Technology Planning for Charities and Non-Profits
Technology planning is an important part of running business or non-profit or charity. In this Episode Jeff and Rob discuss the importance of a long term view of the organizations use of technology in the context of best practices, which do not necessarily cost much more.
A technology plan makes sure the whole organization has covered their network security, privacy obligations, as well as their Business continuity. Backups done on a regular basis, with appropriate security measures in place alleviate the problems of disk failure, or loss of key documents and files due to corruption or viruses.
Charities in Canada and the US have reporting obligations on their financial status to their donors and regulators just as much as business has an obligation to shareholders, securities regulators and stock exchanges. Listen as Jeff gives ideas to protect and prevent through the use of good technology planning.
Episode 19- Technology Planning for Charities and Non-Profits
Charities and Non-Profits Can Maximize Technology
Meeting the technology needs of Charity & Non-profits is of particular interest to the 2 Big Telecom Guys. As both of us have been on boards of charities we see the bigger picture both of the organization and their funders. In this episode we talk about the skillsets that can be assisted by outside help in the planning and implementation of their operations from a technology standpoint.
We discuss the gifts of old equipment and the need for a plan as a way of maximizing their resources and the need to know how to be able to participate in vendor programs that will gift new software and hardware to charities.
Episode 18- Charities and Non-Profits Can Maximize Technology
Getting To Know Like and Trust
Rob Metras
Episode 17 is a solo episode with Rob Metras describing the process he got to know,like and trust Jeff Brodie, his partner in the 2Big Telecom Guys Podcasts. As a listener we wanted to give you a little background on your two hosts and the process Rob as business customer went through in order to find a reliable and trustworthy integrated telephone and computer supplier after dealing with the salesforce of a major telephone company.
Jeff Brodie
I hope that the 2 Big Telecom Guys Podcast will continue to be useful to you the listener as we are cutting down the length of our episodes at your suggestions. Thank you for your comments and keep them coming.
We appreciate your support and hope you will also get to know ,like and trust us as you get the picture on how the 2 Big Telecom Guys got together to do this podcast for you.
Bandwidth Explained
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In Episode 16 Rob and Jeff discuss bandwidth and what it means for you. Various definitions are supplied and then we have a discussion about the various ways you can connect to the Web. Jeff describes the evolution from dialup at 300baud to ISDN ,to ADSL, up to cable and wireless internet and T1 services. While the description of carriers is concentrated on the Greater Toronto area you should find the technical explanations applicable across the globe.
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Mobility- Anywhere and Everywhere
Episode15 is all about Mobility and what products are out there in the marketplace to let you run your business or practice from wherever you are, given cell access and wi-fi locations. That can include right in an office with your smartphone as your desktop set. The phone can have all the bells and whistles that a clunky desktop phone has but even more on the smartphone device, and that device can leave with you and go where you go seamlessly.
We talk about IP-PBX systems, Androids,Iphones,Ipads,Blackberry's and other smartphones. We learn the functionality of a virtual system such as AltiGen's Max Mobile Server CS. We will discus the applicability of Wi-FI and WAP in the mix and discuss Wi-LAN.
Given the decreasing costs of smartphones the handset price gives great value in that it can be a two way device eliminating the need for desktop handsets. Most of the smartphones allow you to use Line of Business Apps on them and with location tools built in can map routes, monitor deliveries,highlight traffic problems to enable your business to avoid wasted time and deliver higher levels of service.
The AltiGen max-Mobile App is available for the Android,Iphone and Blackberry smartphones now and c improves productivity through mobility. Listen in while Rob and Jeff talk aout the use and integration tools that allows a small business such as a real estate broker or small call center have the same functionality as a Fortune 500 company.
Virtualization- What's In It For You
Virtualization is the topic for Episode 14. Rob and Jeff discuss the best integration strategies and tactics to make your business or office run faster, simpler, and with less hassle. Learn how you can have a Virtual-CIO (Chief Information Officer) at hand but not on your premises. We discuss Software as a Service (SaaS), Hardware as a Service (HaaS) and the concept of data protection on-site and off-site, using both physical devices and the Cloud.
Virtualization can make your business have similar tools,capacity and scalability that a Fortune 500 company has without the ongoing expense of direct labour. See how you can make hardware do more with less and gain all the improvements of new software with Software as a Service.
Jeff's firm Codefusion Communications Inc. is a Toronto based Microsoft Gold Certified Partner as well as a Microsoft Small Business Specialist. Codefusion is also an AltiGen Platinum Technology Partner with AltiGen, the leader in IP-based telephony. Listen in as they discuss this new computing idea to do more with less. Jeff also blogs about technology on the Codefusion website.
Cloud Computing- Whats Up There ?
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Episode 13 covers the relatively new area ,to small and medium size businesses, of Cloud Computing. We provide some definitions,uses for it and considerations for implementation. SaaS (Software as a Service is one of the uses for the Cloud as well as for scalable storage. This podcast itself is stored in the Cloud on Amazon's S3 Servers to enhance availabilty ,scalability and take the load off our regular server.
Jeff's firm Codefusion Communication Inc. is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner as well as a Microsoft Small Business Specialist and Rob is a long time Windows user who also has a Mac. Listen in as they discuss this new storage and remote computing method.
Windows 7- Should I Upgrade ?
In Episode 12 Rob and Jeff answer the question- Windows 7- Should I Upgrade ? Windows 7 is the latest incarnation of Windows, the Microsoft© Operating System for personal computers.
Upgrading to Windows 7 can be done on most older Pentiums and new Dual Core Intel and AMD processors alike. The benefits of Windows 7 include a new user-friendly GUI interface and less problems with integration than the Windows Vista edition. Primarily this is due to the extensive field testing and integration with a wide variety of other drivers, coupled with the distribution of the beta Release candidate.
Jeff's firm Codefusion Communication Inc. is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner as well as a Microsoft Small Business Specialist and Rob is a long time Windows user who also has a Mac. Listen in as they discuss this new software.
Backups and Security -Preserve and Protect
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In Episode 11 we discuss the importance of having good backup and security systems. We discover what is available now in backups besides the old tape backup systems. Jeff explains virtualization, real-time backup, and secure offsite backup and we discuss the ways you can implement this technology today before the inevitable crash and burn happens. Learn how computer and network support prevent and protect you from peering eyes,spoof attacks,and viruses.
Having good security of your network involves a number of items. Perimeter security,physical security,virus protection,intruder protection are a few of the topics Rob and Jeff discuss as well as the concept of network auditing and insurance.
Episode 11- Backups and Security
If you want to discover if your operation is protected Codefusion Communications would be glad to offer you a Free 27-Point Network Audit. Call us at 1-877-335-9390 to schedule.
Save More Money on Telecom Costs
In Episode 10 Jeff and Rob will discuss further options to finding savings in your telecom costs. Using a variety of tools that are readily available you can lower your costs and still get dependable reliable service. If you are a operating branch offices or have multiple locations where your employees and partners work from this will help you . You can integrate your telecom directly into your line of business computer applications and make your customers happier and your team more efficient.
An example of this kind of integration can be seen at CTFusionInfo where dialers, screen pop-ups can easily integrate your VOIP phone system with corporate databases,Salesforce.com, NetSuite, and other CRM applications.
Episode 10- Save Telecom Dollars
