Please write-in Homeland Secure IT for Computer Service Provider

We believe that Homeland Secure IT is the best Computer Service Provider in the Upstate, and we are hoping you do too!

Therefore, we humbly request that you click on the Greenville News “Best of the Upstate 2011″ logo on the left and take a moment to vote for us!

Our category is item #9, “Computer Service Provider”, please write-in “Homeland Secure IT”.

I believe you can vote daily from June 19th through July 10th…

Thank you so much for your support!

John & Pamela Hoyt

If you are needing Microsoft products for your school in the Greenville / Upstate SC area, Homeland Secure IT may  be able to save you money…

We are able to offer academic priced software through Microsoft Academic FPP, Open Agreement and School Subscription. The discounts can be substantial when compared to retail pricing!

To find out if your organization is qualified, or for Microsoft sales & support, please contact us at info@homelandsecureit.com or call 864.990.4748×201.

In a conversation today, I heard how much someone had just paid for 18 full retail versions of Microsoft Office 2010 Professional which they purchased online because they were not aware of other ways in which you can obtain the product.

If you are in Greenville / Upstate, SC and need to buy Microsoft Office 2010, please consider giving us a call! We may be able to save you or your business some money on Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Office Home & Student,  Home & Business, Standard Professional, Professional Plus and Office for Office for Mac in addition to making administration of larger quantities much easier.

Different ways Microsoft Office 2010 can be purchased include:

• Microsoft FPP (Full Product Package) – This is the full retail package, includes media and product license and ability to load on a desktop AND  a notebook (restrictions apply). Versions available are Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Student, Home & Business and Professional.
• Microsoft PKC (Product Key Card) – If you buy a new PC with the Office Trial loaded on it you can purchase the PKC for Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Student, Home & Business and Professional (cheaper than buying the Full Product Package)
• Microsoft Volume Licensing – If you have a business or organization and need to purchase 5 or more copies at a time, this is the way to go! Open licensing is a downloadable product which saves on packaging and thus is better for our environment, and in turn, saves you money! You have only one product key to keep up with and can place the same installation package on a file server to install across machines on your domain. Microsoft Office 2010 Standard and Professional Plus are available via this method. We can help determine which is best for you!

In addition to those methods, non-profit organizations which we work with can obtain almost unreal pricing through some programs we have available!

If you would like more information on which version may be right for you or your business, click the more info banner to the left, or feel free to call 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

We are a Microsoft Partner & Small Business Specialist and would love the opportunity to help you with any Microsoft purchase or support, whether it is Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Small Business Server 2011, Microsoft Exchange 2010, Microsoft Link Server, Microsoft BPOS / Business Productivity Online Suite, Office 365, and more…  One seat or one thousand!

Is your business currently using Symantec, McAfee, Microsoft or Kaspersky for corporate anti-virus protection?

If so, and you are unhappy with the current level of protection and would be interested in trying Trend Micro but the cost has been prohibitive, then maybe the Competitive Upgrade offer will encourage you to make the move!

Trend calls their program “Competitive Displacement”, and should you be using one of the aforementioned security suites, then you qualify for the discounted price. How much of a discount? A large one,  over 10 dollars per seat on Trend Micro Worry Free Business Security Standard!

These updates apply to the following Trend Micro products: Worry Free Business Security (both Standard & Advanced),  Worry-Free Business Security Services, Hosted Email Security, Hosted Email Security-Inbound Filtering, Scanmail Suite for Microsoft Exchange (SMEX Suite), Scanmail for MS Exchange Suite with Email Reputation Services, Scanmail Suite for Lotus Domino, Enterprise Security for Endpoints (Advanced), Enterprise Security for Communication and Collaboration Suite, Enterprise Security for Endpoints and Mail Servers, and Trend Micro Enterprise Security Suite.

If you would like more information about Trend Micro anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spam products, please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

We are a Trend Micro Partner and offer complete sales & licensing for a single workstation, notebook or server to thousands! We also offer installation and support in the Greenville / Upstate SC area.

As the end of 2010 draws near, some businesses are planning to refresh and renew tired old hardware such as desktop and notebook computers, as well as servers. Driving the updates are security requirements, new versions of operating systems, company rotation policy, depreciation schedules and more often than not, a need to overcome bottlenecks in performance and insure trouble free operation in the coming year.

