Archive for the ‘Business Tools’ Category
Description of ‘Business Tools’ Category: Posts dealing with tools, either physical or software, to improve your productivity or IT health.
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Recently, on April 12 th 2011 Bing introduced the new local Business Portal for companies to list their business and increase local search results. The local Business Portal replaced the existing Bing local Listing Center and works similar to Google Places. Not too long ago we discussed how Google Places can help increase your local presence and the same can be said about the new Bing Business Portal. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to choose one over the other but instead utilize them both to gain the necessary traction in your local listing results.
Bing Business Portal
from http://www.bingbusinessportal.com
April 2011
Even though both Bing and Google perform basically the same functions, each internet user has their preference and usually utilizes one search engine more over the other. This makes claiming your business equally important in the Bing Business Portal as it is for Google Places. While the majority of internet users may use Google, there are still a percentage of users that use Bing and not creating an account with Business Portal can neglect those users and prevent further local exposure.
This new Business Portal provides the user with an outlet to generate more visibility for their business and guide more traffic to your website. A Bing Business Portal account is extremely easy to set up and from there you can list your business, appeal to your customers, and acquire their business. Bing provides business owners with the tools to create and manage their business listing. Some of the tools that Bing provides are a business profile, profile editor, photo upload tool, deal wizard and various publishing tools.
What you can do using Bing Business Portal:
- Establish, keep track of and update your local business listings
- Pick keyword categories related to your business
- Add logos, photos, and more to customize your listing
- Set up a mobile Web site
- Create coupons and promotions for free.
- Create a multiple user interface so others are authorized to manage your listing.
How to claim your Bing Business Portal listing:
- Visit Bing Business Portal and click get started.
- Perform a search for your business to make sure that one is not already listed.
- Complete the contact and business information form.
- Choose your business category and specify your business specialties.
- Once you chose your specialties you can assign more or less importance to each.
- Create a free mobile website. (Not required)
- Upload the photos or videos that you want to emphasize your listing.
- Add and edit any additional business details.
- Verify your listing. By phone or postcard.
- Create the deals and promotions if you want to include them on your listing.
- Finally authorize additional user to use your Business Portal account.
- Following the authorization process you site should begin to appear in local search results.
In conclusion although Bing Business Portal has just been released and it is still a beta version it holds up pretty well when compared to Google Places. Google Places may offer a few features that Bing doesn’t however there are also features that Bing offers that Google Places neglects. Don’t limit yourself to one search engine local listing because not all users use the same search engines. In any case restricting your business to one search engine could cause you and your company to miss out on an opportunity to gain more customers and revenue. Bing Business Portal shouldn’t be an alternative to Google Places but an additional service to enhance your local business and search results.
Additional information available on Bing Business Portal FAQ & Bing Business Portal.
Thanks for Reading have a Great Day!
Dustin
CDTek.com
Tags: bing, business, business portal, Google Places, local, local listing, Mircosoft, portal, search results
Posted in Business Tools | No Comments »
Friday, April 15th, 2011
With most consumers the concepts of brand and logo are often misunderstood as being one in the same. This however is not the case and although identity and company logos usually correlate with one another, they remain two separate elements of a business. It is easy to see how a brand and logo can be interpreted as being the same because they play a similar role in a business marketing strategy. It is important for any business to build both a brand identity as well as a successful logo design. This is not to say that without one of these elements the company won’t be successful but having both of these elements can certainly help build the business to customer relationship. If done correctly, a brand identity and logo should reinforce each other and add to the public’s perception of a company.
 NFL Logo - www.nfl.com - April 2011 So, what exactly is the difference between a brand and a logo?
Brand identity commonly refers to the reputation and perception of the company from the customer’s point of view. It is the feeling felt toward the business or motivation behind the choice to use that particular company. Brand identity creates the atmosphere surrounding the organization whereas a logo is used to identify a company or differentiate them from competitors. A good company logo design should trigger the thoughts of a customer and cause them to consider or reflect on the brand identity associated with that company.
