IT Consulting Firms: Helping Business Grow

IT consulting firms typically start with just a few people. And while it can be exciting at first for those people getting into the business, a few years of running the show can become monotonous and exhausting, and the need to expand becomes imminent.

MAKING BUSINESS GROW

Running a small business is a big job, particularly for just a few people who are required to do every aspect of the work. As the owner of small IT consulting firms, you need to plan to delegate some of this work to others in order to free up your time and allow more business. But you need to make sure your business is prepared to handle changes in workload before you begin.

FINANCIAL STABILITY

Sometimes small IT consulting firms will have an available source of funding that will cover hiring new employees. Other times you might have to wait to build income before adding personnel. Regardless, reviewing your finances will help determine where you are and when you can expect to support additional employees.

A BENEFITS PACKAGE

Good employees will expect to be offered a benefits package. Look into basic health insurance plans and find one that suits your small business. Since this is an expensive benefit, you can expect that the employee will pay the premiums, and that the health insurance coverage probably won’t start until three months on the job. You can offer additional benefits such as laptops, travel allowances, cell phone plans and uniforms to sweeten the deal.

DEPENDABLE EMPLOYEES

Assigning responsibilities to others might be harder than you think if you are used to doing all the work yourself. As an IT consulting firm owner, you probably have developed high standards and have a hard time imagining anyone but you doing the job properly. Finding employees you trust is critical and will help ease the transition into a freer schedule. Giving new employees three months on trial will help you determine their working style and reliability. During this time, you can get feedback from customers and decide if the new hire is the right person for the job.

IT consulting firms are important to everyone today and yours needs to grow eventually. If you consider all the factors for business growth, you will have a better plan for your future.

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

Computer Reseller Business: The Components of Online Pricing

Many professionals today are enlisting the support of those in the computer reseller business, and the Internet has become an excellent tool for any computer reseller business looking to market products and services. Websites and online auctions help make products visible to people outside the computer reseller business’ immediate community.

COMPONENTS OF INTERNET PRICING

Internet pricing involves several different factors: price; packaging; and delivery. A computer reseller business should take all these components into account when setting up an online auction or using a website. Reviewing other websites that are taking part in the same processes will help gauge the market.

PRICE

Those involved in the computer reseller business need to know the factors of their price. Items like shipping are typically treated as added costs, and most customers will gladly pay it. The biggest factor in price is collecting payments, and every computer reseller business should be capable of accepting credit card purchases. PayPal is another viable option that allows users to have an account connected to an online bank. Regardless of the method of payment, prices should be competitive, but can include extras that can justify charging more.

THE PACKAGE

Packaging is not just the process of boxing the product. A computer reseller business needs to provide Internet packages that appeal to all customers. A responsible business will offer a variety of buying options, including single items and components for those that don’t need an entire computer.

DELIVERY

Delivery has to be a part of online purchases. You can deliver to local customers personally to cut costs and help establish a good rapport with customers. For those farther away, you can determine shipping costs by figuring out the urgency of need for the product.

A computer reseller business can experience growth by using website and online auctions and considering the factors of pricing, packages and delivery.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit

Computer Business News: Webplus Releases Web+ v6.0

Top leased ecommerce solutions provider Webplus, Inc. launched its new Web+ v6.0 on March 24 for use by computer businesses and others. Web+ is a powerful and all-encompassing development language that can help program web-based client/server applications using simple processes instead of complex and lengthy CGI programs. Web+ v6.0 has the following improvements over previous Web+ releases:

1. Better stability
2. More speed
3. New installers that make upgrading and installing simpler
4. Virtual Hosting support that makes managing multiple websites simpler
5. Application variables that help developers to maintain variables for the entire life of an application while still keeping them separate from other applications
6. Better WAP support
7. Internalization support
8. Over 10 new tags

Spokesperson for Webplus, Inc. states that this new version offers major improvements and allows for more computer businesses and companies to use Web+ in more ways than ever before. The company is offering free trials of Web+ to users currently employing competing products so they can compare and see the superiority of the new Webplus product for themselves.

Web+ v6.0 was designed after compiling suggestions from the company’s global community of customers. Most asked for a more international product, which led to the addition of Unicode support and new functions.

Current Web+ v5.0 users can upgrade to v6.0 for half the cost of the full version of 6.0. There are three packages of the new product: Developers Edition 2 at $109; Professional Edition 25 at $595; Commercial Edition unlimited $1095.

Begun in 1994, Webplus, Inc. is the top provider of leased ecommerce solutions and develops, markets and maintains talentsoft development tools, middleware and ecommerce solutions.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

Solution Providers Praise New AMD Commercial Product

Solutions providers are singing the praises of the new commercial channel program from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). They state that one of the most substantial benefits of this channel program is displacing Dell in contract bids.

Experts state that once AMD can prove to offer better technology than Intel, Dell will be locked out of the market. Dell currently uses Intel CPU’s only in its products, but will be able to use AMD-based systems once plans to buy Alienware go through.

