TechAdvisory.org » Microsoft

Honesty is Still the Best Policy

Editor — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:30:00 +0000

Many companies and businesses give in to the temptation to use pirated software, thereby saving on costs. But in the long run, this will prove to be more trouble than it’s worth.

Times and technology may have changed drastically through the years, but the good old values of honesty and integrity still hold.

With pirated and illegal software experiencing great popularity these days, with virtually every software program known to man floating around in various easy-to-find sources and websites. And since they are free of charge – no need to pay fees for licensing or updates – it’s hardly surprising that many businesses are tempted to cut a few corners and save on costs by using pirated software.

Microsoft programs in particular are considered to be one of the most pirated in the world. Since they are widely used, many businesses, big or small, cannot afford to do without them. And more than a few have used or are using pirated software.

This is why Microsoft is taking on a new approach to fighting piracy: publicly exposing offenders. Microsoft recently named several offenders who admitted to ‘hard disk loading’, which is selling PCs with pirated software pre-installed. Microsoft has identified Selectweb in Lancashire, Computer Trading in West Sussex, Tech Computers in the West Midlands, PC Academy and Impact Computers in Preston, Call-Tech Support (CTS) in Bolton, PC Practitioners in Derbyshire, MSB Computers in Blackburn, Multi Tech Systems and Ossett PC Centre in West Yorkshire.

Many have since mended their ways – it hardly sits well with clients when they discover that their supplier / reseller uses what is basically stolen software – but the damage has already been done. So learn from the mistakes of others, and start using only licensed, legal software.

Need more information? We can help make sure your software if above the board so you stay out of trouble.

MS Office 2010 Promises Easier Online Collaboration for SMBs

Editor — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:23:58 +0000

At the recently concluded Microsoft World Wide Partners Conference, the company gave partners a preview of upcoming features in Microsoft Office 2010 that could be very useful for small and midsized companies. Among them:

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote 2010 now lets several people work on a document at the same time. Users of the desktop versions of the software will be able to send out a text link that will let anyone click on the link and use Windows Live to open the document and work on the live, with all parties seeing each others’ changes.
Outlook 2010 will have a new feature which will allow users to ignore email threads, deleting everything in that conversation, including existing messages and any new ones that come in.
PowerPoint 2010 will have a Broadcast feature will create a URL that users can share via e-mail or IM. Clicking on the link will let other users see a slideshow streaming directly from the author’s desktop.

To find out more about these new features, visit the Microsoft WWPC website.

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Microsoft sees the future in gloStream

Derek Brown — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:52:42 +0000

President Obama is talking a lot about how the U.S. health care system needs to be modernized—and one company helping modernize it is gloStream, which offers the only electronic medical record (EMR) on the market embedded with Microsoft Office.

EMRs allow health care providers to exchange information electronically. They can look up patient records, prescribe drugs, maintain statistical data, and more—all with the click of a mouse.

gloStream’s EMR has a simple user interface that utilizes voice recognition technology and offers single-click access to all patient data—which in turn helps health care professionals work more efficiently and safely.

Plus, it has the support of Microsoft: Its utilization of Microsoft technology (including Microsoft Office) offers health care professionals an EMR that is secure, reliable, customizable, and affordable.

Health care professionals won’t want to waste time implementing an EMR such as gloStream’s. Those who do so soon are eligible to receive as much as $64,000 in incentives per professional, thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. Late adaptors, on the other hand, may have their fee schedules reduced.

gloStream’s EMR is delivered and supported through a nationwide network of local technology partners. Give us a call and we’ll help you explore ways this technology can help your company grow.

Related articles:

http://microsoftstartupzone.com/blogs/rodney_bowen-wright/default.aspx

http://techstartups.blogspot.com/2009/05/glostream-raises-75-million-series-b.html

http://www.newsrx.com/print.php?prID=3138

http://twitter.com/glostream

The Scoop on Windows 7

Derek Brown — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:57:34 +0000

Microsoft Windows 7 will be in stores October 22, but surprisingly few details of its features have been released. Thankfully, Ed Bott, a ZDNet blogger, researched it for his readers. We now know that, like its predecessor Vista, Windows 7 will ship with different editions: Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate/Enterprise, and the new Starter Edition, specifically for Netbooks. All share the same enhancements in speed, performance, and security, as well as many UI enhancements and new applications such as Internet Explorer 8 and Windows Media Player 12. The entry-level editions lack support for business-specific features such as encryption, virtualization, and the ability to join a domain, and limited customization options (lack of support for the Aero interface, for example). The premium editions feature interesting new add-ons such as support for Touch Applications. Vista customers will be happy to know that Microsoft announced an upgrade program for customers who have purchased Vista before Windows 7′s release. Want to know if Windows 7 will benefit your business? Give us a call today and we’ll help you decide. Related articles:

Windows 7 – It’s like Vista, only less annoying