ExecuSoft BLOG

VoIP is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband internet connection instead of an analog phone line.

How it works?

VoIP uses services that convert your voice into digital information sent over the internet. With VoIP you can call directly from a computer using a VoIP phone or using a regular phone with a VoIP adapter. You can also use VoIP in wireless spots such as the airport and restaurants.

What do I need?

To use VoIP you have to have a broadband internet connection. You will also need a computer, special adapter, or a VoIP specialized phone. If you are using a computer you will need a VoIP specialized software and microphone. Specialized VoIP phones connect to your broadband connection and operate like a regular telephone.

Advantages

The biggest advantage of using VoIP over traditional phone services is the cost. VoIP calls between service users are typically free and international calls are lower in cost. You can also use VoIP with a smartphone or other devices with an internet connection. VoIP can increase the functionality over traditional phone systems. Incoming phone calls are automatically routed to your VoIP phone. VoIP also simply has more features available over traditional phones.

Types of VoIP

You can use VoIP in many different ways. VoIP has three distinct types of service in use today:

ATA – This is the most commonly used type of service and probably the easiest. ATA (which stands for Analog Telephone Adaptor) allows you connect a regular phone to your computer or internet connection using VoIP. ATA converts analog signals to digital signals over the internet. Installation is easy and is basically just plug in and call.

IP Phones- IP Phones look exactly like regular phones, but where they differ is in their phone connectors. IP Phones use RJ-45 Ethernet connector instead of the traditional RJ-11. IP Phones connect right to your router. Wi-Fi phones allow subscribers to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hotspot.

Computer-To-Computer – CTC is probably the most cost effective route with VoIP. All you need is a computer, internet connection (preferably DSL/Cable), a microphone, speakers, and a sound card. You will also need the software of service provider. Usually the software is very low cost or even free (Skype). You also get long distance calls for free.

VoIP Applications

Two of the more popular VoIP software applications are Skype and Face Time.

Skype – Skype is a little different than other VoIP protocols because it operates on a peer-to-peer model rather than a client-server model. Skype is available on almost all the major operating systems. Skype is also free to use and has very low cost international calls. You can basically use Skype for all your telephone needs, except that of calling an emergency number.

Face Time- Face Time is developed by Apple and was released June 24th, 2010. Face Time is only used for Apple products such as iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Mac OSX operating systems. Face Time is not free, but can be purchased from the Apple Store for $0.99.

Execusoft Controls offers services specializing in design and implementation of phone infrastructure. ESC also can configure and customize VoIP phone systems. For more information check out our products page and our communications page.

Contact Us
ExecuSoft Controls
313 Dividend Drive, Suite 200
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone # (770) 487-6546
Fax # (770) 487-6903
info@execusoftcontrols.com

A virtual private network (VPN) is a network that primarily uses public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the internet, to provide remote offices or traveling users’ access to a central organization network. VPN’s achieve privacy through a tunneling protocol and security procedures using encryption technologies.

With organizations increasing the mobility of their workers in recent years there has been an increased demand for remote access. A VPN can be setup to support remote access to the corporate office.

Benefits

VPN technology can reduce costs because it does not need a physical leased line to connect remote users to an Intranet. VPN’s also do not sacrifice any reliability, speed, functionality, or security. One cost benefit of a VPN is the ability of the network to expand without adding to its infrastructure. Companies can avoid costs of adding additional physical bandwidth. VPN’s can also reduce support costs through outsourcing to professional third-party service providers.

Security is another benefit of Virtual Private Networks. VPN’s can have the highest level of security possible through using advanced encryption and authentication protocols that protect transmitted data from unauthorized access. VPN’s can also be used to protect businesses’ Wi-Fi local networks.

Limitations

VPN’s are not perfect and some limitations do exist like any technology. VPN’s require extensive understanding of network security issues. They also require careful installation and configuration to provide sufficient protection on a public network (internet).

VPN’s have some compatibility issues when different vendor products are mixed and matched. Using equipment from various providers can cause technical problems and may not be cost efficient.