Chad Williams, manager of the public sector at Matrix Integration used information about AMD’s dual-core processors in order to take out Dell in a $400,000 bid to help provide a community college technology system with new servers running 64-bit applications. He hopes that by integrating these new products into a variety of businesses with the help of solution providers and others he can start to spread the word about AMD’s advantages over Intel.

Solution providers throughout the U.S. believe that AMD will prove, over time to outperform Intel, and the company, based in California has enjoyed increased value in the market during the past year. Solution providers throughout the country are noting a significant difference between Intel products and AMD products after having used them in customer sites.

AMD’s first commercial channel program, created specifically for VARs and systems integrators six months ago offers training, tech support, evaluation units and bundled products. The program began with just a few solution providers and now boasts 500 partners globally with most in North America. According to AMD spokespeople, there has been no resistance from VARs and integrators to use AMD products.

AMD has also been working on offering bundles to smaller VARs with the help of TechData, including AMD-based servers with VMware.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

IT Consultant Image: Are You Professional?

As an IT consultant, your jobs will be as variable as your client’s attitudes and expectations. Your customers’ observations about your level of professionalism will have a profound impact on your career. A successful IT consultant has strong ethical standards, care for his personal appearance and conduct and will present this image clearly in printed materials.

ETHICS

As an IT consultant, you have to be true to your values, and this means being honest and up-front with your clients. You need to finish projects in a timely manner and stand behind your work in order to be perceived as professional. Your personality should ideally match that of your clients. If you like to work in informal settings and your client has a very formal company atmosphere, you might run into long-term projects. You might have to occasionally adjust your style a little, but you should still be genuine.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND BEHAVIOR

As an IT consultant, you are in a very people-oriented field, and the way others see you is important. Therefore, you should dress neatly and appropriately for all jobs. If a client’s office is informal, you can wear casual attire, but if your client works in an atmosphere of suits, you should up the ante.

Communicating professionally with others is essential, including during phone conversations. You should respond to phone messages on time and always indicate the reason for your call and an appropriate time to return it when you leave voice messages. This will help the client know he is important.

YOUR IMAGE IN PRINT

All printed materials, including proposals and brochures should reflect a sense of professionalism. An IT consultant can lure clients and drive them away through his written material, and are often a first impression of your company. Decide on a consistent image from the very beginning. Similarly, your printed materials and of course your website should be without spelling or grammatical errors and easy to understand and navigate.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

IT Service Contracts: Essential Recurring Revenue

Professional companies need consultants that offer IT service contracts, not simply those that handle emergencies on an as-needed basis. If you don’t offer on-going IT service contracts, you end up with either too many people calling you, or not enough. IT service contracts allow your clients to get the most out of their IT investments because it helps them implement long-term fixes and plan for the future. They can also make your life easier by providing a schedule and a plan for dealing with the needs of your customers and bring you a source of dependable revenue.

RECURRING REVENUE

The best companies will request IT service contracts to handle their many needs. Your success or failure in the future will depend upon the service you provide through these contracts and will in turn determine their importance to your business. One-shot deals and simply relying on emergency work and spot-checking will leave you both frazzled and uncertain.

You can use recurring revenues obtained through dependable IT service contracts to help build your business foundation. There is no way to determine how long your company will last unless you implement this type of revenue into your business plan from the very beginning.

IT SERVICE CONTRACTS ARE ESSENTIAL

Once you start to use IT service contracts as part of your major business plan to provide recurring revenue, you need to start thinking about whether or not you want to get involved with clients that don’t want to sign long-term clients. The ones that do are asking specifically for your services, and want to develop a relationship with you that will last into the future. Their investment will be essential to building and growing your business, and will help you plan what shape and form your growth will take.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

Solution Providers Note Potential Problems Caused by New Intel Macs

According to solution providers and other experts, Apple’s endeavors to change from PowerPC format to Intel-based Macs could make them more vulnerable to cross-platform attacks and other issues.

OS X offers features that make it susceptible to malware, and the Intel-based Mac computers may be even more at risk for infection than PowerPC’s. Security researcher Kevin Finisterre created three recent versions of InqTana, a worm that spreads through a hole in the Bluetooth aspect of OS X.

Finisterre and other solution providers believe that in general people will be more comfortable using the Intel processors than a PowerPC, and that the simplicity of the Intel processors makes users more trusting and exploratory, and therefore makes it simpler for hackers to create problems. He states that many malicious techniques that could not be carried out on PowerPC Macs, including taking advantage of Unicode-based buffers are used to damage Intel-based computers.

When set off, the Inqtana worm scans for Bluetooth-enabled devices and attempts to send itself through wireless connections to other machines. Finisterre was responsible for telling Apple about this issue last month, at which point Apple quickly released a patch.

The XD security technology that has been added to newer Intel processors may make the new Macs less susceptible to problems. XD, short for “Execute Disable” prevents viruses by disallowing the execution of specific types of codes. If Apple uses this program diligently, Finisterre feels attacks could be prevented much more easily.

