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Mobile device security and virtualization

Securing mobile devices is incredibly difficult. They often have privileged access to sensitive data that they connect to via unprotected network connections. Virtualization vendors are finding ways to include solutions to these problems in their products and they’re perfect for small businesses.

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25 Oct, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Uncategorized category
Mobile device security and virtualization

Securing mobile devices is incredibly difficult. They often have privileged access to sensitive data that they connect to via unprotected network connections. Virtualization vendors are finding ways to include solutions to these problems in their products and they’re perfect for small businesses.

Mobile device management and virtualization

Simply put, mobile device management (MDM) is about controlling how users on any device -- from laptops to internet-connected printers -- view, share, and store sensitive information.

For example, if you have a user who accesses data via a company-provided laptop, an office copier and a personal smartphone, IT administrators can install an application on each device that enforces policies created from a centralized console.

There are dozens of standalone MDM solutions that consolidate device administration, but by using one that integrates with your virtualization platform, you can standardize policies for any industry across a range of company-owned, line-of-business, and personal devices.

Users are constantly picking up and discarding devices. Solutions like VMware’s AirWatch and Citrix’s XenMobile mean you no longer need to manage security settings for each device; instead, you can configure one virtualized environment for one employee, and its settings will be applied regardless of which device it’s accessed from.

What are the benefits?

Beyond a centralized approach to device management and data access rights, virtualized MDM solutions allow you to enjoy a number of other benefits. For example, IT administrators can remotely lock or erase data on employee devices if the device has been lost or stolen.

You can also benefit from Single Sign-On security. This means your users need only one set of login credentials to access all their applications. Technically, each application will still use a different username and password, but your virtualized solution will securely store each of the credentials and automatically log in users whenever they sign in to your MDM platform.

Hardware and software are evolving so fast that it’s almost impossible to secure them without extensive IT training. With a little help from trained professionals, virtualization is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways for business owners to simplify user settings and management.

It only makes sense that the next step would be unifying virtualized desktops, laptops, smartphones and other mobile devices under a single solution. Call us today to get started.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Microsoft’s plans for Skype for Business

Office 365 users received big news about what’s happening to its VoIP platform during the 2017 Ignite conference. According to Microsoft, Skype for Business will eventually be replaced by Teams -- an all-in-one collaboration platform that rivals popular tools like Slack.

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24 Oct, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Office 365, VoIP category
Microsoft’s plans for Skype for Business

Office 365 users received big news about what’s happening to its VoIP platform during the 2017 Ignite conference. According to Microsoft, Skype for Business will eventually be replaced by Teams -- an all-in-one collaboration platform that rivals popular tools like Slack. If you’re currently using Skype for Business, here’s what you need to know.

Upgrades for Teams
To phase out Skype for Business, Teams will gradually acquire communications features such as the ability to call traditional landlines and phone numbers, call routing, speech-to-text, voicemail, and HD video conferencing.

On the back-end, Microsoft will beef up their servers and smooth out some glitches to ensure crisp and clear communications between team members.

Why is this happening?
Over the years, Microsoft has improved the Skype infrastructure to enable faster, clearer, and more reliable voice and video communications. But as executives noted, Microsoft applications are disjointed, requiring users to switch between windows to use their favorite collaboration tools. To schedule events during a video conference, for instance, you need to open the Group Calendar and Skype for Business app separately.

With Teams, users can enjoy Skype for Business features that are seamlessly integrated with other Office 365 applications like SharePoint, Outlook, Groups, and Dynamics 365, all in one window.

What about on-premises Skype for Business?
While Skype for Business in Office 365 will eventually be replaced, on-premises versions of the VoIP software will still be available for the foreseeable future. In fact, Microsoft stated that they will release another version of the Skype for Business on-premises server in the second half of 2018.

Can you still use your VoIP devices?
To make the transition process much easier for users, Microsoft Teams is compatible with the same VoIP devices used by Skype, including webcams, microphones, and desktop handsets. What’s more, Microsoft announced that communications devices made by third-party manufacturers like Lenovo and Logitech work with their new platform.

How do you migrate?
The Office 365 administrator portal allows you to easily manage the migration process. If you want your employees to get acquainted with Microsoft Teams first, there is a “side by side with notify” option. This feature allows you to run both Skype for Business and Teams to train employees how to use Teams features, and alert them when telephony features are available in Teams.

Before the cutover date, users also have the option to import all contacts from their Skype directory to their Teams list, so they can quickly move to the new platform with a click of a button.

The takeaway here is you really shouldn’t be too concerned about the shift to Microsoft Teams. All the Skype features you know and love will still exist, but improved with tighter integrations with other Office 365 products. The migration process is also painless, so if you use Office 365, do your employees a favor and have them get used to Teams today.

