What is Windows 7 and why should I care?

Windows XP is now nearly ten years old and such you can no longer buy the product (as you would expect). In addition mainstream support for both Microsoft XP and Office 2003 ended in April 2009. (Microsoft’s extend support will only address vital issues that come up for the next 5 years ending in April 2014). Office 2010 (previously codenamed Office 14) will be with us in the first half of 2010 and many businesses find themselves with an IT network running multiple operating systems (and differing versions of Office to boot!).

When Microsoft designed the latest version of Windows, they wanted to make sure it was going to deliver what businesses really wanted. The result is Windows 7, a new operating system specifically developed to ensure that it works just the way you want it, allowing you to be more productive and flexible while still offering advanced security protection.


01. Get working quicker. Windows 7 starts up, resumes and shuts down swiftly and dependably.
02. Keep your current software. Most programs and devices running on Windows Vista will run on Windows 7, and Windows 7 Professional will even run dedicated Windows XP programs.
03. Makes networking easier. Share files and devices like printers easily.
04. Find what you need fast. Just type a few letters in the search box to find files, applications, even a control panel menu, in seconds.
05. Print first time. Windows 7 Professional detects whether you're at home or in the office and automatically chooses the right printer.
06. Work better on the move. Accessing documents and programs remotely is simple. You can even work offline, and then automatically update your network files.


Be even more secure with Windows 7 Professional - by encrypting your computer and removable devices without the need for additional software confidential business information now stays confidential.

What is Windows 7 and why should I care?

Windows 7 works the way you want
Windows 7 Professional has prioritised the basics that any business expects from its PCs. That’s why it starts up, resumes and shuts down fast and reliably. It is designed to work with the systems you already have, so the majority of software and devices working on Windows Vista® will also work on Windows 7 Professional. Also the latest technology advances with virtual PC in Windows 7 Professional mean you can keep using essential business software packages that run currently on Windows XP. At the same time, tasks such as easily setting up a secure network, sharing files and printers, have been made simple and quick to do, with or without servers. And powerful diagnostics and troubleshooting tools enable you to get to any potential problems without always having to call in the IT professionals.

Get more done
Windows 7 Professional has been designed to make everyday tasks easier, so you can focus on what matters most to your business. Just type a few letters in the search box to find files, applications or even a menu in Control Panel in seconds, arrange windows side by side or maximise windows to customise your view. Improved power management means you have longer battery life to keep you productive while on the go and helping to reduce your energy bills. New enhanced features in Windows 7 Professional can even detect whether you are at work or at home and automatically send your documents to the right printer, allow you to access files and programs remotely from another computer or enable you to work offline, while automatically synchronising information between your PC and the network.

In today’s challenging economic and competitive climate, small businesses are under ever increasing pressure to do more with less; whether it’s smarter working from your employees, or a more effective IT system with less management costs. Microsoft have spent a lot of time in discussions with businesses of all sizes to help develop the most effective computer operating system to help you face your business challenges head on. Windows® 7 Professional has been designed with your business in mind; it is faster, more secure, easier to use and more cost effective. By adopting this new operating system from Microsoft, you can help your employees achieve more in their day – whether working at home, in the office or on the road, you will have the ability to manage your day-to-day business processes more easily and reduce the time spent dealing with IT-related incidents, all resulting in your company focusing more time on actually doing business, gaining and retaining your customers and developing new business ideas to drive your organisation forwards. Businesses with a small number of PCs that want to improve the tools they have at their disposal to save both time and costs can deploy Windows 7 to help them work smarter while keeping their IT management simple and secure.

How will Windows 7 Professional help my business?
Windows 7 is an operating system that supports your business need for an IT system that is more manageable, more secure and helps your people to be more productive. It has been designed to help reduce the costs of doing business, speed up workflows and encourage your people to work smarter. Windows 7 Professional has been developed with feedback from small businesses in mind. It simplifies your IT system, requires less management time and offers more features to help you with your everyday tasks. Microsoft has addressed the fact that security is critical and any downtime caused by a security threat or data loss can have profound impacts on a business, while still focusing heavily on making Windows 7 work with all your existing systems to minimise the impact when you deploy the technology.

