Tag Archives: Framingham

About 1088 days ago Business Software

The Best 5 iPad Apps for Business

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Already a consumer success with more than 1 million units sold within one month of its U.S. launch, Apple’s iPad (from $499 is also gaining traction among mobile professionals looking to remain productive on the go. Not everyone agrees on whether this “magical” tablet was built for business, of course — be sure to read our discussion here – but those who do use it work now have many dedicated applications (“apps”) to choose from at the App Store (part of iTunes). This includes Apple’s own iWork offerings, such as Pages for word processing, Numbers for spreadsheets and Keynote for presentations ($9.99 apiece), and dozens of inexpensive third-party apps (see below). “Not only is the iPad built for travel — it’s just a pound and a half and with a battery pushing 12 hours between charges — but its stunning 9.7-inch screen makes it a convincing showpiece to display media, online content or a visual presentation to a client or customer,” says Scott Steinberg, CEO for the TechSavvy Global technology consulting firm in Seattle. “And its online, on-demand apps can transform the device into a portable language translator, note taker, personal digital assistant, information hub, voice recorder, invoice tracker, CSM tool, and so on.” Not only does the iPad feature many dedicated apps for the platform, but out of the box it works with most of the 200,000 apps designed for iPhone and iPod touch. Tim Doherty, research analyst and mobility expert for small and mid-sized businesses at IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based market research firm, believes the iPad is still “pricey” for widespread deployment in a company, the tablet form factor lends itself well to data capture type applications, such as replacing a traditional clipboard. “Business executives may be drawn to the devices because of its ‘wow’ factor, and what I find compelling is the pricing of the mobile broadband for iPad, which is certainly more attractive than the traditional $60 a month mobile broadband card,” says Doherty. “But ultimately they probably won’t ready to ditch their laptops for this first iteration of the device.” Doherty thinks competition will help drive the price down. “In the future, increased competition from vendors offering Android tablets, a possible WebOS tablet from HP and potentially a BlackBerry tablet from RIM can help drive pricing down and adoption up,” adds Doherty. “Like iPhone did in helping to drive the smartphone market, iPad can do for the tablet market, to the benefit of multiple vendors.” Recommended iPad apps for business The iPad apps you need for business depends on your specific needs, naturally, but along with the aforementioned Apple iWork offerings, the following are five excellent tools to consider. Dragon Dictation (free)Nuance’s easy-to-use and accurate app will transcribe your voice into text like a personal secretary. Once transcribed, you can save the work, e-mail, or send as text message. Also consider Nuance’s free Dragon Search, which lets you ask a question into the iPad’s microphone and you’ll see the relevant answers and/or websites pooled from online sources. WebEx for iPad (free)Need to attend an online meeting but nowhere near your PC? No worries, as you can join the WebEx conference call, brainstorming sessions or presentation on your iPad. Experience live, real-time data and audio wherever work takes you — and save time and money on traveling for meetings. Evernote (free)Got a million dollar idea while on the go? Figured out how to fix your sales hurdles? Type, draw, or speak it inside of Evernote, a powerful tool available for iPad, and so long as you’re online it’ll immediately synchronize with your Mac or PC for safe keeping. The simple interface and powerful options make this app an ideal one for mobile businesspersons. LogMeIn ($29.99)Don’t fret if you forgot an important document or presentation on the office or home PC (or Mac). Use your fingertip on the iPad to remotely log into one or more computers, anywhere on the world, to access what you need as if you were in front the other screen(s). LogMeIn can also be used to troubleshot a colleague’s computer or play Flash-based games if you find some downtime. Square (free)With Square Inc.’s clever software, small and mid-sized businesses can quickly and securely accept card and cash payments on the spot. When the transaction is completed, use this app to generate e-mail and SMS receipts on the spot. Features include itemized lists of sold products or services, adjustable sales tax options, and more.  

About 1203 days ago Tools on Managing Technology

Google Phones: Lowdown on the ‘iPhone Killer’

