When you want to increase sales and win new customers, making your business as easy to contact as possible by phone is one of the best ways of doing so. For this purpose, you might pick an 0800 Freephone number, which will at least give confidence to potential clients that they can get in touch without having to spend any money on the call.

However, 0800 numbers have relatively limited appeal in the modern market, since more and more people use their mobile phones for a majority of their calls. Since mobile operators typically charge customers for 0800 calls made from their portable handsets at up to 15 pence a minute, this means you could be losing out on business with a supposedly free-to-call contact number.

Thankfully, there is a way around this conundrum for forward-thinking firms, because with an 03 number you can get all the benefits of an 0800 number but with no annoying charges for those making inbound calls from mobile phones.

An 03 number is typically free to call from a mobile phone because most users have a built-in price plan which includes a fixed number of free minutes each month. This means that calling an 03 number will not increase their bill at the end of the month since the time they spend on the phone to you will be included in their basic tariff.

A similar state of affairs is in place for anyone who calls an 03 number from a landline connection, since telecoms providers generally offer free calls to this type of number, which means you can appeal to as broad a section of the market as possible.

When it comes to the more standard features of an 03 number, you do not have to make any compromises. Advanced call routing with automation, intelligent answer services and other flexible, convenient capabilities will be on tap for all members of staff.

Choosing an 03 number will also let you pick from a wide range of digit combinations, which as many people involved in business telecoms will know can put you in a better position to make your company memorable to customers to help secure repeat calls.

If you are transferring over to an 03 number from an 0845 number, then the process should be painless, with no loss of functionality. If you are one of the many companies that intend to choose an affordable way for customers to get in touch that will not cost you the earth, then avoiding an 0800 service and opting for an 03 alternative could be one of the best decisions you make this year.

Because of the mobile call costs associated with 0800 numbers, they no longer have the same impact as they did in the past. While users will appreciate that a business is trying to make it as cheap and easy as possible to get in contact with them, the landline-based limitations of these services mean that the growing proportion of the population that has ditched a landline altogether will be left out in the cold.

The word is spreading about the benefits of an 03 number and if you get one for your business you will be able to advertise the fact that calls made from mobile phones may well add nothing to the monthly bill of your customers. Because this market is still relatively untapped, if you act fast you will also be able to secure some impressively memorable digits which will go further towards helping your business. This simple, affordable and easily adoptable solution should be a boon for many companies across the UK.

 

This article was written by Daisy Group plc who have been providing inbound number solutions including freephone numbers, premium rate numbers and call handling solutions to small businesses, big brands and public organistations for over ten years.

 

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In September, Ford launched a website and mobile phone app that allows users to virtually customize images of its latest models. Now the company is promoting the customizer alongside the recently unveiled addition to its line, the 2013 Mustang Shelby GT500 convertible.

Pony car enthusiasts can select that model or the V6, GT, or Boss 302 and then change its color and modify the hood, roof, spoiler and more, as well as adding stripes and decals. And users can draw these modifications from a catalogue of Mustang parts that come both from Ford and from outside vendors. Once these are assembled into one’s ideal pony car, he can share his customization on Facebook and invite other users to compare designs.

A Gauge of Demand

Sales figures are one thing, but promotional tools like this provide information that may be even more meaningful, especially in a time of economic recovery. While Ford’s sales for last year include 70,500 Mustangs, the website and app have attracted 4 million users who have demonstrated enough interest in Mustang ownership that they’ve taken the time to piece together and show off their dream designs.

This could be significant to the company’s future projections, in that it goes beyond the actual demand consisting of how many people can buy a Mustang right now, and gives some idea of the potential demand indicated by how many people want to.

It’s just not possible for everyone to have a Mustang in their garage this year, but it is possible for everyone to have one on their desktop for now. Over time, analyzing the number of people who do so might be able to help Ford determine how to target their future advertising, what sales figures to expect in better economic climates, and how many people are already pony car owners but will go on spending money on new and CJ Pony Parts classic Mustang parts as they continually upgrade and customize.

Future Potential

Clearly, this new Ford marketing venture is having an impact on its audience. It remains to be seen whether it will have an impact on sales, since the newest Mustang model has only just debuted. But obviously the customizer website and app is still in a position where it can continue to develop.

It already allows for enough variations that it has entertained and engaged 4 million would-be customers, but if it diversifies with older model cars and classic Mustang parts as well as a broader range of new Mustang parts, the site can encourage these and other users to go on promoting the brand amongst themselves by personalizing and sharing their visions of it.

 

After reading about the customizer website, you’re probably interested in learning more about CJ Pony Parts Mustang parts. Guest post written by CJ.

 

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How to Transition to working with a Virtual Assistant

The idea of working with someone you haven’t met and interviewed in person can be a little daunting. They are, in effect, anonymous, as this is all over phone or the internet. And that, understandably, makes it hard to just hand over tasks concerning something that you’ve taken time and effort into building. Something like your business.

Like all other new business innovations, there are a few guidelines to better your chances when hiring and getting used to a virtual assistant. It’s best to start with individual tasks and then hopefully move into working full-time by gradually increasing the workload.

Be clear

If you just need general help, then there’s really no need to dig further. That is the most common demand in the industry and most virtual
assistants provide the basic services of call answering and keeping schedules.

 

For more detailed tasks, it’s important to remember thatproperly allocating work on your part is also a skill you will need to inculcate. Particularly when it comes to the more complicated, computer-related tasks, make sure that instructions are detailed. First and most importantly, back up all your files. Don’t assume any previous knowledge of computers. Make sure your instructions are immensely detailed and provide screenshots whenever possible. Set clear deadlines and make sure all this is communicated properly.

Solo vs. Team

Often, as with Your Professional PA, it’s better to hire a virtual assistant who works in or with a team. This makes it easier for you to decentralise your work without worrying that it might not get done or may not be manageable by the virtual assistant. For instance, with an increase of clients, a virtual assistant with a team will be able to handle the growing traffic as there will be more than one person to answer calls and address questions.