Safeguard your work
Windows 7 Professional has been designed to provide strong protection and control of your business information and assets, so you can select the security options that fit your business’s needs. Internet Explorer® 8 helps protect business information and data by delivering improved protection against security and privacy threats. Accidental data loss due to missed backups or a lost laptop can be prevented by scheduling a periodical backup to save data or an entire system image, while it’s also possible to restore previous versions of files that might have been accidentally deleted or changed. And, with Windows 7 Professional, it’s also possible to back data up to a network drive and even encrypt files on a PC.

The top ten benefits of Windows 7 Professional:

01. It’s fast and reliable
Responsive and ready – you can start using your PC quickly with fast start-up, shutdown, sleep and resume from Standby. Further performance improvements lead to fewer interruptions and prompts, as well as faster recovery from problems if they happen.
02. It works with what you have today
Specifically designed with compatibility in mind, Windows 7 Professional works with a broad set of devices and applications. In addition, Windows XP Mode can provide the flexibility to run many older Windows XP productivity applications right from the Windows 7 desktop.
03. Helps you find what you need quickly
Find what you need fast with instant search, Jump Lists and a larger, customisable taskbar with pop-up previews. Type a few letters in the search box and files, applications or even menus appear in seconds. Similar types of documents (such as financial records or customer lists) can be grouped into Libraries – making it easy to find them even if they are stored in different folders or on different PCs.
04. Makes the things you do every day easier
Everyday tasks are streamlined and simplified – with commonly used resources put within easy access and clutter minimised on the desktop. Enhancements to the Windows Aero® desktop experience (such as Aero Snap, Aero Peek and Aero Shake) help you intuitively navigate, arrange and work with multiple open windows on the desktop.
05. Helps you easily share your files and printers
If you’re a small business without a server, you can easily share documents, printers and devices across multiple PCs running Windows 7. For businesses with a server, Windows 7 Professional lets you connect PCs quickly and more securely to both your wired and wireless domain networks. This can better help you manage security and the costs of multiple PCs. In addition, with Location-Aware Printing, your documents automatically get sent to the right printer – whether you’re at work or at home.
06. Allows mobile workers to stay productive anywhere
Windows 7 Professional makes mobile computing on the go easier with access to all your mobile settings in one place and greater connection and networking options. Now you can access and share all your work computer programs, files and network resources – whether you’re at home, at work or on the road. You can even disconnect from the network, work offline and then have your network files automatically and seamlessly updated with any new changes.
07. Helps you easily restore deleted files or folders
Windows 7 Professional enables the scheduling of automatic periodic backups to save data or an entire system image to a network location or a local drive. This helps quickly restore individual files or folders that get accidentally deleted or even an entire PC in the event of a hard drive failure or the presence of malicious software.
08. Helps you better protect and secure confidential information
Protect your business’s confidential information, such as credit card numbers or employee information, with the Encrypting File System. This provides user-level file and folder encryption, enabling strong data protection and control.
09. Offers greater online protection
Help keep your business up and running with Windows Defender offering enhanced protection from Internet threats, spyware and other forms of malicious software. At the same time, the Internet Explorer 8 browser helps protect your data and business information by delivering improved protection against security and privacy threats.
10. Helps you solve PC problems quickly
Windows 7 Professional Action Centre gives you one place to view, diagnose and solve common PC problems. Now it is easy to access the built-in trouble-shooter for a range of different types of problems, such as printing, Internet connections, performance or power issues.

