordable prices, a combination that has brought both their desktop and laptop computers into offices around the globe. This boom means a need for reliable support so businesses around the world can keep running efficiently.
EQUIPMENT CRITICAL TO A MISSION
For most people, computers have become an absolute necessity. Just about everyone, both at home and at the office, needs reliable technology such as word processing and Internet access to function. Hewlett Packard has sapped into this need for computers and has made them accessible to nearly everyone that needs them. They are part of only a few companies that have been able to lower their prices and still keep product quality intact.
IN COMMAND OF A GLOBAL MARKET
Since Hewlett Packard computers are so prevalent throughout the world, the need for reliable tech support services obtained through network support contracts geared specifically towards the product line is real. Not all computers are created equal, and each brand has a different set of features and idiosyncrasies that need to be addressed by those with a lot of experience with that particular brand and its products.
Finding a tech support consultant that can offer assistance specifically for Hewlett Packard products is critical to keeping business and life efficient if you own that type of computer. A specialized consultant will save time, money, energy, and even teach you something about the investment you use every day. If you intend to own a Hewlett Packard machine, you need to make sure you secure support from network maintenance contracts that specialize in these products to guarantee you easily accessible tech support from the beginning of ownership and throughout the computer’s life.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
EQUIPMENT CRITICAL TO A MISSION
For most people, computers have become an absolute necessity. Just about everyone, both at home and at the office, needs reliable technology such as word processing and Internet access to function. Hewlett Packard has sapped into this need for computers and has made them accessible to nearly everyone that needs them. They are part of only a few companies that have been able to lower their prices and still keep product quality intact.
IN COMMAND OF A GLOBAL MARKET
Since Hewlett Packard computers are so prevalent throughout the world, the need for reliable tech support services obtained through network support contracts geared specifically towards the product line is real. Not all computers are created equal, and each brand has a different set of features and idiosyncrasies that need to be addressed by those with a lot of experience with that particular brand and its products.
Finding a tech support consultant that can offer assistance specifically for Hewlett Packard products is critical to keeping business and life efficient if you own that type of computer. A specialized consultant will save time, money, energy, and even teach you something about the investment you use every day. If you intend to own a Hewlett Packard machine, you need to make sure you secure support from network maintenance contracts that specialize in these products to guarantee you easily accessible tech support from the beginning of ownership and throughout the computer’s life.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
IT Sales: No More Free Consultations
Although a large part of IT sales is providing incentives to gain clients and keep your best customers, you have to be sure your business does not become too heavy on free consultations. Eventually you have to move from the spirit of the sales call to the actual sales.
Your initial sales call is not about proving to your client that you are smart and have a great deal of technical expertise or many certifications; the sales call is your opportunity to test client compatibility so you can move to the next phase of the IT sales process.
Your first order of business is to determine if the prospect is someone you can see you and your company working with long-term. Your prospect should read like other clients with which you’ve had success. Because you’ve done all the leg-work and asked questions about the size of the client’s company and his platform, your next stop in the IT sales plan is to make sure his personality fits your style and that the chemistry is right.
It pays off in the long run to spend about an hour discussing needs with a fairly good-sized small business opportunity and giving away some degree of free advice. But you should be prepared to stop that advice short and get to the meat of the IT sales drive – shifting the focus of the discussion towards hiring your consulting firm to perform an audit or a technology assessment.
FREE IS GUARANTEED TO BREAK YOU
If you keep your services free for too long, you will eventually run out of resources. Many small businesses will continue to take advantage of you if you continue to offer them free services and will move farther and farther away from a sale.
LEARN WHAT SERVICE FITS EACH PROSPECT
The best way to stop yourself from giving away free services is to learn as much about your client and what support you can offer him. Find out your client’s hot buttons well before the initial sales call and know how you will solve his problems. Be prepared to offer discounted and abbreviated services in order to captivate your client, but by no means guarantee him a completely free service.
If you think there may be long-term potential, and not just an immediate need, you can certainly afford to offer an hour of your expertise for free. But don’t decide to give away your time for free until you learn everything you can about each client’s specific needs.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
Your initial sales call is not about proving to your client that you are smart and have a great deal of technical expertise or many certifications; the sales call is your opportunity to test client compatibility so you can move to the next phase of the IT sales process.
Your first order of business is to determine if the prospect is someone you can see you and your company working with long-term. Your prospect should read like other clients with which you’ve had success. Because you’ve done all the leg-work and asked questions about the size of the client’s company and his platform, your next stop in the IT sales plan is to make sure his personality fits your style and that the chemistry is right.
It pays off in the long run to spend about an hour discussing needs with a fairly good-sized small business opportunity and giving away some degree of free advice. But you should be prepared to stop that advice short and get to the meat of the IT sales drive – shifting the focus of the discussion towards hiring your consulting firm to perform an audit or a technology assessment.
FREE IS GUARANTEED TO BREAK YOU
If you keep your services free for too long, you will eventually run out of resources. Many small businesses will continue to take advantage of you if you continue to offer them free services and will move farther and farther away from a sale.
LEARN WHAT SERVICE FITS EACH PROSPECT
The best way to stop yourself from giving away free services is to learn as much about your client and what support you can offer him. Find out your client’s hot buttons well before the initial sales call and know how you will solve his problems. Be prepared to offer discounted and abbreviated services in order to captivate your client, but by no means guarantee him a completely free service.
If you think there may be long-term potential, and not just an immediate need, you can certainly afford to offer an hour of your expertise for free. But don’t decide to give away your time for free until you learn everything you can about each client’s specific needs.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
IT Consulting Firm Offers Free Services in San Francisco Area
The web hosting firm ServerPlex Networks stated that its IT consulting division, ServerPlex Online will give free installation and configuration of 500 wireless networks in San Francisco. This campaign will hopefully encourage use of wireless networking by companies that normally would not have thought it was an option for them.
ServerPlex will also include a wireless router, security configuration and set up on up to two personal computers for individuals that take advantage of this offer. While businesses do not qualify for this promotion, they will receive a discounted rate on these items.
This campaign will hopefully bring wireless networks to both homes and businesses in the area. A company spokesperson explained that setting up a wireless network can be particularly confusing for those using it in their home. Since most people don’t know how to set up necessary security features for their networks to prevent online theft, this promotion will hopefully bring awareness and safety to users as the world enters the wireless Internet Age at full speed.
Added By: Computer Consulting Kit
ServerPlex will also include a wireless router, security configuration and set up on up to two personal computers for individuals that take advantage of this offer. While businesses do not qualify for this promotion, they will receive a discounted rate on these items.
This campaign will hopefully bring wireless networks to both homes and businesses in the area. A company spokesperson explained that setting up a wireless network can be particularly confusing for those using it in their home. Since most people don’t know how to set up necessary security features for their networks to prevent online theft, this promotion will hopefully bring awareness and safety to users as the world enters the wireless Internet Age at full speed.
Added By: Computer Consulting Kit
Solution Providers: Microsoft Office Live May Take Over Web Hosting Market
Solution providers providing web hosting services for small businesses may have to look for other tasks to do if Microsoft’s latest product, Office Live, takes off as expected. Microsoft’s latest attempt at entering the managed services industry is a varied combination of interesting features that will appeal to most small businesses.
Microsoft will launch the Office Live product line in three forms: Office Live Basic, Office Live Collaboration and Office Live Essentials. The completely free Office Live Basic gives clients a domain name, simple design tools, five email accounts and reports on website traffic. Solutions providers that typically charge for these services will be most threatened by this package. It also will affect the sales of those that resell website hosting packages from major companies such as 1&1 Internet and others.
Test center engineers used the Basic package of Office Live to create a website and were amazed with the user friendliness of the product. It gave them the ability to create a very basic website and set up email accounts in a matter of minutes.
Office Live Basic is not totally perfect, however; the design tools provided only run through Explorer 5.5 and are limited. Those looking to create complex websites with any sort of finer detail will not be satisfied by this package. Luckily, a majority of small business owners will find that Office Live serves them well, particularly if they are just looking to create a calling card for themselves or create a static website.
Office Live Essentials, on the other hand, takes the program a step further and offers expanded features and tools along with Microsoft FrontPage support. Businesses that typically would hire a website designer to complete these tasks will find they no longer need one. Solution providers can use this to their advantage by offering affordable support. Similarly, they can use free hosting as a way to sell setup and training services for Office Live Basic.
A broadband connection along with a local copy of Microsoft Office is necessary to run all the packages, and makes syncing Outlook with the contact manager and project manager provided simple.
Office Live Collaboration gives users basic CRM and shared workspace capabilities to the mix and is free during the beta testing phase. The online workspace helps users share information and expertise with clients and others in the field.
