CCTV more often than not is installed for security  reasons. However on the odd occasion you may just look back over your footage and find something that makes you smile.

Check out this guy strutting his stuff in a record store.

So far our installs have captured hours of criminal footage that we’re proud to say is so good that South Yorkshire Police have used it to prosecute on numerous occasions.

We’re yet to find any humerous happenings, although if I looked back over our own office CCTV footage I’m pretty certain I’d find plenty of funnies of the guys during the working day!

CCTV occasionally capture’s something that makes us smile

Forget the awful rain, forget the doom and gloom the media are feeding us.  Instead take a few minutes (am sure the boss won’t mind) and watch this brilliant “flash mob” clip.
It was filmed in train station in Antwerp, and peoples faces are a picture!

Maybe us ITS guys and gal should do one! It would be a laugh if nothing else …..
Please share if you like it.

A feel good flash mob for a rainy Wednesday afternoon!

Have you ever wondered what the benefits are of investing in a server for your business? Are you ready to take the leap but aren’t sure what benefit it will bring?

1. Get a comprehensive, all-in-one solution.
Windows Small Business Server 2011 takes the guesswork out of selecting software for your network. It brings together the Microsoft product technologies that businesses need most into a single solution.

2. Stay connected to your customers, vendors & Suppliers
With access to contacts, appointments and files from any internet-connected PC or mobile device, you can be responsive to customers, vendors and suppliers even when you’re not in the office.

3. Protect your business & prevent data loss
Windows Small Business Server helps protect your vital business information from loss by backing up the data on your network, and enabling you to recover accidentally deleted files. It also enables you to recover data on your network in the event of a disaster. With easy to use interfaces, you or your IT provider gain better control of your data, PCs & network.

4. Access business information & resources from virtually anywhere at any time
Be productive whether you’re out of the office, at home or on the road. Windows Small Business Server gives you secure access to business contacts, calenders, files, emails, your desktop, & even shared resources from any internet connected PC, from virtually anywhere at anytime.

5. Increase your business capacity
Streamline business processes and improve day-to-day efficiency with Windows Small Business Server. It helps automate daily processes by providing a central repository for storing and sharing information more easily – and helps simplify communications with familiar Microsoft technologies.

6. Stay safe with anti-spam & anti-virus
Windows Small Business Server offers anti-spam and anti-virus technologies to help protect your business information & your intellectual property from malicious attacks, viruses and spam.

7. Keep your network healthy and up-to-date
Windows Small Business Server provides you with the latest updates to minimise downtime and help ensure network health by keeping your PCs & servers current. Easy-to-read “green check” reports give you a quick view of Microsoft software updates, PC & server status, anti-virus status, and  backup progress.

8. Take advantage of powerful technologies designed & priced for small businesses
Windows Small Business Server includes multiple technologies optimised specifically for small businesses – at an affordable price. It enables you to share resources & equipment, such as internet access, printers & fax machines, so you get the maximum value from your technology investment.

9. Get the flexibility and scalability you need
As your business needs change, Windows Small Business Server enables you to grow. You can easily add users, servers, and applications. It supports your critical line of business applications and is designed to integrate with your existing Microsoft technology.

10. Create a bigger presence in the market
Differentiate your business & present a more professional image to data prospects & customers. Windows Small Business Server offers email marketing capabilities, business websites, and tools for creating your own website.

Want to understand a little more? contact me today, I’ll pop in and take a look at your systems. Best of all it’s free and I won’t baffle you with science.

Wondering why your techy is telling you its time you had a server?

Always being connected  especially when you’re on the move , can seem like a wonderful thing. You can surf the internet, write and pick up emails, download important files – everything that you can do in the office or at home – whenever and wherever you wish. But all this comes at a price. That price is the security of your data.

Wireless technology is now built in to just about every gadget we’re likely to own –from mobile phones, PDAs and laptops through to iPods, cameras and book readers. We simply expect to have connectivity. But do we ever question what that means, or whether it’s really necessary all of the time?

Why is data security important? Data security is a hot topic, both in business and at a personal level. Most people are aware that computer systems need to be secured using a combination of hardware and software. Yet firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spam programs can do only so much to protect our data.

Wireless communications offer a window of opportunity for the data thief which none of these can counter. So whether you’re roaming free, at your desk or sitting in your armchair here’s a few “do’s and don’ts to think about:

DO

*Disable automatic connection on your computer to Wi-Fi networks.

*Turn Wi-Fi off on your computer when it is not in use.

*Turn the Bluetooth signal to ‘undiscoverable’ on your mobile phone when it is not in use.

*Set a Bluetooth personal pass code on your mobile phone and change it frequently.

*Enable security features built into your wireless networks such as firewalls and encryption.

*Change the administrator name and password on your home wireless network.

*Change the default SSID name at set up and disable broadcast.

