IT4Business: Protecting your server environment
August 3, 2011Your server runs your business. It stores your data, it runs your email system and it keeps your business moving in the digital age. But when was the last time you considered the suitability of the environment in which your server operates? Servers require a secure, cool and dry location to ensure that they keep running without developing hardware problems but many people are neglecting at least one of these factors.
Our enterprise clients operate comms rooms with air conditioning and whilst this is the ideal setup it is often beyond the reach of smaller businesses. However, providing good airflow needn’t be expensive and in many cases it can simply be a case of rearranging the position of equipment.
Equally servers must be protected from water damage and high levels of moisture. Damp walls, leaking windows and even spilt tea can all pose problems for IT equipment so it’s worth positioning your server where these problems are unlikely to occur. Accidentally pouring tea on a PC would be a pain, pouring it your server would be catastrophic!
Lastly, your server must be secured against accidental and malicious damage and theft. If you have a dedicated room, ensure that it is locked. If you don’t have a dedicated comms room then perhaps it’s time to invest in a secure server safe or cage? It’ll pay for itself many times over if the worst does occur and you suffer a break in.
Weekly Roundup 22nd July 2011 – Mac OSX 10.7 Lion
July 22, 2011
This week sees the release of Apple’s eighth major release of OSX for Macintosh computers – named Lion. Ostensibly the release looks similar to previous versions but includes a host of interface tweaks, usability improvements and updated or completely new applications.
The interface changes bring OSX more in to line with their mobile interfaces (IOS) and users of iPhone and iPad devices will no doubt find the changes to their liking (although some changes may take some getting used to if you’ve been a Mac user for some time).
Weekly Roundup 15th July 2011 – Windows 8
July 15, 2011
Windows 8 is on it’s way – or at least we’ve started getting some clearer information about what to expect and when. The release date for Windows 8 has always been predicted to be in 2012 and this week Steve Balmer confirmed that prediction (although he didn’t go as far as saying when exactly in 2012 it would be – we think probably the back end).
But what are we to expect from the successor to one of our favourite operating systems of all time?
Weekly Roundup 8th July 2011 – Hackers Abound
July 8, 2011
If there is one thing that has typified the last few weeks it has been hacking. With Anonymous and Lulzsec causing problems for big corporations and a phone hacking scandal taking down Britain’s biggest newspaper – maybe now is the time for every business owner to take a look at their own security.
When it comes down to it – security for SMEs is all about value for money. It’s about making life as hard as possible for any would be hacker without spending a fortune and it’s about keeping management and maintenance of that security simple and unconfused. The average SME does not have an MI5 security budget but let’s face it – they don’t need to have.
Power protecting your IT with Geek-Guru
July 7, 2011
So, Yesterdays power outage at a major data centre in London got us thinking. If one of the largest data centres in the UK can suffer a 100% power loss for several hours how would the average SME fair in a protracted power outage? Geek-Guru server solutions always come with some form of power protection to ensure that critical systems shut themselves down cleanly during a power outage. However, experience has shown that many SMEs dont have even basic power protection in place. Read on for the buzz on power protection. Continue reading →
Weekly Roundup 1st June 2011 – Release of Office 365
July 1, 2011
Whilst Google+ is grabbing all the headlines in the technology press, what news stories have been catching our eye this week? Without doubt is has to be the release to market of Office 365 and at the Geek-Guru offices we’re all fairly excited.
After a few failed starts (See BPOS) Microsoft has finally brought a decent cloud based productivity suite to market and this one is not only priced well but also offers some features that we feel will set it above competing offerings.
64bit – Why, when and how should you make the swap.
June 29, 2011
You’d have to have had your head in the sand for the last 5 years not to have heard the terms 32bit and 64bit but what do these terms actually mean for you as a business. The trend is towards all computers becoming 64bit over the next decade but the average PC user probably doesn’t even know whether their PC is 64bit or not.
Most people probably don’t remember the move to 32bit versions of Windows. Windows 95 was the first O/S to natively support 32bit applications but back then the switch just happened and everyone got on with it. The move to 64bit has recieved much greater fanfare and has been greeted with much greater confusion from consumers and businesses alike. This is not least in part to there being a choice to make when purchasing a PC. Windows 95 was 32bit, you purchased a PC with Windows 95 pre-loaded and you got a 32bit machine. No Choices and no confusion. With Windows Vista and now Windows 7 you get a choice each and every time you buy a PC – stick with 32bit or make the jump to 64bit. As this article will hopefully show, the choice is actually not that difficult (and probably for most users not that important either)
Find Reliable IT Services in Wolverhampton
June 21, 2011For a business to thrive in the present day, it is most likely that many aspects of information technology and communications will need to be properly addressed and a system implemented to ensure such elements are working to monitor and enhance your business. Of course, for many there are simply not enough hours in the day to apply and oversee these essential business tools, which is where Geek Guru comes in; we are on hand with a wealth of trusted IT services Wolverhampton.
Since 2006 we have been providing numerous services to businesses around the West Midlands and our company is constantly expanding due to the high demand for our vast range of IT services.
We understand that IT expertise may not be a part of everybody’s skill set, for this reason we are on hand to offer a wealth of advice as well as implementing simple to manage IT systems guaranteed to deliver genuine business advantages.
We take great pride in working closely with your business to ascertain a solution that works for all involved. The services we provide are completely tailored to your business needs and guarantee to provide you with IT solutions that really work.
We specialise in all manner of IT services including;
• Server Solutions
• Networking
• Remote Access Systems
• IT Communications
• IT Consultancy
• On-going Support
No matter what area of IT support you feel your business could benefit from, we assure that our qualified and experienced IT consultants will work with you to create a bespoke package guaranteed to aid proficiency and business development.
Take a moment to consider your business a whole; the chances are your office building receives building maintenance Birmingham and your staff undergoes thorough and regular training, when it comes to IT services this need for maintenance and development is no different. Allow our specialist team to implement and oversee your IT systems.
If you think your business could benefit from the expert IT services Wolverhampton available from our professional team here at Geek Guru, visit our website today for further information.
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Geek Guru. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Geek Guru, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Small Business Server – Why 2011 couldn’t come sooner
June 3, 2011
So it’s no secret – the various iterations of Small Business Server have all been fond favourites of the Geek-Guru team. The combination of great price point and good feature set have meant that SBS based servers sit well with clients looking to take their first steps towards a domain based infrastructure and equally well for SMEs looking for a keenly priced server to replace older or obsolete systems.
But what’s in SBS 2011 that’s got us so excited?
New laptop range from Toshiba
June 2, 2011
The new Toshiba R series has just been released and Geek-Guru are proud to be offering the Satelite Pro, Tecra and Portege and part of our business systems portfolio. The R series are thin, light and stylish and feature high end technologies such as 2nd generation Intel Core processors, USB3.0 ports, long life batteries and a range of high definition screens from 15.6″ down to 13.3″ ultra-portables. They are also significantly more durable than previous laptops featuring high strength composite casings and a superior tiled keyboard design.
All in all we feel the R series will be well received by our clients and are pleased to be offering them alongside our other business solutions.