Although many of the features of Office Live are easy to use and quite threatening for many solution providers, most small business owners will either need to have great technical skills or help to use the products. Microsoft is hoping the beta testing phase will end by the fourth quarter of this year.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
Microsoft will launch the Office Live product line in three forms: Office Live Basic, Office Live Collaboration and Office Live Essentials. The completely free Office Live Basic gives clients a domain name, simple design tools, five email accounts and reports on website traffic. Solutions providers that typically charge for these services will be most threatened by this package. It also will affect the sales of those that resell website hosting packages from major companies such as 1&1 Internet and others.
Test center engineers used the Basic package of Office Live to create a website and were amazed with the user friendliness of the product. It gave them the ability to create a very basic website and set up email accounts in a matter of minutes.
Office Live Basic is not totally perfect, however; the design tools provided only run through Explorer 5.5 and are limited. Those looking to create complex websites with any sort of finer detail will not be satisfied by this package. Luckily, a majority of small business owners will find that Office Live serves them well, particularly if they are just looking to create a calling card for themselves or create a static website.
Office Live Essentials, on the other hand, takes the program a step further and offers expanded features and tools along with Microsoft FrontPage support. Businesses that typically would hire a website designer to complete these tasks will find they no longer need one. Solution providers can use this to their advantage by offering affordable support. Similarly, they can use free hosting as a way to sell setup and training services for Office Live Basic.
A broadband connection along with a local copy of Microsoft Office is necessary to run all the packages, and makes syncing Outlook with the contact manager and project manager provided simple.
Office Live Collaboration gives users basic CRM and shared workspace capabilities to the mix and is free during the beta testing phase. The online workspace helps users share information and expertise with clients and others in the field.
Although many of the features of Office Live are easy to use and quite threatening for many solution providers, most small business owners will either need to have great technical skills or help to use the products. Microsoft is hoping the beta testing phase will end by the fourth quarter of this year.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
Monday, February 20, 2006
Support Contracts Facilitate Information
Network support contracts are a key component in ensuring a business runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Because the best network specialists offering support contracts are so used to handling many problems at once on a daily basis, they are the ultimate multi-taskers, and thus invaluable as support systems for busy companies.
Network specialists are daily asked to meet a multitude of demands. A problem that needs attention under a network support contract can be an easy one like installing a laptop network card, or it can be incredibly difficult and mean completely revamping a network with thousands of users.
A network specialist has a difficult job; he has to know how a network operates and how the computers within that network interact with each other and the network as a whole. On top of that, a good network specialist must know all about many different types of software programs and hardware implements if they are to offer comprehensive support contracts.
INFORMATION SHARING MADE MORE EFFICIENT
The need for constant information sharing in today’s many industries has appeared as individuals have become more reliant upon computers to complete most elements of their jobs and their many daily responsibilities. Companies need far more than face-to-face, word-of-mouth communication in the modern workplace, and must share information from virtually every area of business in order to succeed.
Providing employees with a dependable local network through which they can interface and have access to the information and resources they need to exchange ideas is critical to company success and growth. Many companies cannot feasibly afford a full-time network specialist. This is the situation that will lead a conscientious business to specialists obtained through reliable network support contracts.
Added By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
Network specialists are daily asked to meet a multitude of demands. A problem that needs attention under a network support contract can be an easy one like installing a laptop network card, or it can be incredibly difficult and mean completely revamping a network with thousands of users.
A network specialist has a difficult job; he has to know how a network operates and how the computers within that network interact with each other and the network as a whole. On top of that, a good network specialist must know all about many different types of software programs and hardware implements if they are to offer comprehensive support contracts.
INFORMATION SHARING MADE MORE EFFICIENT
The need for constant information sharing in today’s many industries has appeared as individuals have become more reliant upon computers to complete most elements of their jobs and their many daily responsibilities. Companies need far more than face-to-face, word-of-mouth communication in the modern workplace, and must share information from virtually every area of business in order to succeed.
Providing employees with a dependable local network through which they can interface and have access to the information and resources they need to exchange ideas is critical to company success and growth. Many companies cannot feasibly afford a full-time network specialist. This is the situation that will lead a conscientious business to specialists obtained through reliable network support contracts.
Added By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
IT Audits: What's Next?
With most clients, the minute you establish a relationship after the IT audits are finished, you should start immediately executing a project plan. This plan should be very detailed and regimented, with spreadsheets that will help systematize elements of the project. Through IT audits you will get an idea of the order of priority for certain tasks and know what has to be accomplished immediately vs. what can wait until a bit later or be placed on a wish list.
WHAT IS A WISH LIST?
The items on a wish list are tasks that have to be completed because they are controlled by a vendor or regulatory agency, or because a product is going to become useless and will no longer have support. Wish list projects will typically have fairly inflexible completion dates. As a person conducting the IT audits, you should treat wish list items as a full-time IT manager. Keep track of them and put them on the wish list according to the month during which they must be completed; they could very well represent your long-term revenue.
STAY ORGANIZED
Once you complete an IT audit, you need to start by organizing the tasks you identify. Organizing is no more difficult than working with a standard Excel document. Set up some columns, including perhaps Month, Estimated Labor Cost, Hardware Cost, and perhaps a column that represent outside contractors the company will need to finish the project or other important extra items you think they will need to track. You may determine that some tasks fall outside your area of expertise, and as a responsible IT professional, you will provide them with the best solutions to fulfill their needs, which often will involve you calling in for extra help where you need it.
Creating a wish list and staying organized will help you plan for the future while keeping the best interests of the company in mind.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
WHAT IS A WISH LIST?
The items on a wish list are tasks that have to be completed because they are controlled by a vendor or regulatory agency, or because a product is going to become useless and will no longer have support. Wish list projects will typically have fairly inflexible completion dates. As a person conducting the IT audits, you should treat wish list items as a full-time IT manager. Keep track of them and put them on the wish list according to the month during which they must be completed; they could very well represent your long-term revenue.
STAY ORGANIZED
Once you complete an IT audit, you need to start by organizing the tasks you identify. Organizing is no more difficult than working with a standard Excel document. Set up some columns, including perhaps Month, Estimated Labor Cost, Hardware Cost, and perhaps a column that represent outside contractors the company will need to finish the project or other important extra items you think they will need to track. You may determine that some tasks fall outside your area of expertise, and as a responsible IT professional, you will provide them with the best solutions to fulfill their needs, which often will involve you calling in for extra help where you need it.
Creating a wish list and staying organized will help you plan for the future while keeping the best interests of the company in mind.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Computer Business Lenovo Builds Strength Through Olympics
As the official computing partner of the 2006 Olympic Games, the computer business Lenovo is helping athletes keep up with training programs, friends and family, and manage their careers. The athletes are not the only ones benefiting from Lenovo computers; journalists, judges and all those supporting the Torino games are giving the computer company the chance to be globally recognized, and only a year after the Chinese company bought out IBM’s personal computer business.
Thanks to the Olympic Partnering Plan, Lenovo is enjoying a rare worldwide marketing opportunity by providing athletes and other game-goers with hardware, and infrastructure that is helping to provide information and support for all involved in the event. Approximately 5,000 Lenovo desktop PCs, 350 servers and almost 1,000 notebook computers are running the four main programs of the Games -- Games Management Systems, Games INFO 2006 System, Venue and Central Results System, and Commentator Information System. Together, these programs are helping run everything from judge’s scoring to personal emailing capabilities.
The Olympic Village in Torino, Italy is host to seven high tech Internet lounges, accessible to athletes, trainers, coaches, judges and journalists. Lenovo is also maintaining a Champions Blog maintained by 11 Olympic athletes from the United States, Slovenia, Norway, Germany, and China that have agreed to participate in a special drive to build worldwide unity by reporting on their experiences. The side benefits for Lenovo have been increased brand awareness and a new push for their business.
The Olympic Games are not just one big marketing campaign for the company. Lenovo gave the opportunity for 100 Lenovo employees to travel to Torino to take part in the excitement of the game and hopes the experience will boost company morale.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101
Thanks to the Olympic Partnering Plan, Lenovo is enjoying a rare worldwide marketing opportunity by providing athletes and other game-goers with hardware, and infrastructure that is helping to provide information and support for all involved in the event. Approximately 5,000 Lenovo desktop PCs, 350 servers and almost 1,000 notebook computers are running the four main programs of the Games -- Games Management Systems, Games INFO 2006 System, Venue and Central Results System, and Commentator Information System. Together, these programs are helping run everything from judge’s scoring to personal emailing capabilities.
The Olympic Village in Torino, Italy is host to seven high tech Internet lounges, accessible to athletes, trainers, coaches, judges and journalists. Lenovo is also maintaining a Champions Blog maintained by 11 Olympic athletes from the United States, Slovenia, Norway, Germany, and China that have agreed to participate in a special drive to build worldwide unity by reporting on their experiences. The side benefits for Lenovo have been increased brand awareness and a new push for their business.
