Do you need a CRM Solution?

CRM refers to the tools you can use to manage your relationship with customers. CRM software allows you to track customer information. For instance if I call and talk to Sally she can track the information and when I call back and talk to Jane she already knows what is going on. Even if you are a dedicated sales representative CRM can benefit you. You can keep track of every contact with a customer. If a customer mentions their birthday you can make note of it and be sure to send them a card next year, or keep information on their last order to follow up on.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM allows you to work with other Microsoft applications to bring together data. Being able to utilize all the data from different applications allows employees to be more efficient and more informed. CRM allows for sales, marketing, and management to all be on the same page and ensure that your company is working together to bring the most value to your customer.

If you are not sure you need CRM Software, Microsoft has some evaluation tools available here.

Server Solution for Small Business

What does a small business need to run? Of course it needs hard working dedicated staff.  It needs supervisors who are willing to put in extra time to make sure the business needs to grow. It needs a plan to develop and continue to build strength and momentum. Most of all it needs cost effective solutions.

Microsoft has bundled a solution to meet the needs of small business. Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 gives a company tools to increase efficiency and productivity. Small Business Server offers full network support. Starting with Windows Server 2003, which allows file, print and application sharing. Microsoft Exchange Server with Outlook provides e-mail and calendar capabilities. A version of SharePoint allows for document and information sharing.

With these tools a small business can have all information stored in one place for easy access by managers and employees. There is more room for collaboration, and less time spent looking that could be used for growing. Contact us for a quote today!

Office 2007 vs. Google Apps

I have seen a lot of information lately about Google Apps. From what I have been able to determine Google is offering a web based Word Processor and Spreadsheet application.  It is being said that this will compete with Microsoft Office 2007. Specifically with the Word and Excel portions of Microsoft Office. The more I look over the information on Google Apps the less appeal I see.

Google Apps is a web based system. There is an advantage in this from a licensing standpoint. There is not a need to keep track of license information, only a username and password. Also there is no installation or activation needed. The issue is you have to be connected to the internet at all times in order to use your application. If your internet service goes down or slows down, your applications go down or slow down.

The price of Google Apps has also been talked about. At $50 per user per year it sounds like a very cost effective method. A counter to that is Office Standard runs about $360 for the full retail license, even less under Open Lcense. The difference being once you buy Office, it is yours. You can use it for 10 at $36 a year, or longer and the price per year continues to go down. It doesn’t take long for $50 per year to seem like a lot more to pay then you would for Office. There are benefits to both, please post your opinions!

Microsoft Downloads

Some new Microsoft Open License products are available for download. This download option can save the customer some money by eliminating the media kit from the order. Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Exchange 2007 are all available for download. In order to get the download you need to sign in to http://eopen.microsoft.com. Then you will need to put in your authorization and license number.  After your license information has been entered you will be able to download the software. On the left side of the page you will see a link for Software Downloads. Click this link and follow the prompts and you will be able to finish your download.

SQL Processor or CAL?

>When looking into Microsoft SQL Server licensing the first thing you need to determine is how many clients you are going to have, and how they are going to access the Server. SQL Server 2005 gives you 2 licensing options.  The first option is to license with User or Device CALs. This option is similar to licensing Windows Server or Exchange Server. The second option for SQL is to license by processor. The processor license allows for unlimited clients to access the SQL Server. This is the best option if you are going to be using SQL Server in a website. SQL is a powerful database tool, contact us to make sure you get the proper licensing to fit your needs.

Microsoft Open License

The Microsoft Open License program is designed to provide discounts to volume customers. To enroll in the program it requires a minimum purchase of 5 licenses. It does not matter what the 5 licenses consist of, for instance if you need 1 Windows Server, 1 CAL, 1 Terminal Services CAL, Windows Vista, and Office 2007, you would qualify. Open License also allows you to install multiple licenses with one media kit. For instance if you have 10 machines that need Office 2007, you would be able to use 1 CD for all of your machines instead of trying to keep track of CDs and product keys for each machine.