Types of VPN

There are many types of Virtual Private Networks and deciding which one to use is never easy. Here are some of the VPN’s available:

PPTP VPN: PPTP is the most commonly used VPN protocol. Users can have remote access to the network by using their existing internet connection to log on to the VPN using password authentication. PPTP however does not provide any encryption features.

Site-To-Site VPN: Site-To-Site is similar to PPTP except that the routers provide encryption capabilities.

L2TP VPN: L2TP was developed by Microsoft and CISCO. L2TP works similarly to PPTP. L2TP differs over PPTP by providing data confidentiality and data integrity.

IPsec VPN: Mostly designed for IP traffic, IPsec uses a tunnel from the remote site into the central site. IPsec can be expensive and time consuming regarding installations.

SSL VPN: SSL accesses the VPN over a web browser (https). SSL has a major advantage being that it does not require any software to be installed by using the web browser as the client.

MPLS VPN: Primarily used for site-to-site connections offering a flexible and scalable option. MPLS uses two or more sites connected to form VPN using the same ISP. MPLS can be expensive due to the difficulty setting up and adding to the network.

Hybrid VPN: Combined features of other VPN’s like SSL and IPsec. Hybrid VPN can accept connections from multiple types of VPN clients. The Hybrid VPN is very flexible, but can be expensive.

Contact Us!

Execusoft Controls offers Virtual Private Network services for easy, remote access to your office. Contact us today for more information or to setup an appointment! By phone 770-487-6546 or by email Info@Execusoftcontrols.com. Also check out ESC’s webpage on network services @ http://execusoftcontrols.com/Network_Services.php.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview is a pre-release version of Windows 8. Windows 8 was built on the solid foundation of Windows 7 and offers exciting features for the new generation of touch devices. Microsoft calls Windows 8 Windows Reimagined.

Is the Consumer Preview Right For You?
Windows 8 Consumer Preview is recommended for experienced PC users. Since the product is still in development you will get to encounter many of the new features, but you might also encounter some errors. Here are some factors to see if Windows 8 Consumer Preview is for you:

• You enjoy experimenting with new technology and the latest software.
• You are comfortable with a PC: backup, formatting hard drives, & installing an operating system from scratch.
• You feel comfortable troubleshooting a PC by yourself.
• You do not mind updating software frequently.
• You have the installation/recovery media to restore your old operating system after experimenting with Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Beware! the Windows 8 Consumer Preview can crash and lose important files! Be prepared to back up your data. Some anti-virus and security software might not work with the consumer preview. Also some hardware (network cards, video cards, printers) might have problems with the preview. Understanding the risks is very crucial if you think you want to experiment with Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Exciting New Features on Windows 8!

Metro User Interface: You can find out more about metro user interface here!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_(user_interface)

The “Charm Bar’ will replace the old start bar!
http://www.guidingtech.com/10146/windows-8-charm-bar-introduction/

Internet Explorer 10 will have two versions for Windows 8 (the traditional browser & the metro browser). Metro IE10 is touched based and has begun to receive a lot of hype!

Microsoft is aiming to release Windows 8 to the general public by Fall 2012. Windows 8 is starting to become one of the most anticipated releases ever!

You can download and learn more about Windows 8 Consumer Preview here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/consumer-preview

What is Search Engine Optimization?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving visibility of a website or webpage for the search engines. To optimize a website, pages are reprogrammed for the search Engine’s eyes. SEO is a process that takes a website and transforms it, so search engines can categorize it appropriately. So when a user is interested in the subject that the website is about, and searches for it via one of the search engines, the link to that page is sent to the user. The end goal is to send more traffic to your website so you can sell your product.

How Search Engines Work

A web search engine usually has three pieces. The first is a program called a crawler, spider, or a robot. This program roams the web and parses everything it comes across. The second is an indexer that extracts useful information (titles, descriptions, and keywords) from websites. The indexer finds a great deal of data and inserts the data into a large catalog (database). The last piece is the most recognizable, which is the search page or front-end. Search engines also rank pages. Engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo all rank webpages differently.

How do I get started?

Commit to learning SEO and utilizing all the available information or hire a company that can help you with the task. If you DIY then it will take some time to learn all the tricks of the trade. The SEO field is changing fast.

