Based on NSBA 2010 Report, Small businesses face many challenges when it comes to their technology. The most widely-reported issue: security. Fifty-two percent rated security issues the number one challenge they face when it comes to the use of technology in their business. The second and third highest-rated challenges have to do with cost. Fifty-one percent reported that cost of needed upgrades was a significant challenge and 49 percent cited cost of maintaining technology as a significant challenge.

For over 24 years CEO Computers has been addressing these issues for our clients so they can confidently focus on their business and not to worry about their information technology systems. The nature of IT industry has changed dramatically. Most companies now days have the IT infra-structures such as servers, PC’s, switches and routers, etc. in place. The main concern as indicated in the above survey is the security and protecting their business data, client’s information and intellectual properties. Hippa and other government requirements make it mandatory for most businesses to implement solid security measures. The most appropriate approach is devising a plan that monitors all the security parameters regularly; it is comprehensive yet simple and does not cost a fortune. Our initial consultation and evaluation is free and we encourage you to contact us so we can address all you concerns.

Lately most of the new clients that have been referred to us are the clients that have had a bad experience with their existing IT company or the IT consultant. Most of these clients have a bad taste in their mouths and reaching to a point that they can feel comfortable and trust another IT consultant will take a long time.

Now days, IT consultants are as important as CPA’s and attorneys. They have access to so much of your valuable information whether it is business or personal. And their expertise and advice are extremely pivotal to growth or demise of any company. We find it that often small businesses have no idea what a budget for IT systems and supporting the IT system should be. Also, how to define the scope of the work they are expecting from the IT company? More importantly, the owners need to know how to judge the IT company’s experience in their industry to determine if the company can provide the solutions they need. In addition to budget, other questions to consider when searching for an IT company are:

1. How far should they trust an IT company with their data and other valuable information?
2. Who should be in charge of their backup and what should be backed up?
3. Who is responsible for the software and licensing?
4. Where is the original software and the corresponding serial numbers and install information?
5. What are the administrative passwords and who knows about them?
6. What kind of compliance requirement is needed and who is in charge of that?
7. Is there a NDA (non-disclosure agreement)? What does it cover?
8. What kind of support plan is appropriate for your business?
These questions are designed to avoid crisis and in case of a crisis who is accountable for what.

It is a an extra ordinary feeling to live at the same time as Steve Jobs and witness all his creations, visions and achievements. It is like living in the same era as Shakespeare, Da vinci, Newton, Einstein or other geniuses and experiencing their works and creations first hand. Steve Jobs was a great person and a huge inspiration for all of us especially those of us involved in the computer industry. He will be sorely missed by all of us but his legacy will always remain in our hearts. Our condolences to his family.

“Stay Hungry Stay Foolish”
Steve Jobs 1955-2011

When purchasing a new server, a few workstation and supporting peripherals, costs can suddenly add up and create a large ticket item purchase. With the current state of the economy and budgetary constraints, it is increasingly important to make wise financial decisions with your business. Many times clients ask us about leasing and financing options and ask us to do a cost analysis for them. We always recommend that you consult your CPA and business banks regarding these issues. Though you will get a better rate from your bank, banks lend you money for purchasing, not leasing. When leasing, assuming that you have decided on the lease term (3, 4 or 5 years), you have two options. a) fair market value (FMV) at the end of the lease, or b) dollar buy out. FMV is decided based on the equipment’s worth at the end of the lease terms and dollar buy out means you pay a static amount and the equipment is yours.

Here are a few points about leasing. 

• - Leasing converts a big cash price to a lower monthly payment, meaning that you can get the equipment you need today.
• - Leasing enables you to get around budget restrictions that prevent you from obtaining new equipment.
• - If you lease, you can generally deduct 100% of the monthly lease payment for tax purposes – If the payment was for a loan, you can deduct nothing.
• - Leasing permits you to use the equipment you need, for as long as you need it, for a low monthly payment that will never go up, even if interest rates skyrocket.
• - Leasing is a hedge against inflation: You will have acquired today’s equipment with tomorrow’s cheaper dollars.
• - Leasing prevents equipment obsolescence. When the lease term is up, return the equipment to the leasing company and trade up to a new model. Or, you can keep the equipment, either buying it or continuing to lease on a month-to-month basis.
• - Unlike some loan programs, leasing requires no down payment.
• - Leasing enables you to use the equipment without tying up your vital cash flow or credit lines.