A logo is frequently a graphic element, text, or a combination of both. The purpose of a logo is to convey a brand or trademark in a manner that stands out to the consumer and identifies the company from others. Logos provide a quick visual representation of a company and should hold significant meaning for that company. Company logos vary drastically and have often followed certain patterns throughout the years. Some companies use images or figures where others may use strictly text. Furthermore a company may even decide to utilize acronyms or simply spell out the company’s name with different fonts or text arrangement.
Considerations when creating a logo:
When creating a company logo there are several questions that a company should address. These considerations include: What type of business they are, what message they want to send to their customers or potential customers, what are the positive and negative interpretations of that message, and what type of logo will best translate that message?
Elements of a good logo:
- Clean, simple, and versatile.
- Strong and appealing visual impact.
- Distinctive in design from other logos.
- Cohesive with company concepts and principles.
- Appropriate and relative images, colors, and text.
- Universal understanding.
- Unique and memorable design that creates a lasting impression.
- Longevity and timelessness.
- Incorporates modern design techniques (unless the logo is meant to appear dated)
Types of Logos:
The following are six different types of logo designs but regardless of which type a company uses it is important that is serving the purpose of reinforcing a brand identity. The following logo designs each has strengths and weakness and should be carefully considered using the criteria previously mentioned.
- Brandmarks/Icons/Symbols:A brandmark logo design is a pictorial representation of a product or company. These types of logos are bold and visually appealing icons that do not incorporate any text. (Examples: Apple, Nike, NBC)
- Wordmark/Logotype:
A wordmark logo utilizes the full company or product name and appears in unique stylized text. A wordmark can also be in the form of an acronym or initials. (Examples: Dell, CNN, Facebook)
- Combination Marks:A combination mark logo can come in a couple different forms and has both an icon as well as some form of stylized text. A typical combination mark usually has an icon with the name of the company or product positioned somewhere above or below it. (Examples: AT&T, Adidas, Blackberry)
Combination marks include:
- Lettermarks: A lettermark logo incorporates aspects from wordmarks and brandmarks. A lettermark makes use of one or two letters within the company or product name and emphasize those letters with a pictorial image or stylized text. (Example: Cricket Wireless)
- Abstractmarks:An abstractmark can also include text and images. Usually the image is a small visual design that emphasizes the text. (Example: Reebok)
- Emblem: Although an emblem logo uses a mixture of an image and text it deserves its own category. Emblems typically have text that is usually located inside the pictorial element and have a solid foundation or background. (Examples: NFL, Starbucks, Harley-Davidson)
A good logo design is used to influence and promote brand identity however a logo by itself will not create it. Simply adding a visual representation may symbolize your company’s brand, but it is the actions of your company and the experiences of your customers that shape its brand identity.
Comment Below: Do you have a favorite company logo? Which type do you like best?
Thanks for Reading have a Great Day!
Dustin
CDTek.com
Tags: brand, brand identity, company, company logo, design, logo, mark
Posted in Business Tools, Small Business Tips | 1 Comment »
Friday, April 8th, 2011
In the past decade the development of mobile devices has dramatically advanced and has become a major trend for competing technology companies. Companies like Microsoft, Apple, IBM, and Dell have spent years laying the groundwork for the latest mobile technologies and continue to impress us all with the progression of their products. Not only have these mobile devices gotten smaller and more portable, but they have also become more powerful and have come pretty close to matching the user experience of a desktop system. Today we rely on these devices for virtually everything from phone calls, texting, shopping, directions, weather, internet, email and more. It is clear that technology plays a powerful role in our life and continues to make our lives more efficient and easier.
 Microsoft Mobile Office 2010from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/mobileApril 2011 Companies are not only creating new mobile devices but they have also begun to create mobile versions of their primary software applications. The Windows Phone 7 operating system created by Microsoft is doing just that with their integration of Microsoft Office Mobile. Microsoft Office Mobile is a perfect example of how companies are focusing in on the mobile experience and providing a user a similar experience to a desktop environment. While the majority of Windows devices come equipped with Office Mobile, anyone whose Windows phone did not come with Office Mobile pre-installed can purchase and download the software through the Microsoft mobile marketplace. In addition anyone who is using an older version of Office and has a Windows phone that is operating on Windows Mobile 6.5 and above can also upgrade to version 2010 for free.
