by Blake Britton, Vice President of Axxys Technologies, Inc.

Ok, I admit it…I have been an iPad user for about 9 months. For the most part it was great for playing games with the kids, keeping up to date on news, following people/businesses on Twitter, and checking email. If you look closely the only item I was really using for business was email and occasionally I would get a question about my availability and use the calendar on the iPad.

 Wade Kilgore (VP, Technical Operations @ Axxys) recently went to an industry seminar and used an app, called Note Taker, that allowed him to keep notes directly on the iPad. At this point I decided that I would commit to the personal "30 day iPad challenge". Could I use my iPad for everything while out of the office (this includes running our business applications while in the field)? According to Apple and every other iPad users this should be a SNAP! Here is what I accomplished:

 Taking notes at appointments/seminars

At Wades recommendation I invested the $4.99 for the Note Taker app. I use a pretty common stylus that I purchased at Best Buy for $12.99. The app works great and once you get used to it your handwriting tends to get a little better. I basically create a new notebook for each meeting and if there are notes or follow up items that need attention/retention I simply email the document to Outlook and file it away or schedule follow ups. For client meetings it was great to be able to file my notes/scribbles under their folder in Outlook. There is also an ability to send to an iPad compatible printer and create PDF's. There are many other great features in this app but the most basic functions offer plenty of value for the money.

 Access to Axxys (Terminal Server)

In order to get access to applications and documents we use at Axxys on our network I invested $11.99 for iTap Mobile RDP. This app allows me to connect to the Axxys Terminal Server. Once connected I have the ability to run our line of business applications, view documents on the server, and run Outlook. I do not use this all the time while out in the field but when you're out of town and need quick access to the network it works great and is very functional. I will say that it takes a while to get used to the "gestures" that are used to launch apps and move around but I have definitely gotten my money’s worth out of this one. There are many other apps that allow you to connect direct to your desktop but please be sure that it falls in line with the security policy of your business.

 Email/Calendar/Internet

These are all basic features of iPad and the apps are native to the device. What can I say…the email/calendar work great and stay in perfect sync with Outlook/Exchange. My iPad has the "3G mobile" functionality and it is well worth the extra cost. While out in the field when I need my email and calendar I do not want to be searching for a "hotspot". From the browser I can run Outlook Web Access (in the event I need to get directly to my mail on the server) and our web-based line of business applications.

 So what did I learn? The iPad is very functional for working in the field. There are ways to get access to any and all resources on your network to look at data. Will it replace my laptop? NO.  My preference is still to use a laptop while working from the office, home, or mobile hotspot. However, if I am in the field all day visiting clients, attending meetings, and managing personal appointments it is very functional.

 I do not believe the tablet will replace the desktop/laptop at this time but it is a great companion. Simply one "mans" opinion. There are many choices out there in the tablet market so spend some time looking around and invest in that makes sense for you.

If you want to find out Wade's thoughts on the right tablet for business use, check out his article "There's An App for that...But?"

Find Out How To Get An Extra Hour Every Day
used with permission from the HP Small & Medium Business Site

Time pressure is acute and frustrations such as commuting, inflexible working hours and tedious meetings make it worse.

To get things started here are ten sure-fire ways to get an extra hour a day.

Do emails on the go. With an HP notebook with 3G Mobile Broadband, you can get ahead of your emails before you even get to work. (Broadband connections require separately purchased wireless data service contracts.)

Work from home. Instead of commuting to work, why not stay at home and put the journey time to better use? Using HP technology, you can still stay in touch with your colleagues and access all your email and work files.

Virtual meetings. The majority of office professionals reckon they could save up to six hours a week simply by not traveling to off site meetings. Video, web (such as HP Virtual Rooms) or phone conferences can reduce the amount of time you spend traveling to meetings.

Get up earlier. An hour before work is more productive — mainly because it is quiet — than any other time of the day. Changing sleep habits takes a bit of work but it isn’t difficult.