The Olympic Games are not just one big marketing campaign for the company. Lenovo gave the opportunity for 100 Lenovo employees to travel to Torino to take part in the excitement of the game and hopes the experience will boost company morale.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101
Network Consulting: Onsite Chicago Acquires Newtek Computers
IT outsourcing company Onsite Chicago announced February 17 that it would be in charge of maintenance for computers at Newtek Services. The network consulting firm Onsite Chicago will be managing computers at the Newtek Chicago satellite office.
Newtek Business Services, Inc., in business since 1999, is one of the largest providers of financial products and business services and serves small-to-medium-sized companies all over the U.S. The company has been looking for a network consulting firm to manage their computers for quite some time with little success until they came across Onsite Chicago. A spokesperson for the network consulting firm stated that Newtek was at a point where it needed immediate support and reliable services for its computer systems, and had a difficult time finding the right fit to fulfill those needs. Onsite Chicago came into the picture at the perfect time. Since the Newtek Chicago site has been offline for quite some time, exterior sites are starting to feel the effects. Onsite Chicago hopes to immediately rectify this problem and help increase Newtek’s efficiency as a company.
Onsite Chicago brings business technology consulting services to network consulting firms in the Chicago area. The company has over 1700 Gold subscribed clients in Chicago that represent a wide range of sizes and industries.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
Newtek Business Services, Inc., in business since 1999, is one of the largest providers of financial products and business services and serves small-to-medium-sized companies all over the U.S. The company has been looking for a network consulting firm to manage their computers for quite some time with little success until they came across Onsite Chicago. A spokesperson for the network consulting firm stated that Newtek was at a point where it needed immediate support and reliable services for its computer systems, and had a difficult time finding the right fit to fulfill those needs. Onsite Chicago came into the picture at the perfect time. Since the Newtek Chicago site has been offline for quite some time, exterior sites are starting to feel the effects. Onsite Chicago hopes to immediately rectify this problem and help increase Newtek’s efficiency as a company.
Onsite Chicago brings business technology consulting services to network consulting firms in the Chicago area. The company has over 1700 Gold subscribed clients in Chicago that represent a wide range of sizes and industries.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
Saturday, February 18, 2006
IT Audits: What Do Clients Seek?
Performing IT audits for clients means identifying their issues and providing solutions. The key to uncovering problems is anticipating questions they will ask during the audit.
QUESTIONS HELP WITH THE NEEDS ANALYSIS
Your main question, as the one conducting the IT audit is, “What are prospective clients seeking?” The truth is, their needs have not really changed in quite some time. The main thing they want during the audit is guidance on what they should buy. They want to know what platform and product will best work with their specific set-up and what will give them the best value. Your job is to spend several hours assessing their situation to determine what they have and what they will need. Your main job is to map a plan to coordinate different products and platforms that will specifically address their business issues.
WHAT ELSE DO CLIENTS WANT?
Your potential customers might also want to gain other information and services from you when you conduct IT audits, including the following:
1. Informal and formal training that includes end user training and administrator training.
2. Coordination of routine and scheduled upgrades to their systems.
3. Contact with outside vendors for installation of a package specifically designed for their industry.
4. Network installation and maintenance.
Regardless of what a client needs or wants, the main thing they seek is one place that can take care of all their issues easily and efficiently. As their technology advisor, they want to be able to rely on you and put their faith in you in the same way they would depend upon a legal advisor or a marketing consultant. IT audits can give your potential clients faith in you and determine what they will need from you in the future.
Posted By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
QUESTIONS HELP WITH THE NEEDS ANALYSIS
Your main question, as the one conducting the IT audit is, “What are prospective clients seeking?” The truth is, their needs have not really changed in quite some time. The main thing they want during the audit is guidance on what they should buy. They want to know what platform and product will best work with their specific set-up and what will give them the best value. Your job is to spend several hours assessing their situation to determine what they have and what they will need. Your main job is to map a plan to coordinate different products and platforms that will specifically address their business issues.
WHAT ELSE DO CLIENTS WANT?
Your potential customers might also want to gain other information and services from you when you conduct IT audits, including the following:
1. Informal and formal training that includes end user training and administrator training.
2. Coordination of routine and scheduled upgrades to their systems.
3. Contact with outside vendors for installation of a package specifically designed for their industry.
4. Network installation and maintenance.
Regardless of what a client needs or wants, the main thing they seek is one place that can take care of all their issues easily and efficiently. As their technology advisor, they want to be able to rely on you and put their faith in you in the same way they would depend upon a legal advisor or a marketing consultant. IT audits can give your potential clients faith in you and determine what they will need from you in the future.
Posted By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
Network Maintenance Contracts are Critical for Business
Because so many more businesses have found themselves in need of reliable tech support in the past several years, the number of available network maintenance contracts has increased significantly. Our world has been forever changed by computers, and we find ourselves reliant on them for almost every aspect of business. While computers have certainly affected our lives positively, their existence has presented us with a new set of technical challenges for our companies. Because very few of us are able to solve all the problems we may run into, network maintenance contracts that provide the best support for our businesses are essential.
COMPUTERS … EVERYWHERE
Computers have transformed both our professional and personal worlds more than any other invention of the 20th Century. The Internet and PC’s have transformed communication and provided virtually unlimited access to a huge amount of information. Because we rely so much on the Internet and PC’s as a society, network maintenance contracts are absolutely essential to keeping life moving smoothly and uninterrupted.
Most people will agree that phenomena such as email and word processing are key elements of both their personal and business lives. But many people also take for granted the speed and efficiency that computers have brought to their daily lives until disaster strikes. This is when tech support available through a good network maintenance contract is absolutely most critical.
ONLINE COMPUTER HELP
Computers are not very useful unless they are kept running smoothly and on track. When they break down, they can be a hassle that saps time and energy. When computers stop working, online tech support and network maintenance contracts can save the day. The can eliminate the frustration typically associated with a broken computer and provide hope and tangible solutions to busy professionals.
Network maintenance contracts give you more control over your IT network and can help you gain knowledge about your PC and how it fits into a larger system. You will be able to use tech support contractors not only to maintain and repair your computers on a daily basis, but also to teach you more about your IT network or PC so that you can make your business as efficient as it can possibly be.
Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg
COMPUTERS … EVERYWHERE
Computers have transformed both our professional and personal worlds more than any other invention of the 20th Century. The Internet and PC’s have transformed communication and provided virtually unlimited access to a huge amount of information. Because we rely so much on the Internet and PC’s as a society, network maintenance contracts are absolutely essential to keeping life moving smoothly and uninterrupted.
Most people will agree that phenomena such as email and word processing are key elements of both their personal and business lives. But many people also take for granted the speed and efficiency that computers have brought to their daily lives until disaster strikes. This is when tech support available through a good network maintenance contract is absolutely most critical.
ONLINE COMPUTER HELP
Computers are not very useful unless they are kept running smoothly and on track. When they break down, they can be a hassle that saps time and energy. When computers stop working, online tech support and network maintenance contracts can save the day. The can eliminate the frustration typically associated with a broken computer and provide hope and tangible solutions to busy professionals.
Network maintenance contracts give you more control over your IT network and can help you gain knowledge about your PC and how it fits into a larger system. You will be able to use tech support contractors not only to maintain and repair your computers on a daily basis, but also to teach you more about your IT network or PC so that you can make your business as efficient as it can possibly be.
Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
IT Audits: How to Handle Prospects
When you make an initial sales call to a prospect, unless they have an immediate emergency for you to handle, you really want to try to push IT audits. IT audits and half-day technology assessments are the perfect way to introduce a potential long-term client to your IT services. There are several approaches you can take when selling IT audits.
QUICK EQUALS FREE
If you’re looking to grab your prospect’s attention quickly and memorably, a stripped-down, free version of an IT audit might be the way to go. Go in and sit down with your client for half an hour and give them a basic list. If you spend any more time than half an hour, and start to look at details such as hubs, switches or any equipment lay-out or configurations, you are well beyond the limits of what would be considered reasonable for a free assessment. While giving a prospect the feeling that they are getting something valuable for free from you is important in building the foundation of a great business relationship, you should still work within the limits of what is cost-effective for you. Value your services, and your client will too.
CHARGE FOR LONGER ASSESSMENTS
If you start to enter the realm of more thorough IT audit involving equipment analysis and anything else more detailed, bill your prospect. Even if you offer your prospect a free tech assessment or IT audit over the phone, make it clear what is involved, and set up a rate in case you run into a situation on the spot where your client wants more than originally agreed upon.