The Inqtana worm is one of a few new OS X security issues that has been uncovered recently. In February, researchers and solution providers found a virus that could attack the Safari browser and allow malware onto the machine, along with a Trojan Horse virus that is transmitted through iChat instant messaging. In January, four separate critical security issues were found in the Apple QuickTime and iTunes applications.

Spokespeople at Apple and many that have encountered problems state that Apple has been very quick to solve recent problems. Many feel that despite recent issues, new Intel-based Macs are not necessarily more of a target for malware than other machines. But new applications that have been developed in the Intel arena may create more serious problems with cross-platform attacks. Apple and other solution providers advise users to be much more watchful when using their Macs from now on.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Computer Consulting: Microsoft Finds Yet Another Bug in New Explorer

Last Wednesday, Microsoft Corporation found the second bug in only two days in its new version of the Internet Explorer (IE) program. The company this time promised to patch the zero-day bug as soon as possible.

According to both vulnerability tracker Secunia and Symantec reported that the problem was the result of an error in IE’s processing of the JavaScript method call “createTextRange ().” Hackers that used the bug to their advantage could get IE to remotely run bad code or crash the user’s browser entirely.

Lead security program manager at the Microsoft Security Response (MSRC) Center blog Lennart Wistrand said that the issue has been confirmed and the proper authorities have been advised and are in the process of creating a solution. On Tuesday, the MSRC confirmed that another bug in Internet Explorer could crash the browser and might be able to harm computers.

The latest bug could allow hackers to design a malicious website that contains the “creatTextRange()” JavaScript and draw users to this faulty site. People visiting the site, even briefly, would have no idea their system security was being compromised. This new vulnerability has been labeled “highly critical,” the second most severe label.

Even though IE 7 and the January version of the IE7 Beta 2 Preview are at risk to be attacked by this new bug, Wistrand stated that the version of the IE 7 preview released on March 20th is not susceptible. Source TechWeb asserted that the IE 7 Beta 2 Preview is completely safe and has been tested using the proof-of-concept code, publicly available to users.

Microsoft assures users that IE7 is much more secure than earlier versions of the program. Gary Schare, director of product management at Microsoft specifically for IE said that the latest version of the program would stop illegal copies from being downloaded. Still, scripting issues have been a problem for the IE program for over two years, and the flaw discovered in November 2005 was actually used by many spyware sites to install malicious software on PC’s.

Microsoft recommends that users disable JavaScript until a patch for the recent problems is available.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

How to Plan for IT Emergencies

IT emergencies are inevitabilities in today’s technological world. Handling them will be critical to your IT business and maintaining a strong and loyal customer base. You have to achieve a delicate staff balance that allows you to meet the needs of existing clients and gain new ones.

DON’T OVERSCHEDULE

For technical people that do not have sales or management tasks, you want to schedule at 75 percent capacity. This means that 25 percent is left open for non-billable projects, IT emergencies and new business.

You will encounter times, even when you leave room, when you still can’t handle every client without calling in all available resources. This is the time when you need to pull everyone together to handle enough IT emergencies and focus on individual customers. Standardizing will pay off during this time.

If you have someone out in the field for a full day, schedule them from eight to eleven a.m. and then do an afternoon appointment from one to four, which leaves you time.

EXPLAIN IT EMERGENCIES WELL

Long-term clients understand IT emergencies and typically will be able to deal with times when you have to reschedule their appointments. Your response to emergencies lets them know that when they get into trouble, you will be there for them too. The most important thing to do if you encounter IT emergencies is to keep communications open; if you’re running a few hours late, call your next client and explain the situation.

The most important things to remember when handling IT emergencies is to keep communications open, stay in contact with clients, make the best use of what resources you have and don’t over-schedule routine appointments so you are prepared. You will need this extra time built-in s you can best handle IT emergencies.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

Computer Repair Franchises: Buying an Existing Franchise

Existing computer repair franchises are typically available immediately and are a good option for professionals looking to start a new business in the computer industry. Before deciding to buy a completely new franchise or an existing computer repair franchise, as a prospective business owner you must learn about all the issues involved in buying existing franchises so you don’t risk being surprised by the unexpected down the line.

ADVANTAGES OF EXISTING COMPUTER REPAIR FRANCHISES

Computer repair franchises already in existence already have an established performance history. Because of this, you don’t have to spend precious time evaluating business potential and can focus on looking at actual earnings. The franchises you want to buy will have a good reputation in their communities and already have loyal clients.

When you buy existing computer repair franchises, you also don’t have to worry about finding a location, negotiating a lease or stocking your store with equipment. Similarly, there is no need to hire new employees because the business already has a well-trained staff. With many elements already in place, buying an existing franchise will help you start business much more quickly.

DISADVANTAGES OF EXISTING COMPUTER REPAIR FRANCHISES

You should investigate an existing franchise before you buy it. Why is the franchisee leaving? If it is for reasons other than retirement, a career change or other issues of that nature, the franchise might not be worth the investment. Perhaps the location isn’t making money anymore. Regardless, thorough investigation is necessary.