Concentrate more. If you can get the same work done quicker with better concentration, it will free up time later for other things. The key concept is ‘flow’. This is a mental state in which a person is fully immersed in what they are doing. Disruptions, such as phone calls and emails, break the flow. It can take 10-15 minutes to regain your concentration, so avoid disruptions. Switch off email, put the phone on voice mail and consider getting noise-canceling headphones.

Find information faster. Microsoft Windows 7 include a lightning-fast search feature that can find files and emails anywhere on your computer. Finding the right file quickly can save you having to rewrite it or spend hours searching manually. You can also save searches as virtual folders for future reference. For example, you can create a virtual folder for each of your clients.

Don’t drive to that meeting. A survey found that people waste up to six hours a week driving to meetings that they could do over the phone just as easily. Replace some of these meetings with a phone call, or better yet a video conference call, and save the traveling time.

Go wireless. HP Notebooks with built-in wireless networking mean you can get online and pick up your email from any location that has a suitable WiFi connection point. If you don’t need to go back to the office between meetings or you can work in cafes, trains and airports, you can get more done in less time. With 3G Mobile Broadband (available on certain HP Notebooks) you don’t even need a connection point to get connected at broadband speeds; anywhere with cell phone reception will do.

Shorter, more efficient meetings. Do you find yourself spending most of your time in meetings? If you could make them more efficient, with better preparation and the right technology, you could save hours every week.

Manage your time better. Microsoft Outlook helps you time tasks more efficiently. Consolidate tasks, flag email messages for follow-up, and schedule appointments in one view.

What would you do with an extra hour every day? We asked real people and got some surprising answers. These are the things that really matter to people:

• Plan ahead.
• Play more sports.
• Visit the gym.
• Help other people.
• Spend more time with family.
• Spend some time in the garden.
• Go for a walk.
• Spend more time with my staff — investing in their careers.
• See my friends.
• Relax and listen to music.
• Do some reading.
• See more concerts.
• Take a break to reflect.
• Come up with new ideas.
• Sleep more.
• Catch up on all the administration I don’t have time to do.
• Learn something new, like a new language.

An extra hour a day would make people happier, more fulfilled and more productive. You can make it happen.

Touch technology | How we managed without it.
used with permission from the HP Small Business Website

To some, it's the next logical step in creating a more human relationship with computers. To others, it’s technology that has already become indispensable to a faster, more intuitive way of working.

So what’s in the power of touch for a small or medium business?

Touch in transit
First and foremost as an SMB, you’ve got to keep pace with changes in business and that means maintaining high productivity at all times. Mobile devices, especially smartphones, already go a long way toward achieving that advantage for your employees by making computing easy and allowing them to be connected. Add touch technology to those devices and their instinctive capabilities can substantially speed up processes and help users to be more organized.

Take the HP Palm-size PCs, mobile computers that fit in your hand. With touch technology, these allow you to store your business and personal information, manage your appointments and contacts, and check e-mail while on the road. [1] And then to upload updated information to your desktop or notebook PC after returning to the office.

An advance on this is the new HP Slate 500: the ideal PC for professionals who don’t usually work at a traditional desk, yet need to stay productive in a familiar Windows® environment with enhanced security features. With the HP Slate 500’s multi-touch display, you can simply use your fingers to browse documents, spreadsheets and applications, check e-mail, read and edit documents, and show training or product videos directly streamed from the web. [2] And all at the touch of your fingertips!

Let’s be direct
But it’s a limited view to assume the advantages of touch are only applicable to handheld devices. Touch technology such as featured on the HP TouchSmart 9100 Business PC can not only help users get things done more intuitively but, as a result, more quickly.

Whatever you’re doing, whether writing a report or piecing together files, records, or accounts, touch technology enables an immediate and direct response to your actions. It places you more “with” something rather than simply being “connected” via a keyboard and mouse. This can also amount to a more compelling interface with your customers, especially in terms of ordering (via a bespoke kiosk, for example), conference calls, and presentations, because it enables contact on a more personal level — true interaction.

