iPad to the Rescue! A Look at My First Month Using an iPad

My life pre-iPad…  

I’ve come from the pen and paper mentality, and during sales calls and client meetings, I took various notes in a traditional notepad and then put those notes into an electronic format in our client database, typically later that day – a perfect example of double data entry.  Also, when in the field I’d often get client calls and e-mails on my smartphone.  I would take notes in my notepad and then call into the office or handle these items when I returned.  Working on a smartphone with a 4-inch screen and mini on-screen keyboard just isn’t enjoyable or very productive.  There had to be a more efficient way of handling notes and client needs while in the field.

iPad to the rescue!  

At first I was a little uncomfortable using the iPad because it challenged my pen and paper mentality.  The thought of going into a business with only some business cards and an iPad was a bit strange, and not having a pen on my person felt like leaving the house without my wallet.  After only a few client meetings, using the built-in Notes app on the iPad became second nature, and wow, has this been a good feeling.  At the end of meetings, I can instantly email notes to another person or even enter them into our web-based customer database.

You might be wondering, “How does he access the web-based database without a 3G enabled iPad?”  Well, that’s easy!  I enabled the wi-fi hotspot capability on my smartphone and tethered my iPad to that wireless network.   This saved me calling the office to get a quote or handling it at the end of the day.  It’s worth noting that if your employees are already using smartphones that are internet capable, it may not be necessary to purchase a tablet that is 3G-enabled.  This offers potential cost savings as you only pay for one data plan per employee instead of two.

What are some of the frustrations I’ve experienced with the iPad?  I’m accustomed to a full keyboard and tapping letters on the iPad screen still hasn’t become second nature, but I’m getting faster and more accurate.  With a little more daily use, I’m sure I will quickly feel more comfortable using it.  Plug-in keyboards are available, but that limits the portability of a tablet.  Further, since there are thousands of iPad apps, I’m sure I could find one that would allow me to speak my notes instead of typing.  Hmm, now I better do a search in the App Store.

After only a month of experiencing improved productivity with the iPad for daily business activities, I can’t imagine going without.  If you are on the fence regarding iPad usage for your organization, I suggest trying one yourself first to see how it performs.  After experimenting, you will be able to determine if you should roll it out to others within your organization.

Feel free to contact Networking Solutions if you’d like to discuss tablet integration within your business, we are here to help.

This article was written by Mark Oliver, Business Technology Consultant with Networking Solutions.  Find out more about Mark on our website.

Meet Networking Solutions Partner, Dan Roling

We got a few minutes with Dan Roling, Networking Solution Partner.  He shared with us his thoughts not just on technology but the things he couldn’t live without and what makes Networking Solutions unique.  Benefit from his experience here.

1.    Why IT and technology?  What brought you to this career and what do you like most about it?
I started out as a CPA and found that it was often hard to gauge customer satisfaction and see the results of your hard work when handing over a 1040, etc.  When I moved into the IT arena, I quickly realized how much I enjoyed helping customers solve their problems and seeing the results of my work on their faces.

2.    Why Networking Solutions?  What differentiates this firm for you?
Our people!  We have the best team of techs out there – top to bottom.  We have specialists in all areas and that team mentality is beneficial to our clients.

3.    If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring with you one piece of technology, what would you bring and why?
I would bring my laptop.  I live on that thing and I feel I could get everything done from it – including making calls!

4.    What’s your favorite tech tip?
I think it’s important for people to know that they can increase the security on their workstation by not running as administrator on their computer.  By doing this, you limit spyware and other potential threats.

5.    The tagline at Networking Solutions is “benefit from the experience.” Beyond your technology experience; tell us about some of your experiences outside the office.
I enjoy spending time outdoors.  Hunting and fishing and spending time with family helps to give me the energy to keep our clients’ technology issues at bay.

5 Things You Need to Work From Home

As we approach winter, we approach the season of snow days and sick kids. In a global economy, often times your weather may differ from your clients’. Although you may not need to work from home on a regular basis, there are steps that you can take to ensure you are productive when you find yourself snowed in or battling the sniffles.

1. Data Security. Before you work from home and potentially open your company’s information on a WiFi internet connection, you must make sure that the technology you are using is safe and secure. Meet with your IT person or check with your supervisor to ensure everything is set up appropriately.