As a prospective owner, you need to look through all renewals. Sometimes your purchase will only be good for the remaining time on the agreement while other franchises offer new renewals. Also look at lease renewals to make sure they will be renegotiable when your time is up.

Considering advantages and disadvantages of purchasing existing computer repair franchises will help you make the right decision about whether to buy them. They can be good investments if they are profitable and have a good reputation.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

Packaging IT Service Agreements

You need to think about the specifics when packaging your IT service agreements. You need to think about whether you will offer them at a fixed price or base them on a retainer or a pre-paid block of time. Fixed-price IT service agreements can be challenging because you have to predict the needs of your clients, and therefore most small business computer consultants will not have the skill or ability to accomplish this.

FACTORS OF PACKAGING

The following are important factors to consider when packaging your IT service agreements:

1. What real benefits can you offer?
2. What can you give clients that will make signing the agreements more attractive?
3. What will make prospects want to sign IT service agreements without a second thought?

BENEFITS

The key to answering the questions above lies in the benefits you offer prospects as a part of IT service agreements.

One benefit you can offer is speedy response time, whether for on-site service, phone or for remote support. Another benefit is on-going, scheduled maintenance, either remote or dialing in directly to check logs on occasion. An hourly discount is also a bit benefit that will usually push prospects over the edge when they are wondering whether to sign IT service agreements. Waiving premiums for after-hour service or emergency work is also something that will attract potential clients.

Benefits are the key to packaging and getting clients to quickly sign IT service agreements, but you need to be specific about what you can offer and make sure you can actually give them what you are offering and that it meets their needs.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Computer Franchises: Preparing for a Franchise Expo

You can find computer franchises by going to franchise expositions, but you have to prepare for them in order to minimize being overwhelmed by the options and narrow down your search. Since exhibitors go to these expos in order to sell their franchise, you need to prepare to know exactly how to find a franchise that will fit your needs and abilities. Attending a franchise exposition is a fantastic method by which to familiarize yourself with the options available to you.

YOUR MAXIMUM INVESTMENT

The first bit of preparation involved figuring out how much you can invest so when you get there you know what computer franchises are even within your realm of possibilities. You will know not to waste precious time talking to a sales person if his franchise fee is outside your budget and will be able to move forward to those that are affordable.

PROOF OF EARNINGS

Some computer franchises will brag about high earnings and profits at expose to lure you. While some might be telling the truth, some might be exaggerating to get your attention. If you insist on seeing proof of their earnings, you will find out quickly the truth of the matter and be able to move onto another franchise if they cannot provide legitimate substantiation.

WRITE IT DOWN

Franchise expositions offer so many computer franchises that it can be easy for you to forget all the details. If you take careful notes on each option you find, you will be more easily able to review your choices after the expo is over. Taking brochures and pamphlets is also a good idea, along with obtaining contact names and numbers in case you have questions afterwards.

THE OFFER

Don’t be pressured into signing contracts or giving deposits at the expo itself. You need the time after the expo to interview franchises outside the excitement of the expo and get general feedback and opinions. You also would be wise to hire an attorney to look carefully through contracts and the disclosure document to make sure it is in order. Since computer franchises are a giant investment, you need to know the computer franchise you choose is absolutely right for you.

When attending a franchise expo, you need to be both informed and objective. If you know what to expect beforehand you will be able to make the right decisions during and afterwards.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

Computer Consulting News: "Botnets" Provide New Issues for Wireless Users

In a world full of wireless networks and wireless phones, hackers are finding new ways to attack technology users with virus-like botnets that spread through text messages sent on smartphones, giving computer consulting firms yet more work to do with virus protection. This robotic network sends a text message to a user’s smart phone; thinking it is from a friend, the user opens the message and it looks through the phone system for sensitive information like credit card numbers, bank account statements and passwords.

Computer criminals are using botnets to extend violations to the world of text messaging, adding to a slue of other problems that have developed with the smartphone technology, almost faster than computer consulting firms and phone manufacturers can find solutions. Researchers in California at Time Security Labs found the new threat last week and deemed it “high risk.” Research in Motion, creator of the BlackBerry device and other companies including Skype have started to add instant messaging capabilities to all their smartphones, and the botnets problem should get worse before it gets better according to experts.

Attacks of botnets seemed to increase just as the instant messaging capabilities were introduced in the United States, as it first started in Europe. One of the reasons for the increase in text messaging is that it is lower cost than other phone capabilities, with some plans starting at just $2.99 per month. Besides being inexpensive, it is a very easy way for people, including regular consumers and business customers to communicate when they aren’t in one spot.

However, business have noticed that instant messaging can be distracting in the workplace as employees are interrupted by non-work-related messages and tempted to use IM during a meeting. Another issue of text and instant messages is storing them in order to document business information. Some companies are getting around this major problem by encrypting all data in the database and not just that which is in transit via other methods. However, this can be a costly process and requires typically hiring outside computer consulting firms to manage the process. The process of data storage can be a huge task for many computer consulting firms because of how quickly data builds up. And there is a chance that when storing these instant message and text message bits of data, a lot of useless personal information will be stored as well.