Small businesses are always on the lookout for a new technology and tools to help them with their day to day operations. Most professional environments utilize Microsoft Office in one form or another whether it is Microsoft Outlook for their Email and scheduling or Microsoft Word for their text editing needs. Given its popularity and the uses of its many programs, Microsoft Office Mobile clearly illustrates the potential value that a mobile software companion can provide to a business and its employees.
The Windows Phone 7 mobile device not only has all of the basic functions of a phone but it also manages to incorporate some of the power of a desktop computer with a few minor exceptions. Microsoft Mobile Office 2010 was released to coincide with the release of Windows Phone 7 and is only available on devices running Windows Mobile 6.5 or later. With these mobile device users can now enjoy a valuable portable alternative to their most employed software applications. By having the Microsoft Office Mobile software installed on the Windows Phone 7, a user can access these programs as needed without being confined to an actual office or having to lug around a laptop. Programs included in the Microsoft Office Mobile 2010 bundle include Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile, OneNote Mobile, and SharePoint Workspace Mobile.
It is understandable that working with a mobile device doesn’t always translate the same comfort and ease that it would from desktop or laptop computer. The mobile aspect does however provide the necessary convenience but it still does not quite live up to the user experience of the traditional MS Office software. Besides the slight trade off between convenience and usability it is evident that the Microsoft Office Mobile programs manage to capture the basic functions and operations of Microsoft Office. Provided below are some of the basic pros and cons associated with the mobile version of Microsoft Office 2010.
Microsoft Office Mobile PROS:
- Supports touch gestures
- Easy document sharing using SharePoint
- Improved desktop syncing
- Quick note taking with OneNote
- New Text Reflow view looks good
- PowerPoint Mobile can control a laptop presentation and display notes remotely via Bluetooth.
- Incorporates the main and most essential word processor features
- Free upgrade for anyone operating Windows mobile 6.5 and above with previous Microsoft office mobile software installed.
Microsoft Office Mobile CONS:
- Small screen size
- Device needs touch screen or stylus capabilities
- Buttons are too small for fingers (needs stylus)
- PowerPoint is view only, there is no creation allowed
- Can’t drag and select text
- Layout and look is not what we have come to expect compared to tradition Microsoft office
In conclusion the basic functions of Microsoft Office remain intact on the Mobile version but as expected the software does not encompass the full power that the traditional version offers. Nonetheless even lacking the usual user experience the mobile version can certainly prove to be an asset to any organization that uses Microsoft Office on a regular basis.
Check out more details and find out how Microsoft Office Mobile can help your business and employees at Microsoft Office Mobile 2010 and How to Buy Microsoft Office Mobile 2010!
Please share your opinion and comments below.
What do you think about Microsoft Office Mobile?
Thanks for Reading have a Great Day!
Dustin
CDTek.com
Tags: device, Microsoft Office, Mobile, mobile device, office, software, Windows Phone 7
Posted in Business Tools, Communication | No Comments »
Friday, March 25th, 2011
Small businesses are always looking for new ways to increase efficiency and promote productivity. Whether it is through the implementation of new processes or using new and exciting gadgets, the main goals of a business are to find a way to maximize effort, limit costs, and achieve a higher return on their investment (ROI). 
Technology has changed the way many businesses go about their day to day tasks for the better. Not only is technology changing the approach of small businesses but it is making it easier by opening the door to many new opportunities. Taking a look at all the technological gadgets released over the past couple years we have compiled a short list of tools that could potentially benefit a small business.