Created By: Computer Consulting Kit
QUICK EQUALS FREE
If you’re looking to grab your prospect’s attention quickly and memorably, a stripped-down, free version of an IT audit might be the way to go. Go in and sit down with your client for half an hour and give them a basic list. If you spend any more time than half an hour, and start to look at details such as hubs, switches or any equipment lay-out or configurations, you are well beyond the limits of what would be considered reasonable for a free assessment. While giving a prospect the feeling that they are getting something valuable for free from you is important in building the foundation of a great business relationship, you should still work within the limits of what is cost-effective for you. Value your services, and your client will too.
CHARGE FOR LONGER ASSESSMENTS
If you start to enter the realm of more thorough IT audit involving equipment analysis and anything else more detailed, bill your prospect. Even if you offer your prospect a free tech assessment or IT audit over the phone, make it clear what is involved, and set up a rate in case you run into a situation on the spot where your client wants more than originally agreed upon.
Created By: Computer Consulting Kit
Computer Repair Franchises: The Whole Truth About Cost
Computer repair franchises can be huge investments, both in terms of money and time. But they can provide you, as the future owner a great deal of benefits not available to other entrepreneurs. Before you envision the possibilities of your franchise, you have to do a careful cost analysis.
LOCATION
Some computer repair franchises don’t offer help with finding location, but some do. Make a careful list of travel expenses, market data, competitive analysis and other real estate-related costs.
DEPOSITS
Since your potential building landlord will need a deposit for leases and property, you will need to take this into account when detailing your budget. But don’t forget to also include the costs of business licenses, phone and utility deposits.
ARCHITECTS, CONTRACTORS, LANDSCAPERS AND OTHERS
Sometimes entrepreneurs investigate locations for franchises that haven’t yet been built. If you are looking at an unbuilt franchise, make sure you don’t miss hidden costs. Certainly you will have to pay architects and contractors, but what will you pay them to do? It will cost you extra money to have them prepare drawings and also make lists of materials they will need to start construction.
Once construction begins, the real cost enters the picture. Physically building your franchise will of course cost a significant amount of money and time in man-hours. Landscaping will become an issue at this point as well; you will need built-in items such as sprinkler systems. Even if you are leasing a space, you will need to consider repairs, improvements and general redesign to fit your particular franchise.
EQUIPMENT, FIXTURES
Once you’ve taken care of the franchise building from the outside, you will need to envision what is going to go inside. Desks, chairs, computers, telephones and decorations will need to be either leased or bought.
INSURANCE
Your best-case scenario for insurance as a computer franchise owner will be that you only need to pay a deposit for premiums. But many insurance requirements will demand that you pay up-front for the first year. You will need to include everything from auto to worker’s compensation and property or casualty.
Working capital will cover the cost of start-up for most computer repair franchises, but you should expect not to make a profit for at least the first few months. Regardless, you should seek the advice of an accountant or trained financial expert before embarking on your exciting venture.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
LOCATION
Some computer repair franchises don’t offer help with finding location, but some do. Make a careful list of travel expenses, market data, competitive analysis and other real estate-related costs.
DEPOSITS
Since your potential building landlord will need a deposit for leases and property, you will need to take this into account when detailing your budget. But don’t forget to also include the costs of business licenses, phone and utility deposits.
ARCHITECTS, CONTRACTORS, LANDSCAPERS AND OTHERS
Sometimes entrepreneurs investigate locations for franchises that haven’t yet been built. If you are looking at an unbuilt franchise, make sure you don’t miss hidden costs. Certainly you will have to pay architects and contractors, but what will you pay them to do? It will cost you extra money to have them prepare drawings and also make lists of materials they will need to start construction.
Once construction begins, the real cost enters the picture. Physically building your franchise will of course cost a significant amount of money and time in man-hours. Landscaping will become an issue at this point as well; you will need built-in items such as sprinkler systems. Even if you are leasing a space, you will need to consider repairs, improvements and general redesign to fit your particular franchise.
EQUIPMENT, FIXTURES
Once you’ve taken care of the franchise building from the outside, you will need to envision what is going to go inside. Desks, chairs, computers, telephones and decorations will need to be either leased or bought.
INSURANCE
Your best-case scenario for insurance as a computer franchise owner will be that you only need to pay a deposit for premiums. But many insurance requirements will demand that you pay up-front for the first year. You will need to include everything from auto to worker’s compensation and property or casualty.
Working capital will cover the cost of start-up for most computer repair franchises, but you should expect not to make a profit for at least the first few months. Regardless, you should seek the advice of an accountant or trained financial expert before embarking on your exciting venture.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Computer Business: HP Redesigns Company in Favor of Smartphones
Hewlett Packard stated on February 13 that it would be splitting its hand-held device sector from its notebook-computer sector. To help make for a smooth transition, HP has hired a new staff with new leadership to head off the project. Former senior director of corporate development at Sun Microsystems, Inc., Dave Rothschild has been named the new head of the hand-held division according to a Wall Street Journal report.
As a response to questions about this initiative, HP will report its earnings publicly on Wednesday, February 15.
The redesign of the company will help HP benefit from the rapid growth of the “smartphone,” a new mobile technology that allows users to make calls and check email, along with many other functions, while on the go. When CEO Mark Hurd took over the company in March 2005, he began the redesign of the hand-held devices and notebook-computer divisions, and has stated that he now hopes to make the smartphone and other mobile, hand-held devices a priority for HP.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
As a response to questions about this initiative, HP will report its earnings publicly on Wednesday, February 15.
The redesign of the company will help HP benefit from the rapid growth of the “smartphone,” a new mobile technology that allows users to make calls and check email, along with many other functions, while on the go. When CEO Mark Hurd took over the company in March 2005, he began the redesign of the hand-held devices and notebook-computer divisions, and has stated that he now hopes to make the smartphone and other mobile, hand-held devices a priority for HP.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
Solution Providers: NetSuite Offers Discounted Provider Plan
On-demand business applications provider NetSuite, is offering discounts, free training, sales margin increases and other benefits to clients in an attempt to lure Microsoft resellers into Netsuite solution providers.
NetSuite will be providing Microsoft resellers with a 35 percent margin on sales of NetSuite products along with a 50 percent discount on the product for use internally in their companies. The company has also announced it will give free training to up to five people as part of this deal. Even better for Microsoft resellers is that they are not required to stop selling Microsoft products in order to enlist in this special program.
Quite a few Microsoft resellers have already joined NetSuite to benefit from this plan, including Nolan Computers, a Great Plains reseller, Altico Advisors, a Marlborough, Massachusets-based business consulting and software implementation group and several others. All have already enjoyed the flexibility of NetSuite products and the increase in revenue the discounted provider program has brought to their companies.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
NetSuite will be providing Microsoft resellers with a 35 percent margin on sales of NetSuite products along with a 50 percent discount on the product for use internally in their companies. The company has also announced it will give free training to up to five people as part of this deal. Even better for Microsoft resellers is that they are not required to stop selling Microsoft products in order to enlist in this special program.
Quite a few Microsoft resellers have already joined NetSuite to benefit from this plan, including Nolan Computers, a Great Plains reseller, Altico Advisors, a Marlborough, Massachusets-based business consulting and software implementation group and several others. All have already enjoyed the flexibility of NetSuite products and the increase in revenue the discounted provider program has brought to their companies.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
Monday, February 13, 2006
IT Sales: Starting Off Well
Before you make an initial IT sales call, you have to prepare yourself appropriately. Preparation begins well before you pick up the phone or meet with a client; you have to do your homework. Properly qualify the potential customer by asking questions regarding the mission of his company, the company size and his specific industry.
If you determine your client is worth driving a half an hour to see in person for a one- or two-hour meeting, then he’s certainly worth 10-15 minutes of more detailed Internet research, if not more.
SERVICES VS. PRODUCTS
If you do appropriate background research on your client before the initial meeting, you will be able to anticipate all expectations and respond to them immediately. Make sure the client knows right off the bat that you’re there to sell your expertise and solutions instead of simply a piece of machinery. Your services and qualifications should be your first priority when building a relationship and building a profitable and successful business.
If your plan is to also sell products, make that a peripheral item when talking to your client for the first time. Make sure the prospect knows you are embedded in the service industry and therefore want to work with his particular company and its specific problems. If the client feels you are simply selling goods, he will be tempted to shop around for better prices rather for specific problem solving skills and expertise.
YOU CHOOSE YOUR CLIENTS
If you make it clear to your potential clients that you’re a service provider from the very beginning, there will be no doubt as to your intentions and the quality of your business. In IT sales, you are interviewing clients as much as they are interviewing you, so you should ask questions that determine whether they have potential for a long-term, enjoyable business relationship with you.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
If you determine your client is worth driving a half an hour to see in person for a one- or two-hour meeting, then he’s certainly worth 10-15 minutes of more detailed Internet research, if not more.
SERVICES VS. PRODUCTS
If you do appropriate background research on your client before the initial meeting, you will be able to anticipate all expectations and respond to them immediately. Make sure the client knows right off the bat that you’re there to sell your expertise and solutions instead of simply a piece of machinery. Your services and qualifications should be your first priority when building a relationship and building a profitable and successful business.
