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Google is positioning Chrome OS as an alternative for business users, but it needs a few key features before it can go to work.
PCM Business Blog
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December 22, 2010 11:28 AM
Corporate network errors can occur at any time; they can be particularly troublesome when they pop up while IT administrators are away from their desks. Paessler AG, provider of network monitoring and performance optimization solutions, looks to alleviate that with its PRTG Network Monitor. The Android/Blackberry/iOS application displays the current network status, and gives IT administrators insight into the status of the monitored devices. This makes it possible to prevent network downtime, and resolve bottlenecks from any place at any time.
PRTG Network Monitor is a monitoring tool that provides remote, interruption-free network monitoring, and evaluates and reports the collected data. Paessler has integrated an Ajax-based Web interface and a mini-HTML interface for enabling remote access. The latter is specifically designed for small-size screens, and for use over low-bandwidth connections--such as your smartphone. PRTG provides the following information for the administrator, regardless of location:
- Home: Displays sensors and their current status.
- Status bar: The current status of all sensors
(the number of sensors that read "error" / "OK" / "Pause," etc.).
- Devices: Shows the "device tree" with groups and devices.
- Sensors: Displays various lists of sensors from the individual PRTG configuration (fastest/slowest ping, lowest and highest bandwidth, etc.).
- Alarms: Lists all the sensors which are in alarm status ("unusual"/"warning"/"error").
- Maps: Users can easily select and display a map by tapping.
- Graphs: Graphs are directly displayed in the overview of the sensors and can be fired up without click-through navigation.
Posted By: Jeffrey L. Wilson |
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December 14, 2010 4:08 PM
 Business social networking service, SaleSpider, recently conducted a survey of small-to medium businesses and the use of social networking. The survey provides new insight into how SMBs plan to use social networking in 2011 and to what degree social networking already has contributed to the growth of their businesses.
75 percent plan to make social networking a bigger part of their marketing mix in 2011 with two thirds of all respondents noting that social networking has helped drive sales and bottom line revenue. With an eye towards 2011, SMBs also expressed a desire to tap into mobile tools that will grant them to access social media networks.
Key trends and data from the SaleSpider Social Media Survey include the following:
- 63 percent believe that social networking sites are helping to drive sales and increase revenue.
- Nearly half (49 percent) of the respondents noted that they were using social networking in multiple business development and sales capacities from identifying open RFPs, to networking both with new and existing prospects, to promoting their own products and services.
- 74 percent of small business owners who had been using social media for years found that it helped them to close business.
- 14% will spend more than 50% of their marketing efforts (in terms of time or budget spent - against social marketing in 2011).
- 83 percent will devote at least 11% of their marketing resources against social networking practices.
- 53 percent are currently using or plan to utilize social networking sites from their mobile device via a mobile app.
Posted By: Samara Lynn |
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December 14, 2010 2:43 PM
Synology has unveiled the DS211+ NAS, set to begin shipping today. It's touted as a fast performer, with Read speeds averaging 108 MB/sec and Writes at 55 MB/sec.
DS211+ is the first model to have Synology's new case design that adds both hardware features and improves airflow. The DS211+ also has a built-in 256 bit AES hardware encryption engine.
The new hardware features of the DS211+ are the ability to hot swap the hard drives and the addition of a SD card reader on the front panel of the device. This acts like a USB drive would and allows users to transfer photos or other media on a SD card seamlessly to their DiskStation.
The DS211+ runs DiskStation Manager 3.0 and includes a 2 year warranty. It's priced at $405.
Posted By: Samara Lynn |
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December 14, 2010 11:31 AM
Microsoft has announced the release to manufacturing of Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard edition and Windows Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add-on.
SBS 2011 is tailored for small businesses with up to 75 users. Bundled into the OS is Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP1, Microsoft SharePoint Foundations Services 2010, and Windows Software Update Services.
For organizations with limited IT resources, but vast application needs, the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add On is available. The Add On includes Hyper-V and Remote Desktop Services.