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While Google’s much-hyped Android platform debuted in late 2008, the smartphone operating system didn’t hit its stride until the recent launch of the Motorola Droid and Google’s own phone, the Nexus One. But do these new Android devices outshine competitors — including handsets powered by BlackBerry, iPhone OS, or Windows Mobile — when it comes to a mobile device for small and mid-sized businesses? And does the Google phone amount to the reputed “iPhone killer” many had hoped for? The answer, according to industry analysts, seems to be yes and no. Promising future Google’s Nexus One came up short of being the groundbreaking device that would halt the trajectory of the iPhone, but the Android-based smartphone does have its share of benefits. “The ubiquity of Google and its integration across devices — PCs and mobile devices — as well as applications, voice calling and Internet search, as well as its mobile platform, give it a unique position over its competition,” says Tim Doherty, associate research analyst for the small and mid-sized business markets at IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based market research firm. “However, taking that unique position and applying it to the mobile market will be the true test as it explores the various segments and finds a place where its complete ‘package’ can resonate,” Doherty adds. Doherty says IDC has been looking for Android to emerge as a player in the small business space for some time. “Google has already made a name for itself through Google Apps, its hosted suite of e-mail, messaging, and collaboration solutions,” maintains Doherty. “The hosted nature, scalable and predictable pricing, and lack of need for IT hardware investment make Google Apps a natural fit for small businesses, and so this may have an impact on adoption of Android mobile devices.” Chris Silva, an analyst at the Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester technology research company, also believes Android has a promising future for businesses. “IT’s constituents are, at the end of the day, consumers and, as consumers, they’re likely going to be exploring how and whether they can use the newest smartphones on the market with their enterprise e-mail and other services,” says Silva. “Statistically speaking, if a user is going after the newest smartphone, it’s very likely to be an Android device, so IT had better have a plan,” Silva adds. Immediate hurdles While Doherty believes the Android platform is beginning to “gain a footing in the small business space,” a few obstacles still exist for Google. “RIM [Research in Motion], Apple, and Palm have an advantage by virtue of controlling both their hardware and proprietary platforms, which can allow for a tighter user experience,” Doherty believes. “Google is exploring new models for deploying mobile devices, as we saw with the Nexus One, but there will be hiccups — in the case of Nexus One, Google was not prepared to handle customer troubleshooting.” “The Nexus One received a great deal of press upon its release, however, the growing pains that Google has had in supporting a hardware platform that it is selling directly are evidence that this is early days for Google playing a major role in the smartphone space,” adds Silva. “We saw Apple getting dinged for this a lot when the iPhone came out — the prospect of IT sending its users to the nearest Apple Store for hardware support has been a hard sell.” Silva says the ownership model in the business space is changing, however, as we’re now seeing companies enter into agreements with users to support personal devices. “Many companies are still paying for the device and service and treating the smartphone as a corporate IT asset, but this model is giving way to others in which IT can satisfy users’ demand for the newest platforms while not having to take on the cost of the device and, in some cases, service, if the user supplies the device and IT supplies the tools to manage it,” explains Silva. Not (yet) for big business But replacing the BlackBerry as the de facto mobile operating system for enterprise-level companies might be more of a challenge. “Certainly, Android devices are being brought unofficially into enterprises by individuals in the same way that the iPhone has been since launch, buy it will be a challenge for any vendor, however, to displace incumbent RIM in the enterprise from a corporate-adoption standpoint, especially with the crucial need for information security,” says Doherty. Silva agrees: “At present, I don’t see the Android OS as better than BlackBerry or iPhone for enterprise users.” One of the reasons is the lack of support for features of ActiveSync, the data synchronization program developed by Microsoft for use the Microsoft Windows operating systems. While Android supports ActiveSync though some smartphone maker’s tools, such as HTC’s work e-mail application, and some third-party applications, such as Nitro Desk’s TouchDown, as a native feature to the operating system, there’s no support for ActiveSync policies, Silva adds Currently, there are nearly 30 policies that IT can choose from natively in the Exchange Server architecture. “For example, limitations of the Android OS make full device encryption tricky to impossible today,” adds Doherty. “These ActiveSync-based security features are table stakes for most enterprise devices and, lacking them, Android is going to have a tough time in the enterprise.”

About 1203 days ago Telecom and Wireless

Google Phones: Lowdown on the ‘iPhone Killer’