If your plan is to also sell products, make that a peripheral item when talking to your client for the first time. Make sure the prospect knows you are embedded in the service industry and therefore want to work with his particular company and its specific problems. If the client feels you are simply selling goods, he will be tempted to shop around for better prices rather for specific problem solving skills and expertise.
YOU CHOOSE YOUR CLIENTS
If you make it clear to your potential clients that you’re a service provider from the very beginning, there will be no doubt as to your intentions and the quality of your business. In IT sales, you are interviewing clients as much as they are interviewing you, so you should ask questions that determine whether they have potential for a long-term, enjoyable business relationship with you.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
LAN Support Contracts: Providing Strong Management Support
LAN support contracts and starting up remote computer systems are fantastic ways to create technical support for your company. Allowing staff to use their personal computers to link to the company’s network from any location increases the flexibility of the workplace and can improve a company’s efficiency. LAN support contracts can help you better manage your workforce.
When you have a business with multiple offices in different locations, sometimes it’s difficult to envision having the ability to have your most talented technical support staff at every location. Thanks to LAN support contracts, you can offer remote, but immediate support to all locations at once affordably and effectively.
Remote computer support and LAN support contracts promote flexibility not only in the workforce, but also for clients, particularly of service-oriented companies. Being able to log onto a computer anywhere and have access to a specific computer within the office or its system as if you were sitting in front of it is an amazing experience that was not possible before LAN support contracts. The ability for employees and clients to access important information remotely will improve the quality of customer service and office life. LAN support contracts can give an already intelligent organization limitless possibilities.
Created By: Computer Consulting Kit
When you have a business with multiple offices in different locations, sometimes it’s difficult to envision having the ability to have your most talented technical support staff at every location. Thanks to LAN support contracts, you can offer remote, but immediate support to all locations at once affordably and effectively.
Remote computer support and LAN support contracts promote flexibility not only in the workforce, but also for clients, particularly of service-oriented companies. Being able to log onto a computer anywhere and have access to a specific computer within the office or its system as if you were sitting in front of it is an amazing experience that was not possible before LAN support contracts. The ability for employees and clients to access important information remotely will improve the quality of customer service and office life. LAN support contracts can give an already intelligent organization limitless possibilities.
Created By: Computer Consulting Kit
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Solution Provider: Apple Computers Revolutionizes iPod
A Mac fan site announced that Apple Computers, Inc. is close to finishing a new iPod model that would incorporate a touch screen instead of the usual click wheel that currently navigates the device. Think Secret, the site that revealed the new plans, stated that the revamped video iPod would have a 3.5-inch screen that would encompass the entire front surface area of the media player. It would also be a solution provider for some of the problems users have had with the traditional wheel.
The new iPod will apparently feature a navigating wheel that appears on the screen when the user touches it, and go away as soon as the person’s finger is removed. Apple has been working on this digital navigating tool with several other companies, but is looking to have exclusive licensing rights to the device that will keep it out of competitors’ reach for a while.
While Apple declined comment, the fact that they filed for a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Cupertino, CA last week for the new touch screen raises serious suspicion.
Think Secret has, for a long time anticipated new Apple technology and reported it publicly on their website. In fact, in 2005, Apple sued the company for revealing unreleased products, including the solution provider for the budget-conscious, the under-$500 iMac. The lawsuit is still pending.
Added By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
The new iPod will apparently feature a navigating wheel that appears on the screen when the user touches it, and go away as soon as the person’s finger is removed. Apple has been working on this digital navigating tool with several other companies, but is looking to have exclusive licensing rights to the device that will keep it out of competitors’ reach for a while.
While Apple declined comment, the fact that they filed for a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Cupertino, CA last week for the new touch screen raises serious suspicion.
Think Secret has, for a long time anticipated new Apple technology and reported it publicly on their website. In fact, in 2005, Apple sued the company for revealing unreleased products, including the solution provider for the budget-conscious, the under-$500 iMac. The lawsuit is still pending.
Added By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
VARs News: Lotus Notes Susceptible to Bugs
Big Blue and security advisors announced to the public on February 10 that six critical bugs that could impact the VARs world significantly have been identified in IBM’s Lotus Notes. They claim that the weaknesses could allow hackers to break into and attack corporate networks if not addressed.
The bugs were discovered by a Danish tracking company Secunia, and have been labeled as “highly critical.” The firm stated that some of these imperfections created buffer overflows, which is the only gateway needed for hackers to get into systems and start entering their own codes. Some of the half dozen bugs can transmit dangerous information merely if a user opens a malicious email, while others require attachments to be opened in order to inflict harm.
Several Lotus Notes versions, including 6.5.4 and 7.0 displayed these bugs, which can be fixed simply by updating to version 6.5.5 or 7.0.1. IBM recommended to users that they be particularly vigilant about not opening suspicious emails or file attachments, even from familiar or known senders. IBM offered quick fixes for some Lotus Notes clients unable to immediately patch the problem, but required other administrators to disable many DLLs.
The last bugs to show themselves in Lotus Notes were in late January. It was at this point that IBM first announced that the email system and its client could be at risk for DoS strikes.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
The bugs were discovered by a Danish tracking company Secunia, and have been labeled as “highly critical.” The firm stated that some of these imperfections created buffer overflows, which is the only gateway needed for hackers to get into systems and start entering their own codes. Some of the half dozen bugs can transmit dangerous information merely if a user opens a malicious email, while others require attachments to be opened in order to inflict harm.
Several Lotus Notes versions, including 6.5.4 and 7.0 displayed these bugs, which can be fixed simply by updating to version 6.5.5 or 7.0.1. IBM recommended to users that they be particularly vigilant about not opening suspicious emails or file attachments, even from familiar or known senders. IBM offered quick fixes for some Lotus Notes clients unable to immediately patch the problem, but required other administrators to disable many DLLs.
The last bugs to show themselves in Lotus Notes were in late January. It was at this point that IBM first announced that the email system and its client could be at risk for DoS strikes.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101
Saturday, February 11, 2006
PC Support Contracts: Going with the Online Alternative
PC maintenance contracts are quickly becoming the best way to generate sales, improve support and lower the cost of labor. Because an online sales and support staff can more quickly attend to the needs of customers than those that provide telephone support, many people are beginning to choose to go with online contracts.
Sometimes very limited PC maintenance contracts cannot offer help in real-time, so if you are shopping around for support that will help you with immediate needs, you should go with an online contract that offers chat-based support. Having instant access to a technician can give you the answers you need at a moment’s notice and improve the efficiency of your business exponentially by often being able to instantly patch your systems or resolve your problems yourself with guided help.
USING YOUR FUNDS MORE EFFICIENTLY
When it comes to overhead, using live online help is a much less expensive way to handle PC maintenance contracts than having full-time office-based workers. Communication costs are lowered significantly, and questions can be answered very quickly, allowing for more customers to be served simultaneously.
LOWERING EXPENSES
Chat-based support under PC maintenance contracts can help organizations noticeably decrease their expenses. Through high-speed connections, instant messaging to gain computer support and to personally communicate has become commonplace in offices everywhere. In time, there is the real chance that online PC maintenance contracts will become the premiere choice for all businesses.
Created By: Joshua Feinberg
Sometimes very limited PC maintenance contracts cannot offer help in real-time, so if you are shopping around for support that will help you with immediate needs, you should go with an online contract that offers chat-based support. Having instant access to a technician can give you the answers you need at a moment’s notice and improve the efficiency of your business exponentially by often being able to instantly patch your systems or resolve your problems yourself with guided help.
USING YOUR FUNDS MORE EFFICIENTLY
When it comes to overhead, using live online help is a much less expensive way to handle PC maintenance contracts than having full-time office-based workers. Communication costs are lowered significantly, and questions can be answered very quickly, allowing for more customers to be served simultaneously.
LOWERING EXPENSES
Chat-based support under PC maintenance contracts can help organizations noticeably decrease their expenses. Through high-speed connections, instant messaging to gain computer support and to personally communicate has become commonplace in offices everywhere. In time, there is the real chance that online PC maintenance contracts will become the premiere choice for all businesses.
Created By: Joshua Feinberg
IT Marketing: How to Incorporate Testimonials
Testimonials are one of the best IT marketing tools for your business and give you the foundation of credibility you need to gain a client base. If you want believable testimonials, they have to include at least the following information: first name; last name; job title; company name; city; and state. Having all this relevant information to pass onto prospective clients will help legitimize your business. Prospective clients will unfortunately be more apt to believe the testimonies of third parties without a direct interest in your company than they are your IT marketing sales copy.
WHAT SHOULD TESTIMONIALS INVOLVE?