Prompt Feedback

As most of the communication will be online or by phone, ensure that what you expect is understood. This is important to try and reduce misunderstanding and minimise starting trouble. Follow up a task with immediate feedback and if something is done well, let them know, and if it needs improvement, explain the same. Make sure to plan out the work and explain intended targets. It also helps to lay out details of expected accomplishment of the targets, other important milestones you want to achieve and so on.

With these few points in mind, it should make the transition to virtual assistants easy. There’s no worry of being stuck in an unworkable contract as most come on a monthly contract some have offers of free trials in the beginning. So take your time, experiment and find someone who can do what you need.

Priyanka Zaveri is a freelance writer, online marketer. Priyanka writes for many online publications, as well as developing content and articles for a variety of well-established websites. Her latest project is writing informative articles for the reputable online agency Your Professional PA who provide a Telephone Answering Service to small and large businesses.

 

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The latest trend in the culinary arts is using the cooking method, Sous Vide which means under vacuum.  This technique has been around for centuries; although with the technology advancements in the world it has blossomed into a convenient way to prepare many dishes. The food is sealed in airtight plastics and then cooks over a long period of time in a controlled water bath.  The technology comes in with the vacuum sealer and the internal control of the water bath by a digital thermometer.

Incredible flavor perfect texture for Sous Vide

The idea behind cooking foods in a water bath is to create an even doneness overall without drying out or over cooking the food.  Meat benefits greatly with this cooking method; the protein cells are the hardest to control over high heat and there is a tendacy to have a tough piece of meat.  By using the Sous Vide method proteins like red meat are cooked very slowly in a controlled and safe environment which allows the meat cells to contract and then relax with the added bonus of the meat resting within its own juices.

Crisp vegetables every time with Sous Vide

On the other side of cooking foods; vegetables are more desired to have crisp tender exterior with added flavor.  The Sous Vide method allows the vegetables to cook below the boiling point that usually can overcook them to a soggy texture.  The vegetables are sealed with various flavors like fresh herbs, salt, citrus, and butter.  Then they are placed in the Sous Vide cooking device and the temperature is usually set around 70 degree F; this allows the veggies to cook in a gentle way and reserve the entire added flavor.  Another added bonus for cooking vegetables this way is the nutrition factor; overdone veggies lose any vitamins or minerals they have so using the Sous Vide method ensures them to keep their nutrition value.

The down side of Sous Vide

For those who love the caramelized color of a grilled steak or roasted vegetable this cooking method does not achieve that.  Since there is no air in the package the food does not color as it would over high heat; however, the method does create a perfect cooking environment for odd shaped foods like foie gras.  In fact, it was this particular food item that began this cooking idea.  A French chef wanted to have the foie gras remain in its natural shape and through trial and error discovered Sous Vide.

Who uses Sous Vide in the culinary arts

The fine dining world of the culinary arts has brought back this cooking method thanks to the addition of the technology.  Caters are also looking as this way to reserve their food longer since there is no oxygen involved which can create foods to look “dead.”  The vacuum seal is convenient to pack in ice and travel with; so the catering businesses have included Sous Vide on their menus to wow the guests.

 

This post is written by John Lewis and he works at PriceCollate as a writer. You can visit pricecollate to find and compare various type of shoes at great prices.

 

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The latest trend in the culinary arts is using the cooking method, Sous Vide which means under vacuum.  This technique has been around for centuries; although with the technology advancements in the world it has blossomed into a convenient way to prepare many dishes. The food is sealed in airtight plastics and then cooks over a long period of time in a controlled water bath.  The technology comes in with the vacuum sealer and the internal control of the water bath by a digital thermometer.

Incredible flavor perfect texture for Sous Vide

The idea behind cooking foods in a water bath is to create an even doneness overall without drying out or over cooking the food.  Meat benefits greatly with this cooking method; the protein cells are the hardest to control over high heat and there is a tendacy to have a tough piece of meat.  By using the Sous Vide method proteins like red meat are cooked very slowly in a controlled and safe environment which allows the meat cells to contract and then relax with the added bonus of the meat resting within its own juices.

Crisp vegetables every time with Sous Vide

On the other side of cooking foods; vegetables are more desired to have crisp tender exterior with added flavor.  The Sous Vide method allows the vegetables to cook below the boiling point that usually can overcook them to a soggy texture.  The vegetables are sealed with various flavors like fresh herbs, salt, citrus, and butter.  Then they are placed in the Sous Vide cooking device and the temperature is usually set around 70 degree F; this allows the veggies to cook in a gentle way and reserve the entire added flavor.  Another added bonus for cooking vegetables this way is the nutrition factor; overdone veggies lose any vitamins or minerals they have so using the Sous Vide method ensures them to keep their nutrition value.

The down side of Sous Vide

For those who love the caramelized color of a grilled steak or roasted vegetable this cooking method does not achieve that.  Since there is no air in the package the food does not color as it would over high heat; however, the method does create a perfect cooking environment for odd shaped foods like foie gras.  In fact, it was this particular food item that began this cooking idea.  A French chef wanted to have the foie gras remain in its natural shape and through trial and error discovered Sous Vide.

Who uses Sous Vide in the culinary arts

The fine dining world of the culinary arts has brought back this cooking method thanks to the addition of the technology.  Caters are also looking as this way to reserve their food longer since there is no oxygen involved which can create foods to look “dead.”  The vacuum seal is convenient to pack in ice and travel with; so the catering businesses have included Sous Vide on their menus to wow the guests.

 

This post is written by John Lewis and he works at PriceCollate as a writer. You can visit pricecollate to find and compare various type of shoes at great prices.

