http://swiftecit.com/cms/index.php en melissa@swiftecit.com Copyright 2012 2012-04-26T13:15:23+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/outlook-2010-tips-and-tricks http://swiftecit.com/blog/outlook-2010-tips-and-tricks#When:13:15:23Z One of the things I hear most from people who upgrade to this version the first time is how different it looks and it’s hard to find where things are. Hopefully these few tips will help. 2012-04-26T13:15:23+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/windows-8-key-features-part-2 http://swiftecit.com/blog/windows-8-key-features-part-2#When:13:17:09Z I had spoken briefly about some of the key features of Windows next generation Server Technology called Server 8. Up until recently Microsoft decided to change the name of the operating system to Server2012, which is more suitable to Microsoft’s naming convention. From now on I will be referring to this new OS as Server 2012. 2012-04-23T13:17:09+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/how-to-recover-corrupted-microsoft-office-files http://swiftecit.com/blog/how-to-recover-corrupted-microsoft-office-files#When:20:18:07Z A Microsoft office file (pptx, ppt, docx, doc, xlsx, xls, odt, ods, and odp) can become corrupted by different means. Usually it happens when you are trying to save it and your computer or Microsoft Office itself crashes when you are trying to save it. Sometimes you may need some type of third party software to recover these files. A lot of times you do not need other software to do this. By default, Microsoft Office will save a temp file periodically of the file you are working on. Just follow these simple steps to open the temp file. 2012-04-12T20:18:07+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/what-do-you-mean-my-network-is-not-secure http://swiftecit.com/blog/what-do-you-mean-my-network-is-not-secure#When:20:00:56Z Network security. The age old concept that still is the underlying structure that holds any network together and keeps it safe.  As time goes on, network security is becoming more and more a necessity to your business, and the thing is you can never be 100% secure. So what do you do about it? 2012-04-06T20:00:56+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/data-backup-plan http://swiftecit.com/blog/data-backup-plan#When:19:21:48Z Any business now a days needs to have some kind of backup plan. Any kind of disaster that causes you to lose your data could cripple a company if it wasn’t able to be recovered.  With sometimes high costs and an economy that is not currently booming, you need to use some strategy to get the right backup for you. These are some things to think about when it comes to backup. 2012-04-05T19:21:48+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/windows-7-features-many-people-are-not-aware-of http://swiftecit.com/blog/windows-7-features-many-people-are-not-aware-of#When:20:25:52Z Windows 7 does have some good features that many people may not use. I thought I would mention a couple of them. The first is the Homegroup.  You probably would not have to use this at the office if your company is on a domain, but if you are at home this could be very helpful. The Homegroup you can share media documents and even printers with other computers in your Homegroup.  You do need to make sure that all of your computers are Windows 7 for it to work though. If you are a house with one PC with a printer attached and then have a laptop as well, I’m sure you have had to transfer something to the PC first in order to print it out. With the Homegroup you can share that printer and you can print your document from the laptop making things much easier and less time consuming. 2012-03-30T20:25:52+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/windows-8-key-features-part-1 http://swiftecit.com/blog/windows-8-key-features-part-1#When:15:32:14Z Windows Server platforms have been the leading edge from Small Business to Enterprise Corporations for the past 20 years. Now with the entire world looking to Virtualization and Cloud Computing Microsoft has given us another reason to move forward, and Windows Server 8 is the answer. 2012-03-23T15:32:14+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/upcoming-windows-8-security-features http://swiftecit.com/blog/upcoming-windows-8-security-features#When:18:56:58Z Some of you may have heard that Microsoft is coming out with Windows 8, and you may be wondering what the difference is going to be. Well I feel the most important part is security. So here is a list of some of the security features that Windows 8 will offer. 2012-03-22T18:56:58+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/march-lunch-and-learn-journey-to-the-cloud http://swiftecit.com/blog/march-lunch-and-learn-journey-to-the-cloud#When:16:40:43Z SwiftecIT will be continuing their successful Lunch & Learn program in 2012. Created to provide additional resources and insightful industry information to our clients, business partners and friends, Lunch & Learns are a unique opportunity for us to connect and host you in our office for an educational lunch seminar. 2012-03-15T16:40:43+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/built-in-encryption-with-windows-7-ultimate-and-enterprise http://swiftecit.com/blog/built-in-encryption-with-windows-7-ultimate-and-enterprise#When:13:19:37Z Two versions of Windows 7 come with an encryption program called BitLocker Drive Encryption.  It helps keep everything safe on your computer by encrypting the entire drive that your data resides on. When you turn this on any file that you save on your drive is automatically encrypted.  There is even a BitLocker To Go, which you can use for devices like USB flash drives and external hard drives.  First you might be wondering what exactly is encryption? 