Happy Anniversary!

11 years ago this month we founded StrategicFusion for IT Support.

We believed at the time, that we could deliver superior technology solutions to small and medium sized businesses in Atlanta and that dream is being realized every day!

Heartfelt thanks go out to our clients who have trusted us, our team who has delivered for us and to our partners who have supported us. Thanks to all who helped make StrategicFusion a truly different kind of IT Support provider!

Sincerely,
Mike Gonsalves
President
StrategicFusion, Inc.

http://www.SF-IT.com

Mikego@sf-it.com

Microsoft Office365 Beta for all

This is worth checking out. Microsoft has put Office in the cloud via its public BETA of Office365. This is in addition to Exchange email and SharePoint file sharing that are currently available! (Remember, BETA’s are fun to play with but please don’t use them to run your business!) Check out the public BETA of Office365 here: http://bit.ly/hJFyyE

Change Happens

With this month’s newsletter, we usher in a new era; we are now using a new format for our monthly newsletter that more closely ties our website content and our enewsletter content. All small business owners, whether Professionals, B2B or B2C need to think really hard about how the web and new media (think social networking) are going to drive their business in the future. Fading fast are old ideas about print media. (Have you noticed the size of your favorite newspapers and magazines?)
In January 2010 when we look at search engine market share, we see Google at ~65% , BING! continues to gain share at ~11% and yahoo slips to ~17%, ASK and AOL make up another ~7% (for more details see http://bit.ly/acNZF7 ). For a more jaw dropping impact, Google had ~2.7 Billion searches per month in the US in March 2006 and ~6.8 Billion in January 2010. Total searches in the U.S. alone, in January 2010 were over 10 Billion (see it here: http://bit.ly/as8xYq ) that is about 33 queries per month for every man women and child in the US.
What this tells us is that more and more people are using the web (search engines) to find things. Flights, Painters, Lawyers, Doctors, you name it; people use the web, search engines, to find it. It was once said that you couldn’t eat anything produced on the web, but you can bet that many people are looking at a restaurant’s menu online, and deciding on dinner before leaving the house. Decisions are being made based on your website and how well you present yourself. And it’s not just about looking good to the human eye; you need to look good to the Search Engines as well.
You may have heard the term Search Engine Marketing (SEM) or Search Engine Optimization (SEO), these are terms that relate to how your website ranks for organic search. Organic search results are what appear in the body of the page. Organic results are considered much better than paid advertisements as they carry more weight. Pay Per Click (PPC), think Adwords by Google, is used to increase your rankings in Paid search, or advertisements. These usually show up to the right of the body, sometimes on top and/or on the bottom of the page. These are not prized as highly as organic search results. It is said if you are not in the top 4 or 5 organic results or paid results you might as well throw in the towel as no one will see you.
The question every small business owner needs to be asking him or herself is “am I mapping out our plan to for the company’s future on the web”? You can bet your competitors are. The flip side to that coin, might be “can I get to the internet when I need to”? We can help on either issue.
For more information go to our website http://www.sf-it.com or call us at 678-353-3222, x105.
Thank You,
Mike
Mike Gonsalves
President
StrategicFusion, Inc.
Your Dedicated IT Department

Support: 678-353-3222 Option 1
Direct: 678-990-8595
Mobile: 678-644-4453
Email: Mikego@SF-IT.com
Web: www.SF-IT.com
Computer issues? Please send email to: HELP@sf-it.com

Top 10 Tips every Small Business Owner needs to know about their business computers for 2010!