2. Computer. Obviously, you will need a computer. But, has your computer been set up in advance to access your company’s VPN? If your work computer isn’t a laptop ensure your company has the right elements in place to access files from your home computer.

3. Internet Connection. An internet connection will be key for accessing your emails and company documents through a VPN. A fast internet speed will make a difference to your sanity and the productivity you can achieve while working from home. If your job requires a large amount of internet activity and document sharing, it may be in your best interest to upgrade to a faster speed.

4. Access to Office Voicemail. If your phone system can forward email to your email or you have a softphone, you are set.  If not, remember to call into the office and set your phone to automatically forward to your cell or home phone to receive calls from clients. If you can’t do this, remember to call in at least a few times a day to check voicemails in order to return calls in a timely manner.

5. Web Cam. While not required to get the job done when working from home, video meetings can be an effective way to meet face to face when not in the office. Skype and oovoo are two options that offer free basic plans.

What is a VPN?  A virtual private network (VPN) is a network that uses existing telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote or traveling users access to your organization’s network.  Click here to read more about VPNs. 

Commercial Enterprises in Iowa are Exempt from Paying Sales Tax on Computers

Did you know that “commercial enterprises” in Iowa are exempt from paying sales tax on computers and all devices fastened to it?  We’ve had this tid-bit come up with a few clients recently and thought it might be good information to share with all of our Iowa clients.

Who is eligible?
Commercial Enterprises include businesses and manufacturers conducting business for profit but excludes professions, occupations, and nonprofit organizations.

More definitions:

• “Profession” means a vocation or employment requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation. Lawyers and doctors are examples of professions. Professions, including professional corporations, do not qualify for the exemption.
• “Occupation” means an individual who has a particular skill or trade. Farming is considered to be an occupation; therefore, farmers do not qualify for the exemption.

What is eligible?

• “Computer” means stored program processing equipment and all devices fastened to it by means of signal cables or any communication medium that serves the function of a signal cable. A computer is a device having information processing capabilities and includes word processing equipment, testing equipment, and programmed or programmable microprocessors and any other integrated circuit embedded in the machinery or equipment.
• “Devices” means the physical computer assembly and peripherals fastened by a signal cable or other communication medium including, but not limited to, such items as the central processing unit, keyboards, consoles, monitors, display units, memory, disk and tape drives, terminals, printer, plotters, modems, tape readers, card readers, card or tape punchers, document sorters, optical readers, and digitizers.
• For further definitions please click here.

If you are an organization that qualifies and have purchased technology equipment, it may be worth your time to do some further investigating to see if you qualify.  Feel free to get in touch with our partner, Bergan Paulsen, with further questions.

Meet Networking Solutions Partner, Rich Eckstein

We recently had the chance to catch up with Rich Eckstein, Partner.  He shared with us his thoughts not just on technology but on running, cabling and what makes Networking Solutions unique.  Benefit from his experience here.

1.    Why IT and technology?  What brought you to this career and what do you like most about it?
For me, it was a job change.  I started out in law enforcement in 89 and when that path ended because of injury a friend pointed me in the direction of the IT industry (this was pre-Al Gore inventing the internet).  Throughout my career I have continued to enjoy the constant challenge that it provides and the ever changing atmosphere of the industry.

2.    Why Networking Solutions?  What differentiates this firm for you?
I think we have a unique relationship with our clients.  They value our opinion and expertise because we treat them the way they want to be treated.  It’s this atmosphere, coupled with the fact that I get to interact with a variety of people and our team, which makes coming to work everyday fun!

3.    If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring with you one piece of technology, what would you bring and why?
My smart phone but I would sneak my iPad also.  I like to feel connected not just with people but with information.

4.    What are some of your favorite tech tips?
1)    Don’t let technology replace personal interaction –it’s impossible to see if the person writing an email is happy.
2)    Mac’s gets viruses also.
3)    I heard someone in 1994 joke that 95% of all network problems are related to physical cabling – joking or not this still holds true today.

5.    The tagline at Networking Solutions is “benefit from the experience” beyond your technology experience; tell us about some of your experiences outside the office.
I got addicted to running a couple years ago and finished a few marathons with plans on a bunch more.  And the experiences that I have while slowly running down the road not only give me and my down time to unwind but also help me to work through challenges facing our company, our clients’ companies and the industry.