Computer hackers are aware that everyone from businesses to universities view text messaging and smartphones along with instant messaging as a very economical way to communicate, which is precisely why the botnet attacks were developed. Researchers have given information about hackers to federal authorities and an investigation is under-way.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

Computer Business Oracle Enjoys Profit on New Licenses

Computer business Oracle revealed a higher profit than ever before, attributed to an increased demand for new software licenses and database software accompanied by a greater European presence.

The fiscal period ended February 28, and the business software maker reported a third-quarter net income of $765 million, 14 cents per share up from the prior net income of $540 million, 10 cents per share a year ago. Revenue also rose from $2.95 billion to $3.47 billion. Oracle posted a per-share profit of 19 cents, excluding items, which was up from Wall Street estimates put together by Reuters earlier stating a per-share profit of 18 cents.

Oracle has spent nearly $19 billion buying competitors in an attempt to match some of Germany’s biggest rivals, namely SAP and get a larger slice of the market for business software that automates human resources, accounting, inventory management and many other critical aspects. After implementing a strategy that included acquiring companies such as PeopleSoft and Siebel systems, Oracle’s stock has risen only 4 percent in the past year, mostly because investors were skeptical of the computer business’ plan. SAP shares that were traded in New York have gained 32 percent with the Oracle’s new business wins.

New licenses of Oracle’s business application, database and middleware software increased 16 percent to $1.096 billion according to the company’s spokespeople. At the same time, sales of new licenses for its applications software exploded 77 percent to $269 million. Most marked growth for applications revenue occurred in Europe where they more than doubled.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit

Computer Repair Franchises: Evaluating a Site

Computer repair franchises need a good location to enjoy success. Finding the best site involves several factors, and many franchisors are happy to help prospective owners weigh different criteria and use all available resources before choosing a site.

The following factors are critical to location choice for computer repair franchises: population density; traffic; competition; appearance; and visibility. A realtor might help potential buyers in the search, and could be a good investment.

Franchisors will often be able to give you a demographic report. Even in cases where this is not a possibility, you can find a company that can give you reliable statistical information about population density. The report should include the amount of people in the area, their ages, incomes, ethnic backgrounds and marital status. All these characteristics of the population are relevant to those looking to open computer franchises because it determines the customer base.

Traffic in the area of the potential sites of computer franchises is also very important and consists of several considerations. What is the traffic within the proximity of the potential location? A city’s downtown will probably not bring much business for those needing home computer help, so you probably want a suburban location to tap into this market. Besides this type of traffic, computer repair franchises are dependent upon traffic that drives by the site. How accessible is parking and what inhibits entry to the lot? Having a location that is easy for driving traffic will greatly improve business.

Competition can make or break computer repair franchises. Buying a site directly next to another computer store is not a good idea. You should find out where competitors are located and try to avoid saturation. The area surrounding your computer franchise needs to be able to sustain the business; there can’t be too many franchises in a 15-mile radius.

The appearance of the potential or existing site is critical to business success. Evaluate the parking lots, landscaping, signage and lighting, and for new sites, look into the landlord’s reputation and even visit other properties he owns to gauge what you can expect over the years.

Visibility of the site is very important for computer repair franchises. You want to make sure the location can be seen from the road and that landscaping doesn’t block any signage. Drive past the location from every direction to see if visibility is optimal.

Choosing a site is one of the first and most important steps to opening computer repair franchises, and considering every factor will help ensure a successful business future.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

The Initial IT Sales Call

The first IT sales call is easy with the right preparation. If you do background research and determine how immediate the prospect’s needs are, you will increase your chances of having him see you as the solution to his problem.

IT SALES CALLS ARE BASED ON PAIN

In order to make IT sales, you need to get clients to tell you what their biggest and most painful computer issues are. They may not be able to limit it to just three, but asking them pointed questions will get them thinking about their needs. The more information you have, the more you will be able to customize your services to fit their needs.

INVESTIGATE

Customizing services based on client problems sounds easy in theory, but making it happen is a different story. Adjust your questions so you can get the most logical responses out of clients, even if they are in the midst of an emergency. When you can get them talking reasonably about the future and the grand scheme of their business rather than about a crisis you will be more likely to come up with the most cost-effective and fitting solution during your initial IT sales call.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Solution Providers Attack Skype's Business Offering for not being Business-Ready

Solution providers for small businesses have criticized Skype’s new VoIP solutions, stating they are not ready to be used and therefore could hinder the growth of the company.

Skype for Business debuted March 9 and gives small business users low and even no cost Internet phone service. The offering also provides Web support, Skype hardware and a control panel that can help companies manage groups of users as well as many prepaid services. The product emerged when it was announced that 25 to 30 percent of the 75 million users already using Skype, now affiliated with Ebay, for business purposes.

Skype already has routes into the business sector and many distributors and solution providers have already offered the service to resellers. But many solution providers feel the product has not yet been properly marketed to be taken seriously by business customers.