Top 10 Tips every Small Business Owner needs to know about their business computers for 2010!
1) Back up your data. You hard drive will fail, I guarantee it, it’s just a function of time and luck (or a lack thereof).
2) If your Hard Drive dies, 95% of the time, we can recover it, sometimes it takes less than an hour, sometimes it can take much longer and cost hundreds of dollars, just back it up… NOW.
3) Patches are sent to your computer by software publishers to plug the holes they have found in their computer code in the programs on your computer. Stop the patches and you will open yourself up to infection from a computer virus, again, I feel very safe in saying that I can guarantee it!
4) Having more than 2GB of data in Outlook is not a good idea. Outlook starts slowing down the more email you keep in it. Additionally, the larger the Outlook file is, the harder and longer it takes to recover it if corruption happens. The simple solution is to regularly Archive your email and copy your Archive.PST to your server or another computer.
5) A computer virus is just like a real Virus, they tend to spread among congregated groups, the congregating is usually somewhere on the internet or in an email you open. Live in the woods and you are safe (and lonely), live in the city and you need to get a vaccine.
6) Antivirus software is like a Flu shot, it helps prevent you from getting the FLU but doesn’t guarantee it. Going to the wrong websites opens you up to infection, opening email chain letters does too.
7) Cheap online backup is great if you never have to get the data back down, this can take days.
8) Don’t let your kids use your computer, especially not your work computer. Get them their own.
9) Patches for some programs can be sent at any time. It is not unusual for a patch to make all or part of your system stop working, the fix isn’t hard, if we can get to it quickly.
10) To password protect an Excel or Word file, click on File > Save As > you’ll notice a button called Tools to the left of the save button, click the down arrow, click General Options, enter a password. A word of caution, DO NOT LOSE THIS PASSWORD, as the file will not open without it.
Have an awesome 2010 and call us if you need us!
Thank You,
Mike
Mike Gonsalves
President
StrategicFusion, Inc.
Your Dedicated IT Department
Support: 678-353-3222 Option 1

Windows System 7 – 32 vs 64 bit version

If you ever think you will need more than 4GB of RAM (The answer for most small business people is “yes”), then upgrade to the 64 bit version, otherwise the 32 bit version should do fine.

StrategicFusion offers Windows System 7 upgrades and installations for small business

Vista to System 7 Limited Time Offer $99.00
1. Run Microsoft Upgrade advisor
2. Run Scan Disk
3. Defragment disk if necessary
4. Migrate all Applications (e.g. Office, QuickBooks, ACT!, etc.), Internet Explorer Favorites, My Documents Files, Desktop & Printers
5. We will check to ensure Internet access, file access, email send and receive.
XP to System 7 Limited Time Offer $349.00
1. Run Microsoft Upgrade advisor
2. Back up “Image” of Computer
3. Migrate Favorites, My Documents Files, Desktop & Printers
4. Reinstall Microsoft Office, Antivirus, Antispyware and up to 2 applications, (e.g. QuickBooks, ACT!, etc.)
5. We will check to ensure internet access, file access, email send and receive.
We highly recommend that users have at least 2GB of RAM and at least 50GB free on your hard drive. Your video card should have at least 256MB of memory. For optimum performance 4GB+ of RAM is recommended and 512MB+ Video
User must supply Disks and Keys for all applications including System 7
Please make an appointment (678-353-3222 Option 1) to drop your computer off with us for 24 hours
This offer is good through 3/1/2010
Thank You,
Mike
Mike Gonsalves
President
StrategicFusion, Inc.
Your Dedicated IT Department
Support: 678-353-3222 Option 1
Mikego@sf-it.com

Windows System 7

A lot of people are asking me about Microsoft Windows System 7, the replacement, or upgrade to Windows Vista and Windows XP. Let me start by saying that I LOVE this operating system. It is the best upgrade Microsoft has done in a long time. I’ve read the press and there is a lot of positive news out there, and of course some grumbling, although a lot of that is “why didn’t you do it sooner” type stuff.

We have converted a good chunk of our computers internally at our small business to Windows System 7 and our goal is to be running System 7 on all production desktops within 2-3 months.

The issues we encountered with Vista, mostly Driver related, are almost nonexistent with 7.