Advancement is necessary for any business to survive in today’s work environment and remaining stationary for too long will only ensure that they will fall behind their competition. It is best to stay informed with the latest tools and techniques and continually work towards being able to incorporate them in the business to remain productive. Although smart phones and tablet PC’s can be very beneficial we decided to avoid mentioning any on our list of gadgets and tried to focus on gadgets that compliment devices already found in most workplaces. Take a look below at some of the tools we think can boost a company’s performance and see which ones you could benefit from.
iGo Portable Projector:
The iGo Portable Projector is a great tool whether you have to give a presentation to a client, supervisor, or even an in-house team. This projector is pocket sized, making it ideal for an offsite presentation. It works with input A/V, HDMI, USB, and has a 70” display that can be projected on any flat surface. Regular projectors can sell for anywhere between $400 upwards to $2,000 and do not offer the same portability of the iGO Projector. Offered at $299, the iGo Portable Projector is a great way for a business to save money while still being able to keep up with the competition and perform flawless presentations.
VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner:
The Magic Wand Portable Scanner is just one of the many portable scanners available today and is another great portable resource for small businesses. The portable option allows individuals to scan documents in almost every environment. The Magic Wand scanner has been around for some time now, however coming in June 2011 they plan to release a model that will be able to transfer scans via Bluetooth. The Bluetooth model will allow scans to be sent to a computer or wireless printer. Currently their models only save the scans using a MicroSD card and needs a user to access the provided software in order to interface with the scans. This tool is a great way to conserve paper resources and is available for $99. (No price is currently set for Bluetooth model coming in June)
Belkin In-Desk USB Hub:
Ever run out of USB ports and find yourself unplugging important devices, the In-Desk USB Hub adds four additional USB ports to a user’s computer. Most computers now come equipped with plenty of USB ports however some businesses still have employees that are working with older computer models. Whether it’s because the computer only came with limited ports or if you already have a lot of devices plugged in, the Belkin USB hub adds room for additional resources. The USB Hub fits into the 3” round opening that most desks come equipped which reduces the clutter on your desk while still allowing your computer cords to pass through.
HP PhotoSmart eStation:
The HP PhotoSmart eStation Printer is taking printers to a whole new level. This device offers full web browsing through a detachable 7” handheld monitor that can act as a printer remote or a stand alone portable companion. This great tool incorporates high performance printing, scanning, and copying as well as faxing without a phone line. This unit is completely wireless, conserves less energy and resources through double side printing, and allows web printing without accessing your computer. The eStation offers a unique tablet PC experience plus all of the printing capability at about $299.
DYMO Label and Postage Printer:
With the LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo Dual Roll Label and Postage Printer you can print up to 71 labels per minute and it a great option for any business that has to do a lot of mailing. The software service used for the postage printer is provided by Endicia which is a licensed USPS Postage provider. This gadget is a great way to save time as well as money for ink and toner.
These are just some of the many devices out there that can potentially greatly benefit your company. Some of the other devices we considered were the APC SmartUPS Uninterruptable Power Supply, Staples 15-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder, Xerox Business Card Scanner, Square Mobile Credit Card Reader, and the Logitech Webcam C905.
Thanks for Reading have a Great Day!
Dustin
CDTek.com
Tags: business, Computer, device, gadgets, portable, promote productivity, Small Business, tech, tools
Posted in Business Tools, Small Business Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
A primary function of a server is hosting shared resources for your business. A server is a centralized, robust computer that allows other computers in your office to quickly retrieve shared files or run shared software.
 from lenovo.com March 2011 As your small business grows, accumulates data, and employs more staff, the strain put on a simple workgroup networked computer may become to great making the server inefficient. At this point the need to share data is crucial and it may be a good time to consider purchasing a server.
What do you look for in a server?
Which server is best for your small business?
Below are some elements to contemplate when purchasing a server:
Price:
What can your small business afford? Buy a server that fits your current needs and when considering server specifications allow some room for growth. Keeping long term growth in mind is wise because although at the time you may not need it you might eventually need to expand. Prices for entry level servers typically range from $500 to $5,000 depending on the brand, model and features.
Size and Shape:
Contrary to what you might imagine, servers come in two primary formats, tower and rackable. A basic, entry level server in a tower format (upright as opposed to rackable) might be best for your small business because it has essentially the same footprint as desktop. A rackable server would work best if you currently have one or more server racks or are soon considering adding a server rack and adding more equipment.
