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 Springtime
is the time for "spring cleaning" and the start of
getting prepared for smooth sailing ahead. With this
theme in mind, we need to apply the same concept to our
business systems and technologies on which they run. As
you read this today, think "spring cleaning."
Additionally, have a focus on your level of preparedness
in terms of your business so you can have "smooth
sailing ahead."
Thank you and have a good day!
Tom |
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 In Summary
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Many of your systems
now support the concept of Enhanced Formatting.
Currently, a report may look like:
Directly from the system, with Enhanced
Reporting in place, that same report can look
like:
If you want to learn more about enhanced
formatting for your reports, please let us know.
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 Spam
and virus activity from email has increased
immensely over the last three months. Using
the POSTINI service can help you manage this beast.
You can learn more about POSTINI from a
previous posted
Copeland Data News Article.
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Some of our users are
still using SCO UNIX Open Server 5 as their
operating system platform. As SCO Unix has spent
more time in court than they have working on their
products, the Open Server 5 product is at the end
of its life cycle. The cost to upgrade to the
latest Open Server products is prohibitive compared
to the value.
All new and upgraded business systems from CDS
today are running Red Hat Linux (www.redhat.com).
While Red Hat Linux looks the same as SCO Unix to
the users, the operating system is extremely popular
on business servers as it gives its underlying
applications the resources it needs to perform its
duties. The cost of the license for Red Hat
Linux is inexpensive compared to Open Server or even
Windows Server 2003.
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 'Tis
the season when electrical storms increase in
intensity throughout many regions of the country.
Universal Power Supply (UPS) devices have been
installed with many of your servers for protection
against power spikes and outages. However, UPS
batteries do not last forever, and most are only
rated for three years. They should
be tested from time-to-time to make sure they will
perform when you need them to.Consider testing
all of your UPS devices and simulate a POWER
OUTAGE by unplugging the UPS from the power
socket on the wall. Do this at a convenient time
(early morning, late day, or weekend off-hours), as
there is no guarantee that your servers will stay
running. If your UPS devices do not work as
expected, replace them. Do not wait!
Test your UPS devices as soon as possible.
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While many of the
bumps and bruises are gone from implementing
Internet Explorer 7.0, we still find oddities
from time to time. Do not hesitate about using
Firefox as a part-time alternative. It is a
free download from
www.firefox.com.
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Is Microsoft
Windows Vista in your future? While Vista has
been available for a few months now, most businesses
are taking a very reserved approach to implementing
Vista into their environments. Microsoft Vista is
currently more expensive than Windows XP to purchase
or upgrade. The
larger issue turns out to be the onslaught of
support issues when implementing it.
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We cannot
guarantee that applications currently
working under Windows XP or Windows 2000
will work under Windows Vista. |
Investing in Windows Vista may require additional
investment in application software or even hardware.
Device vendors like HP have little incentive to
create new Windows Vista drivers for a device that
may have cost $100 when you purchased it.
Ultimately, we know that Windows Vista will be
a great platform. However, the product does not
come without its hidden and not-so-hidden costs. In
the business environment, we are recommending that
(in most cases) Windows XP is the smarter choice at
the moment. For home use, Windows Vista may be worth a look.
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 Trend
Micro is our preferred product in terms of
dealing with Virus activity on Windows Servers and
Desktops. Old-time favorites like Norton
Anti-Virus have fallen out of favor for many
businesses, as it is slow and cumbersome to maintain. On the home front, AVG Free (free.grisoft.com)
works extremely well and has replaced many
installations of Norton and MacAfee.
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Help yourself manage
your IT projects by downloading
CDS Desktop. You can also use
CDS Online to logon to your account online
without installing the CDS Desktop software. If you
need a username and password, simply drop us a note
at
cdsonline@copelanddata.com.
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Exchange Server 2007 is available. While we are excited
about its new features, it only runs on a 64-bit CPU with
Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Edition. The higher-end hardware
and operating system requirements mean that many of us may
have to delay the upgrade to Exchange Server 2007 because of
the investment required to run the product.
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Company Spotlight:
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Safetec of America, located on
Kensington Avenue in
Buffalo, NY, develops and manufactures
products for solidification, disinfection,
first aid and protection against potentially
infectious hazards in the work place. These
products help employers meet their own
environmental and occupational safety needs,
resulting in a safe and economical system
for complete infection control.
Their products are sold both nationally
and internationally to employers with
infection control concerns about hand
washing, surface disinfection, spill
control, body fluid clean-up and first aid.
As market innovators, Safetec offers a
diverse product line, numerous packaging
options, and private label capabilities --
all of which have allowed Safetec to succeed
in a wide variety of markets. These include:
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 Hospitals,
clinics, and physician offices
- Industrial facilities and plants
- EMS, fire departments and other
first responders
- Public safety and police departments
- Correctional institutions
- Transportation - buses, limos,
taxis, and airlines
- Schools, universities and day care
facilities
- Laboratories
- Nursing homes and assisted living
environments
- Home care providers
- Dental offices
- Hotels, resorts and theme parks
- Entertainment and sports complexes
- Veterinary clinics
- Beauty and tanning salons
- Restaurants and stores
Copeland Data Systems has been Safetec’s
software provider and IT support team since
1998. You can learn more about Safetec of
America and its products by visiting
www.safetec.com. |
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Copyright © 2007
Copeland Data Systems, Inc.
550 Fillmore Ave - Tonawanda, NY 14150 - (716) 692-7773 |
