Freebies for Non-Profits; Savings for Others

Non-profits can keep their shoestrings from fraying by taking advantage of free software offerings from a number of publishers. Even for-profit businesses can realize savings. That can be especially helpful for small and home-based businesses that operate on shoestring budgets or have little margin for extra expenses.

For legitimate, duly registered non-profits, numerous software publishers and web-based services providers offer free programs. They can cover email, application software and web-based (cloud-based) file storage and collaboration tools.

We’ve worked with two non-profit clients to help them save $2,600 and $500 per year, respectively, in software and service costs. We helped them achieve their savings by looking at the availability of free software and services from current providers or finding alternatives they could use free of charge. While the savings may not seem like a lot of money, they do free up dollars to spend on fulfilling their missions.

For one of our non-profits, GreenVision Inc., which provides jobs and learning experiences for students and adults with developmental disabilities, we could have saved them an immediate $150 per year had they been a for-profit business. That’s because one of their providers was charging them for features they didn’t use.

Paying for products or services that are neither used nor needed is one of the biggest cost drains for many small and home-based businesses. The problem can initiate when buying and setting up software or services. If you’re not sure whether you need a feature or capability, you may take it as part of the purchase price or ongoing subscription charges.

In some cases, you may be able reduce the number of licenses you need because not everyone in your company needs access to a specific web-based service. In other cases, you may be able to save money by using a subscription service that provides discounts for multiple users within the same company.

Whether you are a non-profit organization or for-profit business, we can help you sort through all of your options to find the software and services that meet your needs – and can be provided to you free or for a reduced cost. Call us – 973-433-6676 – or email us to learn how you can eliminate or reduce your software and web-based service costs.

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

Microsoft Matters

We use the word “matters” as a noun and a verb. In the matter of Windows XP and Windows 7 and Microsoft’s OS odyssey, migrating to 7 still makes the most sense. Despite all the chatter about Windows 8 upgrades and moving to Linux, Microsoft remains the dominant OS in the PC world for many reasons.

OS performance aside, Microsoft has done a great job of penetrating the market. Despite all the Apple devotees, the vast majority of businesses and government agencies (from national to municipal) run on Windows, and they have hundreds of millions of computers. Hundreds of millions of iOS and Android mobile devices tie themselves to the networks that tie together all those computers.

With the end of the XP operating system plainly in sight – April 8, 2014 is the day Microsoft pulls the plug – we see migrating to Windows 7 as the only viable option for our PC-based clients. Here’s why:

  • Linux is simply too cumbersome for home, SOHO, small business and mid-size business use. Yes, it has great flexibility, and because it’s open software, anybody can add great new features and upgrades at any time. But there’s a downside to all of this.Home and SOHO users may not have the technical knowledge to install, configure and use Linux software and upgrades. A few users may like the hobby aspect of playing with Linux, but if you are running a business from your home, you probably don’t want to mix business and play time.For businesses, you’ll just spend way too much time and money training and retraining employees. You need to assess how many of your employees have the ability to absorb all of the training and if you have the ability to absorb the loss of efficiency as they navigate the learning curve. For the most part, you didn’t hire them to become geeks.
  • Everybody knows Windows, especially the straightforward XP and 7 systems. In addition, many business applications from accounting to manufacturing operations are written for commonly used interfaces. That means Microsoft Windows – along with Apple and the common iOS and Android devices.
  • Better business software and upgrades will continue to be written for Windows. Why? It’s basic business: Everyone uses it, creating a lot of profit opportunities. Highly popular consumer programs and apps will continue to be written for Windows for the same reason.

If you are a small to mid-size business, we believe it’s imperative to migrate to Windows 7. Besides tax advantages for acting now (See 1040 Over and Out), you need to stay on the good side of the law – the law of supply and demand. Right now, Windows 7 computers are available, and prices are stable. But as we get closer to April 8, 2014, any increase in demand can rapidly deplete supplies; that’s a prime condition for rising prices. Even if supplies are stable, a sense of urgency can trigger a price increase. On top of that, the available IT resources to install, configure and test systems will be strained. You could wait longer for service, or it could become more expensive, especially if you lose production at an inopportune time.

Our solution? Call us (973-433-6676) or email us to assess your technology needs and develop a schedule to get your new systems up and running in a timely and efficient manner. Microsoft matters, and it really matters that you resolve any issues as quickly and effectively as possible.