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While Google’s much-hyped Android platform debuted in late 2008, the smartphone operating system didn’t hit its stride until the recent launch of the Motorola Droid and Google’s own phone, the Nexus One. But do these new Android devices outshine competitors — including handsets powered by BlackBerry, iPhone OS, or Windows Mobile — when it comes to a mobile device for small and mid-sized businesses? And does the Google phone amount to the reputed “iPhone killer” many had hoped for? The answer, according to industry analysts, seems to be yes and no. Promising future Google’s Nexus One came up short of being the groundbreaking device that would halt the trajectory of the iPhone, but the Android-based smartphone does have its share of benefits. “The ubiquity of Google and its integration across devices — PCs and mobile devices — as well as applications, voice calling and Internet search, as well as its mobile platform, give it a unique position over its competition,” says Tim Doherty, associate research analyst for the small and mid-sized business markets at IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based market research firm. “However, taking that unique position and applying it to the mobile market will be the true test as it explores the various segments and finds a place where its complete ‘package’ can resonate,” Doherty adds. Doherty says IDC has been looking for Android to emerge as a player in the small business space for some time. “Google has already made a name for itself through Google Apps, its hosted suite of e-mail, messaging, and collaboration solutions,” maintains Doherty. “The hosted nature, scalable and predictable pricing, and lack of need for IT hardware investment make Google Apps a natural fit for small businesses, and so this may have an impact on adoption of Android mobile devices.” Chris Silva, an analyst at the Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester technology research company, also believes Android has a promising future for businesses. “IT’s constituents are, at the end of the day, consumers and, as consumers, they’re likely going to be exploring how and whether they can use the newest smartphones on the market with their enterprise e-mail and other services,” says Silva. “Statistically speaking, if a user is going after the newest smartphone, it’s very likely to be an Android device, so IT had better have a plan,” Silva adds. Immediate hurdles While Doherty believes the Android platform is beginning to “gain a footing in the small business space,” a few obstacles still exist for Google. “RIM [Research in Motion], Apple, and Palm have an advantage by virtue of controlling both their hardware and proprietary platforms, which can allow for a tighter user experience,” Doherty believes. “Google is exploring new models for deploying mobile devices, as we saw with the Nexus One, but there will be hiccups — in the case of Nexus One, Google was not prepared to handle customer troubleshooting.” “The Nexus One received a great deal of press upon its release, however, the growing pains that Google has had in supporting a hardware platform that it is selling directly are evidence that this is early days for Google playing a major role in the smartphone space,” adds Silva. “We saw Apple getting dinged for this a lot when the iPhone came out — the prospect of IT sending its users to the nearest Apple Store for hardware support has been a hard sell.” Silva says the ownership model in the business space is changing, however, as we’re now seeing companies enter into agreements with users to support personal devices. “Many companies are still paying for the device and service and treating the smartphone as a corporate IT asset, but this model is giving way to others in which IT can satisfy users’ demand for the newest platforms while not having to take on the cost of the device and, in some cases, service, if the user supplies the device and IT supplies the tools to manage it,” explains Silva. Not (yet) for big business But replacing the BlackBerry as the de facto mobile operating system for enterprise-level companies might be more of a challenge. “Certainly, Android devices are being brought unofficially into enterprises by individuals in the same way that the iPhone has been since launch, buy it will be a challenge for any vendor, however, to displace incumbent RIM in the enterprise from a corporate-adoption standpoint, especially with the crucial need for information security,” says Doherty. Silva agrees: “At present, I don’t see the Android OS as better than BlackBerry or iPhone for enterprise users.” One of the reasons is the lack of support for features of ActiveSync, the data synchronization program developed by Microsoft for use the Microsoft Windows operating systems. While Android supports ActiveSync though some smartphone maker’s tools, such as HTC’s work e-mail application, and some third-party applications, such as Nitro Desk’s TouchDown, as a native feature to the operating system, there’s no support for ActiveSync policies, Silva adds Currently, there are nearly 30 policies that IT can choose from natively in the Exchange Server architecture. “For example, limitations of the Android OS make full device encryption tricky to impossible today,” adds Doherty. “These ActiveSync-based security features are table stakes for most enterprise devices and, lacking them, Android is going to have a tough time in the enterprise.”

About 1203 days ago Blogging and Social Media

Google Phones: Lowdown on the ‘iPhone Killer’

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While Google’s much-hyped Android platform debuted in late 2008, the smartphone operating system didn’t hit its stride until the recent launch of the Motorola Droid and Google’s own phone, the Nexus One. But do these new Android devices outshine competitors — including handsets powered by BlackBerry, iPhone OS, or Windows Mobile — when it comes to a mobile device for small and mid-sized businesses? And does the Google phone amount to the reputed “iPhone killer” many had hoped for? The answer, according to industry analysts, seems to be yes and no. Promising future Google’s Nexus One came up short of being the groundbreaking device that would halt the trajectory of the iPhone, but the Android-based smartphone does have its share of benefits. “The ubiquity of Google and its integration across devices — PCs and mobile devices — as well as applications, voice calling and Internet search, as well as its mobile platform, give it a unique position over its competition,” says Tim Doherty, associate research analyst for the small and mid-sized business markets at IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based market research firm. “However, taking that unique position and applying it to the mobile market will be the true test as it explores the various segments and finds a place where its complete ‘package’ can resonate,” Doherty adds. Doherty says IDC has been looking for Android to emerge as a player in the small business space for some time. “Google has already made a name for itself through Google Apps, its hosted suite of e-mail, messaging, and collaboration solutions,” maintains Doherty. “The hosted nature, scalable and predictable pricing, and lack of need for IT hardware investment make Google Apps a natural fit for small businesses, and so this may have an impact on adoption of Android mobile devices.” Chris Silva, an analyst at the Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester technology research company, also believes Android has a promising future for businesses. “IT’s constituents are, at the end of the day, consumers and, as consumers, they’re likely going to be exploring how and whether they can use the newest smartphones on the market with their enterprise e-mail and other services,” says Silva. “Statistically speaking, if a user is going after the newest smartphone, it’s very likely to be an Android device, so IT had better have a plan,” Silva adds. Immediate hurdles While Doherty believes the Android platform is beginning to “gain a footing in the small business space,” a few obstacles still exist for Google. “RIM [Research in Motion], Apple, and Palm have an advantage by virtue of controlling both their hardware and proprietary platforms, which can allow for a tighter user experience,” Doherty believes. “Google is exploring new models for deploying mobile devices, as we saw with the Nexus One, but there will be hiccups — in the case of Nexus One, Google was not prepared to handle customer troubleshooting.” “The Nexus One received a great deal of press upon its release, however, the growing pains that Google has had in supporting a hardware platform that it is selling directly are evidence that this is early days for Google playing a major role in the smartphone space,” adds Silva. “We saw Apple getting dinged for this a lot when the iPhone came out — the prospect of IT sending its users to the nearest Apple Store for hardware support has been a hard sell.” Silva says the ownership model in the business space is changing, however, as we’re now seeing companies enter into agreements with users to support personal devices. “Many companies are still paying for the device and service and treating the smartphone as a corporate IT asset, but this model is giving way to others in which IT can satisfy users’ demand for the newest platforms while not having to take on the cost of the device and, in some cases, service, if the user supplies the device and IT supplies the tools to manage it,” explains Silva. Not (yet) for big business But replacing the BlackBerry as the de facto mobile operating system for enterprise-level companies might be more of a challenge. “Certainly, Android devices are being brought unofficially into enterprises by individuals in the same way that the iPhone has been since launch, buy it will be a challenge for any vendor, however, to displace incumbent RIM in the enterprise from a corporate-adoption standpoint, especially with the crucial need for information security,” says Doherty. Silva agrees: “At present, I don’t see the Android OS as better than BlackBerry or iPhone for enterprise users.” One of the reasons is the lack of support for features of ActiveSync, the data synchronization program developed by Microsoft for use the Microsoft Windows operating systems. While Android supports ActiveSync though some smartphone maker’s tools, such as HTC’s work e-mail application, and some third-party applications, such as Nitro Desk’s TouchDown, as a native feature to the operating system, there’s no support for ActiveSync policies, Silva adds Currently, there are nearly 30 policies that IT can choose from natively in the Exchange Server architecture. “For example, limitations of the Android OS make full device encryption tricky to impossible today,” adds Doherty. “These ActiveSync-based security features are table stakes for most enterprise devices and, lacking them, Android is going to have a tough time in the enterprise.”