2012-03-15T13:19:37+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-computing-in-a-digital-age http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-computing-in-a-digital-age#When:16:17:09Z Scared of using cloud computing or not even totally sure what it is? Chances are you probably are already a part of cloud computing and don’t even know it. For example Google Docs is a form of cloud computing. You can access your files from any computer or mobile device by simply entering in your username and password. 2012-03-13T16:17:09+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/one-conclusion-from-recent-it-roundtable http://swiftecit.com/blog/one-conclusion-from-recent-it-roundtable#When:19:13:50Z A recent meeting of six panelists brought together by information exchange solutions specialist IntraLinks walked away with one primary conclusion: it is imperative for IT departments and CIO’s to include the cloud in their plans for the coming year. That was the consensus of six panelists brought together by information exchange solutions specialist IntraLinks in a roundtable discussion Thursday morning at the Gabarron Foundation in New York City. 2012-03-08T19:13:50+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/keeping-your-computer-safe http://swiftecit.com/blog/keeping-your-computer-safe#When:16:54:09Z There are so many threats to our PC’s out there. Threats such as viruses, malware, and hackers. You need to make sure you are properly protected. Not everyone can afford to spend a ton of money on multiple applications and intrusion protection devices. There are some nice free programs that will help you stay protected and help you keep your business running. 2012-03-08T16:54:09+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/password-security-tips-and-tricks http://swiftecit.com/blog/password-security-tips-and-tricks#When:18:34:50Z In a recent study done by Trustwave, a security services firm, 5% of the 2 million companies investigated used some form of the word password for their actual password. During this same investigation the firm set password-cracking tools loose on about 2.5 million passwords and was able to crack more than 2.1 million of them.The number one way hackers get into protected systems isn’t by their technological knowledge; it is simply by guessing the password. 2012-03-06T18:34:50+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/a-look-at-the-new-vmware-view http://swiftecit.com/blog/a-look-at-the-new-vmware-view#When:16:02:01Z Businesses today often find themselves caught up in a desktop dilemma. On one hand, enterprises are facing the pressures surrounding costs, compliance, manageability and security. On the other, end-users are experiencing an ever-increasing need for freedom and flexibility to access applications and data from numerous devices and locations.  What ensues is a paradigm pitting end user freedom against the need for IT control and ultimately resulting in increased costs, security impacts, and the overwhelming of IT resources. As a result of these challenges, businesses are looking for an agile and adaptive approach to computing that translates to a flexible, high performance computer experience for its end users. 2012-02-28T16:02:01+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/a-quick-look-at-cloud-backup http://swiftecit.com/blog/a-quick-look-at-cloud-backup#When:20:30:57Z Data loss causes business billions of dollars each year.  In the past the most convenient way to backup data was to a USB device or on to a server. While backing up files to USB devices or on to a shared folder on a server seems pretty simple, it has become harder and harder to do with mobile devices, such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. 2012-02-27T20:30:57+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/why-you-really-should-virtualize-your-desktops http://swiftecit.com/blog/why-you-really-should-virtualize-your-desktops#When:20:16:37Z Desktop virtualization is a proven way to grow your business, reduce costs and to mitigate risks. It’s a way for businesses to reduce both operating and capital expenses, secure their data and to provide easier desktop management. Desktop virtualization also promotes desktop policies, increases service levels and decreases response time in the event of a problem. Let’s talk about some of these key business drivers for desktop virtualization. 2012-02-24T20:16:37+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/more-windows-7-tricks http://swiftecit.com/blog/more-windows-7-tricks#When:14:07:42Z I know I’ve run into a lot of people that have recently purchased a new pc with Windows 7 and I hear the same thing each time, “it takes getting used to.” Despite the adjustment, there are a lot of useful features that you can use especially when it comes to troubleshooting issues. 2012-02-23T14:07:42+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/2012-top-it-trends-according-to-gartner http://swiftecit.com/blog/2012-top-it-trends-according-to-gartner#When:21:29:28Z Gartner, leader in delivering technology research to global technology business leaders recently released a list of what appears to be 2012’s Top 10 IT Trends and their impact. In this entry, you will find a brief summary of each. 2012-02-21T21:29:28+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-security-a-matter-of-visibility-and-control http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-security-a-matter-of-visibility-and-control#When:20:37:40Z It no secret that security is the number one concern of businesses engaging in or considering migration to the cloud. Security along with data privacy and residency are the three-most often cited inhibitors to cloud adoption. The thing is, according to experts it’s less an issue of security than the missing elements of visibility and control. In many ways, data in the cloud is more secure than in an on-premise installation. This is particularly true for smaller organizations that do not have the resources to dedicate to security technology and staff. 