Takeaway:  Moving to Office 365 will provide anywhere access for Microsoft features but before you decide to switch there are 10 things everyone should consider.

Migrating

Starting fresh or merging Active Directory from a local machine are options when switching to Office 365.  Exchange 2010 SP2 can minimize the process of merging an existing Active Directory environment by using the included wizard.

Spam Filtering

Microsoft Forefront Online Protection is the spam filter that will need to be setup and configured when switching to Office 365.

Outbound Addressing

Switching to Office 365 you will have to configure user accounts because the e-mail addresses will add ‘.onmicrosoft.com’ to the end of the addresses.

Utilities

For on-site Exchange servers there are additional utilities that can be installed, for Office 365 you cannot install additional software on 365 servers.

DNS Issues

When switching to Office 365 you will have to confirm a list of DNS entries and create SRV records for Microsoft Lync.  If you have a Microsoft DNS server this shouldn’t be an issue.

Management Tools

If there are no longer on-site Exchange servers, Exchange Management Console and ADUC will no longer be used.   Exchange Control Panel is the primary management tool for Office 365.

File Server Permissions

Prior to switching to Office 365, decide how users will access on-site File Servers without on-site Domain Controllers and permissions to manage file access.  There are a few options before switching your network to Office 365.

Mobile Devices

Connecting mobile devices to Office 365 could take several days.  If you chose to start fresh but would like to keep your existing contacts, calendar and mail, you will need to merge the existing PST file to the Office 365 mailbox.  If you have merged your organization to Office 365 this should not be a problem.

Control Issues

Office 365 takes control of common administrative tasks such as:

• Software upgrades
• Patch Management
• & many others.

Microsoft Communication

Microsoft will continue to reach out to your organization via e-mail and phone calls to answer any questions and to ensure that everything works out during the switch.

For more information on Hosted Services and Office 365

 please contact us 856-745-9990 or click here.

Takeaway: Microsoft has created many new features that are included with Windows 8.1 expected to be release before the end of 2013.

Windows 8.1 is more than an update to Windows 8; it has new features for both businesses and home users.  Another major step for Microsoft will be annual updates for operating systems; similar to Apple with OS X.

The biggest update will be the traditional Start button on the left side of the screen.  Other features include:

• Boot-to-desktop is available instead of booting to the Metro Start Screen.
• Start screen provides additional custom options for tiles.
• New snap behavior allows up to four Windows 8 Apps to be placed side-by-side without the 320-pixel limitation. 
• PC Settings section includes settings previously located in Control Panel.
• SkyDrive Synchronization settings are built into the operating system.
• & many other features.

TECHIES is a full Managed IT Services Company headquartered in Marlton, New Jersey for over 20 years with a new location opening soon in Wilson, North Carolina. TECHIES provides Managed IT Services, Cybersecurity Solutions, Website Design Services, Dedicated Server Solutions, IT Consulting, VoIP Phone Solutions, Cloud Solutions, Network Cabling and much more.

Takeaway: Ten popular tools and options that are unseen or removed from Office 2013.

Office 2013 has made minor adjustments and changes to the new cloud-based suite.

Creating from Existing

In previous versions of Office it was simple to create a new document from an existing one.  This would allow changes without changing the original.

Using Office 2013, the button “New From Existing” is gone;  there is a section under the File Tab for Recent Documents.

Outlook – Activities

There was an option to add a Contact’s Activities in older versions of Office.  For Office 2013, Activities option is replaced by Outlook Social Connection.

Word – Show Mark-Up

For Office 2013, the Show Markup drop-down, located in the Review Tab and Tracking Section for older versions, is removed but you can add it to your Quick Access Toolbar.

Backstage Exit

In previous versions, “Exit” on the File Tab would allow you to exit all open documents in one click.  In Office 2013, you can right click the program on your task bar and select “Close all windows” or add “Exit” to your Quick Access Toolbar.

Picture Manager

Unlike previous versions of Office, Clip Art Organizer and Picture Manager are no longer available.  Clip Art Organizer is replaced with Insert Media Dialog Box.  Picture Manager is replaced with Windows Photo Gallery.

Access – PivotTables & PivotCharts

For Office 2013, PivotTable and PivotChart are no longer tools in Access;  only Excel 2013 provides the PivotTable and PivotChart. 

Access – Upsizing Wizard

In previous versions of Access, it was simple to add an Access database to SQL Servers.

Using The Upsizing Wizard to migrate all or some objects to SQL Servers is no longer available with Access in Office 2013.

Excel – Workspace

Workspace files save the layout you have selected.  When you open a saved Workspace Files they are displayed in that layout.

Excel 2013 you can open a Workspace file but you can not save layouts as Workspace files or add it to the Quick Access Toolbar. 

Outlook – Journal

Journal tool in Outlook helps you manage your productivity and time spent on projects.  This tool will no longer be available for Office 2013 and will not be replaced by another tool.

Outlook – To-Do Bar

The Pinned Peek feature is replacing the traditional To-Do Bar in Outlook for Office 2013.  The Pinned Peak feature is not as detailed as the To-Do Bar, for example you can only view appointments for one day .  

