Posts Tagged ‘ technology ’

Thin Clients: The Alternative To Bulky, Expensive Computers

A thin client is a small device that can be used in replacement of a computer tower. Companies who do not run CPU intensive programs often use thin clients because they are smaller and are less than 10% of the cost of a regular workstation.

A thin client runs as a VM (Virtual Machine) which connects the user to the server. Each thin client has a license which allows it to access the server as if it is its own computer; displaying the desktop the exact same way a normal computer would. The thin client acts as a bridge to connect the user to the server and remote control parts of it.

The simplicity of a thin client is what attracts most companies. Although you do have to have a server in a clean environment to run them off of, the thin clients themselves can exist in quite hostile environments. Having the server run all of the applications is both a positive and a negative. If you have a well run server then it saves a lot of headaches. In the same way, the server also acts as a single point of failure for all users.

All together thin clients are an effective solution for companies who use their workstations for activities such as email, web browsing, Microsoft Office or as POS systems. If companies are willing to buy higher powered servers it is possible to run more intensive programs through the thin clients without problems.

2010
05/27
CATEGORY
Tech Tips
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Keeping Your Computer Healthy

Whether a home computer or a corporate network, security is important. Because hackers and those who are fighting to infect your computer are constantly evolving, the software you use also has to be. Three major things that help improve individual computers are an up-to-date anti-virus program, regularly updated patches, and current Windows Updates. Many will ask, “Why do I have to use patches and Windows Updates when I already have an anti-virus?”

Well, here’s why:

  1. An Anti-Virus alone cannot block everything. In addition to viruses, there is spyware, malware and other malicious infections that have to be prevented.
  2. A patch is a software piece that fixes security vulnerabilities and bugs. Patches are necessary to keep areas of your computer up-to-date with the latest security features. Patches are developed in order to ensure the safety of your information. These patches are created by individuals who study hacker’s styles and use the information to develop patches and combat them.
  3. Windows Updates are important in the same way patches are, except for your entire operating system. Keeping Windows Updates current is vital to a computer’s health and security.
  4. Anti-Spyware, & Anti-Malware are also extremely important for computer health. Without these, there are many types of intrusions that come through email and web surfing can infect your machine.

It is also very important to run ALL updates as quickly as possible. Hackers and software writers are constantly fighting each other and the best way to stay secure is to update often.

2010
05/26
CATEGORY
Tech Tips
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Windows 7 – Do’s and Don’ts

4 Do’s & Don’ts Every Business Owner Should Know About Windows 7

Windows 7, Microsoft’s new operating system, just released several months ago, and with all the advertising buzz that Microsoft has created, many business owners are looking to know more about it. Here’s a list of Do’s and Don’ts for helping to determine whether or not a Windows 7 upgrade makes sense for you.

DO – Find out if all your software programs will be compatible.
Anytime Microsoft creates a new operating system, software companies often scramble to make their package work properly with it so there are no errors, glitches, or data corruption (a.k.a “your information deleted”). Some software companies are faster and better at this than others, so be sure to check with your software manufacturer to make sure you won’t end up with more problems than when you started.

DON’T – Hold back from getting the new computers you need.
Maybe you want to wait until Windows 7 gets the bugs out. Or, maybe it’s because you’re worried about buying a computer now that will be considered “old” when Windows 7 is officially released. The good news is you don’t have to wait. For a limited time when you buy from Microsoft-approved vendors, your new computer purchase will come with the ability to upgrade to Windows 7 for free, giving you the flexibility to have the upgrade option now and install it when you choose. Also, if you participate in Microsoft’s “Software Assurance” program for your operating system, you’ll be entitled to the new version for free as well.

DO – Know how to “shake” it.
Have you ever had a bunch of windows open on your computer and felt like it was out of control and you couldn’t find anything? Then Windows 7 might be for you. It is designed to save time for people who work on multiple documents, spreadsheets, and web pages at once by allowing you to simply shake your mouse vigorously and make all those open Windows drop to the bottom of the screen and clear up your workspace. In addition to the “shake” feature, Windows 7 also makes it easier to view and use two programs side-by-side with just one click.

DON’T – Expect miracles.
Windows 7 does truly make using your computer faster since many of the features Microsoft has rolled out to help business owners and their teams work on multiple projects at once easier to use than ever before. Initial studies are showing that it might add one to two hours of productivity to your week over previous versions. But, if you expect Windows 7 to actually do the work for you, you may be disappointed.

Windows 7 does truly make using your computer faster since many of the features Microsoft has rolled out to help business owners and their teams work on multiple projects at once easier to use than ever before.

2010
03/16
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Data Security

Are You Making This Deadly Mistake With Your Company’s Critical Data & Files?

Imagine walking into your office tomorrow only to discover that a virus, hacker, or system failure had erased every file on your computer. How confident are you that your data could be restored? If you are not backing up your network – or if you are, but have never tested your backups by performing a full system restore – you are at high risk for losing irreplaceable company files and information. We recommend backing up every night and performing a full system restore once a month to ensure your backup system is working. It’s not uncommon for backup files to become corrupt and useless, and you certainly don’t want to wait for a crisis to find out the backup system you had in place was not working.

If you aren’t currently backing up your system daily, or if you want to be absolutely certain that your backup files are valid and usable, contact us today for a FREE Data Security Consultation. We’ll come on site to test your current backup system, answer your questions, and make recommendations on how you can secure your data and sleep better at night.

Call us at 319-734-3342, email us sales@ccr.net, or visit our website www.ccr.net.

2010
03/09
CATEGORY
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