Data Recovery in the Event of a Hard Drive Failure

With the announcement that Microsoft is launching SBS 2008 on November 12, 2008 it might be a good time to address a few house cleaning items you will need to get in order if you are planning this upgrade. 

If you are currently using SBS 2003 Premium, and using Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004 (ISA 2004) as your firewall (ISA 2004 is included in the premium version), there is one very important difference in SBS 2008. ISA is not included any longer. What does this mean to companies upgrading? Simply put, you no longer have a firewall. You will have to purchase either a hardware or software based firewall to protect your data. 

There are pros and cons of both types of firewalls, and I will discuss some differences in a later post. For now, companies planning their upgrade should either start researching firewall solutions that fit their needs, or begin discussions with their IT services provider on the subject. If you contact your provider, and they have no idea what you are talking about, I would run, not walk, out of that relationship. I recommend you choose a Microsoft Small Business Specialist, commonly referred to in the industry with the designation SBSC. These Microsoft partners have gone through testing that proves their knowlege of Microsoft server products in geneal, and Microsoft Small Business Server in particular. They will have specific recommendations on this subject. 

 To Your Success, 

 Tim

Some busines owners see these uncertain economic times as tough roads ahead, while others see this as a perfect opportunity to get out in front of their competition, and truly help their customers weather this storm. 

While there are good arguments on both sides of the economy issue, one thing is common to all businesses: controlling your business costs is paramount to surviving in good, or bad times. I found this article on the website of Inside CRM, a site related to CRM, or Customer Relationship Management Software. It applies to all companies, I think. 

Read the entire article here: 78 Ways to Control Your Business Costs 

Be sure to come back here to post your thoughts! 

 To Your Success, 

 Tim

Circuit City, which WAS the number two big box electronic store, filed for bankruptcy last week. They plan on closing 150 stores nationwide. From what I have been told, the local Beaumont, Texas store is not slated for closure. But I wouldn't hold my breath. 

This is Chapter 11 Reorganization Bankruptcy. Circuit City is aksing customers not to shy away from their stores just because they are in bankruptcy. 

I'm not advocating whether you should shop there or not. I just think this has come in under the media radar for some reason, and isn't generating much press. 

Hey, maybe the "Fire Dogs" will merge with the "Geek Squad". So is it Fire Squad or Geek Dogs? 

 To Your Success, 

 Tim B

Is your company still using the old email provided by your Internet Service Provider? You know who you are. Your company uses emails for its employees like , , , , or some other iteration similar to these examples. It might be time to step up to "real" email. 

While these email accounts are functional, they are not feature rich by any stretch of the imagination. Not to mention they essentially advertise your ISP's name, not yours, with every email you send. 

By using Microsoft Exchange, either inhouse or hosted, along with Microsoft Outlook, you open a world of new tools for your company. Tools like shared calendars, email archiving, a common user experience no matter what computer you use, and integration with Microsoft Office products. All of these tools can be used in your organization to improve employee productivity, eliminate employee (and owner) email frustrations, maintain compliance with the various Federal and State laws regarding corporate communications (you ARE doing this, aren't you), and free advertising. Using your company's name as the suffix to your email address (if the domain is available) is smart. 

It would be wise to hire an IT consultant familiar with these products to help you set up your company email system, as there are some best practices that will help as your company grows. Best practices such as a common strategy for assigning email addresses (first initial, last name, etc) and developing an Acceptable Use Policy for emails sent through your system.

 So quit using your aol address and start taking advantage of these tools! 

To your success, 

 Tim