SBS 2011's international versions are being finalized and Microsoft is preparing to deliver the software to distribution channels and handing it off to its OEM partners so that they can begin pre-installing the software on new servers. Starting in early January, SBS 2011 Standard and Premium Add-On will be available in volume licensing, and starting in mid-January, users will be able to download a trial copy from Microsoft's Web site. Key OEM partners include Acer, Dell, Fujitsu and HP. Systems with SBS 2011 pre-installed are expected to ship in February 2011.
SBS 20100 Standard will be priced at $1,096, and CALs at $72 per user. Premium Add-On will be priced at $1,604, and CALs at $92.
Posted By: Samara Lynn |
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December 10, 2010 4:21 PM
 Mavenlink recently expanded its project collaboration platform for professional service providers with the release of custom branding features as the latest in a string of advancements announced earlier this year. Independent professionals and small firms can now manage their entire scope of business, from collaboration to getting paid, from a single application.
The custom branding feature release lets companies customize the look and feel of their workspace to reflect their brand throughout every stage of the work lifecycle. Service providers can move more work to the cloud while making sure that clients, colleagues, and partners see the trusted and familiar brand image. The UI ensures that anyone can build an online environment that's an extension of their company brand.
Mavenlink is also integrated with Google Calendar, Google Contacts, and Google Docs, which lets Google Apps users manage all their work-related events, contacts, and shared files from within Mavenlink.
The Mavenlink platform incorporates project collaboration and management, time and expense tracking, online invoicing and payments and networking capabilities with peers, clients and others.
Posted By: Samara Lynn |
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December 10, 2010 2:43 PM
 This week, ISDecisions, announced the release of RemoteExec 5.0.
RemoteExec for Windows is an agentless software solution that lets IT pros to quickly and easily deploy MSI packages, Service Packs, patches, hotfixes, etc. It can also remotely execute programs as well as remotely manage configurations such as registries, LocalAdmin passwords, local accounts, and file and folder management. IT staff and Administrators may use RemoteExec to interact with Windows system by performing system shut downs, wake ups reboots, managing sessions and more.
The latest version is Windows 7 compatible, and can either run the administration console or be installed on Windows 7 clients.Version 5.0 boasts several new features which include a fully revamped and intuitive interface (complete with tabs and dockable windows), the ability to save repetitive actions and lists of target computers in order to use them quickly again, full scheduling and automation features, comprehensive reporting, and the ability to insert variable data for the execution on each remote computer. Remote Exec 5.0 is also now more secure, as all communication are encrypted (with the exception of file transfers and remote registry access).
Posted By: Samara Lynn |
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December 10, 2010 12:31 PM
 7 Tips for Building a Better Branded App
If you're pondering a branded app for your company, do yourself a favor and read Mashable's tips for creating a business app. From providing utility, and focusing on the user, here's what you need to know before creating a branded app for your business.
Salesforce Embraces Chatter to Obliterate and Remake Itself
Giga OM profiles Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff, who has stated that embracing social media and collaboration can transform companies. The Salesforce.com head honcho knows what he's talking about: He said it's already happening inside Salesforce with his business-centric social network, Chatter.
Read All About It: News Apps Arrive
News apps are the vehicles by which a number of consumers obtain news and information. Pulse, Flipboard, and SkyGrid are some of the most successful news apps in the iTunes App Store. The Wall Street Journal has the story on the big business of these info-delivering applications.
Cloud Computing a Perfect Fit for "Accidental Entrepreneurs"
AllBusiness takes a look at "accidental entrepreneurs," people who weren't able to find jobs in the past few years and therefore started their own businesses. Cloud computing may be the perfect fit for these budding businesspeople as its secure and wallet-friendly.
Posted By: Jeffrey L. Wilson |
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December 9, 2010 9:37 AM
 Elance released its 2010 Year in Review this week, which detailed record growth in online hiring, showcased the hot skill trends of 2010, and previewed the work trends that the company expects to be big in 2011. The report revealed that a growing segment of the labor market searched beyond traditional in-office jobs by seeking online employment.