Many times a company needs to purchase a new server but liquid capital prohibits them from doing so, and other times, it just makes more sense to purchase based on a lease.

Some benefits to leasing include:

• Fair Market Value or 10% option – This option allows for a customer to have the choice to purchase or return the equipment at the end of the original term AND deduct the payments as a monthly operating expense. Upgrade equipment anytime during the lease with a “Wrap Lease” product or upgrade at the end of the term.
• $1.00 Purchase Option – This option allows a customer to own the equipment at the end of the term for $1.00 and deduct payments over five years on a depreciation schedule or deduct all in one year under IRS Section 179. Upgrade options are still available with this program.
• Equipment Finance Agreement (EFA) – This allows the customer to retain full ownership of the equipment from the inception of the contract. It is tax deductible under a five year depreciation schedule or under IRS Section 179. This product has unique advantages for the customer who will most likely want to exercise and early buyout option.

We are happy to be able to offer leasing terms for larger purchases, so if you have a server refresh in your future, a larger scale deployment of desktop or notebook computers, etc, call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com for more information.

Windows 8

Don’t get all excited, yet, but a couple days ago, bloggers found a post on a Dutch Microsoft blog which discussed the upcoming release of Windows 8.

While the post was quickly removed, it has created a lot of stir in the IT community. Some of it good, and a LOT of it bad. Some believe after the “failed” unleashing of Microsoft Windows Vista on the unsuspecting public, that the update to Windows 7 should have been free for anyone with Vista! Of course, these same people think that EVERY update from MS should be free.

One blog post I read had the poster claiming that the (possible) 2012 release of Windows 8 would coincide with the end of the world as predicted by the Mayan calendar.

Most seem to feel that another update to Windows is just another way to get money. Now this I agree with. Microsoft is not a charity, they have to bring in money, and they do so with new innovations that they can sell and hopefully profit on. Do we really want a software company that doesn’t create new and exciting things, as well as just fixing the bugs?

Regardless of what people post on these random blogs, the general sentiment is that Microsoft Windows 7 is likely the best product that MS has ever offered, and is certainly the best Operating System. So, if Windows 8 follows that trend and brings us another stable platform with decent security, then 2012 is not soon enough. Though I just love living on the edge.

If you would like to purchase the CURRENT Windows 7 Operating System, either a single copy, or hundreds of licenses for your business or non-profit organization, Homeland Secure IT would like to assist you. Please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com.

Will Ragland as Dr. Frank-N-Furter

I’m sure most people who are of a certain age (say, in their 40s?) have seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show, staring Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter… And maybe more than a few have been to a midnight showing of that movie at a movie theater. However, how many people have experienced a live performance of it?

A live performance may come in many flavors. When I lived in Los Angeles, we saw it where people dressed up and participated in the theater, and more interesting is where actors will be on the stage, and perform along with the audio playing and the actual movie on the screen behind them, and yet another way has been for the video to play, while actors and a band perform along with it (all while the audience participates)…

If you have NEVER seen the RHPS, you can catch it on the FOX Movie Channel on Halloween… All night long…. You will need an open mind, and maybe an adult beverage. More information can be obtained at http://www.rockyhorror.com/. This movie has nothing to do with “horror”, it is a rock-n-roll tribute to Sci-Fi movies of the past, with a naughty / risque flare. I don’t recommend it for immature people, or those who are easily offended.

This past Saturday, Oct-22-2010, at midnight, my wife Pamela, daughter Megan and her friend Nick went with me to the Warehouse Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show. Prior to this, I had only seen it performed in the stage show manner once, and to be quite honest, it wasn’t fantastic. It was as good as amateurs could do, and everyone had a great time, but it wasn’t a “production”, it was a party.

Pamela, Megan and Nick had never seen any form of RHPS other than the movie, and didn’t know what to expect. I was not certain how it was going to be performed either since as I mentioned previously, I have seen it in various formats.

The Warehouse Theatre production is a full stage show, there is absolutely no tie to the movie itself. All scenes are performed by the actors themselves, all music is from a live band.