Although Skype has started initiatives to enter the business sector before Skype for Business, it does not yet have a proven track record among those types of clients. A Skype spokesman announced that the percentage of Skype users cited as being actual users of the Skype for Business product was not very officially calculated and simply taken from the number of visitors to the company’s business website. According to solution providers and other critics, these figures give no indication of how the service is being used by businesses.

The hardware that is offered as part of the Skype for Business package can be loaded into the laptops, PC’s and wireless wide-area network handsets provided by major companies. Although Skype is one of the first services of its type to present this offering in the business sector, it will soon have competition from companies such as TelTel and others later in the year.

While many companies such as D-link have introduced wireless Internet phones that run Skype, the phones have not yet gone into production, proving that availability of resources to use Skype for Business are at the moment quite limited. Many companies, including D-link, have chosen to go with TelTel and companies with more of a business-geared marketing plan because they already have the potential to reach a broader range of customers in that sector.

While solution providers are skeptical about Skype’s reputation and its ability to truly offer good service to businesses, it is already very popular in the consumer market and has experienced great growth since its inception. It was bought by Ebay for approximately $2.6 billion in September 2005.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

Computer Business News: Azul Cites Sun for Attacks

Azul Systems, Inc., a Java network processing vendor recently started legal proceedings against Sun Microsystems, Inc. in an attempt to protect itself from what it claims to be vicious attacks from the systems vendor.

A spokesperson from California-based computer business Azul states that Sun had approached them previously to express concerns that there were former Sun employees working at Azul, and that the company was worried about patent breaching. Azul has since that time offered Sun the opportunity to verify these claims through audits and other confidential disclosures, but the company has instead begun legal proceedings against Azul threatening to charge the vendor with patent and secret trade if it does not allow Sun specific ownership and very steep licensing fees.

President and CEO of Azul Systems, Stephen Dewitt is a former Sun employee and was present as CEO of Cobalt Systems when Sun took over the company in September of 2000. Although Azul very hired the head of Sun’s HPC unit and its chief of marketing Shahin Kahn to be the chief of marketing right after the takeover, Dewitt claims there was no Sun presence at Azul before he showed up years later.

In terms of products and patents, while Azul's JVM is based on Sun's HotSpot JVM, the company has a Java license that is in “good standing.” The company itself was founded in April 2002 and worked on its Vega processor secretly and uninformed by other companies until it was introduced in September 2004 and sold for the first time in April 2005.

The Azul Compute Appliance was designed to work with Java Virtual Machines.
This network-attached processing model is being pitched as an alternative to other under-used general-purpose servers that have been created recently in order to deal with Java-based application proessing. of under-utilized general-purpose servers that have been deployed in recent years to handle Java-based application processing.

Dewitt states that he has attempted to propose licensing agreements with Sun to no avail. He states that Sun has launched a lawsuit grounded in a desire to compete and interrupt Azul’s attempts to get products on the market.

Sun has refused comment.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

Computer Franchises and Employee Training

Computer repair franchises cannot run properly without wel-trained employees. Computer repair franchises can choose to train employees in three different ways: through the franchisor; through the franchisee; or through the Internet. Franchises should be made aware of all the options and remember that their employees are representative of a client’s first impression of the business.

FRANCHISEE TRAINING

This option involves training by the owner of the franchise, and requires a full commitment on the part of the franchisee from the beginning. If you are looking into buying a computer repair franchise and intending to train your own employees, you have to make learning how to train them a part of your start-up plan. Go to your franchisor and have him teach you how he trains employees of the company; it will help you be prepared to monitor your employees daily and have more control over your business.

FRANCHISOR TRAINING

Some franchisors offer training materials, videos and workbooks for all employees and prospective employees along with, in some cases certification programs. These programs help employees conform to standards of the company. Owners and managers need to be prepared to also complete these certification programs, a process that will help maintain employee standards for computer repair franchises.

TRAINING VIA THE INTERNET

Online training programs provide computer repair franchises with a great deal of flexibility. Tests can be given to employees when they have time to process the information fully and franchisors can more easily monitor who has taken the tests and how well these people are doing. Internet training is very valuable because it will help gauge areas that need improvement and areas that are strong.

The important thing to remember when training employees is that they need feedback and attention on a regular basis. Regardless of what training option is used, the prospective owner must be prepared to take full responsibility for staff supervision. There is no more valuable asset to a computer repair franchise than a well-trained staff.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

Reliable IT Service Contracts

Good IT service contracts can give small businesses peace of mind and the knowledge they have dependable support in case of a computer emergency. Often simple issues such as one small bit of badly written code or a computer virus can bog down a whole office. Since your time is valuable, you need the right help easily accessible so you don’t miss a beat. Online IT service contracts can help professionals solve their most critical computer problems.

MAKING SYSTEMS MORE EFFICIENT

A well-trained consultant offering IT service contracts will be able to guide you through the process of setting up an office environment that works for you. He can make sure that you have the safest and most streamlined infrastructure to support your network by implementing the right platform integrations and Ethernet wirings, among many other things. Even if you are just using one computer and one printer, a consultant under the umbrella of IT service contracts can make everything run smoothly and help you maximize your resources.

