May 2011 Newsletter

A Windows Server for my home or small business? You’re kidding, Right!

Chances are you have more than one computer at home, as does your small or medium size business. It is almost a given that your computers are connected together through a router or a switch. With documents, pictures, music, email, and other files spread across computers, it requires planning to track where everything is. Not to mention the important role this data plays in our daily lives.

It used to be that to manage networks you needed expensive servers and technicians that only large companies could afford. No more. To backup, secure, share and remotely access data at home or at work, you now have access to server technologies that are incredibly affordably and immensely useful. And you don’t need a computer science degree to implement or to manage them.

Windows Home and Small Business Servers

Microsoft Windows Home Server (WHS) is designed for computer networks running Windows Home Starter/Basic/Premium; though any edition of Windows will connect and work with WHS. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (SBS) is geared for computer networks running Windows Professional/Ultimate because these editions support Active Directory.

The key difference between the two server editions is that SBS supports a centralized username authentication service called Active Directory, while WHS doesn’t. On an SBS network, your account is created once on the server and that same account gives you access to all network resources (computers, files, printers) you have permissions on. On a WHS network, your account must be created separately on each computer you need access to and each of your accounts can have a separate password.

WHS and SBS have been around for years. New versions of both are scheduled for release in the first half of 2011.

Backup Automatically

WHS and SBS include Connector software that automates the configuration and connection of computers to the server. When a computer is connected to the server, the computer gets configured to be backed up every day automatically. This allows you to easily restore accidentally deleted files or the entire content of hard drives in a few simple steps.

Share Easily

The server Dashboard application in WHS 2011 and SBS 2011 Essentials simplifies the task of administering, managing and maintaining the server. The Dashboard can be accessed and run remotely from any computer on the network by users who have permission. The Dashboard interface is organized into tabs that group functions by tasks you typically perform on the server. While the interface is simple, it includes options that allow you to configure server functions to the desired level of detail to easily control permissions to shared folders. This allows you to provide users with read only permission to data in certain folders while providing read and write permission to data on other folders. As your data storage needs grow, servers come with storage bays that allow you to expand storage space easily by adding hard drives. The Dashboard simplifies the task of administering and managing shared folders on the server.

Access Remotely

WHS and SBS implement a feature called Remote Web Access. Microsoft also provides a secure Website to which you can associate your server to simplify remotely access to shared folders on your server, or to remotely connect to computers on your network.

Conclusion

If you thought that servers are only for larger companies, you will want to think again. As the number of computers in use at homes and small businesses has increased, the need to secure, backup, and work with shared data has also grown. Servers are now offered in several editions, one of which is sure to fit your budget while simplifying the management of networked computers. Call us today at 703-766-2820 or contact us for a free consultation!

If your office runs a standard set of applications on computers that need be used interchangeably, you may be a good candidate for a private cloud. Be sure to read next month’s featured article.

Ace our May Quiz to Win $20 in Chipotle!

Yes, you could win a $20 gift card to Chipotle! To win you must have received this newsletter from us, or be forwarded this newsletter by someone on our mailing list. Submit the correct answer to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by May 22, 2011. One winner will be randomly drawn from all correct entries received. The winner will be featured in the next month’s issue.

Congratulations to our April Winner Latarsha Riddick with Sabra-Wang and Associates! April was National Soy Foods Month.

May's Quiz Question:

What is the State flower of Virginia?

Poppy
Orange Blossom
Camellia
Dogwood

Transitioning BPOS to Office 365

The Public Beta of Office 365, the next version of BPOS, started in mid-April. BPOS customers using Outlook 2003 will need to upgrade to Outlook 2007 or 2010. You will be able to decide when, during the 18-month window, to transition.

5 Tips to Extend the Life of your Laptop Battery

If you travel for work, you've probably experienced something like this before: You board an airplane for a long flight with the idea of getting some work done during the trip. With several hours free from cell phones and the usual office interruptions, you should be able to get some real work done — until you realize that your laptop battery's going dead and there's no way to recharge before arriving at your destination. What to do? Here are five suggestions to keep going as long as possible.

Reduce Brightness
Reduce Power setting in Control Panel
Use lightweight applications, such as Notepad instead of Word
Remove extra devices
Ensure adequate RAM to minimize reliance on power-draining disk.