Processor and Memory:
A processor directly affects the speed and performance of the machine. Choosing the best processor for the server you are considering, will ensure that your server can perform the necessary tasks at an efficient and productive speed. Similarly, the more memory available in the server will also affect the speed because it will have more room for the server to store temporary data and process information. Processors with 2GHz or more are usually suitable entry level servers for small businesses. Most entry level servers come equipped with a minimum of 1GB or 2 GB of memory and have the option for expansion depending on the needs of your business. It would be wise, if in your budget permits to purchase a minimum of 4GB of memory for optimal performance.
Hard Drive Redundancy:
It is important to consider the data requirements of your business. How much down time due to server problems an acceptable? The server technology known as RAID allows different levels of data redundancy and fault tolerance. The most common forms of RAID are RAID with a level 0 which does not provide fault tolerance and RAID level 1 which mirrors data, or writes data to two drives at the same time. If one drive were to fail, your data is still available on the other drive, you simply swap in a new drive and the mirror is recreated. Less common on entry level servers are RAID 5 and RAID 10 which have a much higher fault tolerance though it may be overkill for most small businesses when contemplating needs versus return on investment (ROI). While speaking of drives, some entry level servers have hot swappable drives, a very convenient function, which allows hard drives to be sapped while the server is still powered on.
Additional factors to consider include the server’s Operating System, Expansion Options, and Server Maintenance.
In an upcoming article we will be looking at some recommended small business servers: HP ProLiant MicroServer, Lenovo ThinkServer TS200v, and Dell PowerEdge T310.
More information about When and Why to Consider a Server.
Thanks for Reading have a Great Day!
Dustin
CDTek.com
Tags: entry level, Server, Small Business
Posted in Business Tools, Computers, Small Business Tips | No Comments »
Friday, February 18th, 2011
 from http://www.squareup.com Feb 2011 To accommodate the businesses that are on the move a few companies have begun to stray from the traditional stationary credit card readers. Among the companies already offering mobile card processing is “Square” and “Intuit GoPayment”. Created in 2009, Square like the Intuit GoPayment system offers a device that works as an electronic card reader with the design purpose of accepting electronic payments without the inconvenience of traditional bulky equipment. Without the restrictions that cash registers, card readers, and receipt printers inflict, vendors can now be completely mobile and better serve their clients. The “Square” gadget is about the size of a quarter and plugs directly into a headphone outlet on devices like the Dell Streak PC tablet or the Apple iPhone. Currently the device and software are only supported by the Apple iOS and Google’s Android operating system. For a full list of devices that support “Square” visit this link is my device supported?
“Square” provides customers and vendors with a fast, simple, and safe buying experience. Both the software and the card reader are free and are available after establishing an account at SquareUp.com. Following the creation of your account, the Square application can be downloaded through your device’s app store and you can begin mobile card processing.
It appears that the only charges that an account holder will incur while using Square are a 2.75% + 15¢ charge for swiped transactions or a 3.5% + 15¢ charge for keyed-in transactions. Using Square allows individuals or businesses to side step activation fees, annual fees, early termination fees, customer service fees, statement fees, batch fees, monthly minimum fees, authorization fees and any other less obvious fees associated with credit card processing.
“Square” is extremely easy to use and only takes seconds to complete a sale. All you have to do is swipe the credit card, enter the amount of the purchase, fill in the details of the purchase, charge the account, and send out a receipt. Upon completion of a customer’s transaction a detailed receipt is stored on your device and can be sent to a customer’s email account. Additionally, cash payments can also be monitored using this software.
The mobile nature of this device can cause some concerns regarding its security, however all of data sent out of your device is kept in a monitored and secure location. All personal and vital information is encrypted following industry-standard security practices and is backed by VeriSign and the PCI Security Standards Council.
“Square” currently accepts most of the major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. In addition to swiping a customer’s card, merchants are also able to manually enter credit card information for phone or Internet orders. Whether you’re a new small business that can not afford the traditional equipment, or you need to accept payments while you are traveling, or if you simply want to cut down on credit card processing fees “Square” has you covered.