When looking to get strong testimonials from clients, make sure they are benefits-focused, written on your customer’s letterhead and that they discuss how your company has helped them over a relatively long period of time. Clients should include specific information such as the return on their investment, how reliable you have been, what kind of response time you offered and your conduct and policies regarding emergencies.
HOW DO YOU GET TESTIMONIALS?
The most important thing you can do to ensure that customers will work with you to give high quality testimonials is to make the process simple for them:
n Interview them and guide them in the proper direction with specific questions.
n E-mail them testimonials in the suggested format to give them a clear example of what you want. They can even simply edit it or just sign off on it and print it on their own letterhead.
n Put together a survey-like list of five or six bullet-points for them to talk about in their testimonial.
n Take clients out for a meal and interview them directly about their experiences with your business. Jot down notes and afterwards type it up in the form of a sample testimonial. Send it to your clients and ask them if it accurately portrays their experiences with you. If it does, they can print it on their letterhead, sign it and send it back to you for your files.
Regardless of how you go about getting your testimonials, make it a simple process for your clients, and you will gain an excellent IT marketing tool.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit
WHAT SHOULD TESTIMONIALS INVOLVE?
When looking to get strong testimonials from clients, make sure they are benefits-focused, written on your customer’s letterhead and that they discuss how your company has helped them over a relatively long period of time. Clients should include specific information such as the return on their investment, how reliable you have been, what kind of response time you offered and your conduct and policies regarding emergencies.
HOW DO YOU GET TESTIMONIALS?
The most important thing you can do to ensure that customers will work with you to give high quality testimonials is to make the process simple for them:
n Interview them and guide them in the proper direction with specific questions.
n E-mail them testimonials in the suggested format to give them a clear example of what you want. They can even simply edit it or just sign off on it and print it on their own letterhead.
n Put together a survey-like list of five or six bullet-points for them to talk about in their testimonial.
n Take clients out for a meal and interview them directly about their experiences with your business. Jot down notes and afterwards type it up in the form of a sample testimonial. Send it to your clients and ask them if it accurately portrays their experiences with you. If it does, they can print it on their letterhead, sign it and send it back to you for your files.
Regardless of how you go about getting your testimonials, make it a simple process for your clients, and you will gain an excellent IT marketing tool.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Service Level Agreements: Anticipating Emergencies
Service level agreements with help for computer crashes are critical for any business. The time you put into creating the documents that you store on your computer is invaluable, and the sheer amount of information stored in every PC is often irreplaceable. If and when a computer crash happens, those without access to skilled technical consultants attached to service level agreements can feel helpless.
PROCRASTINATION IS NOT AN OPTION
Most individuals do not think about computer crashes or service level agreements until they are in the midst of a crisis. Even though nearly everyone has experienced a nasty computer crash, or is at least aware that they do happen from time-to-time, no one addresses them until they happen. Planning ahead by setting up a service level agreement at the beginning of your computer’s life is very important, and will help you in the event of a major emergency.
PREVENTION, NOT A CURE
Even though certain computer crashes might be inevitable and very disastrous, having a service level agreement with your own technical consultant can help you make the most of the situation. Consultants attached to high quality service level agreements can help get computers working again and even sometimes recover important lost documents. To many experienced consultants who offer service level agreements, even the most awful-looking disaster can have a simple solution.
The most important part of planning service level agreements is to get them early and not wait until the last minute to hire a consultant for a disaster. You must be proactive and maintain a relationship with technicians so they can get to know your computers and systems and help you quickly should serious issues arise.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101
PROCRASTINATION IS NOT AN OPTION
Most individuals do not think about computer crashes or service level agreements until they are in the midst of a crisis. Even though nearly everyone has experienced a nasty computer crash, or is at least aware that they do happen from time-to-time, no one addresses them until they happen. Planning ahead by setting up a service level agreement at the beginning of your computer’s life is very important, and will help you in the event of a major emergency.
PREVENTION, NOT A CURE
Even though certain computer crashes might be inevitable and very disastrous, having a service level agreement with your own technical consultant can help you make the most of the situation. Consultants attached to high quality service level agreements can help get computers working again and even sometimes recover important lost documents. To many experienced consultants who offer service level agreements, even the most awful-looking disaster can have a simple solution.
The most important part of planning service level agreements is to get them early and not wait until the last minute to hire a consultant for a disaster. You must be proactive and maintain a relationship with technicians so they can get to know your computers and systems and help you quickly should serious issues arise.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101
IT Marketing: Critical Decision Makers
One of the most effective ways in IT marketing to expand beyond your initial client base is to reach out into your community and mingle with those you know to be decision makers. It is especially beneficial to find those that will be most helpful to you within your chosen niche.
For example, if you plan to target small business owners and managers, you may go out and meet a lot of bank branch managers; however, these people are not your kind of decision makers, nor are the non-profit executive directors that do not have money to spend on your IT services. It’s important for you to familiarize yourself with the kind of decision maker you’re looking for and figure out how to find this person in the organizations you belong to or seminars and conferences you attend.
PARTNER PROGRAMS
Joining a partner or reseller program can be an excellent IT marketing technique and will help you become known in the local community. For example, you could join a Microsoft Certified Partner program. Once you do this, particularly as a smaller IT firm, it is critical that you identify the local field representative and make contact. Then take the time to talk to the field rep, exchange business cards, make sure they remember your face and your name. Send this person emails or call every few weeks to give them updates and ask them important questions about the local market.
INVESTIGATE THE ISSUES
Once you establish a relationship with the decision maker in this partner program, or any decision maker you meet, truly investigate the problems in the local community. Ask the decision maker if there are any really big issues they continually run into when speaking with others, and if he/she knows any ways you could help solve them. Ask if there are any members of the channel programs that might be interested in partnering, either for work quote issues or even non-competing skill sets. Local channel representatives and other such decision makers are a great source for helping to identify common community problems and furthering your IT marketing plan.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
For example, if you plan to target small business owners and managers, you may go out and meet a lot of bank branch managers; however, these people are not your kind of decision makers, nor are the non-profit executive directors that do not have money to spend on your IT services. It’s important for you to familiarize yourself with the kind of decision maker you’re looking for and figure out how to find this person in the organizations you belong to or seminars and conferences you attend.
PARTNER PROGRAMS
Joining a partner or reseller program can be an excellent IT marketing technique and will help you become known in the local community. For example, you could join a Microsoft Certified Partner program. Once you do this, particularly as a smaller IT firm, it is critical that you identify the local field representative and make contact. Then take the time to talk to the field rep, exchange business cards, make sure they remember your face and your name. Send this person emails or call every few weeks to give them updates and ask them important questions about the local market.
INVESTIGATE THE ISSUES
Once you establish a relationship with the decision maker in this partner program, or any decision maker you meet, truly investigate the problems in the local community. Ask the decision maker if there are any really big issues they continually run into when speaking with others, and if he/she knows any ways you could help solve them. Ask if there are any members of the channel programs that might be interested in partnering, either for work quote issues or even non-competing skill sets. Local channel representatives and other such decision makers are a great source for helping to identify common community problems and furthering your IT marketing plan.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Computer Business: Risks of Instant Messenger and Business Communication
Instant Messenger (IM) was once reserved for the social practices of teenagers that used the same IM chat provider. However, this changed in 2004 when Microsoft announced its enterprise IM program, Live Communications Server that could link to other public chat services such as AOL and Yahoo. In January, IBM pronounced that its IM program, Sametime now has agreements with AOL and Yahoo that will make it compatible with more platforms.
While the prevalence of IM programs in business certainly makes communication easier in many ways for companies, there are some issues with public IM services that should be taken into account by companies before they take the plunge into real-time communication.
The first issue is that IM programs give no namespace control. If employers allow their staff to install their own public IM programs and set up their own identities, the identities might not be in line with the company’s naming policy. Also, if and when the employee leaves the company, there is no way to prevent that employee to continue to use the identity.
Another issue is the important one of security. Because IM programs can and do break through corporate firewalls, companies make themselves susceptible to malicious and dangerous instant messages. There is also the risk that messages containing sensitive and important company information can be intercepted by an outside party, or even that worms or other dangerous viruses can be transmitted.
Still a third issue is limited monitoring of conversations. If your company runs under any of the compliance regulations, such as Sarbanes Oxley or Basel II, which require you to monitor and log all IM conversations, consumer-grade IM programs will not allow threads to be saved. Sametime and Live Communication Server both deal with this issue when used internally by a company, but you have to be careful when linking to outside systems and public IM programs.
Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg
While the prevalence of IM programs in business certainly makes communication easier in many ways for companies, there are some issues with public IM services that should be taken into account by companies before they take the plunge into real-time communication.
The first issue is that IM programs give no namespace control. If employers allow their staff to install their own public IM programs and set up their own identities, the identities might not be in line with the company’s naming policy. Also, if and when the employee leaves the company, there is no way to prevent that employee to continue to use the identity.