The initial set-up of your office is the perfect time to make all the critical decisions about how the business will operate. You should determine what software you need to handle sales, how clients will find your site and fulfill their needs, and all other aspects of business. The best IT service contracts will provide you with a consultant perfectly suited to your particular business area that can give you the right advice.

RESPONSE TIMES

Part of making your office run more smoothly is determining bottlenecks that might hinder progress. Once your IT consultant has identified these, typically your office will be running in top form in just a few minutes. The firm you choose to offer IT service contracts must be responsive to your needs in the case of both emergencies and non-emergencies, and the IT service contracts should be explicit about the response time you should expect.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Computer Service Agreements Start Your Business Out Right

Computer service agreements will help you start your business if you are setting up a computer network. Computer service firms can help you with comprehensive and reliable computer service agreements if you are starting a business or even simply overhauling your office.

The first critical step to starting a network is buying PC’s and workstation accessories, but after that you need an office design that works for you and allows for easy communication and a good technical flow. A professional consultant attached to computer service agreements will help get you on your way to an efficient office.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

Good computer service agreements will be attached to firms with a holistic philosophy, and not just one that aims to merely troubleshoot issues. You want to find a firm that will use web design, database structuring, networking and maintenance to create a whole technological picture for your company.

You will see how easy it is to focus on sales and customer service when you don’t have to worry about whether all the technology in your business is running smoothly. You want to use a company that offers computer service agreements you can rely on to be customized for your specific needs.

INTERNET RESEARCH

You can use the Internet as a tool to research companies offering computer service agreements. Since different companies have different areas of expertise, you want to find those that specialize in your particular set-up or one similar.

MATCHING YOUR COMPANY TO COMPUTER SERVICE AGREEMENTS

You need to know exactly what your needs are in order to find the right firm to supply you with computer service agreements. A good IT consultant will set up your network quickly and keep you running efficiently to help grow your business.

Created By: Computer Consulting 101

Preparing for IT Emergencies

You can ready yourself for IT emergencies by having checklists, online resources, telephone support lines and tool kits on-hand at all times.

When IT emergencies strike, start by comparing your abilities to the client’s basic needs. What kind of hardware, operating system and applications are involved, and what aspects of the business is the problem affecting? If you don’t weigh the situation before you arrive on-site, you may find out you are in over your head.

A FIXABLE PROBLEM

You need to make sure you are capable of either fixing the situation or creating a workaround before you arrive on the scene. If the client in the midst of an IT emergency has a major problem with Linux and you don’t have experience with Linux, you don’t want to use it as a learning experience for yourself. However, if you are prepared, a serious problem that is crippling the company can be a great opportunity to build a new long-term client relationship. That being said, you should not charge emergency fees to a client if you see the potential long-term possibilities, rather give them a rate that will encourage on-going non-emergency business in the future.

YOU CAN”T BE PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING

When you’re dealing with a new client, you might run into a strange hub, switch, router or something else you don’t recognize. If this odd item will cost you more to learn how to fix than simply replacing it with a recognizable device, you should encourage the customer to replace it. Your customer will be happier with the overall service if you provide faster service because you are working within your comfort zone. Plus, by adding items that are familiar to you, you are preparing the client to work better with you in the future.

Working with those in the midst of IT emergencies thus becomes the same as working with regular on-going clients. By streamlining the type of server, backup software program, anti-virus solution, etc., you are providing better service and do not have to keep track of a variety of upgrades, renewals and replacements for many different types of systems, procedures and products.

If you manage IT emergencies well and prioritize them with a systematic list and consistent procedures, your clients will be open to your recommendations and more likely to hire you in the future or use your services as on-going support.

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

Systems Integrators: Intel Taps White Book Market

Large chipmaker Intel declares that improving standards in the whitebook market will make systems integrators and white-box builders more able to compete in the market and grow their companies. Standards will simplify the job of tracking changes and help eliminate challenges of inventory that keep whitebooks down. Similarly, if all whitebooks used the same power supplies, screens and optics based on a set of pre-determined standards across the board, parts would be more available and affordable for everyone.

Creating uniform standards to help systems integrators and white-box builders would be difficult, since whitebooks are custom-made machines designed to meet the many different requirements of buyers. Also, even if the cost was reduced on parts and components, whitebooks based on standards would never be able to compete price-wise with low-end machines built by Dell, Hewlett Packard, Lenovo and other computer makers.

However, Intel points out that price isn’t the major issue. The extra value brought by systems integrators and whitebook makers are where profits will come into play. According to Intel spokespeople, because Dell and HP have much higher value of scale, systems integrators need to look for value through services. “Faster” and “cheaper” is not the issue – it’s the value of the entire process.

Standardizing whitebook components will give systems integrators new opportunity because the increased availability of parts will make it much easier and more affordable for them to fix and maintain custom-made devices. At this moment in time, it is often easier to replace the entire notebook rather than buy individual parts.

