The end of 2011 is close at hand, and gets closer every minute.  PSS Enterprises wants to provide you with some last minute things to do for 2011 and help you prepare for 2012.  Here is a quick list that should be done before celebrating the New Year!

Review insurance policies. 

Often insurance policies are set up and then put to the side, forgotten, until something bad happens. Take some time to carefully review all your policies with your agent, so important questions that arise can be answered in plain English on the spot. Insurance isn’t the most exciting subject in the world, but making sure there is adequate coverage now could save a lot of money later. This is especially important if changes have taken place in your company during the past year that affects your liability. Be proactive, have a declarations page ready in a PDF and save it to the server, should any clients ask.

Review marketing campaigns.

The end of the year is a great time to take a look at which marketing efforts are driving business and which aren’t. Don’t hesitate to make changes if current efforts aren’t paying off. Keep in mind that a lot of ads will automatically renew, so there is an ad in your portfolio you don’t think is helping the business, you’ll want to make a change before committing to running it for another year.

Review all vendor contracts.

Take a close look at how much business is being done with each vendor. Are you getting the best rates based on how much work is being done together? Is the relationship mutually beneficial? If not, don’t be afraid to make a change. On the other hand, if you’re happy with your vendors, tell them! Let vendors know you want to create a great relationship with them. They’ll appreciate that you’re taking the time to make sure they’re happy in the relationship, too. Let them know you want to be their favorite customer.

Review all systems from top to bottom.

Carefully examine what’s working and what’s not. Decide where the problems are, and figure out what can be fixed. A system review can be an eye-opening experience –and users are surprised to find their work has fallen into habits that are hindering them from being more productive.  PSS Enterprises has a comprehensive system review process that documents current technology uses and suggests what changes are necessary to provide a successful 2012.

Overhaul the website. 

In the same way that retail stores move around their floor sets, make changes to the website to keep people coming back. Make sure all information is updated, and post any articles that have recently mentioned anything related to the industry.  Set all homepages to www.dentonit.com, so help is just a click away when deciding to have the website updated!

Consider technology upgrades.

If you need new computers or a new phone system to help things run more smoothly, the end of the year is a great time to make those upgrades. A new computer, phone system or other technology upgrade can make a huge difference in the daily lives of employees by enabling them to spend less time attending to such problems as computer crashes or attending to voicemails and focus more attention on the things that really matter.  PSS Enterprises offers training with all new technology upgrades!

Make 2012 a year to remember.  Last but not least, make an appointment with the solutions specialists at PSS Enterprises to schedule a time for a certified expert to look at technology systems, telephony systems, or create a support structure for users.  Just call 1-800-285-2448 or email us at mail@pssenterprises.com and we will contact you!

Looking for an affordable unified communications appliance that provides voice, data, voice-mail, Automated Attendant, video, security, and wireless capabilities while integrating with existing desktop applications such as calendar, email, and other third-party applications, look no further than the Cisco 520 system. This easy-to-manage platform can support up to 64 phones and voice mailboxes and provides flexible deployment options based on needs – a wide array of IP phones, public switched telephone network (PSTN) interfaces, and Internet connectivity.

Components of the Cisco Unified Communications 520 include:
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express for call processing of Cisco Unified IP Phones, providing a phone system rich in features
• Cisco Unity® Express for voice messaging and Automated Attendant, to help improve communication among employees and with customers
• An integrated 8-port Power over Ethernet (PoE) local-area network (LAN) switch
• Network security functions including Cisco IOS® Firewall, which protects the wide-area network (WAN) entry point into your network, and virtual private network (VPN), which gives up to 10 remote users highly secure access to your network
• Optional integrated wireless LAN (WLAN) capability on some models or external access points and Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Modules, to enable mobile networking, which can help increase employee flexibility and productivity
• Cisco Configuration Assistant so you can easily configure devices and technologies including unified communications (phones and software), switching, routing, security, and wireless
• Optional remote system-monitoring capabilities

As a key component of the Cisco Unified Communications 520, Cisco Unified IP Phones and communications devices are designed to take full advantage of converged voice and data networks. These devices offer the convenience and user friendliness found in business phones, and can help improve productivity by meeting the needs of different users throughout your organization.

We recommend the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series that offers the following:
• IP phones with LCD displays, including dynamic soft keys for call features and functions
• A range of wireless, conference, and desktop phones to choose from
• Support for Cisco and third-party XML and MIDlet applications

This system is more than just a phone system. A router, wireless access capabilities, and voice contained in one easy to manage box. Backed by CISCO, this is reliable technology that PSS Enterprises would like to tell you more about.