Another issue is the important one of security. Because IM programs can and do break through corporate firewalls, companies make themselves susceptible to malicious and dangerous instant messages. There is also the risk that messages containing sensitive and important company information can be intercepted by an outside party, or even that worms or other dangerous viruses can be transmitted.
Still a third issue is limited monitoring of conversations. If your company runs under any of the compliance regulations, such as Sarbanes Oxley or Basel II, which require you to monitor and log all IM conversations, consumer-grade IM programs will not allow threads to be saved. Sametime and Live Communication Server both deal with this issue when used internally by a company, but you have to be careful when linking to outside systems and public IM programs.
Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg
Computer Consulting News: Premiere Global Services Executive Randy Leigh Receives Pace Award
On February 1, Premiere Global Services executive Randy Leigh was honored as the 2005 TeleSpan Pace Award. The award, delivered annually, honors teleconferencing professionals that have been prominent in their field for a decade or more.
According to the founder and publisher of TeleSpan Eliot Gold, Leigh’s focus on customer-based innovative conferencing systems and his technical expertise led to his receipt of the prestigious award. Gold further stated that virtually no other figure in technological foundations and advances in the voice conferencing market has been as critical as Leigh.
Leigh has more than 15 years’ experience in software development and in other technology-related fields. He oversees all technology advancements that takes place in the systems development and research departments of Premiere Global Services. Leigh joined the company in 1998 after working as a project leader at Lacerte Software (now Intuit), where he was instrumental in developing cutting edge Windows-based tax software. While at Premiere Global, Leigh has helped design countless conferencing products that have helped simplify the business lives of clients and help them communicate more efficiently.
Premiere Global Services, Inc. is an Atlanta-based, global provider of business process solutions that help clients simplify their critical business processes and also allow improve their communication capabilities.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
According to the founder and publisher of TeleSpan Eliot Gold, Leigh’s focus on customer-based innovative conferencing systems and his technical expertise led to his receipt of the prestigious award. Gold further stated that virtually no other figure in technological foundations and advances in the voice conferencing market has been as critical as Leigh.
Leigh has more than 15 years’ experience in software development and in other technology-related fields. He oversees all technology advancements that takes place in the systems development and research departments of Premiere Global Services. Leigh joined the company in 1998 after working as a project leader at Lacerte Software (now Intuit), where he was instrumental in developing cutting edge Windows-based tax software. While at Premiere Global, Leigh has helped design countless conferencing products that have helped simplify the business lives of clients and help them communicate more efficiently.
Premiere Global Services, Inc. is an Atlanta-based, global provider of business process solutions that help clients simplify their critical business processes and also allow improve their communication capabilities.
Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
Monday, February 06, 2006
Computer Consulting: Starting With a Written Plan
Opening a computer consulting business starts with a written plan. Instead of relying on the plan that’s in your head, you should write them down. Putting a tangible plan in front of you makes accomplishing your goals easier and much more likely.
STEP 1
As an initial step, think of all the things you will need to accomplish before opening your computer consulting firm. Then write them down in order of their priority. You may think of some or all of the following: choosing a name; printing business cards; ordering a second phone line; or joining organizations that will help you network.
MAKE A TEMPLATE
Creating a template is a good way to organize your thoughts and ideas. In it, you can write down all your tasks and the date by which you should have accomplished them, working backwards from the launch date of your computer consulting business.
At the top of your template should be the “Launch Date” of your business.
Next on the page should be your “Top Ten” to-do list with a date affixed to each task. Be sure to keep referring back to your launch date when making your list, as this date is important in envisioning your long-term goals.
The next item on the list should be a space for a list of company name suggestions, followed by a second space for a list of organizations to join that will help you get into your niche.
Breaking your tasks down into small steps and making a very solid list will make meeting your goals by the launch date very possible. If you give yourself enough time, you can make it a point to accomplish two tasks on the list per week, and your computer consulting business will be open before you know it.
Created By: Joshua Feinberg
STEP 1
As an initial step, think of all the things you will need to accomplish before opening your computer consulting firm. Then write them down in order of their priority. You may think of some or all of the following: choosing a name; printing business cards; ordering a second phone line; or joining organizations that will help you network.
MAKE A TEMPLATE
Creating a template is a good way to organize your thoughts and ideas. In it, you can write down all your tasks and the date by which you should have accomplished them, working backwards from the launch date of your computer consulting business.
At the top of your template should be the “Launch Date” of your business.
Next on the page should be your “Top Ten” to-do list with a date affixed to each task. Be sure to keep referring back to your launch date when making your list, as this date is important in envisioning your long-term goals.
The next item on the list should be a space for a list of company name suggestions, followed by a second space for a list of organizations to join that will help you get into your niche.
Breaking your tasks down into small steps and making a very solid list will make meeting your goals by the launch date very possible. If you give yourself enough time, you can make it a point to accomplish two tasks on the list per week, and your computer consulting business will be open before you know it.
Created By: Joshua Feinberg
IT Marketing: Ways to Put Your Company Out There
Selling a solution as a consultant through an IT marketing plan to a community of clients takes two primary steps. The first step is building awareness of the problem to be solved, and the second is building awareness in the community that your firm can solve that problem. Not only do you have to convince others that your firm can address the issue, no matter how complex, but you also have to let them know you will be able to do it in the most painless and efficient way possible.
SEMINAR MARKETING
Seminar marketing is an excellent IT marketing strategy because it has the express purpose of making others aware of your firm in a very time-efficient manner. Instead of sending salespeople out to individual clients, or going out yourself, you get the benefit of having a large group of prospects in the room at the same time.
Seminar marketing also takes the pressure off your potential clients because they are not put on the spot individually; they can simply listen to the information you provide and decide for themselves how they feel about your solutions. With the right communication of your skills and problem solving plan, and the right registration and follow-up plan, you can drum up a great deal of business through these seminars delivered to clients within your niche.
WHITE PAPERS
Publishing a white paper report or an E-zine is also a great IT marketing strategy and one that will help you get leads and capture the attention of potential clients. For example, if you have a direct mail campaign, it helps to have something tangible and valuable to include for prospects besides just the letter you send. You can develop the white paper yourself, outsource a freelance writer or simply write something based on marketing seminars you do.
GET THE WORD OUT
Once you come up with a white paper or E-zine, make getting it out there an essential part of your IT marketing campaign. Include it in any mailings you send, or advertise its existence in print ads. The promise of a paper about your company will spark prospect interest and increase their desire to call you for it or go online and request something. And once prospects come to you, you have a great excuse to capture their information and start a relationship.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
SEMINAR MARKETING
Seminar marketing is an excellent IT marketing strategy because it has the express purpose of making others aware of your firm in a very time-efficient manner. Instead of sending salespeople out to individual clients, or going out yourself, you get the benefit of having a large group of prospects in the room at the same time.
Seminar marketing also takes the pressure off your potential clients because they are not put on the spot individually; they can simply listen to the information you provide and decide for themselves how they feel about your solutions. With the right communication of your skills and problem solving plan, and the right registration and follow-up plan, you can drum up a great deal of business through these seminars delivered to clients within your niche.
WHITE PAPERS
Publishing a white paper report or an E-zine is also a great IT marketing strategy and one that will help you get leads and capture the attention of potential clients. For example, if you have a direct mail campaign, it helps to have something tangible and valuable to include for prospects besides just the letter you send. You can develop the white paper yourself, outsource a freelance writer or simply write something based on marketing seminars you do.
GET THE WORD OUT
Once you come up with a white paper or E-zine, make getting it out there an essential part of your IT marketing campaign. Include it in any mailings you send, or advertise its existence in print ads. The promise of a paper about your company will spark prospect interest and increase their desire to call you for it or go online and request something. And once prospects come to you, you have a great excuse to capture their information and start a relationship.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Solution Providers: Motorola Improves MotoMesh Network
Motorola recently announced its MotoMesh network solution is now widely available, and stated its upcoming plans to launch a new channel program next quarter to help boost its visibility and success in the rapidly advancing mesh market.
The program emerged after Motorola’s 2004 acquisition of the Florida-based Mesh Networks, which already had 15 mobile broadband VARs. It is one of the leading mesh-based solution providers on the market.
The MotoMesh program will include two levels, Gold and Silver, both dependent upon volume. It will also have both co-marketing and co-branding features. MotoMesh is system intended to provide simultaneous Wi-Fi access and connectivity service to public safety agencies.
Each access point available through the program offers two Wi-Fi radios and two of Motorola’s Mesh Enabled Architecture (MEA) radios. The access point operates in channels reserved for emergency personnel.