Drivers are what make your printer actually print something when you ask it too, they let your iPod successfully attach to your computer, they allow your mouse to work, your keyboard and Hard drive to function and a huge number of other things to take place on your computer at any time. There are Hardware Drivers and there are Software Drivers. If you have no Driver, the wrong Driver or a broken Driver you get stuck and can’t do much. When it only affects one or two ancillary items on your system, it’s not such a big deal, but if your monitor is not working… well there isn’t much you can accomplish.

Let’s face it the PC revolution is all about productivity and Vista, although a really good step in the right direction, especially when you looked at the interface, lacked a number of important drivers. Who builds Drivers? Drivers are mostly built by the manufacturers of the products that are inside or attached to your PC, for example HP would create the Drivers for their printers, Western Digital would create the Drivers for their hard drives, etc., etc., you get the idea.

So why is Windows System 7 so great? They took all the really cool stuff from Vista AND they fixed the Driver situation so now the operating system/computer goes out and gets most of the Drivers for you. Additionally, Microsoft did an awesome job of getting the companies that make the Drivers for their products to actually make Drivers for Windows System 7.

I should also add that they made some upgrades to AERO that really enhance the desktop viewing experience. For example, just by hovering over an icon in the Task Bar (Bottom of the window) Aero shows me all the open windows associated with it, and if I move my cursor over the list, it temporarily hides all windows from view except the one I stop over. If you’re like me and you have dozens of windows open on your windows desktop, this s a real productivity booster!

What I would like you to do is go to the site and run the compatibility checker and see if your system can run Windows System 7

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx

The compatibility checker will look at Hardware and Software and tell you what Drivers you will need, and if there are any special circumstances regarding them (e.g. where to find, etc.). Windows System 7 likes RAM (I recommend 4 GB) and it likes newer Video cards with at least 512KB onboard RAM. Don’t skimp on the Hard drive, go 180GB minimum, preferably 250GB or 500GB. Faster RPM’s on the Hard Drive are a good investment to get things rocking. If you are adding a video card, go for one that will handle dual or triple monitors, once you try it, you will never want to go back.

If you are a small business (if you have between 5 and 50 computers) in the Atlanta Metro Area, we would be happy to help you run this on your systems, just give me a call 678-353-3222 x105.

Don’t miss out on this part of the Technology revolution Windows System 7 is awesome!

Thank You,
Mike
Mike Gonsalves
President

StrategicFusion, Inc.

Your Dedicated IT Department

           

Support: 678-353-3222 Option 1

Direct: 678-990-8595
Mobile: 678-644-4453
Email:  Mikego@SF-IT.com

Web:    www.SF-IT.com

Computer issues? Please send email to: HELP@sf-it.com

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to do a shout out to all of our clients, employees and partners! I am very Thankful to be a part of your world!
THANK YOU!
Mike

Clouds

 Get off of my Cloud

Who can forget the 60’s hit Get off my Cloud by the Rolling Stones? If this was written today by any of the tens of thousands of Cloud providers, they would be singing PLEASE get on MY Cloud. Cloud computing is about as hot as things get in IT. When you combine it with the other super hot technology, Virtualization, you get a Perfect Storm scenario, where we the people (the ones who use computing every day to make a living) ultimately win.

There is no doubt that the Cloud concept along with Virtualization are the two biggest items in IT right now; and rightfully so. Done correctly, either of these technologies can save a company money, sometimes lots and lots of money. Who could argue with that, given the American business mantra of do more with less?

So let me give you a quick overview on Cloud computing. First let me define the Cloud. We have all seen pictures of networks and how they work, usually when you are accessing anything beyond your Local Area Network (LAN) you head into the Cloud, the Cloud represents the internet. Here’s an example:

 What’s inside the Cloud? Anything that has to do with data, originally it was mostly moving data from one place to another, but today, data can stop along the way and get altered in some fashion and then passed on.

Now, you could argue that the Cloud replaces the Black Box of old, although usually what goes into a Black Box, comes out quite differently on the other end, that is not always true with Cloud computing.