If you have designed your own webpage you may be technology savvy and can take up the task of optimizing it. If you hired a third-party to design your website, then you might want to ask them for assistance.

The pages of your website should be optimized by adding the appropriate quality content, keywords and tags, unique page titles and meta tags, links to good information, a sitemap and use of friendly URLs for the search engines. In addition to that you have to make sure that the code is search engine ready. After all that is done you can start submitting your web page to the major search engines.

Search engines always look for fresh content and traffic. They give preference to websites that have new and useful information and ones that users like to visit. So the strategy is to put some new material every week and try to find ways to get users to read it. This is accomplished by adding new material to your website and having links to the social media.

The process of moving your website from being unknown to coming up on the first page of Google is not easy unless you have a very unique products that nobody else has. Usually, if you do everything right, within 3-6 months you should see some results.

Google analytics is free from Google and it gives a lot of useful information about the performance of your website.

SEO Tools

There are many SEO tools available for users. Firefox offers extensions that can help with SEO. The extensions, SEO Toolbar, SEO For Firefox, and Rank Checker are free to use. Firefox also offers premium extensions like Website Health Check and Duplicate Content Checker. These extensions can help you track page rankings, check for pages with related content, and check for common SEO issues.

Google also offers many tools for SEO. Google’s main tool is the Google Webmaster Tools. The tools are free to use. The tools let Google crawl your site and help you diagnose your problems. Google also offers a free starter’s guide for anyone new to SEO.

Helpful Links

http://searchengineland.com/21-essential-seo-tips-techniques-11580

http://www.businessinsider.com/10-basic-seo-tips-everyone-should-know-2010-1

http://tools.seobook.com/

http://www.coffeekicks.com/

http://outspokenmedia.com/seo/seo-walk/

http://execusoftcontrols.com/Web_Services.php

Use the resources at your disposal. Today you can find all types of information regarding SEO using the internet. Many SEO guides, sites, and blogs are setup to help beginning users tackle the SEO Mountain.

ExecuSoft Controls offers services in web design, hosting, training, domain names, and search engine optimization (SEO). Contact us today to find out more information about our web services or visit our site! http://execusoftcontrols.com/Web_Services.php

Any computer and internet user, regardless of the reasons that they are online, need to have the latest antivirus software programs installed on their computer. Antivirus software is absolutely essential to safe and continual internet usage. It also plays an important role in computer safety, as it can protect your vital documents and files from becoming damaged or lost forever.

How does an antivirus software program detect and eliminate potential virus threats? This can be accomplished in one of two ways. First, the computer security program on your PC or laptop scans any files looking for virus definitions that match a virus dictionary. If a matching virus is found, the software alerts the user about the virus. The second method of locating viruses is to identify and suspicious virus behavior, such as port monitoring, spyware or data capturing. When these behaviors are detected, the antivirus software springs into action and gets rid of the infected files.

Every so often, you’ll hear on the radio or see on the news about a potential virus or worm that is spread via email. It may come with a subject line like “open this to see a funny video”. Once the “video” is opened and downloaded, the virus infects your computer and starts eliminating or damaging files. Antivirus software can help minimize the overall threat that viruses cause. As certain as you would lock your doors at night, or hide away valuable items in a safe location, computer safety depends on having antivirus software installed in your machine.

One thing is for certain: computer security is dependent on antivirus software and vice-versa. New worms and programs are being developed all the time. Some viruses target specific files, like word documents or excel spreadsheets. Other more malicious programs can actually shut your computer right down. However, by installing the latest and most effective antivirus software programs on your computer or laptop, security will increase and you’ll have peace of mind as a luxury. It is extremely important for business to keep an updated antivirus to avoid any downtime or security compromises.

ExecuSoft Controls, Inc. would love to make a recommendation based on your business needs.  Please contact us at 770-487-6546 for a site evaluation.

