CBM Technology.NET Tech Blog

If you have your own Microsoft Exchange Server get the BlackBerry Enterprise Server for free

Blake Judice — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:11:37 -0600

A few months ago, if you have an Exchange server and wanted to sync Blackberry Smartphones wirelessly, you would have to purchase licenses for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Now BlackBerry has finally released BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express for no additional software or client access licensing cost. For the end user, the only cost is the internet-enabled BlackBerry service plan from your wireless service provider.

The BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express has most of the features that you need such as:

Synced inboxes (i.e., email deleted from work Outlook account are also deleted from your BlackBerry smartphone - no need to manage 2 inboxes)
Ability to flag emails for follow-up from your BlackBerry smartphone
Search your desktop inbox for messages from your BlackBerry smartphone
Set up out of office replies from your BlackBerry smartphone
Access and update important notes and tasks
Access to an up-to-date calendar that is synched wirelessly (No need to tether to your desktop!)
View, download and forward calendar attachments
Wireless address lookup (changes to your corporate address book are reflected almost immediately on your BlackBerry smartphone)
Synchronization between your desktop address book and your BlackBerry smartphone address book (that means when you add a contact to one, it is automatically updated in the other)

Improve employee production and reduce your IT costs by adding web filtering services.

Blake Judice — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:23:00 -0600

Over the past couple of years, there have been more great tools and web applications available on the Internet, but they have also become a big distraction for employees getting quality work completed. Particularly social networking sites, online games, and videos (live & streaming). Although some social networking sites and videos can be great tools for businesses, they are costing money in lost time, lost productivity, quality of work, and bandwidth slowdowns. Below are some examples of possible consequences of internet abuse:

Decrease in employee production:
The 2010 World Cup Soccer games had everyone even remotely interested in soccer watching live feeds online during work hours. While they seemed to be working, it created a lot of distractions that caused workers to make more mistakes and take longer to complete a task. More mistakes equal more time spent for both managers and employees, provides customers lower quality work and postpones future tasks. This trickle-down effect can be expensive over time.

Increase in malware, viruses, and network security risks:
Employees can unintentionally download malware, viruses, and open your network to security risks through internet abuse. This can increase the costs of having an IT technician remove the malware, viruses, and network security risks. Most of the time, IT technicians have to make repeated trips over the course of the year to address the same issues. Having computer issues can also reduce employee productivity. For some businesses, this is their number one IT expenditure and can cost several thousands of dollars in repairs and lost data every year.

Decrease in morale for productive employees:
Productive employees are normally the first to notice internet abuse. This can cause unnecessary stress to these employees and put them in an uncomfortable position in relation to their coworkers and management.

Increase in bandwidth costs:
Online videos and online games all use bandwidth resulting in high bandwidth utilization which slows down the company's internet experience. Adding more bandwidth is a quick and easy way to increase your IT costs.

If a business were to add up the costs of internet abuse over a year, the result could be a surprising and unacceptable amount. Lost money and resources could easily be used for other areas of the business such as marketing, equipment, supplies, or even a company get-together. To help control these costs and prevent risks, there are a several inexpensive tools that are available for businesses of all sizes and types. Here are some of the major features to look for:

Ability to block access to websites based on domain, URL pattern, or content category

Block downloads based on file type

Block applications that access the Internet, including IM, music services, and games

Provide integrated gateway and desktop spyware protection

Protection from malicious sites that contain viruses and malware

Create separate policies for different groups

Restricting personal web browsing to non-working hours

Reporting

Adding a web filter solution to a network can help provide any business much better prevention against productivity loss, stress, and sudden cost increases. For managers and owners who don't mind letting their employees break away from work for a few minutes, there are tools available that will allow you to give them access during a set timeframe or time limit. Depending on the employee, this could actually provide a beneficial break in their routine.

Here is a free web filtering tool for your business of 5-10 employees: OpenDNS - http:www.opendns.com . It gives you malware site protection, web content filtering and reporting. OpenDNS can help protect you from the dangers of the Internet. It can also be used at home to help protect your kids and personal computers.

