IOS

Apple redefined the smartphone category with the original iPhone, at the time the only reliable smart phones were from Nokia and Blackberry, but the operating systems were clunky, connecting to WIFI was near on impossible and although the push email worked well on the Blackberry it did and still does require a secondary service to plug into your email server, and all mails pass through Blackberry servers and as we have experienced recently, these servers can go down leaving millions of users without email for days.

IOS Changed everything, the phones run a cut down version of Mac OSX bringing beautiful graphics and transitions from the Mac desktop, the IOS based phones are a real pleasure to use, they are locked down by Apple in such a way that it is almost impossible for users to create problems with the phones core systems.

The App store

A great feature of the IOS platform is the App store, which is second to none for content which means that you can almost always find an app to suit your business needs, however there is currently no way in the UK to centrally manage or control your app accounts, you cannot push Apps to devices or control what users install and uninstall

For IOS

Functionality, Apps, Huge device choice, Price

Against IOS

Price, Device choice, No Central Control, Its as much a play thing as a business tool, No way to centrally manage Apps without 3rd Party software, Limited Calendar functionality

 Android

Android launched close after IOS and is a similar OS, some say it is copied from IOS, the 2 main differences are Widgets and the openness of the OS.

Widgets allow users to add useful program snippets to the desktop as shown below, on the left is an example of Widgets, the right screen shot is of standard program icons similar to IOS

The Android system is not as polished as the IOS system, it can be sticky, jerky and even lock up from time to time, although some might see the open nature of the OS as a benefit, it is also its downfall as users can install themes and apps that the hardware is not powerful enough to run, causing the handset to crash and lockup, however if the device remains with the themes and settings that it came with from new then they tend to be reliable.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is the leading handset at the moment (June 2012) it is the first handset in my opinion to beat the iPhone for features design and usability, much of this is down to its Quad Core CPU and 1GB Ram which would have been a powerful PC only a few years ago

For Android

Functionality, Apps, Huge device choice, Price

Against Android

Ease of use, No Central Control, Its as much a play thing as a business tool, No way to centrally manage Apps without 3rd Party software, Some devices may have limited enterprise capabilities, Sticky and Jerky, Users have almost unlimited access to the OS

 Windows Phone 7

The newcomer, this OS is completely different it uses the Microsoft Metro Interface (screenshot below) and allows full enterprise control via Windows Embedded Device Manager 2011 some of its features are listed below

• Deploy, Update and manage
• Streamline Insight and Control
• Custom-tailored solutions
• Enhanced IT infrastructure control
• Comprehensive Software Distribution and Updates
• Device integration

Windows Phone 7 OS, is in my opinion the most pleasurable to use and offers features that neither of the other 2 offer, however from an enterprise point of view we believe it to be a no brainer, with built in apps such as MS Dynamics, Sharepoint, Office, Internet explorer it becomes the business OS of choice which will be even better when Windows Phone 8 is launched October 2012

For Windows Phone 7

Ease of use, Functionality, Device choice, Price, Enterprise Functionality, Enterprise Security, User Interface, Microsoft have invested in Nokia who are well known for producing high quality handsets and devices

Against Windows Phone 7

Limited Apps available at this time, No sister Tablet until October

 Exchange Control

All three options have basic Exchange controls when using active Sync to Push Email, Calendars, Tasks and Contacts as shown below

 Conclusion

IOS is the choice for home users, its a great OS but lacks enterprise features, Microsoft Windows Phone is the OS of choice and will continue to improve as Windows Phone 8 is launched late 2012 I see no place for the Android OS at this time as it is too close to IOS and IOS is a better operating system, more polished and reliable

Windows 7 adoption rate for IT companies is High – survey suggests.

A study carried out by Chadwick Martin Bailey (CMB) suggests that in their survey of 145 IT professionals the majority plan to standardise Windows 7 across their company, here’s how it breaks down:

• 38% plan to roll out Windows 7 on netbooks over the next 2 years
• 51% plan to regulate Windows 7 on Laptops and Desktops
• 60% plan to migrate to Windows Server 2008 R2 in the next 24 months.

