The weather is changing fast. Winter is closer than ever. Really, where has 2011 gone? The world of technology is changing as fast as ever too. As the leaves turn color and the snow starts to fall, it's time to bring you the winter edition of the Calwell Newsletter.
Important Updates
-> Credit Cards
Many have asked, and now it's possible! Going forward, Calwell now accepts Mastercard & Visa payments for all invoices. If you wish, we're happy to make your invoice/receipt and payment process completely paperless 9ask us for more details). In addition, going forward - invoices with hardware or software are required to be processed by credit card. If you would like more details about credit card processing and how it effects your account, please let us know.
-> Reduced Service
We will be in reduced-service mode from November 29th to December 6th. This means that email replies will take a little longer and any non-essential services may be delayed until this period ends. Please be patient with us during this time. We will update you if any other reduced service periods are going to occur next year.
-> Enhanced Management
Over the next few months you'll start seeing a new page attached to your invoices. In addition to an "Activity Report", you'll start seeing an inventory report. This new report will list important details about the devices on your network at-a-glance including warranty details, model, make, and serial numbers. This is just one more way that we're going over an above to maintain your network! There is no extra cost for this service.
-> calwelltech.com domain
Just a reminder, the calwelltech.com domain is now offline. Please be aware that email addressed to this domain will likely fail and not reach us. Please update your address books immediately.
-> Site Visits
Due to increasing costs, we're going to be instituting a Site Visit charge whenever a visit to your location is required. You'll see a new line-item in both your Activity Report and Invoice to indicate these charges. We are going to keep the cost nominal at $50.00 per visit. This fall, you'll start to see this charge attached to every on-site visit we make.
- > Updated Website and new logo - http://www.cwl.cc
A much needed facelift has been performed on the Calwell main web page (http://www.cwl.cc). The design is simple, but our hope is that it will evolve over time into a useful resource, much as the Calwell blog has over the last couple of years. Please take a few moments and take a look and then send us your thoughts.
Our current recommendations
-> Anti-Virus
If you are running a paid Anti-Virus application, consider switching to the free and highly capable Microsoft Security Essentials. More details: http://url.cwl.cc/thmqg
-> Domains - Email/Web Hosting
Looking to setup a domain and ultimately web, email, and file hosting services? We recommend using Google Apps - which is free for up to 10 email accounts (Google recently dropped this from 50). You'll get the best SPAM filter out there, documents, an incredible web interface and access to too many services to count - and Google provides this for nothing. Highly recommended if you're just starting out. Google is also still offering free VOIP calls in North America. Ask us for more on this.
-> Tablets
Considering a tablet? We generally recommend using an iPad for most functions. You can use the iPad for reading books, magazines, comic books, documents, movies, etc - but did you know what kinds of business processes you can do? We recently setup an iPad to sync documents, edit them from source and email them to a customer's client. All with JUST the tablet! Ask us for more on how you can better use your tablet.
Calwell on Various Services
We're out there! Find us in any one of the following locations online:
-> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/calwell.inc
-> Twitter: http://twitter.com/calwell
-> Linkedin: http://ca.linkedin.com/companies/calwell
-> Calwell on Google Places: http://url.cwl.cc/fbesy
-> Kevin on Google+: http://url.cwl.cc/cnlgj
-> Kevin's Shared Calendar: http://url.cwl.cc/fssvf
-> Calwell on Youtube (Videos): http://www.youtube.com/calwellmedia
New! Tech Definitions
I thought I would add one or two technology definitions. You may often hear these acronyms and wonder what they mean?
-> NFC
While also a conference in professional football's NFL, NFC also stands for Near Field Communications. This technology allows devices to communicate with each other very quickly and easily in short distances. You'll find applications for this tech in credit card payments and things like payment transfers. Most, if not all, new mobile phones will support NFC for things such as payments, ticketing, and transferring of thing like business cards from phone to phone in the next year or two.
-> BBM
Many of you already know what this popular acronym means. For those that don't - let me even the playing field. BBM stands for BlackBerry Messenger. This is the long standing killer feature of Research in Motion's Blackberry devices that allows them to communicate directly with each other in a souped-up type of text messaging. Users can send text, pictures, maps, voice notes and even create groups with this popular service (that no other platform has right now). So pervasive now is the acronym BBM that it has become a verb. Often used in conversation like this: "BBM me!".
Recently from the Blog:
5 Logmein Free problems and how to solve them - read now
Free Utility (written by Calwell): BatchDBx - read now
My 10 favorite Android apps right now - read now
Be the IT Guy: Moving/Copying User Profiles in Windows - read now
We're always writing - and there's something for everyone. Keep checking back for new posts about all things tech-related.
Final Words
If you have any other ideas, either for quality of service, improved communications or subject matter in a blog, please take a few moments and let us know. Your thoughts and ideas are valuable!
Have a safe and happy winter!