For more information on Microsoft Teams or other VoIP-related trends and services, call us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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New version of Microsoft Office announced

Do you use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Excel on a daily basis? You’re not alone. The Office suite has more than one billion users, and with a new version coming out next year that number could go up. Whether your organization currently uses Office or not, you need to be prepared for the next version.

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23 Oct, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Microsoft Office, Office, Office 365 category
New version of Microsoft Office announced

Do you use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Excel on a daily basis? You’re not alone. The Office suite has more than one billion users, and with a new version coming out next year that number could go up. Whether your organization currently uses Office or not, you need to be prepared for the next version.

Microsoft Office 2019: release and features

For the past ten years, Microsoft has updated its suite of productivity software every three years. The current version is Office 2016, and in sticking with the schedule Office 2019 will be available for purchase at the end of next year. However, previews of the next version will become available several months before the final release.

According to Microsoft, the newest version of Office will include:

  • The usual Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
  • Office server programs (Exchange, SharePoint and Skype for Business)
  • Security and IT management enhancements
  • Improved “inking” features for touchscreen usability
  • Streamlined data analysis features in Excel
  • New PowerPoint presentation features like Morph and Zoom

Office 2019 vs. Office 365

The biggest difference between Office 2019 and Office 365 will be price. For the former, users pay a one-time fee to acquire a software license. Once users have a license, they own that version of Office forever (although Microsoft will stop providing support 10 years after the product is released).

With Office 365, users pay a monthly subscription fee and can use applications as long as they don’t fall behind on the bill. Programs included in the Office suite can be accessed online or installed locally (as long as you connect to the internet at least once per month).

Thanks to cloud technology, Office 365 can be updated much more easily than other versions of Office. O365 users will probably have access to Office 2019 features around the same time as its release, possibly sooner.

The only drawback of Office 365 is its IT management requirements. Unlike its licensed counterparts, O365 requires one or more servers to be set up, domains to be maintained, and files to be migrated to the cloud.

Much like an O365 subscription, our managed IT services are charged based on a flat monthly rate. We can help your small- or medium-sized business enjoy all the benefits of the cloud. Just give us a call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Microsoft 365 for Education launch

What should school teachers, students, and business people be excited about by the latest Microsoft conference? A rough answer would be something that includes Minecraft, new software bundles, and cut-rate Windows devices. For a detailed answer, read on.

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20 Oct, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Windows category
Microsoft 365 for Education launch

What should school teachers, students, and business people be excited about by the latest Microsoft conference? A rough answer would be something that includes Minecraft, new software bundles, and cut-rate Windows devices. For a detailed answer, read on.

Good news for schools and educators

Microsoft recently rolled out Microsoft 365 for Education, which combines Office 365 for Education, Windows 10, Enterprise Mobility and Security, and even Minecraft: Education Edition -- a game that teaches kids how to code. This new bundle will provide more advanced tools for learning, increase classroom communication capabilities, and improve security.

Note that Office 365 for Education is already free and this will not change. However, the new Microsoft 365 for Education is equipped with more educational apps such as 3D and data virtualization tools, plus Microsoft Teams. While this makes it more tempting to use, all the goodies come with a cost — a per-user, per-month subscription.

In terms of hardware, Microsoft’s Windows 10 S laptops, which are already aimed at school users, will come with free Minecraft Education, Office 365 for Education, and Microsoft Teams -- all for a price starting as low as $189.

What’s new for business people

Microsoft is targeting “firstline workers” such as clerks and sales reps with a new enterprise plan called “Microsoft 365 F1.” This software bundle combines Office 365, Windows 10, Enterprise Mobility and Security, and Microsoft Staffhub to enhance employee productivity.

The company also partners with hardware providers and has come up with Windows 10 S laptops for businesses. These ultra-slim laptops have enhanced security since they only run apps from the Window Store. But the glamor of it all is their wallet-friendly pricing.

HP Stream 14 Pro, Acer Aspire 1, Acer Swift 1, and Lenovo V330 ranges from $275 to $349. The first model is available now, while the rest will be released later this year and in February for Lenovo.

Goodbye Skype for Business

Microsoft officially announced that it will phase out Skype for Business and focus instead on developing “Microsoft Teams,” a communication tool the company launched earlier to compete with Slack.

This is not as dreadful as it may sound, since Skype and Teams share similar architecture, meaning we’ll probably get a better collaboration tool that still retains some of the Skype features we know and love.

New software and gadgets are exciting, yet in reality, not everyone can rush out to buy a new product every time it comes out. A more practical way would be to make use of what you already have. And you can do so with the help of our IT staff; they’ll be more than happy to help you maximize the performance of your current Microsoft software and hardware, or deploy new solutions if you wish. Call us today!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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