To Switch, or not to Switch? Not a question.

March 28, 2013 By admin
Earlier this year we posted a blog that previewed the new Windows 8.  Now that the new operating system has officially been released, businesses may be thinking about whether or not to make the switch, and we’re going to tell you a few reasons why you should, and how it can benefit your company.
Business is Mobile
The way companies do business is changing, and if your business wants to be ahead of the curve (or at least keep up) you need the best technology to adapt to these changes. So what does Windows 8 offer for mobile businesses?
  • DirectAccess allows remote users to connect to their corporate network without launching a separate connection
  • Windows To Go allows Windows 8 enterprise to run from a USB flash drive or external hard disk drive to replicate the corporate desktop

Better Virus Protection & Security
Most businesses rely heavily on technology which creates the need to prioritize security. Here are a few ways that Windows 8 helps do just that.
  • Stronger and better anti-malware package
  • BitLocker Drive Encryption helps safeguard data theft
  • AppLocker allows IT admins to control the apps that users can run

 

Enhanced Functioning
Technological improvements mean enhanced functioning. Enhanced functioning means happy employees. Happy employees mean better business. What do we mean exactly?
  • Faster boot up-time
  • Interface for the traditional desktop and touch screens
  • File History feature saves a timeline of all file making backing up an automated process
  • Refresh feature restores OS to factory settings while maintaining settings, document libraries, and any customizations

 

If you want more information on making the switch, click here.
Filed Under: Microsoft, Windows 8 Tagged With: , , ,

Break the boundaries of work and play with Dell’s new line of products

January 16, 2013 By admin

With the launch of Windows 8, Dell rolled out a new line of devices to maximize and complement the new operating system. We already have a few of these products in house and were able to see the full suite last month at Dell World. Not sure which one is right for your business? Let’s start with one of the more eye-catching releases, the XPS 12 Convertible Touch Screen Ultrabook.

Dell XPS for Business – The Best of Both Worlds

Since we are living in a connected world with so many personal devices, it’s no wonder that companies like Dell and Microsoft are creating new multipurpose technology for the market. Not only do people have desktops and laptops, but we also have smart phones and tablets too. Whether you use your technology for business or the home, it is simply too many devices to carry around. As a solution to this, Dell has introduced its newest line of tablets and convertibles. The featured XPS 12 convertible touch screen Ultrabook functions as both a laptop and tablet. The XPS 12 is great for business professionals who are looking for a convertible with superior performance and productivity without compromising design. CRN even named it as one of the top “Coolest Laptops of 2012”.

Why the XPS 12 for Business?

  • Convertible and multi-touch
  • 12.5 inch display for easy viewing
  • USB 3.0 ports
  • 170 degree viewing angle for showing presentations
  • Fast boot up time
  • Supports Adobe Flash
  • Good for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) organizations
  • Uses the new Windows 8 software optimized for businesses
  • Webcam and microphone for video conferencing software
  • Intel Smart Connect Technology automatically updates email, contacts, and apps
  • Full-size backlit keyboard
  • Long lasting battery life

It’s almost as if you’re getting a two for one deal! You can use the notebook mode for typing documents and answering emails; then quickly switch to the tablet mode to browse your favorite blogs or watch videos. Interested in learning more? Watch this video to see the Ultrabook at work.

 

Filed Under: Dell Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Success means being different from the rest of the pack

May 15, 2012 By admin

A while back we saw a great article about how service providers must play the game: “Differentiate or Die.” It really got us thinking. It’s our job as the marketing “gurus” to make sure the Enterhost message is told in a tangible and unique way so our current and potential clients really grasp who we are and what we do. We are not in a well-known industry such as law or medicine where when people ask us what we do we have a user-friendly response. We’ve learned that our elevator speeches can require at least 50+ floors of ride time before they get what we do. It makes it really difficult when you have to not only explain the industry, but what separates you from the pack.