Call today for a free consultation regarding current phone systems, needs, and forecast growth. 1-800-285-2448 option 1, or email at mail@pssenterprises.com.

http://www.pssenterprises.com

http://www.dentonit.com

2010 is quickly closing and 2011 is upon us.  Prepare to have a spectactular 2011 by having resources in place for success!  Paying an overpriced IT guy to play games all day until something breaks?  Have an HR person doing nothing until open enrollment except spread holiday gossip?  Struggling to put the finishing touches of the budget for 2011, having too many variables or unknowns due to 2010′s roller-coaster?  PSS Enterprises prides themselves on exceeding their clients expectations.  We want to be a member of your team, working to grow and develop your business without draining all the resources. PSS Enterprises has several business to business solutions to assist small and medium sized business owners in these tough times. Technology, Human Resources, Accounting, SEO, Websites, and more.  How can we help you today?

Denton IT is PSS Enterprises’ Technology Department.  Denton IT offers a range of services from outsourcing technical support to on-site resolutions.  Upgrades, Server maintenance, PBX, Unified Communications, IP Telephony, VoIP, Cabling, Security, and much more. Call for your free technology/productivity assessment. 1-800-285-2448

PNK Box- Denton IT is the proud creator of the PNK Box, the Ultimate Threat Management Gateway. This product will protect one of the most costly assets of any business, the technology at the internet gateway level.  Fend off vicious spyware, malware, viruses, SPAM, and everything else that is trying to take your company down.  Control employee productivity and protect your company from lawsuits by blocking inappropriate websites.  Interested? Go to http://www.DentonIT.com and click to talk to an online tech right now!

PSS Enterprises offers great outsourcing for Human Resources, OSHA compliance, A/R Management and Property Management.  Instead of paying full price for employee overhead, see what outsourcing can save you. Mention “PowerPaks” for our discount services. Call 1-800-285-2448 today and let a solutions specialist walk you through the money saving process.

At PSS Enterprises, we know what matters to business owners.  Our approach to handling client needs goes beyond what is in “scope”.  We truly offer customized solutions to every client.  We know what matters to business owners because they tell us.  As a trusted team member we serve as an extension of our clients business.

Information Technology

PSS Enterprises offers pro-active solutions through their technology department, Denton IT.  Our clients are assigned a Solutions Specialist who goes on-site to our clients location.  Upon our initial meeting, our Solutions Specialist will provide a FREE technology assessment.  Aside from resolving any immediate technology need, our Solutions Specialist wants to know how the client intends on growing and increasing their business.  It is key to how we provide customized solutions to our clients  to achieve their goals.   From creating an IT budget, staffing, remote support, network administration, to relocation services, project management, and forecasting, our Solution Specialist is there to make sure all needs are met and expectations are exceeded.

Consulting

Many business reach an important fork in the road to growth several times.  Determining what path to take can be daunting and confusing.  PSS Enterprises offers consulting services to help businesses make the right decisions.  Market analysis, production efficiency, design, marketing, OHSA compliance, and successful execution of projects are just a few of the ways that PSS Enterprises assists in the development of our clients business.

Outsourcing

PSS Enterprises realizes that growth can be expensive.  The old adage “It takes money to make money” most certainly applies in this facet.   Your business might need a Human Resources person now that you have more that just a few employees.  Perhaps you need to cut costs and eliminate some full time positions, but the work still needs to be done in absence.   Whatever the case might be, PSS Enterprises can assist with the temporary placement of employees, or filling a department need remotely.

Ease of Use

Why do business with PSS Enterprises?  Ease of Use.  Here are just a few of the reasons our clients stay with us and refer us to their associates.

• PSS Enterprises exclusively offers Power Paks, a preset prices based on services rendered in a preset time block.  This allows our clients to budget their expenses, forecast usage, and increase productivity while maintaining control.  Our terms are simple and so are our service rates.
• Remote support: Get the help you need when you need it.  Click HERE to gain access to our technology website, Denton IT.  Remote support from a certified technician is only a click away.
• 1-800-285-2448 will connect you to a Solutions Specialist right away.

Call, email us at mail@pssenterprises, or click to get started.  We are ready to start developing our relationship with you right away.

Securing your business might not be as simple as returning an errant set of keys to your forgetful employee. It definitely starts with locking down all possible entry points; physical and virtual. You need to install security devices and software at every point on your network by which someone from the outside could gain access to your company data. For most businesses, the first place to start is email security.