2012-02-20T20:37:40+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/the-evolution-of-information-technology-services1 http://swiftecit.com/blog/the-evolution-of-information-technology-services1#When:14:24:24Z It’s a pretty fascinating time in IT right now! Back in the day…managing IT was pretty cut and dry. There were not as many moving parts as we have in today’s IT. Nowadays, users have access to their files and applications on a host of devices. Mobility reigns and users expect to be able to easily migrate from device to device throughout the day. The mindset has shifted from managing a more centralized asset to managing the multiple ways in which end users access their various assets. It’s not uncommon for users to require smart phone, tablet and PC access to the various systems in the very same day. IT has become far more end-user-centric. This adds a new complexity for IT to be able to deliver a service model that meets every end user’s needs. 2012-02-20T14:24:24+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-computing-and-data-integration-ten-trends-to-watch http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-computing-and-data-integration-ten-trends-to-watch#When:21:23:02Z In an effort to address the challenges Associated with the growing volume, variety, and complexity of business data, organizations are beginning to use enterprise information more and more. With the objective of growing and transforming their business, businesses are seeking more holistic approaches to data integration and management. As cloud migration continues to gain momentum in 2012, many organizations will continue to move their businesses towards cloud data integration and management.  In integrating these management tools into their existing information infrastructure, businesses are ultimately looking to achieve a more agile, fast, and cost-effective response to business needs. 2012-02-17T21:23:02+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/skydrive-microsoft-cloud-service http://swiftecit.com/blog/skydrive-microsoft-cloud-service#When:17:50:08Z Have you ever wanted to share documents with people and not have to keep emailing them back and forth everything someone made a change to it? Well I gave Microsoft’s SkyDrive a try a thought it was cool enough to share with you. You can access your documents from any pc anywhere you go. All you need is to have a Windows Live ID. This is a free cloud service from Microsof and It can hold up to 25 GB worth of data. 2012-02-16T17:50:08+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/the-criminal-justice-community-the-cloud http://swiftecit.com/blog/the-criminal-justice-community-the-cloud#When:17:29:24Z Oftentimes, the basis for most opposition to the cloud stems from concerns surrounding security. This worry exists despite cloud providers best efforts to put weary minds to rest and assure consumers of the robust level of security attached to the cloud. As with many industries handling very private data and intelligence, U.S law enforcement agencies are among the industries most concerned with said security. 2012-02-10T17:29:24+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-based-aas-as-a-service-part-3 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-based-aas-as-a-service-part-3#When:21:39:24Z In my last couple of posts, we’ve learned a little about Cloud based solutions looking deeper into the layers that can make it all happen. Lastly, we have Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS. IaaS is what most people think of when they hear the term “cloud computing”. 2012-02-09T21:39:24+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-based-aas-as-a-service-part-2 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-based-aas-as-a-service-part-2#When:21:35:57Z A couple of days ago, I wrote briefly on Software as a Service (SaaS) which is the first level of aaS using the Cloud layered model. The next level to discuss is Platform as a Service or PaaS which is the layer that lies between the SaaS and the IaaS layers. 2012-02-09T21:35:57+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/windows-8-built-for-mobility http://swiftecit.com/blog/windows-8-built-for-mobility#When:21:15:53Z The next generation Operating System from Microsoft, will be Windows 8. This OS has been redesigned from the ground up to be extremely mobile, more secure and user friendly. Windows 8 is scheduled to be released mid to late 2012. 2012-02-09T21:15:53+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-based-aas-as-a-service-part-1 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-based-aas-as-a-service-part-1#When:15:08:17Z The point of this blog entry is not what is cloud computing, but rather how the cloud is beginning to separate into distinct models each serving a different set of needs. The common theme between these models is “as a service”. Some “thing” traditionally relegated to the local IT data center is being offered in the cloud, as a service. The list is growing, but it appears that we’ll likely end up with three service models for the cloud: software, infrastructure, and platforms. 2012-02-09T15:08:17+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/unveiling-new-windows-themes http://swiftecit.com/blog/unveiling-new-windows-themes#When:21:17:20Z Everyone likes a good Windows theme to spice up their computer and some of you might be sick of the same old ones. Well Windows 7 has a bunch of hidden themes. Read on for just how to access! 