Happy New Year!

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, for those poor souls that remained in Wellington battling the cold and rain I can only hope things will improve in the coming months!
 
2010 brings the release of many exciting products from Microsoft such as Office 2010 due for release in June, this is on the back of new Server and Desktop Operating Systems released in 2009.

Windows 7 to-date has proven to be an excellent operating system and we are enjoying the advantages of Windows 7 integration with Server 2008 here in the office. Windows 7 has the advantage of working with other software and hardware out of the box, thus creating a seamless transition from existing operating systems and also providing great benefits in both cost and functionality.  If you have any queries regarding your current operating systems and/or plans for the future please feel free to contact us.  

We look forward to catching up with you all over the coming months.

Ticking Time Bomb?

If you have a Server 2003 or Small Business Server 2003, and it is over 3 years old you may be sitting on a potential time bomb, below is some ways to tell if it is time to upgrade your box now. 

Don't be alarmed. It may never actually "blow up" — which is to say, melt down and take lots of data with it. But one day, sooner or later, it will become obsolete. And for your business, that's potentially an explosive liability.

A company can avoid big expenses by upgrading every three years for servers that host critical functions. If you wait five years, then there's a big risk of being compelled to upgrade many components simultaneously.

So is your server ready for a once-over?   Here are signs.

It crawls.
When your server gets slow, take a look at both disk and CPU (central processing unit) usage. When you're at about 80%, it's time to upgrade. Slow servers, of course, mean a less productive work force. Can you afford that?

It sucks up your time.
If you're spending more time on dealing with server problems than you are willing to commit, it's time for an upgrade. Ask yourself: If you weren't working on a particular server problem, how much money could you earn by doing something else? 

It's noisy.
As fan drives and hard drives age, you will notice they will become noisier. This is typically a good indicator that hardware failure is just around the corner. Computers are like cars; they have only so much mileage before they start falling apart.

It's out of warranty.
When the only people who know enough to support your server are retired and collecting Super, you know you have a problem.
If the manufacturer has stopped supporting the hardware and software — which means it's more than three years old — then there's a good chance you need some kind of upgrade.

There's no more room.
If the requirement of the software that runs on the server exceeds the servers specifications, then you need a new server.
Small-business users shouldn't just try to manage a space or memory crisis in the short term, but to think about the company's long-term needs. Will you be adding more staff that will need access to this machine? Will you be upgrading the software that runs on the server in the near future? These are questions that you have got to ask yourself.

It's performance is otherwise impaired.
Does your server seize up often?  Does the box have problems resolving conflicts? Even if things run smoothly otherwise, these occasional "hiccups" may be a sign that the server is running up against the limits of its performance.

The big one happens.
There usually isn't a telltale sign that your server needs to be upgraded, in terms of hardware, until a catastrophic failure occurs. After a meltdown, there's normally a "scramble" to replace operating systems and applications. Frequently, those are discontinued, or support has been discontinued, and that's usually when a business discovers that it should have upgraded long ago.
It is much calmer to upgrade in a planned manner than to scramble at the last minute to resolve a crisis.

Ready to upgrade?
Paying attention to the age and health of your server — and using a little common sense — can tell you when you need an upgrade. If your servers are mission-critical, you might also have a disaster plan in place, and remember to backup, backup backup!

Server 2008 has been released and proving to be fast, reliable, cost effective and packed full of features.  Is it time you considered upgrading? 

 If your calls to us regarding server issues are increasing then your server is starting to cost you money!  Contact us for Server 2008 details - click here

FREE Case & Mouse with HP 6730B Business Notebooks

FREE HP Notebook Case & HP Bluetooth Mouse with 6730B Notebooks PLUS Huge Price Downs

• Genuine Windows 7 Professional
• Widescreen 15.4-inch diagonal display with wide-viewing angle
• Intel® Core™2 Duo processor 
• Thin, lightweight design starting at 2.69 kg and 33.6 mm thin at front
• Upgrade Bay for easy optical drive upgrade or optional second hard drive
• Integrated HP Mobile Broadband Module provides worldwide Gobi mobile Internet technology plus Integrated wireless
• Enhanced security features including optional Smart Card Reader and HP Fingerprint Sensor
• Optional integrated VGA webcam with dual-microphone 

HP 6730b Core 2 Duo 2GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, DVDRW + Bag & Mouse
XP Professional or Windows 7 Installed

$1,484.00 + GST, please contact us to discuss your requirements

Maximum capacity. Maximum style.

 The world's most popular portable drive now features more capacity than ever to store all the important memories of your digital life. It also includes automatic, continuous backup and password protection. How smart is that!

• See your backup as it happens – Seeing is believing. Visual backup displays your content in categories and shows the progress of your backup.

• Protect your data automatically – Relax, your data is secure. Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file.

• Bring back lost files effortlessly – Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you've lost all your data or just overwritten an important file.

• Take control – Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings.

320GB - $160 + GST
500GB - $178+ GST
640GB - $ 222 + GST
750GB - $267 + GST
1TB - $356 + GST

Please contact us to discuss your requirements
 

Brother Multifunctional A3 Wireless

The MFC6890CDW is a stylish all-in-one flatbed machine providing fax, colour print, colour scan and colour copy features.

It's easy to use functions and fast print speed combined with larger 3.3 wide colour LCD and integrated wireless and wired network features make this product the ideal solution for any office environment.

You can fax, copy, scan and print in a wide range of paper sizes, from photo 6"x4" through to A4 and ultimately A3.

No longer do you need to strain your eyes looking at A4 size spreadsheets. With the MFC6490CW, budgeting and forecasting just got a lot easier.

Stylish with a wide 3.3" colour LCD screen, the MFC6490CW is a triumph of affordable design and technology.

Limited Stock - $420.20 + GST

Please contact us to discuss your requirements
 

Windows 7 tip: Add Any Folder to Favorites

You can add any library or folder to the Favorites section in Windows Explorer.

To add a folder, navigate to it in Explorer, right-click Favorites in the left navigation pane, and select Add current location to Favorites.

Now you get quick access to your favorite folders in all File->Save As dialogs!

HP Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program ends 31st January

If your business purchased an HP Desktop or Notebook between 26th June and 31st January 2010 you are probably eligible for an upgrade to Windows 7 as long as the PC was factory installed with:
 

• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows Vista Custom Downgrade to Windows XP Professional

The link below covers Program details and FAQ’s for the HP Windows 7 Upgrade Options Program including eligible PC’s and how you can order your upgrade kit.

Click here
 

Don't forget...

Refer & receive

Until the end of February 2010, for every new business referral we are giving you an annual subscription to your choice of Cuisine or Next Magazine PLUS 1/2 dozen Red Stripe Beers.
 

Redstripe Ltd Standard Terms & Conditions apply to all sales. All prices are subject to change without notice, ex. GST & freight. E&OE