Fingerprints
Even HP printers have integrated touch technology, to speed up the printing of those all-important Monday morning presentation slides. With the HP LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw Color MFP, for example, you have a new color multifunction printer with easy touchscreen functionality. Use the touch display on the device itself or, for seriously impressive ease and speed, use HP ePrint. Wherever you have Internet, with HP ePrint, you can use one touch of your mobile device and print, remotely, free of charge with your HP ePrint enabled printer. It means you can send your documents from your smartphone while sitting on the train and they’ll be there, waiting on the office printer, as you get in.

Touching clouds
This kind of intuitive ease of use is great for SMBs because it helps to increase productivity and improves organization. Used in combination with cloud computing, touch technology could even make it easier and more affordable for SMBs to help reduce large upfront capital investments. Cloud computing with touch technology makes business more flexible than ever. And, as a result, perhaps even fun.

IT Phone Home!
Diana Johnson, Wood Networks

Few things are as critical to your business as a phone system. Even with the sky-rocketing percentages of people using social media and the steady rise of email correspondence; people still use the phone as a critical business tool. A phone call allows instant communication and response time. With a phone call you can pick up the subtle nuances of speech and timbre that do not translate in electronic communications. All the emoticons in the world can’t clarify the simple things you can pick up on a phone call. There is also something comforting about talking to a live person. You know they understand your need and that they are willing to meet that need.

The problem is that so many businesses are using outdated or home-use phones in a commercial environment. There are many options out there for Business Class Phone Systems. Remember all phone systems are not created equal!

When selecting a Business Class Phone System ask the following questions:

1. What is the total purchase price, including any additional needed equipment and any suggested equipment?

Sometimes the system itself isn’t the real cost issue; it is all the added things you will need for it to operate properly.

2. What is the total cost of ownership for the next 2 years? 5 years? 10 years?

Some systems look good at first blush. The equipment may be less expensive, but the installation is lengthy and the configuration complicated. Some systems have an easier install, but if you look at the yearly fees you know the TCO is not what you thought. And how much are the updates going to run you?

3. How easy will it be to make changes to the system configuration?

Employees come and go; some move to a different department, some may get promoted, others may start working from home. Every time you have a personnel change, does it mean a phone change?

4. What features come standard with the system?

Most companies offer a basic version and a beefier version. Many times they have a show and tell about all the great features of the beefy version and then quote you the basic. Know what you need and what you would like. Make sure you understand all the options. Sometimes you may even be pleasantly surprised with a feature you didn’t know you wanted until you use it.

5. What is the growth potential?

So a salesperson quotes you a phone system. Maybe you have 15 employees. Is the phone system he’s selling you got room for growth? I mean what happens if in the next year you grow to 20 employees? Will the system grow with you? Will the upgrade cost you almost as much as the original system?

6. Is the company you are purchasing the system from certified?

Anyone can make a sale. How many phone systems have they installed and do they have a trained technician on staff that can competently handle the install? Sometimes there is a reason it is cheaper that has nothing to do with the equipment.

7. Are they able to provide continued service on the phone system?

Is XYZ Technology Firm going to be able to assist you if you have issues 30 or 120 days down the road or are they just going to refer you to the manufacturer? Do they really care about your company or do they just care about making a sale?

8. Has the company you are dealing with asked you questions about your business?

If they only have a cookie cutter style system, chances are it is not going to work effectively for every business. No two companies have the same needs. Keep your ears open and see if they are tailoring the system to meet your needs, not the other way around.

9. Finally, ask for a cost comparison versus their biggest competitor- apples to apples.

Make sure the features and complete installation all match up, then see who is giving you the best value for your money while meeting your needs. If they can’t do that, you might want to consider what they aren’t telling you.

When selecting one of your most important business tools, make certain it is an investment you can live with for years to come.