 

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Running an e-commerce store online can be a fun and rewarding experience. There are many types of e-commerce programs you can use that are both free and paid. Some of the free versions come within your hosting package and can easily be installed with a program within the control panel. Some e-commerce store owners though have found that the templates or features built into these options are limited and lack originality. It takes a good programmer to work with the basic coding of a standard e-commerce site to make it unique. If you have thought of hiring a programmer but do not know how to go about it, this article will help you decide how to choose the best programmer to suit your needs.

Know what you want in your programming

While many open source e-commerce sites are excellent, like the OpenCart program, some may be lacking in several areas that you would like to work with. For instance, some carts do not have the ability to sell and distribute downloadable or digital products. Others, while the programming is there, it is so difficult for the everyday marketer that they just get frustrated and go on the hunt for another program. Cube Cart although one of the easiest to install and operate, is limited in their design features. Only coming with 3 standard templates, adding your own logo or header, affiliate banners, or advertisements can be quite tricky for the non techie. Zencart, while it is much the same in simple design, makes up for things by having more features, including the ability to set up an affiliate section to recruit help with your sales. OsCommerce which has been a favorite with many for a long time, is preferable only for physical products as figuring out the digital downloads section can be quite a pain.

If you know what is the most important thing you would like for your e-commerce store, you can write it all down so that it will be clear for someone you hire. If you want to have an easier tracking system added, you will want to take note of everything you want to track, such as what site referred the visitor, did they buy anything, what pages did they visit, etc. Keep in mind though, that some of that may be hard to keep track of the more visitors you receive. If you are uncertain of something, just jot down some notes to ask the programmer if it would be possible for him to design such a thing.

Deciding on the type of programmer for your job

Once you have finished your detailed notes, you will want to start interviewing programmers. You will want to make sure that they have experience writing code for e-commerce programs and can show you some examples of what they have done. There are typically three types of programmers. The first is the application programmer. These programmers are mainly concerned with the software coding and how it will work today and tomorrow, fixing any bugs and making sure it runs smooth. System architects deal with the interface and how it integrates with other programs and systems outside of your own. These are more hardware based resolutions. Database designers think about how the data is compiled and formatted into tables within the system so that the data is found and displayed when and where needed.

Best places to find a suitable programmer

Once you have decided what type of programmer you will need, you need to know where to find them. There are many online freelance places programmers can be found. You can also ask some other business owners who they recommend on forums. This is an excellent option because they will be able to provide testimonials and insight into the work practices and skills the programmer exhibited when working with them. You will also want to ask for prices. Knowing how much a quality programmer will charge you for each job will enable you to find the right person for your budget. There are some freelancers around who will charge by the hour and then bill you for more hours than it really took to complete. Know exactly what you will be getting into, do your research first, talk to other references, and keep in daily contact with your programmer. Request a daily or weekly progress report as well.

 

Kirsty LaVier is editor for Shopping Cart Reviews, the leading site dedicated to helping you find the best paid and free shopping cart .

 

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Rightonbro

Casinos back in the day were very simple and rugged places, rooms full of machines and tables operated by hard working people. The players who spent day in and day out on the slot machines would end up with one arm with a huge bicep as they spend so much time pulling a leaver on a one-armed bandit.

Like every other part of modern gambling the casino floor is constantly changing and implementing new technology whenever they can. We are not talking about extra security or cameras everywhere, this is technology that is meant to enhance the gambling experience and make gambling a bit easier for everyone.

The main reasons for a casino to implement new technology are saving their own money or enhancing the players’ experience. Sometimes these two things go hand in hand. There are modernisations that have proved successful for both gamblers and for the casinos. The digital slot machines are a prime example of this.

Nowadays a casino will have fewer slot machines on their casino floor, but not because they are cutting down on the amount of games they are offering, but because the machines can be used for more than one game. These digital slot machines have in ways revolutionised the casino floor and made it possible for managers to add new tables and other games in the sections where there used to be endless lines of slot machines.

Bark

Turning some of the more traditional table games in to digital machines has been another aspect that has helped the development of casino floors. In previous years players would be pushing and shoving to get their place around the blackjack table, the craps table or the roulette table. Thanks to the implementation of new technology all these games are available as video slot machines where a player can sit down by themselves and take as much time as they want during a hand. The same thing goes for video Poker and other card based one-player games.

Modernising casino floors is a necessity for casinos to stay profitable. Being able to get more people in at any one time will also mean an increased revenue, because players will be able to play their favourite games whenever they want if they are offered as digital games.

Kjunstorm

There have also been a few technological advances that have been able to help out the dealers and the staff working at the casinos. What is known as “Ticket In-Ticket Out” slot machines have removed the need for cups full of coins and tokens used to play slot machines. This has cut down the time it takes from when a player enters a casino until they can actually start playing. It also takes away the hassle of counting all those tokens to determine how much money a player has won. This has also cut the costs for the casinos since there will be less people handling these transactions because they have been able to cut away a middle man from the entire process.

 

This look at the technological development offline was produced by ladbrokes bingo.

 

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Your network is complex and will only become more and more weighted with new applications and storage issues that you are responsible for monitoring. When issues involving network performance start to become a problem, you’ve got to react to those difficulties and find ways to overcome them. That can take precious man hours, and when a company relies on its network to do business, you don’t want to allow any downtime if you can avoid it.

You’ve undoubtedly discovered the difficulty of managing the ever growing number of applications that employees wish to use as part of their everyday suite of software tools. Many people have become accustomed to relying on specific mobile applications for their own private use, and they expect to be able to use them with the corporate network as well. There will be a great deal of pressure on IT administrators to ensure that the growing number of applications that workers are used to using on their laptops and smart phones are compatible with your network and pass muster for network security.

You’ve got a lot of work cut out for you, since you’ll have to test and tweak your network to ensure that a variety of applications will work on your system and not cause unforeseen conflicts. SOASTA mobile application testing may be the best place to start when you want to evaluate each mobile product’s fitness to be allowed access to your network. You can then determine whether or not you can anticipate performance or security problems, and make further adjustments that will allow applications to perform better and more safely.