End of Support for Windows XP SP2 & Windows 2000 on July 13th, 2010

Blake Judice — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:45:30 -0600

Today on July, 13th 2010, all versions of Windows 2000 and Windows XP Service Pack 2 will reach end of support by Microsoft. This means that Microsoft will not be providing software updates from Windows Update. These include security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can steal your personal information. Windows Update also installs the latest software updates to improve the reliability of Windows.

If you are using Windows 2000, it is highly recommended that you upgrade to Windows 7.

If you are using Windows XP Service Pack 2 or lower, it is highly recommended that you upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 3. For the time being, Microsoft will continue to support Service Pack 3. To find out if you are on Service Pack 3:

Right Click on My Computer and click Properties

On the General Tab, you should see what Service Pack you are on.

If you are on Service Pack 2 or lower, please run Windows Update.

If you have trouble running Windows Update or would like some assistance, give CBM Technology.Net a call @ 337.233.5010 or contact us via email . For more information about this article click here.

Possibility of more hurricanes due to La Niña

Blake Judice — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:34:19 -0600

According to The Associated Press, La Niña could increase the number of hurricanes this season, click here for more information . As a result, this could raise the possibility to have more hurricanes hitting the Gulf State coastlines which in turns raises the risks of losing data and having downtime. This is more the reason why you should start investing in your Backup & Disaster Recovery plans to minimize the risks of losing your data and losing production.

CBM Technology.NET provides a wide range of Disaster Preparedness and Recovery services to help minimize the risks of having high recovery costs, losing data, and speed of recovery. CBM Technology can help provide by providing risk evaluations, implementing measures to reduce those risks, creating a recovery plan. Some of these risk reducing measures can include data backup services with out-of-gulf-region offsite backups, inventory documentations, etc.

If you are ready to protect your business, give us a call or send us an email .

Surveillance Cameras, How can they help protect a business?

Blake Judice — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:45:09 -0600

One common answer is to protect a business from theft and vandalism. While this is true, it is only one of many benefits surveillance cameras can provide. The additional benefits listed below can provide you with an improved sense of security and potentially increase your bottom line.

Enforcing Safety Policies - For those who have warehouses or industrial shops, most have safety policies in place to adhere to state & federal regulations as well as to prevent employees from injuries. A routine review of surveillance history can help make sure the policies are being adhered to.

Reducing Liabilities - Legal litigation from any number of sources is an unfortunate part of today's business climate. Video surveillance can be a tremendous asset in stating your case should that need arise.

Employee Productivity - Some employees have a tendency to become side tracked from their work responsibilities. This can cost money and a decrease in quality of service. When employee inefficiencies are noted in an area of production, video feeds can be reviewed to see where inefficiencies occur and appropriate action can be taken.

Employee Training - Employee training can go hand-in-hand with Employee Productivity. By reviewing where inefficiencies occur, employees can be retrained or a new procedure can be implemented to increase efficiency.

Reduce Insurance Premiums - Installing surveillance cameras around a business can help reduce most insurance policy premiums by having the additional security in place and operating.

Track who and when someone enters a room or building - Tracking who and when someone enters a room or building can help reinforce accountability and determine where security or safety measures need improvement.

Along with these benefits, video surveillance systems now come packed with useful features. These features can include night vision, a DVR system which allows recording of over 2 years of 247 video footage, the ability to access live video feeds from smartphones, etc.

Over the years, surveillance systems have become more affordable. Considering the benefits and features that are included, both the investment value and the return on investment are increased. Video surveillance systems can be added to your existing network infrastructure. This helps keep the cost of installation to a minimum and keeps your technology integrated.

CBM Technology.NET specializes in the installation and operational setup of surveillance systems. If you have any questions or are interested in having a video surveillance system installed at your business, give us a call @ 337.233.5010 or send us an email .