We hear these from our current and potential clients daily. “I want this device to talk to this and that to connect to that. I want it to work everywhere. And I want it cheap.”  Businesses constantly approach us wanting to use the cloud, whose surrounding hype has positioned it as a quick, easy, cure-all solution that allows you to access your data from any device.  However, the cloud is not a silver bullet for every business’ IT woes.  Any IT solution needs to be customized for your specific business needs and properly implemented by an industry expert.

The most difficult barrier we face is convincing people what separates one hosting company from another or what the cloud really means because it has been blurred by the media. There is also the stipulation of “outsourcing” anything. It’s become a common and often negative word. But once we get passed all that and we are left with the question, “Why Enterhost?” we find that we have a lot to say. Here are just a few.

  1. Top-notch team. We don’t just hire any ole tech, we hire support staff with 4-year college degrees and extensive certifications. We hire sales professionals to handle sales, marketing professionals to handle marketing and seasoned accounting professionals to handle our finances. We don’t do what a lot of hosting companies do which is slotting IT people into various positions around the company. A physician’s office wouldn’t hire a doctor to handle their marketing.
  2. Extensive capabilities all under one roof. We have our own 20,000 square foot data center to handle all of your hosting needs.
  3. We don’t look at ourselves like “outsourced IT.” We immerse ourselves into your business so much that we become an extension of your team.
  4. Exceptional, professional customer service. Our attention to detail really sets us apart from our competition. We know this because we hear positive feedback constantly from our clients.
  5. Constant communication with our clients and always striving to bring them the latest and greatest technological advancements. Enterhost is breaking barriers with Microsoft Lync in addition to finding new ways to communicate with clients and potential customers. Fortunately, we got a head start by hiring a full-time marketing staff, but we continue to be active through blogging, social media, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Ultimately, we understand how critical our client’s operations are, no matter how many employees they have. This respect for their business operations in addition to our attention to detail is what sets Enterhost apart and keeps our clients happy. And we know that in an industry where you have to “Differentiate or Die,” we aren’t going anywhere.

Filed Under: Cloud, Datacenter, Development, Microsoft Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The cloud is your secret weapon for differentiation

April 26, 2012 By admin

What if I told you that a company’s capabilities are no longer defined by its size, rather its ability to strategically and effectively utilize resources that are readily available? Today, small and medium sized businesses can leverage technology to compete against larger companies. Previously the best IT solutions were exclusive to larger enterprises because the barrier to entry was so high. Now there are many available and affordable options that when utilized properly can become a secret weapon.

Technology is now both accessible and affordable to smaller companies. A startup can utilize the same exact tools as a Fortune 500. Unlike a larger enterprise, SMBs are more nimble when it comes to adopting new technology. There are no large upfront investments, they can be up and running quickly and they can adapt quickly to market changes. From this perspective, technology is not only an equalizer, but a differentiator.

Microsoft conducted a study with Edge Strategies and wrote an article about the cloud as a differentiator for small and medium sized businesses. We found the study interesting because it reiterates what we’ve been trying to communicate to our customers.

“Although many SMBs are interested in the benefits that the cloud can deliver, many are unable to identify which services would be most valuable for them to implement and select a service provider. More than 60 percent of SMBs indicate they do not have the resources necessary to implement new technologies and services, and 52 percent do not have the resources to get their employees trained. For the large ecosystem of cloud service providers, this represents significant opportunity to bridge the knowledge and implementation gap and gain new customers — 56 percent of SMBs report a preference toward buying IT and cloud services from a single source.”

While SMBs are experienced and knowledgeable in their own industries, they don’t have the expertise, resources or time to keep up with all things IT. But they know they need it to survive. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the SMBs and this high level technology by giving them the tools they need to compete.

SMBs can leverage cloud technology to compete with larger entities. The cloud caters to smaller businesses by delivering cheaper, faster operations to virtually any device. So I can’t reiterate enough that just because you’re small doesn’t mean you’re limited to your size. This is the chance to get ahead of the bigger guys while they are still thinking about making the move to the cloud.

Filed Under: Cloud Tagged With: , , ,