About 1203 days ago Mobility Tips and Tricks

Google Phones: Lowdown on the ‘iPhone Killer’

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While Google’s much-hyped Android platform debuted in late 2008, the smartphone operating system didn’t hit its stride until the recent launch of the Motorola Droid and Google’s own phone, the Nexus One. But do these new Android devices outshine competitors — including handsets powered by BlackBerry, iPhone OS, or Windows Mobile — when it comes to a mobile device for small and mid-sized businesses? And does the Google phone amount to the reputed “iPhone killer” many had hoped for? The answer, according to industry analysts, seems to be yes and no. Promising future Google’s Nexus One came up short of being the groundbreaking device that would halt the trajectory of the iPhone, but the Android-based smartphone does have its share of benefits. “The ubiquity of Google and its integration across devices — PCs and mobile devices — as well as applications, voice calling and Internet search, as well as its mobile platform, give it a unique position over its competition,” says Tim Doherty, associate research analyst for the small and mid-sized business markets at IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based market research firm. “However, taking that unique position and applying it to the mobile market will be the true test as it explores the various segments and finds a place where its complete ‘package’ can resonate,” Doherty adds. Doherty says IDC has been looking for Android to emerge as a player in the small business space for some time. “Google has already made a name for itself through Google Apps, its hosted suite of e-mail, messaging, and collaboration solutions,” maintains Doherty. “The hosted nature, scalable and predictable pricing, and lack of need for IT hardware investment make Google Apps a natural fit for small businesses, and so this may have an impact on adoption of Android mobile devices.” Chris Silva, an analyst at the Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester technology research company, also believes Android has a promising future for businesses. “IT’s constituents are, at the end of the day, consumers and, as consumers, they’re likely going to be exploring how and whether they can use the newest smartphones on the market with their enterprise e-mail and other services,” says Silva. “Statistically speaking, if a user is going after the newest smartphone, it’s very likely to be an Android device, so IT had better have a plan,” Silva adds. Immediate hurdles While Doherty believes the Android platform is beginning to “gain a footing in the small business space,” a few obstacles still exist for Google. “RIM [Research in Motion], Apple, and Palm have an advantage by virtue of controlling both their hardware and proprietary platforms, which can allow for a tighter user experience,” Doherty believes. “Google is exploring new models for deploying mobile devices, as we saw with the Nexus One, but there will be hiccups — in the case of Nexus One, Google was not prepared to handle customer troubleshooting.” “The Nexus One received a great deal of press upon its release, however, the growing pains that Google has had in supporting a hardware platform that it is selling directly are evidence that this is early days for Google playing a major role in the smartphone space,” adds Silva. “We saw Apple getting dinged for this a lot when the iPhone came out — the prospect of IT sending its users to the nearest Apple Store for hardware support has been a hard sell.” Silva says the ownership model in the business space is changing, however, as we’re now seeing companies enter into agreements with users to support personal devices. “Many companies are still paying for the device and service and treating the smartphone as a corporate IT asset, but this model is giving way to others in which IT can satisfy users’ demand for the newest platforms while not having to take on the cost of the device and, in some cases, service, if the user supplies the device and IT supplies the tools to manage it,” explains Silva. Not (yet) for big business But replacing the BlackBerry as the de facto mobile operating system for enterprise-level companies might be more of a challenge. “Certainly, Android devices are being brought unofficially into enterprises by individuals in the same way that the iPhone has been since launch, buy it will be a challenge for any vendor, however, to displace incumbent RIM in the enterprise from a corporate-adoption standpoint, especially with the crucial need for information security,” says Doherty. Silva agrees: “At present, I don’t see the Android OS as better than BlackBerry or iPhone for enterprise users.” One of the reasons is the lack of support for features of ActiveSync, the data synchronization program developed by Microsoft for use the Microsoft Windows operating systems. While Android supports ActiveSync though some smartphone maker’s tools, such as HTC’s work e-mail application, and some third-party applications, such as Nitro Desk’s TouchDown, as a native feature to the operating system, there’s no support for ActiveSync policies, Silva adds Currently, there are nearly 30 policies that IT can choose from natively in the Exchange Server architecture. “For example, limitations of the Android OS make full device encryption tricky to impossible today,” adds Doherty. “These ActiveSync-based security features are table stakes for most enterprise devices and, lacking them, Android is going to have a tough time in the enterprise.”