Microsoft also offers the Open Value licensing program, and the Open Volume licensing program.  These programs offer similar benefits to Open License and provide some other features that may or may not fit your needs. If you have any questions about which program is right for you let me know and I will be happy to go over options with you.

WasatchWare

WasatchWare is our custom software development partner. WasatchWare specializes in custom software programming. WasatchWare will meet with you before offering a proposal, and will continue to meet with you through the process to ensure that the software completely fits your needs. WasatchWare has many other IT services available. Contact WasatchWare with your project today.

Best VALUE in Licensing!

Microsoft Open Value allows customers to spread their payments over 3 years. Like Microsoft Open License the initial purchase requires at least 5 licenses. For an organization just starting out, or needing a large amount of software being able to spread the payments over 5 years can help offset the financial burden of purchasing additional software.

All Licenses purchased in the Open Value program include Software Assurance. Software Assurance will not only give you upgrades as they are released. Technical Support and Training Vouchers are also included with Software Assurance.

Open Value also offers tools that allow you to easily review your licenses and ensure that all of your systems are licensed properly.

Get the Ultimate!

Windows Vista Ultimate is the most comprehensive edition of Windows Vista. It is the first operating system that combines all of the advanced infrastructure features of a business-focused operating system, all of the management and efficiency features of a mobility-focused operating system, and all of the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system. For the person who wants one operating system that is great for working from home, working on the road, and for entertainment, Windows Vista Ultimate is the operating system that lets you have it all.

Windows Vista Ultimate is available under open licensing. The upgrade to Vista Ultimate is only available to Software Assurance customers so if you want to ensure that you are able to get Vista Ultimate make sure you add Software Assurance to your OEM licenses within 90 days of purchase, and to your Open License products at the time of purchase.


Also take a moment to check out WasatchWare for Custom Software Development Solutions. More information on WasatchWare is coming soon.

Create PDF Files with Adobe Acrobat!

Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional software enables business professionals to reliably create, combine, and control Adobe PDF documents for easy, more secure distribution, collaboration, and data collection.

Easily create Adobe and edit PDF documents from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Internet Explorer, Project, Visio, Access, Publisher, AutoCAD, Lotus Notes, or any application that prints. Combine documents, drawings, and rich media content into a single, polished Adobe PDF document. Optimize file size, and arrange files in any order regardless of file type, dimensions, or orientation. Enable users of Adobe Reader software (version 7.0 or 8) to participate in shared reviews. Use the Start Meeting button to collaborate in real-time with the new Adobe Acrobat Connect line of products. Easily collect and distribute forms, combine collected forms into a searchable, sortable PDF package, and export collected data into a spreadsheet (Windows only). Control access to and use of Adobe PDF documents, assign digital rights, and maintain document integrity.

Everyone sees PDF files downloaded from web pages. Use Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional to add PDF downloads to your website.

Create compelling charts!

Office Visio Professional 2007 will make it easy for IT and business professionals to visualize, analyze and communicate complex information, systems and processes with clear, compelling diagrams. By using Office Visio 2007, people will be able to easily visualize information from multiple data sources to better understand the current state of systems and processes, analyze information visually to highlight key trends and exceptions, and share diagrams broadly for effective and efficient decision-making.

Visio Professional 2007 makes it easy to create flow charts, and floor plans. Visio can also be used by IT professionals to create network diagrams.  This can save an IT professional time and problems locating specific network components. Visio 2007 is available under the Microsoft Open License program. The Open License program offers discounts for volume purchases.

More information on Visio 2007.

How secure is your business?

Trend Micro Client Server Suite SMB, for Small and Medium Business combines workstation and server virus protection into a single solution, empowering small business owners to deploy and manage an effective antivirus strategy with limited IT investment. It can automatically deploy virus pattern, scan engine, and software patch updates to networked computers and acts as a single point of management, thus reducing maintenance efforts. Built-in system cleaning and restoration capabilities further extend your security investment, eliminating downtime and costly clean-up should your network become threatened.

Key Features:
1. Comprehensive Integrated Defense
2. Spyware Defense
3. Automatic Threat Protection

Client Server Security for SMB.

Accounting, only easier!