Windows7 Pro

Microsoft recently has announced the arrival of Windows 8 in about a year so. There is an increasing pressure in the corporate world to get all the workers running on Windows 7 as support for Windows XP winds down. Windows 7 has been available since October 2009, but it is only recently seeing real enterprise adoption. Last week, Web metrics firm Net Applications reported that Windows XP market share fell below 50 per cent, to 49.8 per cent. Over the past year, Windows XP market share has dropped by 12 per cent to 49.8 per cent while Windows 7 has increased by 13.4 per cent to 27.9 per cent.

It is important to know that Windows 8 is all about the tablet. It is Microsoft answers to apple’s Ipad. Many or our clients ask us is it time to upgrade to Windows 7? The answer is a big yes. We are approaching Windows 7 second anniversary. Microsoft has released the service pack 1 for Windows 7. Most techs recommend to upgrade to any of Microsoft Operating Systems after Service Pack1 and therefore the is no reason to wait. The main issue with any upgrades is the compatibility of your software applications and device’s drivers. After two years there are many updates and revisions available to make your software and hardware compatible with Windows 7. Also for most legacy software you can install XP mode on the Windows 7 and run your legacy software in that environment.

Even though after Windows XP service pack 3, there are not many issues with Windows XP and it is running like a charm here are the most compelling reasons to upgrade to Windows 7:

1. Internet Explorer 9 – A better and more secure browser runs only on Win7 and Vista
2. Work from anywhere With Windows 7 Professional, your laptop can remember your preferred printer on each network you use – no more manual switching. Setting your laptop up for a presentation is a breeze, so you can always put your best foot forward. And since Windows 7 manages power more efficiently and connects to wireless networks faster, it’s easier than ever to work on the go.
3. Use Windows XP programs – Most programs designed for Windows XP work fine in Windows 7. For those that don’t, Windows 7 Professional has a solution: Windows XP Mode. This free download, which works only with the Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7, can run Windows XP programs in a separate window right on your Windows 7 desktop.
4. Safeguard your work – All editions of Windows 7 come with improvements to Backup and Restore for a “set it and forget it” approach to backing up your files and folders. With Windows 7 Professional, you can also back up files, folders, and even drives to a network – and file encryption can help keep confidential information secure on PCs with more than one user.
5. Be more productive – With Windows 7 Professional, you can think less about technology and more about getting things done. Performance improvements and a redesigned desktop help you get more done in less time. It’s simple to connect to domains and access offline files on a network even when you’re not online.
6. Have some fun -Just because you use your PC for work doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice play. When it’s time for a break, you’ll enjoy on-demand Internet TV, the unbelievably realistic game graphics of DirectX 11, and all the audio-visual goodness that comes with Windows Media Center – like the ability to watch, pause, and record live TV – and Windows Media Player.

We recommend Windows 7 Pro because it is designed to be deployed in the business network environment. If you have a computer that is older than 3 years it is best to get a new computer. Windows 7 comes in 32 bit and 64 bit flavors, which you can use up to 4 Giga byte of ram for 32 bit and 8 or more Gigabyte for 64 bit. A separate graphic card with 256 Mb or more ram is highly recommended. Let us know if you have any questions.

As is the case with many other organizations that have been around as long, we see common information technology mistakes or problems that our clients experience. The following is a list of many of those problems that I would like to share with you. I did not put this in any order because I think of Information Technology as a chain and the IT system is only as strong as its weakest link.