Networkings Solutions Team Races in Pathways Behavioral Services 5K

A great race for a great cause!  Our friends at Pathways Behavioral Services held their annual fundraising 5k  last month.  The Networking Solutions team brought their energy and enthusiasm through to the finish line.  John Peters, network technician, brought the race home winning the race and first place in his age bracket!  Additional age bracket medal winners were: Branden Kimmich (spouse of Kelly Kimmich, marketing), Ethan Wyant (son of Dave Wyant, technology consultant) and Jackie Peters (wife of John Peters).

Look like fun?  Want to particpate next year?  Just like us on Facebook and keep your eye out for race entry giveaways!

Top 10 Reasons Networking Solutions & ShoreTel are the Right Partners for You

The Networking Solutions team has done their research and can now confidently recommend the ShoreTel VoIP phone system as the total package – easy to use and low cost of total ownership saves your company time and money.

Why do we recommend it and why should you choose ShoreTel and Networking
Solutions when considering a new phone system for your company?  We
believe that you can benefit from our experience.  Our team has been there
and done that with other phone systems.  We know that the ShoreTel system
truly is Brilliantly Simple.

We’ll meet with you, understand your needs and then make recommendations based on your current challenges while keeping in mind your goals for the next five years.  Benefit from the experience of working with us!

Stay Informed With ConnectioNS

We want you to benefit from the experience you have with Networking Solutions.  That’s why we created ConnectioNS – a client-focused internet portal that will enhance your communication and collaboration with our team.

ConnectioNS is designed to increase visibility into how we can solve your business needs quickly and efficiently and enrich the interaction between your team and ours. Do you need a past invoice for your files? Would you like to submit a ticket but don’t have access to a phone?  Do all this and more from any computer with internet access – work, home, hotel or coffee shop!

To set up your ConnetioNS account, contact you account manager or any member of the Networking Solutions client service team at 888-356-2295 or connectioNS@networkingiowa.com.

Moving Offices? When Should You Call Your IT Firm?

A growing company often has a choice to make when it comes to adding additional staff members:

1. Accommodate the employee growth in their current location or,
2. Relocate their company to a larger office space,

If you are like many companies who are able to accommodate growth within their current space, you already know the networking needs that you’ll have for additional employees.  But, if you are deciding to upgrade your office space, it may be time to contact to contact your IT company to review the next steps.

Early conversations with your IT company often allow you to look at the big picture and develop a long-term solution for your company and its continuous growth.  Further, the sooner you know what you need, the earlier the electricians, contractors, plumbers and IT vendors can implement the established plan – right down to each outlet.

Still unsure of the ins and outs required for moving office spaces?  Learn from INVISION Architecture who recently moved from one downtown Waterloo location to another and documented their process.  Early planning allowed for a seamless move that resulted in minimal downtime and increased productivity.

Finally, get an inside peek at the culmination of their hard work at the upcoming Tour De ‘Loo event on October 6.  INVISION will be open to Tour participants.

Is Your Antivirus Up To Date? Check Now!

A productive day can come to a screeching halt when a virus infects your computer, and just like the flu, it can take time to recover. Generally, your information and documents are safe and secure, but what happens to your business and reputation if your data is exposed or you and your employees are forced to do their job without a computer?

A few general steps can act as a huge dose of vitamin C for your computer.

1. Open the antivirus program (Start -> All Programs -> Your Antivirus Program).
2. Make sure all modules are working properly. Most products will clearly identify major issues.
3. Check if the definitions are up to date. Various modules may have different regularly scheduled updates.  For example, Symantec releases updates several times on a typical day, but network threat protection may only be necessary once a month. In any case, the software should show if a particular module is out of date.
4. If any modules are not working properly or are outdated, contact technical support.  This could be many things including a compromised system, and it is time to get the experts to review.

Follow these steps, and then sit back and relax (or get to work!) and don’t worry about your antivirus until next week – when you should recheck that everything is still working correctly.

How does antivirus software work?  Antivirus software finds and protects your computer from harmful viruses through two approaches: the virus dictionary approach and the suspicious behavior approach.  The virus dictionary approach is when new viruses, their behavior and threats are added to a dictionary that some software use as a guide to identify harmful files.  The suspicious behavior approach monitors the behavior of all software running on the computer and then flags suspicious behavior and notifies the user.