Microsoft Office Accounting Professional 2007 is a complete accounting solution that helps small businesses save time managing everyday financial tasks, get organized, and grow their businesses online. With its familiar Microsoft Office interface, this program is easy to learn, so you can be productive right away. Smooth integration with other Microsoft Office programs makes information sharing simple and helps boost productivity.

By organizing all of your business information in one place, Office Accounting Professional 2007 helps you find the right information at the right time, so you can make better-informed business decisions. Plus, new features will help you sell products online, get paid faster, work easily with your accountant, and more.

Top Benefits
1. Seamless integration with Microsoft Office.
2. Easily sell online.
3. Get paid faster using Paypal
4. Monitor credit using Equifax.

Software Discounts! Do you qualify?

Some customers do not realize that they are eligible for discounts when they purchase software in volume. For instance with the Microsoft Open License Program gives you a discount if you buy 5 or more licenses. Adobe has offered the TLP program which does not require a minimum purchase, but gives discounts based on a point system. There are further discounts for academic, charity and government customers.

Other benefits of using a volume licensing program include the ability to install with only one media kit. If you buy a retail box product you will have to have a different CD for each computer. Under volume licensing you are able to install all of your licenses with one CD making the installation process go faster.

I will be happy to answer any volume licensing questions you have.

Stay Current! Get Software Assurance.

Software Assurance is only available through the Microsoft Open License Program. The primary reason to invest in Software Assurance is upgrade protection. Through the Open License Program Software Assurance is the only option for upgrades to most products. With the release of Microsoft Office 2007 and Exchange Server 2007 many customers are finding themselves without upgrade options. Other customers who made the investment in Software Assurance are already capitalizing on the new software capabilities.

There are some other benefits to Software Assurance that can prove very useful. Software Assurance provides Training Vouchers to ensure that your IT staff has the tools to deploy, maintain and support the new technologies. Also included are 24x7 Problem Resolution Support Benefits which allow you to get help and support from Microsoft 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information go to Microsoft Software Assurance Page.

Can I use Terminal Services Application mode in Small Business Server 2003?

Small Business Server 2003 does allow 2 administrative users to access Terminal Services. There is a security risk in using a domain controller for Terminal Service. Because of this security risk Terminal Services Application mode is not available in Small Business Server 2003.

If you have a Small Business Server and want to run Terminal Server in Application mode you can use a second Windows Server 2003 and the appropriate Terminal Services CALs.

For detailed information on setting up Windows Server with Terminal Services in a Small Business server 2003 environment see the Microsoft Web site for running a Terminal Server in a SBS environment

Get Virus and Spyware Protection!

Trend Micro PC-Cillin Internet Security provides protection against viruses, worms, Trojans, and hackers. It also detects and removes spyware. Trend Micro PC-Cillin also has tools built in to protect your email from spam.

PC-Cillin guards against identity theft by blocking phishing and pharming attacks. It can also protect your wireless network.

Trend Micro has a variety of virus and spyware protection products available

Terminal Services

Windows Server 2003 allows users to be more productive by using Terminal Service. The Terminal Server allows users to access current applications on any device. The Terminal Server even allows lower powered machines to run more efficiently.

Terminal Server Licensing is available on a per user or per device basis. This creates flexability to ensure that you have Terminal Services to meet your organizations needs.

For more information click here.

PDF Standard

Adobe has announced plans for PDF files to become a recognized standard. For many organizations PDF file are already the standard. Becoming the formal document standard is likely to increase the number of PDF files used. Wasatch Software has Adobe Licensing available with volume discounts. Request a quote to ensure that you have all of the Adobe Software you need.

For more information on Adobe's plans to be the recognized standard.

Windows Vista and Office 2007 Available!

Microsoft Windows Vista is now available to all Microsoft customers.
Microsoft Office 2007 is also now available. Some organizations may not be ready to make the change to the new releases. Microsoft does sometimes allow customers to use a previous version with the current license. See the
Microsoft Downgrade Chart for more information. If anyone has started using Windows Vista or Office 2007 I would love to hear how it is going so far.