Virtual Meetings and Webinars: A Few Tips

As a business professional, odds are good that you've attended a virtual meeting or online webinar recently. But if you haven't yet hosted one of your own — or even if you have and want to improve the next experience — there are a few important things to keep in mind which will make the experience as smooth and professional as possible. Here are some guidelines and recommendations.

Prepare and test presentation
Send login info to attendees
Record presentation for reuse
Focus on value to attendees.

Understanding BDR Appliances

If your business can deliver services to its clients when data files from the server are accessible while the server is down, your data is mission critical but your server is probably not.
If your business cannot deliver services to its clients when the server is down despite data files being available from an external backup drive, your server is mission critical.

Common examples of mission critical servers are those hosting e-commerce sites, those running line-of-business applications, and those running functions critical to business needs.
BDR Appliances replicate servers in near real-time and allow a business to bring them up in less than a half hour to take over all the functions of a failed server. They ensure business continuity in case of a disaster. We can help you assess if one makes sense for your business. Click Here for a list of questions that should help you determine if you are adequately protected from data loss. Call us today at 703-766-2820 for a closer look at a BDR Appliance!

Three Great Apps for Small Business

Every business searches for ways to cut costs and be more productive. With the flood of new applications now available online and on smartphones, there are a variety of programs — often free or at minimal cost — that can help you work better and faster. Here are three that you may want to check out for your business.

Campfire, a Web-based group chat application for project collaboration.
SlideShare, an easy way to share presentations.
BuildAnApp. A tool that helps you build smartphone applications in simple steps.

IE9 is Here; Be Sure to Test Older Apps

Microsoft recently released Internet Explorer 9, a significant update to its popular browser for Windows. The new browser includes performance improvements; a cleaner user interface; and greater standards compliance. Before you upgrade IE to version 9 on your primary computer, we recommend that you verify on a secondary computer the behavior of any older mission-critical applications in IE9 to be sure the application will work as expected on the new browser version.

Getting To Know: Hari Patel

Hari Patel joined RAM Consulting Corporation on November 18, 2004 as the company’s Software Engineer Intern. He has done so well that he has since been promoted to Network Administrator. Hari is responsible for all Network/Computer service & support, IT related technology support, in-house utility support, CADD/Construction inspection support & other activities related to our RCare™ Solutions and RAM Consulting submittal efforts.

Hari enjoys learning new technologies, watching Korean, Chinese & Japanese dramas, playing Wii games, buying & selling via flea markets or auctions, fund raising and taking long trips. Hari also enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 year old daughter.

Client Profile: ITS, Inc

Population growth in a vibrant locality strains its transportation infrastructure: slow moving traffic in crowded streets and accident prone intersections. Such problems don’t just go away; they must be analyzed, solutions developed, and improvements implemented. If you’re a developer or a full-service consulting engineering firm looking for help with traffic engineering challenges on your projects, ITS, Inc. can help you with traffic engineering services.

Craig Hedberg, P.E., the principal at ITS, Inc. has over 20-years of experience in traffic and transportation engineering design.

RCare™ Solutions, a division of RAM Consulting Corporation, provides 24x7 computer monitoring and help desk support services for ITS, Inc.

Craig Hedberg had this to say about his experience with RCareTM Solutions:

“ITS, Inc. was looking for help with a computer upgrade and was referred to RCare™ Solutions by another firm they had helped for a server upgrade. RCare™ Solutions has been always there for me whether I’ve needed help with data migration, email configuration or computer setup. They continue to deliver outstanding service for my computer support needs.”

RCare™ Solutions Referral Contest

Yes, our Referral Contest is underway!

This Year’s Prize: Samsung 40” Flat Screen HD Television (or the value in a gift card).

How the Contest Works:

Call or Fill out our E-form with your referral information
We will call your referral to schedule an appointment
When the referral accepts the appointment, we will send you a check for $25
If your referral becomes a client, we will send you a check for $50
We will also give your referral a true $100 discount off our services

If you refer more friends than anyone else, you win the TV!

Contest Starts: April 1, 2011
Contest Ends: June 30, 2011

The winner will be announced in our July newsletter. We will publish the winner’s photograph and introduce your company to our newsletter subscribers. Good luck!

RCare™ Solutions Referral Program

We will pay you $25 for anyone that you refer to us that we get an When your referral becomes a client (and has spent $1,000 or more) then we will pay you an additional $50. And, we will give your referral a true $100 off their purchase. When your referral becomes a client (and has spent $1,000 or more) then we will pay you an additional $50. And, we will give your referral $100 off their purchase.