1. Not believing in security and assuming that the organization is too small to be hacked. These days any computer that is connected to the Internet can be used as a bot (robot) to spam and attack other computers. No matter what your business is, it is vital to have the right antivirus, firewall, and security procedures to make sure you are fully protected.
2. Believing that the computer system is new, it should not break. I can’t tell you how often we come across clients who believe that because their laptop, monitor, computer, printer, etc. was just recently purchased, it will not fail. Because of this line of thinking, people often do not take the necessary steps to provide themselves with the correct backup or adequate protection in the event of failure. What makes it worse is not having the appropriate warranty.
3. The “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it” mentality. This is as saying “If my car isn’t broken, I’m not going to get a tune up, car wash, oil change, etc.” I cannot stress how important it is to take a proactive stance when it comes to your IT maintenance. Just as a car that has not been properly maintained, it is more likely to have IT service issues that cause costly repairs and make systems not perform at optimum. Your IT system is equally vulnerable to the consequences of neglect: downtime, data loss, etc. that will ultimately cost a lot more than any service agreement. It is important to have a proactive role towards your IT maintenance. Even if you think your operation is not mission critical, the downtime and may cost you a lot more than the maintenance agreement.
4. Using under qualified staff - More people are computer savvy than ever before, so it is not uncommon to find many small businesses relying on the IT assistance provided by a relative or staff member. The problem is no matter how good or knowledgeable they may be, they often do more damage than good. The IT industry is dynamic and ever-changing. Many updates, downloads or inappropriate installations can create havoc on the system. Using a certified professional not only provides peace of mind, but it will save the big bucks in the long run.
5. Not having the right technology. In many ways, this is one of the most egregious of mistakes and unfortunately it’s seen frequently. Whether it is hardware or software, there is often a flagrant mismatch of system to needs and business tasks to applications, as well as basic incompatibility of system components. In addition, there is the erroneous belief that all equipment is equal and will function the same way. This is one of the main mistakes we see this across the board. Whether it is hardware or software, we see a mismatch of the applications or the software for performing the operational business tasks at hand. We see free or inexpensive firewall systems installed assuming that they are all the same.
6. Lack of policies. Any and all businesses need to have policies in place with regard to their overall system security so that everyone in your organization is on the same page. For example, how does your company handle Disaster recovery and business continuity? How about equipment and e-mail passwords? Making sure they are changed on a regular basis is perhaps one aspect of a policy that should be implemented. There should be a policy with regard to backups: daily scheduling, taking a copy of the latest backup off premises for security purposes, performing on-line backups, etc. A policy for mobile and laptops, particularly if they connect to the main office, are also important to put into effect.
7. Not having an IT budget-While large companies have the resources to include IT as a part of their ordinary operating costs, many small businesses are understandably challenged by a lack of funds and tend to think of IT as non-essential. The problem is without the proper IT guidance and support, many small business are simply not operating in the most cost-efficient manner, thereby wasting both time and money. Sometimes even minor changes to a system can increase productivity, offering a more competitive advantage and a better bottom line.
8. Right power protection. Any expensive electronic equipment should be protected by a UPS (uinterruptable power supply) ith shut down software. Also, adequate air and temperature control for the equipment are a must, especially during the summer heat.
9. Training for the staff – t is not uncommon to find staff members who have not been adequately trained in the proper usage of applications that are often a part of their daily responsibilities. Using software or equipment improperly can have expensive ramifications. Proper training is as essential as the software of equipment itself.
10. Website – have written “Ten commandments for the website“

NEW MICROSOFT SMALL BUSINESS SERVERS 2011 are availalbe now.

Microsoft has just released two new servers that are built especially for the Small Businesses. This is an excellent product to upgrade or deploy if you are thinking about a new server.

The two new Microsoft servers are:

The Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials for businesses with up to 25 users.

The Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials is a full server. It has everything a small business needs. No extra, unnecessary functions have been added. Also no exchange.

SBS 2011 Essentials does a daily automatic backup of your complete server and of all computers attached to it. Single files can be restored. The complete server can be restored. Any computer attached to the server can be restored.