Intel is working with many whitebook manufacturers and distributors to design a new model that will illustrate its points about standardization. The chipmaker wants to illustrate that having parts available to system integrators will help them eliminate the issue of carrying too many unused spare parts. Intel will make its new dual-core chips, Napa architecture and Centrino 2 technologies a part of this new whitebook market.

Intel knows there will be some serious tension with major brand notebook makers because the whitebook market will inevitably cut into theirs, but stresses that things will level out as the notebook market in general grows and leaves profit for every type of company. Intel believes its entry into the whitebooks market will double the market’s size within the next year.

Microsoft, a major supporter of Intel technologies, are skeptical that Intel can truly bring down the cost of whitebooks, but supportive of the new initiative. Local systems-builders for the company intend to provide whitebook makers with additional applications and technologies that will help systems integrators and the end users of the computers.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

VARs News: KOM Partners with INCOM to Increase European Market

Leading storage management and archiving solutions provider KOM Networks, Inc. announced recently that it would be partnering with European VARs company INCOM Storage of Germany. This new partnership will hopefully increase KOM’s European presence and help the VARs company INCOM reach more customers.

INCOM is one of Europe's well-established distributors of enterprise class storage solutions. As a part of the new partnership, it will sell and support KOM Network’s storage management solutions to help European clients that archive and protect their data using more than one storage device and operating systems. In exchange, KOM will take advantage of INCOM’s European presence and ability to market expertise to Europeans in search of ways to make their data storage management systems more efficient.

INCOM has been a European VARs presence for over a decade, and was selected as a partner for KOM based on its great reputation and ability to serve customers across Europe. KOM Networks is seeking to make a name for itself in Europe and learn more about techniques that will help it create a more globalized strategy for product development and marketing.

KOM Networks data archiving and compliance software is named KOMworx. It allows clients to archive data on either hard disk or optical media to cost-effectively meet business requirements. VARs company INCOM is reportedly excited about the opportunity of adding multi-leveled storage solutions to its list of offerings.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit

Benefits of Computer Franchise Ownership

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

BENEFITS

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

A FINAL PRODUCT WITH A TRACK RECORD

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

OPERATING PROCEDURES IN PLACE

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

ON-GOING TRAINING AND MARKETING

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

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

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

IT Service Contracts: Finding the Best Provider

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

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

ASSESSING CLAIMS

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

EXTRAS

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

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

IT Consulting Tools: DirectUpdate 4.1 Released by WildUp

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Computer Business News: IBM Chief Gets $20 Million Paycheck

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

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

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

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

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

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

Computer Service Agreements: Looking Beyond the First Find

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

A FIRM THAT BELIEVES FULLY IN ITS CLAIMS

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

LOOK FOR A BACK-UP PLAN

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

THE RIGHT DESIGN FROM THE START

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

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

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

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

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

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

IDENTIFYING NEEDS

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

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

SHOULD YOU SEEK THE BEST PRICE?

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

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Computer Franchises: Choosing the Right One for You

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

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A FRANCHISE

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

FACTORS OF DEMAND AND COMPETITION

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

RUNNING COMPUTER FRANCHISES

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

WHAT’S IN THE NAME?

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

GROWTH

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

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

LAN Support Contracts Use Technology to Remotely Manage Systems

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

SAVING MONEY WITH REMOTE SUPPORT

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

THE RIGHT SOFTWARE CAN INCREASE EFFICIENCY

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

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

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional KIt

Small Business Servers: IBM Offers Stripped Down Tivoli to Businesses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

VARs: Survey Cites Shortage of Tech Workers

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

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

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

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

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

Created By: Computer Consulting 101

Computer Service Agreements Help Computers Work Together

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

YOU CAN DEPEND ON PROFESSIONALS

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

EXPECT NETWORK PROBLEMS

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

DON’T SKIMP ON COST

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

OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY

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

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

Software Maintenance Contracts Maintain Efficiency

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

THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE IS CRUCIAL

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

EMERGENCIES

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

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

NOT ALL CONSULTANTS CAN OFFER SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS

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

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

IT Consulting News: Oracle Creates New Enterprise Search Engine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

Computer Service Agreements Let You Focus on Your Business

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

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

A TRUSTWORTHY PROFESSIONAL

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

THERE’S NO REASON TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF

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

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

EASY OR DIFFICULT ISSUES

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

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

Software Maintenance Contracts Offer Protection

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

UPDATE YOURSELF ON THE LATEST VIRUSES

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

TAKE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

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

NOT ALL VIRUSES ARE YOUR FAULT

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

Blogged by: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

IT Sales Mean Establishing Client Needs

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

DETERMINING PREFERENCES

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

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

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

BRINGING CLIENTS FROM FREE TO FEE

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

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

Software Maintenance Contracts Provide Advice for Technology-Reliant Companies

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

THE BENEFITS OF OFFSHORE OUTSOURCING

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

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

TODAY’S FIGURES

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

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit