Technology Tips for Small/Mid-sized Businesses

Instant Communications – Good or Bad?

Steven G. Atkinson — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:05:18 +0000

One of the biggest changes of technology over the past 25 years is now we have instant communications. 30 years ago instant communications was through the telephone. It may not have mattered where one was, a phone could easily be found. Payphones were everywhere. If you needed to ask a question of your supervisor, you [...]

Chapel Hill Takes Lead in Banning Cell Phone Use When Driving

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:11:28 +0000

Recently the city of Chapel Hill, North Carolina voted to ban all use of cell phones while driving. This includes any task–texting, talking on a hand-held device and hands-free. The ban goes into effect on June 1, 2012 and is the first complete cell phone ban in the United States. This follows the recommendation by [...]

Telephones and Customer Service

Steven G. Atkinson — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:09:21 +0000

Sometimes what may look like a nice technology advancement may in reality be a Customer Service nightmare. Whenever we use technology in business we need to relate it back to how we do business and our principles. Auto Attendant Many businesses use these. They are without an doubt a cost saver. A business doesn’t have [...]

Can I use my cell phone in my car?

Steven G. Atkinson — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:40:00 +0000

Cell phones are a valuable way of conducting business, but at the same time they have raised a lot of issues involving safety. Nine states have passed laws prohibiting talking on a cell phone while driving without using a hands free device (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington) and [...]

Five Technology Habits to have!

Steven G. Atkinson — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:01:00 +0000

1) Backup your data files and store the back up at a separate location. Multiple backups at multiple locations should be considered. 2) Use virus detection software and keep the software up to date. 3) Scan computer for hidden spyware and adware. These can and will cripple computer performance. 4) Secure the data that has [...]

Bad Technology Habits

Steven G. Atkinson — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:52:41 +0000

Talking on the cell phone at inappropriate places It seems that sometimes when people talking they forget where they are. Or they get so engrossed in the conversation that they don’t realize who may be near. Not only does the guy next to you in the grocery line, or sitting in front of you in [...]

Common Telephony Terms

Steven G. Atkinson — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:22:00 +0000

Telecommunications is full of acronyms. If you don’t know what they mean not only will you be lost, you may end up making a decision based on a misunderstanding. Some acronyms just knowing what letters means explain the meaning others may need some additional explanation. Here are some common ones as they relate to your [...]

Spring Ahead, to Fall back!

Steven G. Atkinson — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Once again, as it does every year just like Christmas and Tax day, Daylight Saving Time begins. For those who don’t know the rhyme we spring ahead, in other words set the clock forward one hour, in the spring and fall backward, set the clock time back one hour, in the fall. In 2005 President [...]

Things to Know About Web Sites

Steven G. Atkinson — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:47:52 +0000

Have one. It’s been said here as well as many other places, every business should have some type of Web presence. For some they may not want or need a full featured site but just a listing with the basic Who you are, What items or services you provide, Where you operate and How to [...]

Do you have a Disaster Recovery plan?

Steven G. Atkinson — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:05:44 +0000

It doesn’t matter the size of a business, if a disaster happens it’s going to hurt. Having a plan may help alleviate the pain. The IT and Telecom infrastructures are a couple of the major items to consider in disaster recovery. If you lose your Internet connection or your telephones how critical is this to [...]