Takeaway:   The most significant means of communication in the office is email.  Even though Outlook is the most used mail client for businesses, it can develop problems. Using these ten tips will quickly resolve issues that can impact communication.

1.  Scan PST file

When Outlook becomes troubling, you can use the Inbox Repair Tool provided by Microsoft.  This tool will backup, scan and repair your Personal Folder files (.pst).  The entire process could take more than a few minutes to complete.

2.  Archive Data

Archiving your data will prevent common problems that large PST files create.  Archived data will be moved to a different PST to alleviate the size and space of you primary PST.  After an archive is done, running scanpst.exe will be a safe way to check the file. 

3.  Rename OST

Some problems can be resolved by simply renaming the OST file and allowing Outlook to create a new one.  The OST file saves your e-mails, calendar entries, contacts and other items.  Outlook will open like new after renaming an OST file.

4.  Delete/Rebuild Profile

When deleting or rebuilding an Outlook Profile taking precaution is a necessary step; open Control Panel, select Mail option, select Show Profiles and then select Delete.  For POP accounts, you must save the user’s data by exporting a data file from Outlook.  For Exchange and IMAP accounts, you can delete and re-create the account.  

5.  Disable Add-Ons

Another simple fix is to disable add-ons.  To check the speed of Outlook, use outlook.exe /safe command will allow you to open Outlook in Safe Mode (no-add-ons running).  After testing the speed, you can disable add-ons that may be slowing your system down.

6.  Disable Virus Scan

Popular Anti-Virus tools have a feature that will scan all e-mails to and from your system.  Temporarily disabling this feature is a work-around but not a solution.  Outlook will be defenseless when this feature is disabled.

7.  Run in Safe-Mode

Another temporary fix is to open Outlook in Safe Mode.  Use outlook.exe /safe command will allow you to open Outlook in Safe Mode (no-add-ons running).  This is a work-around but not a temporary fix.

8.  Resetnav

Users can arrange their navigation bar according to their needs which sometimes causes Outlook not to work properly.  A fast way to rest the navigation bar is using outlook.exe /resetnavpane command.

9.  Migrate PSTs

 All user PST files should be stored on the C Drive of the user.  If all users are accessing a shared drive for their PST files, it will slow down Outlook and possibly your network.

10.  Adjust Permissions

To adjust user’s calendar permissions – open the calendar in Outlook, right-click the shared calendar, select Properties, and in the Permissions tab you can adjust user’s calendar permissions.

RingCentral is a company that specializes in providing business VoIP services, fax services and mobile communication solutions. With plans ranging from a single user to over 20 users, RingCentral makes it clear that they can cater to both small businesses and large corporations. With a cloud-based virtual office system and new Interface, RingCentral makes it possible to enjoy your virtual office from virtually anywhere.

Business SMS Beta

Using your RingCentral number and App from Google Play or iTunes, you will have unlimited texting to customers and co-workers from your Tablet or Smartphone.  

Improved Web Interface

Boosting the efficiency of the RingCentral system, many features have been added, corrected and removed.   The new interface is mapped with navigation tabs that can be used on a Computer, Tablet or Smartphone.

RingCentral Conferencing

RingCentral Conferencing includes host and participant access codes for anytime conference calls.  All users can invite and have up to 1000 attendees for a conferencing from their mobile devices.

RingCentral Presence

RingCentral Presence feature allows you to see the status of colleagues on your phone.  Whether on you desk phone or cell phone,  Presence will tell you which lines are available, busy and on hold.

For more information regarding RingCentral,

please contact us at 856-745-9990 or click here.

Microsoft and Google have been in a publicity rivalry over the services.  Days before the Google I/O Conference, Microsoft announced Sensia Halsovard, Arysta LifeScience and Sepco III have chosen Office 365 after using Google Apps.  Other companies have also switched to Office 365 are that Caltex Australia, FHI 360 and Santa Clara County

“Google Apps was difficult to use and lacked the capabilities our employees had grown accustomed to in Office,” said Dustin Collins, global head of IT infrastructure, Arysta LifeScience. “With Office 365 we’re able to interact and engage with each other more, allowing us to efficiently and quickly respond to new opportunities. As a result, we’re a more agile, competitive organization.”

Google offers a set price for their services, while Microsoft’s price varies by Residential and Company size.  The familiarity and dependability already established with Microsoft Office products is why many organizations are choosing Office 365 over Google Apps.

For more information on Hosted Services and Office 365

 please contact us 856-745-9990 or click here.

PST Capture Tool

Microsoft now offers a free Administrator tool PST Capture Tool.  This tool will discover and import Personal Folders (.pst files) into Exchange 2010 or Exchange Online.  PST Capture will search all computers or specific computers connected to your company network, the .pst files are then sent to PST Capture Central Service, and finally .pst files are sent to Exchange Servers or Exchange Online.

For more information on this tool, click here.

Active Directory Picture

Exchange offers an Active Directory attribute (‘thumbnailPhoto’) that allows you to add a picture for each user.  This picture is displayed in Lync Online and on SharePoint.  Currently, Active Directory does not have a way built-in to add images to ‘thumbnailPhoto’ Attribute.

