Support contract for MAC – PC mixed environment
2012 April 17 by admin
As a mixed environment business ourselves we understand the challenge of mixed operating system environments. We spearheaded the push in the UK to Google apps by replacing our Microsoft SBS server, with Google Apps Cloud infrastructure.
However this is not the ideal for all businesses. Some companies use Mac as an interior design accessory without considering the interoperability of the application layer, operating system and email delivery / control and storage.
We realise the cultural shift from a Microsoft desktop environment to working on and generating documents in Google Docs can be a shift too far for staff used to ms for the last 20 years.
Some of our clients insist on using Outlook for calendaring and mail, this can have mixed results and can cause dupe issues and double or triplicate entrys in a shared calendar.
Ironically in this environment installing a Microsoft Small business Server environment can work better with Macs, it also allows iPad integration and multiple vendor phone integration from blackberry to iPhone to Android.
Of course we are also happy to guide you through and manage a Google Apps environment for your PC or mac office
Security of mobile phones on london streets
2012 January 26 by admin
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There has been a rise in snatch crime on the streets of london, crime of iPad and iPhone theft have Been reported in soho, the city and hackney, commonly phones and tablets are snatched by thieves on bikes
A few simply precautions can be take to make using your devices safer:
- Keep your back to the wall when using you devices, then you can’t be approached from behind
- Make a note of your imei number (a unique 16 digit number to identify your phone)
- Load find-my-phone onto your iPhone and iPad or tablet, this way you might be able to track your missing device (find my droid) – they also work if your phone is on silent, should you mislay Your phone at home, car, garden, beach etc
- Don’t text and walk (am I the only one who hates that anyway)
- Be carefully at tube exits, as most people check their phones on exit, it’s an obvious spot
Network Incident (LON3 Leased Lines BGP sessions)
2012 January 20 by admin
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Synopsis
We are investigating an issue relating to Ethernet and EFM connectivity for services terminating into the London 3 data centre.
Affecting
Ethernet Leased Lines and EFM circuits terminating into the London 3 data centre.
Advice to affected users
We are currently experiencing a loss of 45 BGP sessions associated with leased line and EFM circuits terminating into the London 3 data centre.
Our network engineers are currently investigating the problem.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are committed to improving the network for our customers.
UPDATE : Resolved
Phone System for Italiain Office Funiture company in Holborn, London (WC1)
2012 January 19 by admin
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Smartinfo has had an Italian office furniture supplier base in Holborn London for the past 4 years.
Not only were key staff integrated into the system with IP phones, so they can work from home in stead of long commutes to central London, but an IP phone was also sent to the Italian manufacturer – not only do they get free calls between each other, but they get a fully integrated telephone environment where they can see BLF or who is busy on another call. Calls taken in the UK can even be transferred to Italy, or the factory consulted on delivery schedules while a customer is on hold.
CTI phone system intergration to your PC, network and calendar schedule
2012 January 18 by admin
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For owners of Samsung, Mitel and Alcatel Phone systems; we can integrate them to you network and desktop PCs, giving you popping of your Outlook contacts on an incoming call, or dialling out straight from an Outlook contact record.
Many of the CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) can also dial out simply by highlighting a phone number on a webpage of PDF document, from the initial call adding to the address book is as simple as ‘add new contact’
Samsung Xchange, Mitel Communicator (previously YA, or Your Assistant) and Alcatel Pimphony (personal information manager) have also moved into the realms of “Presence” put simply your phone or mini-message-window can be set depending on your activity, such as in a meeting, on a call, out of the office, Some can even look up your calendar to set your phone/cti ‘presence’
Small businesses struggle with credit card security
2011 October 24 by admin
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Hardly a week goes by without news accounts of a major data breach.
The immediate reaction is to think of sophisticated hackers. But many breaches Scott Smith, vice president, Max Restaurant Groupinvolve a lack of basic security steps. Recently, for example, medical and financial records of 4.9 million clients of Tricare, a medical claims processor, were exposed when a backup tape was stolen from an employee’s car.
For large businesses, data breaches mean loss of customer confidence and the prospect of heavy fines.
For small business owners, it can be a life-or-death struggle. But experts say most problems can be avoided by keeping up with security standards set out by the major credit card firms.
Businesses handling transactions via credit or debit cards face the daunting daily task of ensuring that they are in compliance with the latest Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). These standards are created by the major credit card issuers to protect consumer’s personal information and ensure security when transactions are processed…read more here