Establish your Square account today at SquareUp.com to receive your free device and software. Experience a new, fast, and efficient way of processing your customer’s credit transactions!
More valuable information:
Thanks for Reading have a Great Day!
Dustin
CDTek.com
We are an information technology firm providing Internet Marketing and Technical Support to businesses.
Tags: card, card processing, credit card, customer, device, fee, payments, square
Posted in Business Tools, Hardware, Productivity | No Comments »
Friday, February 11th, 2011
So if you haven’t heard of LinkedIn, it is a social networking site similar to Facebook. The major difference between the two sites is that LinkedIn is geared more for professional networking and development. LinkedIn allows individuals from any career to establish and build their professional profile and provides users with the ability to connect, share, learn, and explore opportunities with one another.
Remaining in touch with career contacts can make the difference in today’s professional environment. LinkedIn can keep you front and center and can prevent you from possibly missing out on valuable career opportunities. In today’s world it is easy to lose track of business contacts as people change jobs often and/or move more frequently than in the past. This impediment is reduced or eliminated with a professional social networking site like LinkedIn.
LinkedIn enables users to confidently create and update their professional portfolio, thus giving the individuals the ability to choose how they are seen by others in the professional community. A bonus of LinkedIn is that when someone Google’s you the first result will likely be your LinkedIn profile page, therefore providing an advantage for you to show yourself off.
Having a network of professional contacts is a great resource to have! LinkedIn constructs an environment where you can search experts, careers, companies, locations, and keywords. After establishing a profile you can seek out and collaborate with other users and gain significant knowledge along the way.
LinkedIn provides a tremendous opportunity for you as a professional as well as your small business. It is a great tool to generate awareness about you and all that you can do!
Major benefits of being LinkedIn include:
- Access to your colleagues’ network
- Access to your colleagues’ resumes
- Self promotion
- Event promotion
- Expression of your ideas
- Access to knowledge
- Joining forces with other professionals
- Job searching
- Tracking and Following of your career
- Professional Development
For everything LinkedIn, visit the LinkedIn Learning Center through the links below:
Get LinkedIn!
Getting Started!
10 Ways to use LinkedIn!
Thanks for Reading have a Great Day!
Dustin
CDTek.com
Tags: career portfolio, contacts, Linkedin, network, professional, professional community, Small Business, social
Posted in Business Tools, Communication, Small Business Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
Many students who are on the verge of graduation will soon be faced with the grisly task of finding a job that they are both interested in as well as qualified for. One of the most important characteristics that a company looks for in a potential employee is the employees work experience in their related field. Having the skills that qualify you are a great advantage but without a work history in your desired occupation it is often very difficult for graduates to get a foot in the door. For many of us it’s a vicious cycle because, how exactly do you go about getting experience when need experience to get the job to get that experience? It might sound like I am talking in riddles but in reality the chances of finding a job that you really want are slim unless you already have a connection with someone within the target company.
So how do we go about getting the experience that we need to satisfy our potential employer’s expectations? Internships are a great option and can be very fulfilling if both parties are benefiting from the arrangement. Both the company and the employee should profit for a good internship to be successful.
If you own a small business why not share your experiences, teach, and provide young newcomers to your profession with the information and training they need? After all you were once in their position and most likely could have used the help. As the company and the intern build a relationship experience is transferred while the company benefits from the extra help. If an internship program is done properly, your company has very little to lose.
The following are suggestion for how to establish an internship program within your organization.
- Create a curriculum or work plan to follow throughout the internship.
Create a plan that covers all aspects of the job to ensure maximum growth. Determine a length of the program and contemplate a potential rollover to a full time position. Be creative, share, and determine the best way for you to teach and your intern to learn.
- Detail an orientation process.
Perform introductions, provide ground rules, and layout the expectations for all the parties involved.
- Work with your intern personally or assign a suitable supervisor.
Choose someone who wants to teach and lend their experience to the intern. Try to get to know each other on a personal level so that the experience is memorable.