About 1568 days ago Printers, Copiers, and Peripherals

Pros and Cons of All-in-One Printers

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Buying a new printer for your small or mid-sized business might seem like a relatively straight-forward task until you realize the vast number of options associated with the decision: Should you opt for a standalone printer or one of those all-in-one machines? Inkjet or laser? Color or monochrome? Do you need collating, two-sided printing, or large input trays? What about wireless? You get the point. Many small and mid-sized businesses today are opting for laser printers for large volume jobs, as opposed to an inkjet they might have at home for the occasional photo printing. At the same time, the multifunction printers can also handle scanning, copying, and faxing. Here are some of the pros and cons of a laser-based all-in-one printer. Pros of all-in-one printers Buying a multifunction laser printer can save your company space, money, and aggravation. “Many small businesses simply don’t have the room for three or four dedicated machines for printing, scanning, copying, and faxing — nor do they likely have the funds to purchase three or four separate devices,” says Keith Kmetz, vice president of hard copy solutions at IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based technology research and advisory firm. An all-in-one printer “consolidates all these important office features into one box, so you can better manage all your document management activity in one place.” Having just written a report on all-in-one printers, Kmetz says he found space-saving issues “come up a lot in small business and home-based offices” and any measures to cut costs are important considerations for small businesses, especially in an ailing economy. “You could spend many thousands of dollars for a dedicated printer, flatbed scanner, copier, and fax machine,” he says, “compared to only a couple hundred dollars for a reliable multifunction machine. Having one machine that does it all also makes it easier for maintenance, such as downloading just one driver update (opposed to up to four of them) and purchasing “consumables” such as ink or toner, paper, and other supplies. One machine also consumes less power than three or four printers. “Any time you can integrate multiple functions in one device you’re taking advantage of less space, lower costs, and fewer hassles when it comes to drivers and support,” confirms Michael Gartenberg, vice president and research director at New York-based Jupiter Research, which was acquired in 2008 by Forrester Research. Cons of all-in-one printers As with any converged device, a clear downside is if something goes wrong with your product you’ll likely be without everything while it’s being repaired or replaced. In other words, if the scanner in your all-in-one device fails to work and you send it out to be fixed, you’re now without a printer, copier, and fax machine, too. Such is the problem when “putting all your eggs in one digital basket,” as Gartenberg puts it. “Indeed you’ll lose all functionality while your multifunction printer is being serviced,” explains Kmetz. But if you have more than 100 or 150 employees, he says, chances are you have more than one all-in-one printer, “so it won’t be too catastrophic.” On that note, it’s recommended to have a networked multifunction unit (wired or wireless) for offices with many PCs. When it comes to quality, Kmetz, who says he’s been following the multifunction printer market for the past 15 years, says there isn’t a clear difference between standalone products and multifunction ones anymore. “Multifunction printers used to be a generation or two behind its single device counterpart when it came to quality but this is not the case anymore,” Kmetz says. Gartenberg agrees. All-in-one printers, he says, “have come a long way — the quality has caught up to the convenience for the most part — so it boils down to your comfort level with the pros and cons, the cost per copy and what you plan on using it for.”