Results from the recently released Cisco 2010 Midyear Security Report indicate the need for increasing vigilance in battening down the email hatches. The study found that companies of all sizes are struggling to secure networks that are increasingly mobile, especially as more employees use their personal smartphones to do business-related tasks, such as checking work email. Also, social networking sites like Facebook (and the games played on those sites) increasingly expose users to dangerous spam emails and nefarious websites. In addition, the Cisco report found that the amount of spam sent around the world will increase 30 percent in 2010 compared to last year, with the U.S. being the country originating the largest amount of spam.

Have you found all of the possible entry points by which a cyber criminal might gain access to your company’s critical information?

Securing your email protects your network email security is paramount. Businesses like yours rely on email to communicate among employees as well as with customers and partners, but it can allow anyone in the world to drop dangerous data into your business network. Hackers love to wreak havoc on networks by mass emailing spam and viruses, which can disable servers and PCs. And those disruptions caused by spam and viruses can cost your company in lost productivity and revenues as well as damage your reputation with customers.

There are two types of security solutions that every small business needs to protect its email and networks from spam and viruses: anti-spam and anti-virus software. Anti-spam software (also referred to as spam blocker) stops unwanted emails at the server and prevents them from being delivered to users’ inboxes. Anti-virus software recognizes the code that was used to create a virus and then stops the virus from spreading across your network from a PC or server that was infected via an email or website.

You have more choices than ever when it comes to deploying these types of security solutions. PSS Enterprises offers both anti-virus and anti-spam software either as individual products or bundled together with other Web security tools.

How anti-spam and anti-virus solutions work:
Anti-spam and anti-virus solutions sit on your network between your firewall and your email server, or on the email server itself, and scan all incoming traffic before forwarding it to users’ inboxes. These solutions work by identifying dangerous data in incoming messages and separate them from the rest of your email traffic so that the infected messages can’t be acted on by unsuspecting employees.

Any anti-spam software will include a quarantine feature that lets PSS Enterprises create a safe place to filter and store emails that might not be spam, such as newsletters from reliable sources, but that raise the spam filter’s flags. In general, an anti-spam solution should provide plenty of flexibility in setting spam filters to catch spam coming into the server. The anti-spam software also should block spam-related threats like phishing attacks, which use email to get users to reveal sensitive information, such as user names and passwords.

Anti-virus software should be installed on every workstation, laptop, and smartphone that has access to your network in addition to an anti-virus gateway installed on or near the email server. The anti-virus program will be regularly updated by PSS Enterprises with new, known virus signatures.

Your anti-virus solution should provide different options for handling infected email, including quarantining and deleting the messages. Don’t just rely on the software to catch viruses as they come in, though. Make sure employees are conducting regular scans of their computers in case any malware has made it past your defenses.

Email security is critical to the well-being of your business. All businesses are just as likely to be attacked by hackers with viruses and other malware just as larger companies, and the losses can be significant. In Symantec’s recent 2010 SMB Information Protection Survey, 50 percent of respondents said they’ve suffered losses due to cyber attacks, including network downtime and theft of corporate and customer financial data as well as identity theft. Hackers count on small businesses assuming they’re safe, and that’s another point of entry cyber criminals can exploit to their benefit.

What steps have you taken to secure your company’s email?

Contact PSS Enterprises today at 1-800-285-2448 for your free site evaluation.

July 13, 2010 is the date to mark down on your calendar for the following changes:

* Extended Support for Windows 2000 Server will end and thus will no longer be publicly supported by Microsoft. Windows 2000 Server will continue to have Self-Help Online Support, which includes Knowledge Base articles, FAQs, troubleshooting tools, and other resources, for a minimum of 12 months after the product reaches the end of its support.

* Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 (at a supported service pack level) will move from the Mainstream Support phase to the Extended Support phase, which will end July 14, 2015. Extended Support means that:
o Microsoft will continue to provide security updates and paid support
o Customers will continue to have access to all security updates and Self-Help Online Support options
o Non-security hotfixes developed during the Extended Support phase are only provided to customers who enroll in Extended Hotfix Support (EHS), though program and per fix fees may still apply. Customers must already have a Premier Support contract to get EHS and must enroll within the first 90 days of the Extended Support phase. Customers with Software Assurance can enroll in EHS at any time.

This upcoming date affects the only version of Windows 2000 Server as well as all the many versions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 (including 32-bit, 64-bit, and Itanium flavors): Datacenter Edition, Enterprise Edition, Standard Edition, and Web Edition.

