I Can Use Google Apps Mail with Microsoft Outlook?!

Many businesses have been hearing a lot about Google Apps and how ‘awesome’ it is.  But what is it and what makes it ‘awesome’?

I am going to touch on the Google Apps Mail product in this post to help the average person understand how it can help their business.  I will be posting about other Google Apps features in the future as well.

Business e-mail is conducted in Microsoft Outlook.  It has been the e-mail client of choice for businesses for many years now.  But now, with technology moving off of the desktop and into the ‘cloud’, Outlook is becoming less prominent.  But users hate change.  What most of them don’t realize is that they do not have to give up the Outlook e-mail program they’ve known and loved (and paid a pretty penny for) for the last several years.  Nothing has to look any different…unless you want it to.

Google Apps Mail is a cloud based e-mail service.  This means that wherever you are, you’ll have all of your old e-mails, new emails, calendars, contacts, and more.

For instance, I recently setup Google Apps Mail for my own business.  I have access to my  business e-mail, contacts, and calendar on my smartphone, iPad, laptop, and desktop.  Everything is synced wirelessly and instantly.  If I make a change on my calendar from my phone, Outlook on my desktop PC receives the change instantly.  No cords to connect or sync button to push.  Everything I need is everywhere at all times; that is the ‘awesome’ part of Google Apps Mail.

And I didn’t have to give up Outlook to get it.

Sound interesting to you?  Give me a call and we can talk about it more.

-Steve

314-392-3520

Wifi

Wifi is everywhere these days…in your house, office, local cafe, even your car.

Most smartphones can connect to a wifi network.  When you are at home or the office, try connecting your phone to your wireless network.  It will save you money on your wireless data plan, and most likely be a faster internet experience.

If you can’t figure out how to connect, or if you don’t have a wireless network and would like one, give me a call.  I can also troubleshoot existing wireless network problems…connection loss, signal boosting, etc.  I will help you get the most out of your technology.

Help! My computer is running slow!

Many of the calls I get are for ‘slow computers’.  After time, a computer does not perform as it once did.  There are several reasons for this.

First, your computer has many moving parts.  The hard drive and fans rely on motors that spin really fast.  Over time, these can wear down.

The programs you install on your computer can also slow you down.  Almost every program these days like to install into the ‘startup group’, which means it will start automatically when your computer does.  More programs running = slower computer.  A quick check of a few of these programs can be found under Start->All Programs->Startup.  If you see something in there that you haven’t used in a while, delete it.  It will do no harm to delete it from here.  The program will still be installed and accessible.

The last thing I want to touch on that may slow your computer down is the internet.  Delete your cookies and temporary internet files by going to Tools->Internet Options while in Internet Explorer.  You’ll see the delete button right in the middle of the screen.

If doing these simple things doesn’t make your computer feel new again, give me a call.  There are many advanced techniques for optimizing a PC that I can do to your system to give you that ‘new computer’ feel.

Busy Busy Busy

I have experienced a lot of late nights over the last month.

Right now, I am working with a video production company to upgrade their workstations.  They have old, consumer based PC’s.  I am working on a professional workstation that will make photo and video editing a breeze.

I also am working with my best client to plan their next multi-server system.  I installed their first system almost four years ago and they have grown so big that it is time to replace it.  I am working closely with my planning team at Dell to make sure the next four years are as smooth as the first four, while also adding new features to the system list remote access for all employees.

-Steve

314-392-3520

New File Server Installation

Today I am installing a new file server for a landscaping company.  It is their first server.  The new server, on top of sharing files with employees and managing the network, will allow mobile employees access to important files.  The files will be accessible through a PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablet.  Since they have many employees on the road during the day, this will make their job easier and more efficient.

If you would like to know how a server can help your company, give me a call at 314-392-3520.  I’d love to help out and answer any questions you may have.

Server Upgrade

Today I helped a client get more life out of their expensive file server.  The hard drive was out of free space, crippling the system and its users.  I replaced both drives and copied their data over.  The server now is running better than ever with the upgrade.  This particular server was running a RAID1, which meant one drive was mirroring the other for backup purposes.  I can perform a hard drive upgrade on servers, desktops, and laptops…PC or Mac.

Computer Backup

Last week I came across a client with a Quickbooks issue.  The company file had become corrupt, and they did not have a current backup.  Luckily, I was able to save their Quickbooks data.

Please backup your computers!  I have several low cost solutions, both local and remote.  Call me at 314-392-3520 to discuss your backup needs.  Whether it’s your Quickbooks, or your family pictures, you do not want to lose your important data.  Act now before it is too late.