Storing Large Quantities Of Data

You may also be using cloud computing as part of your typical storage strategy, and one method of ensuring that your network is performing efficiently in its ability to store large quantities of data is SOASTA performance testing. You can better determine how efficiently data is being moved through your network and how quickly it can be accessed when cloud computing solutions are employed as part of your corporate enterprise.

Storage and network performance issues are always foremost concerns for network administrators because they will have a great deal of influence on how well the corporate enterprise can be relied upon to perform in mission-critical endeavors. Businesses that rely on their network to earn a profit, and that includes just about every business, must ensure that service does not degrade to the point where standard functions that must be performed become bogged down. When data becomes bottlenecked in the system, you will see performance begin to degrade, and if that trend continues, the entire network can go down.

With proper testing, you can ensure that problems will be corrected before they obstruct your employees from performing their jobs and earning a profit for the company.

 

SOASTA provides  service for CloudTest load testing tools. TouchTest mobile application testing allows real-time correlationg and analysis of data in order to find and fix problems.

 

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Wrangling investment for the cloud from CFOs can be tough because there are still concerns among those in charge of the money over whether cloud adoption is the right path to take. This is despite significant improvements in cloud computing and an endless line of industry insiders and external observers who have been touting the merits of migration for months on end.

In a recent study conducted by Zunicore, it was found that of 400 business managers almost 33 per cent cited concerns over data security as being central to their reluctance to adopt cloud-based services. In fact, security is regularly seen as the main obstacle to widespread cloud usage in the business world, which makes it the most important concern to address.

The truth is that most cloud-computing service providers are actually able to offer better security than could possibly be attained by an in-house alternative. This is all to do with the economies of scale, because it is in the interest of the external host to invest in ensuring not only the digital security of the data but also the physical security of the hardware on which it is stored. Data theft, leaks and other malicious usage of business-critical information is more likely to originate in-house. The ability of the cloud to eliminate the need for portable storage solutions, which can be particularly unsecure, is yet another factor which bolsters its robustness when compared with traditional alternatives.

Costs associated with cloud adoption are another concern for business leaders, as the survey found that 21 per cent are worried about being tied down to the same provider by a lengthy contract. This is understandable, but in most cases the use of the cloud will actually be able to save companies significant amounts of money in the long term. You will not have to pay for the maintenance of in-house systems or face a necessary but costly hardware upgrade further down the line. For this reason, the fixed-term cloud offers with no unforeseen expenditure hovering on the horizon will become all the more attractive.

The nervousness that can be evoked by conversations surrounding the cloud in many business meetings is often traceable to a simple lack of understanding. 24 per cent of respondents to Zunicore's survey were willing to admit that they simply had little understanding of the benefits that are offered by cloud-computing platforms. In reality, this proportion could actually be much higher, with professional vanity causing people to pretend that they have an appreciation of what the cloud can offer but are simply unwilling to accept that it might be applicable to their particular company.

There are endless examples of how cloud adoption can help in businesses which would not traditionally be associated with requirements for high-end virtualisation or the outsourcing of IT services. From logistics and retail to public sector organisations and charities, the cloud has been shown to offer the kind of scalability and flexibility which was not previously possible but is nevertheless now becoming indispensible in the modern world.

It seems that the main area in which cloud providers and IT companies in general are failing is in the promotion of the benefits of the cloud. For the time being, there is certainly evidence that the positive aspects are being drowned out as the perceived negatives receive a greater deal of publicity. The fact that many of the downsides to cloud adoption are in fact imaginary, such as issues with security or cost, should make many businesses sit up and pay attention. Pass on this information to your CFO and see whether or not you can change some opinions.

 

This article was written by Daisy Group plc leading providers of business hosting solutions and telecoms solutions including Cloud Computing and Colocation to UK SME, Corporate and enterprise customers.  Daisy has three Tier III data centres located in the UK.

 

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When office equipment malfunctions, it not only leads to a loss of productivity and revenue, but also can cause a great deal of anger in everyone who needs to use the device. Printers are especially prone to breakdowns, which is why anyone who has worked in an office can relate to that scene in Office Space when the disgruntled employees finally take a baseball bat to their company’s constantly malfunctioning printer. In order to keep this from happening to your devices, you should search printer reviews to find a quality product and also try these troubleshooting tips to keep your equipment up and running.

Paper Jams and Feeding Problems:

Few sounds evoke more frustration than that dreaded crunching noise you hear as the printer begins to eat your needed documents. When a paper jam occurs, you should first turn off the device and then gently pull the problem page out in the direction of the paper flow, as pulling in the opposite direction can damage the printer.

Paper jams can occur for a variety of reasons, but often it’s the result of using the wrong kind of paper. Make sure that you use a brand that works well with your printer and is also suitable for the task (i.e. photo paper for printing photos). Printing media can also deteriorate over time, which is why replacing old paper can help reduce this problem.

Unsuitable paper may also cause misfeeds, though an older or poor-quality printer may have weak springs in the paper tray that make the device unable to feed properly. In this case, feeding larger stacks and making sure that the paper isn’t stuck together may fix the problem.

Misfeeds also occur when the paper feed roller has become too smooth from use. You can solve this problem sometimes with a sheet of emery paper to gently roughen it. In addition, a too-tight paper tray will also inhibit the feeder, which is why you should adjust the tray each time you use a different size.

Driver and Communication Problems:

While most printers come with CDs containing operating software, these discs are frequently out-of-date and may not have drivers that will work with your computer’s operating system. Sometimes, default operating system drivers will suffice, but most of the time you should visit your printer manufacturer’s website to find the latest version.

When trying to print a document, you may receive a page filled with gibberish. This stems from a miscommunication between the device and the computer and can sometimes be resolved by a system restart. Otherwise, you should check the cables to see if they are properly connected. If everything looks good, however, you might have to test your cables to see if one of them needs to be replaced.