About 1568 days ago Mobility Tips and Tricks

Smartphone Showdown: iPhone 3G vs. Storm

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Many handset makers have attempted to deflate the immense popularity of the almighty iPhone (from $199 with two-year AT&T plan), yet most have not succeeded. Whether it’s the iPhone’s large touch-screen, fast 3G and Wi-Fi speeds, thousands of downloadable apps from the App Store, or integrated media player, this trendy phone has become a cultural icon with consumers and increasingly, among corporate types, too. That said, many mobile workers who rely on a BlackBerry smartphone for its secure and fast push e-mail have been reluctant to make the switch to Apple’s trendy device. Now, BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) is hoping it has struck gold with its newly-launched BlackBerry Storm ($199 with 2-year Verizon plan), a smartphone that attempts to offer the best of both worlds for customers who want it all: the reliable BlackBerry operating system with support for secure e-mail that’s pushed to the phone, as well as an iPhone-like touch-screen interface to navigate through content. In fact, the BlackBerry Storm’s touch-screen is the first that actually depresses when you press on the soft QWERTY keyboard and with an audible “click” to confirm letters or numbers have been selected. Some users believe both of these extras make it easier to type messages compared to the iPhone. So, are these fancy screen features — as well as expandable memory and a removable battery — enough to unseat the iPhone? Has RIM created the “perfect storm” to win over the working world? We spoke with a couple of technology analysts for their professional opinions. Carrier concerns According to Michael Gartenberg, vice president and research director at the New York-based JupiterResearch, now part of Forrester Research, deciding which smartphone to invest might not be too difficult a task. “For many, the carrier you’re with might determine which of these two smartphones you’ll pick up,” says Gartenberg. “Unless you’re willing to switch carriers — for yourself or the entire company — Verizon customers might opt for the BlackBerry Storm while AT&T customers will go with an iPhone.” In other words, the network might be the leading factor, says Gartenberg. Company support If carrier is not an issue in your decision to buy a BlackBerry Storm or Apple iPhone, it might boil down to what your company supports. “What’s on the backend of these devices, what it connects into, will help you make a smart smartphone decision,” explains Gartenberg, who suggests talking to your company’s IT person about server and e-mail support. “Apple is trying to make inroads into the business space, such as announcing Exchange ActiveSync with full Microsoft Exchange support for push e-mail, contacts, and calendar,” confirms Tim Doherty, associate research analyst for small and mid-sized businesses at IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based research firm. “With the Storm, RIM is extending its reach into the consumer market and the touch-screen space, but remains firmly anchored in its framework of enterprise features and functionalities on a robust operating system,” continues Doherty. Small and mid-sized business customers seeking a touch screen experience have a rock-solid business platform to consider; RIM does not have to convince the market that its device will work in a business environment, he adds. Doherty says the mobile applications your company relies upon will also be a key decision maker when choosing a smartphone. Personal choice After carrier consideration and backend support, buying a smartphone for business comes down to personal preference. “The iPhone’s media playback and third-party app selection is much greater than the BlackBerrys,” says Gartenberg, “plus the iPhone offers Wi-Fi when the BlackBerry Storm does not.” But not everyone likes the iPhone’s touch-screen interface — especially when it comes to typing lengthy e-mails (which must be handled vertically). The BlackBerry Storm’s built-in accelerometer, on the other hand, will automatically flip the QWERTY keyboard horizontally when holding the device sideways for e-mail. There are other issues, too. “Despite Apple’s efforts, it has some shortcomings as a business device,” believes Doherty. “The iPhone lacks copy/paste functionality — a big deficit for even moderate volume e-mail users from any size company.” “And the iPhone’s lack of voice dialing could be a sticking point for field force and sales force workers who travel between multiple job locations or client visits,” Doherty adds. There are, however, many third-party apps that remedy these known iPhone shortcomings. Ultimately, says Doherty, there will likely be room for both devices in the small and mid-sized business market.