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

Getting the Right Technology Match

In talking about preparing for the end of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, we’re counseling clients and prospects more and more about the need for a systematic approach. Remember, Windows XP support ends next April, and we strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 7. As we’ve pointed out many times, Windows 8 is difficult for most business users to get used to. And because it’s such a departure from the look and feel most users like, anyone who needs to shuttle between the two platforms will want to tear his or her hair out.

However, upgrading one part of your technology system may have unintended consequences for an entire operation. We can perform a lot of magic on systems, but even the best IT support company can’t give you more rabbits if you don’t have a hat. You can supply the hat by following this tech system checklist.

  1. Don’t buy retail. Price aside, every retailer we’ve looked at does not sell computers with Windows 7. You’ll need to go directly through a manufacturer that offers you the Windows 7 option, but even then, you need to consider a number of factors. Every manufacturer’s website will have enough options and feature packages to make your head spin.
  2. Have the right computer. In all likelihood, if you have a computer running XP, it likely won’t handle Windows 7. Many old machines have 32-bit processing, and the newer operating system works best with 64-bit processing. The performance difference between the two is like night and day.
  3. Get the right processor in your computer. Many Windows-based computers come with either Intel or AMD processors. Each of those has a variety of processing speeds. The fastest isn’t necessarily the best for you. Higher-speed chips are required for doing a lot complex calculations, gaming and working with graphics (which, to a computer are complex calculations).
  4. Right-size your RAM. RAM (random access memory) is where your computer does its thinking. Generally speaking, the more RAM you have, the more information your computer can process faster. As with selecting the right chip, the amount of RAM you need depends on the application you’re running. In some cases, you can add RAM by adding and/or upgrading the RAM chips, but every computer has a finite RAM limit.
  5. Consider your peripherals. If you are a small business or have a home office and are hanging in with an older computer, you likely will need to upgrade peripherals, such as your printer and monitor. An older printer may not be able to handle a newer, faster computer. As with everything else, printer manufacturers reach a point where it doesn’t pay them to develop drivers (the software that connects the computer and your network to the printer) to support obsolete printers. And, if your old printers slow down computer and network performance, you won’t get full value. While older CRT monitors may still work, they’ll be so slow and fuzzy that you’ll strain your patience and your eyes. Flat-screen monitors will give you a bigger viewing area with higher resolution, and they’ll use much less power, too.  If you do wind up with a Windows 8 computer and want to use it like a tablet with a touchscreen, you’ll need a touchscreen monitor.
  6. Upgrade your software. When you go from a 32-bit to a 64-bit computer, you’ll need to upgrade your software. Older applications won’t run efficiently on the new computer, and you’ll lose time or capability or both. Again, software publishers reach a financial tipping point when supporting old software, so just roll this into your budget to get the best ROI on technology.
  7. Maintain enough network capacity. Businesses and homes depend on wireless networks with sufficient capacity to meet business, entertainment and education needs. For all the money you spend computers, devices and big TVs (including cable and satellite fees), it makes sense to have a network to handle everything. We’re seeing a lot of homeowners with under-powered networks, either because the routers are not robust enough or because they don’t have a good system of boosters to relay signals. Boosters can improve network performance substantially, but you need to locate them in the right places. In some newer, bigger buildings with a lot more concrete and rebar steel, you need to be especially careful about your installation.

Let’s talk about the technology you have and what you want technology to do. Then we can help you source and set up the right systems to give you a faster ROI and longer, less expensive service life. Drop us an email or call us – 973-433-6676

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

 

Windows 8 – The Saga Slogs On

We’ve seen the early reviews on Windows 8.1, and we’re still not impressed. If you’re planning to migrate from XP, we have a Windows 7 solution: Call us!

We have suppliers who can provide desktops and laptops with Windows 7, and two of the big reasons are that the operating system’s capabilities are ideally suited for business needs and that the interface is very familiar to all users. While Windows 8.1, due out sometime this fall, will have a start button to get to menus and program commands, it will still have the “metro” style that’s more like a smart phone or tablet.

The Windows 7/Windows 8 issue is critical for many businesses. With support ending this spring for the XP operating system, many need to replace large numbers of computers. Just as an example, we have one client that will be replacing 25 computers at one time. We have been able to secure the exact same make and model for them with Windows 7 that they bought six months ago.

This will enable them to transition out of XP and keep a system that will minimize employee training requirements. It will also enable them to apply all bug fixes and OS upgrades across the board, simplifying their IT management. (See our sidebar article about SYOD.)