Print Quality Problems:
While most poor images are a result of low toner or ink, there could also be a problem with the cartridges or printing heads. For laser printers, you should make sure that the printing density is set to the correct levels and that excess toner deposits are cleaned from the device. With inkjets, cleaning the print head with alcohol can remove buildup, and making sure that the print head ribbon is secure can help with these issues.

These maintenance tips will help reduce your need to call for repairs, but browsing printer reviews for a high quality device will help reduce troublesome breakdowns.

 

Brandi Tolleson is a prolific freelance writer who covers topics ranging from music and movies to technology and gadgets.

 

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You finished writing your e-Book or downloading those precious holiday photographs on the old laptop, and now you begin to edit. Suddenly you get the dreaded blue screen of death and no matter what you try you just cannot get the infernal machine to work again. It suddenly occurs to you that all the hard work of the previous months has been lost. But of course you had a backup in place correct? It is amazing the number of intelligent computer users that do not backup their work in a logical and safe manner. Even most of the operating systems today have inbuilt an internal backup facility using the computers own hard disk. But sadly this method still cannot beat the blue screen of death.

So what does making a safe backup of your information mean? Basically backing up your information is placing it on removable media and storing it externally to your computer. Developing a safe secure backup solution is essential for all computer users whether a large multinational concern or a single person that uses his or her computer for pleasure such as storing important letter or photographs. Depending on how the computer is used depends on the frequency of the backup. Multinational companies often have an automatic hour by hour backup in place, and often this backup is remotely sited from company. If you only use the computer infrequently then backing up your information just before you shut down is ideal. There are many ways to backup information.

One of the safest backup systems you can employ is known as the Grandfather, Father, Son backup and this system will safeguard your precious information against all disasters. The Grandfather, Father. Son backup works like this. The son is the immediate backup and is used on the shortest time scale. This can be minutes, hours, or days. This backup is the most up to date and theoretically contains all the up to the minute information. After a preset period which is usually twice as long as the son backup the information is further backed up on another media storage system, and finally the grandfather backup usually happens twice to three times the father backup.  This backup system means that at the worst you will still on loose the father and son backup. The son is formatted on a regular schedule while the father every six months or so and the Grandfather never.

There are many methods of storing a backup, the most common one is to use a partition on your hard disk or if you have a desktop then the addition of another hard drive is common. Other ways of storing backups are to transfer them on to a Cd or DVD disk. This makes a hard copy of your information and can be safely stored. External hard disk drives are commonly used for data storage however these are not as safe as the optical disk. External hard disks do fail. Flash drives and thumb drives can be used as temporary storage but are not recommended for long term data storage. Storing your data on the internet is another option and Microsoft has developed a useful skydrive remote data storage system. Cloud computing will eventually take over as the premier data storage system. But it must be kept in mind that this type of storage unlike optical and HDD’s could be open to attack by hackers and data thieves. Developing your own safe backup solution is essential especially for your most important data, because with no backup what is lost stays lost forever. Backup! You know it makes sense.

 

David Hamer is SEO for SecurStore provide of Cloud Backup Solutions. Secure your data with SecurStores Online Backup solutions.

 

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Any company that doesn’t have a backup and recovery system is looking for a headache and taking a major risk. Its IT staff shouldn’t let this happen. Excuses are never accepted – backups should be given as much attention as the safeguard for the business’ operation.

There are different causes of data loss and these are:

1. Hardware Malfunction
2. Software Corruption
3. Human Error
4. Computer Virus
5. Natural Disaster

When lost, years of data generated and created for many years can’t simply be recreated in just a few months while trying to normalize the entire situation. Most of small to medium sized enterprises which experience a major data loss can go out of business within two years. However, data loss is completely avoidable. Here are the benefits of a data backup and recovery system:

Easy Restoration. Data can be lost for different reasons but with a backup strategy, this data can be easily retrieved using recovery software. The lost data should be easily regained within 12 working hours.

Automated Process. Once the backup software is installed and configured, the need for human involvement or external media shall be eliminated. The company staff can go on with their usual duties and increase their productivity within the company without having to worry about data loss which can be taken care of by an automated system.

Accessibility. Disaster strikes when you least expect it. Aside from physical data backup, an online backup solution makes data available in many different parts of the world. In addition, only authorized persons can have access to the data. Even personnel from the company providing the backup services can’t gain access to it.

Flexibility. The amount of storage space can be increased or decreased according to the company’s needs. Starting with a smaller account, this can fit the minimum requirements until the amount of data grows together with the company.

Security. Data is encrypted and stored in different highly protected data centers. During the transfer and storage process, the backup system offers different levels of encryption to ensure the security of information.

Energy Efficiency. The more data present on the site means more electricity used to maintain them. Online backup servers use the latest green technologies to cut energy costs in half.

High Technology. Various backup systems are now built with the highest standards. It can adapt to every company’s requirements. In addition, it comes with a synthetic restore feature that allows the database to be stored as a single file although a more in-depth backup has been made.

Costs. Companies would try to minimize costs by avoiding expenditures that need large capital. This type of system requires only a small monthly fee. It also eliminates the need for manpower to take charge of this task specifically in monitoring and verification of the system’s workability. In return, company data is secure.

 

Data is every company’s lifeblood but many ignore the importance of a backup system or are not doing the job correctly. Losing important data leads to a catastrophe for every business. Novatech provide a wide variety of data storage solutions for home and business users.

 

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A good SAS controller and expander can make all the difference in your organization’s storage schemes. SAS stands for Serial Attached SCSI. It is a new version of SCSI technology, which is known for being a fast, reliable type of drive that keeps servers running smoothly for lengthy periods of time. The serial attached version offers even higher performance and faster data transfer speeds with the same reliability SCSI is known for. To make things even smoother and more convenient, SAS technology doesn’t require the use of any terminators, and with the addition of multiple expanders, it’s possible to link more than 65,000 different devices through your system.