About 1630 days ago Data Security

Free Tips to Protect Data on the Go

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It’s a word every small business IT manager wants to hear: free. But does this popular F-word — especially given today’s ailing economy — also apply to computer security, too? While there are a number of paid products and services designed to protect data while employees are on the go, there are also solutions and tips to guarding your sensitive business data — and in some cases, customer information, too — that won’t cost you anything to implement. “There are thousands of cases of security breaches on laptops that have hurt the owners of those laptops and compromised the privacy of customers, citizens, and others,” explains David Daoud, an analyst with IDC’s personal computing for PC trackers and green IT programs. Examples include the recent announcement from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services about a laptop security breach involving an estimated 85,000 citizens. “Travelling can be an important source of theft and the consequences can be devastating from a legal and personal standpoint,” adds Daoud, whose offices are based in Framingham, Mass. If budgets are tight, the following are some free ways to help protect your data. Encryption The most obvious way to deal with laptop security is using existing encryption technologies and passwords, says Daoud. “BIOS-level passwords help in that they add more security at the operating system level,” along with setting up a password to launch Windows, too, he says. “For added security, you could use password protection at the folder or directory level.” Many mobile executives use Windows Vista’s built-in BitLocker encryption technology that can protect the data on the laptop should it fall into the wrong hands. Available in Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate, this data protection tool encrypts the entire Windows operating system volume on the hard disk (including user files and system files) so that the data is inaccessible unless the user provides the right password or biometric identification. Others prefer free third-party encryption options, such as PKWare’s SecureZip or TrueCrypt’s software. Biometrics Many laptops now — from the likes of HP, Lenovo, Sony, and Dell — offer an integrated fingerprint reader, so only the user can access files. Usually this finger scanner is located near the keyboard or just underneath the laptop’s LCD screen. Daoud says common sense also comes into play. “These biometrics security features are efficient on a certain level, but savvy hackers can certainly find ways to break into the system if they really need to,” he says. “So during travel make sure you keep your laptop with you all the time.” Another tip is to avoid unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks — even if they seem tempting because they’re unlocked — because these could be rogue connections by malicious types out to steal your data. On a related note, wherever possible, users should log into their company’s secured network to send messages or files rather than relying on free Web-based e-mail programs. Try to avoid using a public PC, such as at an airport lounge, but if you must, be sure to delete Internet history, cookies and clear cache before you’re done. Virtual desktops Some business owners prefer their employees not carry around any company files with them. Instead, mobile workers must log into the company’s secure network “in the cloud” and access files remotely. This technology is sometimes referred to as a “thin client” or “virtual desktop” solution. “The hosted virtual desktop concept is good for data security, in that data is not attached to a hard drive. The industry is still relatively immature, however, and users should balance the need for data security with other needs such as information accessibility,” advises Adam Hils, an Atlanta-based principal research analyst with Gartner’s security, privacy, and risk division. “It is true that users should limit the information on their laptops to what they need for the trip.” Daoud agrees: “The best advice is to have some centralized storage system at home or in the office where all the critical data is stored and secured… that can be securely accessed via Web browsers when someone needs to access the data.” Back-up Finally, there are free ways to back-up important data, in case a laptop is stolen, lost, or damaged. For example, Microsoft offers up to 5 gigabytes (GB) of free storage per month with its Windows Live SkyDrive service. Not only is this password-protected online file storage solution easy to use but you can access your files from any Internet-connected computer in the world, which can prove very handy while traveling. “And because remote laptops are outside the protection of the corporate firewall, every laptop should also have a personal firewall installed,” adds Hils. “These are available with Windows, and with most anti-virus products, for free.”

About 1721 days ago Business Software

Bye-Bye Time Sheets. Hello Time Tracking Software

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For those who still rely on paper timesheets and punch clocks to track employee hours, it’s time to wake up and smell the 21st Century. Desktop, online, and mobile time management solutions are a lot more accurate, reliable, and affordable than you may think. And with a trend towards allowing employees to telecommute and spend more time on the road, digital tools are likely the only way for an employee to conveniently keep track of the amount of work they’re doing — and an employer to correctly monitor their time, too. “’Billable hours’ kinds of folks, such as consultants and accountants, would be key users of time management tools, which can also be connected to payroll software,” says Ray Boggs, vice president of research for IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based technology research firm. “The goal of sharpening productivity and providing clients with the kind of detailed billing info they get from big companies would make this compelling for [small and mid-sized businesses] to use.” “Although there is always resistance when tools like these are introduced, especially if it’s a new concept, there is usually more employee support if it’s replacing a laborious paper-based solution,” Boggs says. More accurate Paper timesheets means that data has to be entered into the system which leaves room for human error, explains Michelle Warren, a Toronto-based small business technology consultant. “But with time-tracking software, employees are automatically signed on when they enter their password at a computer,” Warren says. “And employers will know if the employee signs in at 8:58 a.m. or 9:14 a.m., or if they left at 3:30 p.m., since a password-based solution means no one else can sign on or off for them.” Less costly over time Not only is time-tracking software easier and more accurate, but without paper timesheets, companies do not have to pay someone for data entry, plus that employees’ time can now be used for something else. Warren says prices for time-tracking software, such as Replicon’s Web TimeSheet have dropped dramatically over the past couple of years, making it an affordable purchase for many small and mid-sized businesses. “Plus, they’re increasingly integrated with other solutions, like payroll software, so employees paid by the hour have their time transmitted to HR,” she adds. Linked to payroll Boggs says the use of payroll software in small and mid-sized businesses is actually higher than one might think: about one-third of small businesses (under 100 employees) and over half of mid-sized firms (100 to 999 employees) presently use payroll software. “And this doesn’t include those using a payroll service, where the work is outsourced — just those who have the capability in-house,” Boggs says. “This sets the stage for time management tools, needless to say, because these firms are already putting the pieces in place to track things, like overtime.” Ideal for telecommuters Working from home or on the road are both common practices today, and time management tools can help an employer better monitor an employees’ hours. “Of course someone could just log on into the system and not do any work for a while, so there must be a layer of trust there,” says Warren. “While more costly, a more accurate way of measuring someone’s work — especially for phone solicitors — is to have time tracked through VoIP software, therefore all those minutes on the phone are tallied.” Mobile time-tracking solutions also exist for BlackBerrys, Windows Mobile devices, and the iPhone (including a product called Pocket Punchclock). Some software pools from GPS data, which fuses place-tracking with time-tracking. While truck drivers are used to having their whereabouts monitored, other on-the-road workers might be reluctant to have their locations tracked. Summary The reason for moving beyond paper-based time sheets is two-fold, concludes Boggs: The first is internal: “The productivity benefits, where more precise and timely tracking of employee hours can be done with far less pain on the part of both the worker and accounting department,” says Boggs. “There are added abilities to analyze by group and department so exceptional performance, both good and bad, can be identified.”