Terry Brown, Marketing Manager at Viasys, a Motorola Partner in Lakeland, Florida, says the Mesh Network strategy was to engage experienced integrators and allow them to be involved in all elements of the process from winning the projects to selling, servicing and installing. The main idea of the program is to give Motorola the opportunity to be an extra set of hands for the vendor, who doesn’t typically have field experience.
The MotoMesh solution works excellently for vehicles in motion, a feature attributed to its 802.20a technology, a rapidly growing mobile broadband standard that makes it possible to stream technologically heavy and complex broadband content to a vehicle moving up to 100 miles per hour.
Created By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
The program emerged after Motorola’s 2004 acquisition of the Florida-based Mesh Networks, which already had 15 mobile broadband VARs. It is one of the leading mesh-based solution providers on the market.
The MotoMesh program will include two levels, Gold and Silver, both dependent upon volume. It will also have both co-marketing and co-branding features. MotoMesh is system intended to provide simultaneous Wi-Fi access and connectivity service to public safety agencies.
Each access point available through the program offers two Wi-Fi radios and two of Motorola’s Mesh Enabled Architecture (MEA) radios. The access point operates in channels reserved for emergency personnel.
Terry Brown, Marketing Manager at Viasys, a Motorola Partner in Lakeland, Florida, says the Mesh Network strategy was to engage experienced integrators and allow them to be involved in all elements of the process from winning the projects to selling, servicing and installing. The main idea of the program is to give Motorola the opportunity to be an extra set of hands for the vendor, who doesn’t typically have field experience.
The MotoMesh solution works excellently for vehicles in motion, a feature attributed to its 802.20a technology, a rapidly growing mobile broadband standard that makes it possible to stream technologically heavy and complex broadband content to a vehicle moving up to 100 miles per hour.
Created By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
IT Consulting News: ActiveShopper Site Visits Boom
The Shelron Group, parent company of ActiveShopper.com, stated February 3 that site traffic during the fourth quarter of 2005 rose to nearly 12 million page views for both the ActiveShopper.com site and other versions of the site. The site’s growing popularity continued in January, which saw 5.7 million page views. Chairman and CEO of the Shelron Group, Eliron Yaron expects that the first quarter of 2006 will set a new quarterly page views record.
The Shelron Group also announced that its discussions to enter into a licensing agreement with NeoMedia Technologies, a major force in IT consulting, are on track. Both companies signed their letter of intent to work together during the first quarter of 2005. The agreement will give Shelron global rights to both use and license NeoMedia’s technology PaperClick ® and also patents in the creation of an ActiveShopper ™ technology for mobile devices.
Shelron Group, Inc. is one of the world’s leading developer of comparative shopping software, services and products. ActiveShopper ™ is the official brand name of the company’s comparative shopping products, including a search engine and various installable clients. NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. is a marketer and international developer of software and patented technologies used in many businesses globally.
Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg
The Shelron Group also announced that its discussions to enter into a licensing agreement with NeoMedia Technologies, a major force in IT consulting, are on track. Both companies signed their letter of intent to work together during the first quarter of 2005. The agreement will give Shelron global rights to both use and license NeoMedia’s technology PaperClick ® and also patents in the creation of an ActiveShopper ™ technology for mobile devices.
Shelron Group, Inc. is one of the world’s leading developer of comparative shopping software, services and products. ActiveShopper ™ is the official brand name of the company’s comparative shopping products, including a search engine and various installable clients. NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. is a marketer and international developer of software and patented technologies used in many businesses globally.
Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
IT Marketing: Reaching Out to Your Customer Database
Creating a mailing for your current customers is an excellent way to start in IT marketing and can be a very effective business tool. First of all, you already know the people on the list, so it should be easy for you to reach out to them. But, even more importantly, they already know and trust you, so they will be receptive to your ideas.
WHAT SHOULD YOU PITCH?
If you are already perfectly comfortable talking to business managers and owners you know about providing services like virus protection, firewalls, password protection, data back-up and other issues, it should be easy for you to add to that list more complex items like IT audit and data protection.
Chances are, the people that know you will listen to you, but they may not automatically buy into new ideas. When pitching new concepts, offer an extremely discounted IT audit package. For example, if normally you would charge $400, tell them it’s only $299. Throw in some bonus features like a surge protector or an entry-level battery back-up unit. Because they are your most valued clients, they not only deserve it, but they will respond with more business in the future.
TRACK YOUR RESULTS
Part of a successful IT marketing plan is tracking the responses you get from mailing campaigns. Your current client database is a good place to do a test to see how others in the community might respond to your offers. If you see that out of all the existing clients you reach, 5 percent respond and half of those take the audit package it will allow you to measure responses you might get from similar mailings to other potential clients.
HELP YOUR CUSTOMERS USE EXISTING RESOURCES
You can build trust in your relationships with current clients by asking them how you can help them additionally to better use hardware, software or other items that they already own. Most companies buy a lot of things that end up collecting dust. Showing them how to use things they already have that might truly advance their businesses will increase the esteem they have for you and boost your relationship with them. Helping them make use of things they already have will also help support your business by giving you incremental service revenue.
Posted By: Computer Consulting Kit
WHAT SHOULD YOU PITCH?
If you are already perfectly comfortable talking to business managers and owners you know about providing services like virus protection, firewalls, password protection, data back-up and other issues, it should be easy for you to add to that list more complex items like IT audit and data protection.
Chances are, the people that know you will listen to you, but they may not automatically buy into new ideas. When pitching new concepts, offer an extremely discounted IT audit package. For example, if normally you would charge $400, tell them it’s only $299. Throw in some bonus features like a surge protector or an entry-level battery back-up unit. Because they are your most valued clients, they not only deserve it, but they will respond with more business in the future.
TRACK YOUR RESULTS
Part of a successful IT marketing plan is tracking the responses you get from mailing campaigns. Your current client database is a good place to do a test to see how others in the community might respond to your offers. If you see that out of all the existing clients you reach, 5 percent respond and half of those take the audit package it will allow you to measure responses you might get from similar mailings to other potential clients.
HELP YOUR CUSTOMERS USE EXISTING RESOURCES
You can build trust in your relationships with current clients by asking them how you can help them additionally to better use hardware, software or other items that they already own. Most companies buy a lot of things that end up collecting dust. Showing them how to use things they already have that might truly advance their businesses will increase the esteem they have for you and boost your relationship with them. Helping them make use of things they already have will also help support your business by giving you incremental service revenue.
Posted By: Computer Consulting Kit
IT Specialist: Specialist, Not Generalist
Becoming a true IT specialist can be rather difficult when to be successful in virtual IT, you also have to be a generalist, balancing many tasks at once. As a specialist, you may find yourself multi-tasking constantly and completing tasks that sometimes seem unrelated to each other or to your mission.
You might be designing networks, helping clients with procurement, managing relations, dealing with phone companies, web hosts and ISP’s, deciding what to buy and inspecting it when it arrives, configuring, testing, integrating, customizing, training and trouble shooting. And chances are you are doing all these things simultaneously for multiple clients.
While you may be doing everything, there is no law that says you have to work for everyone. Being and IT specialist often means being choosy more than it means having a singular focus in the daily tasks you do for customers; and being choosy will improve your marketing campaigns and get you better customers. So, be selective with your clients while still taking full accountability for the work you do.
Finding your niche will help you to be more selective with your clients as well. For example, if you choose real estate as your specialty, you will do a lot of work with local real estate firms and probably be at the top of their list as an IT specialist. Even if you feel you are doing everything for each firm and company, you will get testimonials that identify you as an industry specialist.
The good thing about specializing is that it does not require a great deal of experience. It could be as simple as finding a few clients in the same field and working with them for a year or two. If you get to know their business systems, you can position yourself easily as an IT specialist in that area. Specialization will truly improve your focus and help you remain poised at the top of your game.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
You might be designing networks, helping clients with procurement, managing relations, dealing with phone companies, web hosts and ISP’s, deciding what to buy and inspecting it when it arrives, configuring, testing, integrating, customizing, training and trouble shooting. And chances are you are doing all these things simultaneously for multiple clients.
While you may be doing everything, there is no law that says you have to work for everyone. Being and IT specialist often means being choosy more than it means having a singular focus in the daily tasks you do for customers; and being choosy will improve your marketing campaigns and get you better customers. So, be selective with your clients while still taking full accountability for the work you do.
Finding your niche will help you to be more selective with your clients as well. For example, if you choose real estate as your specialty, you will do a lot of work with local real estate firms and probably be at the top of their list as an IT specialist. Even if you feel you are doing everything for each firm and company, you will get testimonials that identify you as an industry specialist.
The good thing about specializing is that it does not require a great deal of experience. It could be as simple as finding a few clients in the same field and working with them for a year or two. If you get to know their business systems, you can position yourself easily as an IT specialist in that area. Specialization will truly improve your focus and help you remain poised at the top of your game.
Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
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