Advantages of SAS over Previous SCSI Technologies

Serial Attached SCSI offers many advantages compared to parallel SCSI technologies. SCSI buses operate as multidrop systems, while SAS buses operate point to point with a dedicated link to the initiator for each storage device without any contentions like those which might have been possible with parallel SCSI. SAS also offers the possibility for even more connections with the addition of an expander. An SAS controller (or expander using SATA Tunneled Protocol) can also enable connections using SATA protocol. There are no problems with termination as no terminator packets are required for Serial Attached SCSI, and SAS devices offer much faster transfer speeds with higher throughput on every initiator-target connection, unlike parallel SCSI.

How to Take Advantage of SAS Technology—Controllers, Expanders and More

SAS buses can move data back and forth among many different digital storages devices, including tape drives and hard drives. Some of the latest high-end motherboards come with SAS controllers built in, but many business users still require an external controller to add to their system. There are PCI, PCI-e and PCI-x configurations to choose from, so it’s important to find the proper bus configuration for your specific system to make the most of your attached storage and support more devices throughout the same system.

It’s also important to choose an expander that offers sufficient power and capacity for your storage needs. You will be able to maximize your controller card with the right expander. The only way to make communication possible between very large numbers of SAS storage devices is with an expander, which will come with multiple external expander ports that each have their own SAS Management Protocol to manage target ports. Highly complex interconnected topologies are possible with SAS expanders.

 

 

One of Mary's favorite things to write about is technology. For more information regarding SAS Controller, please visit http://www.lsi.com

 

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It’s no secret that the rising cost of energy has many businesses paying increased attention to their facility costs. Aside from the bottom line, though, there’s a national trend toward green energy and continuing to attempt to protect the environment. Businesses that are able to boast of more advanced energy conservation measures can often turn the tide of positive public opinion their way, increasing their business growth. And, if that’s not enough reason to go green, there are also forthcoming laws that will provide a different kind of incentive.

It’s not just cars and light bulbs that are being evaluated for their energy efficiency, however. The dramatic increase in online business and entertainment has caused computer use to skyrocket. All of this online data transfer uses a lot of energy. Research into more energy efficient computer chips is continuing, but the good news for businesses interested in moving some of their computing off-site is that data centers can be green, too—both in Chicago and elsewhere across the United States.

Here are three qualities to look for when searching for a green Chicago data center.

1. Proper Heating and Cooling

Efficiency within the data center itself has a lot to do with the temperature of the units. Anyone with a laptop knows that computers generate heat. Keeping the data center at a proper operating temperature—72 degrees Fahrenheit, instead of 68 degrees—will increase operating speeds of the computers as well as lower cooling costs. In addition, there are other structural elements (such as raised flooring) that can reduce heat build-up and ease cooling costs.

2. Sustainable Building Design

It’s not just the computers and cooling systems that can be sustainable; the building itself can be, too. There are national green building standards, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), that architects and developers can reach. There are a number of Chicago data centers that have achieved this certification, so any business interested in having a reputation for sustainable energy practices can seek them out.

3. System Monitoring

Proper monitoring equipment can track the energy use of various components within the data system itself. In so doing, it can establish a base level of power use, and it can pinpoint variances within the usage that may signal an internal problem. The more quickly a problem like this is identified, the more quickly it can be resolved and energy use can return to normal.

 

 

When Jan writes, she writes with passion. She especially enjoys writing about computers. If you would like more info regarding Digital Realty in Chicago, please visit http://www.digitalrealtytrust.com/

 

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Technology is for mankind! Innovations are of no use if they do no good to the human beings. Web, androids, tablets, kindle and other internet technologies have made life simpler and that is the reason these are called great innovations.

But I am not going to discuss about these technologies; in this article I would share my findings on how the real estate industry is using technology to offer a better user experience.

Internet technologies and online marketing for real estate agents

Majority of the real estate brokers have their own websites; from getting in touch with the sellers to marketing properties to the buyers – they operate their entire business online. By making full use of online marketing, various tools and internet technologies it is quite easy to come up with impressive interfaces these days.

Let’s discuss about three most powerful online technologies and tools which look promising for the real estate industry.

Videos

Real estate agents are arranging online viewings with videos; while promoting a property they are creating videos to showcase the house to the prospective buyers. With such videos it has become easy for the sellers or brokers to demonstrate the features of the house. Such videos can be easily shared on the internet.

The popularity of such videos has reached such a high that real estate video creation has come up as a new business concept. AgentCasts is a website that helps real estate agents create videos of houses which are up for sale.

Blogs

Blogs add an informal voice to any website; by adding blogs to any website the webmasters and marketers get the chance to interact with the audience in an informal way. Sharing image, sharing videos, product launching to educating the target audience – everything can be done efficiently with a blog.

Fast Property Solutions, a leading UK based cash property buyer has recently launched blog based PropTorial section to educate general people on the do’s and don’ts of property trading, mortgage and related facts. This is a new approach towards the way people manage corporate blogs; there can be many other applications of blogs as well.

Apps for Kindle Fire, Androids and Tablets

Androids and tablets are becoming popular each passing day; it is easy to anticipate that number of people accessing internet from mobile devices will soon surpass the laptop or desktop users.

Keeping that in mind, Zillow has launched apps for androids, tablets and mobile device users who frequently access internet to search information. Zillow is a leading provider of information and tools that can help people take wise decision about real estate, homes and mortgage.

Soon after the launch of Kindle Fire, Zillow developed an app that can be accessed using the device. And then Zillow has announced an app for android tablet users. These apps allow prospective buyers to browse homes for sale on a large touch-screen map, view full screen photos, compare multiple homes, search for homes with voice commands etc.

Selling or buying home will not be hectic any more; with all these apps and interfaces people can sell and buy homes without going out in the sun!