The server supports one administrative console. The administrator can view and monitor the health of the server and all connected client computers from the one console. All common IT tasks and technical issues can be addressed from this console.

The server supports Remote Web Access. This allows users to use any common internet browser to access files and documents from anywhere, inside or outside the business.

The server works smoothly with Microsoft Products, such as Windows 7 and Office 2010.

The Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard

The Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard is designed for small to medium businesses with up to 75 users. It delivers enterprise-class technology in an all-in-one affordable solution.

SBS 2011 Standard protects data by performing daily backups. Restores can be by file or complete system. It provides features such as e-mail, internet connectivity, internal Web sites, remote access, file sharing, and printer sharing. It monitors client computers for antivirus, update compliance, and overall security health.

SBS 2011 Standard uses 64-bit technology. 64 Bit technology allows more memory (over 4 Giga Bytes to installed on the server). The product technologies include Exchange Server 2010, SharePoint Foundation 2010, and Windows Update Services. The scalable platform is designed to meet the needs of businesses through various stages of growth.

Windows sbs 2008 Premium Add-on adds a 2nd Windows Server 2008 plus an SQL standard license. This adds support to many line-of-business applications that require powerful data management and analysis solutions on a separate server.

For the list of comparison please go to the following link.

http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/compare-features.aspx

Call CEO for free consultation on SBS 2011 or any other IT and Web products or services.

Although everyone these days has heard of search engine optimization but there are a lot of questions to be answered about it.  Now that traditional marketing options such as Yellow Page advertising are diminishing, online advertising and therefore SEO are getting more prominence. We use popular search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo! to market your products and services. Effective search engine marketing means that when a potential customer or client types in keywords matching what you offer they are greeted with your website. More and more customers are using search engines. We use search engine to price shop, to research and even to buy.
There are nearly 2 billion searches done each day. Some of these include searches for your products and services. The important aspects of SEO are as follows:
There are three major components to a website that can help in gaining higher search engine rankings. These components will help in creating a foundation that will help you in reaping rewards in search engine marketing.
1) Your Website Must Be Search Engine Friendly.
A search engine must be able to read your website in order to index it appropriately within search engine results.

2) Your website must be accessible to search engines. If it is not, a search engine cannot index it and that means it will not show up in search engine results, which will detour from search engine marketing attempts.

3) Keyword Research – What Are Your Customers Looking For?
Keyword research is important to search engine marketing, because you need to know what potential customers and clients are looking for. You may think someone is looking for a widget, but perhaps they are looking for a specific titled widget. You want to select keywords that are going to be targeted as well as give you the most best performance for the work that you put into search engine marketing. Keyword research helps you to know your audience and it helps you in reaching them online. So how do you do keyword research? There are four phases to keyword research. They include:
Phase 1: Keyword Discovery
keywords that are related not only to your website, but to your targeted market.

Phase 2: Keyword Analysis
Determine who your competition is online. Who is competing for the keywords that you selected in Phase 1? You also want to see how you are ranking for those keywords as well.

Phase 3: Keyword Selection
You want to base this on who you are trying to target. List out the keywords that you have identified in prior phases. You will use this list within the content of your website. 

Phase 4: Keyword Implementation
You want to implement the keywords you have identified in your website. This can be done through A) Natural or organic SEO which means putting codes and keywords in your website pages and headers.  B) Paid Search which means paying for a sponsored ad or campaign for your website to show up or get ranked based on that keyword search.

4) Content…Content…Content
Content is one of the most important things when it comes to search engine marketing. The reason is that  search engines read your site and they are looking for keywords that your potential customer may be looking for. You want to make sure that you have relevant and original content.

It’s important to realize that search engine marketing is not going to happen over night. It takes time and the only way you will know how you are doing is tracking it. You want to make sure that you have website analytics to track where your website visitors are coming from.

CEO is here to assist you with any aspects of your on line marketing campaign. Call us @ 818-501-2281 or email us info@ceocomputers.com.