For those who love the movie, your first thought may be, “This is going to stink”, because as everyone knows, it is very hard to pull off a well known number such as “Sweet Transvestite” and not be compared (unfavorably) with Tim Curry’s version. Likewise, the other characters from the motion picture are very dynamic and difficult to reproduce. Admittedly, I went in expecting somewhat of a lackluster show. In the words of Magenta, “I ask for nothing”. Then Frank’s reply: “And you shall receive it… In abundance!!!!”

Rocky Horror Show Cast

That was not the case at all. The actors that portrayed the main characters were unbelievable! Will Ragland brought a new twist to Frank, without trying to duplicate his every nuance, and Rocky… Ohhhh Rocky, he was far better than the original Rocky in the movie! Better in every way… He sang his own parts (as did all the actors), and he looked the part. (My wife and daughter, and just about everyone were fixated on this guy’s genuinely beautiful physique… Uhmm, okay, that sounded weird for ME to say that, but it’s true).

These actors had to do something that Tim Curry and his movie cast never had to worry with, they had to perform while the audience shouted out all kinds of off the wall comments, as is the tradition with RHPS. The actors managed to keep straight faces, and use a good bit of improv to interact with the audience, which made the show all the more fun! Audience participation is a major part of this, and there are guides on the internet that will show you what to do, what to say, when to say it, etc.

We purchased the “audience participation pack”, which included light sticks (since flames are dangerous), confetti, newspaper etc.  No rubber gloves or noisemakers as some scenes from the movie are not present, such as the dinner/birthday party scene, where you get to say “Meatloaf again????”. But, not missed, and I’m sure were not part of the original stage production.

I’m a technical kind of guy, and very critical when it comes to audio and lighting, so I will add this in for those of you who are like me and love to pick things apart. The audio was absolutely perfect. Good levels, and great control, especially when you take into consideration the number of open mics involved. The lighting could not have been improved upon.

Every number performed by the band was well orchestrated, the mix was low, but necessary in order to have legible vocals. I only wish I could have played guitar or bass (I even emailed the Warehouse Theatre and asked if they needed a guitarist or bass player, but they had already put their band together by that time).

The remaining shows are probably sold out by now, even though they added some extra performances in November, so if you want to attend and see what all this is about, call TODAY – The box office number is 864.235.6948 or you can visit their website for more information.

My hat is off to the cast and the crew for a superb job! We had a marvelous evening out (early morning rather) and as always, with the Warehouse Theatre, it didn’t break the bank like it would have at other venues in Greenville.

Yeah, I know, this has absolutely nothing to do with Computer Service, Computer Repair or even Business, but even hard working people have to take a break and enjoy themselves every once in a while. I highly recommend it.

Help fight breast cancer!

Earlier in the year, we saw one of our friends asking for contributions to their Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure team (Plus Inc.) and two of us here at Homeland Secure IT supported them with small contributions.

After discussing it further, we decided to form our own team and participate in the 5K walk ourselves. It made total sense, as we all have people in our lives that have been affected by this horrible thing (Breast Cancer)! We had never done anything like this before so we really didn’t know where to start other than reading the “Team Handbook”…  We named our team for the Google On Main (We are Feeling Lucky) movement, hoping we would get a few contributions from those who participated in that uber cool event. We didn’t print T-Shirts because there were only a few of us, and we opted to give the money instead as a contribution.

We emailed our friends, family and clients, posted it to Facebook, posted it to Twitter, to the point of being annoying. I personally sent out 90 individually addressed emails a few days before the race. We blogged about it. Yet we still couldn’t get the results was hoped for. We had set our goal at $5000, thinking that would be “easy”.  We were wrong. Though we did manage to get over $1300 dollars in contributions!

Multiple issues were working against us reaching that goal. A bad economy was probably the largest problem. And close behind that was the fact we started late in the game. Most of the other teams had already been formed, and THOUSANDS of people were hitting up everyone they knew. I was told “We already gave” by many people, and “We are walking too” by dozens! I believe there were 6000 people or so participating in this walk! An awesome show of support for this cause!