PSS Enterprises is committed to making sure all Microsoft users are taken care of. If you have Windows Server 2000 or 2003, and are not sure what this means or how it will effect you, call 1-800-285-2448 to speak with a solutions specialist. Questions? Email us at mail@pssenterprises.com and we will get back with you in less that 12 hours.

At PSS Enterprises we have partnered with StorageCraft, the leader in Back-up and Recovery software.

ShadowProtect provides the following benefits:

• Bare metal recovery of Windows servers, desktops and laptops in minutes.
• Restore or migrate backup images to and from physical systems and virtual
  environment.
• Hardware independent restore of backup images to different systems.
• Unlimited use on servers, desktops and laptops.
• No software installation required.
• Bootable recovery CD provides automatic hardware detection and network support.
• Create full online or cold state backup images.
• A simple view to quickly recover files and folders or update backup images.
• Compress and encrypt backup images for efficiency and security.
• Configuration tools to manage domains, mapped drives and network resources.

With the peace of mind that comes with having your data safe, secure, and accessible remotely, you also receive 100% support from PSS Enterprises.  We will develop, manage, and support your data back-up and recovery solution.  Call for a free consultation at 1-800-285-2448 or email us at mail@pssenterprises.com to schedule an appointment with a Solution Specialist today!

It’s the beginning of the middle of the year. Time to evaluate budgets, check on goals, and revamp management strategies. Now that it is halfway through the year, how is your IT budget looking? Over, under, or on par?

Now is a great time to not only look at the present, but look to the future. There are great money saving technologies taking a stronghold in the business front that really should be considered for the 2011 budget. Now is the best time to evaluate if your technology management strategies have worked to their potential or even lived up to expectations. Often management has undershot technology goals to create a safety net, when now is the time to push the limits.

PSS Enterprises offers Specialized Budget Analysis and Development teams to work with a current budget, future budgets, or even non-existent budgets. Call 1-800-285-2448 or send an email to mail@pssenterprises.com for an appointment. Your Solution Specialist is waiting to take your business to the next level.

A recent study of SMB’s in America showed that 70 percent of IT budgets are typically spent on maintaining current IT infrastructures, and only 30 percent are typically spent on new capabilities.

What does that mean?

It means that most businesses do not or have not developed a business model that allows for the adaptation or adoption of new technologies to assist in business growth.  It has been argued (rightfully so) that all businesses need to consider the power of Cloud Computing, and apply more resources to the many benefits of The Cloud.

What is Cloud Computing?

It is the next big paradigm shift in technology.  Simply put, Cloud Computing is a new consumption and delivery model for information technology and business services characterized by:

• Ubiquitous network access
• On-demand self service
• Location independent resource pooling
• Pay-per-use
• Rapid Elasticity and Provisioning

Evolved from grid computing, and building significance in virtualization, networking, and provisioning multi-tenant architectures, Cloud offers a new way of doing business. Utilizing The Cloud, businesses can help provide access to new markets, enable new business models, while creating value within the business by lowering costs.

How can this affect my business?

These value drivers have the potential to transform businesses in the following ways:

• Providing an open and elastic IT environment
• Driving business innovation with large numbers of new applications
• Increasing business responsiveness
• Lowering cost of ownership and improving asset utilization
• Enabling real-time data streams and information sharing
• Providing global resources
• Optimizing IT investments

Show me what that means….

PSS Enterprises has helped businesses:

• Reduced hardware costs, resulting in a 65% savings via reduced infrastructure and improved hardware utlitization
• Saved 27% on licensing costs simply by improved practices
• System administration savings of 45% by eliminating administration and operating costs
• 76% savings in labor by reducing service request management.

Proof that using The Cloud will lower capital and operating costs of IT by providing dynamic infrastructure implementation and management automation.

For Example:

The data that the user works with is normally stored on their machine. Using The Cloud, the data is saved in the cloud, not on the machine, so when the laptop is broken, lost, or stolen, all is not lost.

Your employee has suddenly come down with an infection that would wipe out the whole office if they came to work.  With Cloud virtualization, they can login to work from their home PC and work from the comfort of their infectious home.  For that matter, with cloud, all employees could work from home, thus elimiating the need for office overhead.

You are on a business trip. You forgot the CD, thumbdrive, or laptop that had the killer presentation on it.  With Cloud, the data is stored online, you simply access it online from anywhere and forgo the drama.

Cloud Computing is the future of best business practices everywhere. To have a Solutions Specialist consult with you and see how your company can benefit from The Cloud, call us at 1-800-285-2448 or send us an email to mail@pssenteprises.com.  Need a question answered right away?  Go to www.dentonit.com, and click on the icon in the top left corner of your screen that says “Get online help now!”