- Create a feedback process.
The organization should establish a system to provide feedback to the intern. Similarly the company should inquire about the intern’s thoughts or insights about the program.
Gaining the experience is probably more beneficial to the student than financial compensation, but it is still important to compensate them. As previously stated, the organization shouldn’t be the only one benefiting from this experience.
- Coordinate with local colleges and universities.
Develop a working relationship with local education in order to locate students who would benefit from the program.
Small businesses are urged to create programs like this to ensure that our future workforce is adequately equipped and those that are in need of a mentor have one available. The inspiration, bonds, and gratitude will most likely last forever and you will be left with a sense of pride for doing something helpful for someone. Not only gaining the experience, an intern will also gain an appreciation for the ones who took the chance to help them when other companies wouldn’t. In addition in most cases small businesses that create internships are in great social standing and receive positive community feedback. Our company maintains a paid internship program for students studying in the field of information technology.
So if possible pass on your professional knowledge and wisdom, and help shape the future employees.
Thanks for Reading have a Great Day!
Dustin
CDTek.com
We’re an information technology firm providing two services, Internet Marketing / SEO and Technical Support to businesses.
Tags: business, company, experience, internship, internship program, program, Small Business
Posted in Business Tools, Productivity, Small Business Tips | No Comments »
Friday, October 22nd, 2010
 Hello and welcome to Chesapeake Digital Technology´s blog. We’re an information technology firm in Maryland. We provide two primary services, Internet Marketing / SEOand Technical Support for business.
Recently, Microsoft admitted that the open source, freely available productivity suite, OpenOffice, was a real threat to their software, Microsoft Office. This comes as something of a shock, since Microsoft, and most major companies, will rarely admit to an outside threat. Open Office is designed to provide users with a quality business productivity suite for the low price of free. While Open Office is free, does the old adage “You get what you pay for” hold true here? Let’s take a look at your two options.
Open Office
Pros
- Free to use
- Community support
- Includes Word Processing, Presentation, and Spreadsheet software
- Can save in multiple formats
- Microsoft Office
- Apple
- Other open formats
- Can read and edit other formats
- Available on PC, Mac, and Linux
Cons
- User Interface takes a little getting used to
- Not as tightly integrated as Microsoft Office
- Some formatting issues when importing documents from other programs
- No direct support
Microsoft Office
Pros
- De facto standard for office productivity.
- Tight Operating System integration
- Quality support
- Very stable
Cons
- Costly up front
- Only available on PC and Mac
- Uses different iterations
-Josh
CDtek
Tags: business, Linux, mac, office, open office, PC, Productivity, software, support
Posted in Business Tools | No Comments »
Friday, October 15th, 2010
 Hello and welcome to Chesapeake Digital Technology´s blog. We’re an information technology firm in Maryland. We provide two primary services, Internet Marketing / SEO and Technical Support for business.
Tech Support work isn’t cheap. Like most specialized work, it takes years of training and experience to make sure that you know all the ins and outs. Therefore, like calling an electrician, Tech Support costs a bit of money. However, it doesn’t need to break the bank. In the past, tech support calls would require someone to drive out from a central office to your workplace to take a look at the problem. Now, however, there is an easier and more efficient way to get support: Remotely.
Remote support allows for a technician to take control of your computer, with your permission of course, and solve the majority of software issues you are experiencing. This provides a myriad of benefits for both you and the technician.
First, there is no need to travel. This makes everyone’s lives easier. The tech doesn’t have to drive out and lug equipment with them and you don’t end up paying for travel time. Working closely with this is the fact that the tech will have all of his resources available to him at his office. There is no case of “I forgot X” or “I need to go back for Y”. Any software can be sent along online and with no need for physical media.
Another benefit is that you save money overall. Most companies will charge less as a result of being able to remotely support you. We do that here at CDtek. If we can help you remotely, it saves us a lot of money and we can turn that savings around to you.
-Josh
CDTek
Tags: internet, IT, Remote, support, tech, Technical
Posted in Business Tools | No Comments »
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