Q: “Why should I invest in Windows 7 Professional today?”
A: Investing in the Windows 7 operating system can bring long-term value to your business, while helping your workers to be more productive – at home, at work and on the road. New PCs with Windows 7 Professional are designed to be faster, more reliable, more secure and easier to use than older PCs running Windows XP or the Windows Vista operating system. More sophisticated networking and mobility features help mobile workers access their computer programs, files and network resources away from the office. PCs with Windows 7 Professional can do more to protect your valuable business and customer data. At the same time, compatibility features let you run many of the applications and devices you use today – including applications for Windows XP.

Q: “How is Windows 7 Professional better than Windows XP?”
A: Windows 7 Professional is easier to use, and has a range of new features that have been designed in response to feedback from small businesses. Put simply, Windows 7 is designed to make your day-to-day business run more smoothly, more effectively and more securely. Remember Windows XP is nearly a decade old, with limited support for new hardware and software. On the other hand, Windows 7 Professional has been specifically designed to meet the growing demands of modern technology users with more sophisticated networking, mobility, entertainment, data protection and compatibility features. Also, with Windows XP Mode, you get the compatibility of Windows XP in Windows 7 Professional.

Q: “Will Windows 7 integrate with my existing computer system?“
A: Windows 7 Professional has an option to run some applications in compatibility mode. There is also Windows XP mode, a valuable transition tool that lets you run many existing older Windows XP applications within Windows 7 Professional. Windows XP mode is easy to find and access from either the Start menu or the Windows 7 taskbar.

Q: “Do I need a new PC?“
A: No not always. Your existing PC will be able to cope providing it has the right facilities to run Windows 7. However, new PCs are designed to get the most out of Windows 7 in ways that older PCs are not equipped to do. Windows 7 Professional is preinstalled, preconfigured and fully supported on a new PC, which helps to maximise performance for faster start-up, shutdown and Web browsing. New PCs are also optimised for the latest peripheral software and mobility devices – supporting multi-touch functionality, all your wireless devices, Blu-ray, WiMAX, digital tuners and much more. We’ve found that upgrading many laptops to Windows 7 has given them a new lease of life and much better performance.

Q: “How is Windows 7 Professional better than Windows Vista?”
A: With Windows 7 Professional, Microsoft listened to their business customers. First and foremost, Microsoft strengthened fundamentals around performance, stability, reliability and security. Microsoft improved ease of use through user interface (UI) improvements, better wireless networking and more comprehensive troubleshooting. Microsoft added Windows XP mode, giving businesses the option to extend the life of older productivity applications and Microsoft made everything faster, more convenient and fully customisable, so your computer works the way you want it to.

Q: “How much time do I need to invest to learn how to use it?”
A: Using Windows 7 Professional is intuitive and easy. Everyday tasks have been streamlined and simplified – with commonly used resources put within easy reach and clutter minimised on the desktop. UI improvements make finding things easy – simply type a few letters in the search box and documents, applications or even menus appear in seconds. You can easily access the programs you use the most with just one click by pinning them on your taskbar or with a simple keystroke, you can minimise or maximise windows or arrange them side by side so you get the view you want from your PC.

Microsoft and the Microsoft logo, Windows, Windows Vista, Aero and Internet Explorer are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Registered Office: Microsoft Limited, Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley Park, Reading, RG6 1WG. Registered in England no 1624297 VAT no GB 7245946 15.

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Finnish Intel staff fired just before Christmas!

The following video shows five Finnish Intel employees firing themselves from cannons in a bid to play the Intel five-note jingle.



They were shot at a giant set of chimes and the impact of their heads on the steel tubing sounded the notes recognisable from any advert that contains hardware made by the corporate giant.

Intel filmed the frolics and uploaded it to YouTube. Their marketing boys said "This Cannonbells video is so funny and definitely worth taking a look, it’s great for people who need a pre-Christmas pick me up – especially if they’re in the office counting down the days to the holidays."
 
Well I'm not sure about that but it is amusing!
 
http://www.ramsac.com/

Rightsizing your IT and office usage

The optimists say we are seeing the greenshoots of recovery, meanwhile the doom mongers believe that the recession looks likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Whatever your view, everyone is focused on streamling their businesses, looking to maintain or improve efficiency at the lowest possible operating cost.