Where this argument holds even more water is when we look at the fact that your application may be in the Cloud. So data going in might be very different from data coming out. Nevertheless, Cloud computing is here to stay. Odds are that you will have some private or non-Cloud data on your desktop computer and some data in the Cloud, these will combine to offer you a unique computing experience on your desktop. However there are some Cloud providers, Google comes to mind, that would rather you have a simple thin client computer (not really a lot of horsepower or storage) as your desktop and that the Cloud does most of the work… hmmm… that is eerily reminiscent of the 1960’s mainframe era when we used dumb terminals and the guys in the “glass house” ran the show on their mainframe computers. Of course we then had the PC revolution started, or at least accelerated and dominated, by our friends at Apple and Microsoft. We the people (Users of technology) wanted to take the power back from the old time “Cloud” and we did a good job of it. Are we ready to let it go again? I feel you could argue this either way, and I’m sure if anyone at Google has read this far, they are thinking NO, this guy doesn’t get it! Well to a degree maybe. The Cloud today allows a lot of personal customization, this is due to the sheer horsepower contained in the Cloud and the ability to slice up the processing of information (Think Virtualization) to ensure your stuff and my stuff only meet when we want them to.

So how does this help you? The benefits of Cloud computing, especially for very small companies can be compelling. If you have less than 5 employees (most businesses in the US), putting your data (or most of your data) in the Cloud can make good business sense. It costs less than provisioning a server for your company, yet you get very tight security and you can access your data from anywhere.

What is the downside? If any part of the Cloud you are using goes down, you are stuck. What happens when someone cuts a wire while digging in front of your building? If you can’t reach the Cloud, or your application provider goes down (it happens, more often than we would think) not much work gets done. What happens if hackers decide to focus on a giant pool of data, contained in the Cloud instead of trying to exploit each individual computer? These are questions we need to ask ourselves.

Do I use the Cloud? You bet, my email Spam filter is a Cloud based application and it is absolutely fantastic. Here is a case where we get economies of scale because SPAM effects everyone, having a Cloud based spam filter allows that provider to handle millions of emails a day and they can better control what is spam and what is not.

If you want to explore Cloud computing options for your small business, or you have questions or comments, please email me Mikego@sf-it.com or call 678-353-3222 x105

Thank you,

Mike

Going for the GOLD!

I am happy to report that StrategicFusion has recently attained its GOLD Certified Partner Status with Microsoft. Previously we were a Certified Partner, now we are GOLD Certified. This does not change our additional Small Business Specialist Certification from Microsoft, except that it might look a little better now that we are GOLD. This certification is something we have worked and strived for as it helps further differentiate us when talking to our clients and prospects. Microsoft doesn’t make it easy to attain GOLD level certification, but they do make it easy to understand what is needed to attain it. For example, Not only do we need to have certain levels of staffing to help address client computer issues, but we need to show proficiency, via direct customer feedback (e.g. references), regarding our knowledge, experience and how well we did on a particular project. Our references are stellar, but then again, so are our clients! Running a Help Desk and Support team for hundreds of users can be logistically challenging but a challenge we look forward to, and embrace, every day. Clearly our clients think we are doing a good job as our overall satisfaction rating from our most recent annual Customer Satisfaction Survey (affectionately called CSAT) was 95%. I wasn’t surprised by this, as our own survey’s validate this data, but nevertheless I was very pleased to hear such positive feedback from our clients. I believe a huge part of our success is based on two things, the people that make up StrategicFusion, without them we would have nothing to deliver, and secondly, but no less important our clients without whom we would not exist. One of the key learning’s we have had is that communicating clearly and repeatedly is crucial to our success and the success of those we server. Of course like any business there is always room for improvement, any good company (especially in the technology sector) knows that when sitting on your laurels your competitors, and the market in general can (and will) pass you by. So rest assured we will not stop, we will not sit back, we will continue to march forward with Microsoft as our Partner, putting our clients best interest first! Mike