It was said by an analyst at CMB that “our data shows remarkably high number of organisations planning to standardise Windows 7 OS in the near-term”. It was also shown in their survey that “those who are holding back are for the time being … staying with XP (rather than Vista)”.

The hype of  Windows 7 isn’t tied to adoption in the Workplace, At Amazon UK the Pre-order sales of Windows 7 were so successful that the previous record holder (Harry Potter) was knocked into 2nd place with Windows 7 taking the top spot.

Custard Technical Services of Nottingham are delighted to have been nominated as finalists for the 2012 ITEuropa awards. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London on 30th May 2012.

The awards – for which there have been over 120 submissions this year – are the only pan-European software awards that recognise best practices and real world customer solutions. They’re given to vendors, distributors and service providers who best support their channel partners to deliver excellence.

East Midlands business-to-business MSP (managed service provider)Custard is one of just four companies vying for this prestigious accolade in the ‘Managed Support Services’ category.

Director Chris Pass said:

“We’re not popping corks just yet – we’ll keep our powder dry until the results are announced! But we’re delighted to be ‘in the frame’ for this award. Just to be recognised as a finalist is a terrific achievement, especially considering that we’re one of the smallest companies involved. It’s good to know that our commitment to customer service and innovation is appreciated. And it certainly does make all the long hours everyone here puts in worthwhile.”

Chris believes that onsite response times of 1 hour, along with first-rate out-of-hours client support, gives them a real competitive edge. Sharp enough, already, to lift Custard well up in  MSPMentor’s 2012 ‘Top 50’ rankings for MSPs across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

MSPMentor - the ‘ultimate guide to managed services’ – has voted Custard Technical Services of Nottingham the 35th-best Managed Service Provider (MSP) in their 2012 ‘Top 50’ across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  

Director Chris Pass said:

“We’re thrilled by this recognition. It’s a terrific achievement, especially considering that we’re one of the smallest companies to achieve a ‘Top 50’ ranking. It’s nice to know that our company commitment to customer service and innovation is appreciated. And it certainly does make all the long hours everyone here puts in worthwhile.”

Business-to-business managed service provider Custard is now the 2nd-highest ranked MSP in the Midlands and North, which says a great deal about the quality of service they offer. Chris believes that onsite response times of 1 hour, along with first-rate out-of-hours client support, gives them a real competitive edge.

And the name? When the business was started back in 1996, brands like Apple and Orange were beginning to stand out in the dry, ‘techie’ business of IT. Although considered at the time, neither Mustard nor Gravy quite had the same appeal! And, in all honesty, ‘Gravy’ could never excite the graphic designers as much as zesty Custard from a marketing perspective…

Because top Managed Service Providers (MSPs) use the best techniques and equipment available, you’ll never worry about your managed IT services getting out-dated. They’re continuously upgraded – and it’s all built into the cost.

2. Foreseeable monthly costs and low capital expense

On the other hand a fixed monthly plan, guaranteed to have no hidden charges, will give you predictable costs and clearly defined services for the duration of your contract. And – with your MSP doing the investing for you – you’ll be guaranteed the best solutions technology can offer.

3. Integrated Services

You can cut infrastructure costs by running multiple IT services over a single ‘converged’ connection,. This allows remote home access to all voice and data applications in Head Office, and enables staff to work productively from home.

4. Keep it all together

You can keep all your applications and servers in managed data centres. And also access virtual services, along with storage and backup facilities, through these data centres. So – wherever they are – your staff can perform better.

5. Infrastructure Security

Thanks to round-the-clock running and government approved security procedures, the infrastructure and data centres managed by your MSP are more stable than a standard Enterprise IT service.

6. Know-how

A managed IT service gives you access to specialist expertise, which saves the expense of training staff for rare or one-off tasks.

7. Environmentally friendly

You’ll reduce your business costs AND lower your carbon footprint by using an MSP.  Running applications on a virtual platform and letting data centres look after your business systems will save your business £££s on power bills.

8. Better Service

An MSP – through 24/7 support and service level agreements – gives you guaranteed quality and business continuity.

9. Safeguarding your business against disaster

Thanks to its serious investment in technology, your MSP will give you access to an infrastructure that lets you maintain business continuity and data security, even in the event of a major office ‘crash’. That dependability is what MSPs are all about.