Of course the drastic measures of redundancy and reduced working hours have hit the headlines. Yet whilst such action inevitably has a place, there are often overlooked routes to reduced expenditure. It is simply a matter of knowing where to look and one of the first areas to review is IT.

In an effort to tighten the belt it can be tempting to adopt a break/fix approach for the IT systems that are relied upon day-in-day-out. Whilst this can seemingly reduce costs in the interim, the longer-term implications of stifled productivity, due to a failure of a vital system such as email, often outweigh these nominal gains. The key to improved efficiency and reduced costs in this instance is forward planning and reliable ongoing maintenance (whether this is managed in-house, or via a trusted IT outsourcer).

Often an overlooked part of this ongoing process is software licensing. Under-licensing brings with it the risks heavy fines from the BSA and FAST, so often organisations will over compensate. However, paying for software applications that are not used is a major source of wastage. Does every employee need the same applications on their computer?

It is also worth considering the type of PC that employees use. Whilst a laptop or mobile device may be more expensive, they give a much greater degree of flexibility in the working environment. Whether you have a wired or wireless office it is simple for an employee to place their laptop on their desk (or a hotdesk) and connect to the network services they need. Remote access to servers and email can easily be set up by an experienced in-house or outsourced IT team, with portable laptops, PDAs and smartphones giving employees fast and efficient access from almost any location.

Also, do all the desktop PCs, scanners and printers need to be turned on and left running all day and night, draining energy, prematurely aging the technology and costing you money?

Finally, look at the office itself. As the popularity and demand for remote and home working has increased the office space requirements (and associated infrastructure) have typically decreased. However, many organisations fail to recognise this and continue to rent space that is no longer required. For example, organisations that operate in premium areas, such as the City, can pay as much as £9,500 per annum for 10m sq of desk space and this doesn’t take into account the cost of office equipment, utility bills, general maintenance and cleaning which are expensive.

In fact, figures suggest that some businesses only have a desk occupancy rate of 45% at any one time, so the potential savings from rightsizing the office space is evident.

What your business needs today isn’t necessarily the same as yesterday, or indeed tomorrow. Flexibility and adaptability are bywords whether times are fruitful or frugal in order to eliminate unnecessary wastage, controlling the costs that need to be incurred and improving operational efficiency.

Making sure the festive period doesn’t go with a bang

With the Christmas period nearly upon us, many businesses are thinking about the inevitable slow-down of operations for the year-end. Undoubtedly we all want to celebrate the end of the year and get into the festive spirit, but it is important to remember that even though many people are on holiday, the IT needs of businesses still continue and need to be properly maintained during this time, especially if you don’t want to come back to another headache long after the new year celebrations are over.

Requirements vary according to the nature of the business, but for many organisations there will be a much smaller number of staff present for the holiday period. Despite the apparent decrease in IT needs, its imperative to make sure that there are experts on hand should there be any issues. Potentially a problem could go unnoticed for 10 days or more, which could have serious ramifications, come the new year. This is magnified for companies that close down for Christmas altogether. It may seem a bit ‘bah-humbug’, but the IT Manager (or outsourced IT team) need to be able to check vital systems and if need be, act on problems during this festive time. Remote access is ideal as it can save the IT team having to be on-site for the duration, whilst alerting them of any problems and giving them the tools to sort out any issues that arise.

Naturally the Christmas period is as prone to disasters as the rest of the year. It’s a good idea to make sure the emergency backup plan is up to date. Should the worst happen, such as a fire or natural disaster, it is essential to ensure all the vital systems can continue and that alternative arrangements are in place to keep operations running. It’s also worthwhile making sure that key data is safely and regularly backed up (preferably off-site for greater security) as it is the one resource that is irreplaceable.

