For those businesses that manage their own email server, I have the following recommendations:

1)  Transition to a hosted platform.  Companies with less than 250 employees DO NOT need their own mail server.  In fact, organizations with less than 25 employees are throwing good money into a bad situation.  Maintaining your own mail server requires constant IT Resources, Storage, Integration headaches (i.e. Blackberry), constant MS Outlook Mail issues, etc.  Removing the dedicated mail system will save your business an extensive amount of time and money.  You will see ROI within the first year - http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-much-is-faster-collaboration-worth.html.

2)  Think seriously about transitioning from Blackberry devices and go with Apple iPhones or Google Droid devices.  Why?  Apple and Google are spending an incredible amount of money on Research and Development.  You the business owner will benefit from all of this R & D spend.  Additionally, these smartphones allow for email integration WITHOUT the need for extra servers like Blackberry Enterprise Manager server.  Dell announced last week that they were moving 25,000 employee from Blackberry devices to their own Droid device.  Countless other companies are transitioning from Blackberry on a daily basis. 

3)  Start using browser based solutions for your daily workload.  Start with accessing your email using a web browser.  Web browsers do not require as much attention and upgrades as custom solutions like Microsoft Outlook does.

At the end of the day, you run a business, not an IT shop.  Do not allocate funds for a full-time employee to simply manage email server and a few PCs.  That is not a good investment.  Also, do not hire an IT Consultant to do the same.  Instead, contract with a Service Provider whose specialty is managing IT for businesses so that businesses can focus on their core competency.  Here is where I ask customers to think back to the Opportunity Cost discussion from their college Econ 101 class.

The GAD Group is a Service Provider whose core competency is managing IT Systems and processes for businesses.  We endeavor to strike a great relationship with our customers and provide a great service to them for many years.

Its Time for Windows 7

Attn:  Windows XP Users

Re:  Windows 7

I know what you're thinking, another upgrade.  Our current Windows XP operating system is working fine, Why do I need to upgrade to Windows 7.  Why upgrade something that's not broke.  You may be one that follows the old adage "if aint broke, don't fix it...".  I understand your position.  For business owners and/or business decision makers, you're just not trying to spend money unless its going to increase productivity, help you to make money, or decrease your operational expenses.

The short answer to your question of whether to upgrade to Windows 7 is yes, do it.  Here's why:

Windows 7 will help you increase productivity.  How?

• Windows 7 includes many enhanced security features.  These security features help deter malicious activity on your computer.  Hackers are well versed in Windows XP including ALL of its security short comings.  That means your business is exposed if you're still running the older operating system.  If your computer security is compromised, this will render the computer useless until a technician perform the needed repair.  Consequently, you are indirectly losing productivity every minute your staff cannot use the computer to perform a work process related your business activity.  

Windows 7 can help you make money.  How?

• Does every profitable business have customers?
• Does very satisfied customers come back for more products or services?
• Does responsiveness make for a happy customer?
• If you answered YES to the above questions, then Windows 7 can help you make money.  Here's how:
• Windows 7 includes tools to allow you to access information quicker.  Use Pin and Jump lists feature in Windows 7 to keep the programs and files you use the most right at your fingertips.  These tools will help you respond faster to customer requests.
• Easily create and share movies - create great looking movies and slideshows and share them on YouTube in minutes.  You may ask why do I need movies and YouTube for my customers.  Remember, without marketing, your customers don't know that you exist.  Creating movies and sharing them on YouTube, opens your business to more opportunities.  Your customers are using YouTube everyday!
• Windows 7 includes FREE tools that increase your ability to reach out to customers quickly.  Those tools include a programming language, database support, file sharing technologies, etc.  A computer that's configured appropriately can become a revenue generator for your business.

Windows 7 can decrease your operational expenses.  How?

• Windows 7 includes technologies that utilize electrical power more efficiently than older technologies.  The built-in sleep and resume technology will help your business consume less energy.  Get start with your GREEN initiatives by purchasing new Windows 7 capable computers.
• Empower your staff to do more with less.  Windows 7 will enable employees to manage devices more easily - manage printers, cameras, and other devices from a single consistent place.  

Get Windows 7 today and start meeting your customer's demands.    Contact the GAD Group and discuss how to implement Windows 7 at your company.  Our three step process will get you on your way toward Windows 7:

1. Assess your company's current hardware environment
2. Review staff readiness
3. Create Windows 7 deployment plan

Call or email us for details.