Cloud computing: Is Microsoft Aurora / BPOS right for your small business?

Today you can hardly have a conversation with IT professionals without the buzz words, “cloud computing”, “in the cloud”, “cloud solutions”, etc popping up. What do these terms mean? To over-simplify the definition, it means that something is not stored at your location. It is stored “in the cloud”, or on a remote server, and accessed via the internet. The …

Upstate storms underscore need for computer backup solutions and UPS

Last night was scary for some people here in the Upstate of SC. Easley was hit hard in the business area of Main Street and Pendleton Street and residences along 135 by the passing storms. As I watched the news and saw the video footage of damage, I felt horrible for the business and home owners affected. We turned on …

Emergency Computer or Server Repair in Greenville / Upstate SC

Nobody expects an emergency to happen to them, but it is nice to know that when you do need assistance, you can pick up your phone and dial 9-1-1 and a dispatcher will arrange for the appropriate response. What do you do for your IT network when an emergency arises and you do not have in-house IT support? If you …

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Listen to your Asterisk / TrixBox Voice Mail WAV Email Attachments on Android Phones

Are you using an Asterisk based VoIP system and have your voice mails sent to you via email? If you are using an Android based phone, you may not be able to open these attachments within email and play them. Several forums discuss workarounds that should get you going, such as having the VoIP system convert the audio file to …

Use protection! Power Protection that is… and save your computers and electronics! #Greenville

Last night’s storms in Greenville played havoc with the sensitive computers, servers, network equipment, CCTV systems, VoIP systems and even alarm systems! At 10pm we received a call from the alarm monitoring company saying that we had multiple zones activated at my wife’s business, including a door, and several interior motion sensors! Police were dispatched, and Pamela and I rushed …

Need new servers or computers? Congress extends amount small businesses may write-off for capital expenditures to 250k!

Time to upgrade your server or servers? Need new computers for your business? How about upgrading all your firewalls to the latest technology? New VoIP phone system? CCTV Cameras? Notebooks for all your field reps? Congress extended the amount that small businesses may write-off for capital expenditures in 2010 to $250,000, and that means this may be the best year …

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Protect your computers and servers from power issues with an UPS #lightning #greenville

If you live here in the Upstate of South Carolina, you probably enjoyed nature’s light show last night, but you might not have enjoyed it if your computer, server, network components or other sensitive electronics fell victim to one of the many strikes that occurred. While it is very difficult to protect yourself from a direct lightning strike, a modest …

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Should your business use an automated attendant on your VoIP phone system?

Let’s talk about the dreaded Automated Attendant for a minute. Every time you call a larger business you get the “Thank you for calling xxxx, please press 1 for sales, 2 for……” message and curse under your breath waiting to finally get to the option you want. Honestly, I used to hate them, until I participated in a networking event …

What happens when you recycle a PC or other electronics?

I’m often asked how to dispose of an old PC or hard drive. Most people are improperly disposing of electronic equipment, and then there are some who think they are doing the right thing and give it to a “PC recycler”, who might do this with it: (long video opens in new window) If you need help insuring that your …