 

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Consumers increasingly rely on their Internet connection to stream television and movies while forgoing their traditional cable television service. Cable ISPs have seen profits fall in recent years as the trend has accelerated, and they're looking to do something about it. As such, it's almost inevitable that at least one of the major cable ISPs will roll out usage-based billing in the near future. There's a high likelihood of that happening in 2012, at least according to Bloomberg. Their analysts predict that either Cox, Time Warner, or Charter Communications, Inc. will move to charging customers based on their data consumption.

Such a move would be motivated in large part by media access migrating to the web. For instance, the streaming media company Netflix is responsible for 32.7% of peak web traffic in the United States. In addition, BitTorrent, iTunes, and Xbox Live traffic that's sent to set-top boxes and smart TVs make up a significant chunk of web traffic nationwide. All that bandwidth needs to come from somewhere, and the cable ISPs do have a point. Namely, that the number of people who use "excessive" amounts of bandwidth are a small minority and that usage-based billing would at least in theory be more fair. Since no plans have been announced as of yet, it's unclear how fair a usage-based billing system would really be.

Usage-based billing for cable ISPs is hardly a new idea. Canada's Rogers Communications has had metered residential Internet since 2008. The response from Canadians not been positive, to say the least. In fact, Canada's CRTC recently reversed their stance on metered billing after years of complaints. Cable companies have had far more success with residential bandwidth caps set at reasonable levels, such as Comcast's 250 GB per month limit. For the average household, 250 GB is generally plenty of bandwidth.

Cable companies hold near monopolies on high-speed Internet in some areas. But they're playing with fire by pushing for usage-based pricing structures. Municipalities like Tempe, Arizona, already offer free municipal Wi-Fi. In addition, cities across the country have threatened to put together their own high-speed networks to combat exorbitant cable ISP fees. For an instructive lesson on what happens when people push back against ISP monopolies, see the case of Monticello, Minnesota. As large, monolithic cable companies attempt to retain their relevance, market forces will push back. In the end, the biggest winner will as always be the end user.

 

Ariel blogs on a number of subjects ranging from cars, to technology. She works for a company that helps people sell autos, by paying cash for autos in San Diego.

 

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Knowing what your customers think about your products or services is an important ingredient for a successful business. If keeping customers happy is one of your top priorities, you should be concerned with voice of customer.

The voice of the customer can refer to incorporating the wants and needs of the customer into product design by gathering information directly from the customer. It can also be defined as the process of gathering customer feedback.

There are different methods for obtaining customer opinion. One way to get customer reaction in your voice of customer process is by creating, distributing and analyzing the results of a survey.

Creating a Survey

The questions you ask in your survey should coincide with information you need to receive. If you want to know how people feel about your customer service, focus on those types of questions. If you’re interested in improving a particular product, ask questions related to the product. Don’t get sidetracked by asking questions that lack focus or are irrelevant to the purpose of the survey.

Here are some potential questions you may wish to include in your survey:

• When was the last time you made an online purchase from us?
• What did you purchase?
• When you received your item, was it what you expected?
• What made you decide to buy from us?
• Would you shop with us again?
• How easy was your checkout experience?
• Would you recommend our product/service to your family and friends?
• What would you use Product A for?
• Who in your household would use Product A?
• If you needed to contact our customer service department, were you put on hold? For how long?

Distributing your survey

There are three main methods you can use to distribute your survey:

1. Phone call
2. Mail
3. Online/email

Calling customers can be useful if you want to hear exactly what they have to say. Recording their responses will eliminate errors in summarizations by employees. A drawback to phone calls is that many people have caller-id on their phones and won’t answer if they don’t know you or think you’re selling something.

Mailing your survey might be the right choice for customers who are unlikely to respond online. You would want to take into account the costs involved in sending the survey and paying the return postage.

An online survey will likely cost less and be more effective than phone calls and mail. You should already have a customer database which includes email addresses. Emailing the online survey to specific customers is an efficient way to cover distribution and retrieval. There are companies, such as Omniture, which have specifically designed software to manage your online survey needs.

Regardless of which method you use, offering your customers an incentive for completing your survey may increase the number of responses you receive. It can be as simple as a percentage off their next order or free shipping. Giving people a reason to help you may boost your bottom line.

Analyzing survey results

Now is the time to take all the information you’ve gathered and use it to improve your business product or service. Use customer feedback to make enhancements to current products or change aspects of a new product to meet customer needs.

Some questions to ponder when performing your analysis could include:

• What can we learn from our survey results?
• What specific actions should we take in changing product design?
• Will suggested changes fit within our budget?
• How can customer service be improved?
• Are we meeting or exceeding customer expectations?

Providing quality products and unparalleled services will naturally attract customers to your business. However, maintaining a high standard of excellence and keeping your customers satisfied over the long term will be much easier if you are constantly asking for feedback and consistently making necessary adjustments.

 

Clarence Hancock is a freelance business writer.

 

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This piece on data security is brought to you by Hirepulse. If you are a contractor or consultant, then you should check us out and advertise yourself for free with us today.

Over the last 5 years, it has become a near standard for trusted platform modules to be installed in new laptops sold.

The manufacturers Sony, Dell, Samsung, LG, Toshiba and several other major names have integrated TPMs in the laptops that are sold by them.

The main purpose of the TPM is to provide complete system integrity to stop physical tampering of systems to extract data. A common example would be where a hard drive is removed from a system and put into another system with the intent of stealing data. By using BitLocker in combination with TPM security, it is nearly impossible to recover this data without the BitLocker Recovery Key.

Microsoft claims that there is no ‘back door’ method to subverting BitLocker Security. Some law enforcement bodies have expressed a desire for Microsoft to add in a mechanism for law enforcement to extract data if necessary.

BitLocker software is included with Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. The latest version that comes with Windows 7 and Server 2008 includes functionality to encrypt removable drives (such as USB memory sticks).

In today’s world where laptop theft with the intention of stealing company information is becoming more and more of a common threat, it is important for us to use drive encryption in case people get access to the laptop.