The past year broke records for online work adoption as Elance saw over a million online jobs posted on the site since 2006, with over 375,000 jobs posted in 2010 alone. According to Elance, this growth was in stark contrast to traditional on-site employment which was stagnant due to the soured economy. This trend, according to Elance, shows no sign of slowing down, with online workers now earning more than $100 million a year using the site.
Elance identified several key categories as "recession-proof" despite the nation's economic downturn. The technology and marketing areas have fueled the demand for online workers as employers turned to the "human cloud" to make investments in top talent in order to keep their businesses competitive. Elance cites mobile computing, keyword-rich content, social media marketing, and Flash development as some of the power areas that made a splash in 2010.
Elance also served up several hot predictions for 2011 in the 2010 Year in Review. The company predicts that the new year will see a continued increase in the hiring of remote workers, digital profiles will replace traditional resumes, and there will be increased social media adoption by businesses.
If you'd like to read more about Elance's findings and forecasts, check out its 2010 Year in Review report.
Posted By: Jeffrey L. Wilson |
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December 2, 2010 10:50 AM
 A recent survey from Lenovo and AMD reveals that small business professionals are working more and taking cost-savings risks in these tough economic times.
The survey of more than 700 small business professionals revealed that the combination of thin staffs and competition has led to an increased number of employees that plan to work during their holiday vacations. The study also found that 72 percent rarely take an e-mail-free vacation, while another 85 percent work outside of the office. 38 percent of respondents agreed they rely on laptops for getting work done; another 31 percent relied on smart phones.
The survey also indicated that many small businesses are backing up critical data using disposable, insecure methods. While 40 percent of small businesses back up files to external hard drives, 50 percent of respondents said they or their company use USB thumb drives and CDs/DVDs to backup important information. Secure cloud-based storage is rarely used.
Continue Reading >>
Posted By: Jeffrey L. Wilson |
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November 30, 2010 10:18 AM
 Anoto Group, a provider of digital pen and paper technology, and ExpeData, a software company specializing in digital writing, today announced that Tech Electronics, a provider of commercial communications technology, is supplying their field technicians with digital pen and paper technology to automate paperwork, speed up access to information in SharePoint, and reduce billing cycle time.
"We are now able to get orders invoiced within two days of the work being performed," said Kay Pinner, Director of Organizational Development, Tech Electronics. "This means we are able to bill faster and not only that -- the project time reporting piece has also improved job costing. Currently, we are programming the solution for use in the payroll department and are very enthusiastic about the opportunities this technology offers for other areas of our business, such as inventory and materials control."
The key benefits of the digital pen and paper solution include:
- Minimal Training Required: Workers don't need to learn anything new, as they do with laptop or tablet PC-based applications. They simply use the same information "system" they've always used: pen and paper.
- Improved Cash Flow: Digital pen and paper enables real-time capture of data, allowing for faster processing of revenue-generating activities.
- Reduction in Information Loss: A digital pen and paper system notifies field-service workers immediately if data is incomplete. This means data problems can be fixed on the spot, rather than through retroactive activities. There's also no longer the need for manual data entry in the office, preventing additional errors.
- Increased Efficiency: Data availability changes from weeks (paper-based forms) to minutes or even seconds, allowing the data to be ready for processing as soon as the user fills in the information in the field.
- Back-up Included: As with traditional pen and paper, hard copies remain available as backup documents
Posted By: Samara Lynn |
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Hot Products
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For small and home offices with low volumes of mail, DYMO Stamps can eliminate almost all trips to the Post Office.
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Plextor's PX-NAS4 surprises with its speedy performance. Although it's not as feature rich as some other SMB NAS devices, it's a good pick for the price.
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The WiebeTech ToughTech Mini-Q has a combination of convenient security, flexible connectivity options, and affordable storage capacity that is hard to beat.
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The Canon CanoScan LiDE110 Color Image Scanner delivers reasonably high quality photo scans at a bargain price.
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