About 1721 days ago Servers and Routers

Alternatives to Microsoft Exchange

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Many small and mid-sized businesses rely on Microsoft Exchange servers and services to manage e-mail and collaboration processes. But there are a growing number of alternative products on the market, each trying to chip away at Microsoft’s market share by delivering similar functionality for less money, making its software available on a non-Windows platform, or offering unique products and services not found in Microsoft Exchange. What Microsoft Exchange is Developed by the Redmond, Wash. software giant, Microsoft Exchange is the leading messaging and collaborative software solution, widely embraced by both small and mid-sized businesses and larger enterprises. Installed on a company’s premises, this server-based software is used for managing e-mail, calendaring, contacts, and tasks — all part of the Microsoft Office suite on the client end. Exchange also supports mobile and Web-based access to company info. Additionally, Microsoft’s offerings offers data storage, shared folders, and unified messaging solutions — such as accessing your voicemail box via e-mail or listening to your e-mail over the phone. “I wouldn’t say it’s the ‘de facto’ server solution but it’s certainly the leader in both revenue and the number of organizations,” says Mark Levitt, vice president of collaboration and enterprise 2.0 strategies at the Framingham, Mass.-based IDC research firm. “Because Microsoft has established itself as a provider of many applications and products, companies see value for a single source that offers a variety of management solutions, all using the same underlying Windows platform,” Levitt says. “Plus all upgrades and patches for multiple products can be handled by one company, which is very appealing.” The trouble with trying to compete According to Gary Chen, a senior analyst for enterprise research at the Boston, Mass.-based Yankee Group, e-mail management is “pretty much a two horse race” between Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Domino and Notes. “Exchange is definitely the leader — they’ve come up a lot over the past few years — though [IBM] Lotus Notes has really put a lot of effort into making a resurgence, and they have some interesting things on their roadmap,” says Chen. “Exchange can be hard to manage and the alternatives are cheaper, so [competing products] may find a niche for themselves.” Along with IBM Lotus Notes, Chen says Novell GroupWise is also a popular alternative for mid-sized businesses. “There are clear advantages to going with an accepted platform like Exchange, though,” concedes Chen. “In terms of the skills, ecosystem, and add-on products that you can take advantage of, Microsoft applications dominate [small and mid-sized businesses] and mid-market, and Microsoft has been integrating heavily with Exchange and SharePoint.” For some companies, e-mail isn’t a top priority, adds Chen. “Many rely on advanced functionality, applications that might be critical to their business, like unified messaging and shared folders – something Exchange does well.” PostPath and others Levitt says there are many alternatives to Microsoft Exchange. Along with IBM Lotus Domino and Notes and Novell GroupWise, competing integrated collaborative environments (ICE a.k.a. “groupware”) include Oracle Collaboration Suite, Yahoo!’s Zimbra Collaboration Suite, and PostPath, “which looks just like an Exchange server to other Exchange servers and to Outlook clients,” says Levitt. Sina Miri, spokesman for PostPath, which Cisco agreed to acquire on Aug. 27, says their clients prefer PostPath to Microsoft Exchange Server for a few reasons. The most critical is PostPath performs better on all hardware, says Miri. “This is especially true with modest and even low-end hardware, plus it’s low maintenance due to its architecture and the use of the file system as opposed to Exchange and its Jet database,” explains Miri. Standalone e-mail server software competitors include Sun Mail Server, CommuniGate, Ipswitch, MailSite, Gordano, Mirapoint,  Scalix, and the Unix-based Sendmail. Levitt says free hosted consumer-oriented webmail services are often used by individuals for business purposes — such as Yahoo!, Gmail and Windows Live Hotmail — or free mailboxes bundled into Internet connectivity services, such as AOL, Comcast, Earthlink, Research in Motion, Verizon, and so on. Linux, too Linux has grown to be a low-cost alternative to Windows, says Levitt, and so companies like IBM, Novell, and Sun “have embraced the alternative operating system with competitors to Microsoft Exchange, which operate on the Windows platform.” The open-source movement can’t be ignored, says Levitt, especially with relatively high upfront costs for Microsoft Exchange, “not to mention ongoing upgrades, some of which you have to pay for, as well a licensing complexities when you’re dealing with multiple computers.” On the flipside, however, it might be harder for IT people to manager alternative software, which might add to your bottom line. “Many rush to open-source products because there is no initial check to write, but you don’t get anything for free,” cautions Levitt. “There are always associated costs when you’re dealing with a product not as well established or supported as Microsoft Exchange.”