At Point-N-Click Computer Solutions we are often asked the following question.
“Can I install Microsoft Windows 7 on my existing computer or do I have to buy a new system?
I believe the best way to answer this question is by providing you with my upgrade experiences and let you determine if your system can be upgraded. Read the rest of this entry »
Have you heard the saying “Buy Quality Cry Once, Buy Cheap Cry Forever”? How about the saying “Parachutes Cost More When The Plane Is Crashing”? So throughout your life you will probably have to rely on one of these trusted advisers to protect your investments. Have you opened the phone book lately? How do you know which company you can trust, has the knowledge, and can execute the solutions needed?
Let’s assume you have been going to the same general practitioner for years. He has been in business for over 30 years and knows your whole family history. You assume he has kept up on the latest diseases. Also hoping he attends seminars, and gets involved in clinical trials so that he can provide the proper diagnoses. One day while at a routine visit he notices something with your heart. He quickly suggests you need open heart surgery because he believes you have coronary artery atherosclerosis which he indicates is the single largest killer of both men and women. However your doctor is in his 60’s and has Parkinson disease. He recommends you to his friend that is a cardiologist to perform open heart surgery and correct this issue. While at the the cardiologist’s office they perform more tests and conclude it is just Angina (chest pain or discomfort) which can be treated with medication, and a change in lifestyle.
Lets look at another relationship example you have with your insurance representative. You have been dealing with the same insurance company for years. You have your home, autos, and your business insured with this company. You have received discounts since all the policies are with one company. Up until now you have had some small claims which have all been handled to your satisfaction and your rates have stayed the same. Then one day you decide to purchase a large trailer which needs to be picked up in Elkhart, Indiana. If you didn’t know, this city is known as the largest trailer manufacturer in the world. You call your insurance representative who informs you that the vehicle in tow is covered by the policy you have on the truck. Not knowing any better you head to Elkhart to pull the trailer back. Now a happy owner of a new 4-place enclosed snowmobile trailer, you invite your friends to load up their snowmobiles and you head out for a fun filled weekend trip. On the way to your favorite snowmobile place in the Adirondacks of New York, your trailer gets broadsided. Your trailer is destroyed and so are the snowmobiles inside. You immediately call your insurance agent only to find out that everything you own (trailer and your snowmobile) are not covered because you don’t have collision on the trailer. The truck policy did cover your friends’ snowmobiles and the damage to the truck. Your friends are really happy for tagging along with you because they now all have brand new snowmobiles for free. You now have a pile of twisted metal. Your next trailer now has collision and it only cost $90/year. The replacement of your twisted trailer and smashed snowmobile was $18,000. This really happened to me so please do your homework.
Another life lesson I will share with you involves another auto accident in New York State. Like most people, I let someone else drive my car. They were just driving along when all of a sudden a drunk driver hit them head-on. Both cars were totaled but both drivers were alive. My friend walked away but the other driver who was drunk had some injuries. Everyone contacted their attorneys. I find out days later that even though the other driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol I am being sued. Both drivers have hired attorneys for their personal injuries and the other driver also is trying to get out of his DWI. My friend was shaken up, the other driver is at risk of going to jail in NY for his DWI, and I am at risk for loosing everything since the car was insured in my name. Hiring a good attorney in Rochester, NY wasn’t cheap but was necessary since my insurance policy wasn’t large enough to cover the claims of the drivers.
Lastly, how many of you entrusted your retirement planning with a financial planner. Many people have recently experienced losses during the financial recession of 2008 - 2009? Have you had to return to work, or sell your home? I am thankful to say that my business has been growing and my investments have out-performed our projections for this time period. It is tough to know what the future holds but I trust our financial planner and he has a measurable record for success. I attribute this success to my decision for having a diversified portfolio with an experienced financial planner and reputable established firm over handling this on my own with companies like E-Trade, Scottrade, or Tradeking.
So you are probably wondering what do these stories have to do with Computers and Network administration in your business? It is my belief you get what you pay for. Most business executives consider the amount spent for technology and support as an expense rather than an investment. Upgrading to faster Windows workstations can shave manhours, and save on electricity among other things. Designing and implementing the proper Intel Xeon Virtualized Server with Microsoft Licenses can ensure stability, security, and compliance. Buying a new server with the Dell on-line configuration tool is like buying stocks with E-trade. It might work for some but not all businesses. Entrusting your companies technology to a professional shouldn’t be any different than the relationship you expect from your Attorney, Insurance Representative, Physician, or Financial Planner.
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At Point-N-Click Computer Solutions we are often asked to help our clients access their Windows office computer from a remote location. There are many ways to accomplish this through:
Are you backing up your home computer or laptop? If you are like the other 66% computer users, you are probably not. Do you have personal files like photos, music, documents that you can’t afford to loose or how about files that you’ve paid for like Itunes? What if you lost these files? Do you know that it could cost $1000s to get them back? So what I am about to share with you will probably come as a surprise since this solution is free. Keep reading to learn that there is a solution that will not cost you anything and is easy to use. Read the rest of this entry »