Equally important, especially if the office is being closed for the duration, is to make sure that the security (both of IT systems and of the physical building that hosts and protects it) is maintained. With the Festive Spirit in full swing staff may be less vigilant than normal, but it is worth making sure that the office is secure when everyone leaves, that all unused hardware is turned off and that mobile devices are either taken home by the team or secured on-site in a suitable place. Surveys show that 25% of mobile devices carry mission-critical information (source: BPMF) but that 30% of mobile devices are lost each year (source: SANS Institute) – which presents a serious risk to data security. The chances of losing or having a mobile device stolen undoubted grow when people are preoccupied by the change of routine and seasonal activities.

IT is an essential facility for most businesses, and as such is particularly conspicuous by its absence. It’s easy to be blasé about downtime over a quiet period such as Christmas, but whilst there may, on the whole, be less demand on the IT department, there is also a greater risk that small inconveniences could be overlooked and escalate into something a lot more serious.

www.ramsac.com

Making The Most Of Social Networking For Business

Social networking websites are a modern cultural phenomenon, offering easy ways to reunite with old friends and keep in touch with family and friends. However the social element of these sites is sometimes perceived as being at odds with business, with employees sneakily wasting working hours using them. Whilst abuse of these facilities can happen, its important to realise that social networking is becoming a hugely popular communication tool and there are important business benefits to be had from using them.

Its vital to understand which of the popular social media sites are most applicable to your business. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Linked-In all offer specific communication tools and have different audiences. Remember your postings are publicly visible, so it is far better to participate in one or two sites efficiently, than to spread your resources too thinly and neglect some. Timing is key, as fast moving websites require timely updates and commitment to fresh posts on a regular basis. You should also attract the right followers, keep them engaged and have a strategy to quickly feedback information to the right people internally.

Specialist blogs and online forums can indicate the positive and negative impressions of your products and services - giving valuable insight into the minds of customers and potential customers. They also give important clues as to the performance of competitors and can offer a competitive advantage. It is vital to establish who is authorised to respond to posts and monitor responses, which also helps establish an acceptable usage policy and mitigate the risk of abuse by employees. It is equally vital to educate employees on the implications of posting comments that could incriminate themselves or harm the organisation.

Using Social media has the same advantages and pitfalls for an organisation as any other public interaction. Despite the potential for abuse, the tools are in place to target the right audience and with careful planning it is possible to promote your business to those that have the biggest impact.

Does the cloud have a silver lining?

The IT world is buzzing over the concept of ‘cloud computing’, with its promise to reduce the cost burden associated with procuring, installing and maintaining the IT infrastructure, that until now has always been located on-site. So, can it really live up to the all of the hype and is it a viable option for every organisation?

Essentially, cloud computing involves trusting a third party - typically a service provider and a large datacentre, that could be located anywhere in the world - to host the organisation’s email, databases and other mission-critical systems, which are then accessed via a secure Internet connection. This can deliver compelling cost savings, which at first glance may appeal at a time when most organisations are looking to trim the fat from their operations. The trade off is that the organisation will lose direct and immediate access to many of its biggest assets, which would normally be located within its own four walls.


Clearly, there are also security and reliability risks to be considered. What would happen if there was a leak of confidential data, the Internet connection fails, or the service provider / datacentre encountered financial difficulties and is forced to close down? If the IT infrastructure and the information it holds isn’t within the possession of the organisation then its retrieval is not likely to be straightforward if at all possible, meanwhile the financial and resource cost would inevitably accrue as the organisation struggles to keep pace until a solution is found - which ultimately is likely to mean reverting back to an onsite approach!


Cloud computing is still in its infancy and it does definitely hold a number of attractive benefits for small start-up businesses that can ill afford the sizable set-up costs of a traditional IT infrastructure. It can deliver tangible saving to small organisations on the costs of running its own IT, but perhaps the definitive question to ask is - when does your company data become valuable enough to invest in your own secure IT infrastructure, to guarantee you know where it is and that its safe.