TPM devices also have inbuilt algorithms to prevent dictionary attacks, which enable the user to have a simpler password than what would normally be expected to protect against brute force attacks. Also, the cryptographic information used for TPM and Bitlocker to work is kept in the physical memory which means that a laptop left in sleep mode is easier to attack than one left in a powered-off state. Therefore it is recommended that your laptop be powered down when you are not using it to ensure maximum security.

When using Bitlocker in conjunction with TPM it is of critical importance that you do not lose your recovery key. Without this key you run the risk of losing your data which is obviously an extremely serious problem.

Be sure to set the recovery key, saving this immediately to a safe place (that is also secure from attack).

BitLocker and TPM is not 100% secure, and as always, physical access to a machine should be restricted from untrusted sources. There have been some publications regarding side channel attacks on TPM devices that are feasible immediately after a machine has been powered down.

Overall, the advances in drive encryption with a hardware integrity module such as TPM are a great thing for data security. If you are in business and carry important data on your laptop, you should work to start encrypting your data today.

 

 

This piece on data security is brought to you by Hirepulse. If you are a contractor or consultant, then you should check us out and advertise yourself for free with us today.

 

 

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In the modern fast paced world we all want our post and packages to arrive as soon as possible and for the service to be as hassle free as possible but have you ever wondered about the work that goes into those deliveries? It takes many different people, usually covering many miles and a great deal of coordination to ensure that your package arrives at your door on time. This article takes a look at the differences between delivery services and their use of logistics software.

The Postman

Being a postal worker may strike some as an easy enough occupation with little stress or hassle, however there is a lot of work behind the scenes that a postman or women must do before they even leave the depot. A postal workers day will usually start by them getting up at an unsociable hour such as 5 in the morning, which in itself is an added challenge of the job and then they must spend time in the depot sorting all of their days post. When the post is finally sorted then it’s time to deliver. From then on the postal worker is on their own and it is up to them to ensure that all of their required deliveries are made. This involves covering a lot of ground, usually by foot and organising your route to deliver the post as efficiently as possible. Therefore it can be a strenuous task, both physically and mentally.

The postal service uses less software than other delivery services as their workers often delivery to the same houses on the same streets routinely, although software is still applied to ensure that their service is coherent and organised.

The Lorry Driver

As with being a postal worker there may be a misconception that being a lorry driver is an easy job. In fact being a lorry driver can be an extremely challenging occupation. The role involves working long hours as drivers will usually start there shift early in the morning making sure that their lorry has been loaded correctly and that everything is securely stored within the vehicle. Then when they set out on the road a great deal of concentration and driving skill is required as a momentary lapse in concentration or error in judgement can lead to extremely dangerous situations. A lorry driver may have several deliveries to make in a range of different locations; this involves a lot of driving and unloading of the lorry. This can take its toll both physically and mentally and it can be a long hard days’ work.

Logistics software is used to a large extent within haulage companies to ensure that the drivers know exactly where they are supposed to be and when. It can be a huge task tracking all of the different packages that you have promised to deliver on time and so this software provides vital co-ordination and organisation to these companies.

With an ever increasing amount of shopping now being done online, delivery services are becoming more vital. Therefore having a fast and reliable service is not only expected but essential for the survival of any delivery service.

 

 

Sam Qam is a former lorry driver who now runs his own haulage company. His company relies heavily on supply chain software and a host of high quality logistics software to make their deliveries on time.

 

 

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In today’s environment, both students and faculty are concerned about campus safety and access. However, a university campus is a complex mixture of public and semi-public spaces, so it is impossible to restrict access to the entire campus. By using ID cards printed on site, a university can improve security, streamline campus activities, and save money all at once.

ID cards can be printed in a variety of formats and designs, ranging from simple cards with the student’s ID number, barcode and photograph on them, to more complex designs incorporating magnetic stripes for information storage, or even smart cards for managing access control or for real time tracking. In this way, it is possible for the administration to tailor student and faculty ID cards for their specific needs.

The Benefits of ID Cards

ID cards can serve a variety of purposes, ranging from simple photo identification, to using smart cards for highly automated and confidential transactions. For a campus, the following uses are all examples of the benefits from using ID cards.

• ID cards provide an effective way for peace officers to determine whether an individual is actually a student or university employee. Including a photo of the cardholder prevents others from making use of a lost of stolen card to gain access to campus services.
• ID cards can provide access control for secured areas. These can range from dorms where only residents and their authorized guests are allowed, to secure labs that only a limited number of students or faculty can access. In case it is required, these ID cards can also provide a record of when students entered or left the secured areas.
• Cards incorporating magnetic stripe data storage can provide a storage medium for student information that can be securely encrypted. This reduces the danger of student identity theft.
• By using ID cards as campus debit cards for purchasing goods and services, the complexity of managing transactions can be reduced, as well as reducing the amount of cash that must be handled on a day-to-day basis.

Identification Card Printers and College ID Cards

When making use of ID cards, universities would be wise to invest in an ID card printer system. ID card printer systems allow the printing of cards on site, without having to outsource the process to a distant printer. This permits the quick replacement of lost cards, as well as immediately providing new students with their ID cards. In the end, purchasing an identification card printer will be far more cost effective than outsourcing the printing process.

By keeping ID card printers on the campus grounds, the administration can also manage card security. Card printers can be password protected, limiting the number of people who have access to them, as well as keeping a record of all currently printed cards. This is especially important when printing cards that incorporate student information encoded into the card, or cards that permit access to secure facilities.

By printing ID cards with an ID card printer, universities can incorporate an identification card system that will streamline the processing of students, ease the payment of debts, and improve campus security. In this way, the use of an ID card printer represents an economical long-term investment on the part of the university.

 

Steve Stoltz is a sales representative at CardPrinter.com, an online retailer that sells Photo ID Card Printers. We offer a large variety of high quality Retransfer Card Printer packages designed to serve the needs of both universities and businesses alike.

 

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