It used to be that only big corporations used battery backup. Whether it was in the form of a fancy in-house uninterruptible power system (UPS) or an expensive stand-alone model it was generally not given a thought as to home use. Things have changed and prices have come down over the years. Now, every home should have some form of battery backup for its computer system. A UPS system can benefit you in the following three ways:

• Prevent data loss and file corruption
• Keep your expensive hardware safe from damage
• Help save on your energy bills

Have you ever been in the middle of typing up a report or long email and all of a sudden the power goes out? Even just a second is long enough to force a computer to reboot. This can be maddening not just because you probably lost your train of thought but, more importantly, because you lost your data! A battery backup system will prevent this from happening.

How many of us have experienced brownouts or the dreaded rolling blackout? You need not fear this with a UPS. If the power cuts off and stays off you simply save all your work and turn off the computer.

Another advantage of battery backup is that it will keep your sensitive computer equipment safe from power surges and a less-than-consistent power supply. Many of today’s higher-end backup units offer automatic voltage regulation (AVR). This ensures a steady, regulated supply of power is delivered to your computer and its peripherals. This is important because even small changes in an electrical charge can have a negative effect on the sensitive parts of modern electronics. Additionally, most UPS devices protect your phone line, cable line, and network line when run through them.

Since a UPS device is basically just a big, smart battery, it can help save on your power bills. The latest models include GreenPower Technology or EnergyStar Technology. This means software built into the battery backup device will be able to shut down peripherals when they are not in use. You simple program the unit to decide which outlets will have this feature available to them. Best of all, today’s UPS devices run much cooler than older models so you need not worry about additional cooling costs in the summer.

You can now see why having a battery backup system in place is a great idea for any homeowner with a desktop computer. Whether you are looking to keep your system safe from power spikes, are afraid of losing any data, or just want to be a little greener, both in power and your wallet, you should definitely invest in a UPS.

Let ExecuSoft help you decide what UPS / battery backup solution would be right for your business!

“We’re so happy to finally be able to share it with you” – Jensen Harris, Director of Program Management for Windows User Experience. Yes, Windows 8 is officially official! Upon first glance, it reminds me a lot of my super cool Windows Phone 7. It’s all about you and customizing the interactive interface to suit your needs.

The Start screen comprises a “personal mosaic of tiles” that gives you the ability to glance at what you want – including photos, weather, calendar, and social networking updates. While the new interface has been optimised for touch capabilities, it works perfectly as well with a mouse and keyboard.

The new platform is based on standard web capabilities such as HTML5 and JavaScript, allowing millions of developers to create a new kind of app for Windows 8. See the new fast and fluid interaction between applications; whilst still maintaining the power, flexibility and connectivity that Windows has always offered. It’s got all the goodness of hardware including the accelerated Internet Explorer 10 to bring you fully touch-optimised browsing.

Why do businesses adopt managed services?

Nearly 70% of businesses that use managed services cite cost reduction as the primary reason – according to a research study conducted by Ovum Ltd in October 2006. Other highly-rated reasons are higher levels of support and availability, predictable costs and access to the latest technology.

Use Managed Services to Control Network Costs and Gain Greater Flexibility

Subscribing to managed services is a highly-effective way to:
Lower your costs. By providing your network services, we enable you to significantly reduce capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx). You can reduce IT investments, lower maintenance costs, avoid increased IT staffing, and cut lost revenue due to downtime.

Ensure higher levels of support and availability.
Rely on us to constantly monitor the health and availability of the network to ensure that it’s secure and operating smoothly. We offer you best practices in all areas of network management, centralized change control, full-time help desk, and the convenience of a single point of contact.

Establish predictable costs.
Managed services costs always remain at the level specified in your contract, so your IT budget becomes stable and predictable.

Gain access to the latest technology.
The network is our business. That’s why we invest heavily in advanced network technologies and expertise that keeps us at the forefront of innovation. We pass the benefits along to you by giving you access to the latest technologies that offer increased performance, availability, security, and cost-efficiency.

Tap into an enhanced skills base.
We maintain a staff of intensively-trained specialists whose job it is to serve you. They’re able to implement technical innovations and solutions for you – quickly and at reasonable cost – so you don’t have to expand your own IT staff.

Adapt to changing business conditions.
You don’t have to worry about accommodating an unplanned business change such as the need for increased bandwidth, more users or additional services. That’s because, depending on your business needs, we can expand or reduce the breadth and depth of your managed services. That gives you enhanced flexibility, reduces your expenditures, and helps you avoid technological obsolescence by enabling easy migration to new technologies and updates.