2012-02-08T21:17:20+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/how-to-choose-an-it-contractor http://swiftecit.com/blog/how-to-choose-an-it-contractor#When:20:27:54Z Cloud. Virtualization. Computer Support. Backup. Email. Storage. For small and mid-sized businesses, these items require the guidance and leadership of an IT contractor. But just how do you know you are partnering with the right kind of company? 2012-02-06T20:27:54+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/remote-access-and-the-road-warrior http://swiftecit.com/blog/remote-access-and-the-road-warrior#When:14:09:49Z Are you trapped at a desk? Is there never enough time in a day to get all your work done during business hours? Have you always wanted to be a “Road Warrior”? Well you can be, thanks to a technology called VPN otherwise known as Virtual Private Networking. It has given businesses the capability to grow and expand across cities, states, even countries, and still communicate over one single network. 2012-02-02T14:09:49+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/the-rise-of-cloud-computing-in-financial-service-firms http://swiftecit.com/blog/the-rise-of-cloud-computing-in-financial-service-firms#When:16:32:05Z The uncertain global economic condition, vanishing profits and volatile markets that ensue are resulting in many financial services firms looking to cut their capital expenditures on servers and applications through the use of private clouds.  With investment in cloud technology already in effect within non-production areas such as server provisioning and storage networks, many financial firms still remain very weary of security and determined to keep client data within the walls of their own facilities. 2012-02-01T16:32:05+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/virtualization-tops-cio-priority-list-in-2012 http://swiftecit.com/blog/virtualization-tops-cio-priority-list-in-2012#When:15:09:04Z A recent survey conducted by IDC projects savings from server consolidation will be redirected to new IT innovations in the year 2012. A recent survey of top Chief Information Officers indicated that 40% have chosen virtualization and server consolidation as a top priority for the coming year. 2012-02-01T15:09:04+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/just-announced-the-vmware-solution-exchange http://swiftecit.com/blog/just-announced-the-vmware-solution-exchange#When:20:50:47Z Global leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure VMware announced its Solution Exchange online marketplace today. This socially-enabled development will allow for customers, partners, and developers alike to collaborate in a centralized self-service portal to evaluate and select business solutions.  The capability is a much anticipated platform to VMware’s more than 2,000 technology partners who have worked in recent years to build more than 3,500 VMware compatible applications and 6,000 infrastructure products. 2012-01-25T20:50:47+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/who-wants-to-be-in-a-band-when-you-can-have-out-of-band-management http://swiftecit.com/blog/who-wants-to-be-in-a-band-when-you-can-have-out-of-band-management#When:16:36:41Z What is out-of-band management? Will it make you famous? Not so much, but it may make your System Administrator feel a little more comfortable. This type of management is more of the IT kind, the remote kind. These days, pretty much every business has a network of machines and applications that typically are managed by a server that needs to be running 24/7. But what happens at 1:30AM when something goes wrong with the server?? Read on for information on how a remote management system can mean the difference between minor hiccup and complete crisis. 2012-01-25T16:36:41+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/john-carder-fictional-character-real-facebook http://swiftecit.com/blog/john-carder-fictional-character-real-facebook#When:20:43:19Z The 11th grade daughter of SwiftecIT’s President and CEO was recently assigned an article for her school newspaper the Algonquin Harbinger. To write her article, she came up with the a very insightful and creative way to display the craze behind such social media outlets as Facebook and Twitter. Read on to meet John Carder, the fictional character with a real Facebook, and see what “his” story says about the perhaps overly casual and sightless way people are now using social media. 2012-01-24T20:43:19+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/quick-key-shortcuts-for-windows-7 http://swiftecit.com/blog/quick-key-shortcuts-for-windows-7#When:15:54:51Z If you are someone who has gone out and bought a new PC that has Windows 7, then you have probably had the same issue as a lot of people. The big question remains: where are things located and why can’t I get to them easier? Microsoft has always had shortcuts to get to places on your pc or do simple tasks but no one usually knows what they are. Here is a highly practical list of quick key shortcuts to help you navigate around that new PC. 2012-01-23T15:54:51+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/the-smart-phone-and-our-daily-functions http://swiftecit.com/blog/the-smart-phone-and-our-daily-functions#When:15:35:53Z Have you ever heard someone comment about what the “stupid” computer did to their report or project?  The funny thing is that computers aren’t in fact stupid as they can only process the instructions they were given by the operator.  So if that is true, then how can phones be “smart”? The difference here is the applications which are now available for the “smart” phones.  Read on for a few business and personal examples of how smart phones are becoming more and more a part of our daily functions. 2012-01-23T15:35:53+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/redefining-communication-through-video-voice-technology http://swiftecit.com/blog/redefining-communication-through-video-voice-technology#When:18:58:57Z One possible definition of “Technology” is having the ability to perform tasks in a manner you could not have possibly thought of using previously.  