If you’re looking to upgrade your computers or transition out of Windows XP, contact us right away to see about new computers with the Windows 7 OS. We like new stuff, but we believe oldie OS is the best way to go. Just pick up the phone (973-433-6676) if you prefer, and we’ll be happy to talk.

SYOD Simplifies IT Management

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) was all the rage in many corporate environments. It allowed employees to sync their own phone, tablets and laptops to corporate systems to give them a way to combine business and personal use. While it was great for them and for making it easier to stay connected to necessary business, it was an absolute management nightmare.

The nightmare has ended with SYOD (Select Your Own Device).

With SYOD, companies can present employees with a list of smart phones, tablets and laptops that they will support. Employees can select the device or devices they want to use. It simplifies IT management, including keeping the devices connected to corporate systems and managing those connections better. IT managers can even partition the devices into business and personal sections to manage the business functionality better. And when an employee leaves, IT can simply deactivate all the business-related connections and functions.

Email or call us at 973-433-6676 to explore SYOD options for your business.

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

Disabling IE Add-On Messages

Want to get rid of those pesky add-on messages when browsing in IE (Internet Explorer)?  It’s relatively easy, especially if you’re comfortable with editing Windows Registry – but it’s not necessary.

The “Add-on Performance Advisor” feature automatically checks for add-ons, which might slow down IE. But it lets you disable them by showing a popup notification message “Speed up browsing by disabling add-ons” at the bottom-center of IE window.

That popup notification bar has two buttons “Choose add-ons” and “Ask me later”. If you click on “Choose add-ons” button, you’ll see a list of add-ons that might slow down your browser, and it shows a “Disable” button to disable one or all of the add-ons. If you click on the “Ask me later” button, you’ll see the message later. That can be annoying when you use selected add-ons and don’t want to disable any of them.  But there are three ways to get rid of the message.

1. Increase Performance Threshold

  • When the popup notification message appears again, click on the “Choose add-ons” button to open a new window.
  • Go the “Tell me when…” phrase at the bottom of the window, click the dropdown menu, change the time to 10 seconds and click “Done.”

That should effectively disable the message.  If you want to choose to see the pop-up message when you think it would be useful, you can edit Windows Registry.

  • Type regedit in RUN or the Start Menu search box and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
  • Go to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMAO Settings
  • In the pane on the right side, double-click on “AddonLoadTimeThreshold”. Then, set Base to Decimal and set the value to 10000.
  • Click OK

If you don’t want to change the performance threshold using Registry but do want to open the Add-Ons Performance Advisor message the next time you launch IE, set value of “AddonLoadTimeThreshold” to 1 and delete “SuppressPerfBarUntil” key. That will reset it to appear automatically when you launch IE.

 2. Group Policy Editor

This is a simpler fix to permanently disable the pop-up.

  • Type gpedit.msc in RUN or the Start Menu search box and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • Go to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer.
  • In the window on the right, double-click on “Disable add-ons performance notifications” and set it to Enabled. (Yes, you are enabling the “disable” capability.)

3. Regedit

We recommend this only if you are an advanced user, and even then, we’d like to be able to walk you through the process. We’ll send you the steps on request and set up an appointment to make the changes.

Whichever method you choose, should you want to eliminate the annoying pop-up message, we’re ready to answer your questions or help you make the change. Just call 973-433-6676 or email us.

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

Preparing for the End of Windows XP and Office 2003 Support

Support for Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 ends on April 8th, 2014. Are
you ready? After support ends, there will be no new security updates,
non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options, or online
technical content updates.

If you continue to run Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 in your environment after
April 8, 2014, you are exposing your company to potential security risks, as
unsupported and unpatched environments are vulnerable to security threats.
Further, independent software vendors (ISVs) and hardware manufacturers are
less likely to support new versions of applications on Windows XP as we near
the retirement date.

For many, migration efforts are well underway to get current. For those that
require additional assistance, Microsoft offers in-depth technical resources,
tools, and expert guidance to ease the deployment process. To learn more about
migration and deployment programs, and to explore solutions if your current
migration plans extend beyond April 8th 2014, please contact your
Microsoft Support Professional. We are dedicated to helping you remain secure
and are here to assist you every step of the way.

Visit the Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 end of support site
for more information on resources available to help with your migration.

For additional insights on the security risks of running on older operating
systems, see the Microsoft Security Blog on Operating System Infection Rates.