Focus on your core business.
Since we’re dedicated to your network requirements, your IT staff is free to concentrate on your core business.

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With each passing day, social networking becomes further ingrained in our personal and work lives. The benefits of social networking in the workplace can be significant as it brings together distant locations, serves as a cost efficient recruiting and marketing tool, and provides access to vast amounts of information and people. Unfortunately, the dangers of social networking can also be equally daunting. Information exists in “real time” and can never be erased, there is little privacy, it is very difficult to monitor and track, and it is an easy risk to the integrity of intellectual property and confidential information. The trick for restaurant owners is to balance these often competing interests.

Social networks pose a distinct challenge to the restaurant industry, which employs a particularly youthful demographic who have grown up with blogs, MySpace, Twitter and Facebook. This generation posts its life “on-line” for all to see—the good, the bad, and the ugly. This free spirited approach to posting often leads to problems in recruiting and employee relations as well as operational areas such as public relations and brand management. Employers who are not careful about how they approach and use social networks may learn too much information about applicants and employees. For example, knowing the political beliefs or sexual orientation of an applicant for a general manager position is certainly not relevant to the job, and could lead to allegations of discrimination should the applicant be unsuccessful.

For the naive manager who “friends” a subordinate employee and unintentionally discovers the off-duty exploits and drinking habits of that employee, certain biases may be drawn about that employee that were never intended. These biases may also result in the employee being treated differently than his or her co-workers, creating a potential liability for the employer. In short, with Facebook and other social network sites, an employer may obtain information about employees that puts them at risk of violating anti-discrimination statutes and, where applicable, off-duty conduct laws.

Most industries are incredibly competitive, and in a tough economy reputation is everything. One bad review or negative posting on a site such as Yelp or citysearch can sink a restaurant’s reputation, severely affecting sales. It takes little thought for a disgruntled or former employee to zip off a posting to a site that contains negative statements about an establishment, manager or employee.

Another risk, intentional or not, is that it does not take much effort for employees to download highly confidential information, copyrighted material, signature dishes or recipes. Within seconds, these actions can reach an audience of millions. It is also easy for an employer to access and read employee e-mails and personal postings. However, understanding when trademark and copyright laws have been broken, or recognizing the boundaries of the statutory laws affecting the electronic workplace can be a daunting task for any employer.

Because of these issues, it is essential for employers to maintain the following “best practices”:

• Develop a uniform procedure for conducting social media searches
• Designate a Human Resources professional to conduct the search and limit it to relevant criteria;
• Apply uniform search criteria for all candidates and document the sites that were searched and the information reviewed;
• Limit access to this information to only those making hiring decisions;
• Prevent improper solicitation of guests and key employees through social networking
• Review language in non-solicitation and non-compete agreements to ensure that communications through social networking sites are included;
• Within parameters of the law, monitor social media when employees depart;
• Train managers on risks associated with social networking
• Posting employee recommendations on sites such as LinkedIn may violate an employer’s neutral reference policy;
• There is an inherent danger in managers “friending” subordinates online because it may lead them to treat employees differently and adversely;
• Inappropriate behavior online may spill over into the workplace.
• Institute a clear social networking policy that is distributed to everyone within the organization
• Describe how monitoring of sites will occur;
• Detail who will conduct the monitoring;
• Train those employees who will monitor;
• Clearly prohibit defamatory, harassing, and discriminatory material;
• Identify required disclosures, disclaimers, and endorsements necessary on social networking sites related to the business;
• Notify employees that violations of policies can lead to disciplinary action including termination;
• Obtain written acknowledgments from all employees that they received, reviewed, and understood the policy;
• Partner with operations, IT, marketing and other key departments that utilize social media to carry out the policy.

As our dependence and utilization of new media grows, the legal boundaries concerning social networking in the workplace are constantly being tested. It is important for employers to work with counsel to ensure these are not crossed. It is also essential that with respect to social media, employers review and revise applicable policies and procedures meet the organization’s business need as well as satisfy legal obligations, which may differ from state to state.