Free Video-Voice hosts such as Skype, Facetime, and Viber are redefining how we communicate and here’s why… 2012-01-17T18:58:57+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/is-your-business-ready-for-tablets http://swiftecit.com/blog/is-your-business-ready-for-tablets#When:14:14:47Z As the growth of tablet deployments continues to skyrocket, many small and mid-sized businesses are asking themselves a very simple question: is my business ready for the tablet? Business owners are considering the various merits of having a truly mobile workforce. Here are five simple things that you might want to consider when looking at tablets. 2012-01-13T14:14:47+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/password-protecting-your-word-document http://swiftecit.com/blog/password-protecting-your-word-document#When:21:30:14Z Sometimes people have a document that they would like to keep private from others whether it is at home or at the office. Not everyone has sophisticated encryption software to encrypt those files for their own viewing. Did you know that Microsoft has a way to password protect your word documents? Just follow these steps when saving your file. 2012-01-11T21:30:14+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/playing-it-safe-while-engaging-in-social-media http://swiftecit.com/blog/playing-it-safe-while-engaging-in-social-media#When:21:04:08Z Social media has now taken over email’s role as the primary personal and professional internet-communication tool. While social media has certainly proven itself as a valuable business tool, it also presents substantial risks and those engaging in it must practice vigilance to avoid negative effects on your valuable business data and infrastructure. However, in deploying comprehensive internet security risks can most likely be avoided. 2012-01-11T21:04:08+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/prevent-disaster-with-these-5-easy-steps http://swiftecit.com/blog/prevent-disaster-with-these-5-easy-steps#When:15:25:39Z Disaster is unfortunately an ever present risk for companies both large and small. The difference between inconvenience and devastation can often times lie in the hands of the business through proper preparation.  Read on for 5 easy steps to minimizing damage to your business. 2011-12-07T15:25:39+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/a-quick-look-at-the-areas-of-virtualization http://swiftecit.com/blog/a-quick-look-at-the-areas-of-virtualization#When:15:22:38Z There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the concept of virtualization. Allow us to clarify the individual areas of the virtualization process for you. 2011-12-07T15:22:38+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/five-key-areas-to-monitor-for-your-virtualization-solutions http://swiftecit.com/blog/five-key-areas-to-monitor-for-your-virtualization-solutions#When:18:36:37Z What should you keep in mind when considering virtualization solutions? Read our top five tips and learn more about what virtualizaiton can do for your business. 2011-11-30T18:36:37+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/virtualization101-demystifying-the-concept-of-data-virtualization http://swiftecit.com/blog/virtualization101-demystifying-the-concept-of-data-virtualization#When:18:34:34Z While the concept of virtualization first came onto the market in 2001, there is still a general lack of understanding in regards to what data virtualization really is and what it does. Read on for more information. 2011-11-30T18:34:34+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-usage-spending http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-usage-spending#When:18:33:06Z The two most commonly-heard selling points for cloud services are that it frees companies from having to spend big on technology support and that the factor of geography can be nullified as a barrier for the sharing and access of in-house company information. 2011-11-30T18:33:06+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/2011-it-spending-report http://swiftecit.com/blog/2011-it-spending-report#When:18:31:41Z Each year, Spiceworks releases statistics from their global study investigating the latest technology trends in regards to staffing, purchasing, and usage trends for SMBs. The newly released trends indicate substantial growth in the areas of cloud computing, virtualization, and tablet deployment. Read on for facts and figures from this years report. 2011-11-30T18:31:41+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/a-cloud-security-roadmap http://swiftecit.com/blog/a-cloud-security-roadmap#When:18:28:15Z Security remains a major concern for companies currently in, or moving towards the cloud. The truth is, cloud infrastructure can be as secure or insecure as a traditional in house system. Much like traditional infrastructure, security relies on strong architecture, management practices and policies and the providers experience and skills. There are three commonly-faced threats facing the cloud as outlined by the Cloud Security Alliance. Read on for more information. 2011-11-30T18:28:15+00:00 http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-computing-101-a-look-into-the-cloud http://swiftecit.com/blog/cloud-computing-101-a-look-into-the-cloud#When:18:13:02Z Cloud computing is the hosted delivery of computing as a service in which shared information is provided over a network. With the creation of cloud computing, it became possible for computation, data access, and storage services are delivered to the end user remotely. Said technologies are delivered through shared data-centers that appear as a single point of access for end-user computing needs. 2011-11-30T18:13:02+00:00