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News and updates to address your southeast Michigan business IT issues.

Launching Multiple Instances of the Same Software in Windows 7

There are times when you might want to open multiple instances of the same software program quickly, such as when you need to work on multiple documents in Word or Excel, or when you want to launch multiple windows of your browser. In Windows 7, you can do this easily. Just press and hold down the SHIFT key while left-clicking on the first instance of the program in the Windows taskbar, and a new instance of the same program is opened.

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Have You Done a Test Restore Lately?

A lot of businesses make it a habit to back up their data, and leave it at that. But many do not realize that there is another half to an effective backup system – regularly testing it. One of the most basic actions a company takes – big or small – with its data is back it up. It’s become a mantra in this age in which information is more easily stored and managed digitally: steps must be taken to ensure that data is regularly backed up. If any malfunction, misfortune, or human error occurs, with a good backup system you won’t stand to lose thousands or even millions of dollars in lost data. But there’s more to backups than meets the eye. Let’s say you have a backup system and you lose your data – how sure are you that you will actually be able to get all of it back? It’s surprising that while many companies do back up their data, very few actually conduct tests in actual data restoration. How can you be sure that your backup system will perform as expected when the time comes? It’s especially important for you to iron out all the kinks in a system as essential as your backup before you actually need it. When the worst happens, one of the last things you want on your plate is contending with any glitches or complications that you missed in your data restore system because you failed to test it properly beforehand. Not having a smooth and well tested restore system defeats the purpose of having backups in the first place. After all, what’s the point of having backups if you can’t retrieve your data properly? You need an efficient system that is regularly tested to make sure that your precious data can be easily and smoothly restored when circumstances call for it. If you’re not positive that you’ll be able to access all of your data if disaster should strike, give us a call. We’ll evaluate your backup and restore processes and make recommendations to ensure your business data will be at your fingertips no matter what happens.

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Dual Screens: Good or Bad?

Dual or multiple screens may seem excessive for some, but in truth it might just be the thing that helps you boost productivity and efficiency in the workplace. At first glance, people may find the use of dual screens a bit excessive and therefore unnecessary, but the truth is that there is more to it than it may seem. In truth, there are a lot of advantages to using dual screens, provided that you can cope with the cons and challenges of utilizing such as system. The primary advantage of dual or multiple screens is increased productivity. Several studies have shown that using such a system can boost productivity anywhere from 10 to 40 percent. Especially if you use multiple programs at the same time, it allows you to better keep track of workflow, have a improved view (physically and metaphorically) of what tasks you are working on, and divide tasks based on the monitors you are using. For example, you might need to be constantly online on social networking websites like Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, or Formspring to interact with your clients and give immediate responses to queries and concerns. In addition, you may need to attend to other tasks, which can be confusing when done all in one screen. With a dual monitor setup, you can keep your social networking tasks on one screen, and the rest of your tasks on the other. Space consumption and resources may be an issue for some, but given the increased productivity that goes with adapting such a system, you will find your tasks accomplished much earlier and much more efficiently. This can effectively offset any additional costs, especially in the long run. If you are looking to give this type of system a try, please contact us and we’ll be glad to draw up a proposal that will meet your particular requirements. Additional resources: Advantages and Disadvantages of Working with Multiple Screens

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Use Shortcuts Instead of File Duplicates

Instead of copying files to multiple locations in your hard drive to make sure you can find it easily, consider using shortcuts instead. Shortcuts are simply links to the original file, folder, or programs from which it was created. You can distinguish a shortcut by the arrow in the lower-left corner of the icon. To create a shortcut, right-click the file and then click Create Shortcut . Create as many as you want, and drag them to the appropriate locations within your hard drive.

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Security: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

A recent study by IT security firm Symantec shows that at least half of SMBs lack the proper security for their systems, which puts both them and their clients at a grave disadvantage. It seems that despite the risk, many SMBs (small and mid-sized businesses) are not taking security seriously enough, according to a recent survey by security giant Symantec. The study reveals that many SMBs lack a security or disaster-preparedness plan. The risks are real enough, with an SMB standing to lose somewhere in the ballpark of $12,500 PER DAY when operations are interrupted because of security breaches or malware attacks. According to Symantec, of the 1288 SMBs they surveyed worldwide, about half have no security or disaster-preparedness plan whatsoever. Of that 50 percent, 36 percent intend to get or create a plan in the future, while the remaining 14% have no plans on their agendas whatsoever. With these figures, it’s hardly surprising that the study also found that many SMBs only act when it’s too late – which causes not only lost revenue for them, but for their clients as well. More than half of the surveyed SMB clients – 552 – said that they have had to switch providers due to unreliable and irresponsible service. Numbers do not lie: security is more important than you might think. Don’t wait until the last minute to find out just how essential it is before enacting a security plan of your own – for your sake as well as that of your clients. Having the right kind of system in place is vital to keeping your operations smooth and efficient, as well as enabling you to better respond to your clients’ needs. If you want to know more about implementing the proper security and disaster-preparedness protocols for your business, please contact us and we’ll be happy to sit down and create a customized plan that will meet your specific needs and requirements.

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