AD Photo Edit is a simple tool that connects to Active Directory and synchronizes with Online Services.  Using AD Photo Edit allows you to upload, edit, update and export images.  There are two options available:

1. Free Edition
   
2. Bulk Edition

Once your photo is uploaded to your “username”  the ‘thumbnailPhoto’ attribute will be properly filled.

To download this tool, click here.

Microsoft Migration Tools

This tool is for Microsoft Online Services only.  Microsoft Online Services Migration Tool forwards copies of Exchange Server mail to Exchange Online mailboxes.  Also, you can copy from other mailboxes such as Exchange Server, POP3 Server and IMAP4 Server to the Exchange Online mailbox.

To download this tool, click here.

Remote Connectivity Analyzer

Microsoft Remote Connectivity Analyzer was once called Microsoft Exchange Remote Connectivity analyzer. This tool allows you to test connectivity for multiple services.

To use this tool, click here. 

Mobile Admin

Office 365 Mobile Admin allows you to perform simple Administrator tasks from an application installed on your smartphone.  The tool allows you to create users, modify users, disable users, delete users and reset passwords.

This application is only available for Windows Phone for $1.49 and will be available soon for Android and iPhone.

For more information on Hosted Services and Office 365

 please contact us 856-745-9990 or click here.

Technology is a fast paced industry; current technology and devices are just making way for tomorrow’s new technology. With that said, Microsoft is developing their second generation tablet, Surface 2.

Although in the Top Five Tablets for the first quarter of 2013, Microsoft has not been as successful as planned with the Surface Tablets, only selling half of the units required for their intended goal.

To conquer the growing demand for smaller tablets, Surface 2 will have a 7-9 inch display with a higher screen resolution than its competitors, iPad Mini, Nexus 7 and Kindle Fir..  The iPad Mini offers 1024×768 resolution, the Nexus 7 offers 1280×800 resolution and Kindle Fire offers 1024×600 resolution.  Microsoft expects Surface 2 to offer 1400×1050 resolution.

Partners from the Surface RT and Surface Pro development are working together including Pegatron Technology, Ju Teng, Samsung, LG, Corning, Intel and NVIDIA to build the second generation.

The rumored price of the Surface 2 will be approximately $400.  Microsoft’s Build Developer Conference at the end of June will announce more information regarding the Surface 2 including a possible release date, specifications and features.

The American Red Cross issued the following statement following the tornado in Oklahoma:

WASHINGTON, Monday, May 20, 2013 – Our thoughts and concerns go to everyone in Oklahoma following this horrific tornado.

The American Red Cross has one shelter open in Moore and is working on locating others; we continue to operate three shelters that were opened Sunday in the Oklahoma City area following the storms on Sunday.

Red Cross volunteers are out tonight with food and supplies supporting first responders.

More than 25 emergency response vehicles are positioned to move at first light Tuesday, and we expect that the number will increase. The Red Cross is also sending in kitchen support trailers to support the upcoming operation to provide meals to those forced out of their homes.

People in Oklahoma near the tornado area are encouraged to connect with one another and let loved ones know that they are safe. This can be done through the I’m Safe feature of the free Red Cross tornado app. In addition, if you have access to a computer, go to redcross.org/safeandwell to list yourself as safe. If not, you can text loved ones or call a family member and ask them to register you on the site.

This has been a major disaster, and the Red Cross will be there for the people in this state and this community. People who wish to make a donation to support the Red Cross response can visit redcross.org, dial 1-800-REDCROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Contact: Public Affairs Desk, Telephone: (202) 303-5551, FOR MEDIA ONLY

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

Surface RT

Surface RT was released on October 26, 2012.  Running Windows RT Operating System on a Quad-Core NVIDIA Tegra 3 Processor.  Storage options are 32 GB or 64 GB.  According to recent news, only 16 GB available for the 32 GB hard drive and 46 GB available for 64 GB hard drive.  Bundled with the Surface RT is Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview.

Office Home & Student 2013 RT includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.  Surface RT does not support Outlook.

The price for the Surface RT is $499.00.

Surface Pro

Surface Pro was release on February 9, 2013.  Running Windows 8 Pro Operating System on Dual-Core Intel i5 Processor.  Storage options are 64 GB or 128 GB.  According to recent news, only 23 GB available for the 64GB hard drive and 83 GB for the 128 GB hard drive.  Bundled with the Surface Pro is Full Office Suite Preview.

Surface Pro is a Business tablet that includes a pen and the pen digitizer.  The stylus helps make taking notes, drawing and marking up documents easy.  The price for the Surface Pen is $29.99.

The price for the Surface Pro is $899.00.

Not included with the purchase of the Surface RT or the Surface Pro is a keyboard.  Microsoft offers two options, Touch cover and Type Cover.  The Touch Cover is a pressure-sensitive keyboard and tablet cover; available in Red, Black, Cyan, White and Magenta.  The price of the Touch Cover is $119.99.  The Type Cover is thin “classic” keyboard and tablet cover; only available in Black.  The price of the Type Cover is $129.99.

Type Cover and Touch Cover