I would like to thank one person by name, Michelle Varner, Greg’s wife, who managed to get the majority of our contributions! She is awesome and her hard work is appreciated. Our team consisted of me (John M. Hoyt), Pamela Hoyt, Greg Varner and Michelle Varner. (Our son and daughter were signed up, but slept in!)

From the bottom of our hearts, I would like to thank every single person who contributed to our team, or to this cause in general! Together, we can help find a cure!!!!

We will likely do this again for 2011, as the majority of the clients we provide computer and IT service to here in Greenville / Upstate are female and I can think of no better way to show them how much they mean to us than to support the Race for the Cure!

John, Pamela & Greg at the Start

Greg & John

The start of the 5k walk

6000 of our closest friends

A new world record! HAH!

Greg & Michelle crossing the finish line!

This morning I was having a discussion with a potential client and we were talking about the “Homeland Secure IT” name, the individual mentioned that they understood the play on words, however they were simply not sure how to take “IT”, because they thought of “IT” only in the terms of “Information Technology”…

I explained that the “IT” in our case is an all encompassing catch-all term that covers just about anything you plug into the wall. We sell, service, repair, support a wide range of technologies, not just a computer, server or network, but VoIP systems, CCTV and network security camera systems, firewall appliances, anti-virus software and software in general.

So basically, whatever IT is, we can help you with IT!

I am unsure of a way to indicate everything we work with, but suffice it to say, it is not limited to just a notebook computer fix, or a simple virus cleanup. While we DO those things, we also deploy Blackberry Enterprise Server so your mobile users can stay connected. We help integrate wireless devices like Androids, iPads and more into your Microsoft Exchange. We configure VPNs that allow a mobile workforce or a branch office to connect to your data as if they were physically in your office. We design and deploy Voice over IP phone systems. We offer biometric and card swipe time clocks.

Again, if it plugs into your network, or connects wirelessly, or you WANT it to, we can help. Give us a call at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com to discuss your unique needs! We serve the Greenville & Upstate SC area!

Trend Micro Internet Security is great for business or personal use!

In previous posts I have primarily focused on Trend Micro Worry Free Business Security products which is a perfect solution for a small, medium or even larger company who has a server to host it on and five computers or more. (With WFBS Hosted, you do not need a server to host it on, it is hosted in the cloud).  The reason for that is because we service a lot of companies and organizations who have 5 or more computers.

But what about those of you who have only one or two computers at home, your small business or a non-profit? Fortunately, Trend Micro has a product especially for you! It is called Trend Micro Internet Security, and its big brother Trend Micro Internet Security Pro!

Trend Micro Internet Security is an outstanding product which has never let us down. We have hundreds of seats of Trend Micro in use currently without a single unhappy client! The “footprint” of this anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spyware, anti-spam product is much smaller than some of the other packages that are available, meaning that it uses less resources, leaving more for your important applications (and even gaming).

Here are some of the features direct from the Trend Micro website:

Enjoy smart features tailored to your activities

Trend Micro Internet Security safeguards your computer and personal information against the latest threats:

• Prevent unauthorized software from changing your critical applications, without impacting your PC performance
• Pause security updates or scans when you give presentations, watch movies, or play games
• Automatically prevent suspicious software on USB devices from opening.
• Helps you to easily manage all the devices connected to your home network

HOW TO TRY:

You can get a 30 day trial of Trend Micro Internet Security or Internet Security Pro for FREE by visiting HERE. Simply click the “Free Trial” link, and fill out a little information and you can download the product and see for yourself how well it works on your system before committing to purchase. During the trial, if you decide to purchase, you can purchase direct from Trend Micro or through your favorite reseller (I hope that is us!).

HOW TO BUY:

You can buy from Homeland Secure IT, LLC by calling 864-990-4748 ext 201 or emailing info@homelandsecureit.com. We offer sales of this product for one computer, 3 computers, dozens or even thousands at reasonable prices. We can provide it as a retail package, or licensing (for 5 computers or more) which helps cut down on packaging and shipping costs because the licenses are delivered electronically.

In addition to offering sales of Trend Micro Anti-Virus, we also perform installations, upgrades,  virus cleanup &  removal,  as well as the full range of computer repair / service in Greenville and Upstate SC!