DO NOT:

*Use the default settings on your wireless devices.

*Choose an obvious profile for your mobile phone (e.g. John Smith’s Nokia) or code (e.g. 12345).

*Pair your mobile phone with any Bluetooth enabled device that you do not recognise.

*Use default pass code settings, names or passwords on your mobile phone or wireless networks.

*Do not leave your home wireless network turned on if you go away for any length of time.

If you are at all worried about you’re wireless security please call us today on 0114 321 0280 and we’ll help you stay safe on-line.

And if you’re not one of our customers and you think your on-line security has been breached contact your IT provider immediately!!

For further information and advice on fraud and scams go to the Fraud Advisory Panel website.

Is your data safe whilst you’re on the move?

Here’s what Lord Sugar had to say

Lord Sugar….What Still Drives You?

Straight talking as ever he certainly told a few people “as it is” but also showed respect and warmth to those who actually used their opportunity wisely and asked some really good questions. Here he’s talking about knowing when to  ”accept it maybe wasn’t a great business idea or product and move on”

I’ll be posting a few video clips on here and at some point I”ll be giving you the low down on my thoughts and experiences of this years business show.

All thoughts and comments welcome!

Lord Sugar…”Stop Flogging A Dead Horse”

Testimonial

What’s your thoughts on the new ipad, revolutionary or just another toy ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17292424

Let us know what you think….

Unless you’re an Apple fan it will look like any other ipad…..

The new job sheet allows us to insert customers details at a tap of the screen, once the details of the work carried out have been entered it’s then signed by the customer using a stylus.  We hit send and a copy lands immediately in the customer’s inbox and shoots over to our accounts inbox ready for invoicing. Pictured here Sarah Powell from Belvoir Lettings Sheffield with Matt.

Customers are telling us they really like the fact that before they’ve even sat back at their desk a copy of the job sheet detailing the work carried out has arrived via their email. Invoicing has become much more efficient as Matt and Diane no longer struggle reading different handwriting. We’ve also reduced our printing costs and saved some trees along the way!!

And we’re not stopping there. Coming soon will be our tree friendly, efficient proposal system. Our aim is to give you the customer an easier, more simplified outline and explanation of what we are proposing for your system / install / support package etc.

Karen AKA Wonderwoman is taking this project on board as she’s pretty good at cutting the technical jargon out and giving the customer what they actually want. And that is the answer to these three questions
“How will this benefit me”
“How will this make my life easier”
“How much will it cost”

I’m sure Karen will keep you posted about the progress.

If you’d like to know more about the package we used or would like help setting something up for your business drop us a line hello@its-sheffield.com

Saving Trees, Reducing Costs & Satisfying Customer’s Needs…

We do know however that many of our customers are afraid of it and often ask our guys to limit employee access to the web and some have a total ban on the use of social media sites.

Like it or not social media is here to stay and it will only get bigger. A large percentage of people nowadays have smart phones so limiting access to the web on their work computer doesn’t mean they can’t access or won’t access social media. How we communicate and how we build relationships is changing, and doing business via social networking is as natural to the generation of today as doing business on the golf course was to the business people back in the 90’s.

There are literally hundreds of social media sites, however the most common three I would say are :
  

The Pro’s:

• Its free
• Use it to drive traffic to your website
• Lift your companies profile
• Only need to post on one social media site & if linked together it will update the others
• Build relationships with potential, new and existing customers
• Keep up to date with the competition
• Use it to post industry news
• Announcements on your business, share good news
• Find new suppliers
• Find free PR opportunities
• Stay ahead of your competition
• Put personality to your business
• Recruit new staff
• Get free advice
• Give free advice / show your expertise in your sector
• Join in group discussions
• Significantly Increase your network of contacts

The con’s:

• Requires a degree of thought and planning in the beginning
• Needs consitancy
• Needs ownership
• Employee’s can abuse the policy
• Distraction from other work duties

Love it or loath it you need to address the use of social network sites in your business.

Here’s some statistics that guest speakers V social Ltd, Smoothwall Ltd and Blacks Solicitors shared with us at the event.

53% of Brits feel upset if deprived of internet connection

40% of people felt lonely when not engaging in activites such as social networking, emails and texting

20% of time spent on social networking sites is at work

15 -24 year olds in Europe spend  significantly more time on social networking than any other age group – however this is changing and others age groups are catching up.

So in a nutshell you can choose too:

*Ignore it (at your peril)
*Ban it (people will still access it via their phones)
*Embrace it (use it to propel your business)
*Understand it (how to best use it)
*Control it (implement company policies if you feel it relevant)

If you’re a customer and you’d like to understand more about how social media can work for you then give me a call on 07870 179881 or drop me an email karen.wilson@its-sheffield.com and I’ll head on over for a chat over a coffee.

Don’t forget to post your comments below, we’d like to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Social Media Friend or Foe – Techmesh