When it comes to IT matters, most business owners are worried about:

A) Having a system that works

B) Assistance to make the right decisions.

To answer the two issues we came up with a unique solution called Sys-Care. Sys-Care is a proactive system care (onsite and remote) provided on a pre-scheduled basis-weekly, biweekly or monthly at a discounted rate. It is the closest thing to having your own in-house I.T. team, but at a fraction of the cost.

Regular SYS-CARE visits include:

. Network performance evaluation and fine tuning
. Diagnosing and preventing potential failures before they occur
. Applying the latest recommended updates and patches
. Virus detection and checkup
. Backup and data integrity checkup
. Internet access and security checkup
. Assisting staffs with their questions and problems
. Providing application and system training and support
. Hardware and software installation
. Consulting (informing you about the appropriate technologies)

Why get SYS-CARE?

Business executives are concerned about safety and protection of their data, up time of their systems, productivity of their staffs and affordable I.T. expense. Here are the benefits of SYS-CARE:

. Month by Month contract
. Lets you concentrate on your business
. Saves money and aggravation
. Reduces or eliminates system downtime and maximizes productivity
. Prolongs the life of your system
. Increases your system’s performance level
. Scalable to fit your needs
. Includes phone & remote support
. Monthly payment
. No travelling charges

Why CEO?

For over 23 years, our clients have trusted us to provide them with affordable solutions that are designed to boost their revenues, lower costs of ownership (TCO) and increase productivity. Our mission is to bring you peace of mind, support your system and assist your staffs, so you can concentrate on your business.
You can cancel the agreements at anytime. We will provide you with references. Our clients rate SYS-CARE invaluable year after year.
Having a stable operation produces a competitive edge.

The term Managed Services is very common now days. But is it a right solution for you? Experts say that while the practice of turning to a third party to manage some or all of your networking functions is growing, doing so does not always deliver the deep cost savings generally promised. Instead, they say, successful use of managed network services tends to be limited to a few primary situations:
1) When a business needs entirely new capabilities for which it has no infrastructure in place. The main motivation here is that the organization would not have to fork over the time and resources to build it. Another reason might be that the capabilities desired are available only in the form of a third-party service.
2) When an organization suddenly must scale its IT environment dramatically and lacks the in-house resources to do so.
3) When an organization can turn over a function to a third party and actually eliminate the people on staff who were handling it. Often, however, those internal staffers are also working on other projects and are thus retained, which takes a bite out of the hard return on investment ROI that some companies expect.
So if the objective is to save money, that does not necessarily happen. The reality is that you save money when you outsource what you can not do well yourself. And if you are not going to completely outsource your entire network, there are not massive cost savings.
A recently conducted online survey by IDC found that 58 percents of respondents agreed with this statement: Managed services provide the ability to maintain or enhance existing or new networking and IT capabilities with a reduced total cost of ownership.
A third of the 400 plus online survey respondent bases, queried in July 2009, said they were using managed services for half or more of their IT networking services. And 38 percents intended to increase their use of managed services in the future.
What I found interesting was that while a majority of respondents agreed that using managed network services would save money, most also said they were not going to do it, says Steve Taylor, president of Webtorials and the primary author of the company’s study, Managed Services in the 2009 Economy.
That tells me that in-house vs. outsourced trends have more to do with social phenomena, business climate, resistance to change and job preservation than the promise of cost savings, he says.
As the industry moves toward more cloud computing, I think you will see managed services become more attractive because more of a given service will be residing naturally out in the cloud anyway.
When mulling the outsource or not, ask yourself two questions,

Do I have the expertise to manage [one or more functions] in-house?
Am I better able to manage contracts or technology?

If you answer yes to the first question and if your company is very efficient, is it worth paying an additional 3 to 4 percents to turn the tasks over to someone else?
On the other hand, if the company is more adept at managing contracts and relationships than technology, outsourcing might be a better way to go.
Outsourcing anything so strategic that any inflexibility [introduced by a third party] will come back to haunt you.